AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 48, 26 February 1934, Page 14

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

AUSTRALIANS IN ACTION

(By Telegraph.—fress Association.) DUNEDIX, February 24,

. One of the finest amateur athletic meetings that has been seen on the Caledonian ground for many a day took place this afternoon, when a crowd of about 3000 spectators gathered to . see the. members of the touriiig Australian team hi competition With local athletes. The tracks were in good order and the weather was fine and sunny, but a strong north-east breeze affected the performances considerably.

J. P. Metcalfe, who holds the Australian records for high jump, hop, step, and jump, and broad jump, thrilled the crowd with a magnificent exhibition of high jumping. Ho cleared the. bar finally at Oft 3 5-Bin without any great effort, breaking' the New Zealand record. In the broad jump he was easily outstanding with 23ft 2in. T. E. Hampson, the sprinter, had no difficulty in. winning both the 100 yds handicap and, the 220 yds handicap from scratch.. In each case before the race was half over he was leading the field.. E. W. Barwiek, the other member of the Australian team, made his only appearance in the short limit mile handicap. He went fast into the lead in the back of the straight on the last lap, but Craig hung on to him, with McLachlan handy, and in the home straight, amid the greatest enthusiasm, both Craig and McLachlan passed the Australian, the first-named winning in 4min,27 3-ssec.

Results are as follows:—

Hop, Step, and Jump Handicap.—J. iMeek. (10ft 6in), 48ft liri, 1; M. Murray (lft sin), 48ft, 2; J. P. Metcalfe, Australia (scr), 47ft l%in, 3. There were_five competitors. • i

In a special attempt on the New Zealand record of 48ft 2*4 in Metcalfe later reached 48ft.

220 yds Handicap.—First heat: T. E. Hampson, Australia (ser). 1; E. L. Botting (9yds), 2; E. Ashby (19yds), 3. Five started. Hampson forged his way rapidly Jo the front and won easily by a yard in 24 l-ssee.: Second heat: B. Spiers (11yds), 1; &.L. Price (53'ds), 2; E. Geddes (18yds), 3. Five started. Won by a yard each way. Time, 24sec. Third heat: J. Shepherd (10yds), 1; E. Fish (syds), 2; S. Longworth (17yds), 3., Won by a foot, a yard between second and third. Time, 23 4-sscc. Final: Hampson," 1; Spiers, 2; Fish> 3. The Australian went all oiit to win against a strong breeze by 8 yards, inches separating second and third. Time, 22 4-ssec.

Shot Putt Handicap.—P. Souter (10ft 6in), 37ft-7in, .1; A.-Chirnside (10ft), 37ft 4in, -2; J. P. Metcalfe, Australia (scr), 37ft 2in, 3. . .

100 yds Short Limit Handicap.—T.-E. Hampson, Australia (scr), 1; B. Tapley (2yds), 2; B. Spiers (syds), 3. Four started. Hampson had overhauled the field with half the distance gone, and finished strongly to win by two'"• yards, a yard separating second and third. Time, 10 l-ssee. ~-".• ":-..*'■■-' . • ' • • :' ■ . -■■■' ,

I High Jump' Handicap.—T. McDonald i(10in), Cft sin, 1;' J. P. Metcalfe, Ausi tralia (scr), Cft 3 5-Bin, 2; J. Gerken (lOin), 6ft 2in, and S. Longworth (lft 3in), 6ft 2in, equal, 3. Metcalfe's jump exceeds the New Zealand record. >:

One Mile Short Limit Handicap.—l. D. Craig (scr), 1; ,L; C. McLachlan (scr), 2; E. W. Barwiek,-Australia (ser),.3. Seven started. As the .third lap was started Barwiek'-went to third place behind Morris, who .was lying second, with Barnes, Craig, McLachlan, and Geddcs following in that order. As the runners entered the homo straight the spectators rose to their feet as Craig made a magnificent effort to head off the Australian nnd win by seven' yards in 4mm 27" 3-ssec, which is believed to be the' fastest time in which a mile has been.run on, the Caledonian ground. McLachlan, who won the New Zealand mile championship the previous week, came up. well at the finish to beat Barwick for second place by'a couple of yards. , :

: Broad Juriip Handicap.—D. Stuart (4ft), 2oft 4in, 1; R. J. Henderson (3ft), 23ft lOin, 2; B. G. Brown (sft), 23ft 3in, R. Meek' (4ft), 23ft 3in, and J. Shepherd, (4ft), 23ft 3in, 'equalj 3. Ten. competitors. J; Metcalfe, the Australian champion, who iwas jumping off scratch, did 23ft 2in, l%in [outside the New; Zealand record. The competitors jumped into the wind.