ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 42, 19 February 1900, Page 6

ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING.

.' ■' KLAND -WINS THE BANNER; SMITH WINS FOUR EVENTS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ! i WELLINGTON, Saturday, j The eleventh annual meeting of the | New Zealand Amateur Athletic Asso- j ciation was held on the Basin Reserve this afternoon, under favourable conditions, a strong wind that was blowing in the early part of the day slackened during the afternoon, and though rain threatened none fell until after the conclusion of the gathering. The attendance of the public was not so large as expected, and at no time could there have been more than 2000 .persons present. The running track was in places somewhat rough, and the turns could have been much better, as at two of the corners there was a deal of scuffling to get round, but in only one instance did any of the competitors suffer any injury. This was in the 440 yds flat championship, Mark Herbert, who finished almost abreast of the winner, being accidentally though severely spiked by his club mate in the early part of the race. A vein was pierced, and Herbert had to be removed in a cab. The feature of the meeting was the performances of the Auckland representatives. They were simply undeniable, and in G. Smith they sent down a veritable Trojan. He was sent in the two short races, and also in the 1 two hurdle races, ancl the confidence entrusted in him was not misplaced, he winning all events in a masterly manner, which stamps him the best athlete the colony possesses at present. Before the long distance hurdle race was started Smith was vomiting freely, and asked for a short postponement of the event, in order that he might send for some stimulant, but the other competitors being out, the committee unfortunately could not acquiesce, and Smith decided to start, won the event rather easily, and was heartily cheered and carried off the field shoulder high. Laurie and Madill were another worthy pair of Northerners, and, as will be seen from the description of the events, they each played a prominent part in securing the" banner for Auckland. Madill's throwing of the hammer was highly meritorious, but there is some doubt whether he will be awarded a record, as the throw was somewhat down hill. The distance registered is a record for Australasia, and is over 15ft beyond the New Zealand record. In several other instances the Association standards were passed, those succeeding in doing so securing the Association's cap. The meeting was conducted in an admirable manner by the local committee. Results: — ONE-MILE WALKING CHAMPIONSHIP. Standard time, 7m. ss. H. Goodwin (Wellington).. 1 J. Dickey '(Auckland) 2 C. L. Freeth (Wellington) 3 These were the only starters. The men kept well together for some time, and at the end of half a mile the order was Goodwin, Freeth, and Dickey. On entering the third lap Dickey passed Freeth, who died away complete^', but the Aucklander could never get on terms writh Goodwin, who won by fully 15yds in 6m 56 l-ss, which is well ahead of the standard. Last year Findlay, of Dunedin, won this race in 7m 13s, D, Wilson, of Auckland, who finished first, beingdisqualified. HALF-MILE FLAT CHAMPIONSHIP. Standard time, 2m 2s. J. M. Lynskey (Christchurch) 1 J. W. Price (Dunedin) 2 A. S. Henderson (Wellington) 3 Also started: G. Baird (Hawke's Bay), W. Bennett (Dunedin), G. Pownall (Wanganui), A. Stuart (Wellington). Henderson was the first away, but after going a few yards Baird rushed through, and led for half the distance, where Stuart dropped out. Baird gave way to Henderson on entering the second lap, and the latter looked like winning at the entrance to the straight, but Lynskey, with a . splendid sprint, soon headed him and \von by a couple of yards or so from Price, who had raced absolutely last throughout until nearing home. Time 2m 6 3-ss. St. Hill, of Hawke's Bay, was the winner last year in 2m 4 3-ss. 100 YDS CHAMPIONSHIP. Standard « time, 10 1-os. George W. Smith (Auckland) 1 W. Kain (Christchurch) .. 2 R. Oliphant (Hawke's Bay) 3 Run in heats. First heat: G. Smith (Auckland), 1 W. Kain (Christchurch), 2; J. Nichol (Dunedin), also ran. This was won easily by Smith, who got well away. Time, 10 4-ss. Second heat: H. Pollock (Wellington), 1; R. Oliphant (Hawke's Bay), 2. These were the only starters, and the pair finished together. Time, lis. Final heat: Smith, 1; Kain, 2; Oliphant, 3. Smith, got away well, and running very strongly won somewhat easily by 3yds in the standard time of 10 l-ss. The Aucklander won the same event last year in 10 4-ss. PUTTING 16LB WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. Standard, 33ft. W. H. Madill (Auckland), 38ft 4in.. 1 W. Augland (Christchurch), . 34ft l'lfin 2 A. Juris (Christchurch), 34ft OJin.. 3 In this event Madill showed great superiority over his opponents, and beat the standard by nearly sft. Last year McCormack, of Dunedin, won this event with 38ft O^in. 120 YDS HURDLE CHAMPIONSHIP. Standard time, 10 ;;-ss. G. W. Smith (Auckland) 1 J. B. Nichol (Dunedin) 2 C. H. Manson (Wellington) 3 These were the only starters. Smith and Manson rose at the hurdles together for half the distance, when the former began to forge ahead, and was over the last hurdle some 4yds or syds ahead of Nichol, who was coming fast. Smith then eased up a little, and Nichol finishing with a desperate rush, almost caught the Aucklander napping, the latter breasting the tape .with only 4in or Sin to spare, Manson well up. Time, 16 4-55., which is only a tick outside the standard. Smith won the same event last year, his time on that occasion being 17m 0 l-ss. LONG JUMP CHAMPIONSHIP. Standard, 20ft 6in. P. Buck (Dunedin), 20ft OJin.... 1 C. Manson (Wellington), 19ft ll^in 2 C. White (Hawke's Bay), 19ft 4in.. 3 Other jumpers: M. Woon (Hawke's Bay), 19ft 2in; C. Hooper (Christehui'ch), 18ft B£in; C. Laurie (Auckland), 18ft 44in; W. Taylor (Welling- - -ton), 18ft lin; S. Kelly (Wellington), j- 18ft. Harper made the best ju\p, but unfortunately just came over his mark. Last year 20ft 7Jin won this .. event, which was secured by R. wownlee, of Dunedin.

