SYDNEY NOTES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9836, 20 September 1897, Page 2

SYDNEY NOTES.

[Br OuK SfEOUT, COBRKSEONDBNT.] Some considerable disappointment was felt when it was seen by the cabled list of names that the New Zealand athletic team for the Australasian Championship Meeting did not include either Low, Patrick, McGormick, or Bennett. After Bennett's brilliant performances at Christchnrch in 1896 the Sydney lovers of a good runner anticipated seeing some fine performances at the meeting this year, and Bennett was the man they looked to. With McCormick absent from the New Zealand team aleo, the chances of N.B.W. are looked upon as particularly rosy. Strange to say, it is in the field games that good judges here anticipate scoring heavily. In the past N.Z. has monopolieed the best talent, bub with Roseingrave, who is expected to appropriate both the jumps, and Milward a hammer thrower, who has much to learn, but can even now throw some some 110 ft, the Mother Colony anticipates scoring four first, and with ordinary luck in the remaining events about pulling through and winning the champion colony competition. Roseingrave is from all local account a a really tip-top man over hurdles, and fit and well may be expected to equal, if not beat, the 16sec. Personally I have not seen

tln'3 wonder perform over the sfcicks-liis long and high jumping speaks for itself—hut I hope to do so before the meeting and give you my impressions. His style from all accounts is more orthodox thau Holder's. Orio thing that will tell against him is that it is only five months since he recovered from typhoid fever, and he cannot in my opinion be quite at his best. Patrick v. Rowley was looked upon as likely to decide the much vexed question of the former's lOsec performance in Auckland last February, local men pinning their faith to Rowley, whose beat time is 10 3-10 th sec. It is to be hoped that Patrick obtains the necessary leave of absence and accompanies the team. In the distance events class will nob be represented unless some new Btar appears. With Bell and Bennett absent, Blake and Herbert, of Victoria, also unable to compete, it leaves these races very open> The racing may consequently be good, but the times gtaor or only moderate. They have no brilliant men in New South Wales* but a I number of fair average runners. The Cross Country Champiouship of New South Wales, run last Saturday, resulted in a win for a young runner named Gibson, who has been showiug winning form lately and was very fit. H. W. Thomas, who may be remembered by Christchurch athletes as competing at Raagiora ia 1896, was second, but nobody showed any startling form. What struck mc was the number of young runners, boys completely, who may develop into good men, but want timo. As mentioned before the distance races are very open and anybddy's races.

?Mr L. A. Cuff arrived last Saturday in time to be present at tho cross-country championship, where he renewed his acquaiV tance with many old athletic .friends, including Coombs, Macpheraon, Mayke.aiui many Qthora. It is his intention I believe to settle in Sydney, in any case he will bo here over the championship meeting, but it is very doubtful whether ne will compete, and I rathor think he will be merely a spectator. • .

There Ms a runner in Brisbane who must be looked upon as extremely dangerous in the quarter and half mile on October 2nd and 4th. I refer to Campbell, who ran in Qhristchurch, and secured second place in the Quarter to Low. Campbell has improved a great deal, and lias records of 2uiin for the half mile and just over 50aec for the quarter, so his chances are decidedly good. N.S. W. has no good walkers out, and the Walks should bo left to Creamer and Barrett of Victoria. The latter inuat have altered his style, and certainly improved out of all knowledge upon the form he showed at Christchuroh. His records of late make him out a great man, but he will find Creamer, fit and well, take a deal of shaking off. It is to be hoped that nothing prevents either man from coming. Since writing the above I have just liififtl'd that Mil ward ie laid up, and will not be a competitor in October. Consequently Kallender, or whoever represents New Zealand, must stand a much improved chance of carrying off the honours. N.S.W. best pole juniper Carr has only just left tlio hospital) and will consequently be at a, disadvantage. The last New Zealand team stayed at Botany, and quarters can be obtained there at a very reasonable figure, from £1 Is to 25s per week. Visitors should remember that all races are run right hand inside here, and the men should train that way. Considerable interest is being taken in the proposed conference of Athletic Associations that is to be held at the time of the meeting. Undoubtedly uniformity in amateur definition of racing rules, entry forms, record rules and reinstatements would be a distinct advantage, and it should not be difficult to arrive at a decision. The reinstatement question and the number of reinstatements made in New Zealand has exercised the niinds of the loading men id atbletio circles in Australia for some time, and a general clearing up of points of difference is required, and is absolutely necessary if the present understanding is to continue. I fancy Holder's case is at the bottom of it. The proposal to establish an Amateur Athletic Union for Australasia is one requiring some consideration, and much will, I fancy, depend on the powers and scope proposed to be allotted to that body. The question of continuing the present Australasian Championship agreement is wrapped up somewhat sn the former idea, as it must either be au Australasian Union or a mutual agreement, and probably a union to govern Australasian meetings win meet the case.