New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6350, 22 September 1888, Page 4

New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association.

A meeting of delegates to the Association waß held at Warner's Hotel yesterday evening; present — Messrs F. Wilding (Vice-President Canterbury A.A.C.), J. P. JTirth (Hawke's Bay A.A.C.), i). V. Hamilton (S.C.A.A.C.), Carl (Dunedin A.A.C.), —Dick and W. F. Meers (Southland A.A.C.), and L. A. Cuff (Hon Secretary Canterbury A.A.C.) Tho meeting was called to consider Mr E. V. Hamilton's adjourned motion. — "That the following words be added to Bule XII. : ' But the Association, however, does not refuse to entertain an application for re-mstatement as an amateur. The Association to decide each case on its merits.'" The Secretary read a letter from the Hawke's Bay 'Association, agreeing with the proposed alteration, and regretting that the JS T ew Zealand Association could make no allowances for standard time on grass tracks. The Secretary said the Hawke's Bay Association had since telegraphed withdrawing their consent to the proposed alteration in Rule XII. The Dunedin Association (through Mr A. W. Blanchard) had signified their intention, by telegraph, to oppose tbe altered rule. The Southland Club would also object to the alteration. Mr Meers said he had received instructions from the Southland Club to vote, against the alteration. They were somewhat sore on the question, as several rather notorious professionals there had attempted to gain reinstatement as amateurs. Mr Cuff said he had recently received a telegram from the Dunedin Club, which said, " will discuss matter further if rule made more stringent." Mr Hamilton said it was just possible tha#at the last meeting they might have carried the motion; but he had felt that if it had been carried, it would have broken up the Association. Three of the Clubs favoured the motion strongly, and two opposed it. With a break-up of the Association facing them, he thought ib wonld be useless to go on with the motion. He saw a loophole for the solution of the difficulty in tho telegram of the Dunedin Association, and he was determined that it eventually should be carried. At present, with the absurdly stringent state of the. rules, any boy running for a prize of sixpence at a school would be debarred from, competing as an amateur. He thought the objection raised by the opposing Clubs was due to a misconception of his motivo in moving the amendment to the rule, and its scope if carried. Ho would postpone consideration of the question sine die, and notice of the resuming of the movement would be given. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Dick, seconded by Mr Hamilton, to write to the different Clubs, asking them each to appoint two delegates and an emergency man to the Association, two only to attend and vote at each meeting. A vote of thanks to'the Chairman terminated the proceedings.