ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1186, 22 July 1911, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

(Bγ Mnucuni.)

A HAPPY CONSUMMATION.

August 12.—New Zealand Cross-Country Championship (Auckland). How it Was Brought About. At last after much vexatious delay it can bo definitely stated that the New Zealand C.C.C. will bo held as originally scheduled in Auckland on August 12. The telling of how this happy consummation has been arrived at is left to my harrier correspondent, who writes as follows:— Tho cross-country championship holders (Otago) will defend their titlo at Auckland. This announcement makes the holding of the race assured, ns with a team from Wellington and tho Auckland men in the field the requisito three teams will be entered. What appeared to bo almost insuperable financial obstacles have been surmounted by Both tho Otago and Wellington Centres, both of which bodies are to be congratulated on their efforts. The thanks of the local centre are due to the management of tho King's Theatre, whoso ready assistance in raising funds to cover the expenses of tho Wellington team resulted in a gratifying response. The next stop is the selection of a team, and this has been left in the hands of Messrs. W. 11. Pollock, Beaven, .and Lambcrg. Tho first-named has in the past acted as sole selector, with entirely satisfactory results, except, of course, that tho material which ho has had to work upon was not of sufficiently good quality to be welded into a winning combination. It is understood that his colleagues in office on this occasion were appointed out of compliment to their positions as delegates on the centre from the burlier clubs. A test race has been set down for next Saturday, which will upset tho Wellington Harriers' steeplechase race arrangements. One factor which tho centre evidently overlooked in selecting that date was that the annual dance of tho Wellington Harriers is being held on the previous evening. "Harrier night" at the King's Theatre last Tuesday was a success, and proved that the public's interest can bo readily obtained if tho right methods of enlisting it are pursued. A film depicting the runners at the first combined run of this season was shown in very clear fashion, while the sentiment in the management's greeting to tho harriers "Welcome to you, and may you win," wn» received with applause. Mr. .T. 11. Pollock voiced the appreciation of harriers for the support given by the management anil the public, nnd wished tho selected men "good luck." Humour and Horse Sense. My correspondent makes a few general remarks as follow: —

Coleman and Bristol, the Brooklyn "hares" last Saturday, were evidently after the altitude record, but, ns they forgot the mercury, the height attained is left to gue?s-work. Johnson and Dement, for Wellington, wero also anxious to obtain a bird's-eye view of tho country, but the former's lack of condition pulled them up before rcachiiinr the snow-line.

The descent from the heights beyond Ifapny Valley by the Brooklyn runners resulted in V. Byrne, 31. Pointon, and P. Wilton regaining the flat first, and sticking to (heir positions till Island Bay wai reached.

Wellington's Teturn from the suburbs of Khandallnh nnd Kaiwarra showed F. Wilton at the head of the poll, with C. Rowberry next-—one vote ahead of F. EoHo. '.■' '

It" is su»?ested that vice-Captain Brnnett (Wellington , ) should present his club with his latest photograph, so that members may identify him when b? ruts in an appearance at a pack run. Why thi3 aloofness

Treasurer W. Power is petting in good work of late chasing the elusive subscription. Great was his disappointment last Saturday, when, after chas'ng a n.enibor. over., tfii:. miles of, ups and downs, he found that his quarrv was really financial. i Mr. W. H. Bennett, president of ths Wellington Harriers, occupied the chair at a.inceting held at Masterton on Thursday for tho purpose of forming; .1 harrier cliib in that town. E. E. Fisher, our exNew Zealand 220 'yards champion, is assisting. Masterton has the country, also the men, and tho simple duty of tho club will be to bring them together. Mr. Bennett is to receive the c;)ld badge of -life membership of the Wellington Harriers at the club's dance next I'riday.

Captains Press (Wellington) and P. Wilton (Brooklyn) are setting a good example to their respective packs as regards training. Home, of tho ' alleged "certainties" for Auckland had better bo prepared for a bump from this pair. Why do not .'our local controllers of sport consult each other.over their fixtures? Next week's programme stands at the present time, as follows.:—Wednesday, Exhibit-ion Marathon, fifteen miles; Friday, Wellington Harriers' dance; Saturday, Wellington Centre's five miles test race., and Wellington. Club's.hfo and a half miles steeplechase. ' An absurd and impossible programme everyone must admit!

Brooklyn's steeplechaso is to be run today, on tile Hiitt Park racecourse. T.venty runners have entered, but their handicap's are not available at time of wiiting. The temptation to have a trv 11 "picking 'em" is therefore removed—fortunately perhaps for this scribe's reputation as a "guesser."

Wellington Harriers run from Mirainar to-day, mid will doubtless seize tho opportunity of running over the "test" course. May the hares tread lightly on the golf links, and refrain from scattering paper thereon. Old England up Against America.' Is England effete? The result of the recent track match between tho English and American Universities shouts-an answer, to this oft-repeated question. Happily, the answer is "No! ,, The English representatives won tho contests bv five events to three, the 100 yards, quartermile, mile, two-mile, and hammer-throw going to the Old Country, and the 120 yards hurdles, high and long jumps to theAmericans.

The Universities are held to be the strongholds of American amateur athletics, especially so in sprints, and middle-dis-tance events. It is this fact that makes the English victory so pleasing. Even allowing that the American team, being the travelling parly, was not' quite up to full strength, the fact must' remain that the flower of American amateurism has been beaten by the Englishmen, and that in its own particular departments. One honour-that of a record—goas to America. In the 120 hurdles, presumably 3ft. Gin., we are told that Cliisholm, of Yale, won in 15 2-s;ec—a splendid performance.

The 100 yards winner would, in all probability, bo 1). H'Millaii, of Cambridge, who recently ran second to Halbans, the speedy Canadian, in tho festival Sports "hundred," 'and it is not unlikely that ho also annexed the quarter. The English team was published in those columns a fortnight ago, and, as three or four were picked for each event, the actual winner in each is hard to settle upon. ■ It is likely, however, that the liainnier-throw went to G; Yi. Putnam, of Oxford, who, at the last Oxford v. Cambridge meeting, got the excellent throw of 153 ft. 3in. His opponent- in this event would bo Cable, of Harvard—ft negro student. The Enelisli win was not altogether unexpected. When the Inst mnil left a writer in the London "Sportsman" had written the following anticipation:—

So far as T can make out in tho meantime—l shall probably bo able to write more definitely later on—Cambridge mid Oxford should- hold a chance in the hundred, the half-mile, • mile, two miles, high jump, and hammer. There' is :i doubt about tho lons jump mid the ciunrter. and Yalo and Harvard ought to win the hurdles, unless, of course, 'Anderson finds exccptionnl form. I do not mean to infer that the. match is a gift for the English 'Varsities; I. msrely state that they should do well in the events I have indicated. The IPO yards and tho high jump may prove the crucial tests. This for a "pick" made so long before the meeting must stand as Rood work. Uiil'orfnnritcly space docs not permit of more than Ihis nas>iiiK reference to track doings nt the Exhibition Stadium. Tho final meeting is to be held next Wednesday, and i) big night is being arranged for," including a 15-mile ".Marathon."

Leading Lady (nervously): "Oh, I feel as if I should fly." Low Comedian (sarcastically) : "Well, there are the wiugs."