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Evening Star, Issue 19763, 13 January 1928, Page 13

L. C. M’Lachlan will not be a competitor at Monday’s meet, as he will be absent in camp. He has been training steadily during tho week, beginning again last Monday, when he galloped over 880yds and did a fast quarter. H. G. Valk is an improving sprinter who should again catch the judge’s eye before long. He lias settled down to training in view of the forthcoming meetings being staged locally, and if he reproduces the form ho showed earlier in the season ho should be capable of very fair time over 100yds, which appears to be his best distance. N. J. Suckling, runner-up in the Otago 440yds championship, has been au absentee from the track owing to illness, but ho is now well on the road to recovery. It is doubtful, however, whether ho will be able to compete on Monday night W. Mui'l’liy, the _ burly Caversham miicr, Ims been training solidly, and with a little more finish ought to bo well up in forthcoming mile handicaps. THE NEW CYCLING CLUB. It is about time the Otago Centro cil ns to tho fate of the application for affiliation by the Otago Amateur Cywas advised by the New Zealand Cqunoliug Club, which will almost certainly bo granted. As soon as definite advice is received on the matter the amateur cycling body will get busy and stage one or two meetings. Though cyclists will largely be catered for, track events will, also be included on the programme. It is tho intention of the club to encourage road racing, and the first suitable” Saturday following the club’s affiliation will bo devoted to -n, seven-teon-milo race, which wii 1_ bo held round about the Wingatui district. Tho club has been fortunate in its choice of president, for a more enthusiastic cycling supporter than Mr J. A. Johnston would be hard to find. He is a good coach, too, and is one of tho men well able to assist iu raising tho standard of amateur cycling locally. Mr Johnston has tho assistance of a live executive, including S. Bremford (secretary), H. Ockwell, J. Simon, A. Ockwell, and J. Ewing. UNION IS STRENGTH. From time to time the fact has become increasingly apparent to the writer that for the number of _ active athletes.in commission in Dunedin —-for track, field, and harrier activities — there are rather many clubs, arid the recent application of another small club for affiliation has caused me to make a few comments on tho matter. ft is fairly common talk in amateur athletic circles that the formation of tho new dub is almost wholly due to dis-endon in the ranks of another club with which many members of the proposed new club were formerly associated. This is going to mean that the club at present in existence will be seriously weakened, and thus another of the smaller clubs will bo less able to do its part during the coming winter. It is quite on the cards that one or two other clubs may bo affected to a lesser extent, and though it is hardly possible for these small dubs to be refused affiliation seme effort should bo made by the controlling body to urge upon them the desirability of building up strong dubs where now only somewhat inactive dubs,exist. CYCLISTS’ DOINGS. E. Palmer, the ex-professional cyclist, who will make his first appearance on the track on February 4, is training solidly, and at the present time he is riding very well. P. Traill, one of the middle mark riders, is improving, but he must rid himself of, the habit of looking back if ho is to achieve success in track competition. I. M'Millan has not been doing a great deal of track work lately, but has been putting in a good deal of time on road work. Last week ho cycled to Invercargill. T. Fogarty, who has performed well in handicap events during the season, has been doing good work on the track, and should make_ his presence felt in forthcoming handicap events. J. Simon, who recently obtained a racing cycle from Christchurch, may take up track riding, ns well ns roadracing. Ho has tho build of a rider, and if ho took the sport seriously might do well on the track. H. Ockwell is training steadily, and is riding better than he has been for some time. Ho has improved his position on tho seat, and may be expected to show up at the forthcoming meetings. T. Dillon, one of the limit men, is putting in hard work on the track, and off a long handicap mark may pick up a race before long. H. Allen, captain of the Otago Club, has been off the track for some time owing to absence from tbe city. He would be a good rider if he paid proper attention to training. At the Wairarapa Caledonian Society’s sports last week T. Oakley, the Wellington cyclist, went three miles in 7min 13sec, breaking his own New Zealand record by lOsec. A. Sutherland, secretary to the Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club, left by the Ulimaroa for Sydney on Friday last. It is his intention to make Melbourne his headquarters, and he raaj also do some racing while there. Sutherland’s two best performances of recent years were his winning of the 1926 Auckland road championship and putting up a record from Auckland to Wellington. PACIFIC CLUB’S ACTIVITIES. Time was when the Pacific Club was one of tho strongest in Otago, and many champions were produced from tho southern club. Of late years the club has not occupied its former high place, but gradually it is winning its way up the ladder again, and its 120 members include a good sprinkling of promising young material, several of whom have proved themselves on the track in handicap events during the present season. Across . country the chib did quite well last season, and it has been pleasing to observe the enthusiasm shown by Pacific members since the track and field season commenced. As stated last week, it was intended to hold an evening meeting prior to the holidays, but it was difficult to find a suitable date and the fixture had to be postponed. However, it is now announced that the Pacific Club will hold an evening meet on February 7. Six events will comprise the programme, on which will be included a cycling handicap and a relay race. Good trophies are being provided, prizes having been donated by Messrs Branson, W. M‘Lachlan, G. Butcher. J. Trengrovo, W. Fort, and Mrs Plank. SAVIDAN’S MISFORTUNE. “It is unfortunate for Savidan that he was not born a year or two later,” said an onlooker after the SavidanRose encounter in that epic three-mile race (says a ‘ Dominion ’ sports writer, reviewing the Australasian championships), and that sums up the position.

