OLYMPIC GAMES ASSOCIATION FORMED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 156, 22 September 1927, Page 7

OLYMPIC GAMES ASSOCIATION FORMED

ENCOURAGEMENT OF AMATEUR SPORT With the object of assisting in the representation of the Dominion at Olympic Games, and also in generally furthering the interests of amateur sport, an Auckland branch of the New Zealand Olympic Games Association was formed last evening. THE Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, who presided over a representative gathering, stated that it was generally recognised that more organised effort was necessary if New Zealand was to be represented at the big international fixtures. A New Zealand Olympic Council had been formed, and also branch associations throughout the country. He thought they would all agree that Auckland should not be apathetic, but should come vigorously into the movement. Mr. E. A. Craig stressed the desirability of forming a branch of the association in Auckland. He said that the proposal had been discussed before, and in October last a meeting was held and a provisional executive formed, but at that time the New Zealand Council had not been formed. . That committee had not functioned and he thought it would be desirable to make a fresh start. MUSSOLINI INTERESTED Membership would be very wide, said Mr. Craig, and practically anyone interested in sport could become a member. Countries all over the world were taking an active interest in representation at Olympic Games. Germany had a big contingent preparing for the next international meeting to be held at Amsterdam in 1928. and in Italy Mussolini had agreed to fill the office of supervisor-extraordinary in connection with an Olympic Games Association. On the motion of the chairman it was unanimously resolved that an Auckland branch of the New Zealand Olympic Gaines Association be constituted. _ . It was also agreed that the boundaries of the Rugby Union district be adopted as an area over which the branch would exercise control. The following sub-committee was appointed to draw up rules: Messrs. H. Frost. E. Hickson, IT. Hobb-Jones, J. Carlaw. A. T. Davies. G. B Metcalfe, G. Hennings and E. A. Craig.