ATHLETICS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 117, 9 February 1924, Page 19

ATHLETICS

(By

“Miler”)

COMING EVENTS. To-day—Final day Australasian championships, Hobart. February 11 —Evening meeting, Athletic Park, Selwyn A.A.C. February 15- —New Zealand championships at Dunedin. February 18—Evening meeting, Basin Reserve, harrier clubs. The next big fixture will be the New Zealand amateur atheltic championships, to be decided at Dunedin next month, and preparations are now being made for the selection of the Wellington representatives. It has now been decided to hold the meeting on March Jo, a date which seems to be generally suitable. As the ne<t afternoon meeting under the auspices of the Wellington Centro has been fixed for February 23, and in view of the, fact that the performances put up on that day will carry a good deal of weight in deciding the Wellington representation at the New Zealand championships, the gathering should be an interesting one both from the point of' view of the spectator and the athlete. Furthermore, the New Zealand athletes at present in Australia should be back here on February 19, and, in all probability, ivill be seen in action. In tho meantime, the evening meetings are being followed keenly.

As handicapper (at Kclburn Park on Monday evening. Mr. A. C. Kitto produced some lively finishes. In the first heat of the 75 yards handicap, in which Leadbetter was scratched, McElwain ran extremely well from the six-yard mark, and was able to keep his distance from Malmanche (4 yards) in the final. In the second heat Jenkins made a great dash to get second after conceding B. A. H. Barker 9 yards, although he was not placed in the final, which was cut out in 7 4-ssec. No fewer than 34 competitors lined up to contest the 880 yards event, and it was decided to make two races. In the first, Melrose won by 2 yards from tho 12-yards mark, with Bowler (40 yards) a close second, and McCormick third, but in tho second race if H. Ware could not have won from the 95-yards line, he would be better away from the half-mile events. He won by about 10 yards, after ambling peacefully round. Fittis (60 yards) was second with about 15 yards separating him from L. Payne. The time in the first race was 2min. 2 l-10sec., and in the second race, Imin. 59Jsec., which signifies nothing, in view of .Ware s bi" handicap. To give the limit man, A? Hickling, 400 yards start in tho one and a half mile walk, S. G. Mclntosh, the brilliant ’Varsity walker, seemed to set himself, a hopeless task, but was able to finish first after a splendid walk, in which ho only raised tho hopes of his ba crackers when he turned the last lap from home. He won by about 10 yards, Lovatt and Lankshear racing neck and neck for second place. Lankshear arrived in the third place, but the judge (Mr. A. B. Sievwright) disqualified him for “breaking.” Tho time put up was llmin. 7sec. Miss S. Swinburne a conspicuous performer in the 75 yards (ladies’ race, and gave a very good sample of what she is capable over the shorter distance. From scratch she won from Miss E. Posselt (4yds.), Miss E. Porter (3yds.), finding third place. Miss M. Hayvice did not run her usual race. Four teams entered in the club relay race over four distances of 220 yards, and this was again annexed by ’Varsity, who were represented by Hill. E. B. Smith, McFarland, and Leadbcttor. Running for Wellington, D. Paris, who has been talking a compulsory spell on account of an injured knee, came out more as an experiment, as he did not intend to compete until next year. He lost no ground in his dash, but did not as he usually does, gain any.. At all i events, it is good to see him back again, and he may have something in the way of a surprise if he runs at the local meeting on February 23. A thrill ing final was witnessed between 'Leadbetter and the College champion, C. Jenkins. Leadbetter had the advantage with the baton, but Jenkins camo up well and threatened to displace him. He was only half a yard away when Leadbetter breasted the tape.

It seems a great pity that such a poor response should follow the circular sent out to the various athletic associations in the Dominion asking for financial assistance in connection with the New Zealand team competing in Australia. One would imagine that, occupying the high place in the world of sport that it does, scheming and worrying over finances when it is desirable to send a strong New Zealand team overseas, should not be necessary, yet the officials of the parent body and the local centre have been put to untold trouble in getting cur men away. It does seem certain that the finances of tho association need to be placed on a sounder footing, and it might even be desirable and effective to organise some big scheme for making a direct appeal to our numerous enthusiastic sportsmen. For, after all, all sports have much in common, and athletics have, no serious riyal in maintaining the physical v/ell-being of the nation. Meanwhile, the clubs could make a determined attempt to pay their overdue subscriptions, and the public could do its bit hy attending all the athletic meetings available. At Hobart to-day the New Zealanders should do well. Tracy and Scott will have the 220 yards and 440 yards respectively, but they will be up against some of the stiffest opposition they have been up against for some time. In view of the fact that both th© 880 yards and mile event will be put through to-day, R. A. Rose cannot win both, but if he reserves himself for the mile he might easily leave the Australian contestants behind. Munro should win th© javelin throw. As to McKenzie’s chances to mako himself an Australasian champion mile walker, he will do well, indeed, if he draws third place. It would occasion some reluctance to forecast that Mclntosh even would lie capable of winning the mile walk, had he made the trip.