AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9306, 6 January 1896, Page 3

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. Seco.vd Day. It would be almost- impossible to conceive anything more unpleasant than tbe weather experienced on Saturday, when the remaining exents of tbe Australasian Amateur Championship meetiug were decided at Luncj..tcr Park. The howling nor'-wester brought down clouds of blinding dust, so that at times it was diiticutt to distinguish tbe competitors at the opposite side of the trac_;. It waa equally disagreeable to competitors, officials aud spectators. French, the caretaker of the groun3, had a narrow escape from injury through the severity of the gale. The upright supporting ouo of the result hoards suupped iv two, and the board in its fall struck French, knocking him down and bruising the back of his head and one of his hands. The attendance was about 1600. The wind interfered with the putting up of fast times, but in spice of it some really good performances wore done. It waa also severe upon competitors, and several were badly knocked up, especially in the long bicycle race. The arrangements, considering the adverse circumstances, were well carried out. The heata in the 220 yards handicap were won by Cartwright, New South Wales, and Patrick, New Zealand, the places beiog filled respectively by Robinson, New Zealand, and Moir, Victoria. The final produced a splendid race, Cartwright gutcing home in frout of Robinson by a yard, with Patrick a good third, the time being only 2 sth sec over the standard. The competitors in the long jump had to face the wind, and were consequently considerably handicapped thereby, otherwise it is only fair to assume j that a greater distance would have been, covered by the placed men. Ryan justified his selection for the New Zealand team by making the winning jump, coveriug 20ft 6in, with Guff (20ft 3 ".iu" secoud and Masterton, New South Wales (11 iuches less), third. Creamer had no difficulty in winning the shorter walking race, coveriug the mile in 6 1 sth sec uuder the standard, Goodwin (New South Wales) and Barrett (Victoria) again filling the places. The 440 yds Hurdle ! Champiousnip produced somewhat of a _ur- I prise, Martin of Auckland making the pace throughout, und though he fell after crossing f ,he last hurdle, getting home in the good j time of 64sec, Roberts and Harley also came down at the laot obstacle, tho latter struggling in for second place. Two New Zealauders competed in the weight-putting, ! Khodeß winning with 34ft llin, with Louisson 9 inches behind him. New South Wales gained her third championship with the aid of Corner, who ran a well-judged race in the half mile, and was followed home by C. R. Clark, who spurted well in the last two hundred yards, but had been lying too far back for his run to be successful. Bell, the Wellington representative, ran in much-improved form in the Three Miles Flat, Bhowing that the work he had put in while in Christchurch had done him a lot of good. He cut out the running aud no one was able to pace it with him, the only two other men to finish being Hawthorne and Davies, who filled the places. Bennett retired in the fifth lap, owing to a weak auklo giving way, and O'Connor had also to leave the track about the same time through the breaking of a shoe lace. Bell finished strongly, and his time, lomin 44 3-sth sec, must be considered exceptionally good when the rough weather is taken into account. The finish for the One Mile Bicycle Australasian championship was fought out between the same pair whose keen rivalry made the cycling events on the firat day so interesting. Kerr came away about two hundred yards from home, and though pushed hard by C. H. Jones he crossed tbe line about three parts of a machine length to the good. The field in the twenty-five mile bicycle New Zealand charnpiouship was very soon cut down to three, Kerr, Crow and Petersen. Jones had retired at the end of about five miles, having been seized with cramp internally, but he recovered during the afternoon. Kerr fell from his machine through exhaustion in the thirty-seventh lap, and after remounting and riding another two laps he gave up. Several pace makers : alternately gave assistance throughout the race, and Petersen, who had ridden in the wake of Crow, had most left in him at the i finish, and won by twenty yards. Crow, I who bad led the field throughout the race, won the two trophies presented by the Alliance for being first past two different | points on tho track the greatest number of times. The first twenty miles waa done in 59min 51.cc and the twenty-five miles in lhr 17min Usee. The medals won during the day were presented to the successful competitors at the end of each event. The success of the New Zealand team in winning eleven out of the fifteen championships,. must be very gratifying, in ono sense, but most people will regret that the Australians who had journeyed so far had not been more successful, and made the contest to decide the champion colony a closer one. 220 YARDB Flat AOSTRALABIA-* CHAMPIONSHIP— World's amateur record, W. T. Wefers (America), 21 3 sth sec. Australasian amateur record, 22 3-sth sec, W. T. Macpherson (N.S.W.). Standard, 22 4-sth sec. First heat. W. Cartwright (N.S.W.) ._, .„ 1 E. A. Robinson (N.Z.) ... ... 2

H. M. Reeves (N.Z.)... 3 L. W. Harley, C.A.A.C. (N.Z.), and R. L. Wingrove (Vie.), also started. Harley beat the pistol by a couple of yards and led to the turn to the straight, when he fell back beaten. Robinson led for a few yards, bub he then gave way to Cartwright, who won easily by a yard and a half. Reeves, who was blocked, came fast in the straight and finished half a yard behind Robinson. Time, 23 2-sth sec.

