NATIONAL CROSS-COUNTRY

Evening Star, Issue 21751, 20 June 1934, Page 13

NATIONAL CROSS-COUNTRY

QUESTION OF DATE HARRIER AFFAIRS The Otago Centre of, the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association met last night in the R.S.A. rooms, the president (Mr E. L. Macassey) presiding over a large attendance of delegates. The Secretary (Air T. M. Brydone) reported 'having written to the New Zealand Council asking if the date for the New Zealand cross-country championship could bo altered from August 25 to August 18 or September 1 on account of the fact that the Otago-South-land Rugby match would be played in Dunedin on August 25. The New Zealand Council had decided to alter the date of the championship to September 1.

Reporting on behalf of the Harrier Sub-committee, Mr C. AV. Clark said that the course at Wingatui would not now be available on September 1, and the committee recommended that the race now be held on the original date of August 25. The committee would meet on July 2 to make arrangements for the championship. Mr Breen said he did not think the race should he allowed to clash with a representative football match it possible. Air R. Thompson moved that the Now Zealand Council be written to, the position explained to it, and a request made that the race should be held on August 18. , . , Air Brccu seconded the motion, winch was carried. REINSTATE AIENTS. An application by C. J. Le Coutqur for reinstatement as an amateur was received, and it was decided to forward it to the New Zealand Council with a favourable recommendation. Advice was received from the New Zealand Council .that A. R. Donnelly (Invercargill) had been reinstated as an amateur. JUNIOR CROSS-COUNTRY. A recommendation from the Harrier Sub-committee was carried that the Otago junior cross-country championship should be held on August 11 (the same date as the senior event), oyer one lap of the senior course, which would be six and a-quarter miles. CROSS-COUNTRY SUCCESSES. Congratulations were tendered by the chairman to the Civil Service Club on winning the Ivonnett Cup again, and to Air L. C. AULaehlan on winning the individual championship for the second time. He also congratulated the Anglican Club on winning the Edmond Cup, and W. A. C. Pullar on the splendid performance he put up in winning the race. Air T. G. Pearson, of Palmerston, was also deserving of congratulations for the fine race he had rim for second place. On the motion of Mr Clark it was decided to convey the centre’s congratulations to the Dunedin Harrier and Amateur Athletic Club, which had had a record entry for the Edmond Cup, and which had controlled the race excellently. E. C. BROAVN’S PERFORAIANCES. Air F. AI. Reid, the centre’s delegate on the New Zealand Council, wrote concerning the non-inclusion _of E. C, 15rowu iu the New Zealand team lo.t tho British Bmpire Games. In selecting a team the council first of all sorted out the individuals on their performances compared with those of previous games, and unless a man could secure at least seventh place he was not considered. Brown’s time for the marathon at Wellington was not published correctly, and. Air Reid declared, even if the time were correct, he would not have been in the first ten in tho last marathon held in England, in which there were no competitors from any >t the dominions. After the last Olympic Games the council and the Olympic Association had decided that only those who were considered by the controlling bodies as entitled to selection should be sent, and that no one except those nominated would be allowed to compete even if they paid their own expenses. Air Reid said that Brown was a firstclass runner in New Zealand, but lie would not enter into an argument of what he might have done or was capable of doing overseas had he gone. A team might bo sent to the Alelbouhie centenary this year, but if it went men for certain branches would be asked for from the committee, and no doubt if a marathon mail was asked for Brown must be the man selected. He stated that he had done his best to push Brown’s nomination, but it would be realised that the Otago delegates were in a minority. The Secretary of the council advised that the reason that E. C. Brown was not included in the New Zealand toain for the Empire Games was that the council considered he was not up to the required standard. Air E. C. Isaacs said that, although the Now Zealand team had now departed, the Otago Centro should not allow the' matter to drop, in view of the statements that had been made concerning Brown’s qualifications. The marathon which had been won by Brown had been held over a course that '"chided a good deal of hill work, whereas a true marathon course would be on the flat. If there was any suggestion that Brown was not up to standard lie might have been given (lc opportunity of a further trial over a true marathon course, especially as Hnckett, the New Zealand high jump champion, had been given a further trial to qualify for inclusion in the team. Brown had shown his worth as a marathon runner, and the centre should voice its protest that he had uot been,given more consideration. The centre should keep in view the matter of Olympic Games’ representation, and if he retained his form do all in its power to further his claims. Air I’. W. Breen questioned whether any official time had been taken for the marathon race in Wellington. The Chairman said that, as was pointed out, the marathon iu Wellington had been run over a hill course, whereas it should have been over a flat course. It was left to the secretary and Mr Isaacs to draw up a further letter of protest to Air Reid and to the New Zealand Council. OVERSEAS ATHLETES. In connection with the visit of overseas athletes to Melbourne during the centenary celebrations, the secretary of tbe Now Zealand Council advised that the. Australian Amateur Athletic Union had intimated (hat they did not yet know who would be visiting Australia, but they would bo pleased to co-operate, and in all probability tbo athletes would bo able to leave for New Zealand about the middle of February.

GK.NT.IIAL. Advice was received from the Otago University Amateur Athletic Club that Mr W. A. Stewart had been appointed

delegate in place of Mr W. J. Bennett, who luul resigned. The ' Secretary oF the Now Zealand Council advised that he had sent to Mr A. C. Deride (the Otago 220yds champion) a letter of introduction to the lion, secretary of the International Board of the Amateur Athletic Association, Scottish Amateur Athletic Association, and Northern Ireland Amateur Athletic Association. He ; had received a letter from Mr D. G. AC Lowe (secretary of the English A.A.A.) stating that he was delighted that Mr Derbie had been introduced to them, and lie was putting him in touch with the leading London chib, the London Athletic Club. An invitation was received from the Rev. E. S. Tnckwell for members of the centre and harrier clubs to attend the harriers’ church parade in the Hanover Street Baptist Church on Sunday. August 12 —The invitation was accepted. Advice of the affiliation of the Alexandra Amateur Athletic Club was received from the secretary of the New Zealand Council. The Secretary of the Timarn Harrier Management Committee advised that the Temnka-Timaru road race would bo held on July 14. The Social Committee reported that the annual presentation of track and field trophies would take place on June 30. It was decided to hold the first track and field meeting of the season at the Caledonian Ground on October 13. Permission was granted to the Civil Service and Leith Chibs to send teams to Timarn for the Tcmuka-Timaru road race on July 11.