HARRIER SEASON

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 178, 16 April 1923, Page 5

HARRIER SEASON

OFFICIAL OPENING BIG FIELD ENJOY GOOD RUN

The harriers’ season was officially opened at Lyall Bav on Saturday in the presence of a large gathering of harrier supporters and. the general public Mr. W, H. Bennett, a keen supporter of cross-country running, addressed the assemblage, and afterwards formally introduced His Worship the Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright). - Mr. Wright, in the course of his remarks, stressed ’ the value of harrier, running as a recreation for tie young manhood of the citv, and assured those present of the whole-hearted support of the City Council in any matter in which they could ba of assistance. He then delcared the season opened and despatched the runners, some 140 in number, on their journey. Owing to the unwieldly nature of the pack, comparatively open nround was followed throughout, the course laying along the beach hi an easterly direction to the fishermen’s huts, and thence along the road, skirting the golf links to the golf house, where a turn was made directly through to Freiberg Street. A scratch run-in was held over the last 600 yards, the field being despatched by Mr. J. O’Sullivan, official starter for the Wellington A.A.A. The field was soon well spread, the lead being taken early by Davies Rowe and Watson. After an exciting and close contest, C. Rowe (Scottish), eventuallv ran out a winner by about four yards from G. W. Davies (Olympic), who was a yard in front of Watson, with Wilson close up. The result was as follows: —C. Rowe (Scottish). 1: G. W. Davies (Olympic) 2; W. Watson (Wellington), 3; T. Wilson (Olympic), 4. Rowe was runner-up in the quarter-mile and half-mile events at the recent New Zealand championship meeting, and is well known to the Wellington pubke. Davies, who finished second, ran extremely well, and is to be congratulated on his showing against such a doughty opponent. Watson is a young runner, who should make a name for himself during the coming season.

Five clubs took part in the proceedings, namely, Olympic. Brooklyn, Wellington, Hutt Valley, and Scottish. This was the first official run of the newly-formed Hutt Valiev Chib. The run was ably conducted by N. W. Craig (Hutt Valley), as captain, with N. R. Smellie, as whipper-in, pacemakers being provided by the Wellington and Olympic Clubs. Wellington and Scottish laying the trail.