AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 354, 15 October 1932, Page 6

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

ANNUAL MEETING ADJOURNMENT DECIDED UPON TO CLARJFY POSITION OF CYCLISTS. LIVELY DISCUSSION. The annual general meeting- of the Rotorua Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club was held in the Citizens' Club rooms on Thursday evening, Mr.^G. H. Weir presiding over a small attendance. In the annual report, the progress of the club from the formation on | November 13, 1931, to the close of the I season was traced; during this time several evening meetings had been held on the Rotorua High Sch'ool grounds and a special meeting in connection with the Rotorua Borough Couneil's Christmas carnival on Boxing Day. A programme of championship events had also been decided at the close of the track season and it was stated in the report that certificates for the title holders had been prepared and would be prestnted at an early date. During the winter months road racing had been arranged for" the cycling section of th'e club and great keenness had been shown until the programme had to be dropped owing to a decision by the Rotorua County Council regarding accident risks. In eonnection with cycling, the report recorded the appreciation of the club at the generosity of Mr. E. C. Adolph in presentnig two silver cups for track and road racing competition. Appreciation The club concluded the season with a small credit balance of 17s 5d, and in this eonnection the report records that during the season the committee, in an endeavour to create interest in the new club, allowed many of the eompetitors who were unable- to pay their subseriptions to compete unfinancial. The fees are considered to be now unrecoverable, but the report re.commends that during the nejct season the committee rigidly enforce the payment of fees and subseriptions. Appreciation of the assistance aecorded the club during the season and particularly the help granted by the headmaster, staff and board of the Rotorua High School in the use of the school grounds and gear is also recorded. Opening the discussion on the report, the chairman said that in view of the many difficulties pertaining in the formation year of the club, the position was very satisfactory. He said that he was frankly disappointed with the small attendance p-resent, but did not consider that the interest had dropped and felt assured that this season the club could count on more support than previously and go in for the sport in a larger way. On the first year of formation, he said that he had known clubs in larger districts to finish a year with large debit balances, but the local club was fortunately not in that position. Position of Cyclists Mr. Weir said he had been informed that the cyclists intended breakmg away from the club and forming their own body under the auspices of the Cyclists' Union. He expressed the hope that this would not occur and considered it unwise, as although in some of the larger centres the two branches were separate, he did not know of any other town of the same size as Rotorua where the move had proved suecessful. j.n conclusion, Mr. Weir said that prospects for the coming season appeared good and by mapping. out a interesting programme it should prove very suecessful. The president, Mr. D. Cambie, supported the opinion of Mr. Weir regarding the ■ cyclists' position and thought it would be a great mistake on their part to break away. The position of the cyclists was advanced by Mr. F. A. Hayward, who said that they desir-ed to control their own sport and at the same time engage in the Athletic Club's aetivities. The secretary, Mr. C. J. Casey, aslced whether the cyclists would join the Amateur Athletic Club as members, and receiving a reply that the matter could not be decid'ed until they had held a meeting, Mr. Casey suggesfced that the position could be met by the formation of a cycling *subcommittee of the club, from which recommendations could be submitted to the general committee. This suggestion was supported by the chairman, but was declined by the cyclists, one mejnber of which stated they were detennmed to form their own body and alleged lack of interest on the part of the club committee. Motion to Adjourn At this stage Mr. T. S. Robertson moved that the meeting be postponed for a week to permit the position to be clarified and he was supported by Mr. E. C. Adolph. Speaking to the motion, the secretary objected to the allegations of disinterest on the part of the committee, and reminded the cyclists that despite their being unfinancial the club had permitted them to engage in track and road racing throughout the season. He said that he did not consider that extra expense in eonnection with another meeting should be shouldered by the club and reminded the cyclists that should th'ey break away, the club would not be obliged to provide races and ' trophies for nonmembers of the club. Mr. A. G. Cottrell supp-orted the previous speaker and considered that the meeting should eontinue and the election of ofljcers be proceeded with. After further discussion, the motion was carried by a small majority and the meeting adjourned until next Friday evening. -