AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 242, 13 October 1933, Page 11

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

PROVINCIAL ENTHUSIASM. GOOD STUFF IN THE SCHOOLS. A genuine effort is being made at Te Kuiti to organise amateur athletics in the town, and put on a' meeting. From the opinions voiced by many young athletes, the time is ready now for some really keen and enthusiastic man to take the lead. At Te Awamutu the club liad its first annual general meeting, and it was really one of the most succcssful meetings of any local eporls body. A very large attendance of around 30 members were on hand, and progress and the really amateur spirit was manifest right through. Dr. J. B. W. Roberton has made, during the past seas6n, a wonderfully popular and successful president. His work has been so well appreciated that he was voted back into office, and will guide tho destiny of the club for another season. There is a persistent rumour that the doctor, who was a most useful athlete whilst attending King's College and in England, may turn out again and help the sport along. The extremely able secretary, Jae. 11. Lawton, was also returned to office, along with tho sunny-natured "Snow" Sinclair, who will attend to the money side of the club's affairs. These two gentlemen are as keen as they are efficient, and the sport is in very safe hands whilst they hold the reins of office. Tho club has agreed to co-operate with other sports bodies in the town towards building a fine new grandstand on the Domain grounds. This should be of wonderful public benefit to citizens.

Aucklanders will bo interested to learn that the well-known University and representative Rugby player Del Carter is taking a very keen interest in the sport, and not only is competing himself, but is coaching his High School students. There are so many keen and able workers that it is hard to single out any individuals for particular merit, but George Melrose stands out for judgment and driving enthusiasm. Always willing to assist with advice, and take his turn when any work is around, Mr. Melrose makes a very fine vice-president of the club.

The Te Avvainutu gathering last Anniversary Day will be long remembered by those athletes fortunate enough to attend it, and it is very likely that the club will hold its big meeting on the same date next year.

The Cambridge Club, which has been revived, is keen to arrange for a big meeting this year, but the date is not fixed as yet. Although the club will greatly miss the services of the late ''Doc" Williams and. Messrs. Hendricksen and Lees, there are some good sportsmen under the leadership of Mr. A. Giles who are organising everything.

That there is an abundance of fine schoolboy athletes around the province is proved when one glances at several recent results of school sports. At Hamilton seven secondary schools met in competition, and although Hamilton High School came out the winners, there were some really fine individual performances. Iv. Jacka won the 880 yds senior in the excellent time of 2.S 3-5, which is a great run. Again and again we learn of these great runs being performed by mere youths, and yet the boys are seldom heard of afterwards. The gap between college and athlete club cau be bridged by careful selection and coaching of junior events. Efforts in this direction should be one of the i'undamentaJ ell'orts of every live athletic body.

N. Charlton, another boy from the Hamilton Technical, won the 100 yds senior in 11 l-ss, which is steady going. At Thames, however, young Hoskms, of the local High School, recorded 10 3-5s for the sames, distance. If this time is correct it looks as if Thames will produce a champion.

The subject of schoolboys' times is always interesting, as in New Zealand we have some really wonderful records. Of course, much depends on what actually constitutes a school or college boy. Obviously, if the student remains until his near and early twenties, lie can hardly bo compared in his times with those made by some youngster of 15 or so.

In Auckland, Wilf Roberts and R. Lewis have been credited with 10 l-5s for the century, Roberts at the secondary school meeting, and Lewis at his own (King's College) sports. The palm must go to a performance of Herb. Lee.. a student of St. Bede's College Christchurch, who, at his sports, was timed to run the distance in 10s dead. IS almost too good to bo true, but nevertheless it is down in the records.

Young Stephenson, whom Aucklandcrs saw in action at the New Zealand University championships, when he cleared away with the 100 and 220 yards titles, was proclaimed to bo the fastest schoolboy in New Zealand whilst he attended Wellington College. He was always considered to be capable of 10 l-ss. * Matthews, the Christchurcli Technical College boy, holds the British Empire schoolboy record for running his mile m 429 4-5. Hoskins, of Thames, also won the long jump with 19ft 2in—a good leap for any athlete. It is jnost evident that the standard of achievement in our colleges is improving beyond recognition, and from these splendid youngsters the future amateur champions of this Dominion will be drawn.

SFMNGDAIiE SPORTS, INCREASE IN PRIZE MONET. An increase In prize money of £50, malting n total of £250, was decided on at a meeting of the executive of the Springdale Sports Club, held this week. The club's annual sports day held on Boxing Day, at the Springdale Domain, Morrlnsville district, is one of the biggest country sports days in the province. Cyclists are to be specially well catered for. First prize money in the two miles and threemile open cycle races was increased to £1 o, and for the mile race to £7 10/. Two new cycle races were added to the programme.

Members of the committee stated that there were prospects o£ a team of leading Taranaki cyclists coming north to compete at the Springdale and Te Aroha sports meetings during the Christmas holiday period.

Prize money In all the short-distance foot raccs has been increased. In the chopping events the programme remains the same as last year, except that the main chopping event will be for 15-inch logs instead of 18-inch, the first prize remaining at £-10. During the year the club has laid down a banked cycling track at a cost of over £-10, making it possible for the club to increase the prize-money for cycling, with a view to attracting riders from further alield. COMBINED NORTHCOTE MEETING. Rugby and League football codes, and the cricket, harrier and gymnasium clubs of the Northeote and Birkenhead districts have arranged a combined sports gathering for to-morrow afternoon. This will take place on the Northcote municipal reserve, the Borough Council having granted its use for the occasion, and a collection will be taken up for charitable purposes. WAIHI H.S. STEEPLES. The second annual- steeplechases under the ausnices of the Wailii Hisii School were held yesterday afternoon over a course of three miles. Results: —- Junior —V. Dye 1, R. Hovell 2. D. Murdock 3. The winner's time was 17.3' J. Dye i and Hovell tied for fastest time. I Intermediate. —W. Johnson 1, D. Stamp i 2. A. Pennell 3. Tli» winner's time was: 18.40, and the fastest G. Sylvia, 18.20. Senior. —B. Ryall 1, O. Drake 2, D. Walker 3. The winner's time was 16.C5, and the fasffest Dare, 16.26. I