ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1922, 3 December 1913, Page 5

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

ATHLETICS.

CONTROVERSY WITH VICTORIA. ALLEGED NEGLECT. ' OVER AMERICAN'S TOUR, 'A letter from tho Victorian A.A.A. expressing strong resentment against the New Zealand A.A.A. in' connection with tho arrangements of tho dates of tho Australasian championship meeting and tho visit of tho American athletes was received at a mooting of the council of tho Now Zealand Amateur Athletic Association hold last evening. Mr. A. W. Marryatt presided over a good attendance. Victorian Association's Latter. The following is a cony of the Victorian Association's letter:—"Tho obstacles which prevented us from arranging two Saturdays, as asked in your cablo and letter of October 23, still remain, and wo regret that this way out of tho matter is not practicable. . Tho dates of January 24 and 26 must therefore remain. Your letter is not clear as to whether Now Zealand will bo represented or not, and wo must therefore reserve entire liberty of action in regard, to tho American tour Your last paragraph suggests that in tho event of our iinally declining any sharo in that venture, your association might contemplate legal action, and it may bo well therefore to remind j-ou that not cnly now, but at all times, our participation was conditional' upon Australasian championships not being interfeiod with. This should be quito clear to you. Wo submit you had no right, without consulting us, to mako tho American fixtures, and as to your meetings on January 10, 14, and.l 7, it is still, and always has been, open to you to postpone them until after tho Americans return from Australia, or, if. you so prefer, to hold them, provided that Dormer and any others who should uo in yonr team, come to Melbourne for January 24.

"Wo fail to sco what reason or justification exists under tho circumstances for.your not adopting one of these courses. It amounts to a declaration that a provincial New Zealand meeting: is more important than the Australasian championships. Wo have also to express surprise that the indefinito enswer to our cablo inquiry as to the exact duration of the Americans' stayin Australia never was explained by letter, 'nor has our cable of October 29 been answered or referred to. at all.

"In tho Dark." "'Arrive Sydney January 24; stay three weeks,' still leaves us in the dark. Interpreted literally it admits of' only two Saturday sporting fixtures in Australia. The fact that no certain information is even yet in our possession is, you must realise, utterly unfair to us, for wo aro unablo to eecuro the dates and grounds, in conjunction with New South Wales. It may well be that this neglect on your association's .part will in any case make it impossible for us to have tho Americans. "Our council desires to protest ngainst the withholdiut', of essential information and in tho manner in which the joint nature of the undertaking has all through been ignored by your body. "(Signed) B. J. PARKINSON, "Eor and on behalf of V.A.A.A." The abovo letter was received by the secretary of tho N.Z.A.A.A. yesterday, and in reply he sent the following cable message:— .; . ~,>;,., :,,,. ~....,., ..,;, i "Will ho represented Melbourne, no time must ho lost niaking arrangements Americans;will you,entjer into, an arrangement/Sydney; send remittauco immediately .-T-Talbot." Aftpr the letter and cablo message had been read a member of the council remarked: "It looks as if wo have backed down somewhat in the faco of this letter. was tho letter received ?"

