ATHLETIC NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 259, 2 November 1932, Page 4

ATHLETIC NEWS

Al utters were not bustled at the centre annual meeting'. J.t was nearer 11 o'clock than half-past ten before anyone looked at a watch, and then discussion had moved about the ship in leisured fashion for some time in a manner that would have made a standing order faddist grey. Still, the meeting gave every subject careful thought, and there was no ceremony of speaking once and then not again. Several members spoke a number of times but it all helped in the discussions, as the meeting was aided by suggestions that came to mind. All matters were eventually decided in a most friendly manner. I'here was no outstanding delegate at the end of any of the questions to be decided. They talked the matters over and examined every point until thc whole meeting was satisfied. The matter was then put, and it was a feature of the meeting that there was at no time any sharp division of opinion when the vote was put. Such a position is certainly good in one way—for thc good of the sport —but for the time of those at the meetings it is another matter altogether. Being held on a Saurday night the meeting was able to take the whole evening without interfering with other private matters. It was assisted considerably by thc fact that the two centre delegates on tho New Zealand Council were in attendance. At times they were able to give a hint of inside knowledge that helped tho meeting a lot, and their knowledge of thc control of thc sport was certainly appreciated. During the discussion on overseas tours at the centre meeting on Saturday night, it was quite evident that there was a distinct feeling against any tour of American athletes. Tho preference was all wiilfli the Australians. It was said that the Australian men were running as well as thc Americans, and there were as line athletes across the Tasman as there are across the Pacific. When it came to suggesting that thc country should be covered by a coach who would instruct the young members of the different clubs, the preference was again with the Australians. Air. V. Hugo thought that a man could be had in New Zealand who would be as satisfactory as any they could import from Australia, but Mr. Draffin was of thc opinion that there were men in Australia, even if they were old professionals, who would give the greatest service to thc sport in New Zealand. Mr. Hugo even went as far as naming his pick, and Air. Draffin replied with the names of several on the other side of thc Tasman. • • * ¥ • • It was pleasing to hear that thc efforts of the members of the Wanganui Centre, and of the former secretary in particular, Air. J. Broad, had been recognised in cutting down the losses on the centre meeting held in Wanganui last year. Not only are the centre and the members of that body deserving of thanks, but a number of others in the city also did more than their “bit,” and made matters lighter for the sub-centre when the body was hard up against it financially. "When moving tho adoption of thc annual report at the meeting of the West Coast Centre on Saturday night, the president, Mr. Aisher, of Palmerston North, remarked on the fact that ; several of the delegates on the centre executive had not attended as many meetings ns it would be desirable for the efficient working of that body. In doing so, the chairman was really pointing the finger of accusation at Wanganui. He was told by a Wanganui, delegate, Mr. W. Draffin, that the Wanganui Sub-Centre had now made arrangements to have two men appointed as Wanganui delegates on tho centre who would be able to give tho meeting* some of their time. He said that the two delegates who had been appointed for tho meetings of tho last year had both had business reasons for not attending, and in. view of the present times, they could not bo asked to attend if they could spend their time in 'business pursuits. The chairman accepted the explanation. In a few short conversations about the decision to hold the centre championship meeting in Wanganui this year, the writer gathered that the general feeling is that if the meeting is better held in Wanganui, well, Wanganui will run it. But in the main the feeling seems to bo that it might well be held at Palmerston North. The, (rouble down there is the “gate,” and it seems that /.ho Palmerston North people might well be given a little coaching along in appreciation of athletics. Thc writer was told In several quarters that as Palmerston North was the new sub-centre the big mooting could well be gracefully given to that centre, but as mutters stand with many of those taking part in athletics at the present lime, to hold the meeting at the most central ground would be all to the good. It was mentioned at thc annual meeting of the centre that a championship meeting eventually devolves into many entrants from the place where thc meeting is held, and thc entry of only the cream of the tai ent. iu other ecu ires. That may be so, as it is not everybody who has funds to travel to a championship meeting. Wanganui has a lirst-class ground on which both cycling and foot and field events have everything in their favour, and in \ iew of the fact that, a central position is highly desirable now, those in charge of the sport in the Wanganui sub-centre might well expect that thc meeting will be held en Cook's Gardens and accordingly look to laying the ground work Lor the meeting. What is wanted particularly is the appointment of a good secretary. At the present time there are several who might take up such a position but, are reluctant to do so for financial reasons, or the fact that (hey are working on a commission basis and cannot give the time to the secretarial work. The sub-centre is without a secretary, bu'. tlio next meeting should see an appointment made in that direction. Thc same might be said with regard to the Wanganui Club. Air. Cave was appointed honorary secretary, and would have filled the position with credit. Since that, appointment ho has entered upon another sphere of employment and is not, able, iu fairness to himself, to give the. club the time that he would like. In view of that he has inlim.'ifcd (hat he will be unable to carry on. Such a development is certainly uniortnuate for the members of the

