ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 262, 2 November 1907, Page 6

ATHLETICS.

AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION FORMED. A largely attended meeting of delegates from the various athletic bodies in the Auckland provincial district was held last evening to discuss the advisability of forming a local governing body for the province. Mr T. P. Gilfedder (N.Z. Athletic Union) was voted to the chair. In his opening remarks the chairman traced the growth and career of similar associations throughout the colony and their affiliation with the union. It was, he said, necessary to have a controlling authority, without which athletic sport must soon deteriorate, and so become repugnant to the public taste. A general discussion ensued, and a motion to form an Auckland Athletic Association was carried unanimously. Rules and constitutions were then gone into, it ultimately being decided to adopt the Southland rules, with minor alteraxions. The following office-bearers were elected: —President, Mr Gilfedder; vice-presidents, Messrs W. Montgomery (Dargaville) and J. J. Scanlon (Waihi) ; secretary ana treasurer, Mr F. H. Burbush (Auckland), A. committee of seven was elected to form the executive. A motion by the chairman to affiliate with the New Zealand Athletic Union was not seconded, it being the feeling that a better course would be to come under the proposed North Island Athletic Union. After details had been arranged, the meeting terminated with the customary vote of thanks to the chair. At the conclusion of above meeting the formation of an Athletic Union for the North Island was freely discussed by representatives from Wanganui, Feilding, Taranaki, and Hawke"s Bay, together with those already present. Considerable correspondence was received from all parts of North Island and from Dunedin, Oamaru, and Temuka.. Exception was taken to the headquarters being at Invercargill, one speaker remarking that they might as well be in the Antarctic region. Judging from the correspondence, the opinion is general that North Island societies are not favourable to the existing state of affairs. It was i decided to assist in the formation of a union, and Mr E. T. Bain, Rangiriri, was elecjed secretary pro tern. The scheme outlined provides that the North Island should be divided into seven districts, and that each district should be represented on the executive of the uaion. The object is to give societies a direct voice in the management of the governing body. The registration fee for competitors was fixed at one shilling per annum, entitling competitors to take part in any athletic sports in the North Island. It was also decided not to interfere with the work of the New Zealand Axemen's Association.