The chairman: "It was received this jnorniiig. I -/would suggest that the cable message sent to-day bo withdrawn." A member: "Why? The chairman: On account of this letter. Mr. AV. H. Pollock, jun.: How many of the council were consulted before the cable message was sent? The- secretary. (Mr. W. G. ■ Talbot): About four. Mr. J. H. Pollock, sen.: I saw th'o cable message and I took exception to the last words "send remittance immediately.", t, Mr. B. A. Guise: I don't think exception could be taken to the last woids. Mr. J. C. Cnsack said lie thought that the secretary's action in sending tho cable message was justified. Mr./ Pollock, jun., remarked that he did not think that the business of tho council should bo transacted without tho members being iirst consulted. Tho chairman replied that the secretary's action was done with the best of intentions. ■Mr. W. Larkm: I hardly see that it was necessary for-a cable message to he sent, when there was a meeting tonight. • . Mr. Pollock, sen.: To cut the matter short, I move that tho cable message sent this afternoon bo withdrawn. W'C" tho motion had been seconded Mr. iollock, jun., expressed the opinion that .\cw Zealand should bo represented at the Australasian meeting. Mr. Guise: We have already decided that. The chairman: You are in favour of the. cable messago standing? Mr. Pollock: Yes, I am in favour of the cable messago, standing. Mr. Cusaelc said that he took very strom; exception to tho letter and ho would like to see a replv sent conveying tho leelmgs of the New Zealand Council. In giving bis view on thn matter the chairman said that had the letter arrived earlier the cable message would not have beer, sent. It war, his idea that; i\ew Zealand should bo icprosonled at tho Australasian meeting, and he thought that tho New Zealand Council should resent any dictation'from mini her association on the matter. Continuing, the ehoinnan said that tl<»'letter alleged neglect on the part of the Act Zealand body, and he wished to emphatically stato that there has been no neglect on the part of I he -N.Z.A.A.A. The council had supplied nu tho information it was possessed e.f. Ha thought that the proiior course was that suggested by Mr. Pollock. His opinion was that the cable message sent should bo withdrawn and another cablegram stating that the council will supply lurther particulars when' the Americans arrive rui Thursday he sent It was decided by i votes to',3 to withdraw tho cablegram sent vesterdav, and forward another cablegram, to tho orfecfc that full particulars as to dates, P'-c, will be sent when the Americans arrive on Thursday. Ho' Information. Tli? followiiig letter from the secretary (Mr. AY. li. Alexander)'of tho New Ssuth A\ali!s A.A.A. to the N.Z.A.A.A. was read: "We had a meeting last night (November 21), when matters mi numection with the American tour were discussed. I am sorry your ;EISO ha.; not.gone to you yet, but it will be forwarded as soon as possible. Our trouble last night was over tho dates of tho Americans' appearance horo. The trouble over A 7 iotoria and yourselves (N.Z.A.A.A.) seems to lenveUhings at a standstill over here. To help over the difficulty, I wired Parkinson : 'Meeting to-night. AViro dates you want Americans, if at all,' and received the

following reply: 'Impossible answer yours, as have not sulficient information. Our cable and letter October i!) still unanswered.' "Can anything be done to have, definito grounds to work upon? Upon receipt of this, lot mo know if tho difficulty is in any way solved. We want tho .Americans, and we want to go to tho Australasian championship meeting, and wo are trying to." It was decided to forward all information available.

Reception to Americans. The chairman announced that a civic reception to the Aniciicaii athletes had been arranged for Thursday, at 5 p.m., in the Town Hall. It was decided to givo a dinnor to the visitors on Friday evening, and to tako them to the Opera House after. Mr. Gusack said that lie had been informed on good authority that the secretary of the Christchurch Centre had announced to tho Press that the visit of tho Americans w.aj not.going to bo advertised in the newspapers m tho Dominion. He wished it to be made clear that no such announcement had been niado by the council, which had no intention of "cutting" advertisements. Mr. Pollock, senr., stated that ho understood that a meeting of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association had been held, and at that meeting after it had been learned that advertisements of the mooting were to bo refused, it was decided to advise tho Press Association at Wellington to instruct its agents not to send any reports out of tho American meetings, except those which it was 'mpossiblc to avoid. The statement made by tho secretary of tho Cliristchurcb. Centre was quito unwarranted, and the speaker suggested that the council should write to the secretary of the Press Association, officially denying the statement. This course was ' decided upon.

CRICKET.

WELLINGTON-ASSOCIATION. The Wellington Cricket Association met last night. Mr. C. O. Wilson presided, and there were present, also, 1 Messrs. E. M. Bcechey, E. Martin, M. J. Crombie, F. Midlane, J. Fanning, C. C. J. Bay, and C Hickson. A request from Auckland that Wellington should reverse its dates with Canterbury and Otago in order to savo Auckland sonio delay when travelling was considered, but was not acceded to. junior Association. The. fixtures for tho Junior Association for December 6 and 13 aro:— Senior: Thorndon v. Kilbimie, at Anderson's Park; Austral v. Miramar, at Miramar; Evans Bay v. Athletic, at Kclburno; Catholic v. Harbour Board, at Newtown Park,' No. 3. Junior A: Kilbirnio v. Catholic, at Newtown Park. No. '1; Berhamporo v. St. Anne's, at Newtown Park, No.'6; Star v. Thistle, at Wakefield Park, No. 1; Athletic v. Wanderers, at Wakefield Park, No. 2. Junior B: Solivyn r. Thorndon, at Anderson's Park; Star v. United, at Wakefield Park, No. 3; Druggists v. Kitkcaldio's, at Wakefield Park, No. 4; D.1.C., a bye. BOYS' LEAGUE. The following fixtures and grounds ,havo been drawn for next Saturday's matches under the Boys' League:— Senior; Marist A v. V.M.C.A., at Newtown Park; St. Anne's v. Institute, at Wakefield Park; Telegraph v. United Methodist, at Wakefield Park; Marist B a bye. Junior: Marist Av. Marist B, at Basin Reserve; St. Paul's v. Y.M.C.A., at Basin Reserve; Naumai v. St. Mark's, at Kelburno Park; Institute v. United Methodist, at Newtown Park; Kilbirnio v. St. Anne's, at Kilbirnie.

