TRACK AND FIELD

Evening Star, Issue 20119, 8 March 1929, Page 12

TRACK AND FIELD

ATHLETIC HEWS AND NOTES [By Pistol.] March 9.—Otago Centre meeting at Eorbury X’ark. March 18.—University Club’s evening meeting. March 23.—Otago University championship, Caledonian Ground. March 3U.—Waikouaiti A.A.O. annual sports. April I.—New Zealand University championships. April 6.—Amateur meeting at Milton. PACIFIC CLUB’S EFFORTS. The executive of the Pacific Club is to be congratulated on the success that has attended the three evening meetings it lias field during Hie past few weeks, and outside of the ordinary track events one or two good novelties have been staged which snow that Mr E. .1). Gibson and his executive are fully alive to the demands of the public so far as an athletic programme is concerned. It is only a week or two since C. J. Thompson," the popular Civil Service all-rounder, sustained rather ' nasty head injuries by falling from a scaffold on which he was working, but he has happily made a quick recovery, and last Thursday night won the 22(Jyds handicap off” 15yds at the Pacific Club’s meeting. Thompson ran a good race, and, being handy at the turn, he put in a good burst and finished on well a winner by 2yds in 22 l-ssec. Thompson is keeping himself sharpened up, and next season I teel confident that he will do oven better over the middle distances, providing lie makes an effort to specialise a little more than he has done of late.

Off 9yds K■ F. Barr ran nicely both in heal,' and final, being second in 1 lie latter to Thompson. Barr is gradually working into splendid shape, and as he ;s beginning taster than used to be the case he should register good time before the present season ends, for he has a very detenniud finish. Barr is likely to he hard to heat in the Otago University sprint titles, and, properly in form, may even win honours before lie is" finished. I consider him a very promising sprinter. B, R. MBsernan. off 50yds, had his work cut out to win the (500yds handicap. and that he did so is a tribute to Ills judgment, for lie was al! out at tlie finish.’ MTvernan ran one of ms best races this season, moving up nicely along the back and loading into the .straight. tie was striding well, and when challenged, by Fish had just enough in hand to throw himself at me tape; and snatch victory by a fool. It was a good win. K Fish was off 20yds, and finished strongly, coming with a late ruiy to fill second place. Fish ran. very well, and had he put in his final dash a little earlier might have won. Third place went to J. Lovelock, who was off 10yds. This lad looks like developing into one of onr best middle-distance runners, though lie will probably do best Iro-.n 880yds to one mile. Lovelock is a very pleasing runner, and has created a. most favourable impression in lhe_ races in which he has taken part this season. As i have pointed out before, there arc big things ahead of this boy in the a fill le lic world. (•;. g. Cabot gave one ol Ids best exhiibtions this season in winning the 1 .flnOvrls walk handicap off scratch .n Ihnin' 5(1 2-5-.ee. Over the first fit 10yds Cabot went at a verv fast pace, though with, the field in hand he slackened a. little. He finished strongly, however, and if he maintains his present rate of improvement should be, capable of reluming times apnroaching his best at the Hew Zealand University champion, ships, ft is a great pity Cabot did not take part in the New Zealand championships, for he would have been hard to beat in the mile. B. H, Cabot wont a good race oil nOvd's to fill second place Cabot finished well 12yds behind his brother.

TRACKS FOR CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Wellington lags behind Wanganui, Christchurch, and Dunedin in the matter of cycling tracks, and (ho decision of the New Zealand amateur cvcling championships on a grass track, such as at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, is lar from .satisfactory.

The "Basin Reserve is a fine athletic ground, hut the cycling track, especially to those who have been used to veal cycling trades, is positively dangerous," the corners being most treacherous. It Welington is unable to obtain a decent cycling track, the time is about due when the New Zealand Council will have to consider allocating the cycling championships to a centre possessed of a banked track. The decision of championship events on a grass track _ such as the Basin Reserve is not a lair test ol a cyclist —rather do experience and skill in taking the corners come into consideration. The Otago cyclist, Jack Fogarty, showed form far below his usual on the Wellington grass track, and oven Frank Grose, one of the greatest riders that has over been in New Zealand, told the writer that it was a pity New Zealand championships had to be decided on grass tracks. Far better it would be if the New Zealand Council were to go thoroughly into this matter, and see if it-would not be possible to hold the cycling championships on a .standardised track where fair cycling tests would be possible. Until some such action is decided upon, New Zealand cannot hope to produce many cyclists able to hold their own with the world’s best. PRAISE FOR TRAINER. Those who went north with the Otago team for the New Zealand amateur athletic championships have nothing hut praise lor Mr G. Rodger, the well-known Invercargill trainer, who accompanied the team in that capacity. Nothing was too much trouble for “ Tom,’’ and his aavice was freely availed of by members of the team. Invercargill is fortunate