When the annual meeting of the cen tre on Saturday night received a query from the New Zealand Council asking for its views as to whether a tour oi overseas athletes would be acceptable, there was a long discussion. (Several different points of view came to light, and the meeting talked the matter over very fully before making a decision. At times there was a little misunderstanding as to what form the motion should take, but the final decision was that the centre should ad vise the council that it was not, in favour of a tour being arranged for this season. Air. Turnbull, from Palmerston North, took a largo part in the discus sion and led it off with an emphatic condemnation of previous tour iu that, they had been too hurried. Ho used a strong term when he referred to th touring athletes “rabbiting through the country,’’ but made it quite clear that he would like to seo the athletes giving instruction to the younger competitors, not only in the country dis tricts but also in the cities. He re marked that touring athletes in the past had arrived in a town in the afternoon, run in the evening, and then passed on to their next contest place the follow ing morning. He was also very much in favour of a visit from a cyclist of repute. He remarked that there had been few cyclists through the country, but was corrected by another member of the centre. If there were any funds to be spent on a tour of overseas men, whether runners, field events perform ers or cyclists, he asked, why should not that money be spent to bring them to the Dominion to teach the presentday competitors? His view had a lot to commend it, but the fact must not be missed that meetings in the centres provide funds for the rest of the tour. Air. V. Hugo enlightened the meeting when he explained that the International Federation had laid it down that a touring team could not bo longer than 21 days in a country. He said that the time limit necessarily made the tours somewhat hurried. Air. Stagpoole, also of Palmerston North, said that the overseas’ athletes' tours wore good for the cities but no good for the country. Air. Aisher, who was in the chair, thought that a great deal of goou would bo done if a number of the champions in the different sections oi athletics were sent round the country. That would give the country athlete? a chance to loam something. One member mentioned a visit from American athletes and Mr. A. Greager. Wanganui, said right off that they should not consider a tour from American athletes. Mr. Hugo gave it as his personal opinion that a tour from thc American athletes who would be visiting Aus tralia would not be possible on account of prohibitive terms from tho Victorian administration. Finally the motion was put and carried. As his suggestion had been ruled out during the former discussion, Air. \V Draflin then moved that it should be a recommendation to the New Zealand Council that the services of a first, class coach, the best available, should be secured. He would then travel about the Dominion, and give all the instruction he could to those who were now in the sport. Thc motion seconded and passed. As far as Wanganui is concerned the motion put forward by Air. Draflin is giving expression to a sore want in this district. The competitors in the Wanganui district are devoid of any opportunity pf learning from first-class men. What they do learn is picked up from a stray text-book or two or from others who are running. They see thc best in the district now and again, but it is a fact with many who are firstclass performers that they cannot im part thc knowledge they possess in a manner to give full advantage to the pupil. AV ho started field events on a proper footing in Wanganui? C. Doughty was the enthusiast, but the man who was responsible basically was Harlow Rothert of America. When he was in the city with Kiser and Simpson he helped all whom he could. The result of Rothert’s visit is being seen now. Why is it that Wanganui men arc looking for bettor things with the cycling fraternity this year? Because there are now in the city more than one cyclist who can ride well. The athletes arc expecting that the cyclists’ knowledge will be passed on. Doubtless it will be, in the best spirit possible. But what would bo tho outcome of a visit from a good coach J What would bo thc result in sprinting, middle dis tance, hurdling and jumping? ♦ * . . What the members of the Wanganui Club need, and they know it themselves and would be only too glad to be able to have it, is a long talk with a man whom they know to be giving them thc best advice. What they need is a run through several times with a man watehiug who can tell them where their faults are. There are many men who will tell an athlete what is wrong with hi. style. But what is his advice worth ? It goes so far and then stops. The man who knows tho game through and through is able to give tho liner points the attention and the athlete tho advice born of knowledge. It might be hard to secure a man who knows a deal about many branches of the sport, but surely that man can bo obtained? A visit from a team of overseas ath letos would doubtless provide a good evening's entertainment for Wanganui ns a whole, but why not. raise the standard of competition now when times uro a little harder than they were some years ago, and then later— the obvious result needs no bright colour on the cloth to make it a happy pie titre. B lien Mr. Dralliu brought bis suggestion forward the evening was just about finished, but although it; might not have been given all the discussion some of the other points had. it was, to the writer's mind, perhaps the most valuable suggestion that had come before the meeting. Other delegates did not actively oppose it, in that it went through with practically no discussion at all. Silence, in that, case, might be taken to moan assent. One fact remains: Whatever tho feeling i n Afann, watu or in Taranaki, the visit of a. good coach, whether he bn from Wei lington or Australia, is what. i.! la Waujuiiw.

When talking on other matters, the chairman of the Centre meeting remarked that, a new club • had hi '-n formed in Palmerston North. The chib would he catching the vounger ath letes leaving school, a thing that had not. been done in that centre befoie. It is good to hear that such a cluh has been formed. Tn keep a sport profitably alive it is necessary In get the boys and let them grow up in the sport. Wanganui will certainly vxisli the new club in Palmerston \ >'th nil • ucci.i." tor u laigf nitujbe j ship.