THE ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Evening Star, Issue 11167, 16 February 1900, Page 2

THE ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS.

[By Our Own Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, February -16. The weather is perfect for the meeting tomorrow, and everything points to a very successful gathering. The Dunedin boys are all in good nick, and should give a good account of themselves. The team are much disappointed at Martin failing to put in an appearance, and his absence will considerably weaken our chance of again holding the banner. Buck, the longjumper, who represents Duuedin, has arrived, and should account for the long jump. Bennett will start in the half-mile and threemiie, and his chance in the former event looks promising. Nicholl is showing good form, and must run well in the spin over the 100 yards Oat and the 120 yards hurdles. Cuff should just about win the quartermile, as the opposition is not very strong. Eldridge will start in the 250 and quarter, and must take a prominent pm in these events. Price's mission is the half-mile, which distance he can accomplish iu fairly good time.

Nearly all the provinces in the colony are represented, and keen competition is expected, especially in the long-distance races. The Auckland boys—Smith, Madill, Dickey, and Laurie—are a formidable quartet, and should about win every event in which they take part.

Malthus (South Canterbury), who annexed the three-mile race at the Australasian ohampionship meeting, is unable to be present. Simpson, the long-distance runner for Canterbury, is expected to do great things. Kain, a sprinter from the swie province, is reported to be very fast. Jut i ,s, the hammer-thrower from the Ctthedral City, ia a tirst-class man.

Of the Wellington team Goodwin, tho walker, hj said to be in splendid condition, but he will find a formidable rival in Dickey, of Auckland. Pollock, their sprinter, is a young runner, of whom much is expected in the lOOyards event. Hamilton, of swimming fame, is doing well in the long-distance training work.

Of the Hawke's Bay team, Oliphant and Strickland are both fair all-round men; while Wanganui's principal representative is Pownill, who can run from 100 yards to hal! j i mile.

The following should account for the various events:—

100 \ards I'iut.-G. Smith (Auckland). 250 Yards.-G. Kain (Canterbury). 440 Yards.-Cuff (Dunedin) dSO Yards.—Bennett (nunedin). One Mile.-Simpson (Canterbury). rhree Miles -Bennett or Simpson. \% \ an s Hurdles.-Smith (Auckland). 440 Yards Hurdles.-Smith. Lode; Jump.—Buck (Dunedin). Hißh Jump.-R. Lawrie (Auckland). role Jump.—Lawrie (Auckland). The weight and hammer eveuts are certainties for Madil (Auckland), while the one and threamtle walks should furnish good competition between Dickey (Auckland) and Goodwin (Welling-

From the above it will be seen that Auckland will about win the banner, while Dunedin, Wellington, and Canterbury will bo close up for second place.