On the Track

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 126, 24 November 1923, Page 18

On the Track

SCORE 'AND COUNIRYj

OLYMPIC AND EMPIRE GAMES

CWJB OOiIPBTOTOJf COMMENCE ,W.- ; , JTEHJ SATURDAY.; " '

COMING EVENTS. November JB—Evening Meeting (Selwyn Club), • Xelburn Park. December I—Afternoon Meeting (^tUtngtoa Centre), AthletW?»rk. December $-Evefltag Jleetlng (Untt yalley Club), Basin Beserve. December 10—Evenings Meeting (Old Boyi' ■ Club), Athletic Park?

(By " Spboitbi/ 1)

The New Zealand Counoil'e record of the past season's doings, and the Kferences to other matteirs," inaka up ona of the most satisfactory reports that has been: presented.in connection with amateur athletics ":fn New Zealand. There is., ho doubt, that the sporft has been placed on a higher level than previously, the advance having:been due in no small measure to the aotion'of the council, supported by most of the affiliated bodies, .in arranging for the visit of the Americans . and ■the.. Australian star sprinter..' The council has a bright and ; cheerful, outlook this season, although ■there • will-be no, gatherings of. such, importance as- those in which the overseas athletes figured last season. There is this- about the season now under way: It precedes the world's greatest gathering. The amateur athletio side of New Zealand sport has Been represented at the- Olympic Games in the past, and it is to be ■.hoped that this season's activities •will ..enable the council to arrange with the Olympic- Council for the despatch of some of New Zealand's athleteE to the .Games as, well as to the big Empire gathering. There have been suggestions that-there are scarcely any athletes who ar-e sufficiently,good to take a place with the world's best. The season is young, and ere long there may come to light some athletes who will rise to great heights. That, however, is not the only question to be considered with regard to representation -at the Olympic Games. As previously pointed out by the writer, it is not for the prize alone that New Zealand should send representatives forward to such an important gathering. Win or lose, much good is to be achieved; and the sport alone is not the only beneficiary. It is. for the ■ country^ good. All connected with, amateur athletics should put their best foot forward in the endeavour to raise a fund large enough to send a strong New Zealand party to the Olympio and Empire Games. - ■ ■

During the few weeks once the etarfc of; the season there have been many evi"denoes of an even brighter future for amateur athletics in New Zealand. Enthusiasm and activity are being shown in many, centres, one of tne special features being £he inorease in the 1 ranks of ata-. letes. In-Wellington the success of the evening meetings has furnished proof of a continuance of the march of progress, while the light on the future has brightened considerably by .the excellence of the sportg gatherings in 'which the- colleges and schools have been concerned. The sport is; a popular one from the public point of view, and the start which is to be made next Saturday -with the.-aeries of afternoon meetings will be w-sjcosaed... The,, -usual attractive and well-varied programme has been drawn upi and there is ao doubt that exceedingly, good entries •will be received, as eagerness on-the part of the local athletes, of -whom there are many more this season than last, to enter into the more important contests, has been very apparent, not only in the'attention which is being given to training, but also in the interest which has been shown in the . evening meetings. Tha sports meeting nex<; Saturday will serve to set, in mo-tion.-the chab. championship competition, ah innovation that should" lend .additional ' interest to the sport this feaepn. At-' tached to; the competition is the - JohnDewar, Imperial, Challenge Shield, pres^nted^.bjy."Messrs.' J r phn..JDewar and Son. Rules have now been definitely decided upon by'^ehe Wellington Centre, For all: events in."which 'competitors number twenty or more, the points to be scored by the winning competitor for his club shall. be i— Ist, 8 points; 2nd, 4 points; 3rd, .3 points: .For events in which the number, ' of: competitors' exceeds twelve, but,does not'exceed* nineteen, the following points shalicount: Ist, 6 points; 2nd; 3,points'; 3rd, 2,' points.' For events in which the number of competitors does not exceed twelve the following points shall count: Ist, "4 points; 2nd, 2 points; 3rd, 1 point. In the event of any competitor equalling, or exceeding, a standard of : the centre, he shall score five points, in addition to the points already set 0ut..,1f any competitor equals or beats' an existing; New Zealand^ record, ten points shall be scored by him, irrespective'of where the competitor finishes in'the event. The trophies to be awarded; winners of events shall be as the centre' may. direct, and the centre shall have power'to award heat, prizes. The entrance fees for any one event shall not exceed one shilling. Cycling events and ]ad.^s>':.events- :shall...not count for the competition.' In the event of a competitor from,!a L club outside the City of Wellington or Hut* Valley winning an event under these rules, the competitor finishing; second! or.' third : shall only score, the poiiits for jhe position so.gained. -- •'■' ■ ' ' :' . ■

AUSTRALASIAN- CHAHtfPIONSHTPS.

