ATHLETIC GOVERNMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1922, Page 3

ATHLETIC GOVERNMENT.

N.Z. ATHLETIC AND CYCLING UNION. DOMINION CONFERENCE. The annual conference of the N.Z. Athletic and Cycling Union was held at the Borough Council Chambers, Eltham, yesterday, when Mr. D. F. McKay (Dunedin), president of the union, occupied the chair, and there were also present: Messrs. A. E. Davey (Poverty Bay) and A. A. George (Hawke’s Bay), vice-presi-dents; J. Kennedy (Geraldine), secretary; A. J. Curry (Blenheim), J. Collingwood (Feeding), B. B. Meek, A. A. Campbell (Otago), H. A. Nuttall (Taranaki), members of the executive, and the following delegates: Messrs. A. Hansen, C. Burke, J. Paterson (Taranaki), A. Polworth, A. M. Wylie (Otago), P. C. Lucas (North Canterbury), A. J. Fisher (Blenheim), C. W. Sheen (Gisborne). Apologies were received from Messrs. J. V.’. Walker and S. Fraser, members of the executive. After the president had formally opened the conference, delegates were given a civic welcome by Mr. G. W. Taylor, Mayor of Eltham, who expressed the hope that their deliberations would result in the greatest good to the greatest number, affd prove of considerable benefit to the sport. He touched on the active part that Eltham had always taken in promoting sport, particularly the axemen’s carnival, in past years. He also stated that, the services of the town clerk would be placed at their disposal if they required any information regarding the district.

Mr. A. Hansen, president of the Taranaki Centre, also extended a welcome to delegates, stating that it was proposed to entertain them at a smoke concert that evening, also to take as many as could spare the time for a motor drive round the district the following day.

The president, in acknowledging, expressed the thanks of the delegates for the hearty welcome. He had heard that there was a lot of splendid country around Eltham, and was not disappointed with what he had so far seer..

Mr. A. A. Davy, vice-president, also expressed his thanks at the welcome. Taranaki had been the home of many athletes, whose names were well known in the athletic world, while Eltham itself had provided the arena in which there had been many strenuous contests for world supremacy in chopping and sawing. He pointed out that those who took an active interest in* sport were doing more than catering for the amusement of the public, as the give-and-take spirit inculcated by sport tended to promote amity among the nations. REPORT AND BALANCE SHEET. The balance sheet showed that receipts had totalled £239, the principal itqms being: Affiliation fees £ll4, season registration £63, day registration £42. Expenditure totalled £192: Travelling expenses. Dominion conference, £74; secretary’s salary £32, new typewriter £2O. The balance was now £ll6, as against £6B at the beginning of the year. Assets showed a credit of £lB7.

The report congratulated members on a very successful year. Great difficulty had been experienced In obtaining returns from the centres, of which there were eleven, in time for the publication of the balance sheet. Efforts had been made to revive the centres in Masterton and Wellington, and societies under amateur control were in existence in those towns.

Of the eleven centres. Southland had 22 affiliated clubs, 289 registered competitors, and had paid £22 5s in fees; Otago, 30 clubs, 460 competitors, £34 18s 6d fees; South Canterbury, 11 clubs, 130 competitors, £lO 18s Gd fees; North Canterbury, 20 clubs, 376 competitors, £27 15s 4d fees: West Coast, 10 clubs, 148 competitors, £lO 9s fees; Marlbor-

ough and Nelson, 12 clubs, 220 members, £l4 15s 3d fees; Feilding, 6 clubs, 37 competitors, £7 9s 6d fees; Taranaki, 21 clubs, 298 competitors, £2l 19s fees; Hawke’s Bay, 11 clubs, 192 competitors, £l4 2s fees; Poverty Bay, 31 clubs.

The finances were healtßy, the credit balance being £ll6. Cases of broaches of the rules were also dealt with, the report remarking that owing to the rules being so comprehensive and the fact that only two infringements of tho rules were committed, the conference of the union could advantageously be held bienlally. The proposal to send delegates to Melbourne was not put into operation on account of the expense. Mr. Pearson, now a resident of Melbourne, and formerly of the South Canterbury Centre, ably- represented New Zealand. The long-standing dispute betwen the Victoria Wheeling and Victoria and Inter-cycle club ha.l now been settled, with the result that the Warrnanibool*Melbourne road race had been reinstated, whilst the State championship five miles’ international race was allotted to New Zealand, which handed it over to the St. Patrick’s Sports Association, Christchurch, which had run it exceptionally well, a fair class of men competing. t*

Messrs. Hansen, Nuttall and Davy were appointed a sub-committee to revise the axemen’s rules, which had been done. There was no doubt this branch would strengthen the sport in the Athletic Union. At the present time, the only branch of sport not in the Athletic Union was the Pipers and Dancers’ Association.

It was for the meeting to decide whether the official calendar should be gone on with.

