AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 510, 18 May 1909, Page 2

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

THE NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL,

CHRISTCHURCH ASKS AN INDEMNITY.

A mooting of tho Council of the New Zealand Ainutuur Athletic Association, was hold in tho i.M.U.A. .Rooms last evening. 'Ihero wove present: Messrs. J. W. Davis (in tho chair), Kouineou, Bridge, Davice, \V. Vollock liorkiii, GhiUroy, and iiLarryalt. •■..-. An invitation to Dominion athletes to compete at a sports meeting to bo held in March was received from the Tasmanian A.A. Association. ■ . ■■:■■'■

'I'ho chairman of the Christchurch Council, Mr. W. G. Atack, wrote intimating'that tho old council had resolved to hand over to the uowly-appointed president of tho I'ssociatioa all books, papers, and tho balaucc-bheet of tho funds of tho association together with a certified balance-sheet upon rocoipt of a letter, indemnifying tho members of tho council against any liability in connection with. tho association. Tho writer also suggested tho making of a presentation i>o Messrs. Batchelor and Griwson for services rendered by them to tho council during their twenty-two years' connection with it. x Mr. Davies thought that this was an extraordinary attitude to adopt. Ho had never heard of an indemnity being asked for in a similar case. , ; . , Tho Wellington Centre wroto pointing out that bonuses had boon granted to certain members of tho Christchurch body. Tho action of the-Christchurch body was'improper, moro especially considering that a considerable portion of tho funds in hand wore remitted by tho Wellington Centre to tho council recently. The centre was of opinion that the council should. decline to indemnify' tho Christclmrch' body in any way unless tho wholo of the funds standing to tlio credit of the association were handed ovor to tho conn-. oil.'. Tho Wellington Centre stated further tliat it isawaro that certain members of. the Christchurch.body havo visited different' parti of New Zealand siuco the trouble in October last, and it was of opinion that any expense!, paid out of the funds of the association in respect of such journeys should bo. recouped to tho assoeiatioiij.and included in tho inonksf, handed over to tho New Zealand Council. It was decided that, on receipt of tho f unda, hooks, etc., in tho possession of llio old council, together with a certified . balance-sheet, tho council will oonsider tho matter of giving, an indemnity. , ' : ■■■■,■ . A communication from the Dunedin centre inquired how the council.proposed obtaining recognition of New Zealand as, a separate province by the International Olympic Game* Committee. Also whether it.'was tho intention to do so hy secession from the Australasian Union. It was resolved to inform Otago that tho council had no intention of seceding from the Australasian Union. Tho' suggestion regarding the Olympic games had emanated from, the president of tho, Australasian Union.' In' obtaining direct representation New Zealand would nave a resident representative 'of 'the Olympic Games' Committee in Now Zealand. Tho Now Zealand reprc, sentatives at the games would also.be recognised as'competing for Now Zealand. Tho Otago centre forwarded an audited balance-sheet in connection with tho Nc» Zealand championship meeting,'showing i balance of £62 11s. lid. A'chequo for £3V 6s.j l-.p.lf : sharo of profits, was enclosed. ' i voto of thanks was passed to Mr. W.'Willot! for, services rendered in connection with tho meeting. . .. . ' .'..''.':"' ' The Otago Centre intimated that Sir. WY M'Donald had been appointed their selector for the Australasian championship" team, and Wellington nominated Mr. J. W. Heenan. ' Some discussion took'place on tho mattoi of selection of a team for tho Australasian championships. It' was decided at : length on the motion pf Mr. Marryatt, that the selectors of the team ho asked in'the first instance to furnish tho names of those ia their'opinion most fitted te represent Now Zealand at tho championships and forward tho names to tho counoil.

, An application from Canterbury Centre asking that the record of Dr. Guy-Haskins for the 1000 yards (2min. 24 l-ssec.) he recognised was referred back for a certificate as to thowatcli being tested.- Tlio comniittco agreed that it could not be too careful in rcr gardtoVpassing records. . The wiole : of the' papers wore in'order-except the- watch test. . Mr. 0. W.,- Tringbam intimated .that he could not accept office as auditor, and it was resolved to ask Mr. C. D. Morpetb. to accept trio, position. • ' Applications for reinstatement wore granted as under:—Henry PceblGßj Hamilton; Frederick Sedon, Wanganni. In regard to an application. . from E. ■ V. ■ Fleming, - Romahapa, it.was decided to intimate , to Otago that tbo , applicant would be eligible; for reinstatement on the formation of a new club, provided lie bccamo.a momber, or on another application in a year'e time. An application from'Alfred'Brady, Northern Wairoa, was riot recommended, Brady: haying been reinstated once before, and haying afterwards' gono back to tlio professional ranks. . ■ ■ '■■ The sab-committee appointed to revise tio ruks of the council brought down Us report which was considered prior to being buljmifctod to centres for their approval.