in. possessing 51 trainer of his calibre, for his knowledge of the game lie is only too pleased to pass on to others, and those who have been under Lis care include the ex-New Zealand champion, R. C. Morgan, B. Geddes, J. P. Wayte (the well-known high jumper), and many other athletes of note. " Mr Rodger has been one of the live wires of the Invercargill Club for some years now, and in addition has gone on tour as trainer of Southland Rugby teams. Under Ids stewardship, Rugby Park, Invercargill, lias been made one of the. finest sports grounds in the dominion, and Dunedin athletes visiting the south will always bo sure of a welcome from him. His appointment as trainer to the Otago tea in _ should do .much to cement good feeling between the sister provinces. DIRT TRACK SPORTS. To-morrow, at Forbnry Park, the Otago Centre will stage its third dirt track motor cycle and athletic sports meeting, with the assistance_ of the Otago Motor Club, and as this sport is now growing in popularity, (some fine riding may be looked for. Tim athletic side of tlm programme is a good one, an.d is being augmented by rlie inclusion of a pole vault and javelin throwing championship. In the pole vault, R, O. Johnson, the star hop, step, and jumper, is outstanding in Otago, and at the New Zealand championships lie did over 1 Oft. He is improving all the time, and should perform well at For bury Park tomorrow. Large entries have been received for this fixture, which should be just as good as the two that have preceded it. CYCLING COMMENTS. J. C. Fogarty may not have been at home on the Wellington grass tracks, but lie showed last week that he is still in form on the hanked track, winning the two-mile cycle. handicap off scratch at the Pacific meeting in decisive fashion. He rode a finely judged race, having the field in hand with a lap to go. The experience gained at the recent New Zealand championships will stand Fogarty in good stead, an.d on the ’Wanganui banked track he is certain to make a much better shewing if he represents ,j- province next season. D. R. Thompson is an improving cyclist. Off 220yds bo won the onemile handicap very easily in 2min I.j 2-ssec, and as lie is developing a good sprint, ho should show up again before long.

Bennie is shaping well for a newcomer, and with more experience will show to still further advantage. T. Dillon was second in the mile, but was found wanting when ii came to a finishing sprint. ,1. Parsons has gradually worked back to the middle marks, and in the two-mile handicap filled third place off 80yds. He rode well over the last hip, but left his final sprint too late. C. G. .Lucas and H. G. Lucas had their .second match race at the Pacific meeting, Cooper turning the fables on Lucas. The latter appeared to have the race in hand along the back, hut let Cooper draw away from him. up flic straight. There was a good finish, Cooper winning by a wheel. Both men are riding well just now. The death by drowning of .T. Backley last Sunday has deprived the sport oj a most promising rider, one who was well liked by Ids fcllow-compelitois. He was a good sportsman and a keen enthusiast, and his loss will be felt in cycling circles. Athletic followers will join with (he writer in extending to his relatives sympathy in their bereavement. G. Smith scored a win in the twomile cycle handicap at the schools meeting last Saturday, riding from the j Lmls mark. His time was omin 2 4-sseCj and lie rode well all the way, sprinting finely over the final bit. He is a not unprepossessing rider, and throughout the season 1. have had my eye on him as one who is likely to show to advantage if he will only rely on his judgment a little more than he has done in some races. G. Farmer and W. J. Lamberton intend to compete in races at Dunedin during the Easter holidays (says the ‘Sun’). They propose riding to Dunedin, making the journey m easy stages. ...... Thompson followed up Ids Pacific suecess with a second in the two mile on Saturday off 2io,yds, and Parsons collected another third off a middle mark. The latter is riding very consistently at present. , , Jack Simon, one ol the keenest ol local cycling enthusiasts, and one who has done a good deal lor_ the sport, registered an overdue win in the mile cycle handicap. He was oft 190yds. ami beat Branford by a length. He finished with something in icsciie. Too many of the limit men fail to make sufficient' use of their handicap, but on this occasion Simon went out to keep his lead, and succeeded. He is a powerful chap, and if he would take his training seriously he might meet witii more success than he has done in the past. By that I do not mean that Simon lacks enthusiasm for the sport •—there arc few keener—but lie does not devote enough time to preparation for hard racing. , Off 15yds Sid Branford did well to get up into second place in this event. He is riding well at present. A. Maekie is, making a good recovery from the injuries lie received when he fell over F. Grose in the final of the half-mile at the New_Zealand championships. reports the ‘Sun.’ CHAMPIONS IN THE MAKING. The secondary schools athletic championships served to show that in Otago and Southland there is much promising material that needs only to be kept in the game for many of the successful competitors of last Saturday to be well in the athletic limelight in a year or two. As predicted, last week’s fixture on the Caledonian Ground produced the best performances to date, and several records were either equalled or broken durum the afternoon. One of the most pleasing aspects of the meeting, in my opinion, was that few youngsters were to be found taking part in each and every event. Rather was it found than most of those taking part confined themselves either to the sprints, middle distances, or the field events. 100 often have bovs who showed wonderful at school Sailed to reproduce their best form after leaving, principally because they overdid things at school. Sports masters arc recognising (hat specialisation in athletics is necessary not only from the athlelic viewpoi'nl. but from Unit of health. The

