ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 30, 6 February 1899, Page 2

ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING.

SPECIAL NOTES ON THE

MEETING

(By Telegraph—Own Correspond int.)

DUNEDIN, this day

The Northern athletes, who left for their homes this morning, must have gone away highly impressed with the Dunedin climate. The ideal weather of Saturday has continued ever since, and yesterday's drive to Kauri Bush, where an al fresco lunch was provided, was greatly appreciated. One disturbing element to the thorough success of Saturday's sports was the disqualification of Wilson. The bulk of the spectators did not relish the decision, and cheered the Aucklander to the eoho when he made an exhibition of the field in the three mile walk later in the day. It seems Wilson was twice cautioned for 'lifting,' and his disqualification was unanimously arrived at by Messrs Kerr, Ross and Bain, the three judges of walking. Even had there been no disqualification Dunedin would have won the banner with two points to spare. Hawke's Bay's solitary rep., who came down on his own, scored one first and one second, and South Canterbury, with its dark horse, Malthus, effected a surprise by tying Canterbury for third place for the banner. The hero of the meeting was undoubtedly Smith, who won the 100 yds flat and both hurdles very hollowly, and only just suffered defeat in the 250 yds flat, when meeting a fresh man in Kingston. But for his bad habit of looking round when in front the Auckland nugget would have made better times in all the events which he won. Madill proved, a worthy club mate, putting up a New ealand record of 121 feet 3 inches- for hammer-throwing, and, as Wilson and Te.Paa also secured firsts, all the Auckland men proved champions. Murdoch, Wellington's solitary rep., scored a point in hammer-throwing. Neither Pownall nor Burrell could seriously be considered reps, of Wanganui. They were 'passengers' out for a trip.

Kingston and Brownlee fulfilled expectations in each winning a double. The first-named, like Smith, was a good deal knocked about in the scramble for positions at the start of the 250 'yds, but he eased up in the straight when he thought he had the race won, and it took him all his time to get up sufficient pace to resist a strong late run by Smith. Brownlee's easy style was in marked contrast with that of most other jumpers. In the high jump he established a record of 5 feet 9 J inches, beating by an inch that previously held by Bailey, of Wanganui.