ATHLETICS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19882, 20 March 1930, Page 6

ATHLETICS.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. [By Relay.] Opiimjsm is the usual note sounded in Canterbury in regard to all branches of sport, and if theoretical ideas always eventuated there would be no eporta trophy in New Zealand npon which this province did not maintain a secure hold. The usual hopes were entertained whan the Canterbury athletic team left to take part in the Dominion Amateur Championships last week-end. But hopes did not eventuate, and instead of making a close bid for the provinc'al premiership the team could not do better than third place, being two points behind Wanga-nui-Taranaki (36 points) and well away from Wellington, who won with 69 points. There were several disappointments in store for Canterbury, and two representatives, J. W. Batstone (pole vault) and P. J. Grose (three cycling events), were the only title winners, though N. J. Suckling (880 yds), M. Leadbetter (100 yds), E. H. Neville (long jump and high jump), and T. O'Brien (two cycling events) performed well to gain second places. The manager of the team, Mr G. L. Austin, was well pleased with the efforts of those men, and also with the running of O. C. Harley (440 yds), who, in winnine his heat of that race in 51 1-osec, was 4-5 sec better than the Dominion standard. Harley also went well in the final, bnt could not make it over the last part. Batstone was considerably ahead of his opponents in the pole vault, doing over the standard height. Other members of the team did the best they could, but in two cases were off form and in the others could not attain the standard of the opposition. J. G. Barnes struck bad luck in an attack of influenza, and R. Cordery wag right off form until the relay, when he ran a fine furlong. G. McGregor won his heat of the 120 yds hurdles, but fell at the ninth hurdle in the final when he had a chance of getting second place.

The Canterbury Centre forwarded two remits to the Centres' conference, one of which was adopted, this being a suggested change in the New Zealand cycling road race from 50 miles to 100 miles. The proposal to delete the three-mile walk from the championship programme was not agreed to. Canterbury has fought for this proposal for some, years,, but so far has had no success. The conference also discussed at length a suggestion that entry fees be regulated for all New Zealand at Is for every open event, but Canterbury pointed out that this would be detrimental to country centres, and the matter lapsed. It was decided, however, that entry fees for New Zealand championship eventß should be in future 2s 6d, instead of ss, which has been the fee in the past. A venture that should be well received is the proposal to issue a handbook containing lists of records and standards, Dominion and provincial champions, for distribution throughout the centres, together with a new rule book. All the above resolutions and recommendations will be submitted to the New Zealand Council, which will meet in a fortnight's time. * * * One recommendation which will probably be received with mixed feelings is that the name of the athletic body, the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, be changed to the New Zealand Amateur Athletic and Cycling Association. The remit came from Wellington, and was framed with the object of strengthening the connexion between the cycling and athletic branches of the sport. On the face of it, however, it would seem to serve no useful purpose were the change made. The old style of N.Z.A.A.A. has become well known, and it is recognised everywhere that cyclists are an integral part of the body. Then why go to all the unnecessary detail and bother to make a change which will earn very doubtful appreciation f Many will interpret it as indicating a clearly-de-fined distinction between athletics and cycling, which is above all things to be avoided. * * * The Akaroa Club wrote to the Canterbury Centre a few weeks ago, applying for permission to include amateur events on a sports programme for Easter Saturday. The Centre agreed to a curtailed list of events and a lessening of the prize money and tho result is that Akaroa have decided to delete, the open amateur events and substitute amateur races for district competitors- only. It is unfortunate that open races will not be held, but support from visitors would probably be_ meagre, and amateurs in the district are being catered for in district events. * * * An amateur athletie Club is in the process of being formed in the Marshland district, and it is to be hoped that every encouragement will be accorded the venture. FIXTURES. / March 22nd~-Ashburton Sports. March 29th—Inter-borough sriorts Sumner v. New Brighton. April sth—Hinds sports* April sth—'Varsity Club's championships. ••'■.:, April 19th—Kaiapol sports. April 21st—Inter-University sports at Auckland. ■;■ Entries Close, '■ March 25th—Hinds sports. / ISLINGTON DISPUTE. »■ r /' CASE AGAINST SLAUGHTERMEN ADJOURNED, As-a sequel to the r«j<jent interruption to killing at the Islington freezing works the Labour Department has takes an action against fid of the men concerned, claiming £/i from each for a breach of tho slaughtermen's award. In the Magistrate's 'Court yesterday before Mr H. P. Laifr/y, S.M., Mr R. T. Bailey, Inspector off,. Awards, in asking for an aajournnvrfct of the cases, said that some of t/aja men concerned were engaged in a cojntference for bringing about a settlei).i/ent, and he was anxious not to do a iything to imperil it. He had arrangfld with Mr C. S. Thottas, who was appearing for the men', to ask for atf,'adjournment for a fortnight. This was grantejdj by the Magistrate. The men are c/bjarged "that they ceased work at lis. a.m. on Saturday, January 25th, l&fD, and on each succeeding Saturday up to February 22nd, 1930, such* not b/j|ng the hoar for ceasing work, and tifat they failed to obtain permission from the foreman, as required under the award." eßß'if.'i.ur.jj