ATHLETIC AND CYCLING UNION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16507, 18 August 1921, Page 8

ATHLETIC AND CYCLING UNION.

MEETING OF CENTRE. The annual meeting of the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union was held last night, Mr J. A. Mealings presided The annual report stated that during the 1920-21 season there had been a great revival of sport in Canterbury, and at present ten clubs were affiliated with the centre. The St Patrick’s Sports Association was to be congratulated on its splendid meeting at Lancaster Park on March 17. There wats a fair entry for the New Zealand champion road race, over a course of seventy miles. The race was won by C. H. Gibbs. P. O’Shea, second, made the fastest time. The South Island championship, of forty miles, which drew large entries, was won by D. Welsh, P. O'Shea again winning the blue riband for fastest time. The MarshiandMairehau Club had had a very successful season, and had done its part in making the sport popular. The St Patrick’s Sports Association had made application for the New Zealand athletic championships for the coming season, and if they were allotted to Christchurch it would mean a big stimulus to sport in Canterbury. An effort was being made to revive the Timaru to Christchurch road race, and inquiries in regard to the matter were being made in all parts of the Dominion. The balance-sheet showed a bank balance of £29 8b 2d. The excess of assets over liabilities was £2O 13s. Mr Mealings r mgratulated the centre on the progress made during the .year. Mr W. J. Walter, referring to th© work of the year, considered that the St Patrick s Association had done a great deal for sport in Christchurch. # The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Several letters were received promising assistance if the Timaru road race was reinstated. It was decided to set uc a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Walter, Lucas, Daly, Barrett and H. J. Conway, for the purpose of canvassing the city and seeing what steps could be taken for the revival of the big roud race. It was decided to donate £1 Is to the St John Ambuiance Brigade. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr J. A. Mealings; vice-presidents, Messrs W. J. Waltex and B. J. M’Kenna; chief consul, Mr W J. Walter; vice-consul, Mr F. D. Ke steven; secretary and treasurer, Mr P. C. Lucas; handicappers, Messrs A. J. Barrett (athletics/ and Lucas (cycling) ; auditor, Mr W. Daly. The New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union wrote in regard to the St Patrick’s Sports Association s application for the championships to be held next March, notifying that the championships were under offer to the Feilding Centre, but that nothing had been definitely settled. The centre’s delegate to the annual conference, to be held in Dunedin next month, was instructed to press the St Patrick's Association's claim to the New Zealand championships. The secretary was voted an honorarium of £lO 10s.