LOCAL TALENT BUSY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 69, 22 March 1934, Page 24

LOCAL TALENT BUSY.

AUCKLAND'S PREPARATIONS. ARRANGEMENTS FOR RECORDS. The good weather is coming at the end of the season and last Saturday was an ideal athletic day. Taking the season generally, it is really surprising the number of Saturdays that have been not suitable for athletics, and competitors have suffered accordingly. Quite a number have complained that they have not had as much competition as they wished, but they are only in the same boat as cricketers and competition tennis players. The average athletic supporter has forgotten about the bad weather in the past, and now worries only as to how the weather will be next Saturday. For everything is ready for a wonderful day's sport and the only uncertain factor is the climatic, conditions.

A special electric loud-speaker announcing, system has been installed and this under the direction of Ahvyn Moon, should be of great service to even far-away spectators. In this way every jump will be announced to the public, and it will be less strain on the announcer himself, who naturally has never a moment's respite. The surveyor has certified that the takeoff to the jumping pit is absolutely level each side, and so if Metcalfe sets a new record or Brainsby adds to his own Dominion figures, everything will be in order. It will be remembered that in 1931 Lea Schneiaerman, whilst in wonderful hop-

step-and-jump form, was unable to obtain recognition lor his record-breaking leaps owing to there being a few inches slope iu

the ground leading to the take-off,

Victor Hugo, an ex-member of the NewZealand Council's record committee, is iu charge of the record certificates, and will see that all condidtions laid down are complied with. The 220 yds will be run on the same track as the furlong hurdles at the last provincial championships. Tins will enable spectators to witness both the start and tne finish clearly, and is ahead ot tile previous track, where hospital bank patrons could see the start only with difticulty. It is most umortunate indeed that through the Wanganella sailing on Tuesday instead of i'riuay, liotorua is deprived ot its big Australian meeting. The thermal region ciub had put iu a lot of preparation and expense and it is certainly a great disappointment to the whole district. However, they intend holding an evening meeting on Monday, at whicii an hour and a halt programme will be put on to take advantage of the visit. Auckland, the originator of the Australian tour back in 1932, and which has keenly pushed for its acceptance ever since, is now actually being the worsttreated province when the tour actually results. We not only obtain the athletes right at the very end of a hard spell of competition, but have only one meeting, whereas all other centres had two. Perhaps there are circumstances beyond the New Zealand Council's control making for this, but Aucklanders do not feel very happy over the matter.

1). Baird had the honour last Saturday of winning for 1934 the Victor Ludoruni, along with the St. Patrick's Cup. The former is an historic trophy, and is for competition amongst Auckland Club members only, whilst the St. Patrick's Cup is available for open competition. A stronglybuilt runner, Baird was treated to good handicaps, having O'/iyds in the hundred, 18yds in the furlong, and 22yds in the 440 yds. He has a nice turn of speed, and in each case finished very strongly.

In the 100 yds the times were very fast, as A. V. Anderson, E. G. Kedgley, D. Baird and Baird again in the final recorded 10 l-ss, S) 4-ss, 10s and 10s respectively. V. R. Walker, the scratch man, found it fast going, but was right with them at the finish. He should be in great form for Saturday.

George Whye is coming back to form again, as is also L. C. Barker in the halfmile. Gordon Hill has been very spasmodic this season, and may be spelling for the cross-country period. Wliitmore has been well up this year and led well last week, but Whye and Barker had just too much speed. Hill pleased with a good finishing effort, as he has been rather weak in this respect in some races.

The ladies' 75yds event was won by Mrs. Moore, a very keen, steady competitor. Next Saturday a novel event for ladies, in the shape of an 80yds hurdle race, has attracted a good field. This race is spectacular and exciting, and with experienced performers, one of the best on the programme.

Ces May again won the walk, Roger Cameron finding his 90yds handicap too much to pick up, especially as May is improving so rapidly. Cameron walked a nice 7.16 for the distance in his usual pleasing manner.

The 'Varsity meeting is only a short space away now, and so the blue singlets are more noticeable than a short time back. Francis won the mile off 110 yds fairly easily, whilst that game little I'upatoetoe runner, C. Littler, was second. Jack Dolan ran up to old form in placing third. Norman Cooper found the' time, 4.22 3-5 just a little fast, as he has been training especially for the three-mile event on Saturday.

