LEAGUE INTERESTS IN THE NORTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7808, 12 September 1903, Page 6

LEAGUE INTERESTS IN THE NORTH.

At the last meeting of the New Zealand League Council, the following report was presented by Mr LE. Nordon :• — Acting on your instructions, I paid a visit to a number, of places in the North Island", and it is with deep regret tliat i have to report a serious slump in cycling matters in the various ' districts which I visited. With, regard to many of our old affiliated clubs, ' I find -that they have' virtually ceased to exist, and the sports in the districts referred to are run, in mosi cases, by the Caledonian Societies. Tht only way, in my opinion, that the Caledonian Societies can be brought under t_K banner of the League .is by stating* oui case at the united meeting in Wellington this month. I would strongly recommenc that the delegates who attend on oiir behalf should be. given power tb agree to s reduction of the permitL.ee to CaledoniaSocieties, and should such, a rule be agreec to, of course," any society- paying a reducec fee would not have aiiy representation or the local Centre. I give 1 hereunder separate reports of each district | also report regarding Don Walker. •.*•■■.,- ' . Auckland. — I find the sport very; deadi ir this district, and, - from an interview witl the Centre secretary, I learned that no raw meeting had been held for- twelve months, and that the ,' last two meetings, of the Centre had lapsed for want of a quorum. I interviewed th^ . committee of the Auckland Cycling Club, and they .infowned m<t that, if the terms were not too high they would favourably consider a proposal to put on a • meeting in the New Year. I am of opinion. -thafc the sport will not revive here until the track, which I understand is under way, is laid down. Thames. — I found the club which existed in this town defunct, and with no chanct of being revived. The only sports .pro* moters are the local Foresters, and theii meeting looks like falling through this year. New Plymouth.— Our old club here is defunct, but about £30 is in the hands of a Mr Knight, and I arranged with Mi A. J. Campbell, an old member of the Auckland Cycling Club, to call a meeting and endeavour to reform the club, and, as I anticipate he will 'be successful, a meeting will be probably held , in ' that town. ■ Hawera. — In this town there is no possible chanoe of a revival, seeing that. the cycling track has been torn up, and there is not only no track to race unon, but no

person in the town willing to take the matter in hand. Stratford. — The 'old club is defunct and the Caledonian Society is the only promoter, and it only puts on a couple of roadster events. Wanganui. — I belive there is a chance of the olub re-forming here, and. the' matter is now in the hands of Mr Brunette, an. old League rj der, who hopes that a race meeting will be held in January. Woodville.— The old club here is defunct, but I found Mr J. Chalmers, an old Oamaru League rider, established (here, and* I made all arrangements for a meeting to be held next Friday to form a club, and I have every hope tihat the project will be successful. Dannevirke.— l found the Cycling and Athletic Club still going on, and in a fairly financial position. It appears very friendly to the League. Napier. — Here things are at a very low ebb. No race meeting has 'been held for