Reference', is, made in fee' annual report of the New Zealand Council, to the next Australasian championships, but it is. not of a tone that is likely to give,.pleasure and encouragement to the Dominion's, athletes who are striving for: high.honours this season, nor is it very, satisfactory to those whose enthusiasm for the sport is shown in other directions. The report states: ."These championships are to be held at Hobart early in February next, and the question a 8 to whether this Dominion is to be represented will have to be decided at an early date. Owing to the big expense involved and the time required to.make the trip, the sending of an adequate team necessary to have a chance of capturing the 'ashes' is very remote. We should, if possible, be strongly represented at the Board of Control meeting, which is to be held at the same period,'so as to uphold and further the interests of this country and the sport as a whole." The advisability of adopting the course suggested in regard to representation at the Board of Control meeting will be generally recognised, but that the sending of an adequate team is very remote is not at all a satisfactory state of affairs. It was possible, though certainly _by special effort, to send a "team of six, an emergency, and a manager to the Australasian crosscountry championships in August, and it should be possible for a much larger team of athletes to be sent to the amateur athletic championships, in which New Zealand, judging by the performances, ; at recent meetings in Australia,' has; a ■ bright , prospect of gaining the highest aggregate/of points..

,The. New .Zealand Council expresses ihe. hope, that :afc" o the next "Australasian cross-country, championship, to be -contested.'in,' New •Zealand-, in -1925, the Dominion will be represented by a corn-

bination that ■will secure the ooveted honour*. There should be a hope also that New Zealand will have a strong team at the field and track championships. If centres put their shoulders to the wheel the necessary finance could no doubt be obtained. An early move should be made. Perhaps the New Zealand A. A. Association will give a lead at its annual meeting on Monday evening.

RECORDS.

Fine performances registered in the Dominion are referred to in the annual report of the N.Z.A.A.A. Council, but they do not include the record established by H. E. Wilson when competing with Q, G. Krogness at Athletic Park on the 6th January—lssec for the 120 yds hurdles. That fine effort, and the recent decision of the otuncil in not recognising it as a record hay« been dealt with in 'iXie Post,'" and the announcement has been made that Wilson intends to take the field again this season, id an endeavour to repeat the performance. It has taken the council a long tima to deal with the application on behalf of Wilson, and the reason that the necessary papers were not received in the specified time is not altogether satisfactory when [t is given eight or nine months after the date of the application. If the matter was not in order after the aspiry of thirty days the council should have then, given its decision. It is understood ly -"Sprinter"that the matter is being taken up by the local centre, and it is to be hoped that the council will give the. ohampion hurdler the honour which he well deserves.

Lajt'season's performances pawed a« .New Zealand, record* include the following (states the report): Throwing the Hammer, J. W. Merchant (U.8.A.), 169 ft 9jm, at Wellington, on 24th February. 220 Yards Plat, M. M. Kirksey (U.S.A.), 21 4-ssec (equalling the previous record), at Wellington, 24th February. Broad Jump: J. W. Merchant (U.S.A.), 23ft 3iin, at Auckland, 3rd February I (not yet passed). "Application has been made to Australia to have the Hammer and 220 Yards Flat performances registered as Australasian records. The discus throw by P. Munro, at Wellington, on 24th February (127 ft 3in), should have figured as an Australasian record, but as no application was made for a New Zealand record it could not be consid-' last season W. W. Carr! (N.S.W.) equalled the 100 yards flat Australasian record, at Sydney, this being the first occasion, in which the distance has been run in 9 4-6 sec on Australian soil. We congratulate him on his fine performance." - ■.. ■' NOTES. '*$& '■ The evening meeting at Selbura Park on Monday next v, toise under the management of the Selwyn Glub, which, al™°"8?/ ?i»ly recently formed, indicates ;ai iwi? m? to *• 8 verylive wire in local athletics. The meeting should attraofc a good deal of interest, as it will give the competitors for next Saturday s afternoon meeting a final tryout. ' — ■ J

