ATHLETICS AND CYCLING

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 85, 7 October 1931, Page 11

ATHLETICS AND CYCLING

THE WELLINGTON CLUB

While pointing out in its annual report that "athletics generally art undergoing a very serious stage," tha Wellington Amateur Athletic Club (inc.) considers that the coming season, holds promise- of being ono of kee» competition in all brandies of athletics. "Other clubs in tho Wellington district have all grown rapidly in strength and numbers," tho report states, '' and it behoves all members to get into training as early as possible if wo are to keep the position our predecessors won and have kept during the forty-three years of tho club's existence."

■Reference is made in the report to tho club's activities during the past year. C. H. Jenkins, T. B. Pickering, J. M'Donald, F. Brady, and P. Munro were club members to win provincial titles, Jenkins, Munro, and Brady also winning national titles. The club retained the M'Villy Shield, as well as the Dewar Shield and the Oates Baton. Tho manner in which the members were cared for in their training and coaching contributed to the excellent showings made in tho various competitions. Messrs. S. B. Murray, P. Jenkins, J. Emeney, and G. Thompson ara specially mentioned for their work ia this direction.

Tho ladies' section of the club established a iino record in going through the season with an unbeaten , relay, team and in winning the Eric Biddiford Cup. On the social side the lady] members rendered valuable service.

In spite of the difficulty in obtaining training grounds, the cyclists attached to the club performed well throughout the season, and assisted materially ia winning the Dewar Shield. M. Gane won two titles at the provincial championships, and acquitted himself well at the New Zealand championships. "Tho position of cycling in New Zealand is at. present in a fairly unsettled condition," the report states, "and'it is the intention of the club to do everything1 possible to help this branch of athletics through this somewhat trying period. . . It is hoped that this season better conditions will prevail for the track training of the cyclists."

The report adds that the club was faced with a. very serious hurdle as regards finance, but a special scheme enabled the club to undertake its trip to Wanganui, which, with a large number of outstanding accounts, made a L'eavy drain on the all too meagre funds of the club.