TRUCK AND FIELD

Evening Star, Issue 21078, 15 April 1932, Page 15

TRUCK AND FIELD

ATHLETIC HEWS AHD HOTES [By Pistol.] FIXTURES. April 23.—Parksido to Coach and Horses and back (cash cycle race). April 30. —Parksido to East Taieri and back (cash cycle race). May 7.—Parkside to Allanton and back (cash cycle race). May 14.—-Civil Service Club’s Onemile Post Cup race, Forbury Park. May 21.—Caversham Club’s Threcmilo Vice-presidents’ Handicap, May 28.—Civil Service Club’s Threemile Railway Cup race, Wingatui. June 11.-r-Edmond Cup Steeplechase, V'ingatui. June 25. —Port road race. HARRIER SEASON OPENS. Tho harrier clubs held their opening runs last Saturday, and almost without exception the clubs reports accessions in membership, auguring very well for a successful season. Already interest in the Edmond Cup promises to be keener than usual, and one of the best races for a long time seems in' store, as it is likely that the New Zealand University .mile champion, W. R. M'Kechnie, will be on hand to fight out the issue with such experienced men as J. J. Morris and J. G. Barnes. It is too early yet to make comment on the prospects of this race, but interclub rivalry promises to be as keen as ever. ANGLICAN ACTIVITIES. Anglican held its opening run from the St. Clair Baths, about fifty members turning out, this being the largest attendance at a run for some years. Eighteen new members were out with the pack. A. L. Price is having a three-months’ spell after his strenuous efforts on the track during the summer season. E. A. Taylor intends to keep in training until after the Edmond Cup, when he will ease off in preparation for next season’s track running. To mark the opening of the season a most enjoyable dance was held in the Otago Motor Club’s rooms last Saturday. During the course of the evening the cups and certificates won during the summer season were presented. The “D.A.A.C. Roberts” Cup ior the sprints championship was won by A. L. Trice for the fourth year in succession. This cup was presented in 1890 by the late Mr W. S. Roberts to the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club, and was competed for annually until 1915, when the club disbanded. In 1927 it was lent to the Anglican Club by the trustees for annual competition, and goes to the athlete scoring most points in events from 100 yards to 880 yards. Among the names engraved on the cup are two that are known to all followers of athletics—those of Mr E. L. Macasscy, president of the Otago Centre, and Mr J. T. Hamann, a vice-president of the Anglican Chib and one of the centre’s officials.

R. 0. Johnson again won the Quennell Cup for the field events championship, putting up a splendid performance. This cup was presented in 1929 in memory of the late Mr A, L. Ouennell, who was a vice-president of the club. Next Saturday the run will he from the North-east Valley School. The club room opened last Wednesday with a. good attendance of members, and will continue every Wednesday evening throughout the winter season . ST. HILDA NOTES. Last Saturday saw the commencement of the twenty-sixth year of the St. Hilda Club’s activities. In declaring the season open Mr A. E. Churchill (vice-president), in an appropriate speech, gave a few words of welcome, advice, and encouragement to the new members assembled in preparation for their first run, and wished the club and all members every success during the coming season. The pack, numbering twenty-five, under the leadership of Captain V. Duel! and Deputy C. Pope, followed an excellent trail, dispersed by D. Henry and A. Bond. A. Foley, a very popular member, is once more taking an active interest in the club’s affairs. Although the veterans, C. Bissland and C. Tidey,'haye many years of harrierism to their credit, they still take part in the Saturday runs, and both are running with the same determination. Although Les Buddicom has retired from the position of secretary, ho can still find time to carry on as an active member. On Saturday week the novice race over a distance of 1 ) miles will be contested. Training is carried out at the St. Hilda Surf Bathing Pavilion on Tuesday and Thursday nights of each week. CAVERSHAM DOINGS. Caversham had a muster of fifty-two members for the opening run of the season, but the familiar figure of Johnny Tapp was missing, and it looks as though he intends to adhere to his previously announced decision not to compete this year. Another absentee was A, Mann, the Otago representative of past year, whose place will also have to be filled probably. It looks as though Caversham will have to go in for a policy of building up this season, and it is fortunate that there are some good juniors and first year runners coming on. The juniors, first year members and slower runners were in the second pack on Saturday, but about halfway through the run this pack split up and some of the youngsters were seen well to tlie fo:c i;. the middle pack. Jack Morris will bo trained this winter by R. O. Johnson, and for a month or so he will do little but jogging.

C. F. Clark lias returned from the north, and should strengthen the club's team for the important events ahead.

CIVIL SERVICE JOTTINGS

The Civil Service Club held its opening run of the season from tho George Street School, some forty-six_ runners taking part, as compared with fiftytwo for last season’s initial run.

C. Melville and Orange had charge of the paper, and laid a short trail which included rather much road for so early in the season.

The runners who ran in ono pack were in charge of the captain, L. C. M'Lachlan, who kept the runners well in check till the run home over about 500yds, a spirited finish resulting in Gerkin, Barnes, Kennedy, and Hall finishing in that order. After tho run tho members were the guests at dinner of the committee, after which some of tho older members gave a few hints on training to the younger members. Twelve new members took part in the run, and as tho majority of them are juniors this department of the club should bo very strong this season. As a result of the relay run to Invercargill at Easter most of the runners are in good condition and are keeping in training for the club races, which commence on April 30 _ with the IJ-milo maiden race at St. Kilcla. During the Easter trip the runners were greatly indebted to Harry Hall and Colin Hughes, who put in some solid work as masseurs.