Cycling road races were held last year by the North Canterbury Centre, from Timaru to Christchurch, and were very successful, also the race run by the Taranaki Centre from Egmont Road. These two events would be in operation again this year.

The report also touched at length on the question of liability of a society to pay damages to any competitor Injured in the course of a sports meeting, the opinion being held that neither in the case of competitors nor spectators was the society holding the sports responsibility, except for negligence on the part of its officials.

In reply to a question it was stated that Raetihl was the only centre that was at present unflnancial.

Mr. A. J. Curry said that the union was to be congratulated upon its position, which was due to the excellent work of the secretary and president, both proving the right men for the positions. Other speakers spoke in similar strain. The report and balance sheet were adopted. • REMITS. Mr. Campbell, on behalf of the Otago Centre, moved that the conferences be held biennially. This would considerably curtail the expenses, and enable the union to be placed on a sound financial basis. Amateur associations were able to send men to Australia, but this union, on account, of Lack of finance, could not do so. Mr. Wylie (Otago), in seconding, remarked that after seventeen years a balance of £IIG was very small, and did not allow much for any contingencies. It was necessary that they should conserve their funds, with a view to promoting the sport in such a way as adding to the prize-money when championship events were decided. They should also endeavor to raise a fund to send teams of athletes abroad, is the amateurs did. The public were apt to think, when they saw amateur teams travelling, that they represented the best that New Zealand could produce, but he felt certain the professionals could more than hold their own.

■ Mr. A. A. George considered the move a step •n tne wrong direction. It would tend to put tue control into a groove, which would not b? beneficial. There was the social side to cons*uer, a ] so the benefit to be derived from an interchange of ideas. . , Mr. Sheen also opposed the proposal. Mr. H. A. Nuttall favored the proposal from the aspect of finance. He pointed out that after this conference the balance would prob- | ably be reduced to £l4. Mr. A. Hansen would like to see other means adopted for placing the union on a financial basis. He was quite satisfied the annual conferences had made the union. He thought they should revert to the system of holding the conference contemporaneously with the championship meeting.

Mr. Collingwood considered the proposal would lead to loss of interest.

Mr. Lucas considered it Would be a retrograde step. He favored holding the conference alternately at Christchurch and Wellington, with a view to minimising the expense. Mr. Fisher suggested that delegates’ expenses should be paid by their own centres. Mr. Meek favored increasing the affiliation fee in the ease of larger societies. Mr. C. Burke believed that the annual conferences fostered the sport and gave delegates a keener interest. Mr. Curry said that the main object of the union should be to foster athletics, which had been set back by the war, and biennial conferences would not do this. After the mover had replied, the remit was lost. Mr. Wylie then moved a lengthy remit as a recommendation to starters and runners, ini order to bring about, as nearly as possible, a >uattem ayateft of

