AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 967, 7 November 1910, Page 2

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

ANNUAL EEPORT N.Z.A.A.A. The annual report of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association .'states as follows:— ".' ' ■ During the year an attempt.was mads to induce Messrs. A. "SVheatley,- the-mid-dle-distance runner, and J. X. Davis, hurdles champion, to visit the' Dominion and compete. Unfortunately,. although, both were-willing to come over they could not get leave of absence at the same time so the council were obliged to' let the project drop. There is little doubt that had it been possible to arrange for this visit the appearance of two such prominent •■ and popular performers : would proved a great attraction at race t meetings in the Dominion, more especially in view of the subsequent records of Messrs. 'Wheatlcy and Davis, in Sydney and Melbourne, amply demonstrating these athletes to compare favourably, with any performers' at their respective distances throughout the amateur athlotio world. The-winners of the championship events at the. annual meeting held in Auckland are recorded-in-the Teport. During the year a record was granted to W. A. Woodger for 220 yards, run in 23 and'2-ssec. The council..has given much, time and consideration to the association's rules during the. year.-: Several necessary amendments have been made; and it is further.proposed to redraft th« whole of the rules with 6uch amendments as m'ay be thought desirable. A sub-committee has the matter in hand, and. has consolidated • the existing rules. The. draft has been perused by Mr. J, Callan, jun„ and will be subniitted for adoption at the annual meeting. The thauks of the association are due to Mr. Callan for • his help in' this matter. It is hoped to be able to issue the revised regulations in book form before the .end of the year. . In accordance with'a'recommendation of the Centres Conference; the hop, step, and jump has been added' 1 to the list of championship events, and l will figure in- future championship programmes. With this in view centres holding race meetings might, in drafting their programmes, consider this event, so that..competitors may get some practica in this class of event. While some clubs have become extinct during the year, the council is pleased to report the formationof_ new clubs, in several, instances in districts hitherto-not possessing an amateur' athletic club. The executive has had under consideration the formation of an Olympic Council as proposed by : the Australasian State Conference last year. It appears that one of the chief, matters to consider is, as to procuring funds to provide, for representation at Olympia Games; without first devising definite nieans of raising enough to provide representation expenses, a council would be placed in an invidious position. During the year a proposal was ■ made in the direction of levying a small annual subscription on each club member. This was submitted to centres, and now that the matter has been brought under notice, your council hope that some work-, able suggestion will be forthcoming. Th« report also makes sympathetic and appreciative mention of the late Mr. W. Coffey.

The balance-sheet shows that the income for the yeaT.has been ,£66 13s. 3d., and tho balance to credit on the twelve months' working is ,£ls 15s. 2d. The assets are set down as ,£73 10s. Id., and the account outstanding ' are given as .8 Is. 6d.