ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1307, 9 December 1911, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

(Bi "MracußT.") WHAT OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS? December 10—W.A.A.C. Summer Carnival (Basin Kcservo). December 20—Karori A.A.C. Evening Meeting. December 20—Miramar A.A.C Evening Meeting (Seatoun Park). December 2G and 27.—Australasian Amateur Championships (Athletic Park). 1912. January I—Wairarapa Caledonian Society's Sports (Mostorton). January 17—Karori A.A.C. Evening Meeting. January 22—Wanganui Caledonian Society's Sports. January 27—Civil Service A.A.C. Mooting. February 28—Manawatu A.A.C. Meeting (ralmcrston North).

The Fliers on the Flat. Now that the Now Zealand taam has been selected for tho Australasian championships at the Athletic Park on December 26 and 27, it is possible to make some rough estimate of tho chances.

First, however, a reviow of the shield defenders may bo of interest. For (ho sprints, Opic and Woodgcr havo been selected outright, although, Binco tho first picking, the latter has notified that he will not be available of which moro anon. Opio needs no introduction. Hi* is the present 100, 220, and 440 yards New Zealand champion, his times boing 10 1-lOsec, 22sec. (Now Zealand rocord), and SO 4-ssoc.

For the «0 flat, Opie is bracketed with W. G. Harding, of Napier, ex-New Zealand champion, and presont half-milo champion, who ran second to him at tho last New Zealand meeting. Harding figures again in tho half-mile, his championship time last season' being tain. 58 4-ssec. Ho is the solo outright selection for this distance, tho other choice (J. F. Wilson, tho woll-known local half-mile and provincial champion) having notified that ho will not be competing, ne was married at Auckland last Wednesday. The sjilc is being entrusted to O. N. Hill, of Auckland, and C. 11. Pugh, late of Christeliureh, but now of Wellington, Hill is the present mile champion, his time being lmin. 25 4-sscc., and Pugh ran third to him oil that occasion, the second man being L. R Baxter, of Wel- ,," B i l o",' w ' lo is " ow at SCIV engineering. Both the selected runners will be competing, at the W.A.A.C. meeting on the Basin lieserve next Saturday. Hill is already in splendid fettle. 'last Thursday week, at Auckland, ho won a halfmile in 2min. 2 2-ssec. without being pushed—his winning margin being 30 yards after being in the lend for nearly the whole of the last lap. At the Auckland A.A.C. meeting a fortnight ago he won the mile in lmin. 31 l-sscc, and the three miles in Mmin. 58sec, in each case with tho utmost ease. Hill is also, of course, chosen for the three-mile run, and, with him, is Miles Dickson, of Canterbury, the present Australasian champion, from whom Hill jested the Now Zealand title last vear, Hills championship time last season was 14mm. 53 2^sec—the Australasian record being 14mm, 49sec.

Coming to the Walks and Hurdles. For tho walks, tho first choice is Harry Kerr, present Australasian and Not Zealand champion at both distances. His last figures woro Grain, 46 2-ssec. for tho mile, and 21min. 46 2-sseo for tho three miles. He won tho Australasian titles at Brisbane with performances of 6inin. 33scc and 22min. 2 2-osec. G. I>. Keddell, of Southland, present Australasian and Now Zealand champion at both 120 and «0 yards, is the choice again for theso events. His last times were 15 3-10scc. (Australasian record) and CO 3-ssec.

The Jumps and Pole Vault. Tho full quota have been finally selected ipr tliD broad jump, tho trio being It. P. keddell, present New Zealand champion and New Zealand record holder, of Otago, and F. C. Hubbard, oi Wellington, ex-New Zealand champion, keddell won last season with 21ft. 3jin, and his New Zealand record figures aro 23ft. 3in. Millard jumped 22ft. Tin., at tho University tournament in Auckland last year. The polo vault representative is L. M. Mkay of Wellington, the present Australasian and New Zealand champion and Australasian record holder. "Jlac's" winning jump last season was 10ft. 2in., and his record is lift. IJin.

