ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1863, 24 September 1913, Page 5

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

N.Z.A.A. MATTERS,

NO TEAM TO GO TO MELBOURNE. FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS. THAT HITCH WITH VICTORIA. Mr. A. Marryatt presided at a special meeting of tho Council of tho New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association hold last evening. Others present were: Messrs. E. L. ChalFey, W. F. Larkin, B. A. Guise, W. H. Pollock, A. Davics, and W. G. Talbot (secretary). Tho meeting'was called principally to consider tho question of Now Zealand representation at the next Australasian Championships, which are to bo held in Melbourne. Mr. H. D. Smith, secretary of the Victorian Amateur Athletic Association, advised that th<y. proposed dates (January 24 and 26) of tho Australasian Championships had been fully considered, and whilst tho association regretted very much that these dates would incommode the New Zealand team, there was no possibility of other dates being chosen. Tho other States had agreed to them as being suitable. Tho Melbourno meeting for the American team was to be on the Saturday following the Australasian Championships. After brief discussion it was decided that, as tho American tour of New Zealand would extend up to January 19, it would be discourteous to send any of tho best of the Dominion athletes away, while tho visitors wero here. (New Zealand men would have to leave hero about January 10 if the.y wero to competo in Melbourne.) It was resolved that, on account of the time of the year, the excessive heat probable in Melbourne, and tho general unsuitableness of tho dates, it would bo detrimental to New Zealand interests to send a team across. Tho secretary was instructed to cominunicato with tho various centres, with a view to ascertaiiflng whether they supported this view.

Tho Americans. A long letter from Mr. Wm. Unmack, of San Francisco, contained the information that tho American team of amateur athletes to visit New Zealand would be assembled on November 12 and would reach tho Dominion on December 2 or 3. They would require to bo back in America early in April 1914, and they hoped that they would bo able to loavo Sydney on tho back trip by March 15 at latest.

It was resolved to advise centres that the money guaranteed in connection with the tour would be required by tho council not later than October 31 next.

Facing the Finance. Tho chairman explained that from £300 to £4UO would bo required to start the- Americans from San Francisco, v

A telegram was received from tho Canterbury Centre stating that it would forward its share of the guarantee money provided that December 13 or 20 could bo arranged for the Christchurch meeting. As December 1(3 is a race day it would be inconvenient.

On the suggestion of Mr. Davies, it was decided to defer consideration of this telegram for tho present. In the meantime tho Southland centre will be communicated with and asked if December 10 (Wednesday) would suit for tho liivorcargill meeting as well as December 13. If Dcccmbcvr 10 will suit tho Americans could return to Christchurch for a meeting on December 13 and then appear in Dunedin on December 20 as already arranged..