ATHLETES' TOURS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 84, 6 October 1931, Page 5

ATHLETES' TOURS

REGULAR CONTESTS SUGGESTED

A topic of considerable interest to New Zealand athletes at last evening's meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was the question of promoting regular inter-Dominion" championship meetings between Australia and New Zealand; consideration being given to a report submitted by Mr. H. I. Austad to the council in this connection two and a half years ago. At the present time, when the sport was looking for new attractions, they might well reopen negotiations with Australia, said Mr. Austad, with a view to getting back to the original plan of. biennial visits. Teams of four athletes would possibly compete in the early meetings, although this number could be inrreased later. The expense should be small, and the result would certainly be an improvement in the standard of athletics in this country. It was questionable whether anything could be done next year in view of the Olympic Games, although if Australia were prepared to invite a New Zealand team the proposal might be acted upon. The opinion of the meeting was that this fostering of inter-Dominion championship meetings was most desirable. . It was proposed that the meetings should be held alternatively in Australia and New Zealand. Mr. H. I. Austad (chairman): "The scheme will be well worth while getting under way." These international meetings were of great assistance to the sport generally, and the result would certainly stimulate interest among local athletes. It was decided to communicate with the Australian Union in this connection. An appeal lodged by the Civil Service Club of Otago against the placing of men in the recent Timaru-Temuka ro.ad race' was allowed, subject to confirmation of the information submitted being received from the Canterbury Association. Affiliation was granted the St. Paul's Amateur Athletic Club, Invercargill, and the jMai'lborough Athletic and Cycling Club. ■ . Reinstatements were granted in the cases of William Ballantyne and Walter Ballantvne, of Wellington; Kenneth Miller, of Dunedin; and George Murland, of Gisborne; and declined in the case of Walter Thomas Dcswarick, of Timaru.