"ATHLETICS AS USUAL."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 207, 9 February 1915, Page 8

"ATHLETICS AS USUAL."

u AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE i HELD. | • ji v Telegrai-Per Press Association. Wellington, Last Niglit. , An important decision, embodying the motto of ''athletics as usual" in spite of the war, was arrived at by the Council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association this evening. There were present: Messrs \V. 11. Pollock (ill the chair), A. A. Maryatt, C. K. Bridge, B. A. (juise, M. Burnett, and A. JJavies. The Auckland centre wrote stating that it had been decided not to have the championships run there. Gtago centre wrote that ill view of the k'.rge number of the liest athletes at present on active service the centre considered it inadvisable to hold tile New Zealand championships this year. The championships, i£ held, would fall to seen nilrate athletes, who would not lie worlny of championship honors. Canteniury centre wfote that while it agreed that ti;c championships should not be 'abandoned, it coahl not arrange for grounds for lllia year's meeting. The chairman expressed the opinion that the championships should be held as u-ua!. It would give the younger athletes the opportunities for which they had b.'en waiting, r.nd would bring newblood into the athletic held. Mr Maryatt agreed, and proposed that the championships should he. held at Wellington jointly by the New Zealand Council and the Wellington ceiure, t:nunde rstanding being that the meeting | would not count in the rotation of the championship meetings, at the various centres year by year. The meeting would be held as a benefit one for the war funds. Mr Bridge Seconded the motion. "Business as usual was the motto of the Empire just now, and he saw no reason why it should not be applied to athletics. The following motions were then carried unanimously "That the championship meeting be held this year in Willinglon by the Council, and that the Wc'lington centre be asked to co-oper-ate, the meeting not to count in the rotation of championship meetings;" "that ail profits arising from the meeting be devoted to the Xew Zealand Soldiers and Dependents Relief Fund." The chairman, Mr Burnett, and the secretary were appointed a programme committee, and' it was decided to wait upon the City Council to ask for theBasin Reserve fre<; for the meeting in view of the profits being for relief purposes. The Meeting is to lie held on March 13th if the gvoiind is available.