ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 101, 30 April 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

ATHLETICS.

' TJ'owle'y considers G. Smith 'wonderfully fast off the mark—as quick, or quicker, than Burton, the Queensland crack.'

S. Pentecost, although somewhat short, of condition, ran Well in the 1000 yds Handicap at the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Association's sports, and,, according to the standard timekeeper's watch, his time was only seven-tenths of a .second behind the present record of 2min 24 2-3ths» see, held by D, Wood. r , Says' 'Vaulter' in the Christchurch 'Press:—l hear with regret that Mr W. C. Speight, hon. secretary of the Auckland A.A. and O.C. thinks of re.tiring from active service after this season. .He is an energetic officer, and his place will be hard tofill. I hope, however, he will-be prevailed upon to continue in office.'

Mr E. Coombes has been re-elected president of the New South Wales Amateur. Athletic Association. I notice Mr, W. B. Alexander has likewise been re-appointed hon. sprint'; handicapper to the Association. ■ *

■In the interview published in the Sydney 'Referee,'S. Rowley was asked whom of all the men he had met he considered the fastest over 100 yards. His answer was as follows:—'Making allowances for tracks (and'the Auckland Domain is faster than the Sydney Cricket Ground), the condition I was in, the improvement I-had made, and assuming my opponents .were when I met them all in equal condition and good form, I fancy A. J. Patrick to be just a shade the best, with Smith and Burton next. I think a race between the last-named pair would afford a wonderful go for 50 yards, as both are as quick as a flash off the mark. Furthermore, I fancy Patrick would do even better if lie dropped a peculiar swaying, hipswinging action (learnt, I believe"

from the pros, with whom he- trains, Or who train him),which he adopts at the start of his,races —presumably ,in order to get, up speed quickly.' .

.The American mail brings details of the fight between Jeffries and the one-time'dusky champion, Peter Jackson, which took place at San Francisco on Max-ch 22, and resulted in Jackson's defeat in three rounds. TheSan Francisco 'Call' says.that Jackson's life of the' past few years could not fit. him for an encounter, and thus describes the meeting:?—ln a few words the fight, can be told. Jackson's blows in the first round did not carry sufficient force to hurt a fly, and Jeffries smiled when Peter put his left,' glove on the nose. In the second. round Delaney, who was the white man's, adviser, ordered Jeffries to sail iii and finish the job quickly. This Jeffries did, much to the surprise of many people, who expected to see him stay away from Peter, and the result was that. he. floored Jackson twice, and whipped him in the third round. Now Jedfries is the champion of England and Australia, and must whip Fitzsimmons to become* champion of the world. ' -. .

E. C. Bredin and A. R. Downer met at Rochdale on Saturday, March 5, in their match for the 500 yds championship oiV the world and £100 a side. There were between. 6000 and 7000 people present. The race proved an easy victory for Bredin, whose opponent was hardly in his best condition. Downer jumped, away with the lead, but half-way down the back stretch Bredin challenged him, and, coming away, won as he pleased by 40 yards. Had Bredin been pressed he could have improved his excellent time of 59 4-sths sec.

Commenting on a photograph of the finish of the recent 250 yds race between Rowley,. Patrick, and Smith, 'Prodigal' writes in the Sydney 'Referee:—One (of the judges) is shown stooping down close to the post across Avhich the worsted was stretched, and the other leaning forward over his head. Judging by the picture—l must admit it is indistinct, and I may be under a misapprehension—it seems to me these officials were considerably too close to the track to give themselves a fair chance. Anyway, if I were a competitor in a race under these circumstances 1 Avould rather not be on the station nearest to them. Not Only is it well known that by an optical delusion a judge ajlways sees (as being first) the moving object fxu--thest from him, but it is also thoroughly well understood that if a judge stands very close to the tracks it is hardly possible to see the man finishing on the track nearest to him at all, let alone see when he snaps the worsted. I pen these remarks in all good faith and feeling, and trust no offence will be taken where none is intended.'

Thus saith the 'N.Z. Cyclist,' and let all athletes tremble:—' "The old order changeth, giving place to the new," and in future athletics will be merely an appendage to the great sport. of cycling.'