ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 31, 7 February 1899, Page 2

ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS.

D. WILSON'S DISQUALIFICATION

(By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.)

DUNEDIN, this day,

Financially the results of Saturday's gathering are satisfactory. The takings at the gates and stand totalled £121, to which has to be added the as yet unascertained amount for tickets sold in town. Of D. Wilson's disqualification the 'Star' says: 'Wilson was in great walking form, but unfortunately fpr him and his club his style when at half pace did not please the judges in the mile race. There were three judges of walking, Messrs T. Kerr, A. Bain and J. C /Ross, and the competitors were given to understand before they w^ere started on their way that the second caution meant instant disqualification. In the the second lap Mr Kerr cautioned Wihson for his walking, and in the last lap about 400 yards from home Mr Ross had occasion also to caution the Aucklander. Up to this point Wilson and Findlay (Dunedin) had been keeping close to one another, neither seeming to have any decided advantage over the other. When the second caution Avas given Wilson went away with a great spurt and soon had a considerable space between himself and Findlay. The latter did not improve his position and Wilson apparently won the race with the greatest of ease, and was as a matter of fact awarded first place by the judges, his number being placed first on the winning board. When, however, the walking judges compared notes it was found that Wilson had been cautioned twice and hence was disqualified. The race was therefore awarded to Findlay. The incident was very unfortunate, and caused considerable feeling amongst the Auckland supporters; and we understand that an appeal to the Council of the Association against the disqualification has been forwarded. When Mr Kerr cautioned ! Wilson he waved his handkerchief as ! a sign, so it is said, that the man had ! been cautioned. Whether Mr Ross saw the signal we are not in a position to say, but if he did it is strange that Wilson was not called off the track immediately he was cautioned the second time. Had that been done the ; matter would not have been so complicated, and it would certainly have prevented the third judge from putting himself in the invidious position of going up to Wilson immediately after the race, and complimenting him on his fine performance. Everyone, and none more so than the Dunedin Club officials and competitors, was extremely sorry for the unfortunate circumstance; but the judges' ruling was accepted by all with good grace. On what grounds the appeal has been lodged we know not; but whilst we do not"think it will be successful it will perhaps be the means of causing a better arrangement for judging the walking than obtained on Saturday. Wilson's walking has been passed by competent men on several other occasions, but that alone does not make his walking on Saturday fair. The three men who were placed in the position of experts were well qualifiedfor the post, two of them being men who in times past were well known walkers at these meetings.'