ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1138, 27 May 1911, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

QTAGO BAFFLED AFTEE ALL, (Bt Meecuei.) Hares, Hounds, and the Weather. "Mercury's" harrier correspondent writes:—Weather conditions were dead against the harrier clubs' "picnic" runs which had been arranged lor Saturday last—so bad, in fact, that tho Brooklyn lads decided to hold theirs over till later ill the season when better fortuneis hoped for. The Wellington pack, having a rendezvous closer■• to. town, taced the elements, and held a rnn from their skipper's residence at Miramar, at the conclusion of which they were entertained by Mr. Press at alternoon tea, and an impromptu concert.

A trail laid by W. Press and C. Duck led across the Miramar Valley to Lyall Bay, and returned along under tho eastern hills , to the starting point. In tho teeth of a biting "southerly," and to the accompaniment of heavy rain Equalls, tho runners (to the • number of twenty) set a hot pace until the beach was reached and, alter a short ""breather," picked up tho homo trail. C. Lamberg was nominally in chnrgo of tho pack, but his whistle might lirto been lert at home for all the uso it was in opposition to the howling of the Over the last half-mile a hard run resulted in the club novices—who aro apparently the only members who have yet commenced training—gaining first three places. Salek Teaqhed tho post first after a hard struggle, all the way with Pinckney, whom he just beat, while 1. Rowberry gained third position. The remainder of, tho pack finished clofo up, thanks mainly in somo cases to the assistance of tho which prevented any "going slow, by even the least willing ot the bunch.

Tho Man Who Was "Over-trained."

Brooklyn Harriers, disappointed of their jaunt to Taita, decided to make, tho best of things by holding a run from Thorndon Baths. With a muster of seventeen, they careered along tho Hutt Road to Ngahauranga, then climbed tho gerge and returned to the city via Khandallah and Ngaio. At Ngaio the pack was divided into three teams captained by Byrne, Murray, and Shaw respectively and a race for home between these teams resulted in a win,for Shaw whoso quintet proved to bo nineteen points better than Hie other twain who tird with 'a tally of 4b points each. Tho course, which was an nil-road one, was trailed by 1 , . Wilton and A. Barnes. First honours in the run homo were gained by Byrne, Murray (leading at tho esplanade) being held up by a passing train which meant sacrificing his commanding lead. Murray, in shorty was beaten by an excess of training -on the part of tho railway authorities. ,

Three Cheers-Mr. Marryatt "Comes Back." The Otago Contro is not to be allowed, after all, to deprive amateur athleticism in general, and the council of the b.A... A.A.A. in particular, cf the services of Mr. Arthur Marryatt. _ Dunns the week "Mercury" received private advices from Southland that it is the intention of the Centre there to appoint tho deposed president of the council as its delegate to the governing body. This provides all excellent way out of a r«al difficulty. Tor some time past Southland has had only one- delegate upon the council, and Mr. Marryatt's appointment to the vacant seat is an excellent move, alike for tho sport, for the council, for Southland, for Mr. Marryatt, and for theOtago Centre. For the last-named body because it will the members thereof exactly what the other Centres think of their recent action, and present attitude. As things arc, thcro is every prospect of Mr. Marryatt being re-elected president of the council again at tho next meeting. The only pity now is that room cannot bo found somewhere for Mr. J. H. Pollock also. At Our Stadium—"the Comforts of a Home." On AV«dnesday night the Exhibition Stadium was opened, and, allowing for a. litHo delay niul disorganisation consequent upon a first night, the little sports meetin? was a thorough success. There is no reason at all why these Wednesday night meetings should not fits the biggest draw at the Exhibition, once time has enabled things to run . along smoothly. The track is eminently satisfactory, especially for 50-yard sprints. The "dash" cni Wednesday provided some fine racing and fast running. The two heats wore won in 5 4-SSCC, and tho final—as good a race as quo could wish to see—in 5 3-ssee. The circular track has two 65-yard straights and rather sharp turns, but. with a little practice, it will bo found all that is necessary for races of a mile and upwards. At present the drawback is the insufficient lighting. This is a serious defect, but attention has been drawn to it, and, no doubt, an improvement will lie effected. Otherwise the stadium is quite comfortable. There is seating accommodation for 1300 spectators, a refreshment booth, orohestra, telephone, and, in fact (as one of the runners remarked on W'cAnesday), "all the comforts of a home." ".Mercury" in future will publish, each Saturday, the programme of the following Wednesday's meeting for the information of intending entrants. The council of tlio N.Z.A.A.A. now has before it two applications for the New Zealand cross-country championship—one from Wellington and the other from Auckland. The matter will be gone, into by the council when more information is to hand from tho Auckland Cenlre, which is endeavouring to arrange with tho Rugby Union so as to run off the fixture in conjunction with one of the big football matches.