Athletics. [By "Amateur."]

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 150, 21 December 1907, Page 18

Athletics. [By "Amateur."]

Guy Haskins will not, after all, bo available for the next Australian champiouhhip3. Writing from Philadelphia to a friend, ho slates that ho intends to stay in Ihe States, and has no intention of returning to New Zealand. He did not competo at tho American championships owing lo his having snapped a back tendon. As ho won tho Inter-Collegiato Milo in 4-min 20 2-sseo and the milo championship of Amorica was won in 4-miu 29sec, it appears as though his accj'lcnl robbed him of a certain victory in the big event. It is probable that the question of supremacy between Burk and Trembath will ba settled beforo tho New Zealand championships, as both have entered for an up-conntry meeting on New Year's Day. 'i'he Wellington Club's evening meeting on the 11th attracted a good attendance, but tho events, with the exception of Iho walk, being only open la club members, did not arouisn so much interest ao usual. J. Wilton v/oa the 120 yds Handicap cleverly coming right through his field at halfdistance. Ho appears to liavo retained his again this season. The nmncr-up, Turnbull, is a gamo little runner, who should ba heard of later on. Tho 100 yds Juuior Handicap was wou rather comfortably by j D. Brewer, who has a peculiar action, somewhat similar to that of L. A. Chapman, tho Civil Service sprinter. Murray showed surprising pace in this ovent. Lambert scored his second win of the boason by winning* the half-mile. The prinoi pal characteristic of Lambert's running is his great gam en ess, and one or two of our faster runners might take a lesson from him in this respect. Wilton kept up hia reputation as our most unlucky runner, by again ranching in second placo. Ho' has started four times this scaton, and secured three seconds and a third place. Tho most interesting feature of this race was tho struggle between \V. Gosling and Patrick. Considering his poor condition, Patrick ran a great race. Gosling appeared to bo stale, and it is evident Ih'at ho is doing too much hard work in training. The walk brought to light a vory promising young walker in P. Tracy. For a novico his stylo is very clean and surprisingly correct — much superior in theso respects to hi* elder brother's stylo. Ho should bo heard of again. Tho antics of Golds, \\ opdgcr, and Austin provided iho necessary spice of amusement for the crowd, Giolda decisively proving his right lo bo considered tho best sprinter of tho trio. After an absr-noo of nearly a year from thu Irack W. H. Pollock has gone into training again. It is nearly four yoars since wo saw Pollock at his best, and it is the hope of all athletic enthusiasts that he, will bo able to recover his best form — the form ho displayed at the New Zealand and the Australian Championships in January, 1904. At present ho is suffering from an attack of quinsy, but should bo quite well again by the New Year. JO. E. Fisher has sprained his ankle rather severely, aud will bo an absentee from tho track for a week or two. With tho championships only six weeks 'away this is unfortunate, not only for Fisher himself, but also for, tho centre, as, being 1 a big-framed man, and lather prone lo put on flesh, his preparation will be seriously interfered with, though it is hoped not to euch an extent that ho will be unable to do credit to himself at the big mealing. With an attendance of less than two hundred at the Pioneer Club' 6 meeting on Saturday last, athletics in Canterbury appear to havo rpaohed bod-rock level, as far as public interest is> concerned. Writing of that meeting and of Canterbury's championship prospects, "Vaulter" says: — "If tho attendance at the Pioneer Club's sports at Lancaster Park on Saturday may bo taken as iv any degree a criterion of public interost in Iho sport, then amateur athletics aro indeed in a bad way in Christchurch. However, I am not disposed to think that mailers are as bad as they would appear to be on the surface. In ] the first place, the date was unsuitable, with such a strong counter attraction as tho cricket match at Hagley Park; and in Iho second place very little- publicity had been given lo Iho meeting, so that it was not surprising that Ine attendance was scanty, bcimj confined to tho immediato friends of those taking part. Under tho circumstances it was only to be expected that thcro would bo a lack of enthusiasm, and though there wrro somo jntcrcfclingunishes, there was ho risk of one being deafened by the cheering of tho spectaiois. Judging by the form shown throughout thb afternoon, there will need to bo a vast improvement shown before Canterbury can have any possible chance of oven making a decent light with Wellington for the Champion Shipld, which the Empire City team won in February laof. Of tho compotitors who took part in Saturday's meeting H. A. Murmy and P. 11. Stiibbrrfiold wero pel haps the only two with a reasonable claim for championship honour.". Tho formpr was obviously not really fit, and was, I think, unwiso in competing under the circumstances, whilo, although Stubberfield won the Two-mile Walk, his lime was much below what he is capablo of doing. Two inilop in 16min 12sco would not win many championships. It must bn admitted, as far as Murray was concerned, that ho was sot a very stiff contract in his first race, the Half-mile Handicap, for I tho winner wns in recejpt of 65 yard?, and lan tho didtanco in 2min."

Miss Lena Ashwell opened her ae-.v theatre, thu .Kingsway, in London, in October, says the Era. The style of' tho decorations is Louis XVI., and tho impression cieated is that of artistic simplicity, the prevailing tones bciiig cream and lerru-cotta. The handsome central hall is approached by a flight ot whito marble steps, and everything his been done in detail that can add to the comfort and convenience of Mifis Ashwcll's audiences. Tho seating will accommodate 600. The lighting is by four electric lamps, their rays softened by ground glass. Jilvery seal in the auditorium is numbered and reserved, and may bo booked. The stage is flat, a distinct slope being given to the (loor ol the auditorium.