AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4676, 21 June 1893, Page 1

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

CANTEBBUBY AMATEUB ATHLEriC CLUB. The thirteenth annual general meeting of the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club was held at tbe City Hotel last evening. The President, Mr C. Hood Williams occupied the chair, and there was a very good attendance. The report of the Committee was as follows :— " Your Committee has much pleasure in presenting a report of ' the past year's doings, tbe thirteenth since the Club's foundation. The year has been a fairly successful one from an athletic view, though only two meetings have been held —the regular croßs-country -meeting and the annual spring meeting, at which the Club's championship is competed fcr. With a vie wof encouraging croßs-country running, your Committee decided to combine an inter- club championship, open to teams of five men, with the regular Club steeplechase, but, unfortunately, the movement met with such little support that they decided to drop the matter for the time, and run only a Two-mile Steeplechase, which was won easily by C. G. Kees, with D. Page second and T. Harker third, and a Consolation Handicap, .which F.-J. Leggatt appropriated. Your Committee much regrets that the interclub championship fell through, as it was hoped it would have been the initiation of a very interesting annual event, but trusts that the incoming Committee will be able to carry out the idea. The spring meeting, held earlier than has been usual of late, to meet the wishes of many members, was again a great buccoub, a better financial result being shown without any deterioration in the quality of the sport, several new members showing such form that good things may be expected in the coming year. The number of entries topped anything previously recorded, and the large fields and gopd finishes in the various, handicaps, telling how well the handicappera' onerous task had been done. The Club's championship, allotted at this meeting to the One-mile Flat, was won by C. G.Eees in the good time of 4min S4>|sec, thus gaining a standard badge. A harder or pluckier-run race has rarely, if ever, been seen at Lancaster Park, C. Clark being only beaten in the last few yards. Tbe 100 yds winner turned up in our old friend L. Harley, who also lowered the standard in the 75yds Handicap. Among other good performances may be mentioned W. J. Moir's, putting the weight, 36ft ; Mendelson's Long Jump, 20ft l£in ; J. Fitzpatriok, Quartermile, 54-f sec ; L. Harley, 250 yd s; W. J. Le Cren, Quarter-mile Ladies' Bracelet; E. F. Grigg (owing 4yds), 120 yds Hurdle Handicap; W. Beadel (17jds), Quartermile Hurdle Handicap ; L. A. Cuff, 75yds Handicap ; and W. M. Weßt, Pole Jump, who showed what an adept he is at his particular branch by putting up a New Zealand record of 10ft 2in. Standard badges were won by C. G. Bees, Onemile flat; W. J. Moir, Putting Weight; W. M. West, Pole Jump ; L. Harley, 75yds ; L. A. Cuff, 75yds, all of which performances were of especial merit, as ' the standards had all been fixed at higher class than formerly. The bicycle events were unfortunately not well supported with entries, but though the fields were small some good racing was seen. Your Committee decided to Hold a trial meeting previous to the championships in Wellington, instead of the usual autumn meeting, but owing to the few entries received and the bad weather il was eventually abandoned. Members wishing to be included in the team were