wiiler can tell of many promising runners who failed to keep going very Jong alter they had left school, because they did too much during their schooldays, and it is this as much as anything else that has to be guarded against at such a meeting as Saturday’s secondary schools championships Otago Boys’ High School has held the Senior Shield for two seasons, but Saturday’s fixture produced the closest competition since the meeting was inaugurated, Otago and Southland Boys’ High Schools being level with 2JJpoints each, with only the Relay Race to decide. This event was a worthy conclusion to a successful meeting, from the competitive viewpoint, and although Otago held a big lead over the first half-mile, Southland eventually won by oyds, and established a record for the | mile medley relay, the winning team’s time being 4min Bsec. This marked the first occasion that Southland has held the Shield, Otago having won it twice. Otago scored its first success in the junior division, winning the Barnett ishiehl, with Southland Roys’ High School runner-np. The outstanding athlete of the meeting was J. Gardiner, who played a large part in the victory of the Southland Boys’ High School. At the first secondary schools’ championship meeting, held in Otago in November, 1926, this youngster won the 100yds and 220yds championships, and was second in the 44.0yds, high jump, and long jump championships in the junior section, and his 11 2-ssec for the junior 100yds still stands as a record. He met with just as much success in senior championships on Saturday as lie did in junior ranks a. couple of seasons hack, and his performance in winning the 100yds, 220yds, and 440yds championships, and being .second in the long jump championship stamps him as a most promising champion. His school has produced many great athletes in the past, and if Gardiner is taken in hand on leaving he, should develop into a champion. Ho won the 100yds against the wind in 11 sec. the furlong in 25 2-ssec, and the 440yds in oGsee, establishing a record in the. latter event. Gardiner is a strong, determined runner, and is not unlike Ids fellow-Sonthlander. Bert Geddes, in action. Ho is a little .slow into his stride, and is rather inclined to get up a little high; but lie is one ol the strongest finishers 1. have seen for a while, and in a year or two should distinguish himself in open company, especially over 440yds. He was warned for crossing in this event, hut lie ran a well-judged race, and as he had run four sprint races before the quarter his performance was all the more meritorious.

Next to Gardiner. R. G. Jolly, ol the Otago Boys’ High School, took ihe eye as a lad of possibilities, and his winning effort of 19ft sin in the broad jump was a very good one against Hie wind. It bettered the existing record by several inches, and would have been good enough to win many open events in Otago,'though it is no uncommon thing these days for secondary school boys to register 20ft and over in the, broad jump. Jolly strikes the board well, and gets up hotter than most of the local competitors, and it would not surprise me were he to do 20ft or more when the Otago Boys’ High School sports arc decided in the last turn. is win in the 880yd.s championship .was a very fair one, the time being 2min J2 2-ssec. Jolly should have gone out to make a hotter pace than ho did, for the race he ran suited 'Melville down to the ground. If Jolly had begun faster lie would very probably have shattered the record of 2min 9sec. for he is qnile capable of bettering that time, and is possessed of a splendid finish. Ho has a nice stride and a good arm action, and when lie learns to run his races with a little more judgment lie should become a very fine half-miler. The son of an old-time Otago distance champion, C. K. Melville bids fair to follow in his father’s footsteps, for he is a most promising distance runner, displaying very nice form and being possessed of sound judgment as well. Young Melville won the mile championship comfortably by Syds in omin iiscc, and finished second in the 880ydschampionship. Jn either race lie made only one mistake, and that was in Hie half, when he tried to pass Jolly on the bend. He had run the race with good judgment up to that stages, and had he not fried to .head his stable companion on the bend he, might have been closer up at the f/insh. Melville possesses very good slyle, having a line free action and a splendid stride, lie has good staying power, but requires to develop a little stronger spirit at the finish, in a year or two lie should be showing fo advantage in open company in races from one mile upwards, and it is easy to see when one observes his running that young Melville has been schooled along the right lines. The standard of high jumping at the secondary schools’ meetings has not been particularly high so far, and though, the record was broken by F. G. Walker and S. Brash on Saturday, their winning effort —a tie resulted — was only oft OH". Both showed promise of "doing well if they stick to this branch of the sport. The writer finds that in high jumping, more than in any other event, schools have their lean periods, but both the Otago and Southland Boys’ High Schools have produced some good high jumpers, the record at both schools standing at oft 4Jin. C. W. Bout established the Southland record a few years ago. but the Otago record has stood since 1886, when the late J. ,0. Thomson put up these figures. Some splendid jumping was witnessed in the junior section, M. Hamilton clearing 4ft lOJin in the high jump and then being unbeaten. Tins lad also won the broad jump, his winning effort being 13ft Sin. Hamilton is not a very big lad, but lie is a stylish jumper, and properly handled should develop into a first-rater. Ho takes off more closely to the bar than do many youngsters and wastes little effort in his run. j. H. Ramsay, who was second to Hamilton, is also a promising lad, he too, breaking the existing record by clearing 4ft yjin. Two good runners accounted for ihe fiat events between them, J. G.JHannah winning the 220yds in 26 3 : osec and the 440yds in 61 2-osec, while E. E. Little accounted J'or the 100yds in 12sec. Hannah equalled the record in both oases, and showed himself to he one of the most determined runners in action during the day. He is possessed of a fair style, except at the finish, for over the last few yards lie gets his head back and is inclined to throw Ids bauds up. These are faults which should be easily eradicated, and

