ATHLETIC NOTES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 457, 17 April 1912, Page 3

ATHLETIC NOTES.

(All communications to the Union should be addressed to the Secretary, Jno. H. Trinnear, Te Kuiti). FIXTURES UNDER UNION RULES. April 24 —Athletic Club, Gordonton (near Hamilton) Ivlaj I—Waihi1 —Waihi Miners' Union Sports May 24 —Origarue Athletic Club. The Auckland Herald refers to the proposed carnival during the exhibition as follows: —"The holding of a three days' carnival at the international exhibition in Auckland next year is being discussed locally, and the centre has several suggestions before it. One is that each of the affiliated clubs in the province contribute one item to the programme for handicap events, and that the centre arrange for world's championships. The popularity of the champions who took part at the recent St. Patrick's sports meeting Auckland has been the means of financial assistance being offered by townsmen for a future contest between cracks, while it is suggested that for handicap sprints the, first prizes be £100." The clubs in the North Auckland district are interesting themselves greatly with the object of securing assistance from the union to lift up the tone of sport in that district and very encouraging letters are to hand from Mr Sheen, of Rawene, and others and a public meeting at an early date is to be called to consider steps necessary to secure this desirable object. The union officials met qeveral sports from the north during the past month and once the shoulder is placed tu the wheel there is no intention of turning back. The advantage of securing proper supervision of all runners and clubs must appeal to all lovers of true sport, and the officials of tt;e union (whose positions are purely honorary) are well repaid when support such as has been extended to them by clubs and competitors during the past twelve months. Special provision was made to effectually control cycle events during the Easter sports meetings, and new rules were adhered to. At its annual meeting last month the centre decided to control cycling under all conditions, and Mr T. :H. Pardington, Onehunga, was appointed consul for Auckland province. There are some instances where competitors enter for events and are not placed in the handicaps. The reason of this is that their nominations are not prima facie in order. Novice athletes would do well to conform to the rules in every particular, lodging fees and complete particulars of performances. Stating that their records are "known to the handicapper" is not sufficient.

In our advertising columns a notice appears announcing that the Huakanui Athletic Club, Gordonton, near Hamilton, will be holding their annual sports meeting under union rules on Wednesday, April 24th. Mr W. Hair is secretary, and a good programme i<* arranged. Very serious consideration will be given by the Te Kuiti Sports Club to the question of deleting the valuable prize money given the the chopping events* from their next programme. The officials feel that the support has not been encouraging enough to warrant a continuance of the items, and more particularly as their desire will be to provide smaller prize money and encourage young choppers to compete without the handicap from noted competitors. A more attractive programme can be arranged by the inclusion of bicycle races and a good Sheffield.

We cannot too strongly impress on clubs the desirability of affiliating with the union, and the necessity of joining at once, as the holding of a meeting without the approval of the union disqualifies all competitors and officials and depirves them from taking part in any meeting held under union rules. The idea which unfortunately is prevalent amongst clubs previous to joining is that the conduct of their meetings can be carried on successfully withuufc outside interference —possibly! The union does not interfere with clubs, its object is to protect them and with their comprehensive rules which are issued to all clubs, the advantages of such protection must appeal to all who are desirous of assisting clean sport and the only way to attain this object is for the clubs to become part and parcel of an organisation controlling and regulating the movements of competitors. The New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union have over 2500 registered competitors, and the Auckland centre is no small factor in the affair of the union. During the past twelve months no fewer than fifty-two clubs joined the Auckland Centre, and every indication points to a record season for 1912-13. The executive will meet in Auckland on Thursday evening next to hold an enquiry into complaints from the Helensville Club, and also consider correspondence from a competitor who ran at a meeting in Poverty Bay district. Many important matters will be considered, amongst them being the district scheme and proposals to assist at the next exhibition. Cycling should boom next season as efforts are to be made to secure some of the world's top-notchers to compete next season.

It has been brought under the notice uf the officials the desirabiilty of creating harrier clubs throughout the Auckland province, and already enthusiastic patrons of this branch of sport are prepared to assist financially to secure a shield for competition, conducted under union rules.

The carrying of such a proposal into effect would give a great impetus to long-distance running and during the winter months would provide an opportunity for runners to retain their condition. The Centre will, no

doubt, consider this matter at their next executive meeting, and if ways and means offer such a step should prove one in the right direction.