ATHLETICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6514, 17 June 1899, Page 6

ATHLETICS.

'AMATEUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held last evening at the Occidental Hotel ; present—Messrs J. F. Grierson (in the chair), P. Selig and H. Frost (Hawke's Bay),.N. L. Macbeth (Dunedin), C. Hood Williams (Ashburton), J. H. Wood (Auckland), W. A. Mansell (Post and Telegraph), i C. F. Smith (Waipa)., F. . W. .. Johnston (Canterbury), W. G. Atack (Wanganui), L. W. Harley (Wellington), Dr Thomas ; (Thames) and, Dr Jennings (vice-president). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs H. S. Batchelor, T. H. Jackson and F. H. Harley. The reinstatement of W. 0. Bradley was cancelled, it having been since ascertained that he had competed as a professional within two years prior to his application. A cable message was raid from Brisbane stating that the Queensland Association had fixed Nov. 9 and 11 as the dates of the Australasian Championship Meeting. It was decided to agree, to these dates. Correspondence was read -with regard to the disqualification of A. O. Keating by the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club for competing to lose in the 3Goyds race at a meeting held by that club. Keating appealed against the decision of the club, but the appeal was dismissed. A letter -was read from Mr R. Cole, secretary of the Gisborne Amateur Athletic Club, stating that he thought, as far as athletics were concerned, ifc was. unadvisable to try to keep a club going, at least till they had got a ground suitable for racing, and that would not be for a couple of years at the bsst. Whenever they had the ground ready they would do their best to revive amateur athletics in the district. The letter was received, and it was decided to return the Gisborne Club's subscription. The Council agreed to extend its patronage to the performance at the ' Theatre Royal in aid of the funds of the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club. The Secretary of the League of New Zealand Wheelmen wrote asking if the Association would meet a deputation of three from the League to discuss the subject of the future government of amateur cycling in the colony. Mr Hood Williams said it would only be an act of courtesy, to appoint a deputation to meet the League's representatives, and he moved — " That the Chairman, Dr Jennings and Mr Selig be appointed a committee to meet the .deputation from the League of New Zealand Wheelmen, the committee to report to the Council at its next meeting." Mr Harley seconded the motion, which was carried. Tho Secretary of the Amateur Athletic Union wrote, asking the Association to vote on the question of the description of weight and hammer to be used at the 1899 Australasian championships. The rules drawn up by the 1897 Conference, bufc not yet adopted by the Union, provided that the head of the hammer should be of iron, or other metal, and spherical, and the handle should be wood or wire, or both ; j und that the shot . used in putting the i "weight should be of iron, and spherical. The j Union asked whether the Association would agree to a wire-rope handle being allowed , for the hammer, and, as to putting the \ weight, asked whether the shofc could be made. of iron and lead, or whether it must be entirely .of iron. 'Hie Association agreed that the handle of the hammer should be of wood or wire, or both, and might be flexible, ■ and that the weight should be of lead or ! iron, or both. The record of 0. Madill in the Hammer-throwing Championship at : Dunedin was passed. The Chairman stated ' that no arrangement had been made with the Dunedin' Club as to the payment of en-. , tertaining expenses in connection with ; the : recent championship meeting, and the Secretary of the club had written that, pending instructions, he was holding the balance. . The cost of entertaining had been £26 ss, and this the Association agreed to pass. ■ 'The meeting then closed.