The race was probably the greatest distance run ever seen in the games, and the whole crowd was upon its f§et at the finish. Savidan’s sprint at the cell, his terrific pace round the back of the ground, when he swung round with the wind behind him, Dose’s pursuit, Savidan’s extra bit at the turn of tho straight. Rose’s lengthened stride, and Savidan s last great effort up to_ the final 40yds to the tape were great watching. Rose was all out, and it looked as thought the smaller man would hold his own, but the j’udges said that Rose just got there. It was no disgrace ot be beaten after such au effort; Savidan ran like a winner, and was entitled to ns much honor as his opponent. THAT WELLINGTON WIND! There is not the slightest doubt that the running at tho Australasian amateur athletic championships was the best that has ever been seen at one meeting in New Zealand, and there has been much discussion as to just how many seconds would have been cut off some of the fine times recorded had there been no wind (says the Auckland ‘Sun’). Good judges reckon that tho difference caused by the wind in the quarter which C. Stuart won in 50 l-ssec was as much as a second and a-half to two seconds; and in the half, which Stuart won in linin 57 l-ssec, the difference must have been about three seconds. It was calculated that, without the wind, the mile would have been done in under 4min 20sec, and the sprint events would have been won in evens or better. Had it not been for the wind tho meeting would have produced results that would have made the world sit up and take notice. It was not a gentle zephyr that was wafted along tho straight. After turning the bend the effect was something like running into a blanket, and it required much more than ordinary stamina to battle effectively against it down a straight 100yds long. Dam the Wellington wind 1 LADIES’ BRACELET RACE. The writer is given to understand that there is every prospect of a 440yds ladies’ bracelet handicap being included on the programme to be arranged by the Otago Centre for the evening gala meet on" February 4. Such a race, 1 feel sure, would prove very popular with local middle distance runners, and would create a lot of interest. In such races a lady nominates the runner, the nominee of tho winner receiving the bracelet. The programme for tho meeting has not yet been drawn up, but as soon as advice is received of the personnel of the Canterbury team it will be announced. Several cycling events are to be included on the programme, and it has also been suggested that an irregular distance championship should be in-, eluded, say over 120yds, 300yds, 600yds, or I,oooyds. Or for that matter, a 100 metres championship might ho arranged. JOTTINGS. There is some likelihood of W. N. Connell, the Anglican distance “crack,” joining up with tho Pacific Club for next winter’s activities. Another recruit to Pacific ranks is F. White, an ex-cross-country champion of the St. Patrick’s Club. Already this season the Caversham H. and "A.A.G. has demonstrated its marked progress on the track side of amateur athletics, and not only did the old-established suburban club have the honor of providing tho Otago one and three-mile flat champions, hut its worthy representative, J. J. Morris, finished runner-up in tho New Zealand one-milo championship, and won a place in the New Zealand team. Tho Caversham Club held a successful evening meet just prior to the holidays, but Secretary C. K. Heaton and that great athletic enthusiast, H. T. Einmerson, are not content to rest upon their oars, and it is quite likely another evening meet will be held before the season closes.