ONE MILE FLAT CHAMPIONSHIP. Standard time, 4m 30s. W. Simpson (Christchurch). 1 J. Hamilton (Wellington) 2 J. Lynskey (Christchurch) 3 G. Baird (Hawke's Bay) also started. After traversing a couple of laps Simp- i son and Hamilton drew clean away i from the others, and in the third lap { Baird stopped. In the last quarter of i a mile Simpson increased his lead from ' Hamilton, who was tiring, and won I easily by 203^ds. Time, 4m 3 2-ss. Last year Pentecost, of Christchurch, won | in 4m 36 l-ss. [There is evidently some , error in the time given.—Ed.] THREE MILES WALK CHAMPIONSHIP. Standard time, 23m 13s. IT. Goodwin (Welington), 5 J. Dickey (Auckland) 2 F. Ross (Wellington) 3 C. Freeth (Wellington) also started. From the jump Goodwin, who walked magnificently, went to the front, and when half the journey hael been completed, there were really only two in ■ it—Freeth had dropped out, and Ross was only walking for third points. Dickey walked very pluckily, but. never* got within 30yds or 40yds of ■ Goodwin, who won easily. Time, 23tn 17^s; only 4s outside the standard. D. Wilson, of Auckland, won last year in 23m 7s. HIGH JUMP CHAMPIONSHIP. Standard, sft 7in. ;C. Laurie (Auckland), sft SMn 1 C. Harper (Christchurch), and C. - White (Hawke's Bay), dead heat, sft i 7Mn. : They divided the points. Other jump- « ers: W. Madill (Auckland), sft 21n; _W. Taylor (Wellington), sft; J. O'Cyn- , nor (Wellington), 4ft lOin. The first r three obtain the association cap, havb iug jumped over the standard. Brown- - lee, of Dunedin, won last year with sft i 9Jin. r 250 YDS CHAMPIONSHIP. Standard • time, 2G 3-ss. I G. W. Smith (Auckland) 1 , W. Kain (Christchurch) 2 t C. Cuff (Dunedin) 3 Run in heats. First heat; W. _ Strickland (Hawke's Bay), 1; C. Cuff 3 (Dunedin), 2. Other starters: W. Pol--1 lock (Wellington), M. Dodwell (Wellington. Won by 2yds. Time 23 1-5. 2nd 2 heat: G. W. Smith (Auckland), 1: W. i Kain (Christchurch), 2. Other sta.rtJ ers: C. Aldridge (Dunedin), J. Nichol 3 (Dunedin), M. Herbert (Wellington), 'f R. Oliphant (Hawke's Bay). Won t easily. Time, 27 3-ss. Final heat: » Smith, 1; Kain, 2. Cuff, 3. Kain was • first away, but Smith immediately ran 1 up to him. Rounding the turn Kain " crossed Cuff, and threw the latter out 1 of his stride. Smith continued in the 1 lead from this out, and Avon by two " yards. Strickland did not finish, and " Cuff casing up was third. Time, 27 " 2-ss. W. V. Kingston, of Dunedin, 3 won last year in 2Ss. THROWING THE HAMMER. CHAMPIONSHIP. Standard, 100 ft. W. H. Madill (Auckland), 136 ft OMn 1 L A. Juriss (Christchurch), 105 ft HAm 2 > W. Augland (Christchurch), 105 ft . Din 3 . Madill early in the competition reg- , istered his magnificent throw, and the J other pair had simply no chance. 1 Whether the throw will be accepted as > a record remains to be seen, but it will r be exceedingly hard lines for him, as !• he was in no way helped bf the falling > ground, which, if anything, was very > slight. He won the same event last • year with 121 ft Sin. t J : 440 YDS HURDLE CHAMPIONSHIP. ;• Standard time, 62 3-ssec. G. W T. Smith (Auckland) 1 .R. Oliphant (Hawke's Bay) 2 T. Craig (Wanganui) 3 Also ran: A. S. Henderson and C. IT. 5 Manson (Wellington). After negotiat- ! ing the first hurdle Manson took up . the running from Smith, but only for - about lOOj'ds, when Smith again went - to the front, aud was never again , headed, winning rather easily by 3 1 yards. Oliphant came fast after negos Gating the hurdle, but used bad judg- • ment in keeping so far away from the ' leaders in the early part of the race. Time, 03 4-ssec. Smith won this race 5 at the last meeting in Cssec. 1 THREE-MILE FLAT CHAMPIONi SHIP. Standard time, 15m 30s. fc W. Simpson (Christchurch) 1 J W. Hamilton (Wellington) 2 > W. Bennett (Dunedin) also ran, but • gave up after covering half the dis--1 tance. Simpson allowed Hamilton to remain with him on sufferance until 1 three-quarters of a mile had been trav- _ erseel, when he cleared right away find 5 won by nearly a lap. Time, 16m 6 2-ss. ! Malthus, of South Canterbury, won last year in 15m 56 4-ss. • POLE JUMP CHAMPIONSHIP. Standard, 10ft. C. C. Laurie (Auckland), 10ft Olin.. 1 j W. H. Madill (Auckland), Bft Bin... 2 " c Laurie soon had jfladill at his mercy, 1 but as he desired to beat the standard, . went on, and after gaining his cap by r half-an-incli, stopped. f 440 YDS FLAT CHAMPIONSHIP. *■ Standard, 525. W. Strickland (Hawke's Bay) 1 M. Herbert (Wellington)... v .... 2 " C. Aldridge (Dunedin) 3 Also started: C. Cuff (Dunedin), J. '- Grice (Dunedin), M. Dodwell (Wellington), W. Kain (Christchurch), G. Pow- ! nail (Wanganui), A. Henderson (Wel--1 lington). Strickland and Aldridge ; were the first away, but going rouncl ! the turn there was a good deal of : jostling, some of the competitors fightl ing their way through. After entering the back straight Cuff and Kain made their effort, and for a time they hung on to the leaders, but gave way again. Strickland continued in the van, but ,as they swept into the straight he was \ challenged by Herbert, and a desperate race ensued, the judges declaring ;in favour of Strickland by a few ' inches. Time, 54 2-ss. Last year W. \V. Kingston, of Dunedin, won in 51 [ 2-ss. THE BANNER POINTS. Auckland comes out an easy winner •of the banner with 57 points, Canterbury being second with 35, Wellington third with 28, Otago fourth with 14, Hawke's Bay fifth with 13, Wanganui sixth with 1. By his victories to-day Smith has placed to his credit a performance, which, since the inauguration of these gatherings, had only been held by W. Low, of Dunedin—that_is to win a double three years in succession. Low, in former years, won the 440 yds and half-mile flat races in three successive years, and Smith has won 100 yds flat . and 440 yds hurdles the last three years. Low, who has retired from the track, was present to-day, and was among the first % to congratulate Smith on his excellent performances. At the conclusion of the meeting the prizes were presented to the winners, and to-morrow the visitors are to be enterjtained at a picnic across the harbour.