"Quite a number of old councillors are not seeking re-election," states the annaaT report of the New Zealand Coun§L, S^iP f em n Messrs. M. Burnett, B. A. Guise, and J. W. Heenan. These gentlemen have all rendered yeoman service to the sport for many years paßt ?n d the council sincerely regrets parting with their valuable services. The new council will consist of about two-thirds new members, but as most of them have had previous experience on clubs and centres they should be of valuable help in carrying on the good work of their predecessors " Xh 6 necessity for reprinting the handbook has been apparent for a long time past, and the council is now in a posit^ a t°, have thi* accomplished. A considerable amount of work has been necessary to incorporate the amendment* made from time to time, and also the adjustments necessary to bring us in line with the latest rules of the Intel-national Amateur Athletic Federation. It has however, been found necessary in a few instances to make modifications to suit local conditions. A new set of cycle rules are now in course of preparation, and will Jj 6 added, as an appendix to the traok and field events. The Wellington Publio Schools' A A Association is to hold its annual meetlofu^ 6 I 8 ReserVe on Wednesday, l<ftn December.. Life-members are wanted. Here is a chance to help the nursery. At the annual meeting of the Paraparaumu A.A. Sports Club eulogistic reference was made to the services renderr ?/ *£*• J.- Q'Sullivan, hon. secretary of the Wellington centre, and he was appointed the club's delegate to the centre. , They are looking forward, to a good season out at Paraparaumu, and hope, to have a good day on Ist JanuThe Waikanae A.A. Club is starting its activities for the season.- It intends to hold its annual sports meeting on Boxing Day, and the centre has given the necessary permission. A request has been made to the centre to put on a sports meeting duTine Carnival Week (19th to 26th January). Furtner information is being obtained before the centre gives its reply a*EK- nßwly-formed Napier "Amateur Athletio Club will be applying to the centre for formal registration shortly. Mr. Dunn's spade work has had good results. If a meeting is held at Napier dunng the holidays the Hawkes Bay public will have a, chance of seeing L. A. Tracy. Another attraction would be the appearance of the Hawaiian sprint champion who is now residing in Hawkes Bay.

Two recent mile performances were: Nurmi (Finnish athlete), 4min lo 2-ssec; Brink (South Africa), 4min 10 l-ssec. Commenting on those records, the Christchurch "Star" says:—The lowering of the record by over two seconds by two amateurs in different parts of the world, and with only a fortnight between the two performances, is an indication that further reductions can be expected. The limit had not been reached by any means. One of these days a human running machine, built on more robust lines than that marvel L. E. Myers, and trained to run according to schedule, will astonish the athletic world by covering the mile in four minuteß flat. Myers was a small man, standing about sft 7in and weighing a little over.Bst. At that he was all legs and no body. .His legs were shapely and powerfully muscled and his body and arms were almost frail He was narrow and stoop-shouldered. His stride was the poetry of motion and never, even in the finish of his hardest races, did he betray any effort. He ran all distances from 60 yards up to a mile, won numerous American championships, and made a number of,records some of which stood for twenty-five years He never trained strictly, and when once asked why he did not do so, and put up world s records for the longer distances, he replied; "Why, I've got enough already, haven't I? I don't want all the pie myself. Besides, it's too much work This astonishing "athlete died oni 15th February, 1899, of heart failure, iollowing an attack of pneumonia At the Police Depot Ground! Redfern, Sydney, George R. Parker won a ♦if v handicap from scratch, and the champion is beginning to strike form. At the same ground W. F. Payne, also of the Police Club, showed good form —he putt the 161b shot 38ft Bin, and threw the discus 116 ft 9in. The only other happening of especial.moment was a head-hat between three runners (Keith [Rowling, R. E. White, and T. H. Ferguson) in the flnul of the South' Sydney's 1440 yards scratch race,