it will be surpising if this youngster does not register sonic worth-while performances at the Otago .Hoys’ High School sports towards the end oi the year. Little is another boy who should make % good .sprinter, . As a second .string to Gardiner, G. Henry was u handy man for the Southland Boys’ High School, being second in the lUUyds and third in the 220yds senior (.•hanipionships. He is not as strong a finisher as his stable companion, but lor ail that he is a sprinter above the average. G. E. Moloney won the 120yds senior hurdles in 18 2-ssec against the wind, and, while not the champion that 1). A. 11. Moloney slioavoal. himself to be at school last season, he is likely to h..oine pretty useful across the sticks. Ho is rather too deliberate when getting over the obstacles, and were ho to adopt the step-over action Avon Id reduce his time. Ho Avon easily enough, and Avill .probably register better time at his own school’s sports. TEACH NEWS. The open events on the programme' of the secondary schools’ meeting attracted good entries, hut in all eases the scratch men Avere asked to do too much to Avin. The places in the 100yds handicap Avere all filled by men in Receipt of 13yds, 11yds, and lords respectively, and Avhen it is remembered that these handicaps are based on a scratch man avlio is not even the holder of the Otago title, it would.be interesting to know Avhat the Avould be if Otago Avere the homo of Elliott, the New Zealand champion. It is hut fair that ihe limit man should register a Avin occasionally, but a man avlio requires 15yds to Avin in a 100yds, especially Avhen the scratch man is not a champion, can hardly he termed a sprinter of class, and it is reasonable to expect that there should he some limit to the long handicap marks. As it Avas, a scratch man on Saturday Avonld have bad to do better than 10 1-ssec to Avin. This Avas against the Avind, and though Lethaby did not star!, he Avould have had no chance in the Avorld of accomplishing the task. E. C. Andrews Avas liberally treated with 13yds in the 100yds handicap, and Avon comfortably Jrom other long-markers. As I liaA'o pointed out before, W. Fraser, of the Anglican Chib, is capable of running a good quarter if be sets bis mind to it, and his Avin in 50 2-5 off 30yds on Saturday Avas the result of a good run. Fraser would do avoll to devote a little -more time to the quarter. E. Fish ran avpll to gain third place oft 15yds in this event, Andrews beating him for second place by 3yds. Eish has been one of the most consistent middle distance runners in Otago this season, and is not very faroff championship class. Next season may find him among the real contenders tor provincial honour's. The New Zealand 140yds champion, A. W. Findlay, made his first appearance since winning the New Zealand title, and ran a rattling good quarter to finish in fifth place. Ho Avonld have had to gone near to record time to Avin, and as it Avas, he returned good figures for tin? Calc. He started off at a great bat, and had most of the field gathered in along the back-. He avp.s unable 1o got through a. bun eh at the bend. lioAvever, and Ibis deprived him of a chance of a place. IVidle Findlay lias already registered great time, the Avriter is confident that the best has not yet been seen ol him.

1 Anglican lias n good miler in AY. A. (Stewart, an oighleen-year-old youngster, who won the mile handicap ofl' 110yds m 4min 26 2-osec. He, ran a soundly-judged race, and took the lead off B. 11. M'Keriian f]6oyds) at the commencement of the last lap. Slewsri finished well, and is another of the several distance runners of promise that have been seen in action during the past few months. J. Lovelock was tho scratch man in this race, and while this boy is the makings of a real champion, lie was set something to do to win. He Jiad a heart-breaking task, hut showed great determination, and was beaten out of a place by less than a- Yard. His time was round about 4 min 31 sec. and while he will not be eligible to represent Otago ’Varsity at the Easter tournament this year, he is going to be very hard to beat in the local ’Varsity mile, in which the titieholder, X. H. North, is going to have his work cut out to retain the championship. Anglican N’o. 1 deserved its success in the 880yds relay handicap, but in viow of the experience that bcfel him the previous week, it might, have been thought that L. C. M'Lachlan would have been the last man to endeavour to get through a big field by jostling. He tried to get through on the inside when he had little chance of doing so without jostling, and as a. result, his action brought, about the disqualification of the Civil 1 team, which finished third. was also disqualified, and Us worst offender in this respect.nas T. Ft. Buxton. Kone of those in the hop. stop, and jump handicap performed up to standard against the wind, and B. 0. Johnson, the scratch man, did only 41 ft Tin, which landed him second place, the winner being B. _ Provo, whose actual effort mums 3911 2in. Miss .1. McDonald has not done much running this season, but sbe, showed form in ninning^the Toyds ladies’ handicap off syds in 9 2-3 sec. She is a good beginner and is also developing a, nice finish. JOTTINGS. Tiie writer is with those who are of the opinion that N. J. Suckling was unfortunate in Vicing disqualified in the New Zealand 880yds championship, for it is extremely doubtful if Suckling had anything to do with the jostling that occurred at the last bend of tho race; but it is not right to say that Suckling ivas free from blame throughout the race. He was not. At the start a good deal of jostling occurred, and M'Lachlan, who was running alongside Suckling, received a push which threw him out of his stride. It is not suggested that the push was intentional, but as some doubt has been expressed a to whether Suckling offended or not it may be said that Air E. L. Macassey, president of the Otago Centre, who has had years of experience as a. referee, was near the start, and he told the writer shortly after the race that he was surprised when he saw Suckling push M'Lachlan out. Air A. L. Lewis, manager of the Canterbury team, put forward the explanation that the whole field nas drawing towards Suckling, and that he cither

had to throAV his hands out or sutler ail severe setback himself. That may be, and on mature consideration it cer-A tainly seems a pity, as has been statedbefore, that an inquiry could not have been held at which the .runners had a chance of explaining their position. J.he , referee’s decision, however, is final, ami that is Avhere the matter ends. omciati> .- 1 a In charge .of the victorious Southland Roys’ High School team at the secondary schools’ sports last Saturday was A. j, Deakor, formerly well-known University athlete and Otago representative in the hop, step, and jump. Arthur is a crack tennis player these days, hut was no mean athlete a feiv years ago. Although the Aviuning performance in the Ncav Zealand pole vault cliam-i pioTiskip shows no advance on previous years, the competifion generally was 1 much improved, and all four compel!-,' tors cleared over lUl't (says “ Sprinter,”■! in the Christchurch ‘Sun’). E. G.-j Sutherland failed in an attempt to es.-j tablish a ugav dominion record of llfti 4 in, hut lie avou the event handsomely i and missed the record through being unable to push aAvay from the pole, alter* lie had swung across Hie bar. He fell; on the bar. W, H. Roberts, of Wei- 1 lington. and “Ossie” Johnson, of, Otago, are both promising youngsters who should liaA-e something to say about the title in the near future.-! Johnson cleared 10ft for the first lime) in. his life. ami. he- is going a littlehigher uoav each time he competes.