Joe Lynch leaped really well to win the long jump from scratch with 21ft, an

i effort that ranks good in any company. 3 T. Burke won the shot with Jack Tipi ping and I. M. Thompson filling the other • places. Burke also won the hammer, ' whilst R. Cruickshank won the high jump i with a good leap of sft 4V£in, quite a nice 1 effort. There, are new names constantly ■ appearing in the place-getters in field events now, and it certainly looks as if ; at long last these sports are attracting 1 real attention. 3 S. Wales won the discus with the aid i of a good handicap, with J. F. Johnson , and N. W. Bishop second and third ro--5 spectively. This event attracts surprising interest from secondary school and other t young competitors, and there is great - scope for coaching. I W. Gillespie inoved his right to be 1 ranked as provincial champion javelin - thrower when he threw the weapon 154t't i 2in to win from scratch. He is certainly • a very steady performer, and should imi prove still more. i H. S. Roper finished off a busy day by i winning the hop, step and jump, and is a regular place-getter. He will gain much . by observing Metcalfe's style in this event. THE ELLERSLIE CLUB. i Handicaps for one and two miles pye]iu;, , ; races to be held at the Ellerslle Reserve this evening by the Ellerslie Amateur ' Athletic and Cycle Club:—O. B. "White, It. Arvidson, 40yds, 45yds; .T. Clark, 45yds, : 55yds; It. Taylor, 55yds. 70yds: A. Keitli, 70yds, 00yds; .T. l'oubister, Gamble. 70yds, 05yds; R. Francis, G.' Clarke. 110 yds, 160 yds: Tucker, I>. Pinfold, 120 yds, 170 yds: K Kenwick, A. Richardson, 160 yds, 210 yds; G. Holland, K. and R. Mclnnarney, 100 yds, 240 yds; S. McNeill. 220 yds, 2Soyds; 11. Thomas. 250 yds, 810 yds. Half-mile Run (local boys' handicap).— A. Melnnarney. scr: Jenson, 10yds : Nicholson. J. Beer. 20yds; W. Clarke, Kenwick, 40yds; lindrill, 45yds; K. Day, Kneebone, 50yds; Harkins. CO.vds; K. Nicholson, 65yds; Carter, 70yds; J. Johnston, 75yds; It. Hfirvey, 80yds; A. Bolton. Banks, 100 yds; Taylor, K. Wiltshire, 110 yds; P. Morriss, 130 yds. COUNTRY MEETING HANDICAPS. Mr. F. T. McAneny has declared the following handicaps for provincial sports meetings, on Saturday next: — FRANKLIN A. AND P. SOCIETY (at Pukekolie). 100 Yards.—W. E. Buckley, 3yds; J. S. Carseldine, syds; H. H. McGuire, D. M. Gordon, 6yds; H. Hudson. 7yds; G. Foote, A. E. Kerrisk, 7yds; J. Costar, T. Norris, F. Browne, SJyds; L. Wright, R. Attcwell, H. J. Buckley, 9yds; H. P. Wellington. J. Maxwell, 10yds; G. Kitto, 101 yds; H. Carran, I. A. Gammer, 11yds; A. J. Mottitt, 12yds. 220 Yards.—A. L. Coburn, 13yds; W. Buckley, McGuire, 14yds; Gordon, D. B. Adam, 15yds; Norris, 16yds; Carseldine, Costar, Hudson, 17yds; G. F. Foote, 18yds; F. Browne, 20yds; J. K. Milieu, 21yds; Moffit, 23yds. 440 Yards.—Coburn, 19yds; Carseldine. 21yds; Costar, 26yds; Gordon, 27yds; McGuire, Norris, W. Buckley, 30yds; Foote, 33yds; Millen, 34yds; Carran, 40yds; Moffit. 42yds. MANGAPEEHI ATHLETIC CLUB. 100 Yards.—C. H. Derbridge, 2yds; H. G. Farrell, sJyda; R. E. Beeche, Syds; J. S. Hogan, SJyds; N. Griffin, C. Wren, 9yds: T. A. Casey, S. T. Oliver, A. Bowick, 9£yds; N. L. Bradley, H. Arden, lOy'ds; T. E. Buckley, 13yds; L. R. Lovell (withheld). 1-0 Yards, Cup.—Derbridge, 2Jvds; Farrell, C.Jyds; Beeche, 9yds ; C. Wren, Hogan,, pjyd§;, Casey, Oliver, Bowick, lOJyds; E. ,T. Peterson, Bradley, 11yds; Lovell (withheld). 220 Yards.—Derbridsre, Syds; Beeche, 18yds; E. T. Buckley, Wren, 10yds; Bradley, 20yds; D. Friday, Peterson, Arden, 21yds; Bentley, 25yds; Lovell (withheld). 440 Yards.—Derbridge, 20yds; K. C. Jackson, 30yds; C. Wren, 35yds; Buckley, 36yds; D. Hatton, Peterson, 40yds. 880 Yards.—K. C. Jackson, 4oyda: Friday, Buckley, 70yds; Casey, Hatton, 70yds.