ATHLETIC UNION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 396, 4 January 1909, Page 9

ATHLETIC UNION.

$? » AMATEURS AND GASH PERFORMERS. v till! TKMtIMAPII—PRESS ABSOOIATIOS 1 i Dunedln, January 2. ■ The Athletic Union sat till 2 a.m. There Wsys si warm discussion with refoienco to tho attitude of "hly-whito amateurs" towards cash athletics. Tho chairman said that in tho ovent of the union receiving much more ' criticism of tho kind indulged in lately, the union would serionsly consider the question of- the abolition of all amateur events on their programmes. The chairman .moved that no society contribute permit or affiliation fees -to anybody except the Athletic Union, but, it being pointed out that such autooratic action would be likely to alienate tho sympathy and support o'f affiliated societies, it was withdiawn.. , , -The disqualification was removed from Thomas Johnston, of Bluff,' who competed m a "wrestling match at the Scottish Society s gathering at Chnstchurch. •< 'The union resumed its business tins morning. Disqualifications of persons who competed at the Auckland Gaslight irtcetings were removed as fiom' December SO , " f ■" it was resolved to remove the disqualification on the Dunedin, Ashburton, and Waimate l'ipe Bands, imposed for~compctmg at tho Christchurch Highland Society's sports tjvo years ago. . ,»It was also resolved to register the .union under the Incorporated Societies Act. ■Westland applied for next championship meeting. Fending alsb applied, and the meeting chose Feilding. "Officers were elected as follow:—Sir. t. TV.' Woods, president; Messrs. T. Duncan and Clarke, vice-presidents; oommittee, Messrs. J. Kennedy, G. E.-Perkins C.'E. Keast, G. E. Good, R. Smith; auditor, Mr. W. Reid; secretary and treasurer, Mr. , V. J."; Corcoran. Mr. Woods'intimated that he'would not stand again. ' A CENTRE FOR AUCKLAND.. (BT TEl.Eottirn.-SrBCIAI. Caltltf SI'ONOEST I ; - Dunedin, January 2. ■At the meeting to-day of the New Zealand Athletic Union, Mr. G. Vt. Woods presiding, Mr C E Keast suggested that the time was opportune for doing something to form a centre at 'Auckland, and ho moved:— ihat the secretary open up c6mmunicatioii, after which Mr. J., Clarke.{New Plymouth) be authorised to go up and sot tho ball rolling. Mr. Clarke'said it was necessaiy to act at. onco, and'he could "not get away just now. He proposed that Mr. T. Duncan be appointed. ■ •' J • ' ■Mr. J. Kennedy seconded Mr. Duncan s appointment, and "Mr. Keast agreed. , , Mr. D. J. Corcoran said, v in answer to a question, that ho had not been able to ascertain the feeling in Auckland, tut he did flot think.there would fes any. difficulty, about forming a centre thfrc. ' The motion authorising Mr. Duncj: was carried, without dissent., 'The difficulty at Eltham and S-utliland in; regard to the «ood-chopping and sawing management standing aloof was discussed at length, hut no motion was submitted. 'The president said that if the various societies wished the union to'take over this branch sport, ho had no doubt the union would do so, but in. the. event of it not .being the wish : of the : societies; matters would remain fis they are at present. Mr. Smith sought to alter the wrestling rules as to holds in Cumberland style, and in *the direction of making two shoulders .down the only fall in catcli-as-catch-can, but the.mooting told Mr. Smith that he had better i bring tho 'questions forward through his centre. \ ' Mr. Duffy.'following his instructions from iWestland, moved: tha.t tho union take l cqh-. trol,-and share tho profit and loss up to 50 per cent, of all championship meetings. Mr. Corcoran seconded. Mr. Keast and others strongly opposed the motion. The motion was negatived on the voices.