WELLINGTON AMATEUR ATHLETIC CLUB

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 25, 25 October 1920, Page 5

WELLINGTON AMATEUR ATHLETIC CLUB

ANNUAL REPORT,

The annual'report of the Wellington • Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association congratulates members on the past-season. .The report eays .amateur sport:-has taken its old place as one of ; .':the.;most popular of all summer games,', and 1 the number of new clubs that are forming or have been formed •is very-gratifying. _ The New Zealand championship meeting was held in Wellington, and the centre successfully retained tho shield. The members of the centre who were picked to represent New Zealand in the Australian Championship were Messrs. H. E* Wilson, J. il'Holm, G. Harvey, V. Munro, and A. B _Siovwriglit, tho ' first four all winning championship events. Mr. H, E. Wilson was also eeloct«d to represent New Zealand in the Olympic Competitions held at Antwerp. The provincial championships were held at Wellington this year, and after a very ■successful gathering the competition for the M'Villy Shield resulted as follows: -Wellington A.A. Club first, 62 points; W.airarapa A;A. Club second, 37 points; ; Victoria A A. Club third, 25 points. Some very fine performances were recorded, and the following members beat; tho stanards iu the following events:—looyds. flat and 120 yds. hurdles,. H. E. Wilson; putting the shot, P; Munro;' hop, step, and iump, H. Thompson; high ,iump,-B. Lozell; long jump, 13. G. Sutherland.. The harriers clubs are congratulated on the way they have - brought out this branch of _ the sport, and also for the first time in many years they have been successful in winning the New Zealand cross country championship. The association intend this year to hold the school championships in December. This should prove one of the best gatherings ever held in Wellington, and it is stated the centre is.urged to do its ut-•mpst-to make a big success, for unless they can get tho boys interested in amateur sport the future outlook will not be bright. Mr' W H. Bennett, a well known Wellington resident, has presented a shield for competition amongst tho rchool boys for a harrior cross country race. It is hoped to be able to bring this about this year, and it is proposed to discuss this matter with'the various sports masters as soon as the meeting can bo arranged. Many new clubs are being reformed in the district, amongst these being Y.M.C.A., Woodville, Hawera, Marten, etc., and it is hoped New Plymouth and Palmerston North will probably have two clubs in their district this year. Everything points to a big success The loss to the centre nnd amateur Bports generally of Mr. C. Turnbull will bo felt very severely in Wellington, lit. Turnbull has gone to Palmerston North, and that town is congratulated on obtaining a citizen who always takes a keen interest in 9port generally.

Evening meetings have been held on Monday nights, and the coinmitteo Btrongly recommend their continuance. They think a syllabus should be drawn u,> and these meetings held in different parks during the summer months. The centre also appointed Messrs. L. M'Kny and J. Wilton as coaches, and these gentlemen, it is hoped, will again accept these positions. Regret is expressed a* the death of Jlr. G.. Frost, chairman of the Reserves Committop, who always helped in any way in his powej". t.o for,wi:rd amateur athletics. His loss to the oport and the city generally will be seriously felt. The balance-sheet shows a balance of assets over liabilities of £152, but as the expenses this year include new hurdles nnd other gear, aiijo selling a team to the New Zealand champions-hip, it will be necessary to go very carefully in the future.