CONTROL OF ATHLETICS

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1935, Page 3

CONTROL OF ATHLETICS

WEST COAST CENTRE SEASON OF GREAT ACTIVITY. ANNUAL MEETING AT HAWERA. The season just ended had been a particularly busy one as far as the West Coast Athletic Centre was concerned as the centre conducted the' New Zealand championships at Wanganui, and also meetings at which the British and Finnish athletes appeared, stated the report presented to the annual meeting of the centre at Hawera last night by the chairman of the executive, Mr. A Grant. The New Zealand championship meeting,j although successful up to -a point was disappointing from a financial viewpoint. The nett profit was £39 4s, which had to be divided with the New Zealand council, and after allowing for certain - expenditure which could not be charged against the meeting, it only left a very small credit balance. It was hoped that the profits from the meeting would have enabled the centre to set aside a reserve from which financial assistance might be extended to centre competitors at future championships and for that reason alone it was regretted that a more substantial profit did not result. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £2 Ils 5d but after allowing for outstanding accounts there would be a debit balance of £5 5s 7d. As the season commenced with a credit balance of £l2 18s 7d the loss for the season amounted to £lB 4s 2d. Congratulations were extended to S. A. Lay on again winning the New Zealand championship in the javelin throwing, and C. V. Evans in winning the 880 yards championship. To F. S. Barraclough, an ex-Taranaki athlete, congratulations were extended on his performance in securing the pole vault championship. Thanks were extended to all officials of the sub-centres for their cooperation. MORE. INTEREST IN MANAWATU. It was pleasing to note that more enthusiasm was being shown in the Manawatu sub-centre, and the executive trusted that negotiations regarding grounds at Palmerston North would be satisfactorily concluded and that meetings would be held there in the near future. The centre was prepared to assist in every possible way to stimulate interest in that district. The question of the centre's financial position had for some-time been causing the executive some concern and it was ■ evident that a source of assured revenue had to be devised. To overcome the difficulty it had now been decided that the full registration fee of 2s 3d should " be payable to the centre. ■ Assuming that the registrations were 400, this would give the centre an income of £2O. This amount together with the profits from centre championships would, it was hoped, cover the centre’s annual expenditure. Had this course not been adopted the centre would have had no option but to levy each sub-centre. It would be seen, in view of the loss shown over the season, that this revenue of £2O was essential for the proper functioning of the centre. The centre thanked officials for the work they had done during the season, centre secretaries for their loyal cooperation and all whq had in any way contributed to the working, of the centre’s affairs. The excellent service rendered by the secretary, Mr. L. O. Hooker, who by reason of the New Zealand championship meeting being held in the centre, was called upon to do a considerable amount of work, was recorded. It was regretted in view of the centre’s financial position that no allowance could be made in respect to expenses to Mr. Hooker, his staff, and officials who journeyed to Wanganui for the championship meeting, but appreciation of the good work rendered by all those concerned was expressed. ASPECT OF FINANCES. It was stated by Mr. Grant that the loss of £lB on the season’s working was not as serious as it appeared. It had to be 1 remembered that £9 had been paid to clear debts of the previpus season. Officers elected were: President, -Mr. A. G. Whiting (Eltham); vice-presidents, presidents of sub-centres; secretary' and treasurer, Mr. L O. Hooker (Hawera); auditor, Mr. T. F. McKenzie (Hawera); handicapper and starter, left to the executive to appoint; honorary, solicitor, Mr. J. Edmonston (Hawera); selection committee, Messrs. T. W. Kilpatrick (Manawatu) and Whiting, a third to be appointed by the Wanganui sub-centre; local officers, Messrs. Kilpatrick, Whiting and A. C. Bourgeois (Wanganui), representatives on New Zealand council, Messrs. Urquhart and Leeder; representatives to attend annual council meeting, Messrs. Hooker and Whiting. It was decided that the centre’s crosscountry championships be allocated to the New Plymouth Harrier Club. The centre championships were allotted to Wanganui the club under the auspices of which the meeting is to be held to be decided at a later meeting of the executive. “ The next annual meeting of the centre will be held at Palmerston North. A recommendation was made to all handicappers in the centre to handicap on New Zealand standards. A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring president, Mr. C. White (Wanganui) and to Mr. Grant, the retiring chairman of the executive. At an earlier meeting of the executive . advice was received from the New Zealand council that Friday and Saturday, February 28 and 29, had been chosen as the dates for the New Zealand track and field championships at Dunedin.