Shot and Hammer Men, For the shot putting event the present champion W. Da Thier, of Canterbury, L. M. MKay, of Wellington, ox-ehani-pion, and A. S. Iteid, of Otaso, have been selected. Do Thler's championship put last season was 3Cft. Him., anfl Hoid's 36ft. 4in.. but in Auckland at tho last tMversiry wurnament, iteicf got3<fl. odd, and Do Thier has frequently done better than 3,ft., as also has M'lvay. lho local.champion and present holder pf tho New Zealand title, A. Bisset, has been chosen for tho hammer throwing, and with him is .7. MTlolme, of Cantoris „. Blssct » championship throw was J|2 f . 1 .- S m -\ am } °n Thursday week at the Uvil .Service tournament he threw- l"2ft while news has been received in town that MHolmo hns recently hurled his implement 1:10 ft., which sounds too good to bo true. b

The "Leppers.'-' For the- high jump i, O outright selection has been made. Tho present champion is It V Mitchell, of Otago, with a jump of sft. CJin. The nmfenal to choose from is very average indeed to put against the six-foot, jumpers from \ ictona, J. L. Kelly and Erfc Russell. Ml\.ay and Millard will both, be present for other events, aud both are capable of getting over sft. 7in„ so it may happen that tho council will not go outside these two unless some of the other reserves chosen can show good performances before tho deciding dav. Hodge, of Mas.terton, is reported to 6» lumping well and will bo seen in action here on the 18th at tho W.A.A.C. meeting. It is therefore possible that he mav quality. Winkelman, who jumped at local meetings last season,, and who is now in .Napier, also reports good form.

Final Selection and Reserves. In most of the events where the three certainties have not been selected outright, a number of reserves have been chosen from whom it is proposed to (ill tire vacancies if the rhen care to mv their own expenses to the meeting, lit tho meanwhile they will all be entered by the. council, and the final selection mado later. I Ins is a gocjl busincss-liko move on the council's part, as it is obviouslv throwing money away to hrinsr men here from all over (he Dominion just to pack the held?, when thev have no earthly chance of scoring, for it must bn remembered that onlv •'firsts" count at Australasian championships The chosen for the sprints art F. C. Hubbard, of Wellington, and A. C Stohr, of Taranaki. The former ran sw> ond in (he 100 yards championships last year, and Stohr second in the 220 championship.

For tho U<\ yards, ,T. C. Whitney, 0 1 Auckland, who filled third place at the championships, and "Jimmy'' W T ilton. the local provincial chamnion, have been chosen, one of whom will be finally selected.

L. A. Dougal and E. E. Fisher arc the next ih order for the half-mile, and owing to J. F. Wilson's absence both are eligible to start. Bougal ran third at Christchiircli last vonr. and belongs (o Canterbury, while Fisher is tho one-time New Zealand 220 yards champion, and is now resident in Masterton. He is coming down for the W.A.A.C. meeting next Saturday to give tangible proof of his prnww as a hnlf-miler. The walking reserves are D. Cashman, of Wellington, who walked second in tho three miles to Kerr last season, and is the local provincial champion, and P. 11. Stubberfield. the Canterbury veteran, who filled third place in both events nt Christchurcb.

For the hurdles there is a strong contingent of second strings in A. Ilalligan, ex-New Zealand champion, and more recently clianrpiotl nf Scotland, who is back in Wellington; 11. E. Hamilton, of Canterbury, »;ho ran second to Koddcll in our last 440 hurdles championships, and R. M'Konzic, of Masterton, the Welb'ngton provincial ohampion over 120 yards "sfcicta." From these, two are to be

ohoson. Both Halligan and M'Kenzie are running at tho Basin Reservo noit Saturday, and an attempt is being made to get Hamilton up also, so that <i "tost" can bo ru;a.

