ATHLETICS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19993, 9 November 1927, Page 10

ATHLETICS

EVENING MEETING , HANDICAPS FOB TO-MORROW. j The following handicaps have been (declared by Mr G. A. Benson for the (Wanganui A.A.A. Club’s sports to be 'held on Cook’s Gardens at 6 o’clock to-morrow evening:— 220 Yards Handicap.—First heat: H. E. B. Newton 2 vds., G. Broad 8, W. R. Bradley 9, E. Ward 14, L. Fear 15, J. Broad 17, E. Morgan 18. Second heat: C. Maitland 3, A. Telfar 4, ]?. Ford 11, C. Gardener 14, R. Broad 16, A. F. Laing 18, O. Maitland 20. 880 Yards Handicap.—H. E. B. Newton scratch, C. Gibbons 15 yds., F. H. McLean 25, B. Solomon 30, S. Gudsell 35, R. Solomon 40, G. Moore 50, W. Agnew 55, E. Pleasants 55. Half-Mile Cycle.—l. Ross scratch, L. WaJseley 15 yds., A. Cave 20, K. Anderson 30, A. Beattie 30, N. Ross 35, A. Ford 55, J. Alp 55, E. A. Williams 50, V. Ruff 55, A. Olson 60, J. Newton 60, H. Dustin 60, C. Brown 60, E. Harper 60, A. Fife 60, C. Adamson 60, A. J. Wilkie 65, E. Whalley 70, R. Harrison 70, R. Paul 70, W. Smith 70, J. McCartney 80, M. Wall 90, EL Wilkie 150.

Schools Sports. Nominations for the amateur events to be decided at Saturday night’s sports close to-morrow night. Sheets arc posted in the dressing sheds.

SUCCESSFUL YEAR PAST SEASON REVIEWED ANNUAL EEPORT OF N.Z.A.A.A. A highly successful year, but not as strenuous as the last, is recorded in the annual report of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, to be presented to members at the annual meeting to be held in Wellington on November 21. There is no doubt that the interest of the public in amateur athletics has increased, and this has led to a greater degree of keenness amongst the athletes. The standard of the sport also has reached a degree that may well be regarded with satisfaction. Special mention is made in the report of the cycling branch of the sport.

“Attention must be drawn to the marked progress that has been made with amateur cycling since the association took over control, and the sport is now on a sound and improving basis,” it is stated. “The ever-growing interest that is manifested in this branch of the sport by both competitors and public is very gratifying, and is shown in a great degree by the increasing attendances at meetings and the formation of new clubs in every part of New Zealand, which augurs well for the success of this branch of the sport in. the future. ’ ’

Reference is made to the council’s unsuccessful endeavours early in the year to arrange for a visit of noted athletes from overseas. A visit from overseas athletes is not practicable during the coming season, owing to the proximity of the next Olympic Games. The council, however, will consider the advisability of negotiating for such a tour immediately the games have been decided. No arrangements, however, can be made unless the International Federation sees fit to waive its ruling which limits tours from foreign athletes to 21 days. As previous tours to New Zealand have been absolutely free from any suspicion of professionalism, it is to be hoped that the desired permission will be obtained.

Futre Prospects. “The progress that the sport is making entails an increasing amount of work on the council as an administrative body, and in respect of the details of tours when arranged, and also in extending the sport into new districts. It is gratifying to note that the sport is going ahead in leaps and bounds in Hawke’s Bay and Nelson, and, in fact, in all the country districts throughout New Zealand. This revival of country clubs is due in no small measure to the important concession in regard to the application of the reinstatement rule that was obtained at the last conference of the Amateur Athletic Union of Australia and New Zealand, and together with the enthuiasm that prevails, the future prospects Of rapid advancement of both amateur athletics and cycling may be looked forward to with the utmost confidence. Good. Financial Position. “The financial position of the association is even stronger than it was twelve months ago, and is such that the members of the council can justly feel proud of their season’s efforts. At the end of the 1924-25 season the association held the sum of £23 12s 3d, but had then liabilities to the total of £B5 10s. At the end of the 1925-26 season the money held by the association amounted to £250 18s 3d, while there is only a small liability of £5 13s. Although the moneys actually lying to the credit of the association have hardly increased during the season, the council has paid approximately the sum of £ll2 on items which will not recur. ’ ’