N.Z. ATHLETIC UNION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14325, 15 October 1910, Page 2

N.Z. ATHLETIC UNION.

SOUTH CANTERBURY CENTRE. The annual meeting of the South Canterbury Centre oi tho New Zealand Athletic Union was held yesterday afternoon iu Hutchison s rooms, being attended by Messrs J. Keimeuy (President;, H. il. Eraser, E. A. Joyiu, \Y. H. Evans, \V, Oborn, and J. V. Kalaugher (secretary). Tho report and balance-sheet, previously published in the "Herald," were read and adopted. Dates for sports meetings were approved as follows:—St. Andrews, December Ist, Maylieid, Dec-ember 16th, Mackenzie, November 9th and Pleasant Point, December .Kith. Office-bearers were elected as follows: —President, Mr Donald Grant; Vice- presidents, Messrs G. P Gerrie, J. Stewart; Council, Messrs AY. F. Evans, H. H. Eraser, YV. Oborn; Auditor, Mr AY. Mcßride; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr J .P. Kalaugher; Official Haudicapper, Mr J. P. Ivalaugher. CONTROL OF CYCLING. Mr Evans, speaking as a delegate from 'Wie Temuka Society, said that his club had received notification, to the effect that the Union had assumed control of cycling .and two or three of the directors thought the Executive had overstepped the mark. He had received notification from the N.Z. League of Wheelmen of its intention to severely puiu'sh any wheelmen competing in meetings not registered with that body. Apparently there was going to be friction on the subject; and he thought the Centre should discuss the question.

Mr Kennedy said that he had been one of those who had inaugurated the New Zealand Athletic Union, in "Wellington, and tilings had gone very smootltly for the first two years. Then trouble arose with the Southland Society, and at the request of Caledonian Societies in South Canterbury the Union disqualified several riders -who had competed at the Exhibition. The League did not back the Union up, and gave permits in connection with the Waiiganui meeting. At the ensuing Duiiedin conference of the Athletic Union there was a proposal to take control of cycling then, delegates from the North Island saying that riders thought nothing of the League, and they considered that when they provided the prizes for cyclists' events their societies should get tho fees. However, tho North Canterbury delegate and himself opposed the proposal, and expressed the opinion that cycling was we!! controlled by the League in Canterbury. At the conclusion of the conference they asertained that cycling was not by any means well controlled in other parts of the Dominion, so twelve months afterwards, the Executive endeavoured to come to a. reciprocal agreement with the League, but something went wrong. At the Greymouth onferciice recently, no one had a word to say in favour of the League, except the North and South Canterbury delegates, and it was mentioned that the League was collecting £-200 from societies affiliated to the Union, and giving them practically no assistance in return.

Mr Kalaugher said tliat following the decision or the Greymouth conference ,the Executive decided to take over the control of cycling. He went to Christchureh fv.r the purpose of securing an amalgamation between the Union and the League, n-d the members i>f the League Council, with the exception, of cae man. quite agreed with the idea. However, when the proposal was put before tlie League officially, it- was not aprcd to by the reproscritatve; of the League centres exceps by the South Canterbury delegate. There wore really only two sirens centres in iii" 1.0 ijruo---North Canterbury and South Canterbury, several other centres existing ill name only. After that. r. ::;,=cT;i:g of the Union executive was held and. as instructed by the Cn-y.uiiiH.h Conference, they formaiiy resolved to take control of cycling, in N'rth Canterbury there would he some trouble, but in the other districts., as proved by letters he had received, the Union would net- undivided support. The New Zealand Athletic Union was a powerful body, and the opposition from the North Canterbury Centre, which was composed ni" the same men as the North Canterbury League, would not be very strong, as its best meeting was scarcely as good as that at Pleasant Point. Mr Evans said he stil>osed the League must eventually go under, but it would not be pleasant to have- any trouble, with so many meetings coining nil. What action should the Centre take? Mr Kalaugher: "Ignore the League altogether.'' Mr Kennedy said that the position had been forced on the Union, and though there would he a certain amount of bad feeling, the change hn was sure, would be for the benefit of sport. Mr Fraser said that tlie bad feeling

would only exist in Christchureh, and ho thought it woidd be a good idea if tho Union a strong centre there. Mr Kalaugher said that the New Zealand Union intended expending some money with that object. In answer to a question Mr Kennedy said he was certain the trade would support the Union. Mr Evans' said that he was quite satisfied with the information he had received, and he would put it before the next meeting of his society. Mr Kalaugher in conclusion, pointed out that every cyclist registering with the New Zealand Atheltic Union would be allowed to compete at meetunder its control—the fact that a rider hnd competed under League rules would not make him liable to disqualification, as long as he takes out the Union license. Perhaps the Tjeague would disqualify riders for competing under the Union, but of those disqualifications the Union would take no notice. The meeting after the transaction of routine business, with votes of thanks to the Press and to the chairman.