Stan. Lay is a remarkably consistent javelin thrower, and following on hist Australasian record performance ofj 206 ft Gin at the New Zealand champion-, ships Lay did 216 ft s.Jin at the Mima-] Avatu Club’s meeting at Palmerston) North on Saturday, It may not he re>l cognised as a record, but it shows fur-; ther just Avhat a Avonderful exponent Lay is aviTli the long spear. : A copy of the programme has cntiw to hand for a meeting to he staged by; the LxvercargiU Amateur Athletic Chib' on March 16. the athletic events being| 75yds, lOfljds, 220yds, 880yds, one 1 mile, 120yds hurdles, 880yds relay, and; high jump. The cycling events aro' ; half-mile, one mile, and three-milej handicaps, Avhile several motor cycle events are listed for decision. Second-d ary .schools, primary schools, and ladies’] events Inn-e also been included on the, programme, and in a letter to the. writer the secretary of the Invercargill! Club asks that Otago athletes should be notified of the meeting, as it is' hoped that competitors from Dunedin Avill be present. Entries close on March, j 11, Avith the secretary, Box 253, Jn«r vercargill. ; The Taieri Club’s annual meet will 1 bo staged at Mosgiel on Saturday ofj next Avcek. and those avlio have taken’ part in this fixture in past years willj confirm .the statement that the Mos-* giel outing is always one of the most enjoyable of the year. A full athletic; and cycling programme will he decided, i and some keen racing should be wit*] nessed. J On© of the Otago delegates, mi the j Ncav Zealand Council (Mr H. W.-j Franklin) lias resigned on account of i Ids frequent absences from the Empire city on business, and a successor Avill he appointed at the next meeting of the Otago Centre. Lachie M’Lacidan is unlikely to do any further serious running until next track season, and if ho is Avise he will, spell altogether during . the. winter. ‘ After the championships in Wellington it Avas feared that M'Lachlan avms threatened Avilli appendicitis, but on Ids return to Dunedin he .underwent medical examination, it being lonnd, that he A\as suffering from a strained stomach. Ho lias done a lot ol running this season, and has met with much success;, and there is no more disappointed man in New Zealand to-day than he Unit the half-mile championship should have ended in his favour in the AA’ay it did. He Avould have preferred the result to stand or the race to be renin, hut next season he aa ill have the opportunity of defending his title and shmving then Avliat he is really capable ol under ordinary conditions. . . There can be no gainsaying the tact; that ladies' athletics have come to stay in Now Zealand, and the standard is gradually rising, as has been shown during the pasi few months in various centres Avhich have brought forward conionders lor the New Zealand title. Miss F. Marlyn, the New Zealand, ladies’ 100yds. champion, covered JUOyds in 31 2-sscc at Christchurch on Saturday, and thus lowered the existing New Zealand record by J-oscc, and sbo looks the type ol sprinter who may .still further improve upon this .time. On the same day at Palmerston North, Miss M. Barron, a fifteen-year-old girl, ran KlOvds off scratch in U 2-osec. Jimmy Carlton, the Australasian, j ooyds and 220yds champion, is apparently in form again after the Ola mpn; Games, for he Avon the 220yds championship oi New Smit h Wales in 92 J-ssec last Saturday, this being Losec slower than A. J. Elliott's Hum in Avinning the New Zealand lurlong. The SSOyds was a pretty last race, Hunt winning in 1 min 58 l-bsec, aviHi Marlin in second place. Both wcio competitors at the last Australasian championships in Wellington, Hunt ne--1 s ll ■■ second to C. S. Stuart m the ! ply.is Australasian championship. Some lime ago, in an article in Hie | Star,' C. 11. Taylor, the well-known ex-Australasian champion middle distancer and Canterbury coach, expressed 1 he opmon Unit the long jump was one of the easiest, events to aviii on Hm programme, because so lew competitors specialised in it. Alter witnessing Hus event in the recent New Zealand championships the. Avritei- is more strongly in accord Avith Charlie Taylor Hum ever. The long jump Avas Avon at 201. 1 4jin, a figure, Avhich now and then is bettered at some ol the. secondaiy schools’ meetings. If good jurn.sns were to concentrate on Avinning tlnv. long jump title, there is but little, doubt that the New Zealand standard would gradually rise. The. trouble is that so many athletes sandAvich the long jump in as a sideline. The- sons of two Avell-knoAvn alhletio administrators were to Hie.lore. at the secondary schools’ championships on. Saturday. C. K. Melville was prominent for.Otago Boys’ High School in, the, senior division, and M. Rage collected not a. few points lor Southland in the junior section., Melville is a. son of Mr “Andy” Melville, president of the Civil Service Club, and Pago is a son of Mr J. Page, president of the Invercargill Club. When lie Avon his heat of the quar-ter-mile championship in 50 4-osec, A. \V. Findlay, of Otago, joined the select IcAv in New Zealand avlio have bettered ALsec (says the Christchurch ‘Sun’). Ho is one of a band that includes “ Billy ” M'Pherson, L. B. Webster, E, Opie, “ Charlie ” Thomas, and J. T. Fleming. Findlay is a reinstated cask runner, avlio AA-ent from Auckland to Otago avi t.li a great reputation for fast times. Avhich lie failed to uphold until last Friday. Ho has been in training only since the. Ngav Year, and southerners are prophesying that with proper preparation next season he will break 50sec. He runs with good style until in the last Icav yards of a race, when he is inclined to Jet his head go back and his hands reach into the air. The Anglican Club is holding an • evening meeting next Thursday, the events to be decided being 100yds, 300yds, one mile, broad jump, one mile cycle handicap. The following Monday the University Club will hold its first CA’ening meeting for some years, the events being 100yds, I,oooyds, olio •