Second heat. A. J. Patrick (N.Z.) ... ... — 1 G. A. Moir (Vie.) .- ... ... 2 C. Campbell (Q.) ... ... — 3 W. Balch (N.Z.) also started. A good start was effected. Patrick aoon assumed the lead and maintaining it to the finish won easily by a yard and a-half, half-a-yard between second and third. Time, 23sec. Final Heat. W. Cartwright (N.S.W.) .- ~ 1 E. A. Robinson (N.Z.) ... .- 2 A. J. Patrick (N.Z.)... ... —3 G. A. Moir (Vie.) also started. Patrick got away first, and led, Robinson to the turn, where the latter got in front, and held command until nearly reaching home, when Cartright came through and won by a yard, the same distance between second and third. Time, 23 l-sth sec.

Long Jump Australasian Championship —World's amateur record, J. S. Reber (America) and C. B. Fry (England, (23fb 6_in; Australasian amateur record, J. L. Ryan (21fb 6in). Standard. 20ft 6in. J. L. Kyan (N.Z.). 20ft 6in ._, _- 1 L. A. Cuff (N.Z.), 20ft 3_in ... ... 2 R. Mse-erton (N.S.W.), 19rt4_in ... 3 J. E. Gormly (N.S.W.), 18ft l£in, and J. W. Doyle (Vie.), 18ft Oiin, also competed. - The competitors had to jump against the wind, which prevented them from doing their best. After each had tried a jump Ryan was leading with 19ft 6iin, Masterton being second with 18ft 9in. Next round Ryan jumped 20fb 3sin. Doyle and Cuff alsoimproved on their first essays. In the third trial Ryan cleared the same as at his second attempt Cuff 20ft 3_in, and Mascerton 19ft 4£in. Gormly and Doyle then had to retire, leaving the three best to have three trials more each. Ryan then jumped 20ft 6in, reaching the standard. Neither Cuff nor Masterten exceeded their previous effort and Ryan won the event.

On_ Mile Walking Australasian Championship—World's Amateur Record, E. P. Murray (America), 6min 29 3-4 th sec Australasian Amateur Record, A. Brady, 6min 41sec Standard, 7min ssec. F. H. Creamer (N.Z.) ._, .« 1 H. Goodwin (N.S.W.) ... .-2 A. O. Barrett (Vie,) ... ... ... 3 J. B. Holt (Vie.) ... ... ... 0 PassiDg tbe stand the first time Creamer was leading with Holt second, Barrett third, and Goodwin last. The last named took second place passing the pavilion. Creamer soon established a good lead, and when the stand was reached -gain was 20yds in front of Goodwin, Holt being some distance behind with Barrett whipping in. The only alteration during the next lap was that Barrett and Holt changed places. The positions were unchanged to the finish, Creamer winning easily by eighty yards,

Goodwin was a dozen yards in front of Barrett. Time, 6tnin 58 4-sth sec.

o_r_ Mils Bicycle Australasian Championship—Previous champion, C. C. 3-.verm.son. Queensland. New Zealand record. 2min 20 2-sth sec, W. L. Kerr - (N.S.W.). Australasian record, 2tnin 18 3-sthsec, W. L. Kerr (N.S.W.). Standard, 2mia 18.cc. W. L. Kerr, S.B.C 1 C. H. Jones, P.B.C 2 R. Crow, D.C.C. ... ... ... 3 W. W. Pilkington, A.A.A. and C.C. ; G. Petersen (N.W.) ; F. G. Simpson, P.B.C. ; H. Thompson, P.B.C. ; and V 7. F. Waller, P.B.C, also started. After a couple of false starts owing to Thompson breaking hi 3 chain and Pilkington slipping, the men were despatched. Crow at once assumed the lead aud made the pace at a sound rate, closely followed by Waller, Kerr, Jones, and Simpson. There was but. littl- alteration iv this order until tho bend of the final lap wa3 reached, when Kerr aud Jones spurted, and passed Crow, who, however., stuck well to the leaders. A good race home resulted in Kerr winning from Jones by a yard, with Crow a good third, Simpson fourth, and Petersen next. Time, 2mia 27 2-sth sec.

440 Yards Hurdle Australasian Championship—Ton flights, 3ft 6in. World's Amateur Record, T. Roberts (N.Z.), 61 sec. Australasian Amateur Record, T. Roberts (N.Z.),- 61sec. Staudard, 62 •W. H. Martin (N.Z.) 1 F. S. Harley, C.A.A.C. (N.Z ) ... 2 R. Mastertdn(N.S.W.) and T. Roberts (N.Z.) also competed. Martin, who had insi-lo position, went into the lead at the start, Roberts following, with Harley third aud Ma-jtertou last. No alteration took place in the order until the last hurdle was reached, when Martin camo down. Harley, who was on terms with Roberts, spurted, but also fell, aud Martin, recovering him3elf quickest, won easily from Harley. Masterton stopped two hurdles from home, and Roberts also did not finish. Time, 64sec.

