ATHLETICS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19437, 24 October 1925, Page 4

ATHLETICS

WEST COAST (NJ.) CENTRE. ANNUAL MEETING. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The annual meeting of the West Coast (North Island) Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held on Thursday evening, Mr H. Fry presiding over a large attendance. Annual Report. The annual report was as follows: We feel that the Centre has every reason to be satisfied with the advance that has been made by this, the youngest Centre in New Zealand. While at the beginning of the season we had eight affiliated clubs, affiliation has now been granted to three more, namely, Turakina-Wangaehu Amateur Athletic Club, Hunterville Amateur Athletic Club, and Wanganui Harriers’ Club. It is pleasing to record this growth of amateur sport, and especially the inauguration of the Harriers’ Club (the first to be affiliated to this Centre), as this will be a great incentive to the athletes to carry on the good work all the year round. Many of the clubs were somewhat unlucky, as owing to the epidemic in the early part of the year they were unable to hold their annual sports fixture. New Zealand Championships. On February 27 and 28 the annual New Zealand track and field championships were held on Cook’s Gardens, and though the weather was threatening on the second day, they were witnessed by an excellent attendance, and it proved a very successful meeting. The Australian team pn tour of New Zealand at that time were in attendance, and proved worthy competitors with our New Zealand champions. The events won by our representatives were as follows: Three mile walk.—H. Kerr, 22min. 50 2-ssec (standard, 23mins). One mile walk.—H. Kerr, 6min. 50 4-5 sec. (standard, 6min. 50sec.) Three mile cycle.—K. Gray, 7min. 15 2-ssec. (standard 8 min.) L. Hunt and I. Ross were runnersup in the discus throw and One mile cycle respectively. During the meeting we were pleased to have with us Mr R. Coombes, of Sydney, president of the Amateur Athletic Union of Australia and New Zealand. N.Z. Cross-Country Championship. The annual cross-country championship took place at Dunedin on August 15, and though the Centre was unable to be represented by a team, C. Gibbons was ah individual representative. He ran«a good race, but the Otago representatives proved to have been well trained, and Gibbons finished eighth. The Harrier Club were given permission to hold the North Island CrossCountry Championship at Wanganui on September 5, but owing to lack of entries it fell through. This is regretted, as such an event would have been a great stimulus to the harriers, and especially in view of the. fact that they, supported by local enthusiasts, have given a shield to the New Zealand Council to be competed for annually, and to be known as the North Island Cross-Country Championship Shield. West Coast Centre Championships. These Wack and field events were this year allotted to the Hawera Club, and were decided at Hawera on the afternoon and evening of April 11 (Easter Saturday). The weather being atrocious, the events were witnessed by a very moderate attendance, but the conduct of the meeting was all that could be desired, and reflected credit on the club and on all officials who devoted much time and energy to achieve success. The Hawera club put up a great performance, and once again won the banner. The points scored were:— Hawera, 80; Wanganui, 64; New Plymouth, 14; Patea, 1. Finance. The balance-sheet shows £l3 18s 5d on hand, while the assets over liabilities amount to £2B 0s sd. Though this is very satisfactory, and the Centre is now in a much sounder financial position than twelve months ago, it must be borne in mind that the Centre has big responsibilities in sending teams to championship meetings, and endeavours should be made to build up a fund for sending representative teams to all championships. Council Meetings. During the year thirteen meetings were held, the attendance of delegates being as follows:—E. P. Pridham 8; P. Wilson 5; G. Pownall 4; H. Fry 9; W. Mitchell 8; C. Warden 4; A. Weekes 9; J. Pawson 7; A. Telfar 2. Conclusion. In conclusion we wish, to express our appreciation and thanks for the work put in by all officials of clubs in maintaining the interest and keenness of amateur sport. We also thank the press for the great interest it has taken in the sport and for its valuable help and influence. Our on the New Zealand Council, Messrs Connop and McFayden, have been unfailing in their duties, and the smooth working of the Centro with the governing body is largely to their credit. We further wish to thank all assisted in any way towards the success of the past season, and trust the coming season will be equally successful. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr Louis Cohen; vice-presidents, the presidents of affiliated clubs; delegates to N.Z. Amateur Athletic Association: Messrs R. Connop and F. Wilton; delegates to West Coast Centre: Messrs G. Pownall (New Plymouth), H. Fry (Hawera), F. McKenna (Patea), W. Mitchell (Waitotara), E. P. Pridham and P. Wilson (Wanganui), A. Weekes (Bulls), A. Sims (TurakinaWangaehu), J. Pawson (Marton), R. Jones (Hunterville). C. Warden (Patea Schools);- hon. handicapper, selector and starter, Mr Geo. Benson; local

officer, Mr H. Fry; hon. auditor, Mr Boulton; hon. treasurer, Mr A. E. Anderson; hon. secretary, Mr J. J. Dillon. General Business. A vote of thanks was accorded the Centre’s delegates (Messrs R. Connop and F. McFadyn) on the N.Z.A.A. Council. It was decided, owing to the financial responsibility, not to entertain the proposed visit of the American athletes. It was resolved that all clubs be advised that if members are not registered they will be liable to disqualification from competing at sports meetings. The following allocation of dates was decided upon: Wanganui A.A. Club, November 28; Patea A .A. Club, Boxing Day; Turakina, March 19 and 20 (two days’ meeting).

BIG SPORTS MEETING COOK'S GARDENS THIS AFTERNOON. Last evening a display of trophies and medals in Therkleson’s window attracted much attention. They were tho prizes for the successful competitors in to-day’s big sports gathering on Cook’s Gardens. Among the valuable trophies is a gold medal for the most points gained in the cycling events. To-day’s sports will be one of the biggest meetings held in Wanganui for some time. An early start—-12.30 —is bein’g made. The primary schools events will be run off first. / The Education Board’s Banner for championship events, and the Cosmopolitan Club’s Banner for handicap events, will be keenly contested by the various sections. Events for technical college students will then be run off, including an open mile handicap. These will be followed by numerous important amateur athletic events, including running and cycling contests. A display of bridge building by Boy Scouts, a Y.M.C.A. gymnastic display and music by the Garrison Band will add interest to the monster programme.