AMATEUR ATHLETICS. AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS. COMPETITORS' TRACK WORK.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 150, 22 December 1911, Page 8

AMATEUR ATHLETICS. AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS. COMPETITORS' TRACK WORK.

Uniformed in the light blue of New South Wales, the maroon of Queensland, tHe myrtle green of Tasmania, the dark blue ot Victoria, and the sombre black of New Zealand, ,the majority of the atliletes taking part in the Australasian championships next week were seen in action at the Basin Reserve this morning. There was a very fair' muster of the public, and great interest was taken in the various training tasks. J. H^. Troup, A. D. Elite, W. Murray, Jas. and John Brake, and L. R. Walker: arrived by the 'Ulimaroa this morning, and completed the Victorian team,, and by the same vessel the little band of Tasmanians — E. A. Brookes, W. Ellis, J. Gourlay, and F. Hart — also arrived. _ Not' being hampered b^r bad weather 'on the trip the new arrivals all landed in fine fettle, and they were the first to put in an appearance at the Reserve. , - . Renwick, of Queensland, and Troup and Burton, of Victoria, all of whom are said to be capable of fully extending Opie in the 100 yds championship, indulged in short sprints, Burton's display being the mc«t impressive. Redmond, of "New South Wake, whose' action is reminiscent of the famous Duffy, also appeared to be very fit. Among the" visitors the general impression -is that the finest contest of the meeting" will be in the 100 yds race. v All the walkers, Murray (Victoria), Harley (New South Walee), Ellis (Tasmania), and Kerr (New Zealand); were out. It was Kerr's first appearance on the track this season, but he reeled off one and three-quarter miles. in good style. Harley appears to be his most dangerous opponent. . Murray and Ellisy however, are well in the champion class, and the walks should be by no means the least interesting of the events. The Tasmanians favour Ellis's chance more in the three miles than in the mile; And Murray is also expected to show hie ' best form over th« longer distance. • . • Some time was spent by ' Lane and Southie, of New South Wales, in broad jumping. Without a board Lane jumped 22ft, 22ft lin, and 22ft 31n," and Southie made one jump of 22ft. ,-; The high jump appears to be a sure thing for Victoria, Russell and Kelly both being credited with jumps of 6ft. This morning Kelly, -who takes a perfectly straight run, cleared sft lOin with ease, there being two clear ' inches between his body and the bar. The pole jumping was poor, neither Brake nor Walker, who is far from .well, clearing 10ft. 6 Walker and Lane weht over a few flights of hurdles, and showed good pace. It has not yet been definitely decided for which events Lane will be reserved. According to the manager of the team, Mr. P*rke, he cannot jump well after hurdling, and as the "broad jump follows the 440 hurdles on, the second day, the manager is in rathei 1 a , quandary. The New South Wales man may not I be seen, at hi« best in putting the shot owing to a. strained shoulder. This event and throwing the hammer, however, appear to be at the mercy of M'Grath, the burly Queehslander, who, in a practice throw yesterday, threw 130 ft, as against a throw by Bissett, New Zealand's hope, of 123 ft. Reid and Hubbard, with Kerr, were the only New Zealanders training, several of the team not having arrived yet. The Tasmanians are quartered at Thomleigh, in Boulcott-street, the Queenslandere and Victorians at Ennis Court House, Boulcott-street, and the New South Welshmen at Donbank, Wellington-terrace. They are to be accorded a civic welcome at the -Town Hall at 5 o'clock this afternoon. Afterwards fche-y will attend the evening sporte meeting at the the majority of them competing in the various events. No advice has been received as to whether J. L. Davis, the brilliant Victorian hurdler is on the boat due at Auckland on Sunday, and the general impression now is that he will not be a competitor. Arrangements for the meeting are now well forward, and given -fine weather its success seems assured. The tracks are being gradually worked into shape, and by Tuesday should be as good as ■ it is possible for them to be.