ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 954, 29 July 1903, Page 2

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

SHOULD AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS COMPETE AS AMATEURS ?

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, last night.

The Council of New Zealand Amateur Athletic Associations decided to-night to hold a cross country championship at the Addington Show Grounds, if procurable. In reference to the Australasian Amateur Athletic Union’s request for a vote on the question of allowing aboriginals to compete as amateurs, the Couocil decided in favor of giving the aboriginals an amateur , status, with the explanation that it considered Maoris to be on a different footing from Australian aboriginals. In reply to a further request for information in the case of trade and House sports, the Coun- I cil resolved that such sports were unautho- j rised.and amateurs and professionals would I not be allowed to compete together. Ten I pounds were voted to the Otago centre towards paying oS a debit balance of X2O I 12s in connection with the recent New I Zealand Championship Meeting. Some time ago the Council of the New Zealand I League of Wheelmen wrote to amateur I riders, requesting information about the I nature of their prizes. Replies from some J local amateurs, read at the Council’s j meeting to-Dight, were considered unsatis- | tory, and it was resolved to give all local I amateurs a mouth's notico to produce I their trophies, I