afforded an opportunity of testing their capabilities by running trials at their respective distances. With a view of assisting the sufferers from the floods in Queensland, your Committee joined with the Pioneer Bicycle Club in holding a fe"te at Lanoaster Park, which resulted in a handsome addition to the relief fund. Tour Committee again has the pleasure of congratulating the Club on having won the Champion Banner, after a splendid struggle with the Wellington Club, only one point dividing the two. Some excellent performances were put up, notably Meßsra Matson, Moir and Beadel'a in tbe Quarter Hurdles, who finished 1, 2, 3, all gaining standard caps, and/ scoring the points whioh won the banner, the time being very good, only fsec short of the world's record. Mr Beadel, who had jonrneyed to Wellington at his own expense, waa awarded the Club's representative badge for his fine performance. W. M. Weßt (first in the Pole Jump), E. N. Thomas (One-mile Walk>, W. J. Moir and H. W. Postlethwaite (in the 120 yds Hurdles), C. G. Eeeß and F. J. Leggatt (One-mile Flat}, J. Waohsmapn (Throwing the Hammer) all did good servioe ; members of the Club gaining places in thirteen out of fifteen events, scoring five first, six seconds and six thirds. The Club may well feel proud of its members' performances, having now won the banner three times out of four competitions; twice on foreign grounds. During the year fifty-seven new members have joined the Club, which, making allowance for the usual resignations from removals, &c.f> brings the Club roll up to one hundred and seventy-one ordinary, twenty-four honorary, Bixty?tbree supernumerary and three life. The financial position of the Club is a good one; the Honorary Treasurer's statement and -balance-sheet will place the matter clearly before you. The thanks of the Club are due to Messrs C. Hood Williame, A. E. G. Rhodes, E. Heaton Bhodes, C. H. Croxton 'and F. Wilding for their contributions to 'the prize list, and to the gentlemen who acted as officials at the meetings iheld by the Club, their duties ■having given general satisfaction. It has been your Committee's pleasing duty to welcome back from England Messrs D. Wood and L. A. Cuff, who formed part of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association's team, and also Mr P. Wood, who 'all so worthily upheld the Club's name among the athletic giants at Home and ; abroad, and more than a little praise is due to Mr Cuff for his able handj ling of the team. Your Committee feels j that though unsuccessful in the primary object (winning a championship) a great , impetus has been given to athletics in this ; Colony, and ow club " ln'particular, and hopes that several of the Club's members may be included in the proposed team to visit Australia for the Australasian championships. Your Committee hopes that during the coming year even greater efforts will be U9ed to increase the Club's I membership, and so keep it in the proud position it has now attained." The Honorary Treasurer, Mr J. F. Grierson, read the balance-sheet, which bhowed the receipts to have amounted to .£233 14b lid, and the expenditure to .£223 13s, leaving a credit balance of £10 Is lid. The assets were Champion Cup, £80; de* posit in Industrial Building Society, J827; furniture, JB10 ; cash in bank, £10 Is lid, and outstanding subscriptions, £7 10a j total, £134 10 a. On the motion of Mr Qrierson, seconded by Mr L. A. Cuff, the report and balancesheet were unanimously adopted. The Chairman congratulated the Club upon the success it had attained during the paßt season in the field of athletics in the Colony. Mr C. Hood Williams was unanimously re-elected President. . The other officers were elected as follow:— VicePreßidents, Dr Thomas, Messrs C. H. Croxton and' W. D. Woodj , Hon Secretary, Mr W. Beadel j Assistant Hon Secretary, Mr C. Louisaon j Honi Treasurer, Mr J. F. Grierson (re-elected) j General Committee, Messrs P. A. Laurie, J. F. Wachsmann, D. Wood, L. A. Cuff, H. S. Batchelor, F. Wilding and J. C. Cusack ; Honorary Auditor, Mr W. Tonks | Vicepresident of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic. Association, Mr F. Wilding ; delegates to the Association, Messrs D. Wood, J. C. Cusack and P. A. Laurie. ' Mr Grierson stated that the licensee of the City Hotel had kindly placed. a room at the disposal of the Club, in which could be kept the Club's photographs, records, &c, and where they could hold meetings.. A hearty vote of thanks, carried by acolamation, was passed to Mr H. S. Batchelor for his valuable services as Honorary Secretary during the past two years. Mr Grierson was also accorded a vote of thanks for past services as Hon? orary Treasurer. ; Mr C. G. Bees moved— "That it be a recommendation to the Committee to hold the annual cross-country steeplechase on the Eiccarton racecourse if possible/ The motion was carried. A discussion took place in regard to the distance of the race; Mr Bees suggested that it should be not less than four four miles. The majority of those present thought that the distance should be the same as it was last year— about three miles. After some routine business had been disposed of, the President proposed— "Success to the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club." Mr Grierson proposed the health of the President. The toast was drunk with musical honours. At a meeting of the newly-elected Committee, held subsequently, Messrs A. A.' Taylor, C. B. Williams, C. Cnllen, A. E. Gee and F. Marshall were elected members.