AMATEURS AT STADIUM.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18365, 24 April 1925, Page 22

AMATEURS AT STADIUM.

CENTRE'S DISCUSSION. Amateur athletics will still be held at English I'ark, the Canterbury Centre, X.Z.A.A.A., having decided at its meeting last night that the amateur status of its runners will not be affected by the fact that a few amateur events ara included on a professional programme at the Stadium.

The matter was brought up by a letter from the New Zealand Council, which stated: —"The opinion of your Centre is sought on the question of: amateur events at meetings run by proprietary bodies."

There was some discussion at the, outset as to whether the matter should be considered in committee or not. Mr E. H. Cross said that the Centre should step out into the open. Somo of the considerations of the other side had been held in committee, and portions of the discussion had leaked out.

A report on the matter was received in committee, and the discussion was in open meeting. Mr "W. Flcwellyn said that the Centre had run amateur events under the proprietary body, and it hud had a successful season. The running and cycling races held at English Park had been under the rules and .-jurisdiction of the Centre, and the Stadium authorities had never interfered in any way. He would therefore move: "That replying to tha enquiry made by the Council of the X.Z.A.A.A. with regard to the views held by the Canterbury Centre as to the proper policy to adopt with regard to the running of amateur events by a proprietary body, this Centre is of the opinion, gained from its experiences this season, that the work done by tha proprietary body operating in Christchurch at English Park has been for the good of amateur sport. Early in the season the Centre decided to allow one cycling and one running race to be held in each programmo managed by the said club, upon the distinct understanding that the Contre's officials controlled these events. Tho proprietary body agreed to the Centre's terms, and loyally carried the same out to the letter. Under tho circumstances tho Centre considers that the granting of a, permit to the proprietary body is subject to proper control in the interests of; athletes." . . Mr E. H. Cross seconded the motion, saying that he had asked runners, and found they were entirely in favour of the English Park races being continued. At first he was opposed to the running of races at English Park, but now ho had changed his mind. If the Park was forbidden to put on amateur events, the Centre would antagonise runners. The main reason for his turning lag coat was that he had been to tho Park, and found that everything had been "surprisingly satisfactory." 'ln the last live months the Stadium had dona a lot of good for runners and cyclists, and tho amateurs wero delighted to bo. able to race there. At first he had bo» Heved that runners would be influenced towards professionalism, but only 0119 or two had turned, and they would have done so in any case. The chairman, Mr C:' S. McCully said that although he had nothing against English considered professionalism was a curso all over the world. He suggested that the Centre should hire English Park, and run a purelyamateur meeting there. Mr- Flewellyn: They will do that for us. Mr C. H. Taylor, jun., said he had watched the meetings and he did not* think there was one runner who would uphold tho Centre if it turned down English Park. ' Mr G. G. Lockwofd said that although he would not run at the professional meeting at English Park he did not wish to press his views on any othef runners. Outside Lancaster .Park, which could only bo had about one day ai year, the only suitable ground was English Park, which was run by a professional body. The management not only allowed amateur running, hut encouraged it, and its attitude suggested it was "as keen >on amateurism as anyone." There was no bad influence) on the amateur runners at the Park', and to stop the races would be cutting off the Centre's nose to spite its face. Mr "R. Beattie said that English. Park had built up amateur cycling, and the standard had to he kept up. Tf the Park put on an amateur meeting th© gate would be very small and ho did not think the management could be looked on as making money out of tho amateurs.

The motion was carried, the chairman's vote being the only one against it.

On the motion of Mr Flewellyn ili was decided to instruct the Centre's? delegates to the X.Z.A.A.A. accordingly. It was further "decided that a subcommittee consisting of Messrs C S, McCully. "W. Flewellyn, R. Beattie, K. H. Cross and G. G. LockwOod should he set up to place the full facts before the Council.