The analysis of the points scored by the competitors from various districts is as follcrtvs:—Auckland: Smith, four firsts, 24; MadiU, two first and second, 15; Laurie, iwo firsts, 12; Dickey, two seconds, 6: total, 57. Canterbury: Simpson, two firsts, 12; Lynskey, including two firsts, 7; Kain, two seconds, '6; Augland, 4; Juriss, 4; Harper, 2: total, 35. Wellington: Goodwin, two firsts, 12; Hamilton, two seconds, 6; Manson. 4; Herbert, 3; Henderson, 1; Freeth, 1; Ross, 1: total, 28. Otago: Buck, first, 6; Price, 3; Nichol, 3; Cuff, 1; Aldridge, 1: total, 14. Hawke's Bay: Strickland, first, 6; Oliphant, 4; White, 3: total, 13. Wanganui: Craig, 1.

Goodwin simply walked away with the two walking events, and though he has made several attempts for the championship honours, he has probably never walked better in his life. Simpson, too, had an easy win in the long distances on the fiat, notching both mile and three miles without an effort. It was unfortunate that in the latter event that there was no one who could keep him going, as he finished very strongly, and it is thought had he been pushed he would have registered a first-class performance. In the mile race, putting the weight, high jump, and throwing the hammer standards were beaten, while in the 100 yds flat it was equalled. HANDICAP EVENTS. CONTINGENT RACE, 150 yds. All from scratch. Eighteen started.- The men, as they lined up, were cheered by the public. E. M. Grant won with a'little to spare, Powles 2, Hardham 3. Many of the competitors showed they were not slow of foot, and the distance was covered in 20s. While the race was being run the band played "Soldiers of the Queen."

300 YDS HANDICAP.—L. Webster, Wanganui, syds, 1; A. Williams, Wanganui. 10yds* 2; J. Mcintosh, Wellington, 20yds, 3. Also ran: P. Hatiey, 13 yds. Won by about 3 yards. 120 YDS HANDICAP.—First heat—H. Thomson, Dunedin, 1; A. Williams, Wanganui, 2. Second heat—M. Woods, Hawke's Bay, 1; A. Webster, Wanganui, 2. Final heat —Woods, 1; Thomson, 2; Webster, 3. Won rather easily by 2 yards. Time, 12:]s.