ATHLETICS CONTROL

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1934, Page 3

ATHLETICS CONTROL

WEST COAST (N. 1. CENTRE MEETS. PRESIDENT ISSUES MESSAGE. The first meeting of the new season of the executive of the West Coast (N. 1. Athletic Centre was held at Hawera last night, Mr. A. Grant presiding. Others present were: Messrs L. R. Marter, L. H. Clapham, A. G. Whiting, and the secretary, Mr. L. O. Hooker. Mr. C. R. White, centre-president, in a message to sub-centres said he desired to convey to the sub-centres through the centre secretary, Mr. Hooker, his personal good wishes for a successful season. Those engaged in the administration of athletics in the centre were imbued with the idea that good government was essential to the standing and prestige of the sport. The athletes of the clubs affiliated to the sub-centres throughout the centre comprised of a body of well performed men and the responsibility for their performances at the next national meeting to be held at Wanganui was largely in the centre’s hands. “Having been so recently elected to office,” said Mr. White, “I have not had an opportunity of exploring the reason for the fact that athletics are apparently so decadent in the Manawatu sub-centre. With a city like Palmerston North as the centre, and its proud record of achievements in other branches of sport, surely it should not be said that a strong team of athletes, track and field, cannot be raised there. The responsibility for this position does not lie with the sub-centre officials. There are other reasons, chief amongst them being the lack of a suitable ground, and this is a real obstacle to interested effort.

“At any rate Mr. Hooker is taking an early opportunity of meeting the officials at Palmerston North to discuss with them the revival of interest in the sport. This will be followed, if it be thought desirable, by a visit from a WanganuiTaranaki delegation to further discuss matters in this connection.

“In the Taranaki sub-centre there is much enthusiasm on the part of those controlling athletics in that territory, while the Wanganui executive is confident of recording a highly satisfactory result at the close of the year. The centre championships are to be held at Eltham next year and strong efforts should be made by the sub-centres to support this meeting, As a guarantee of th_ care and interest displayed by the centre executive in all matters affecting the sport, he concluded, he need only say that the chairman was Mr. A. Grant, of Hawera. In. him his colleagues and the secretary, Mr. Hooker, every confidence might with safety be placed. Advice was received that applications for reinstatements by W. M. White and A. B. Campbell had been declined by the New Zealand Council. Members criticised some phases of the reinstatement clause and it was said that favours had been granted. Mr. Hooker reported that the council had no - taken a definite stand on the question.

Mr. A. G. Whiting was elected deputychairman.