ATHLETIC NOTES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 453, 3 April 1912, Page 6

ATHLETIC NOTES.

FIXTURES UNDER UNION RULES, April 6. Rangiriri Athletic Club. April B.—Thames Foresters' Sports. April 8. —Waihou Athletic Club. April 8. Helemville Athletic Society. April S.—Papakura Band Sports. April B.—Te Puke Athletic Club. (All communications to the Union should be addressed to the Secretary, Jno. H. Trinnear, Te Kuiti). The official bandicapper of the union, Mr F. H. Burbush, Auckland, has now in hand the nominations for sports meetings at Owhanga, Rangiriri, Helensville and Papakura. The confidence reposed in Mr Burbush as a handicapper would, evidently, be hard to beat. It seems strange that any athletic club should fail to affiliate with the union, which is the governing body, and registered under the Act. Not only are such clubs liable to be declared unregistered meetings, but competitors who take part in them are also disqualified, and are not eligible to receive prize-moneys. Protests were entered at a country meeting a week or so ago, against a competitor who is said to have competed at a small sports meeting not under the union. The prize won by him has, in consequence, been withheld pending the decision of the union. Entries at most sports meetings this season have been very good, and from an athletic point of view there has been quite a revival in professional athletics. Several more clubs are likely to join the union ranks at an early date, viz. N:ihoNiho, Ongarue, Marokopa and Awhitu (Manakau heads). The total number so far must be nearly 50.

A competitor writing from Auckland, complains that the boundary line between the Auckland and Feilding athletic districts is not in the right place. He suggests that Auckland district should embrace all clubs as far south as Taumarunui. This is a matter which the clubs affected would do well to look into. As new clubs are continually being formed it would be advantageous for them to keep in touch with the union secretary, Mr J. H. Trinnear, Te Kuiti, who would be able to give all information concerning the government of sport under the jurisdiction of the union. Before his departure for Australia, the champion. Jack Donaldson, paid a high tribute to the manner in which athletic sport was being conducted by the Auckland Union. He was highly pleased, and complimented the union officials on the good work which is being done by them in the cause of pure sport. It is probable that a great sports .gathering will be held in Auckland by the union during the International Exhibition, towards the end of next year. Champions from all over the world will likely be present, and the sports are expected to last several days. The decision of a club in the Ohura district, not to affiliate with the union is unfortunate, as such a step absolutely places all competitors taking part in the programme as disqualified runners, and deprives them of taking advantage of meetings now registered and new clubs joining the union. It is not necesasry for the union to advertise any meeting unregistered. The fact of any sports club holding a meeting without becoming affiliated is sufficient reason. Application has been received from the lion, secretary of the Miners' Union, Waihi, for permisison to hold a sports gathering on May Ist, 1912, in aid of the Benevolent Fund of their union. Seeing that the object of the gathering is a worthy one. the union will extend its permission for a permit.

The Ongarue Sports Club have reason to be satisfied with the promises of support for their gathering on Empire Day, May 24th, 1912. Application for registration with the union is expected at any time. A competitor for recent King Country meetings has been unfortunate in misunderstanding the action of the union in questioning his right to run at registered meeting through his having competed at unregistered gatherings. The club has registered and acknowledged the advantage to be gained through affiliation. The officials of the union are at all times pleased to give information, and if the runner in question had got in touch with the president in Auckland, everything would have been satisfactorily settled.