HARRIER NOTES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 189, 8 May 1931, Page 14

HARRIER NOTES

Prospects for the Season

(By

“Whipper-in.”)

Judging by the increased membership in all the harrier clubs, and by the degree of keenness displayed, the season promises well. Some three hundred harriers now take part in runs each week. A pleasing feature of the harrier activities so far is the reappearance of “veteran” and seasoned runners, who, of course, lend valuable help to less experienced runners. Week night training by several. clubs, is being carried out. and co-operation of officials and active members is becoming more noticeable.

Women’s Branch. . There is every indication that the activities of women in the sport will not be extended further in Wellington. The only club in Wellington, or in New Zealand for that matter, is the Hutt Valley Ladies Club, which has been in existence some three or four seasons. Throughout the seasons, the women have had to be content with no outside competition, and despite this they have managed to retain their enthusiasm for the sport. . Taken moderately, it has been proved that running is not detrimental to women, and I would like to see other clubs formed bv the fair sex. The harrier sub-committee has never really interested itself in the welfare of the women’s club, whose members, despite this, are determined to establish a footing. The retirement of Mr. A. A. Nattrass, chairman of the harrier sub-conur.’ttee. at the close of last season was received with much regret. Mr. Nattrass was for years ait the head of the. affairs in Wellington. and represented this centre at the annual conference of New Zealand delegates. Mr. L. Bond has assumed the office vice Mr. Nattrass. Mr. Bond’s association with the sport extends over a number of years, and his inner knowledge ol affairs is bound to weld a close co-opera-tion between the clubs. Mr. G. Goodall was re-elected secretary.

Wellington's Oldest Harrier. The Olympic club now claims, to have the oldest active 7 harrier in Wellington—in fact, the claim may be pushed further afield. The club’s -veteran” is Mr. A. Driscoll, Southland champion away back in 1907. Mr. Driscoll after a few years of temporary retirement hasragain turned out, and it is his intention “to show the young fellows something.” Mr. J. Perstou, president of the Olympic club, who took up the sport in 1911. is still a handy man and keeps pace with the average runner. . The Wellington club’s secretary, E. Green; is seriously training this season. Practically ail the A grade runners of last year are again active this season. C. J. McCarthy, the youngest member of the Wellington provincial team, is now permanently residing in Wellingtoni A. L. Stevens and F. B. Silver are both out again for Scottish Harriers. Mr. L. A. Bond, accompanied by Messrs. J. Goodall and C. Willis, proceeded to Masterton last Saturday to attend the opening of the Wairarapa season. Each was impressed with the strides taken by the young centre, which will field an exceptionally strong B representative team this year. The first Marathon relay attempted since the war will probably take place on June 3, when the Hutt Valley club proposes to stage an event from Petone to Masterton. The arrangements so far are only tentative, but it is expected that the fixture will be made definite in the near future.

“Whipper-in” invites notes of interest from all the clubs. . . Publicity officers are requested to send reports (with notes appended) to “The Dominion” Office not later than 8 p.m. each Sunday. Short Sprints.

Mr. N. Craig, founder of the Hutt Valley club, has announced his retirement from the sport. The Auckland centre has decided that the New Zealand championships be held on August 29. A committee has been set up to make- the arrangements for the selection of a suitable course. The first run of the newly-formed Achilles Harrier Club (Auckland) was held last Saturday at Mount Albert Grammar School over a track of five miles. The event started with a field of between 20 and 30. The club was formed last week at the conclusion of the athletic season. Most of its members are university students, with the addition of several of the more prominent members of the Auckland Athletic Club. N. Cooper and Nicholson are from the Auckland club. C. Sceats, the New Zealand University blue, was the founder of the club and is its first captain.