HELENSVILLE SPORTS

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 18 March 1915, Page 2

HELENSVILLE SPORTS

TO THE EDITOK,

Sir,—ln reply to Mr T. P. Gilfedder's letter, which, appeared in your last issue, I, on behalf of my committee, hope you will grant space for our remarks upon the question of " affiliation. In the first place, the Helensville Sports have never been held under the jurisdiction of the Northern Athletic Union, of which Mr Gilfedder is president, as that Union was not in existence until 31st July, 1914, which was three months after our last Sports, and it was after careful consideration that we decided to remain affiliated to the N.Z.A. and C.U., under which all previous Helensville Sports meetings have been successfully held.

Regarding Mr Gilfedder's remarks re letters having been received at the office of the N,A.U., complaining of the action of the Helensville people in affiliating with the N.Z.A. and C.U., my Committee wish to say that they very much doubt this statement, as Ceneral Meetings were advertised in your columns, and when held no complaint was made by anyone at our action of affiliation, and, further general surprise and indignation was shown when Mr Gilfedder's letter was read by the sporting community of Helensville, who considered it an insult to our Club. The runners mentioned in the letter have never to my knowledge run at the Helensville Sports, and as we are assured of a good attendance of local and town runners —members of our governing Union —no doubt need be felt on this score. Mr Gilfedder refers to the people of Helensville supporting a Sports Meeting for those under a ban: We might say that Kaukapakapa Sports were held under the N.Z.A. and C.U., and twelve of our local runners competed, and had we held our Sports under the rules of the N.A.U. not one of our local boys would have been eligible to compete.

With reference to the question of disqualification.—We wish to point out that runners competing under our Union can run at any other Sports Meeting throughout the world, other than those affiliated to the N.A.U., whose jurisdiction is solely confined to the Auckland Province, and only the Clubs affiliated to them in the Auckland Province at that. The runners registered under the N.A.U. cannot compete at any Sports Meeting outside the Auckland Province.

In conclusion, we wish to state that

great inserest is shown in our forthcoming Sports, to be held on Easter Monday, and which are published in the " Star " and " Herald" every Wednesday and Saturday, as well as being advertised by posters which have been sent to all parts of the Auckland Province. Thanking you in anticipation.—l am, etc.,

Tui McEwin, Chairman of Committee. Helensville, 16th March, 1915.