PUBLIC SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1933, Page 10

PUBLIC SCHOOL ATHLETICS

PATEA ASSOCIATION’S YEAR.

EXTENSION OF ACTIVITIES. The Patea and District Public Schools’ Amateur Athletic Association’s annual meeting was held on Saturday. Mr. W. H. Southcombe presided. Representatives of the various sub-districts were: Messrs E. Hurley, C. R. Honeyfield, J. A. Wither (Whenuakura), L. Hunt, P. Palmer, A. Sadler (Alton), J. Hamblyn (Kakaramea), G. Marshall, Rev. W. H. Walton (Patea), D. Jillet (Manutahi) and E. F. Hemingway (chairman of the Wanganui Education Board). Appreciation of the retiring chairman’s work and the work of the secretary was voiced by Mr. Jillet. The secretary, Mr. J. A. Wither, submitted a report which stated that the importance of the work being done by the association could be gauged by the fact that despite the depression entries had increased. Entries for ' the March sports were just on 1500, and at the August tournament the only schools not represented were Opaku and Mokoia. Finance had been’ difficult and the association has the small credit balance of £1 13s lOd, which would have been less had not Mr. Rawlinson given a generous discount and Mr. Lamb, domain caretaker, given his services free. To ease -.the strain on the funds the custom of giving medals to winning teams was discontinued. There were sufficient medals in hand for two years if teams were not presented with medals at the August tournaments and if the decision not to hold cricket and rounders competitions this year was adhered to. Gates decreased by £5 ss, probably a sign of the times, but a most disappointing feature considering the importance of the work of the association.

The cricket and rounders competition was not very successful owing to the difficulty of transport, and the rounders final was not played. It was suggested that the cricket cup become a challenge cup and that if possible a oneday rounders tournament be held. The swimming tournament was held in March and the association was indebted to Mr. B. Currie for the able manner in which he conducted the events and to the Patea school committee for the use of its baths. Considering it was a first effort the entries were very encouraging and the standard of swimming high. The Seaside Improvement Society’s cup was won by Richards, Patea School, who also divided championship honours with Booker, Whenuakura School. The girls’ championship was won by Maire Rangi, Whenuakura School.

The March sports were up to past standards. From experience gained in the past it Was found possible to devise a permanent programme, and this, would greatly help the committee in the future. The system of entry used was quite successful. The Strouts Cup was won by Whenuakura School. The tournament was held in August and there was a record entry. Kohi School entered a team for the first time and carried off the senior football trophy. Whakamara won the junior event and Patea the basketball cup. A representative football team was chosen and played Hawera as a curtain-raiser for the senior match. The boys acquitted themselves well and though beaten put' up a good' game. A further game was played between teams from north and south of the Patea River and was a good game. The proposal to play Wanganui had to be dropped through lack of finance. It would be advisable to earmark funds for the purchase of jerseys if the association intended to go on with representative games. It was unfortunate that the Taranaki Rugby Union did not realise that primary school rugby should be fostered if Rugby was to remain the national game and insisted on holding important events on the day of the schools’ tournament. Its action last year greatly increased the difficulty of running the tournament and certainly had an adverse effect on the revenue.

The membership showed a slight increase and the new interest aroused throughout the district by the representative football matches should be of assistance to the association. Two cups for swimming and seven miniatures were received from the Herbert Smith Trust. The election of officers resulted: Patron, Mi*. E. F. Hemingway; president, Mr. D. Jillet; secretary, Mr. J. A. Wither; auditor, Mr. E. F. Hemingway; Father Broughton was added to the list of vicepresidents to replace Father Hegarty, who has been transferred; committee, the officers and one teacher from each district.

Owing to the difficulties of transport of teams from one school to another it was decided that the cricket cup at present held by Patea become a challenge cup. The president and secretary were authorised to draw up a set of conditions governing the challenges. Arrangements are to be put in hand for a oneday rounders tournament. It was resolved to ask the Herbert Smith Trust for two cups for competition in the association’s district.