FINE RUNNERS

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 13, 17 January 1922, Page 4

FINE RUNNERS

SPRINGBOKS IN ACTION

JOHNSTON'S FAST QUARTERMILE.

Four-forty yard* in 50 2-ssec was the remarkable achievement of R. Johnston, one of the South African athletes at the sports meeting held by the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club on the Basin Reserve last evening, and it gave nearly two thousand spectators assembled to witness the Springbok's first outing an excellent idea of the outstanding quality contained in the.strong combination which is about to tour the Dominion. The performance was more noteworthy by reason of the fact that this athlete, as well as his companions, ■who also created a favourable impression, has scarcely had time to regain his "land legs." Johnston was on the scratch mark in a field of thirteen runners, and he was giving away starts up to 25 yards. Over the first half of tie course he made little headway, but then he suddenly put on a great burst of speed, and, coming round the straight, worked his way through the field in great style, finishing strongly, he'won by about eight yards in the fast time mentioned, which has only once previously been beaten in New Zealand— by the American crack, G. Parker in 1914 (49 l-ssec). Johnston received a great ovation, renewed with added enthusiasm as he returned to the pavilion. J. K. Ayres-Ooßteriaak competed in the 100 yds event, and required to break even time to win. He finished second in his heat, and fourth in the final, both run in lOsec, and in each case he was only inches behind the winner. H. P. Kinsman and J-. W. Bukes appeared in the 220 yds event, and, running attractively, filled second and third places respectively. D. A. Leathern wag given a solid task in the mile handicap, and, although he completed the distance, filling .fourth place after slackening his, speed, it was apparent that he was not yet in proper condition for a solid-race over four laps.'' A special feature of the meeting was the relay race in which the visitors showed themselves to be misters in the art of taking off at the end of each distance. The race was over 440 yds, each member of the team running 110 yds. Apart from their fast sprinting, the Springboks (Kinsman, Bukes, I. G. Emery, manager, and Oosterlaak) by the faultless method of exchanging the stick, gained yards, and, filially, Oosterlaak ran home an" easy, winner from Wellington's fourth man. This performance, too, was greatly appreciated by the spectators. Prior to the start of the first event, the local competitors gave, three cheer* for the visitors. .

Among the Wellington athletes, J. M'Kinlay (75yds) was succesful in winning the mile, after leading for threeparts of the distance. Campbell (10yds) ran well into second place, and Griffen (25yds) was third. These, with Leathern, were the only competitors to finish. C.. F. Howe (10yds) showed up in the quarter-mile, running second to Johnston. , The samef competitor, off Byds, just managed to finish in front of the South Africans in the 220 yds handicap. The 100 yds . final provided a great finish, in which there was little difference between H. J. White (9yds), G. Anderson (4£yds), and, F. S. Hill (7yds).

The officials were: Starter, Mr. T. W. Leslie j judges, Messrs. C. E. Bridge. H. Paton, and S. Cox; stewards, Messrs. A. W. O. Travers, F. Hodgson, and B. A. Guise; marshal, Mr. J.. C. Cugack; clerk of course, Mr. J. Heenan; referee and handicapper, Mr. A. C. Kitto; marksmen, Messrs. J.. Sharpe and J. Lundon; time-keepers, Messrs. H. Whyte, W. H. Pollock, W.'Ballarityne, and D. C. Todd; hon. secretary, Mr. G. Brett. Those present included: —The Hon. J. G^. Coates (Minister of Public Works), the Hon. E. H. Clark, M.L.C.; Messrs. Bollard, K. S. Williams, T. E. Y. Seddon, and J. T. Horn (members of. Parliament); and Mr. A. T. Da vies, president of the N.Z.A.A.A. ' " Detailed results of events ;■ — 220 yds Handicap.—C. F. Howe (Byds), 1; H. P. Kinsman, South Africa (scr), 2; J. W. Bukes, South Africa (scr), 3. Also started: D. Paris (4yds) f H. Wilkins (7yds). A close finish. Time, 23aec. Boys' Race. —R. Kidd, 1; A. Ruscoe, 2; D. Corrie, 3. 100 yds Handicap.—First heat: F. S. Hill (7yds), 1; G. Anderson (4iyds). 2; J. Tunnington (6iyds), 3. Also «tarted: JL. A. Tracy (lyd), H. Wilkins (4syds} ( C. Thomas (Byds). Time, 10 1-Ssec. Second heat: H. J. White (9yds), 1; J. K. Ayres-Oosterlaak, South Africa (scr), and L. Richardson (4^,-yds), deadheat, 2. Also started: J. 0. Johnston (6iyds)l B. Barker (9yds). ' Time, lOsec. Both heats were won by inches. Final: H. J. White (9yds), 1; G. Anderson ! MAyds), 2; F. S. Hill (7yds), 3. Also started:, J. K. Ayres-Oosteriaak, South Africa (scr), J. Tunnington (6|yds), L. Richardson (45yds). Oosterlaak was close up fourth. Time, lOsec. One Mile Handicap.—J. F. M'Kinlaj (75yds), 1; C. Campbell (10yds),'2; K. Griffen (25yds). 3. Also started: D. A. Leathern, South Africa (scr), W. Melrose fWHs* H. M'Gorcnack (50yds), C. S. Fong'(ssyds), N. C. Craig (100 yds). Won by ten yards. The South African whs fourth. Time, 4min 32 l-ssec. Relay Race, 440 yds (teams of fonr. each man tq run 110yds).—South Africa (H. P. Kinsman, J. W. Bukes, I. G. Emery, J. K. Ayres-Oosterlaak), 1; Wellington (G. Anderson, L. Richardson, D. Paris, Xj. A. Tracy), 2. Won easily by six yards. Time, 44 3-Saec. 440 yds Handicap'.—R. Johnston, South Africa (scr), 1; C. F. Rowe (10yds), 2; H. J. White (25yds), 3. Also started: L. A. Tracy (2yds), D. Paris (syds), L. Richardson (12yds), J. C. Johnston (15yds), J. Tunnington (17yds), Vff Trower (18yds), C. B. Thomas (18jfds), H. Kent (20yds), L. G. Ward (25vds), B. Barker (25yds).. Won easily. Time, 50 2-ssec.

The Springboks leave for the South to-night, and compete at Dunedin on Saturday. An apology for absence from the civic reception yesterday was received from the Hon. E. P. Lee, Mjnister of Justice.