N.Z ATHLETIC UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 58

N.Z ATHLETIC UNION.

THE NEW PLYMOUTH CONFERENCE. NEvv^ PLYMOUTH, February 27. The New. Zealand Athletio .Union Conference opened here last night, delegates being present from every centre m the Dominion. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, Mr- George •Woods (president) complimented those present on the good work done by the respective' oentree. He said the new Gaming Act had abolished proprietary athletio gatherings.- A forward move had been made by sporte-governing bodies in forming the New Zealand Sports Federation, of which the Athletic Union is a member. The application of the New Zealand Axemen's Association that the union recommend its entrance to the Sports Federation was refused pending the ajnended rules giving affiliated societies fair representation. It was decided to remove the disqualifications inflicted in connection with the games of the Scottish Society of ChristcHuroh, applications to be made personally. It was agreed that the registration fees be allotted a Is, union centres Is 6d. Competitors suspended to date in connection with the proprietary sports are eligible to compete after July 31, 1996. The Winton Quoits Club was granted the New Zealand ohampionship for 1908. February 27. The New Zealand Athletic Union resumed its meeting this morning, all the delegates being present. A protest from the Southland Centre against the Southland Caledonian Sooiety, which allowed 'a disqualified competitor to compete at the meeting on New Year's Day,"" resulted in tbe sooiety being requested to make good the deficiency between the first and second prize-money, and it was fined one guinea, to be paid within three months, and the moneys and medals won returned. Step were taken to form a centre m Auckland Province. The election of officers resulted as follows;— President, Mf G. W. Woods (InvercargiU, re - elected); vice - presidents, Messrs Duncan (Wellington) and Clark (New Plymouth); auditor. Mr J. Kennedy (Geraldine); secretary and treasurer, Mr D. J. Corcoran (Dunedin); oommittee— Messrs R Smith (Pahiatua), Good (Christchurch), Keast (Dunedin), Perkins (West Coast). Alterations of the constitution to allow of the union being registered under the Unclassified Societies Act (as drawn up by Mr Duncan, Wellington) were adopted on the motion of Mr Keast (Dunedin). The Otago Centre was allotted the next conference and championships. The record book and standards were reI eommendsd to be drawn up by the execu1 five, the recorder being Mr Mussen ! (Southland). 1 Handicappers must be approved by the centre, no handicat>r>er being allowed +o compete in any event. The question of holding the dual positions under the amateur and cash bodies will be considered by the present executive. After minor matters were considered the conference closed. Most of the delegates return home to-morrow morning, having spent a royal time, being hospitably treated by the Bsnd Association, the Cale donian Sooiety, and the Town Council i The secretary was voted a bonus of. £25 and the president was given an illuminate* addtress in recognition of his valuec. I services.