CYCLING DISPUTE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19140, 25 October 1927, Page 11

CYCLING DISPUTE.

STATEMENT BY CENTRE. LEASING OF ENGLISH PARK. The following statement regarding the dispute between tho Christchureli Centre of the New Zealand Athletio and Cycling Union and the Christchurch Cycling and Athletic Club has been forwarded by the Christchuirli Centre: "in taking over English Park Stadium at a price of JCdOO for tho track season, tho Centre did so with the solo object of giving the racing cyclists an opportunity of taking part in track racing, which according to 'report* would not have been accorded thein. The intention also was to boost track racing in Canterbury. "It was obvious ut the end of hist season thfit track racing in Christchurch was on the decline, and would require very careful handling to bring it back into public favour. With tins object in view, negotiations were commenced for the leasing of the Stadium. ''During the conference between tho Centre and tho Stadium Company, i<< was stated by Centre delegates thao any profits made would be expended to advance the sport of cycling in Canterbury, and the riders would thus bone-

at. "The Christchureli Cycling and. Athletio Club is quite a young body, having been granted affiliation only last July. The delegate from tho club, Mr C. M. Kavauagh, knew the full details of the Stadium transaction, being a member of the suh-committco which met tho Stadium Company's representatives. At tho annual meeting of the Centre, Mr Kavanagh stated that if his club should not be granted a permit for November 11th, the club members would boycott that particular sports meeting. Instead pf that, tho club, apparently acting on the advice of the officials, decided to boycott all sports meetings conducted by tho Centre until they secured their own way.

"Mr Kavanagh was aware when 'the permit for Show Night was applied for by his club that the Centre had intended to conduct throe sports meetings at the Stadium during Carnival Week, and, although a delegate, and quite conversant with the financial risk the Centre was taking in Bubleasing the Stadium, he acted in a manner which was detrimental to the best interests of the Centre. Mr Kavanagh knew at the time when ho threatened to boycott the meeting that if the season was a failure financially the Centre would have to make good any losses sustained. Mr Kavanagh moved at the annual meeting of the Centre that no permits -should be granted to clubs during the season. This was not carried, as delegates were of the opinion that once the Centre was in a sound financial position, consideration would be given to the granting of permits or the running of sports meetings for the benefit of affiliated clubs.

"At a recent executive meeting, the Centre decided that no club should be granted a permit for a sports meeting until after December 31st, 1927. The mistake the club made was in making;, contracts and arrangements for a sports meeting on November 11th before applying to the Centre for a permit. Conditionally on the Centre con. ducting a meeting on November 11th, the club demandea 10 per cent, of the gate receipts or 25 per cent, of the profits of a sports meeting held on that date. One of the contracts which the club decided to stage was the prebbleComan match race from Dunedin to Christchurch. Mr J. R. Devereux, the promoter of this match race, asked tins Centre' to take charge of the but before the Centre secretary could place the matter before the Centre, the Christchurch Club had forestalled the Centre and signed both. Coman and Prebhle up. '"A" statement made by'tlie club's officials which appeared jn last Friday's newspaper? stated that a confer, ence had been held between the Centre and the club. This was incorrect, as the only club representative who was present was Mr Kavanagh, who attended as a delegate. The club's represent » tatives had never, asked to attend the , meeting, and if a request had been made for a deputation they would have been welcome.;

'During the past ten years, the Centre has done much to advance cycle racing in all its branches. The present Centre has controlled the Timaru to Christchurcli road race for the past seven yoars, and has run the big undertaking very successfully. Road races and benefit track meetings have also been held at frequent intervals. Riders who are injured whilst racing receive benefits to the extent, of £1 per week on a payment of only one shilling per year, and, in numerous ways riders are afforded opportunities of taking part in the sport in Canterburv. Other Centres in tne Dominion 1 do very little promoting, simply confining their energies to controlling the sport." > > *. ' "