AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 183, 5 May 1925, Page 10

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

POSITION OF PROPRIETARY BODIES COUNCIL TO ISSUE PERMITS Tn future, all permits enabling proprietary sports bodies to include amateur events in their programmes will -be issued by the Council of the N.Z.A.A.A. and not by the centres, as hitherto. This decision was arrived at at a meeting of. the council of the N.Z.A.A.A. last night, when the views, of the Canterbury Centre were received on the motion of Mr. F. AA’ilton that no permits whatever be granted. In the course of a lengthy communication the Canterbury Centre urged that no deviation should be made in the policy followed in the past. Englisn Park was the only ground available for them, and as evening meetings were the only paying proposition, that ground had to be used. Accordingly, the centre was dependent on the good-will of the syndicate controlling it, and those gentlemen had been stauncn in their support of amateurism. They though that permits should be granted. The chairman (Mr. A. T. Davies) considered that tne latter had explained the matter fully, and in his view good was to be obtained in Christchurch by their association with that particular body. The .impetus given the sport in a district whero amateurism was at a low ebb was, he thought, in the best interests of athletes. “Although I do not like the idea. I do not see how we can avoid it,” said Mr. 11. Amos. The chairman: It is the lesser of the two evils. Mr.. F. Wilton said he had originally brought the matter forward because of the action of the AA'ellington Centre in connection with, the Spencer-O’Shea cycling contest. Air. J. Taylor: It was the best thing for amateurism that ever happened. It showed professionalism up. Mr. AA’ilton recognised that the needs of Canterbury, were peculiar to that district, and he was prepared to amend his motion to read that no permits be issued to proprietary bodies except by the Association Council. Previously, he added, the matter was in the hands of the centre. Mr, Amos pointed out that Canterbury had had a lia> - l time and should be helped in their effort to resuscitate the sport. Mr. If. W. Thompson: That motion appeals to me as a vote of no confidence ip the centres. The gentlemen who constitute the syndicate are personal friends of mine and I know they have I the interests of the sport at heart. Mr. Amos: Still, they are a proprietary body. . . I would not like to see this motion go straight to Christchurch without a full explanation. The chairman: I doubt whether this motion is in order. Mr. Taylor thought no good purpose could be served by passing the motion. “We have had no grounds for complaint in the past,” he added, “and I think the matter can well be left in the hands of the centre. Too much centralisation tends to restrict the activities of the sport.’’ The motion was carried, Messrs. Taylor and Thompson being the dissentients. Mr. AVilton gave formal notice of motion to amend the rules accordingly. It was further decided to draw tho attention of the Canterbury Centre to the fact that half of the fees received for the issue of permits must come to the council. Possible Visit by American Team. Reference to the possible visit to New Zealand next year of an American amateur athletic team was made at last night's meeting of the council of tho N.Z.A.AA. The ehairman (Air. A. T. Davies) eafd that nothing definite had yet k 'en done regarding an invitation, hut Mr. C. G. Krogness (the association’s five in America) was making inquiries as to the chances of Jackson Scholz, Osborne and Pasvo Nurmi making the trip. Consideration, Mr. Krogness nail urged in a letter to tne speaker, might be given to Hartrinft, a noted field performer whwo could also do “eons” in the hundred yards. He stood 6ft. «tt. in height and was built in proportion. “It would be a fine thing to have a visit from that type of athlete,” added the chairman. A member inquired whether the conn, ci! should not take some action with regard to the eleventh-tour cancellation of tiio I’addock-Murchison tour at the beginning of the teaspii. It was decided that, as the attention of tfte uiuncil bad been drawn to the attitude of Paddock and Murchison, in connection with the invitation to visit the . Dominion accorded them by the association, the circumstances which led to ths cancellation of the four be placed before the American Union. At a special meeting of the N.Z.A.A.A. next month the following notice of motion bv Mr. <i. It. Lusk will be considered; "That in the event of a pre«ent champion not being selected to represent his centre at the New ZcaUnd championships in the event in which he holds the title, ho be entitled to compete, but that points gained by him in such event must not 1h? counted for the ehield.”

TRACK RECORDS PASSED BY CONTROLLING BODY. Several important amateur athletic records were passed by the council of the N.Z.A.A.A. last night. The first was n new New Zealand record of 2min. 13 4-ssoc. for the 1000 yards, established at Athletic Park on ■February 14 bv AV. M. AA'hyte. of A icto’ia. captain of the Australian team which recently visited New Zealand. Better time had'prcviously been put up in New Zealand, but had never been accepted, because on each occasion an insufficient number of watches had been used. The previous record holder was F. 11. Harding, whose time of 2min. 22 2-ssec. was put up on December 3, 1910. ” R. A. Rose (AVairarapa), who at the Dominion championships at AVanganui covered three miles in the remarkably fast time of 14nrin. 45 4-ssec., was granted a New Zealand record, and the council decided to take, steps to have it passed as a new record for Australasia. The previous holder of the Australasian record was AV. F. Simpson, who did lamin. lOsec. in December. 1901. Members congratulated the new holder on bis performance in lowering a record of 23 years’ standing. Competing at the Wellington provincial championships on February 14, L. C. Parker, of the Australian team, cut out the 120 vards in 11 4-ssec.. which equals the New Zealand record. The council officially passed it as such. The final record passed was that of the AA'ellington champion relay team, consisting of Campbell. Kyle, P-ris, and Tracy, who registered 3min. 39 4-ssee. in (he mile medley at AVanganui. The time was passed as a New Zealand record.