There are few keener supporters of amateur athletics in Dunedin than Mi F. D. Gibson, president of the Pacific Club, and his popularity with his club members is equally shared by Mrs Gibson, who has frequently entertained the athletes in the past. As a mark of appreciation of her support of the club she was met by the members prior to the holidays, and presented with a handsome tea service.

One of the best known of Welling ton’s amateur athletic officials is Mr G Parsonage, who officiated at both the New Zealand and Australasian championships as megaphonist. Though, perhaps, hardly up to the standard of the incomparable George Lnckhurst, Dunedin’s one-time far-famed mega phonist, “ Charlie ” _ Parsonage takes some beating, and his stentorian voice and original mannerisms keen the crowd well informed of tho day’s doings. He is as well known in Wellington as the runners themselves, and the programme and cigarette sellers may be heard care fully copying his modulations when they are endeavoring to dispose of theii wares.

A remit which was moved at the con ference of centres affiliated to the New Zealand Athletic, Cycling, and Axemen’s Union at Timaru by P. C. Lucas, secretary of the North Canterbury Centre, was “ that unless tho New Zea land Amateur Athletic Association in eludes cash events on sports programmes conducted under their control, centres shall not grant permits to clubs which include amateur events on their programme.” The remit was lost, and it is difficult to understand why it was ever put forward (says the Christchurch ‘Sun’). Tho only effect that its adoption would have iu Christ church, tho headquarters of the North Canterbury Centre, would be to wipe out half the programme, including the best of tho running events, at the annual sports of the St. Patrick’s Sports Association.

One of the heroes of tho Australasian championships was W. Lankey (New Zealand). Badly beaten by E. E. Austin (N.S.W.) *in the mile walk, Lankey set out to avenge this defeat in the three miles, kept close behind Austin. and rushed away from him in the final lap to win by 20yds ■ (says an exchange). It was a great performance in the good time of 22min 10 J-sseo, and Lankey was very done at the finish. The win was nil the more gratifying to New Zealand, because it came at a time when the fate of the shield hung in the balance, and by the victories of Lankey and Shirley the dominion was placed in the healthy position of ten wins to 7\ instead of the uncomfortably close nine wins to eight, with tho decathlon undecided.

H. E. Newton and W. Bradley, of Wanganui, Spent a pleasant clay at Axnberley, Newton winning a race and Bradley collecting four seconds. Newton hopes to be in Christchurch when the first of the second series of evening meetings is held. It would bo well worth while putting on a half-mile, for him. He is training over that distance with a view to testing the supremacy of tho New Zealand champion, C. B. Allen, of Wellington, before the season is much older (says the ‘Sun’).

