TARANAKI ATHLETICS

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1935, Page 9

TARANAKI ATHLETICS

REVIEW OF PAST SEASON GOOD POSITION OF SUB-CENTRE. REPORT FOR The very satisfactory position of athletics in Taranaki is commented on in the annual report of the Taranaki Subcentre of tire West Coas (N. 1. Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association to be presented to the annual meeting to-night. This season has again proved that Taranaki is. holding its position and producing first-class athletes,, the report states One New Zealand title and 20 West Coast (N. 1. centre honours came to the sub-centre. For business reasons Mr. Stan. Lay had to refuse an offer to be included in the New Zealand team for tire Melbourne centenary games early in tire New Year.

The statement of receipts and expenditure disclosed a credit balance of £l4 18s after meeting all the season's current expenses, paying nomination fees for the Taranaki representatives at the West Coast Centre championship amounting to £3 Hs 6d, and making a grant of £2 2s to the harrier sub-comnrittee.

Owing to cyclists being affiliated to their own association and not to the Amateur Athletic; Association, the number of athletes registered with the subcentre by the clubs t.ris year has been accordingly affected, but it is very gratifying to state that athletes registered numbered 165, an increase of 11.5 per cent, on last year’s total. This shows that the six clubs are working hard for the prosperity of amateur athletics in the province. Owing to various reasons the Opunake club found it impossible to affiliate this year, so that no doubt a few athletes from that district did not register, but a number registered with other clubs and acquitted themselves excellently. The sub-centre championships were held at Hawera on February 2, and were very gratifying both from the fields and the financial aspect. The meeting returned a net share of £7 6s Bd. Creditable performances were put up by Taranaki athletes. The executive records the efficient manner in which the meeting was conducted by the Hawera Amateur Athletic Club. CENTRE CHAMPIONSHIPS. The centre championships were held at Eltham on February 23. A disappointing feature was that the Manawatu subcentre was not represented. The sports were therefore a contest between the Wanganui and Taranaki sub-centres. Taranaki won with 158 points and 20 titles, while Wanganui secured 67 points and six titles. Titleholders in Taranaki are: 220 yards, S. A. Black (N.P.); 440 yards, S. A. Black; One mile, K. Wells (S); 120 yards hurdles, C. P. D. Rogers (S); men’s relay, Taranaki; One mile walk, W. Coleman (E); High Jump, R. Burt (E); long jump, G. Sullivan (N.P.); hop, step and jump, G. Sullivan (N.P.); 220 yards hurdles, A. Innes (N.P.); 100 yards women, E. Reid (H); 120 yards women, E. Reid (H); women’s relay, Taranaki; pole vault, G. Sullivan (N.P.); hammer, L. Fryday (S); javelin, S. A. Lay (S); half-mile cycle, C. Hawkins (N.P.); one mile cycle, A. Adams (S); three miles cycle, J. C. Bourke (H). The Taranaki women’s relay team comprised Misses M. J. Hall (S), J. Moffitt (N.P.), N. Clark (N.P.), E. Reid (H), and the men’s team was A. A. Johnston, T. K. Cambie (H)’, A. Gorringe (S), I. McCready (S). The New Zealand'championships were held at Wanganui on March 8 and 9, and the sub-centre was represented in the centre team. S. A. Lay received a New Zealand title by winning the javelin throw and other members of the team from the sub-centre performed well.

Athletics received a fillip by the visit during the season of the English and Finnish athletes, G. L. Rampling. R. M. Craske, J. V. Powell, R. Murdoch, M. Sippala and V. Perasalo, the two last producing outstanding performances in the field events. Taranaki was included in the itinerary and the team made ar. appearance at Hawera. For the second time during the season the Hawera Amateur Athletic Club deserves special mention for the excellent manner in which it conducted tl. meeting. Harrier activities ran smoothly and under the control of the New Plymouth Harrier Club this branch of the sport is becoming very popular. At the latter end of the season the sub-centre held a picnic at King Edward Park, Stratford. It is hoped to make the picnic an annual fixture. The executive records its appreciation of the work done by all officials of clubs and their delegates and thanks all who have assisted in making the season successful.