AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 195, 19 August 1927, Page 13

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

ONEHUNGA REFLECTIONS. JUDGING NOT CONSIDERED SATISFACTORY. COMMENTS OX RUNNERS.

The response of the members of the Onehunga Club at the meeting held in the Recreation Ground last Saturday at Onehunga, could not have been very encouraging to the Auckland Club for their efforts to help the club to gain a good footing in this branch of sport, for it is doubtful if there were five competing members of the Onehunga Club. The judging last Saturday did not satisfy everybody. In the first heat of the 75yds handicap, there were about a dozen runners, and four finished with a yard between the lot of them. The judge placed Willey first, Watt second. Gilchrist third and Elliott fourth. The opinion was expressed that the judge *as evidently a little confused with the colours, as Elliott seemed to be easily second. More disagreement followed. In the second heat Roper forged ahead at the 50yds mark, and to those about won by about two feet, but the judge ruled a dead-heat. A. J. Elliott, the Auckland sprint champion, stated last week that he was taking a spell from mcing for a month and would then get into hard training for the provincial championships to be held in November. Judging by the way G. Kells ran on Saturday, he is apparently still on the stale side. He would be advised to take a spell for about three months or more. Amongst the arrivals from Australia by the Marama on Tuesday, was J. W. Savidan, who was returning after finishing second to G. Hyde in the Australasian cross-country championship held at Adelaide. In conversation during the week, Savidan stated that he did not think he would compete in the fivemile championship on Saturday week, but may run in the 440 yds handicap. It is rather a pity that a more suitable date than Saturday week could not have been procured for the Auckland five-mile cross-country championship meeting, as the attendances will be affected considerably owing to the meeting clashing with the Hawke's Bay v. Auckland match at Eden Park. Elliott's intention of taking a spell makes H. S. Roper a certainty to gain the points cup for the sprint races. L. C. Williams has not had a run this season, but hopes to be a competitor during the summer. Miss Manttan Retires. Following on Rose's somewhat dramatic statements in regard to his inability to continue his athletic tours, comes another surprise—this time from the New Zealand lady champion sprinter, Miss Manttan. Last season, Miss Manttan decided to take her running in a serious manner and the results were more than justified as. under the capable hands of Mr. S. Murray, she improved her speed in a remarkable style and won the New Zealand championship at Auckland in the record time of 11 3-ss. In company with Misses N. Wilson and Eastwood, of Gisborne, she was nominated for the Olympic Games, and the meeting of these champions has been eagerly awaited. For family and private reasons, however, Miss Manttant has decided to give up running, and her action will be regretted by all followers of athletics who have anticipated overseas laurels for the pleasant little champion. "Miler" trusts that Miss Manttan will yet alter her decision and take her place with the best. Keddell Memorial. "A tribute by the amateur atliSetes of New Zealand, to the mem' ory of Gerald Percy Keddell, who, for many years, was holder of the Australasian record of 15 3-10s for the 120 yds hurdles and of the New Zealand record of 23ft 3in for the broad jump. Not only a great champion, he was a serious and intelligent student of athletics, and the finest of sportsmen —modest in victory, generous in defeat. He was born in 1885, served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces in the Great War and died in 1923." That was the engraving on the bronze plaque which is known as the "Keddell Memorial," and which will be a perpetual challenge trophy for the 120 yds hurdles championship of New Zealand. Roger Lander is the first holder —and a worthy holder, too. Last year he equalled Harry Wilson's Australasian record of 15 l-5s for the hurdles and takes his place amongst the elect— Keddell and Wilson. Such a worthy trio of hurdlers in a Dominion as small ap ours is something to be proud of. At the last meeting of the Wellington Centre, Roger Lander was presented with the trophy, but few of his fellow athletes knew of the ceremony, and it is to be hoped that when the next pre sentation is made, it will be done so at a suitable function.