ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2138, 2 May 1914, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

- [BT "Mekcort."J OUR IDENTITY RECOGNISED. Australasian Union's Decision. Reports are "now to hand of a meeting of the Exccutivo Board, of the Australasian Amateur Union, which show that somo matters of interest to the Dominion were decided upon. One of these was tho question of the title of tho ■union; an alteration in which was proposed by tho New South Wales Association and submitted to a mail vote of tho affiliated associations. The result is that the title of tho union becomes tho Amateur Athletic Union of Australia and Now Zealand— a somewhat cumbrous piece of nomenclature that has for its justification tho fact that in the list of nations participating in the Olympic Games it is proposed to alter the title "Australasia" in the same way. ' The chief for the change in that it has been found that tho identity of the Dominion is so sunk in the word "Australasia" that in the 'eyes of the Old World nations we in New Zealand simply do not exist at all as an Olympic proposition. Now, however, he who runs may read, if he is sufficiently interested, that Australasia means Australia and Now Zealand.

An Appeal Upheld. Another matter derided upon'was of far mora interest and importance. This was in regard to the application from the N.Z.A.A.A. for a ruling upon a point of law. Tho question arose out of an incident in the recent American tour. , At Palmerston North Reg Caughoy hoisted tho 161b. shot to a distance of 4oft OJin., and in consequence thereof applied for registration of* this "putt" as a Now Zealand and Australian record. The application was dismissed by tho local association on tho ground that the rules had not been complied with, inasmuch as tho regulation guard-board had not been used for the seven-foot circle. This ruling was appealed against by Mr. Peixotto, tho American manager, who asked that tho matter bo carried to tho A.A.U. for its decision. The head body has now decided tliat the absenco of tlio guard-board did not nullify tho performance as a record, and has accordingly registered it as such. And the Reasons Why. As tlio matter is an important one, tho comments of Mr. R. Coombes, president of the union, 011 the subject aro appended. They embody the reasons for tho over-ruling of tlio N.Z.A.A.A., and run as follow:— The cliairman stated that tho matter was one of interpretation of the rule— of its spirit as well as its letter. Ho had no doubt but that tho figures should stand, provided all tho essential conditions as laid down by tho rule had beon carried out; —and he understood that it was _ not disputed that they hod been carried out; in fact, there wero certificates from the officials that overything was in ordor. Provided the shot was putt fairly, and the piltter did not go outside of the circle, it was quite immaterial whether there wa.s a guardboard or not, although it would bo within the right of all or any of the competitors to demand such a board. A guard-board was mi assisting device, permitted in certain countries, to help the competitor not to overstep the 7ft. space in which lie was compelled to operate. He instanced, also, tlio case of the pole vault. It had been laid down ill the rules for years that there should be a hole in which tlio vaulter might place his pole, but prior to the arrival of the All-Aincrcan team such a devieo —purely an assisting device-, and'chiefly in the interests of the safetv of tlio vaulter —had never been used; neither had it since their departure. " in many cases. Tlio spirit of the rule did not compel the use of such assisting device, although competitors could demand such a hole. Furthermore, as another phase of tlid case, it was laid down that, a 161b. shot should be used, whilst C'aughey used one Sos. orenveipht, ft circumstance in no way fatal to bis ap-

plication. Ho Was of tho opinion that Caughey's figures shoukl stand. Messrs. Rowley and Maries concurred, and it was ruled that the omission of the guardboard in a shot putt would Hot necessarily bo fatal to an Application for a record. The figures, 45ft. OJin., were then formally accepted.

Another Rifling Wanted, This now opens the question of tho "take oil:'" board in the miming broad jump. Is this not required for record purposes also, or is it simply an "assisting device" for the competitor? In other words, Could a broad jump performance made -without a "tako off" board ,bc< considered for record purposes? "Stercufy" suggests that a ruling be sought on this head also. Tho question may arise at nny time, and. it would bo as welt to have ft decision at once just irs caso it should.