Sportsman’s Notebook Athletics Championships Had Good First Day

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30056, 14 February 1963, Page 16

Sportsman’s Notebook Athletics Championships Had Good First Day

In spite ot the adverse weather the first day of the Canterbury athletics championships came up to expectations in providing some of the best performances of the season. Seven records were broken—but because of wind assistance only four are likely to go on the books. Also, as expected, it was the juniors snd under-age competitors who did the record breaking- The effort of E. Bell in setting another Canterbury junior half-mile record in Imin 54.55ec, only a fraction outside the nstional record of the Aucklander, N. K. McDell, was s fine example to senior around-the-track runners that strong winds do not always preclude records. The seven records, set st six distances, were spread through the under-age groups with three in the junior men’s section, one in the men’s under 17, snd three in the women’s under 17. Tyo of those in the last section were achieved by the same competitor. Miss K. Croswell (Westport), who-beat the 100 yards time in heat and final. As the women’s under 17 section is a new division this season, standards had been set for record purposes in this grade. Miss Croswell's time of U.4sec in the heat beat the standard by o.2sec. Although her time in the final was faster again this was ruled out because of wind assistance. Senior titles were won very much according to prechampionship indications. Although there were no records in either the men’s or women's senior divisions there were nevertheless some top class achievements. Some were little short of record standard, notably that of the Empire Games representative, Miss M. A M. Chamberlain, who missed her national 440 yard record of 54.55ec by only O.lsec. One of the most pleasing features of the first day of the meeting was the excellent attendance of spectators. The dismal weather apparently deterred few from going to Rugby Park, where the attendance was among the best for many years. If the weather is more favourable for the final day of the championships this Saturday, spectators have prospects ot being treated to even more interesting competition.

* * * Mountaineering Manual In an endeavour to increase safety in the mountains and bring former methods of mountaineering instruction up to date, the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand intend to publish a new manual this year. Investigations into techniques recommended by the manuel have been undertaken by members of the clubs during the last two years. Three Christchurch mountaineers have been closely associated with the new manual. Mr W. Croll was responsible for drawing up the schedule, and Messrs J. Harrison and N. D. Hardie have taken part in final discussions and practical tests before the manual goes to print. The need for a new manual has been felt in mountaineering circles for some yeans. As the sport progresses in New Zealand and more difficult climbs are attempted, new techniques are required and new safety measures called for. For instance, a piton was once considered the mark of an ’‘artificial aids” climber, whereas it is now universally accepted as a valuable safety aid. The manual recommends,

but doee not set down any hard and fast principled on matter* of technique where there may be varying opinions among leading mountaineers. • ♦ ♦ Success At Kaikoura The Marlborough hard court tennis championships were played at Kaikoura last week-end. Several Christchurch player* participated. The men's and woman’s singles titles were retained by B. Baxter (Christchurch) and Miss R. Smith (Kaikoura). In the final. Baxter, winner ot the Marlborough grass court tournament at Blenheim, at Christmas and runner-up in the Nelson championship at New Year beet W. TTiom. Thom is ranked third in Canterbury and Baxter tenth. Baxter beat Thom by a similar score in a ranking match played on Tuesday. Results of Christchurch players’ matches were as follows: Men's Singlee. Quarterfinal*: B. Baxter beat P. Boatwood, 9-8; W. Thom beat

P. Steinmetz (Blenheim), 9-8; B. Crofts beat D. France (Blenheim), 9-7. Semi-finals: Baxter beat Mcßae. 9-7, 6-3; Thom beat Crofts, 8-6 6-3. Final: Baxter beat Thom, 6-3, 6-2.

Men’s Doubles.—Semi-final: Baxter and Thom beat Herd and Steinmetz (Blenheim), 6-1. 9-7; Chofts and Harneiss beat Comer and Smith (Kaikoura), 6-8. 7-5. 6-2. Final: Crofts and Harneiss beat Baxter and ’Thom, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3. Men’s Doubles Plate.—Final: R. Loder and P. Boatwood beat G. Kerr and S. Dwyer (Kaikoura), 9-5. ♦ * * Strong Golf Team A strong team of eight players, all but one of whom has played in Freyberg Roeebowl matches, will represent Canterbury in the South Island inter-provincial golf tournament at Waltikirl on March 2 and 3. The New Zealand representative, R. C. Murray, will be the team’s No. 1 player. The team, in playing order, R. C. Murray (Russley), K. D. Foxton (Russley), Q. W. Caldwell (Christchurch), R. E. Clements (Templeton, B. A. Colquhoun (Waitikiri), A. W. Robinson (Chrwtahurch), R. K. Atkin«on (Rudsley), J. G. Scott (Christchurch). * * ♦ Target Dates It is hoped to complete the senior men’*, senior women's and senior reserve grades in the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association’s competitions by March 30, according to the chairman of the association’s competition* committee (Mr R. P. Murphy). The men’s second grade contest will be completed by March 16 and an extra round in section II of the second grade mixed will be played on March 9, which should permit the play-off in the grade on March 16.