ATHLETICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17348, 13 May 1924, Page 4

ATHLETICS.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAMME. Pbh Prkss Association. \ WELLINGTON, May 12. At a meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association Council, held to-night, recommendations of tnc recent conference held in Dunedin curing the championship meeting were considered in connection with the proposal that cycle events should be included in the championship programme. It „W£s decided that it should be a recommendation to the annual meeting that two events, one mile and three mile races, should be put on at the next championship meeting.

The question of overseas athletes coming over and winning New Zealand championships was referred to. Mr S. Dean stated that it was certainly intended that New Zealand championships should bo held omy by New Zealand residents. There was no objection, he added, to their being awarded a special medal, but they should not be awarded a championship. It was decided that this view should be supported by the council. The council of the Australia and New Zealand union advised that the ex ecutive had appointed the following delegates to represent the Amateur Athletic Union at the international athletic* conference to be held in Paris in July:—Messrs B. J. Parkin, on. S. J. Jackson, O. G. H. Merritt and Di R. Homier, manager of the New Zealand Olympic team.

Following the suggestion of the Ama teur Athletic Union of Australia ann New Zealand that a standard programme of events should be drawn up for future Australasian championship meetings, the following programme was submitted:—First day iOOyds, 440yds, one mile fiat, three-mile walk, 120yds hurdles, hammer-throwing, pole vault, discus and javelin throwing. Second day—22oyds, 880yds, three-mile flat, one mile walk, running high jump, putting the shot, running broad jump, 440yds. hurdles and relay race. Decath lon : First day—lCO metres, broad jump, putting the shot, high jump and

400 metres. Second day—Hurdles, discus throwing, pole vault, javelin throwing and 1500 metres race. The council decided to approve of the proposal as submitted.

The matter of amusement tax on spoi'ts bodies was referred to when a letter was received from the New Zea land Sports Protection League urging the abolition of the tax. which had bee*n justified only as a war measure. This view had been admitted bv Mr Massey, who a-*i far back as 1922 had

expressed the hope that it would be possible to clo away with it the following year. It appeared necessary, therefore, that further pressure should b* brought to bear upon the Government to impress it with the necessity of giving the question urgent consideration. The league was organising a representative deputation to wait upon the Government for this purpose, the deputation to be heard, if possible, during the first or second week in June. Mr T. Davies said that the movement had their sympathy, and should have their support. Messrs Davis and Sievwright were appointed to serve on the deputation.