THE AMATEUR LAW.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16416, 3 May 1921, Page 8

THE AMATEUR LAW.

KRONFELD FORFEITS STATUS. At last evening’s meeting of tlio council of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, a report was read from the South Auckland Centre which stated that Leo Kronfeld, a prominent Auckland swimmer, and middle-distance champion of New Zealand, had visited Thames (which is within the boundaries of the South Auckland Centre) for a swimming carnival promoted by the Thames Amateur Swimming Club, and had accepted expenses from tho club without having first obtained permission to do so. The centre stated that correspondence had passed between its secretary and Kronfeld in respect to a proposal that Kror.feld should visit Hamilton to swim. It had then been pointed out to Kronfeld that the payment of travelling or other expenses could not bo made to him except pursuant to permission by the New Zealand Council. It. was subsequent to the passage of this correspondence, and without further notification to tho South Auckland Centre, that Kronfeld had visited Thames and accepted expenses from the club. A copy of a letter from the Thames Club t 1 the South Auckland Centre was enclosed, stating that n. certain sum had been paid on Kronfeld’* behalf, and a further Bum had been handed to him. The president of la© council (Mr ~W. K. D Bishop) said the council hod no option but to inform Kronfeld that, he had forfeited his amateur status. The amateur law was quite, specific on the subject, and gave the council no discretion to do other than he had stated. The clause of the rule set out: “An amateur swimmer forfeits his r.tatua and becomes a professional by: . . . Accepting ativ travelling or hotel expenses from any club or 6ports promoter, except in the case of a championship meeting . . or with the consent of the council of the N.Z.A.S.A.” It was unfortunate that such a good swimmer and popular sportsman as Kronfeld should have acted in this manner, but the council had no option in the xna-t-It was urged by several members that tho Thames Club was as blameworthy as Kronfeld, and tlvat it had apparently entered into negotiations with him through other than the proper channel —the South Auckland Centre.

It was decided thtrt. the club be asked t< furnish an explanation of its action.