FIELD SPORTS, ETC.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 298, 23 December 1897, Page 3

FIELD SPORTS, ETC.

The Auckland Swimming Club held a special general meeting ou December 18 at the office of Mr S. E. Hughes, Queen-street, Mr Hughes (Vice-President) occupying the chair. Arrangements were made for two Christmas handicap events.

Mr F. D. Woodroffe, of Auckland, the New Zealand representative of the Enfield Manufacturing Company, on December 20th called on the Secretary of the League of New Zealand Wheelmen, at Christchurch and offered for their acceptance a seventy-five guinea cup to be competed for annually in a five mile bicycle championship under the League rules. It is possible the Cup will be first competed for at the League Championship Meeting to be held in Dunedin in March next.

Hori Eruera, the Maori boy belonging to St. Stephen's Native School, and champion pole jumper of Australasia, was selected as one of the Australasian athletic team to visit England in February next, but he has decided not to accept the invitation. In doing so Eruera has acted on tbe advice of a number of friends. Had Eruera decided to make the trip his success in the Old Country would have been assured, and there caii be no doubt that on bis recent performances he would have returned champion pole jumper of England. It is the general opinion, however, that the young Maori has actpd wisely in declining.

Atameeting of the Management Committee of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club, held on Dec. 15 the following members of the Club were chosen to represent Auckland at the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association's Championship Meeting, to be held at Wanganui on February 10th and 11th:—100yds, G. Smith ; "250 yds, R. Oliphant; 440 yds, H. G. Thomson ; half-mile, J. McKeau ; one mile, A. E. George ; three miles, A. W. Bell; one and three mile walks, F. H. Creamer and D. Wilson ; 120 yds hurdles and 440 yds hurdles, W. H. Martin ; high jump, C. C. Laurie; pole jump, Hori Eruera; throwing 161b hammer, J. W. Skinner; putting 161b weight, VV. H. Madill; bicycle events, R. A. Dexter. It was resolved that any member of the Club might challenge any of those selected for the right of inclusion in the team, the challenge to be mode to the Secretary on or before December 31st, when a test race will bearrangeel for. MrW. C. Speight, Hon. Secretary of the Club, was appointed manager of the team.

The athletic sports promoted by the New Zealand Natives' Association were held on Saturday, December 4, under the most favourable conditions of weather. The attendance, however, was not satisfactory, not more than 3,000 people being present. Most of the races brought out good fields, and some of the finishes were very keenly contested. The New Zealand Natives' Association Handicap, three distances, was won by W. H. McPike (11 points), who finished first in the 100 yds, second in the 220 yds and second in the 440 yds. W. A. Worrall and F. H. Somers were second with five points each. The two-mile walk was won by J. Dickey, with F. H. Creamer second. Much disappointment was felt at Wilson not taking part in this event, as many people were looking forward to another good contest between the two champions. The most noteworthy feature of the pedestrian events was the amateur half-mile, in which J. McKean, the New Zealand champion, and A. E. George had a great struggle for supremacy. The race ended in a dead heat, in the splendid time of lmin 59 3-sth sec. MeKean's time from scratch was taken as lmin 59 2-sth sec by one timekeeper, Mr J. Marshall, and lmin 59 3-sth sec by M r C. Page; the other, a private watch (Mr R. Wynyard's), made the time lmin 59 l-sth sec. Tbe time is well inside ' the New Zealand record for the half-mile (2min), but unfortunately it cannot pass as a new record, owing to the fact that there were less than three official timekeepers. Nevertheless, the performance of both McKean and George, the latter of whom is quite a new runner, was remarkably good. Both of the amateur cycle races were won by J. Crozier, while of the two set down for members of the Auckland Cycling Club, R. Hendry secured first place in the one and W. Tieraey in the other. The events were run well up to time ; and the arrangements were well carried out by the hon. secretaries, Messrs F. H. Creamer and M. Shanahan, the hon. treasurer, Mr F. W. Luhning, and the management committee. Messrs W. C. Speight, W. G. Ralph, and Jas. O'Brien were "the judges ; Messrs C. Page and J. Marshall, timekeepers ; and Mr F. Edmonds, starter.