AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 17, 20 September 1928, Page 3

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

The following is the report of the Hutt Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club to be presented at a general meeting to be held on September 26th: —

MEMBERSHIP. — The membership stands at 42, which is a slight increase over last year's figures. During the coming season we intend to further popularise the sport in our district and con-, siderably augment our present membership. A new departure last season was the formation of a Ladies' Section, with six members. This branch should also show an increased membership this year. One of our members (Miss J. Willson), is to be congratulated upon winning the 120 Yards Hutt Valley Championship held at Petone. COMMITTEE.-^During the year a vacancy was caused by the resignation of Mr. F. Gorrie, owing to pressure of business. Mr. T. La Roche was elected to the vacancy. Eleven meetings were held and were attended as follows: —D. G. K. de Castro (10), F. Gorrie (nil, resigned 26/1/28), T. Hayes (8), W. A. Melrose (11), J. N. Millard (10), J. S. Stalker (8), A. W. Treseder (7), W. Winnie (5).

SPORTS MEETINGS. —Three evening meetings and one afternoon meeting were held by the Club during the season. All were well patronised by the public, and your committee has every reason to feel gratified with the support accorded its efforts. At our evening meeting on 21st December, we had the pleasure of entertaining the Australian athletes who were in New Zealand for the purpose of participating in the Australasian Championships. Your committee are grateful to the Borougii Council.for entertaining our visitors after the sports.

A series of contests between your club, the Petone Club and the Hutt Valley Harriers, was held. These contests served a very useful purpose in bringing to the fore a number of athletes who in all probability might never have been induced to appear in open company. It is regretted that these meetings were abandoned after one round had been decided. The competition resulted in wins for the Petone Club in the cycling and ladies' sections, and the Hutt Valley Harriers in the athletic section. To these clubs we extend our heartiest congratulations.

During last season meetings for club members were held every Monday evening. These meetings resulted in increased enthusiasm among members, and it is hoped to continue them this season.

DAYLIGHT SAVlNG.—Members will regret exceedingly that the Summer Time Bill was not re-enacted. The measure gave a great boost to the sport in this district and was much appreciated by all secti»ns of the community. It is only a question of time, however, before this health giving Act will be permanently placed upon the Statute Book. GEAR. —Through the generosity of Mr. O. H. Matthews, the club is now in possession of an excellent set of hurdles. Mr. Matthews donated the timber, and a band of members under Mr. Treseder, made the hurdles. We are also grateful to Mr. M. Upton who kindly allowed the use of his workship for the preparation of the timber. CLUB TROPHIES. —The various cups for competition by club members were won by the following: — Horman Cup (most points in junior events). —J. W. Corliss. Matthews Cup (most points in running events). —J. M. Ballantyne. Fraser Cup (most points in cycling events). —K. Christiansen. James Cup (most points in ladies events) —Miss E-. Corliss. In every case competition was keen, the winners being in doubt until the last meeting of the season. The above members are to be congratulated upon their consistent performances. We hope to see them again in the limelight in the near future.

ANNUAL DANCE.— The cups were presented at a dance held in the King George Dance Hall. This function was a huge success and resulted in a small profit. We are under a debt of gratitude to the following ladies who rendered great assistance to the committee: — Mesdames Corliss, Forsyth, La Roche and Vagg.

THANKS. —We have to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of. donations and trophies from the following gentlemen: — Sir Alexander Roberts, G. Afdous, H. Baldwin, C. R. Barrett, E. P. Bunny, Dr. Boyd, J.. M. Cameron," A. E. Carver, E. Cunningham, X O. Davis, H. L. Fraser, H. Hayes, E. J. Heffer, F. S. Hewer, C. R. Hmman, W C. James, J. Kennington, H. H McGill, B. Matthews, C. C. Odlin, W. P. Page, W. T. Strand, H. S. Sivell, E Sullivan and J. Tamblyn.

-We have also to thank the following gentlemen who kindly placed their cars at our disposal for the purpose of con-

veying the Australian athletes to our sports on.2lst December:—R; Adams, H. Baker, C. R. Barrett, C. R. Horman, C. C. Odlin, J. M. Power and H. R. Wakeiin *

Wo are again under a deep debt of gratitude to the caretaker for the Recreation Ground, Mr. H. Vagg, for his kind assistance. The success of our meetings was due in no small measure to his valuable work. The visiting Australians desciibed the Recreation Ground as '' the finest little sports ground we have seen; and a good deal of the credit for this must be given to Mr. Vagg.

OBITUARY. —It was with deep regret that members learned of the unfortunate end which befel Mr. W. Winnie while following his occupation at Akatarawa on the 13th August. The late Mr. Winnie was one of the foundation members of the club, and both as a cpmmitteeman and as a competitor earned the respect and admiration of all with whom he came in contact. Modest-in victory, and generous in defeat, he' displayed all the good qualities essential to a sportsman, and was an example which all could emulate. Our hearts go out in sympathy to Ms sorrowing relatives in the sad loss they have suffered.

BALANCE SHEET. —The Balance Sheet shows the club to be in a good financial position. The one regrettable feature, however, is the amount of outstanding subscriptions.. Some members do not appear to realise their responsibilities in this matter. Subscriptions are the life blood of a club and no club can function in a proper manner when a fraction of the members leave their remainder to cany the burden.