mile cycle, and one mile medley relay handicaps. The Saturday following this meet the University interfaculty championships will be decided, and the evening meeting should be a pipeopener for some of the new ’varsity athletes. At Henderson Oddfellows Amateur Athletic Club’s sports last Saturday, writes our Auckland correspondent, P. C. Minns, the well-known Rugby representative, won the 100yds handicap with comparative ease, Minns was on 6) yds, a good handicap in view of his performances last season. He had little difficulty in'tvinning by a yard from Horan (12yds). Minns has only been in training for a few weeks, and at his best is a capable sprinter. He will represent Auckland at the New Zealand university 1 -,championships at Christchurch at Easter. The dominion snrint champion, A. J. Elliott, finished, dose up third. Ho was unable to, do his best, owing to the uneven track.

Paul saw tho light' between Fidel La Barba and Willie Smith, and in bis opinion La Barba deserved the decision. The crowd was carried away with sympathy for Smith, who was a game loser. He reckoned that Johnny Leckio’s share of a fight • with La Barba would be £6OO, and Paid considers that Johnny has a good chance of victory.

“ Leckio should beat Grime,” said Paul, who is of the opinion that Grime has slipped since ho left for America. He thinks Griffiths will beat the Australian bantam weights, but that La Barba would prove too strong for Tommy. Reverting to the Smith-La Barba fight, Paid said that La Barba forced the fight all tho way—Smith countered, ducked, and back-moved, but he would not lead. Each would draw £6OO from tho house, and their advent to Australia is ,undoubtedly bringing about a. boom in tho fistic game. If Leckio docs well over there Jack Paul reckons he should win a lot of money. . Paul intends remaining in New Zealand until July, and will take what fights lie can get. He is matched with Ecg Trowern at Christchurch on April ], and following that mill may o-ot a bout with Artie Hay, tho New Zealand welter-weight champion. He has been absent from New Zealand eighteen months, and has gained much in tlic way of boxing experience. Ho is a tough boxer, and was ol the type that pleased the crowd on the other side. While in Dunedin he will work out nightly at 5 in Fulcher’s gymnasium. He has been absent in Oamarn for a couple of days, sparring with Campbell, the New Zealand amateur heavy-weight champion, who meets A. J, Cleverly, the New Zealand Olympic light-heavy-weight representative, at WJmate on March 13.- Paul s willingness 'to lend Campbell a band may well be termed the action of a sportsman. WITH THE AMATEURS.

Attention was drawn only last week to the promise shown by Tommy Harris's promising youngster, H. Lowe, who in military boxing Ims a long string or knock-outs to his credit. Ho engaged successfuliv in a preliminary to the Maedonald-MTnncs light, his opponent being W. Roger, who is a pretty lair sort of boxer. Lowe missed fairly oltcu ill the 'first round with Ids right, but the loft hooks he planted on the jaw did the damage, and in tho second round drove Roger back with leit hooks and right swings to the jaw. Roger started to mix it, but a beautifully-timed Iclt book sent him to the boards lor ilio count. Lowe is just on the light-weight limit, and with experience should make a very solid lighter. He has a Iclt hook that spells disaster once it lands, but he is still inclined to leave himself too open and to swing Ids right wildly with little sense of direction. His progress this season will bo watched with » good deal of interest, lor ho is a very promising lighter. Roger shaped well in the first round, especially as he was giving away something like half a stone in weight. He drove home some solid straight kits, though he lacked the finishing punch of Lowe. Roger made the mistake, however, of trying to play Lowe at the latter’s own game when Lowe began to make things lively. As a result Roger came off second best, and was kayoed. Ho should have made more use m the ring, but the experience will do him no harm.

Charlie Buckley was rather unlucky to lose the decision against Billy Webber, for tho loser gave a much hotter display of boxing than "Webber, though he lacks a puncli. Buckley should learn to place his punches to the best advantage, this being the direction in which Webber was Ids superior. Webber has not improved much since last season, and leaves himself lar too open. He has a pretty useful lolt, but is still prone to slap with his right hand. He has resumed training with Albert Barker, and if he will pay heed to his instructor is capable or cluing well in feather-weight ranks. His bed; effort last year was against Tommy Donovan at Auckland, hut he still has some distance to travel before lie can he regarded as being in the same class as Billy Leckie

M'Kenzie showed lack of condition in Ills limit with il. Drew on Saturday night, but the season has just started, so that this is hardly surprising. ' Had he been in form lie might have token the verdict, for he connected the more heavily of the pair, and emp oved a solid left. Over the la.ter halt of (he mill, however, he I Led Lully, and it took him all his tune to stand on his feet till the finish. Drew is not fulfilling earlier promise, and seems to lack punching power. He is an aggressive type of lad, but wants to devote time to learning to punch correctly. He favours the open glove, to his detriment. Albert Parker’s school has resumed activities, a large number of now pupils having come forward. “Snowy” Olsen, who injured his hand, at the Otago championships last season, has not been able to start operations owing to further trouble with his hand; hut Parker tells me that he hopes to have Olsen with him during the next month or two.

