HARRIERS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 224, 9 June 1923, Page 19

HARRIERS

(By

“Obstacle.”)

To-day’s events: —Scottish Club, at Miramar School, three miles, »ealed; Olympic Club, at Karori; Wellington Club, at Seatoun ; Hutt Club, at Petone Recreation, three miles, sealed; Brooklyn Club, at Miramar. CHAMPIONSHIPS. The Australasian championships having been set down for decision on August 25, it was felt among local harriers that the antes of the N.Z. C;C. championship and the Wellington provincial championship would depend upon whether New Zealand was to bo represented or otherwise in the Australasian event. As however, there are a number of at present indefinite factors governing the possibility of New Zealand representation, the Now Zealand Council has given the lead and stated definitely that the Now Zealand championship is to be decided not later than August 4, this being the latest date which will permit of the New Zealand team (should it go to Sydney) participating in the New South Wales C.C. championship on August 18 and the Australasian event on August 25. Assuming that the New Zealand championship is decided on August 4. the provincial event will probably be held on July 28. This means that at latest we have only seven weeks in which to prepare for the latter event, so that barriers with prospects of inclusion in championship teams will need to settle down to training in real earnest. Up to the present no applications have been received for the New Zealand championship event. In consequence the New Zealand Council has circularised the various centres calling for applications and also for nominations for the New Zealand team for Australia, both to reach the. council not later than June 19, to which date the recent meeting of the council has been adjourned. As the ballot on the question of reducing the numbers comprising a team in the Australasian event closes in Sydney to-day, the New Zealand Council when it assembles will have a more definite idea of what it is faced with in attempting to send a team to Australia, namely, whether it is to comprise five men or seven. N.Z. COUNCIL’S PROBLEM. The magnitude of the problem which faces the New Zealand Council may be gauged from the fact that to finance a team to Sydney for the period necessary would cost, under usual conditions, about £4O per man, making a total of £2OO to £2BO, according to the result of the mail vote. It is, of course, out of ‘the question to expect the council to provide this sum, or anything approximating it. It is possible, however, that with assistance from the centres, the harriers themselves, and enthusiasts in Sydney, the obstacle will not prove insurmountable. One of the biggest items of expense is that of accommodation. -. . T During the recent visit to New Zealand of Mr. R. Coombes the question was put to him as to whether it would bo possible to have a New Zealand team billeted, should it make the trip. Mr. Coombes, in reply, stated that he considered it possible, and offered to lend every assistance; he also submitted the names of enthusiasts in Sydney whom he thought might help. These gentlemen have been communicated with, and if their replies are favourable one of the greatest difficulties in the way of a team piaking the trip will have been removed. A suggestion has been put forward that rather than see the trip fall through, harriers comprising the team would be prepared to travel second-class, but whether such a condition would be asked of them depends on the financial support received, and also the attitude of the New Zealand Council to such a proposal. It is to be hoped, however t that the following measures will suffice to provide a fund largo enough to finance tho team to and from Sydney in a manner befitting the dignity and standing of amateur athletics in New Zealand. , , _ First of all the New Zealand Council has circularised the various centres, asking.for financial support for the venture. This will no doubt, be passed on to the harriers at centres where harrier clubs exist, with a request that they make a special effort to raise funds “off their own bat”, in order to augment whatever donation the particular centre may sea fit to contribute. In centres where harrier clubs do not exist, it is hoped that a broad view of the matter will be taken by the controlling bodies, and that they will help‘a* their means permit. . In the past, insufficient attention has been paid to making. the provincial and New Zealand championship events revenue producing. It is to be hoped that whatever centre handles the latter event will stage it in a manner to attract the public; an appeal could then be made for funds to finance the Australian trip, and would no doubt meet with a ready response from the public present. As far as the Wellington province is concerned, the matter is already in hand. The recent Robin Hood chase having netted £l6. Every effort is being made to make the provincial championship attractivefirst by. staging it in an easily accessible position: secondly, by making the course two laps; and thirdly, by laying out the course in such a manner as to provide the public with a view of practically the whole of the race. Other measures are to be taken to advertise the event and attract the public, and it is hoped to net a substantial sum. Individual clubs, as well as tho harrier sub-committee intend to help to raise funds by means of danrfb, etc., and in this connection the Masterton harriers are giving a lead, arrangements already being in hand for the holding of a concert in tho Masterton Opera House in July. There is little doubt that, with all pulling together for a common end, a sufficient sum will be provided to finance the team to and from Sydney; the question then apparently turns on billeting, to a satisfactory solution of which the writer looks forward with confidence. PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE. A slight modification has been made in the 2J mile course laid down for the provincial championships, the Starting point having been altered to the large paddock to the cast of Prince’s Street, thus guarding against the possibility of jamming. The course has been accurately surveyed, and is within a few yards of the iexact 2) miles. SCOTTISH CLUB. The Scottish Club is holding a three mile sealed handicap at Miramar today. Club members are asked to note that the start will be from the school, the point of assembly being at the junction of Miramar and Seatoun tram lines.

OLYMPIC CLUB. The Olympic Club took part last Saturday in the man hunt at the Bay, with the result that thia week there is very little to record outside a preliminarv announcement of the Byrne Memorial Race, over a course ot five miles, which will this year he run at Seatoun <:n the 16th. This is one of ths most important races of the year, but I must reserve further comment upon it till next week.