ATHLETICS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 152, 24 December 1926, Page 20

ATHLETICS

BT '•PIIIMHII. 1

GOOD RESULTS

EVENING SPORTS MEETINGS

ACTIVITIES IN OTHEE CENTBEB.

(By "Sprinter.")!

Coming Events. December 27—Sports at Petone. January I—Sports at Lower Hutt. January I—Country Clubs Championships, Dan-

novirke. January I—Sports at Paraparaumu. January B—Night.Meeting, Basin Reserve. January 2&-Wellington Provincial Championships. Athletic Park. February 10 and 12—New Zealand Championships, Auckland-

The persistent efforts of the Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association to have electric lights sports meetings in Wellington are being justly rewarded. The two gatherings under the big lights on the Basin Eeserve have been noteworthy in many ways, particularly in regard to the big crowds they have attracted. The first meeting drew an attendance of about 4000, and its success and the thrilling contests provided, no doubt served an a big advertisement. It was very gratifying to see a crowd of between 5000 and 6000 at last Saturday's meeting, and the increase in the attendance gives an indication that these meetings are going to add to the popularity of a sport which of recent years has made much headway. The installation oil the lighting system was an expensive job, but the Wellington Centre should soon be adding to its coffers. The meetings are popular with athletes, and, judging from the number of competitors, they offer much inducement to young runners and cyclists. At both meetings the fields in all events have been good, and there has been no lack of competition. On each occasion the centre has drawn up a nicely balanced programme, with just sufficient variety in the events, and a novel race to round off the evening's sport Rose's Tine Performance,

Tov his long list of many fine achievements Randolph' Rose added another sterling performance at the meeting on Saturday. It was the champion's first appearance locally since his return from his English and Continental tour, and those who saw him win the two miles handicap left the ground feeling that the experience he gained abroad is going to stand him in good stead. The first mile in 4min 35aoc and the full distance in 9min 35 l-ssec was a great effort. The champion had not had an opportunity to get down to solid work, but nevertheless he gave proof of his quality when he bounded away over the last 250 yards and won easily after a magnificent sprint/ up the straight. The two young runners who followed tho champion. Whelan and Burns, ran very well, and the former deserves a word of praise for the manner in which he hung to Rose in the concluding laps. Burns had a good r««ord as a distance runner when at the Technical College, and also was conspicuous in one of the memorable Lloyd-Hahn-Rose contests last season. He is very keen, and is always eager to pick up points. A Great Finish. Tho 100 yards handicap final was another thrilling event, and a tribute to tho handicapping of Mr. A. C. Kitto. The champions, M. Leadbetter and C. H. Jenkins, both won their heats in 10 l-ssee, although the latter was suffering from ft cold. Loadbetter was very fast out of the holes in the final, and headed Jenkins by half a yard at the 50 mark. Over the last part of the distance Jenkins increased his speed, and gained on Leadbetter with every stride. Mackay got to the tape first, but Leadbetter was only a fraction of a second behind him. Jenkins very narrowly missed third place, and so closely bunched was the field that the judges had a difficult task in making their decisions.

Leadbetter, while in Christchurch, has done very well, and at the present time is right at the top of hia form. He did not compete in the 220 yards handicap. Jenkins, however, won the second head with ease in 22 4-ssee, bnt did not start in the final. It seems that Jenkins will be a very hard man to beat in the furlong this season, and, provided he in fit and well, will also be one to be reckoned with in the shorter sprint at the New Zealand Championships. Auckland Sprinters. As the season advances more good sprinters have at each meeting made an appearance, says an Auckland writer. The latest rival for local championship honours is A. J. Elliott, whose sensational finish in. the 100 yards final was a feature of the racing at a recent meeting at the Domain. This is Elliott's third consecutive victory. He is just over twenty years of age, and is competing for the first time this season in open company. With more practice at the start—he has all the qualities for the finish —Elliott should be a worthy opponent for L. C. Williams. With Williams, M'Coy, -and Elliott, Auckland has a useful trio of sprinters who will make their presence felt at the New Zealand Championship Meeting in February. Auckland has another claimant for special attention in the Botorua sprinter (T. L. Henry), who is now residing in Auckland. Henry was a competitor at the University College meeting, and he was prominent for the greater part of the 440 yards, but did not finish. It was in 1922 tnat the American sprinter, M. Kirkaey, first saw Henry run, and after the latter had toured the Auckland Province with the American team he gained much valuable information, including coaching by Kirksey. In 1923 Henry took his place in the Auckland championships, and won the 440 yards in 52 3-ssee. Since then, however, Henry has not takojn seriously to track running, but he resumed training recently and has designs on the 440 yards New Zealand championship. Otago's Team. The names of the probable members of the Otago team to compete at the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Championships at Auckland were announced by the chairman (Mr. E. L. Macassey) at a recent meeting of the Otago Centre. It was pointed out, however, that the Otago championships might bring to light others who would have claims for inclusion. K. W. Lander, H. D Morgan, C. M. Olsen, G. S. Cabot, B. Geudes, C M. Nicholson, and O. W. Bout are all holders of Otago championship titles; and Lander, Morgan, and Cabot aro present New Zealand champions, tho first-named two over the hurdles, and Cabot in the walks. Olsen will contest the quarter and half, Cfeddes the two sprints and the quarter, Nicholson the cycling events, and Bout the high and long jumps. All have reasonable chances of success, and the team should by no means prove unworthy of tho province. It will cost about £15 a man to get the team away, and the centre ia circularising the various oinfa with » view to »j»b«ga»M©a