ATHLETICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17221, 3 October 1927, Page 11

ATHLETICS.

NORTHERN UNION. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of delegates to the Northern Athletic Union was held at Tc Aroha on Friday evening, there being present fifteen delegates. The president, Mr R. Coulter, presided. There were present: Messrs S. T. Keene (Awakeri'), W. E. Grigg (Morrinsville), A. A. Harper (Nongata Valley), W. Shannon (Springdale), W. Godkiri (Te Aroha), J. Reich (Kamo), C. Morison (Hikutaia and Te Aroha), Andrews (Pui Pui), Jones (Tangitu), D. Mcßelh (Mauku), Bennett (Te Puke), T. Childerhouse (Tc Aroha), S. Vernon (Te Aroha), H. T. Walls (Te Poi), P. Pilkington (Te Aroha), and Slyfleld (Paeroa). The president referred to the satisfactory position. The revenue for the year totalled £llO Gs lid. In the assets and liabilities account there was a surplus of £92 5s sd. The secretary, Mr J. L. Harris, stated that a sumo of £2O had come to hand.

The report and balance sheet were adopted. Headquarters Unchanged.

The president referred to the question of deciding upon the headquarters for the ensuing year. He thought Hamilton the most central position. After discussion it was agreed to retain Te Aroha as headquarters. The annual report stated that during the athletic period SO clubs were affiliated, a slight gain over 1925-20, when 78 clubs were registered. Special thanks were tendered the official handicapper.

It was further agreed to hold the next annual conference at Auckland. Officers.

The following officers were elected: President, Mr R. Coulter; vice-pre-sident, Messrs Dawson (Kaitaia), and Mcßeth (Tangitu); auditor, Mr E. 11. Edmonds; solicitor, Mr A. T. James; Council, Messrs J. H. Reich (Kamo), Swain (Waiuku), Pilkington and Vernon (Te Aroha), Shannon (Springdale), Buddy (WhakaUme-), and Grigg (Morrinsville) ; Consuls, Messrs J. N. T. McKay (Waipa), W. Batley (Pio Pio), Finlay (Mauku), Bennett (Raupo), Slyfleld (Paeroa), Rhodes (Thames), Watts (Te Poi); official handicappcrs, Messrs C. Morison and F. McAneny. It was agreed to make the secretary's honorium £SO for last year; auditor's fee, £2 2s.

Question of One Big Union. Mr Jones, delegate to the conference at Taumarunui, on behalf of the Northern Athletic Union, made his report. He had a good reception. At the conference he had expressed the opinion that it was necessary for the Northern Athletic Union, to affiliate with the NewZealand Athletic Union, for one big union was much better, but now that he learned that the Northern Athletic Union had a membership of 80 he was inclined against that view. The delegates to the New Zealand Union were most enthusiastic about forming one big union. The chairman said they were progressing satisfactorily in the North Island at any rate, and therefore as there was no motion before the meeting the subject would be dropped. Mr Jones was accorded a vote of thanks for his representation and report. Mr Finlay referred to sports' bodies situated on the borderline of the two unions, necessitating a double affiliation for members. Mr Harris remarked that they had the assurance that no extra embargo would be placed on members of the New Zealand Union and it was hoped that body would reciprocate. The president urged that a strong protest be made against statements made in the city press by certain sporting writers. A letter was read from the Kamo Club stating that a chopping competitor, Larkins, who tied with another competitor, and who decided to divide the stake, took the whole of the first prize.—The conference decided that Larkins be instructed to make the refund within fourteen days, otherwise he would be disqualified. It was agreed to donate £5 towards the expenses of the Hamilton to Auckland road race. Insurance. On Mr Harper's motion it was agreed to set up a committee to report on the matter of insuring competitors, clubs being instructed in the meantime to make their own arrangements to secure their position. It was also agreed that clubs hold their annual meetings before September 30 in each year and submit their programmes for approval to the Union.