ATHLETICS.

i AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS.

<NEW ZEALAND'S CHANCES. The Australasian athletics championships frill be concluded at Brisbano to-day, when the great attraction will bo tho AustralMian "Marathon" race of tho regulation distanco of 26 miles 585 yards. _ An exceptionally fine entry has boon received lor the event, including such performers as A. K. Sime (N.S.W.), who won the Y.M.O.A. "Marathon" in Sydney last Easter Monday; S. W. Moore, who finished second in both the Auckland and Ashburton so-called "Marathons:" George Blake, who competed in the Olympic "Marathon" last vear (Windsor to London); J- Ryan (Q.). C E. Suffren (Vic). Andrew Wood (N.S.W.). J. Lewis (N.S.W.), and numerous other good distance men, notably those from Queensland and New South Wales, and the New Zealand representatives Dickson and McKnight- The other championships to be decided to-day are 100 yds sprint, 120yck hurdles, one mile flat, one mile, walk, high and broad jumps, and patting th© weight. The chances of the Now Zealand team retaining the banner are excellent.

DR. NEWMAN SANGUINE.

[BY TELEGR.U'H.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington*, Friday. Talking over the success of tho little band of New "Zcalandors at the first day of the (Australasian athletic championship meeting. Dr. Newman, president of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, stated to an interviewer that six weeks ago he and his colleagues felt sanguine that New Zealand could hold the championship banner, but at tho last moment Wallace, who was almost certain to have won tho hammer-throwing contest, was unable to make the trip, and that lost one championship. Then Orbell, the champion highjumper of Australasia, was unable to go. and Haskins, who should have accounted for tho mile and half-mile, was unable to accompany tho team. This probably meant the loss of four championships. The team sent to Brisbane was undoubtedly a good one, but when they left it seome<l doubtful whether so small abodyof men could retain the championship. After tho first day's efforts, however, it appeared to bo a certainty for New Zealand." Kerr was almost euro to win the mile walk, Keddell must have a big say in the 120 yds hurdles, and Woodger, if he repeated his 220 yds' form, looked a certainty for the lOOyds. "If he only gets off the "mark ho will win," added Dr." Newman, confidently. Dickson should he able to account for the Marathon race, ho continued, if he is fit, and well, and he and McKnight would also be running in the mile- Dr. Newman considered that McKay did very well in tieing for the pole jump, in view of the fact that the wet Now Zealand grounds had prevented his getting the necessary practice. "In fact," concluded Dr. Newman, "the date of the New Zealand championships, coming as it does tit the end of the New Zealand winter, is a great handicap to New Zealand athletes," and ho thought that representations would probably be mado by the Dominion that the championships be hold in the summer, when the New Zealand athletes would be fit. AUCKLAND HARRIERS- RUN. The Auckland Harriers will meet to-day, at 2.30 p.m., at the Auckland Domain for their weekly ruu. .