NO CONTEST.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 50, 27 January 1938, Page 2

NO CONTEST.

MASTERTON INQUIRY.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON. Jan. 26. The inquiry into the alleged irregularity at the Masterton sports meeting on Anniversary Day was conducted by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association Council to-day. After hearing Mr F. Bond (chairman of the Wellington Centre), Mr A. D. Rowse (secretary to the Centre) and Mr A. L. Fitch (the Centre’s coach) the council unanimously decided that no contest had taken place within the meaning of the rule and that those who had taken part in the exhibition had in no way infringed their amateur status.

In order to ensure no guestion arising at the British Empire Games as to the eligibility of the Trinidad athletes, a cable is to be sent to Mr H. McCormick (the manager) advising him of the decision that any exhibition to be staged by A 1 Fitch, the United States coach, where there is any. element of doubt as to such an exhibition being classed as a contest and the status of the athletes competing is thereby affected. The evidence of the officials and the coach was taken in committee.

Interviewed this morning.. C. Robinson, the Wellington sprint champion, who was one of the. athletes who took part in the exhibition, said that the exhibition was arranged purely with the object of Fitch demonstrating the American baton change for sprint relay-racing. He said that Fitch was at great pains before tho exhibition to point out to the officials and everybody concerned that there was no idea of a contest, and that no officials were required, nor was there any tape nor any time taken.