G. Batstone, of Canterbury, who was second to M'Kay last season with tho reRpectablo jump of 9ft. 7Jin., and N. G. &. Winkolman are the reserve men for the polo vault, and both are oligiblo if they can qualify.

So Davis is Not Coming! Of tho teams from tho Australian States there is not much inoro news to hand since last week, although what little thero is is stirring. The most important is that J. L. Davis, the hope of Victoria, cannot moke the trip on account of his university examinations. This is the worst of bad luck for Victoria, aa Davis was easily the star of that State's team. In fact, lie was a team in himself. He was to compete in tlio 100, 22/), and W> yards flat, both hurdle events, and both jumps, inn] Kim Ij> bo roekowd with in all thoso evcntH. He in the holdw of the world's record of !A l-faee. over the ifO yards bimlleK, find Din "go" tlutt. would have evonltinlcd beUwi Mm mid k'cddidl in 1/il.h hurdle «vente vmuM liavo been ivortli miles to &+, 'I'hh defection of wnirf- tni>t"rinll}' vUfo (/< New ZeJilniid',l diMices, but, for nil that, Vux'iii'h «lwmr<] will lift tffwf.ly regretted lind inueli svinphlliy will I* felt for Mi* "VIM." In their IM lock,

That Fearsoms Brisbane Constable, Another Hem I/; hand this week that hti.i vjniisfi\ a si'inli stir in athletic Circled If Hint, tli* f.2»»pfi*l«n»l representative in Mm hit/rimer awl shot mictU, I). M'Urnlh, has been responsible for two splendid performances, tlti is reported in tho fieforW m bating thrown the hammer 135 feet from n seven-foot circle, and ns lihtrlfiß "jrt/l" the shot V)IL Zin, Jf everything rrna in ordw with these perfonnnriees, the Brisbane policeman would seem to linen (.hew two ceenl« "in hl« bag," iifilftM tho report of M'llolme's 110-foot throw referred to above is correct.

Why Wooduer Will Not be Seen. During the week W. A. Woodgcr wrote to "Mercury" expressing his great disappointment at having to withdraw from the New Zealand team. Fortunately it in not through ill-health this time that the popular fprinler is prevented from defending his Australasian championship titles, but through the exigencies of his official duties. Since his return from England Woodgcr has been relieving at Kaitoko (he is in the railway service), and has now been notified that ho is to go from thero to Shannon. The result is that ho cannot find time to train even if ho were able to get down to run, and hence his defection. He writes, however, that ho will be all tho better for tho season's rest, and will be at the game again next year.

The W.A.A.C. at the Basin. The W.A.A.C. gathering at the Basin Reserve promises to be a first-class meeting. Good entries, which, by the way, close to-night, are being received, and in addition to our local athletes, a sbong band of Wairarapa runners are coining down to show themselves to the selectors of the Now Zealand team for tho Australasian meeting. Among these are Ei E. Fisher, R. M'Konzie, Hodge, and Messenger, all of whom have aspirations to the places left vacant by tho selectors. Tho star attraction of the day, however, will be the appearance for tho first time in Wellington of G. N. Hill, the Auckland crack.

Hill holds three New Zealand championships—one and three-iflilo flat and five-mile cross-country—and is held to bo ono of tho best, if not actually tho best, amateur distance runner that New Zealand has over had. That this is no extravagant claim is shown by his times. At tho New Zealand championships last March ho won tho mile run in tain. 25 i-Sscc.—a performance that has been eclipsed once only in Now Zealand, by Alfred Shrubb in Auckland, when ho hoisted his Australasian record of 4min. 22see. Following upon this, Hill won tho three-mile flat in 14min. 53 2-ssec., and won as ho liked by over a hundred vards—only 4 2-ssec. outside the Australasian record. A special three-mile run has boon added to Saturday's programme, and tho Aucklandcr_ has stated his intention of endeavouring to establish new figures for tho distance—n design that, judging by his recent performances in Auckland,' has overy chance of proving successful. It is Hill's intention to roinain and finish his preparation for the big Christmas mooting in town. L. M. M'Kay and A. Bissct will also endeavour to establish record figures, tho former in the hop, 6tep, and jump and the latter in throwing the hammer. Both these athletes are tho New Zealand champions in these departments, and it will be remembered that both achieved records in theso events at tho last championship meeting, but tho performances could not. receive official recognition owing to a technicality—a slight error being discovered in the measuring tape used.