WAREHOUSE MATCHES. "iiTlie following aro the fixtures for the 'Warehousemen's Association for Saturday :—Dominion v. "Now Zealand Times," at Anderson Park; New Zealand Railways A v. Gollin and Co., at Duppa Street Park; New Zealand Railways B v. United, at Duppa Street Park; Whitcombo and Tombs v. A. E. Kernot's, at Kellmrnc Park; Telephone Exchange A v. Electric Light, at Newtown Park No. 2; Telephone Exchange l B v. Occidental, at Newtown Park No. 0,

LAWN TENNIS;

MATCHES AT -AIURITAI. During the week-end the Muritai Tennis Club's tournament was further advanced. Tho men's singles has been completed, and the ladies', singles will probably bo brought to a close on tho next playing day. Recent Tcsult3 are as follow: — • Ladies' Singles. Third round: Miss D- Leslie (2) beat ■Miss R, Lusk (8) by default. Miss Caverhill (owes 5) heat Miss Pointon (5), 30-24. Semi-final: Miss Caverhill (owes 5) beat Miss Mantell (owes 5). 30—20. In the filial, Miss Caverhill is to meet the winner of the match between Miss Leslie and Miss AVilson. Men's Singles. Third round: Jeffrey (owes 10) beat Hcenan (10), 30—23. Hcwden (owes 10) beat Lcydon by default. Semi-finals: Gocdbcherc (5) beat Howden (owes 10), 30—21. Jeffrey (owes 10) beat O'Leary (ser.), 30—25. Final: Jeffrey (owes 10) beat Goodbchero (5), 30—25. BOWLS & BOWLERS. SEATOUX CLUB. The following players will represent Seatoun against Petono in the Pennant matches on Saturdav: —Away: Fuller, Paul, Bennett, M'Girr (s.); AA'right, liichards, Bradley, Alexander (s.). Home: Maitland, Bowie, Lanrliau, Green (s.); M'Gill, Carr, AA'yatt, A r ancc (s.). IIATAITAI CLUB. The following will represent the Hataitai Club in tho pennants against A'ictoria Club on Saturday:—-At homo: Donald, Fcilding, Hendry, Barnes (s.); Ballinger, Penney, Mitchell, Pryor (s.). Away: Halliday, Rhodes, Topp, lAl'Whaimel (s); AVilliams, Jones, Juilus,. Naismith (s.). For the Edwin Feathers, against Lyc.ll Bay Club, at Lyall Bay :—Carduo, Xicol, A. Chiridge, J. Martin (s.). KDAVIN FEATHERS. A team from the Lyall.Bay Bowling Club on Saturday defeated the holders of the Edwin Feathers, To Hjwi, after nil interesting game. The scores were: Lyall Bay—j. Tonks. Burgess. Fairway, Brown (s.), 22; To Hiwi—Crengel, Houldsworth, ISon/.ie, Lock (s.), 15. ijowlors, ,vou can obtain Thos, Taylor's specially selected first r|iialit.v extra heavy bowls in all sizes from R. Houldsworth, Tobacconist (opp. Itoyal Oak), Cuba St.*

SWIMMING.

The Tiiorndon Amateur Swimming Club inaugurated its season last evening, when a 50 yards handicap was decided. The res ill was an follows:—A. AV. Smith (12;: oe.) and T. 11. M'Loan (osec), dead heat, 1; F. I'toberts (ser.), 2; ('. Dinidson (12scc), 3. Also started: T. Duffy, Lscc.; E. Diidscn, -Isec.; .1. Shearer, -Isee.; AV. Loui'as. sscc.: A. -Shearer, Bsce.; A. AV. Harris and I''. .!'. Webster, Usee, inches only separated tho placed men, the others being bunched.