VARSITY SPORTS TO-MORROW

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 149, 20 March 1931, Page 7

VARSITY SPORTS TO-MORROW

Newtown Park Gathering

LAST SATURDAY’S ATHLETICS

(By

“Hurdler.”)

Coming Events. March 21 (to-morrow)— University interfaculty sports, Newtown Park. March 28—Dewar Shield meeting, Athletic Park. Easter Monday—Sports at Motueka. Motueka Meeting. ( , The Motueka Amateur Athletic Club has prepared a fine programme for its Easter meeting. The popularity of- this outing is manifested by the number of Wellington athletes who are availing themselves of the invitation to compete. The list to date includes M. Gane, G. Clark, and A. Me.xted (cyclists); C. Clark, J. Jarvis, F. Brady, and F. Jones (field events); L. Jenkins, J. F. Fleming, M. Furlong, W. Ogg, E. Edwards, C. M. Brown, B. Fisher, W. Sutherland, and V. Klee (sprinters and distance events); and Misses 0. Millar, E. Blathewick, K. Rutland, E. Sharp, G. Edwards, S. Corbett, M. Deslandes, and O. Rawer (womens events). Frank Brady is to make a.n attempt on the New Zealand pole vault record, and judging by his efforts in training, there is every chance of him succeeding. The team will leave by the Matangi on April 2. Last Saturday’s Meeting. The final Wellington appearance of the American athletes took place at Athletic Park last Saturday. From an athletic point of view the gathering was a great success, but financially it fell far below expectations. Numerous counter-attrac-tions greatly affected the attendance, and the action of the New Zealand Council in forcing this date on the Wellington Centre is going to make it hard to make ends meet when the final settlement takes place. Originally the date was fixed for March 21, and this day was free from opposition, but the New Zealand Council, to meet the wishes of the Japanese Government, made an alteration to March 14. The centre concentrated on booming up the one mile scratch race as the star event of the meeting, and great disappointment was felt when it was announced that New Zealand Champion Gordon Bayne would not be a starter His action is hard to understand. Randolph Rose, however, rose to the occasion, and gave the 3000 spectators all the thrills needed to recompense them for Bayne’s action. George Simpson won his three sprint events, showing good form, but the times were nothing exceptional, considering the splendid conditions prevailing. Harlow Tlothert was at bis best in the field events, and his effort in the shot-putting event was the best on the tour. The handicap events drew record entries, and this fact alone made it hard for the scratch mon in the distance events. The starts in these races were beyong the capabilities of our champions, ns the times. 19 1-ssec.. and 49 2-ssec. for the quarter, Inun. 55 l-ssec. for the half-mile, and 4 min. 19 3-ssec. for the mile, indicate. Some comment was expressed at the manner in which the field events were ignored, held as they were while other events were in progress. The programme was drawn up with a different idea, but the marksmen in their keenness rnther rushed things, and it was found at one stage of the meeting that the events were twenty minutes ahead of time. C. Pierson was sent up by the Invercargill club for a try-out against George Simpson. He ran exceedingly well, was not disgraced, and is very little behind C. Jenkins in merit.

Here and There. L. A. Tracy, secretary of the N.Z. A.A.A., is now a proud father. A sprinter arrived last week. Charlie Jenkins created a great impression by his fine sprinting at Motueka Inst week. The Nelson club was well represented

at the Motueka sports, and it looks as if this club is now on its feet again. _ Milton Gane was a trier every time in his races over the Strait, but the handicaps were beyond him. The one mile race at Motueka was expected to be the best race of the day. but according to information received it was the worst—a positive farce—and was won in 4min. 27sec. by a boy oft ID yards. Kiser and Bayne just trotted round the track together in real friendly spirit, and as in Continental cycling style, made the race only over the lust 70 yards. Kiser beating Bayne by inches in 4min. 3(sec. Public and officials were more than disgusted. In fact, looking at it in that light, the visit should do more harm than good to the club. . E. V. Wills, of the Kiwi club, who ran so well here early in the season, is again in earnest training, and will be competing at Motueka at Easter. Jim Parker, the All Black of 1924 fame, is seeking reinstatement as an amateur athlete. He is the mainstay of the Motueka club, and would prove an acquisition to the sport. ■ The inter-faculty sports of Victoria University College will be. held at New. town Park to-morrow, beginning at 2.30 p.m. The open events have been abandoned. , , . ~ Once again the grand parade of athletes was a great success last Saturday. The Kiwi club are to be congratulated on their fine showing. The Wellington Amateur Athletic Club will hold a picnic on March 29 at Pukerua Bay. All supporters are extended a cordial invitation to join in the outing. The Dewar Shield meeting will take place at. Athletic Park on Saturday. March 28. Entries close to-day. Besides the scratch club races, a number of handicap races have been included on the programme.