The newly-formed Miramar A.A.C. is holding its' inaugural meeting on the Seatoun Park on the evening of December 20. Soveral of the town runners aro going ont to give the young club a "boost" over its first stile.

The Civil Servico Tourney. Thanks to tho untiring energy of tho committee in general and' in particular of tho secretary, Mr. L. A. Tcutenberg, tho inter-Departmental tourney conducted by tho Civil Servico Sports Club on Thursday and Saturday of last week was the -athletic success it deserved to be. The athletic "moot" at tho Basin Reserve on St. Andrew's Day was a striking revelation of the' athletic talent in the Civil Service which up to that day had been "bom to blush unseen."

Now that the ice has been broken, it is to be hoped that all those who eonipoted at the gathering will rally to the help of their club and mako it what it should

bo—the strongest athletic club in Now Zealand. The most pleasing feature of the day's sport was tho keen competition—the field events—the jumping and shot putting in particular. With some thirty or so starters in each, it would indeed be strange if the two short sprint events—so and 75 yards handicaps—did not unearth someone of promise. Tho winner, Hurle, and tho second man, Itobinson, displayed form that warrants their competing in any handicaps, and there were at least seven ot eight others in tho same - class. K. C. Little, of rowing fame, made no race of the 75 yards, winning both heat and final by fully 2 yards. Little is an extraordinarily powerful runner, who might easily have made, a name for himself on

the track, but for his love for the sport of which "Dick" Arnst is the chief apostle. It. Eonayne showed a fine (urn of speed, and ho might with advantage lvavo a season's runuing in place of swimming. The writer would not like the task of picking half a dozen local sprinters to successfully give Kouavne a start.

Hubbard is a long way from his best ■form, but he ran well in the 150 yards,

finishing third to Coard aud Galbrnith. Coaixl is running with raro dash at present. With 3J yards from Hubbard, the latter could not get near him in this event. In the. ouarler, Coard just failed to give "Tom" M'Loan 1!) yards. M'Lean ran a good race, covering tho distance in 53*oc, from 25 yards.

. Pho mile provided an interesting contest between three youthful peds. in S. 0. Jones, C,\ O'Connor, and ,T. L. M'Donald, who finished in tliat order. M'Donnld, who does not appear to be any more than seventeen or eighteen, showed rare dnsh at Iho fnmih. With better judgment, lie must have won.

Frank Wilton (15 yards) and Pugh (scratch) were well out of tho hunt, though the Litter managed to finish fourth, covering the distance in imin. Msec.—poor time for one who is to represent New Zealand at the Australasian championships. Tho hurdle event was a gift for R. L. Laurence, of the Post Office (cam. The time was nothing wonderful, but Laurence gavo n really good exposition of the art of fencing. No should do well at local meetings during the season. The two jumps produced by the fields and the competition, rouwvl enthusiasm amongst the spec'ator*. Tn the hot), step, and jump both Hubbard and Dunn cleared over Iflft, hut the handicaps proved too much for them. The winner, Bernard, is for the sixe of him, a wonder. Standing about sft. tin., he cleared 39ft. lijin., and "Mercury" is informed that he has on occasions cleared lift.

The New Zealand champion, Bissef, threw the hammer 122 ft.. which is n promise of something like 130 ft. from him at (ho Australasian championships.

Jersey's early potato crop brings in about .£250,000 yc.-vrly. For Bronchial Coughs, take WooaV Great Peppermint Cure, U. 6d.«