AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 56, 8 March 1915, Page 2

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

(By " Sprinter.")

Otago will be represented as follows at Saturday's meeting at the Basin Reserve :—Perkins, 100 yds, 220 yds ; Austin, broad jump; Burrow, 120 yds and 440 yds hurdles; Kirk, high jump; Beatson, one mile and three mile flat; Crump, half and mile flat; Boyne (hammer throwing). Perkins has at times shown form which encouraged the Otago Centre to think they had at last succeeded iri unearthing a sprint champion; for although that province has from time to time produced first-class long-distance men, middle-distance runners like Hector Burk and champions in the field events, the writer cannot call to mind one really great sprinter. However, if Perkins has got over the nervousness he displayed at the start at the last championship meeting, ho may be able to bear out his supporters' claims and defeat the speedy Wanganui runner—Martiss. Probably Perkins will do himself more justice at the coming meeting in the genial Dome's hands. A very popular runner is Beatson. He has over and over again demonstrated his doggedness and brains in the three-mile, and in the absence of Hudson should prove very hard to beat on Saturday. After the last championship meeting in Melbourne the recent American visitors were enthusiastic in praise of the heady race run by Jimmie Beatson in the three-mile which he won at that meeting. In the opinion of Messrs. Peixotto and company the success of the OLago man was due to the tactics used by him in thatsrace, Buchan, who won the milk walk so sensationally at Dunedin last February, will not be a competitor. Buchan is a sturdy Walker, but is Very short in stature, so that it became very difficult to judge his style, and thet'e was, in consequence, a difference of opinion. The judges, however, passed Buchan, and it is a pity he will not be here on Saturday to add interest to the mile event for the heel and toe brigadei Millard, the University broad jump champion and ex-Otago representative, will this year represent Wellington Province. Millard is capable of something in the neighbourhood of 22ft, and his presence will add interest to the popular field event. Entries are now practically complete, and it is certain that notwithstanding the absence of so many athletes 1 at the war good fields and close competition will be the order of the da.y. In' the walks, however, there are not likely to be more than two competitors, and Wellington will apparently have the events to itself. It will be interesting to note the' improvement in A. B. Sievwright, the local repiesentative. In the writer's recollection this walker's style has never been questioned, and he has on many occasions when well beaten been heartily cheered by the crowd for his exhibition. On his Masterton form the College representative should win. Wellington citizens would do well to ponder- over the fact that so fai", although they have loyally supported every fund in connection with the war, they have done nothing towards providing a fund for their own injured soldiers and their dependents. In Canada one province raised £400,000 and atiother £200,000 for this object, while in another place every man volunteering was insured for £200. Saturday will supply all an opportunity to give the local fund a good start. The net proceeds are being given to the fund, and every effort is being made to keep down expenses in order that the greatest possible amount may be secured. The Southland team will arrive on Friday morning and will, be quartered at Barrett's Hotel while in the city. Tho Wellington visitors will likewise stay there. Speaking of Southland, two members of that team will have a very full day on Saturday. Both Hazlett and Robertson have entered for no fewer than six events, and it should go hard with them if they do not manage to secure one championship among the lot. Both are keen enthusiasts and deserve to win. At tho same time it is a hard day's work and stands- in contrast to the performances of some more exotic athletes who consider one event in a day sufficient. M'Holm, the Australasian hammer champion, has been getting in some practice, and is anxious to test his strength at that exercise on the day. If sufficient competitors come forward an event will be arranged in order to give the public an opportunity of becoming more acquainted with this ancient form of atheJtic exercise.

CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING THE OTAGO TEAM.