PUTTINO THE WEIGHT AUSTRALASIAN Championship (16ibs, from 7ft square). —-World's amateur record, C R. Gray (America) 47ft. Australasian amatou? record, O. M'Cormack (N.Z.) 39ft 4in. Standard, 37ft. W. C. Rhodes (N.Z.), 34ft llin ... 1 C. Louisson, C.A.A.C. (N.Z.), 34ft 4in... 2

Ouly the two started. Half-milk Australasian Championship— World's Amateur Record, C. J. Kilpatrick (America), lmin 5125 th sec. Australasian Amateur Record, J. F. D-lryinple (NS. W.), lmin 59 l-sth see. Standard, 2min 2aec. E. E. Corner (N.8.W.) 1 C. R. Clark (N.Z.) ... 2 J. E. Grierson, C.A.A.C. iN.Z.) ... 3 R. L. Wingrove (Vie), J. Townley (Vie), W. A. Low (N.Z.), H. W. Thomas (London AC), C.Campbell (Queensland), D. Wood, C.A;a.C. (N.Z.), also started. Thomas was quickest away, but was soon joined by Grierson, who led passing the stand, with Wingrove third, and the others close up. Wingrove then went into the lead, aud drew away from his opponents until reaching the back of tho course, when Corner and Wood commenced to go up. Corner took the lead at tho bend for home, and appeared to be winning easily, when Clark came with a late run, but after a fine finish the Sydney man won by a yard. Grier3on was a fair third, and Low fourth. Time, 2min 4 3 sth sec. TwEi-rrr-FivK Mile Bicycle New Zealand Championship—Present champion, H. J. Pither, P. B. C. New Zealand and Australian record, lhr 6min 39sec, J. O. Shorland, P.B.C. Standard, lhr 3min. G. Petersen, N. W. ... ... ... 1 R. Crow, D.C.C. ... ... ... 2

W. L. Kerr, 5.8.C.; C. H. Jones, P.B.C; H. Thompson, P.8.C.; W. H. Laugdown, P.B.C; W. F. Waller, P.B.C, F. G. Simpson, P.8.C.; and J. W. Jones, P.B.C, also started.

Special prizsfl were offered to the riders leading for a certain number of miles, and Crow dashed off with the lead at the start, followed by Simpson and Waller. Passing the post a second time - Kerr had taken second place, while Petersen was third and C H. Jones fourth. Waller retired after going a mile, aud Thompson and Simpson followed suit a lap later, while Langdown gave up soon after. In the eighth round C. H. Jones was seized with cramp in the stomach and fell off his machine, having to be carried in. The order from thenoe until five miles had been covered was Crow, Kerr, Peterson and J. W. Jones. Several of the riders who had given up had returned to the track before this to act as pacemakers. J. W. Jones gave the contest .best at this point and only Crow, Kerr and Petersen remained in the race. Lap after lap were ridden without anything eventful taking place, bub Kerr fell during the thirty-seventh round. Crow and Petersen eased up for a few seconds, but tho latter quickly got going again and had a good lead when next passing the post. Crow spurted after him and waß in the van again before another round had been completed. In the meantime Kerr had remounted and, with the assistance of pacemakers, put in a fast round; but he waa evidently exhausted, as after riding another lap he retired. Crow continued to show Petersen the way until two miles from the finish, when he stopped to change his machine, Petersen pulling up. When the bell rang for the final lap the Napier man daßhed to the front and, considering the long journey he had gone, made a fine spurt, winning veasily from Crow who had ridden, a plucky race. Time, lhr 17min llaec.

Three Mile Flat Australasian Championship— World's amateur record, S. Thomas (England), 14min 24seo. Australasian amateur record, W. J. Burk N.Z.), 15min 27 l-sth sec. Standard, 15min 30sec. A. W. Bell (N.Z.), ... ... ._, 1 8. Hawthorne, W.A.A.C. (N.Z.I, ... 2 A. A. Davies, A.A.A. and C.C. (N.Z) ... 3 E. E. Corner (N.S.W.), W. H. C. Biggs (N.S.W.), W. F. Bennett (N.Z.), M. O'Connor A.A.A. and C.C. (N.Z), also starred. As soon as the pistol was fired Bell went to the front, attended by O'Connor and Corner, with Hawthorne fonrth. The order waa the same passing the stand a second time, but Bell waa going such a pace and had a long lead that the field was in straggling order. Ab the finish of the round Bell was 100 yards ahead of O'Connor, while Hawthorne was third. Biggs cried a "go" before completing this lap, and Corner gave np on reaching the pavilion next round, thus leaving tho struggle to New Zealand alone. During the fourth lap O'Connor fell back, and Bennett took second place, Hawthorne still being third, and O'Connor and Davies followed. Bell still strode along in front at a sound pace, and before the fifth lap was completed O'Connor dropped out, Bennett following his example half a lap further on, Hawthorne being second and Davies third. No further alteration took place during,the last mile, and Bell won very easily by a quarter of a lap from Hawthorne, who finished some distance ahead of Davies. Time, 15min 44 3-sthßec. AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPION COLONY. (First score one point). Previous champion, New South Wales. Points. New Zealand .- ... 11 New South Wales ._, 3 Victoria ._,_.!