SEPARATE CENTRE SOUGHT

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1934, Page 2

SEPARATE CENTRE SOUGHT

TARANAKI AMATEUR ATHLETICS. NEW PLYMOUTH CLUB’S MOVE. There was a good attendance at • a special meeting of the New Plymouth Amateur Athletic Club on Monday night when the question of the present centre control was considered. Mr. G. H. Thomson presided. Mr. C. H. Stephenson’s motion that the secretary be instructed to write to the Taranaki sub-centre of the West Coast centre to the effect that the New Plymouth club delegates would move at the next meeting that the necessary steps be taken to form a separate Taranaki centre was carried unanimousAfter briefly outlining the present organisation Mr. Stephenson pointed out that it was most unwieidly, that Tara-, naki, Wanganui and Manawatu had few interests in common and could not w-urk whole-heartedly together. He instanced the cases of the surf and swimming associations, both of which had made rapid progress since the formation of Taranaki centres. He was sure that the formation of an athletic centre would be most beneficial to the sport in the province. It would give a more compact organisation under which they could make steady progress. Dr Thomson said Taranaki must stress to the New Zealand council that the general spirit and progress of the sport would be greatly benefited by a separate centre. He was sure they would have a better family spirit. The path was mil of difficulties but was well worth attempfl Mr. J- W. Hollows was also of the opinion that a move was necessary. He cited the poor support the recent centre championships received from Wanganui and Manawatu. Mr. A. S. Clark supported the motion, stating that a separate centre would certainly benefit Taranaki athletics. It was decided to hold the club s annual picnic on March 25.