AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 276, 22 November 1890, Page 5

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

TO-DAY'S SPORTS.

The great day for our amateur athletes has arrived ab last, and, much to their satisfaction, it has turned out as fine as they could wish. Lasb night was lovely and promised well, bub those whom anxiety caused to get up during the night to look at the sky, noticed about 3 o'clock that the rain.clouds were about) and that some rain had fallen. However, all was well when day fairly broke, and smiles might have boen seen on tho faces of all members of tho Club as they came down town to work. Yeaterday afternoon a fatigue party consisting of Messrs Halyday (secretary), Upfill, Culpan, McKinney, Powley, Poland, Carter, George, Owon, and others were engaged in marking out the starts and courses for the various races. Williams, the ground man, had the-tracke nicely cut and rolled, und the work was soon done. This morning the workmen were busy erecting the tents for the competitors, and the marquee for afternoon Sea. Messrs Halydoy and Esam wenb up early to direct operations. This afternoon's sports have attracted more attention than any pteviously held by the Club, and a good number of visitors from the country have come in to witness them. From about one o'clock the ground began ttif , fill up and the crowd kept on increasing bill about half-past three. The fence around the running track proves most serviceable in keeping back people inclined to encroach. The pavilion stand is a greab improvement), and is largely taken advantage of, though tho slope of the ground is sufficienb to give everybody an excellenb view. Ladies appear fond of the shade afforded by the trees and of a stroll round towards "afternoon tea." Mr M. Gallagher has charge of the latter department, and an efiicienb staff of servants supplies every want. Hunter's Artillery Band has been engaged, and eweeb music is discoursed to sootho the excitement of the crowd. The meeting is conducted under the following officials of the Club:—President : Mr J. H. B. Coates. Vice-Presidents: Messrs R. Garretb, H. M. Reeves, J. F. Logan, F. N. Robinson, G. H. Dinnisbon, F. Wilding, T. Menteath. Committee: Messrs A. H. Cotter, J._Arneil, W. H. George, T. F. Upfill, W. C. Speight, J. Poland, B. Owen, G. H. Powley, A. G. Buchanan, C, H. S. McKinney, H. Culpan, J. A. Cooper, W. M. Service. Call Stewards : Meears McKinney and Service. Starter: Mr F. W. Edwards. Judges: Messrs Coates, Garretb, and Logan. Judge for walking: Mr J. Mahon. Hon. Treasurer i. Mr B. J. Esam. Timekeepers: Messrs Coupland and Cook. Hon. Secretary : Mr J. Halyday, jun. THE RESULTS. Maiden Race (150 yds). A good deal of interest was centered in this race, several of the coropetora

being new men, and all being engaged in later events. For the first heat J. Hill, A. C. H. Collins, A. A. Gledhill, A. Smith, W. H. Martin. All but Collins were late and he trotted in a winner. The etarter would nob wait beyond the time, and the result will probably be a losson to other competitors. For the second heat the starters were :— W. S. Dickey, W. H. Hales, T. Impey, C. Hesketh, J. Burgess. * All intending- starters took care to be on their marks this time. A poor race with close finish. Hales, Ist; Hesketh, 2nd ; Burgees. 3rd. Time, 16 l-sthsec. The final resulted :— Collins ... .„ 1 Hales... .„ 2 Burgees ... .„ _ .„ 3 Time 15 4-stheec. The race was a fine one, especially between Collina and Hales. Maiden Bicycle (1 mile). For this event the starters were : E , Reynolds, C. Gilbert, W. H. Hazard, R. H. McCallum. Reynolds at once began to go up.on his men. In the second lap he caught Gilbert, and in the third lap Hazard had McCallum done. In the last lap Reynolds had all his men done easily. Gilbert second and Hazard third. 3.35. Long Jcmp. In thi3 Upfill had no opponents and jumped just to win the prize. He did 16 feet 6 inches.