Watson, the ligbt-beavy-wciglit who fought Campbell in the heavy-weight division at the Otago championships, lias linked up with Bobby Fulcher's school, and shows signs of improvement as a boxer. He is as game as they are made, and with experience is likely to develop into a useful man with the gloves. Alf. Rowe, the feather-weight, is coming along nicely at the present time, and every week sees sonic additions to the learners’ class which the New Zealand amateur leight-weight champion is conducting., A FITZSTMMON’S. STORY. When Boh Fitzsimmons and Tom Sharkey fought at Coney Island some time after their battle at San Francisco the sailor, who had improved a great deal in' the meantime, rushed at Fitz, swinging both hands. His left caught Fitz high on the jaw and shook him up pretty well (says an American scribe). “That’s a good one, Tom!” Fitz exclaimed. “ Yes, and here comes another one,” said Sharkey. “ I'm not as easy as (you think.” i ’ Tom had the better of the round and kept Fitz on the defensive. As they I started back to their corner, at the ! close of the round Fitzsimmons turned and winked and grinned at the sailor. “ Just wait till you see me sink the ship,” he prophesied. “The ship,” oj : course, was the fine, big, full-rigged three-master that Tom had tattooed on his enormous chest. In the next round

Fitzsimmons suddenly exclaimed : “ ’Erci now, Tom, ’ere goes for your face.” Unthinkingly the sailor threw up his guard (o protect his jaw, and just then Fitzsimmons’s right in a fierce upper-cut landed on the keel of that big blue ship like a torpedo. The keel is Just about on Sharkey’s solar plexus. The ship reeled, quivered, and slowly sank to the floor with all on board. Tom was a great rnJHer, however, and in a few seconds lie was up and fighting again. Once more Fitzsimmons told him: “’Ere’s one for your face,” and as Tom threw his arms up Fitz’s fist landed under the ship again, and this time poor Tom went down and out. “ Oh,” says Fitz, “ I meant to say 'ere’s one for the ship.” OFFER TO BROADFOOT. The good accounts of Jim Broadloot’s scrapping ability have come under the notice of the Australian managers, and no less than three have intimated their eagerness to sign him up for bouts with the importations at present performiipr in the Commonwealth (says the ‘New Zealand Referee’). During the last eighteen months Jim Broadfoot, the Auckland middle-weight, has been scrapping with considerable success, and although ho does not actually hold the title, he, by virtue ot his two recent successes over champion Eddie Parker, is considered to be entitled to wear the crown belonging to the Jight heavyweight champion of New Zealand. As a dean exponent of tho game Broadfoot is in the front rank, for his ring tactics do not embrace the mauling, clinging, wrestling methods employed by Tunny ring men these days to tho detriment of the sport of boxing. Last week Broadfoot met Clnrric Pocock at Te Aroha, and secured a draw alter ten rounds bad been fought, and, as usual, gave one of his excellent displays. His opponent in this aft ray also showed up well, and as a consequence referee Mcale was nimble to separate tho pair at the conclusion of the contest. "While Pocock is a comer and will be heard of in big ring engagements in the future, Broadfoot is more seasoned, and as an opponent for the nigged importations at present in Australia ho would he entiicly at home. The best offer held out to‘Broadfoot comes from Sammy Chapman, the well-known Sydnoy manager and trainer, who at the present time has under his managerial wing a number of the foremost visiting boxers, including the Filipinos Kul Johnson and Kid Along. Broadfoot has so far neither accepted nor declined the offer, but from this scribe’s point of view lie would carry more weight it lie visited Australia with a title ot sonic sort in Ids keeping. Under the arrangement Chapman would train_ and secure fights for Broadfoot on a 2o per cent, basis.

TITr: HEAVY-WEIGHT SITUATION. Tom Keeney showed such gameness when ho met Gene Tunney that his detent lost him but tew admirers, and his contest with Jim Maloney, the Boston (tail merchant, last Saturday drew 18,000 spectators. Maloney was kayoed in short time by Tom Keeney the first time the pair met, and ho was also ousted by George Godfrey, the negro fighter. It was thought then that his boxing career was ended, but Maloney was of different mind, and started in again to climb back to- fistic tame. Alter kayomg Clem Johnson in two rounds Alaloncy gradually fought his way up until lie took a points’ decision from Johnny Risko, and, looming as a heavy-weight contender again, he was matched with Tom Keeney in one of the elimination contests. From the cabled report ot the mill it seems to have been a hardhitting affair, and though Keeney’s condition was giving out at the finish it speaks volumes for the courage ot both men that they were on their feet at the finish, Maloney taking the verdict. Keeney’s defeat will lessen his chances of being in at the finish when the title bout is being arranged, hut ha .should still find plenty ot contests which will menu good money to him, and even yet he may loom again ns a bidder tot the title, just as Maloney is doing. The defeat of Young Sfribling by Jack Sharkey would cause an upset in American fistic circles, for while Sharkey is generally considered as being one of the most formidable heavyweights in America at the present time Young Stribling was thought to have a very big chance of being one of the contestants for the world’s heavyweight championship. The position is growing in interest, and ic may be that Sharkey and Maloney will again meet. Sharkey settled Maloney’s pretensions in five rounds when the pair met last. I]KITE AND TILERK. ■ The cables inform ns that Emile Rlaclner knocked out Frankie Gemiro in the first few seconds of a contest for the world’s lly-weight championship, and this is the second division in which France may now claim premier honours. Andre Rontis holding the feather-weight crown. Pladner lost two close decisions to Hill last year, but won decisively against Corporal Izzy Schwartz, recognised as champion in New 7 York, and also defeated Ernie Jarvis, former English Jly-weight champion. Genaro is another boxer who graduated from amateur ranks, winning the Jly-weight championship at the Olympic Games in 1920. He was the holder ot the United States fly-weight championship, but was beaten by Fidel La Barba in 1925. La Barba had won the Olympic fly-weight title in 1924. and, entering professional ranks, quickly became the ily-weight champion of the. world. Dunedin is well served with wellequipped, well-instructed boxing schools, and two of the youngest schools in the city are conducted by men who have held the New Zealand amateur light-weight title within the last three years. Harold Kindley started his school last year, and Bobby Fulcher has taken over from Archie Lcckie while the latter is in Australia with his charges, Johnny Leckie and Tommy Griffiths. Kindley was the New Zealand amateur lightweight title-holder in 1926, and Fulcher won the crown last year at Auckland.

