AUSTRALIAN ATHLETES FOR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 212, 8 September 1938, Page 11

AUSTRALIAN ATHLETES FOR

ASSOCIATION OPINIONS TO BE SOUGHT MEETING OF THE COUNCIL I Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Sept. 6. After discussing in the light of in« formation that has been received from Australia the prospects of various Australian athletes being available for the tour of New Zealand next summer and of their being suitably matched with New Zealand athletes,' the Council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association decided tonight to send telegrams to its centres asking them to express urgently their views on the advisability of a team of the Australian athletes visiting New Zealand in 1939. In the course of discussion a speaker remarked that previously the council had seemed inclined to withhold such invitations until 1940, conserving its financial resources for that year. The council approved of a full programme of junior championships ar.d women’s championships, which are la be held at Auckland, including 13 junior championship events and lu women's championship events. The Paraparaumu Amateur Athletic Club, the Miramar Amateur Athletic Club, and the Gore Amateur Athletic Club were disaffiliated and the fees of the Y.M.C.A. Harrier Club (Wanganui), Kumeroa-Hopelands Amateur Athletic Club and the Waverley Amateur Athletic Club, which were not active last season were remitted. WANGANUI'S OPINION IN FAVOUR OF THE VISIT. Approached by the "Chronicle” yesterday with regard to the attitude ol the West Coast (N. 1. centre toward the visit of a party of Australian athletes to Wanganui, the president, Mr. G. H. Benson, said that such a , visit would be heartily welcomed. The president of the Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Association, Mr. A. C. Bourgeois, also expressed complete agreement with the proposal. He said that the standard of athletics in Wanganui had benefited considerably from the visit of the Australians, J. Metcalfe and T. Hampson, while the association had benefited financially also. He was sure that a similar visit would find favour with the Wanganui public.