AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 293, 11 December 1929, Page 20

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

LYNNDALE UNLUCKY. POSTPONEMENT OF FIXTURJ FORM AT THE DOMAIN. WILL PELTZER COME TO N.Z.? (By JAVELIN.) FIXTURES. December 14 f .—Lynndale Club at New Lyni December 14. —Hamilton Club,.at Hamiltoi January IS.—Papatoetoo' Club. January IS. —First Appearance of Canadia Athletes, at Napier. February 1. —Canadians, at Auckland. March 4.—Canadians, at Hamilton. March B.— Canadians' Final Engagement, a Auckland. March 14 and 15.—New Zealand Amateu Championships, at Wanganui. Auckland's athletes Avere disappointei through adverse weather conditions caus ing the postponement of the Lynndal Club's meeting at New Lynn on Satur clay. The picnic gathering will now b held next Saturday, and, as an act o grace, the Auckland Club will abandoi meantime the events for the Victo Ludorum Cup, which it was proposed ti stage at the end of the present week. Keen Finishes. The Technical College Old Boys' Clul successfully ushered in the season on tin Domain last Wednesday evening, wliei three keenly contested events wen idecided. Judicious handicapping providec keen finishes, especially in the sprints It was an unfortunate cireumstanci that the meet clashed with the Manukai Cycling Club's meeting, and this mean waiting for the circular track, and th slow dispatch of the fields. Nevertheless it was* pleasing to note that the com petitors adopted the situation philoso phically, and made interesting spectator; of the wheel races. Eleven men went down on to the marl for the 100 yds handicap, which resultcc in first honours to R. Willey, who is ; 'promising runner, and started off Syds Willey, who made a fine finishing burs headed R. J. Couper, off the same mark by a foot. There was a splendid tussh for third place, inches only separating the remainder of the finalists. Eventually the judges decided that A. J. Elliott the scratch man, and N. Funnell (61yds] dead-heated, though Elliott, who finishec fast on the outside, appeared t< "Javelin," who watched him closely al the way, to be the first to just miss getting up into second place. Meredith Strikes Form. Thougli the short sprint did not suit L. 11. Meredith (21yds), he galloped home in convincting stylo in the 220, with a couple of feet to spare. Meredith appears to have struck form at last, and his run strengthens gs the conviction | that he will bo a 1 prize-getter at the I Lymidale meeting, 1 where the 300 yds I handicap should I suit him best. I Elliott also put | up a great race in I this .event, and | did well to get 1 second place. He looked as thougli ho would get (hopelessly penned in turning into the straight, but came away in characteristic fashion over the last 50yds, to flash into the picture. Kerr-Taylor, who has been a particularly consistent performer ever since Labour Day, "added a third to his record off 12yds. Barker's Gift. The 880 yds handicap was a gift for L. C. Barker. Virtually scratch off 14yds with .-Murray, the half-miler ran a welljudged race, and Avon pulling up by 12yds from R. G. Kirkwood (26yds); J. G'r.umm (26yds) Avas a similar distance away third. At the bell Barker, Avho, right from the jump, made every post a winning post, and early left Murray, Avho subsequently retired, behind, Avas lying fourth. Going round the back he improved his position. He took command on the outer bend, never to be seriously challenged. News comes from Te Aroha, of Vincent Walker," the well-known ex-Auckland sprinter, and former holder of the Victor' Ludorum Cup.. Vin has been keeping in .training, and has nominated for the HamHton Club's meeting next Saturday. Thougli he has not run Avith conspicuous'success so far this season, he should do credit to Auckland in the Waikato.

.. 'A Hamilton Champion? 'Owen Morgan, New Zealand University Champion over the 100 yds, will also be a. competitor at the Hamilton carnival. Glowing' reports' have come to hand about Owen, who, it will be remembered;' ran with, marked success in Auckland last year, when he won the Autumn Cup at Carlaw Park on St. Patrick's Day, by capturing honours in the 75yds and 150 yds handicaps. Now domiciled in Hamilton, Morgan has been twice this season credited with doing evens over the hundred, although once' ho Avas assisted by a slight following' breeze. The* ground, however, on. that occasion was on the rough side, so it will be seen that his performance was remarkably creditable.. It is intended} to keep the clock strictly on Morgan on Saturday, so it is quite possible that, some good J news about him might be heard. • German Runner For "Aussie-land."

Talk of inviting Dr. Otto Peltzer, the world's record holder for the 880 yds, to New Zealand will be undoubtedly revived by "the definite announcement that he will ■tour Australia. With the Canadians doing' .the country, the N.Z.A.A.A; would have found their resources sufficiently taxed for one season to embark; on such a venture, but the question at the moment is will the tour hy the men from the sister

Dominion eventu-

ate ? News concerning them is meagre' in the extreme, and much anxiety is felt over the probable fate of the tour. Not for several years has the Dominion been favoured with a visit from overseas athletes, and the time is ripe for another. An invitation to Peltzer to come to New Zealand after his Australian season would not be amiss in the circumstances, for, even 'if the Canadians do show up, he would prove an attractive drawing card. Arrangements are being made for the famous German middle distance runner, who is at present in Japan, t to proceed immediately to Melbourne to prepare for the Australian national track cham - J

pionslips, in which he will compete on January 25 and 27. He will not have matters all his own .way across the Tasman, as W. M. ("Tickle") Whyte, former Australian half-mile champion, who secured a victory over him at Stamford Bridge in July of last year, will be one of the competitors to be pitted against him. Motoring and Athletics. Many people who have visited the stadium and seen the cinder track motorists in action, have expressed the opinion that there is just one thing lacking about the sport—that things are not kept moving continually, and too much time is wasted between events. This suggests that some other attractions should be staged between races, such as sprint athletic contests. In this connection it is interesting to note that the Otago Athletic Centre has found a way to swell its finances by co-operating with the cycling section of the Otago Motor Club. The two bodies work together, and hold what is called a cinder track motor cycle and athletic meet. Needless to say the centre has profited greatly as a result of the popularity of the dual fixtures.