H. B. L. Johnstone, the splendid ali-

rounder at Christ’s College, will go Home to Cambridge this year, and Canterbury will lose one of the most promising middle-distance runners lor many years (states the same paper). All sports bodies and clubs who cater for cycle racing should s6e to it that their racing tracks are made as safe as possible (says the Auckland ‘Sun’). There were quite a number of complaints from riders—good and bad—in reference to some of the tracks they were asked to race on, and in nearly all cases it appears that the cost of making most of the tracks safe would he next to nothing. The number of spills that occurred at every meeting should give country promoters food for thought, as a cyclist has a most expensive outfit to keep up—to wit, a cycle, spare wheels, tyres, and the usual racing costume, shoes, etc. A spill to him may mean a new racing machine, or it may mean a big repair bill. Both mean the spending of big money, and in cases of amateur riders it comes particularly hard on them Game as tho proverbial pebble is J. W. Shirley, the Auckland jump and hurdles champion, and it was Very bad luck that he had to withdraw from the Australasian decathlon on Wednesday, when ho looked a certainty to gain third place at least (says a northern writer). Shirley injured a foot in breaking his own New Zealand record to win tho hop, step, and jump championship on Tuesday ; and his 47ft Sin was a really fine effort at a time when New Zealand was struggling hard for tho teams’ championship. He was massaged in the evening and again on Wednesday morning, and limped on to the ground for the decathlon with determination written all over him. But this was an occasion when even the sternest spirit must submit to physical disability, and Shirley would have been more than foolish to try to go on past the second event in tho decathlon. ' “Tasmania is a State that is in a weak condition as regards athletics at the present time,” said W. Barwick, the sole representative of “ Tatt’s Island” at the Australasian championships, “ but it is a State that will be able to compete with the other States and with New Zealand in the near future. The material is there. We need only the coaching.” He gives an open invitation to any prominent athlete to spend a twelve months’ holiday in Tasmania coaching the local material. There is every possibility of a cycling handicap being added to the amateur races being decided at the open-air gathering at Carisbrook on February 11, though it will have to be staged on a grass track. J. Standen, who has accepted an invitation to tour New Zealand shortly, performed with great success at the Australian Olympic trials last week, and lie looks to be a cyclist well above the ordinary. He won the five-mile senior championship in 12min 24 2-ssec, and tho 1,000 metres in Imin 16 2-ssec. He defeated both D. Gray and the Victorian, R. W. Lamb, in the one mile senior championship, but was disquafifiel for alleged interference. At the same trials J. Carlton made a fine effort in winning the 100 metres flab in llsec, when it ,is considered that he had landed off the boat only that morning. The Australasian sprint champion looks a certainty to go to the Olympic Games. C. Stuart, Australasian 440yds and 880yds champion, won the 800 metres in tho slow time of 2min 6sec. C. Ebert, the Australasian champion, won the broad jump with 22tt and in the hop, step, and jump cleared 45ft lin, beating Olympic champion and record holder, A. W. Winter, who Was off color. At a meeting in Auckland last week, at which several New South Wales athletics competed, A. J. Elliott won the 100yds from scratch in 10 l-s»ec, W. Hunt (New South Wales) being second. Hgafc won the 440yds handicap in 51 l-ssec, J. W. Savidan (10yds) winning tho 880yds handicap in 2min 1 ]-sser. The Wairarapa Caledonian Society’s meeting recently saw R. A. Rose win tho two-mile provincial championship from R, E. Campbell in lOmin 38sec. T. Oakley won the two-mile cycle championship in smin 5 4-ssec. Oakley also won the three-mile cycle handicap from scratch in 7min 13sec. Competing at the Te Karaka sports Miss Norma Wilson (New Zealand ladies’ 100yds champion) won the 75yds Poverty Bay championship by Byds in 8 -sseC‘—Poverty Bay record—and the 100yds handicap from scratch in 1] 4-ssec. In Miss Wilson’s last six starts she has won in 12sec or better for the hundred yards. T. Corkery retained tho 75yds championship by‘ defeating Paltridge in a somewhat easy manner. The time was slow. Corkery also won the 100yds handicap. M. Johns, who last year won, the 830yds professional title, and then gained reinstatement, won both the half and one-mile handicaps from scratch. At the Ormnod sports the following day Miss Wilson won the 100yds from scratch in 11 3-ssec, equalling the New Zealand record, and finished.second in the 7oyds handicap, inches away, in 9aeo.