THE EMPIRE SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1199, 7 August 1911, Page 5

THE EMPIRE SPORTS.

HOW SHAPED OUR MEN? IMPRESSIONS OF THE FESTIVAL, (From Our Bpedal Correspondent,, London, Juno 2G. While the Empire Fleet was making its ■ great demonstration oil Spithead, representatives of tho King's Dominions beyond the seas were testing their nervo and sinew in the track which lies on the slopes below tin; Crystal Palace. Tho same storm clouds swept across tho sky, whilo the sun made persistent and successful efforts to break through. Tho stiff west-south-west wind, which made tho courso so eolii and bleak for tho starters, had the effect of drying ,up the cinder track, heavy with the rain ot the early morning and of the night before. Significance of the Meeting. -No 0110 who had at tended the reception tendered by Lord Desborough to the oversea visitors could miss the fine spirit, of idealistic Imperialism, which inspired tho Committee ot tho Festival of Empire. Tilis \vas the first meeting of tho kind. It lacked, in great measure, the athletic interest of the Ulympic Games. For Australasia, at any rate, it lacked, on tho (lay, the interest which comes of etlie.ieut representation, for it was known that accident had turned assured hopes into gambling chances. But there was another interest—an interest independent ol external conditions, an interest which moro than justified the far pilgrimage. It was a family gathering, a sort of Christmas home-coming. And it was not-unlit-ting that tho great Imperial event which touched so truly tho constitutional and historic pulse ol' the Anglo-Saxon race, and which was foliowed by the review of the great Imperial Navy, ehoultf bo also followed by Imperial sports, The Weird Home Management. Judging from this meeting, there seen*' cd to be an interesting difference betwevn the English and the Australasian official. Perhaps one might, without being misunderstood, say that the distinction lieu m something like this: That tho English committeeman is more of an English "gentleman," whilo tho colonial is mora of an English "business man." Tho Englishman appears more casual, and pephaps, in some respects, more sporting, "Gate" does not appear to trouble him. Tho Festival of Empire Sports xvoro so badly advertised that even those who were anxiously looking for information found it difficult to discover what was going on. It is no wonder that there was comparatively email attendance. The New Zealand referee wails for no mau, and breaks his heart if he is live minutes behindhand- Tho Englishman does not seem to mind. It may be said, however, that in (lie weightier matters of tho law, especially the unwritten law, the Englishman lives up to a very high tradition, perhaps the better because ha is more inclined to look upon the spirit than upon the letter. There is tho same sporting feeling which astonishes a colonial when he sees an important tennis match played without umpires. In the games between All England and Oxford University all decisions were given by the players. It was ' very delightful, but, ono would think, not without its inconvenience.

The Australasian Team. Tho Australasian, especially (lie New Zoalandei,.. in London does not. 1 thiuk, feel inclined to discuss tho talo of woa which must have so disappointed Mr. R. Coouibes, who had tended so anxiously tho management of tho team. One does not wish (o give tho suspicion of making excuses, especially *here, where everyone is so kind and so ready to make the other man's excuses for him. However, to Australasians who have been disappointed, not because their representatives lost, but because they did not run to form, tho facts will be of somciinterest.

IV. A. AYoudger, of Wellington, the first hopo in the sprints, who was keenly looking forward to tho effects of his first systematic training, fell a victim to t'ho English spring, and goVb bad cold, which turned to pneumonia. Fortunately it was taken in the early stages, and, at tho sports yesterday, Woodgur was looking fjuile himself again. Ho will not begin training agnin till the English championships are over, but, after that, we may expect to hear of him. R. Opie, of Christchurch, tho second sprinter, wan never better in health, and lie looks extremely fit. It happened, however, that ho strained a tendon somo fortnight ago, and ricked it again in a trial spin tliTeo days before tho sports. It prevented hint from starting elfectively, though, when he oneo gathered speed, ho went well. Ciiiy Haskins, tho other New Zealander, wart also a cripple. His tendon Achilles had given him trouble almost from tho beginning of his fraiuing. Ho had gono into hospital at Brighton, and had had some fluid removed, but it w-as a vulnerable and patched Achilles who went out to do battle. Neither was ho in trainIn.?. for ho had not been able to have a rim for a week. It' was not until threo laps had been run that his compatriots began to think that his headwork might win the mile. How the Events Went Off, Tho results are already well known in the colonies. A few remarks on each event will be of interest. 100 yds. Championship.—Tho English ohnmpion, D. Macniillan, nnd E. J. Hal- . ' bhaus got well away with tho pistol, and for 75 yards kept close together. At this point tho Canadian assorted himself, and Opie, who had started slowly, began to como up. Hnlbhaus broke tho tape a foot in front of Macniillan, who was about .a yard ahead of Opie. Half-mile Championship.-- I The half was the best race of the day, and resulted in a great finish. M. Brock, of Canada, went lo tho front, and mado the pace for 11 laps. He was running ensily and well, while. J. M. Hill, the powerfully-built Englishman, toiled close behind him, followed by Wliealley, close up, running with his easy buoyant stride. The first lap must have taken about sSsee. About 200 yards from home Hill forged lo tho front, nnd Wheatley pressed forward. At 150 yards Hill was in command. He was chased all the way up tho straight by the two colonials, but won by about two yards. Wheatley just beat Brock on tho - tape. It was a great race, and tho time, lmin. .)3 3-ssee., was very good considering the wind and the (rack.

220,vds. Championship.—This race was rim round a bend, which was taped off. Tho distance for each runner was meastired off, and the effect, from n spectacular point of ...view, was that of a handicap race. This method of running sprints rcund a curve ought to commend itself to the management of many colonial sports inwtiiigs. Opie, who had the inside running, was a good deal behind tho others, and his sprung tendon left him still farther behind when the pistol went, Haley, the United Kingdom representative, was in the lead coming into the straight, but Halbhaus came upon him, and led all the way home. Haley lo«ed like scouring second place, but Opie, coming up fust, got in by inches. Time, 23.50 C. Jl.ile Championship,—The times for tho laps were:—First lap, lmin, 12 2-5 bcc. Second lap, 2min. 28sec. Third lap, ,'iniin. 11 I-sscc. Distance, •fmin. '16 1-5 sec. It was a slow race, in which Haskins, the New Zcalnmlor, forced a watchin? and a wailing game. Going off with tho lend, Ilaskins made his own pace. .1. Tail-, the Canadian, made several efforts to get to the front, but Ilaskins staved him off at each essay, and kept the insido running. Owen, the United Kingdom representative, was hedged hi by tho other two, and lost his chance of forcing (he pace. Those who knew'the condition of Hawkins had net expected him to last so long, and, wlun he held his lead 220 yards from home, it was thought he might bluff n win. It was not to bo, however, for. though nut tired. Ilaskins, without pro|n>r trainiii' could not respond as in old Pennv vaninn days, and Tail raced in a y ■<: ahead of Owen, Ilaskins about 6 behind.