ATHLETICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16434, 24 May 1921, Page 3

ATHLETICS.

NEWS AND NOTES. (By “SPRINTER.") The social evening held by the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club last Thursday evening, when challenge cups and trophies won by members during' the season were presented, was an unqualified success. There was a large attendance of members of the club and representatives of other clubs and other branches of sport. Mr C. S. Harper, .president of the club, presided. Tho following toast list was honoured : “ Kindred Bodies,” proposed by Mr C. S. M' Cully and responds! to by Messrs S. F. Wilson (Canterbury Rugby Union), A- DcV (Canterbury' Cricket Association), A. E. Hooper (Canterbury Rugby-League), A. L. Chappell (Canlerburv Centre A.AC.), J. Coffey (St Uatrick’a Sports Association). If. AN. Johnston (Christchurch Sports Club), and R. English (Canterbury Football Association) ; “ Past Athletes,” proposed by Air P. Afenzies, and responded to by Messrs AY. Anderson. J. Anderson, AV. C. Flewelivu and M. AI. Rosoingrave ; “ The Donors ol the Trophies,” proposed by A.lr O. SThomas; ‘‘The Ladies,” proposed by Air W. C. Flewelivu, and responded to by Air AV. FI. Simes ; and “The Press,” proposed by Air F. AA*. Johnston- An excellent musical programme was given, items being contributed by Messrs E. Pariett. R. S. Moloney, Instone. R. Bryan, li. Smith, C. H. Tax lor. A. Dev. Bracy Wilson, Jiiaseo, O/ S- Thomas', AY. J• Putnam, A. A'oung, W. Anderson and W. J. Putnam. Air C. Nathan was the accompanist*

During the evening a tribute was paid to the work of Mr S. Cox. who has done more than anyone els© in Canterbury for athletics during th© past season. Air Cox, who is best known as the trainer of C. H. Taylor, has devoted a great deal of his time to tho sport and he has brought out several good performers. During the last season he very rarely missed a night at Lancaster Park, ami his coaching and advice have been of very great value to those he trained. 0. 11. Taylor, C. AI. Walden, J- AI. P. Garrick, and latterly J- R. Lang, all trained under him, and he was manage! of th© Canterbury team which went to Auckland for the Now Zealand championships

A generous offer, of which the club might oe able to take advantage, was made during tho evening by Air R. English, of the Canterbury Football Association, who said that, the association’s ground at Cranford Street, English Park, would be placed at the disposal of athletes should they desire to make vise of it during the summerThey would do well to keep this offer in view as English, Park may prove extremely useful for a. small afternoon meeting should Lancaster Park not be available. Th© idea of a C.A.A.C. afternoon meeting at the end of lust season was mooted, but the question of securing a ground cropped up at. once, and as the proposal was not made until very late in the season it was dropped, As it is now proposed that the club should bold a spring meeting, the Football Association’s offer is woU worth keeping iu mind. It is to be hoped that afternoon club meetings will not stop with thy C.A.A.C. venture. Perhaps the other local clubs will be able to hold similar gatherings, and there should certainly be. a combined clubs meeting A matter which was mentioned by two or three speakers on Thursday evening and which seems to be of general interest, is that ot the need for unity amongst the various sports. The idea is spreading that all the sports should combine to protect their rights. As yet there does not seem to have been any particular injustice done to any sport that would make a protection body a necessity, but there is no doubt that if the various sports wore to combine in an endeavour to

boost sport generally they would be in a much better position than they are at present. With the various bodies working harmoniously together it stands to reason -hat sport generally must advance more quickly than when all the bodies are working independently and more or less against each Other.

The proposal io organise a Christchurch sports gala will he discussed at a meeting of the Canterbury Centre cr the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association next Alonday, when the Centre will probably decide w hether to go on with the idea or not. If the proposal is adopted then the unity ol aJI the various sports will be very much needed, and as members of the Centre have expressed the view that the gaia if it is promoted will have to be an annual affair, there is at least one thing which will demand government by united sports bodies.

The St Patrick’s Sports Association will hold a meeting at the Hibernian Hall next Tuesday. The association, I understand, is transferring its activities from athletics to another branch of sport for the time being, and there is a proposal to hold a boxing tournament. Judging from tbc manner in which the association has carried out the tw o athletic meetings it lias held. :> boxing tournament run by the association should give a big boost to the fistic art.