AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1915, 25 November 1913, Page 5

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

THE HEAD CONTROL. SOME IMPORTANT MATTERS. At tho annual mooting of tho Now Zealand Amateur Athletic Association last night, Mr. A. Marryatt presided, and there were also present: Messrs. J. 0. Cusack, C. E. Bridgo, E. L. Challey, J. H. Pollock, W. H. Pollock, A. Davies, B. A. Guise, and W. F. Lnrkin. Tlio annual report and tho balauceeheot wero adopted. Tho report stated inter alia that tho ccntres affiliated to the association remained at five, and thero was little chango to report in regard to tho clubs, but the council "urgently appeals to tho respective club officials to forward immediately their unpaid subscriptions, and thereby assist tho council in its efforts to keep the association on a sound financial basis." After a reference to tho coining visit of the Americans, and to the position that has arisen between the Now Zealand Association and the Victorian Association in regard to the Australasian championships, the report concludes: '"The council anticipates a. season which will go down on record as a notable one. Tho visit of the American team is 0110 of the largest athletic projects yet undertaken in Australasia. The event may bo termed of international importance, and it behoves every one with the interest of sport at heart to ensure that the tour will bo an eminent success, and that our visitors may feel that the good fellowship which exists between tho British and American people is by Now Zealand reciprocated to the representatives of the country across the sea, who have come so far to compete against us. The council also makes a special appeal to all the athletes to enter upon a strict course of training, so that they will bo in the best possible condition when tliey meet tne visitors. in competition." Tno. balance-sheet showed a credit balanoe of £148 7s. 6d. at the end of tlio council's year. ~

In moving the adoption of the roport the chairman expressed the hope that the visit of the American team would be followed by a big improvement in amateur athletics in New Zealand. The council was still persevering with a lccture scheme it had in view in connection with the tour, and if thoy could arrange it they hoped to be able to Show athletes in the Donlinion the latest methods in training, and so be able in the future to turn out what had very seldom been turned out here—a thoroughly-trained man. Regarding the coming Australasian Championships, to be held in Melbourne, the council was still hopeful of an amicable settlement with Victoria. Personally he hoped that, no matter what transpired, New Zealand would be represented at the fixture. Even if it were not possible for Victoria to alter the dates, lie' hoped that the incoming council would send a small team across to compete. The New Zealand championships for the current season were allotted to the Otago Centre, to be held at Dunedin, in the month of February.

Mr. J. C. Ousack was appointed organiser for tho American tour in the Dominion and was instructed to make arrangements for all the meetings, with the exception of the Auckland one, the control of the latter having been handed over to the Exhibition authorities. Referring to the visit of the Americans, the chairman reported that the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) had consented to receive them at the Town Hall after their arrival. The Sports Federation also desired to officially receive them and to provide some entertainment for them in the form of a smoke concert. At Waikanae, where the visitors were to compete at a sports meeting on December 6, they were to be met by Mr. W. H. Field, and subsequently would be given a weloome by the Natives. Mr. J. H. Pollock presented the report of the sub-committee, which had conferred with the Wellington Centre in regard to the local meeting for the Americans on December 26.—The report was adopted. .Election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr. A. Marryatt; vice-presidents, Messrs. J. H. Pollock and A. Davies; hon. secretary, Mr. W. G. Talbot; hon. auditor, Mr. C. D. Morpeth ; delegates to the Olympic Council. Messrs. A. Marryatt and A. Davies; delegates to New Zealand Sportß Federation, Messrs. J. C. Cusack and B. A. Guise.

WAIKANAE MEETING. . The first meeting at which the American athletes will compete will bo at Waikanao on Saturday week. A programme has been drawn up with the object of giving the various members of the team a ehanco to compete in events suited to their particular lines. In addition to flat races from 100 yards up to two miles, there will be liigli jump, broad jump, hop, step, and jump; putting tho shot; and 120 yards hurdles.