The New British Boxing Board ol Control, which'is under way, will consist of a president, two vice-presidents, six 'stewards, and representatives of the following:—National Sporting Club (one), promoter (three), reforeps (three), boxers (two), boxers’ managers (two), ringmasters, trainers, seconds, time-keepers, and master ot ceremonies (one). The six stewards

must) have no financial interests in boxing, and will have power to decide any matters affecting persons 'financially, who may come under control ol the board.

A peculiar position arose in Welsh boxing circles recently. Eddie John, Welsh fly-weight champion, has a brother Phineas, also a fly-weight. The latter won a fly-weight competition and qualified to 1 meet his brother for the title. The broth irs were quite prepared to battle for the championship, but their mother was opposed to the match. After consultation with the secretary of the Welsh branch of the British Board of Control, it was suggested that Phineas should step into the bantam division. This ho has agreed to do, and has challenged the holder of the title. Another brother, Tommy John, is regarded as likely to win the featherweight title. Billy Grime was only two pounds heavier than Fidel La Barba when they went on the scales prior to their contest in Melbourne last Saturday night, but it seems likely that he may have taken too much out of himself in getting down below a nine stone limit. La Barba further showed what a great little tighter he is, for he forced things from the start and seems to have had the better of affairs, Grime having all he could do to last the distance. La Barba has been fighting above the bantam Feight limit m Australia, but if Stadiums are .successful in bringing Bushy Graham over the contest to bo staged will he for the world’s bantamweight championship, and La Barba’s chances would bo greatly favoured, as he has already defeated Graham. At a recent National Sporting Club boxing entertainment four German boxers were pitted against four Britishers In a heavy-weight contest Bobby Shields, of Glasgow, knocked out in five rounds Dr Ludwig Bachv, of Germany Billy Ivain, of Birmingham, defeated Mctzner on points in ten rounds. In an eight-round welterweight battle Franz Kruppcl, of Tv refold, defeated George Willis, of Newcastle The entertainment was well attended, wit.i Lord Lonsdale present. According to a correspondent in the Ameiican -Ring,’ Georges Carpentier is still good enough to clean up all the French and European heavy-weights if he were not tied up with his stage work. When darrio Pocock passed through Wellington on his return from To Aroha he expressed a keen desire to get a match with Parker for the light-heavy-weight title (says an exchange). Lachie Macdonald is spelling in Otago Central, and will shortly return to Timarn, where he will give his shoulder every chance before he" enters the ring again. Dave Palmer, the Victorian welter, who paid two visits to New Zealand, has had his last contest. Some months ago he started training with a view to returning to tho ring, but after a while he developed appendicitis, for which he was operated on. Since then lie has haul three more operations, and is now in a Melbourne hospital. The doctors told him that ho has no chance of boxing again, while he cannot expect to work for at least a year. Palmer kayoed Steve Hughes at Napier in six rounds, and won on points against Fred. Smitheram on the West Coast. it is likely that Mat Hatton and Tommy Donovan will meet at Westport on March 23. Hatton should provide Donovan with his hardest Test to date, for though Leckie outecl him Hatton is a feather-weight well above the average. Charlie Purdy administered a real drubbing to Billy Jones, the Australian light-weight champion, when the pair met at Newcastle recently, Jones being in a class well below Purdy on the night. Purdy scored time and again with his left, and was superior in almost every department- of the game. Jones was giving away weight, and at tho finish was practically cut on Ms feet. Tbe cleekion of Leslie ' Urquhart, amateur leather-weight champion of Auckland and New Zealand, to turn professional, is in a measure surprising (wires our Auckland correspondent.) He is a rugged fighter rather than a bright boxer. Urquhart has not demonstrated that lie is above the ordinary; in fact, he lias only shown himself to be a hard hitter, who will go in with the idea of landing a deciding blow. Urquhart’s first appearance in the Auckland ring was at the championships about two years ago, when be lost to Clark. He did not fight between championship meetings. After a very hard fight, he gained the decision over Tommy Donovan for the dominion amateur featherweight title last year. His record is twelve fights, with nine wins, including the championship. His lather, Air J. Urquhart, is a well-known figure in boxing circles. • He acts as trainer, and is confident that he has a champion. His natural pride has been supported by a letter from Archie Leckie, the trainer of Johnny Leckie, in which it was advised that tho amateur champion should change his status, as it was thought that lie was above the average. In turning _ professional, Urquhart says he is willing to meet anyone up to light-weight. Some small associations will benefit by the Aucklander’s changed rating, and they will he able to rely upon a hard fighter. Urquhart is only nineteen.