This was seconded by Mr. C. Sheen. The mover and seconder spoke on the disadvantages of a bad start, especially from the point of view of handicapping. After a little discussion, the remit was unanimously carried. Mr. Polworth moved that no military defaulter be allowed to compete at any sports meeting under the rules of the N.Z. A. and C. Union. Mr. George, in seconding, said that he would like, to see the motion made more drastic, so as to throw the onus on clubs allowing such men to compete. Members considered that the remit threw the onus on clubs, which, however, might not be aware that the competitor was a military defaulter. The president Said that any society allowing a defaulter to compete could be dealt with as an insubordinate club. Mr. A. Hansen moved, as an amendment,' that no military defaulter be knowingly allowed to compete at any sports meeting, or become a member of any club under the rules of the N.Z. Atheltlc and Cycling Union. Mr. Fisher seconded. Mr. C. Burke said that his attention had been drawn to the fact that every man who refuse! to drill was termed a military defaulter. There were numbers of these every day, and they must be very careful or they would be encouraging something like German militarism. There might be so many defaulters that they would have no competitors. He thought the rule should apply to those who had shirked their duty during the war, and he suggested that a proviso should be made that the amendment applied to military defaulters prior to Peace Day. This was added to the amendment, which was carried, the original motion being withdrawn. Mr. C. Burke (Taranaki) imoved that any official or club who knowingly allows a disqualified competitor to compete at a meeting be liable to a fine or disqualification. Mr. A. Hansen (Taranaki), in seconding, stated that he was present at a meeting in which a disqualified competitor was about to start, but on seeing him the competitor left the mark. He did not know whether the officials were aware that the man was disqualified or not. Mr. Davey thought the present rules gave power to deal with such cases. The remit was carried. Mr. C. Burke (taranaki) then moved that any competitor disqualified by the union be warned off all sports grounds where meetings under their jurisdiction are being held, and that clubs be empowered to have any disqualified persons removed. Speaking to the motion, he said they were anxious to keep the sport clean, and it was not in the interest of young runners that they should come into contact with. men who had been disqualified for some serious brea-h. Mr. J. Paterson seconded. Mr. Curry considered the remit too drastic, as it would apply to men who were perhaps disqualified for a short term for some union breach. The enover of the remit said it was intended to apply to competitors disqualified for life. Cases of temporary disqualification could be dealt with on their merits. He agreed to amend the rule by adding the words “for life.” o In reply to Mr. Davey, the chairman stated that there was legal power to carry the resolution into effect, but, to make sure, he would see the union’s solicitor before bringing this into effect. The remit was then carried as amended. Mr. A. Hansen (Taranaki) moved that rules 14 and 15 In the axemen’s, rules be adopted by the union, and irnade to apply to all other events. These rules provided that any competitor unable to satisfactorily establish his identity should not be entitled to claim any prize money until he can establish his identity, nnd unless ahGe to establish his identity within three calendar months of it being questioned shall be deemed to have forfeited his right to any prize money held pending tne establishment of such identity. This was carried unanimously. Mr. A. Hansen then moved that competitors who refuse to be photographed for identification purposes forfeit all prize money and be liable to disqualification. Mr. H. A. Nuttall (Taranaki) seconded the remit, which was carried. THE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. Applications for the next championship meeting were received from the West Coast and Taranaki centres. Mr. Davey moved, and Mr. Nuttall seconded, that the championships be held in Taranaki, the former pointing out that Taranaki and Christchurch had been allotted half the championship meeting last year, but perhaps rightly deemed it wise to turn down the otter of half the championships. Mr. Curry moved as an amendment that It be allotted to West Coast, pointing out that they had been promised the first, championship meeting after the tunnel was completed. This was seconded by Mr. Fisher. Mr. Meek pointed out that the tunnel would not be completed this year in time for the championship meeting to be held. Mr. Hansen stated that if the championships were allotted to Taranaki, the local centre would invite applications from clubs to run the championship meeting. The amendment was lost and the motion carried. Poverty Bay was granted the next world’s chopping and sawing championships. ALTERATION OF CONSTITUTION. Mr. Davey referred to what he called the haphazard method of selecting councillors. At present some centres had two or three members and others none. He suggested that each centre should have one representative on the council. This' would be more equitable, more democratic, and would assist the funds of the union considerably. Ho accordingly gave notice of motion in this direction. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers were elected «s follows: President, Mr. D. F. McKay (re-elected) ; vice-presidents. Messrs. A. A. George (Hawke’s Bay), J. Collingwood (Feilding), and A. J. Curry (Blenheim) ; executive, Messrs. J. A. Hansea (Taranaki), P. C. Lucas (North Canterbury), H. H. Fraser (South Canterbury), R. B. Meek, A. M. Wylie, and A. A. Campbell (Otago) ; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. Kennedy (Geraldine) re-elected. Mr. J. B. Stewart was appointed auditor, and Mr. J. Laing hon. solicitor. The secretary was voted, an honorarium of £5O. AMUSEMENT TAX. A letter was received from tho Sports Protection League urging the union to take steps with a view to having the imposition of the amusement tax removed. Mr. Davey considered that this was a very important matter, as he considered it a great hardship, particularly on small sports bodies, who had to find a bond of £5O. The matter had been brought before Mr. Massey, but before anything could be done pressure would have to be brought on the Government. He moved: "That this meeting protests strongly against the imposition of the tax, and that a copy be forwarded to Mr. W. D. Lysnar, M.P. for Poverty Bay, who was interesting himself in the matter.” Mr. Meek, in seconding, suggested that a small deputation should wait on the Premier In the matter. This was incorporated in the resolution, which was carried. GENERAL. It was resolved to defer the question of resuscitating the calendar until next conference. On the motion of Messrs. Davey and Skeen it. was resolved to forward letters of thanks to the firms who have donated cash and other prizes to the Chrlstchureh-Tlmaru and round-the-mountain road races. Mr. Davey brought up the question of the number of unregistered chopping and wrestling matches that were being held. These were likely to bring chopping into disrepute. The New Zealand Union was the only body that had power to grant penmission to hold championship meetings, and any one holding unregistered meetings was liable to disqualification. The chairman remarked that If such meetings were advertised some member of the particular centre should ask to see the permit, and in the event of none being forthcoming the competitors would be automatically disqualified. Mr. Hansen moved that a rule be added to the axemen’s rules disqualifying any competitor for stabbing or splitting the block from tihe top. . . ' «(•. “K' s BBf ‘< * Ml ‘

tion in regard to an amateur who competed at amateur sports one week, professional the next, and at amateur sports later on. The president stated that such a competitor would be disqualified. A delegate asked what was the position in regard to a lad of 15 who won an open event at a meeting, the rules of which provided that a juvenile was a competitor under 1G years, and was not eligible to compete in open events. The president said that such a competitor would not be eligible to receive the prize money in that event. The next conference will be held at Blen- ■ Votes of thanks were accorded the Eltham Borouogh Council for the use of the municipal chambers, the Press, and the chair.