ATHLETICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1922, Page 3

ATHLETICS.

NEW PLYMOUTH CLUB. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The first annual meeting of the New Plymouth Amateur Athletic Club was held last uight, Mr. L. B. Webster presiding. The annual report stated that at the end 0 the first year of the club’s formation the affairs ol the club were In a satisfactory state. An amateur .Uhletic club existed In New Plymouth before the war, but owing to various causes it ceased to exist as a club. The new club was formed on August 1, 1921, and now had a. membership of 61 senior and '>B junior members. The first athletic meeting "as held at the Boys’ High School grounds ° n October 22, au evening meeting being also held. At both meetings the entries were satlslactory. a big programme was arranged for the visit of the South African athletic team on February 10, 1922. Unfortunately, owing to the extra expense to the club In having to send the team to Wanganui by motor and the provision of temporary seating at the High bchool grounds, the balance-sheet for the latter meeting showed a. debit of £lO 15 S sd. The club owed its being to those members who had always been willing to help in any capacity whatsoever. Mr. L. B. Webster, the club’3 handicapper, was to be congratulated on the excellent handicapping, which materially assisted towards success. It was a moat difficult task, especially with the South Africans, who had, of necessity, to be handicapped on reputation, and with other competitors without previous perfoivnances. During the year four members were re-instated to amateur status. Mt. Harry Wilson had agreed to act as the delegate to the Wellington Centre of the N.Z.A.A.A. Thanks were expressed to the many townspeople who so kindly donated to the club’s funds, to Mr. E. Jackson for a tblb. shot, and to members of the Hawera Club, who journeyed to both afternoon meetings and greatly assisted in their success. To Mr. W. H. Moyes and the Board of Governors thanks were also due for the use of the Boys High School grounds and for supplying such an excellent ground fully marked out and free of any cost to the club.

In moving the adoption of the report, the Qhalrman referred particularly to the visit of the Springboks and the balance-sheet. The thanks of the club were due to the hon. secretary (Mr. L. W. Andrew) for the valuable work he had done. The prospects for the coming season were bright. The club would mis season have the Recreation Grounds for their meetings, and this should ensure satisfactory gates” being secured. Mr. Webster appealed to the younger men to take the sport seriously. Nothing would help the chib more than to turn out a man who could represent New Plymouth at the championship meetings. There were a number of average members in the club, but no “stars,”, hut he thought that with the material available a champion could be developed during the season. Mr. E. Jackson seconded, and after a short discussion the report and balance-sheet were adopted. Officers fnr the ensuing year were elected as follows! Patron, The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson); president. Mr. W. H. Moyes; vicepresidents, Messrs. C. H. Weston, S G. Smith, M.P., T. C. List, G. Grey, L. A. Nolan, J. McLeod, F. Willis. E. B. Davies, S. Teed, E. Hine, .1. fi. Barthorpe. W. Graham, A. L. Moore, Drs. Fookes and Milroy: committee, Messrs. E. Whittle, L. B. Webster, A. J. Papps, A. L. Humphries,, E. Jackson, A. W. Diprose, G. Adlam, L. Lovell, T. L. V. Hoffmann. J. D. Willis, G. Boswell, R. Syme; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. L. W. Andrew; assistant hon. secretary, Mr. .1. W. Moorhead. The proposed visit of the American athletes formed the subject of a letter from the Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. If the club were desirous of being included in the team’s itinerary it was asked that notification be mace. The terms were a guarantee of £5O, an amount which would need to be forwarded to the New Zealand Council before final arrangements could be made for the tour. —It was agreed to accept the terms of the offer, Messrs. L. B. Webster and E. Jackson generously volunteering to guarantee the amount required. Mr. Webster was appointed the club's delegate to the West Coast (North Island) Amateur Athletic Association, with headquarters at Wanganui. It was made a recommendation to the committee to hold an afternoon meeting early In December. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. L. W. Andrew for the services he had rendered as hon. secretary and treasurer. EVENING MEETINGS. After the general meeting the-newly-ap-pointed committee met and decided to hold evening meetings on the following dates, when the races mentioned will be run off: November 28, 100 yards, 300 yards, 800 yards, and 100 yards secondary schools; December 5, 75 yards, 220 yards, 1 mile. <ind 100 yards primary schools; December 12. 50 yards, 300 yards, 44(1 yards, and 150 yards prlima:-.y schools and 220 yards secondary schools. Entries will close with the handicapper (Mr. L. B. Webster) on the Saturday prior to each meeting. It was decided to make the entry fee Is to cover all events.