Ernie Brown is running in great heart at present, and promises to bo at his best for the Edmond Cup race in June, a race in which he occupied fifth position last year, John Kennedy, who won the Postal Cup race over one mile in 1930, hut did little running last season, is taking on the game seriously this year, and should be assured of a place in the club teams.

Colin Melville is another runner who has not worried training much the last couple of seasons, but he promises to settle down to training this year, and if he strikes the form he is capable of will win more than one race before the present season is far advanced.

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ SPORTS. The annual meet of the Christian Brothers’ High School last week was a most enjoyable affair, and it must be eminently gratifying to the Rev. Bro. M. M. O’Connor, who was the originator of the fixture, to find that his efforts have resulted in such a fine gathering. It is only five years since the first meeting was hold by this school, but the athletic standard has risen very considerably, and there is no doubt that this has been due in a good measure to the work that has been done by Bro. O’Connor and his staff. Bro. O'Connor is an enthusiast in anything he takes up, and the excellent manner in which this year’s fixture was conducted was merely what one has come to expect of anything with which he is associated.

B. E. Plank, the winner of the senior championship, proved himself a versatile athlete, but his best performances were in clearing sft in the high jump and doing 18 3-ssec for 120yds hurdles—both records. He has a good stylo across the obstacles, and with more experience should do well in this branch of the sport. ■ AV. S. Wallace, winner of the sprints, took the eye as a promising runner, particularly over 100yds; and one oi the most likely young athletes seen out for a long time was J. P. Scanlan, who won the junior championship and carried off each of the six events in the division. He was trained by B. R. M'Kernan, the veteran Civil Service athlete, and if he lives up to the promise he has already shown should be heard of in the future. A feature of the meeting was a field of seventy-eight runners in the 880yds junior handicap, who presented a rare sight as they stretched out round the track in the second lap. CLUB SYLLABUSES. Civil Service.—April 16, St. Claii baths; April 23, Port Chalmers, social evening as guests of Anglican Girls’ Club; April 30, mile and a-half maiden race, club run to follow, St, Kilda bathing pavilion; May 7, North-east Valley School, - 2.25 p.m. Nonnanbj tram; May 14, One-mile Postal Cup, Forbury Park; May 21, combined run with Roslyn Club, Scoular Hall, Highgate, 2.30 p.m. Roslyn tram; May 28, Three-mile Railway Cup, Wingatui (optional club run, St. Kilda bathing pavilion); June 4, Mornington School, 2.30 p.m. Mornington tram; June 11. Edmond Cup Race, Wingatui (optional club run from St. Kilda bathing pavilion); June IS, Albany Street School; June 25, Port Chalmers-Dunedin Road Race, Port Chalmers (optional club run from Albany Street School at 2.30 p.m.) ; July 2, Anderson Cup Five-mile Road Race and club three-mile junioi cross-country championship (Caroline Manderson Memorial Shield), St. Kilda bathing pavilion. Caversham.—April 16, Anderson s Bav School; April 23, Mornington School; April 30, North-cast Valley School, combined run with Dunedin Club; May 7, Port Chalmers, guests ot Port Chalmers Young Ladies’ Guild; May 14, One-mile Maiden Handicap, Forbury Park; May 21, Three-mile Vice-president’s Handicap, I'orbury Park (guests of Clias. K. Heaton ami J. W. Holley) ; May 28, Wingatui. Edmond Cup three miles trial; June 4, Green Island School; June 11, Edmond Cup Steeplechase, no club run; June 18, Albany street School; and June 25, Port Hoad Race.

DUNEDIN NEWS,

The Dunedin Club started the season with a short run from the St. Clair Baths. The pack, under the whistle of Captain Romerill, did some good road and cross-country work in the vicinity of the St. Clair Golf Links and the hills near Burnside. A fast run home of about six hundred yards saw W. 1L M'Lcod just head W. N. Connell, while V. Sturgeon ran a good race to finish third.

After a lapse of a year or so W. N. Connell turned out again with the pack, and in coming in second in the run homo showed that he is still a useful runner. Another old member who turned out on Saturday was C. Duff, who will be competing on the track again next season. Among those who ran well on Saturday was A. Weatherston, a new member, who should do well in club fixtures during the year.

OLYMPIC COUNCIL APPROVES. The New Zealand Olympic Association has approved of the recommendations of the New Zealand Athletic Council, and has approved of the selection or A. J. Elliott. S. A. Black, and Miss T. Kench for -the New Zealand Olympic team while it approves of further trials being arranged for J. W. Savidan; D. Evans, and F. J. Grose. Thus the athletic selectors’ recommendations have been ignored, and their selections of the team becomes a farce. No one will deny the right of Black and Elliott to be included. Elliott showed brilliant form at tho New Zealand championships this year, and in both the 100 metres and 200 metres at Los Angeles should give a good account of himself, especially as he has the added experience gained at the last Empire Games to assist him. After the Empire Games Elliott performed well in Canada, and against some of the world’s best sprinters was placed in one race that ho contested. He has been running at_ the top of his form this year, living right np to the promise he showed when ho won the New Zealand sprint titles at Wellington in 1929. Elliott is -a sprinter of class, and has the right temperament to do well in the best of company. 8. A. Black, the New Plymouth man, has beeen running at the New Zealand championships for two or three seasons, buf; it was not until this year that his possibilities were fully realised, and the way he won the 440yds championship of New Zealand suggests that he is a runner who may have to he reckoned with at Los Angeles. His time was 48 2-ssec, which was a New Zealand record, and ahead of that put up by G. Golding, the Australian Olympic runner, when ho toured New Zealand a couple of seasons ago, and it has to be remembered that Golding ran well at the Empire Games. Allowing for a slight natural improvement, Black has the ability to be in the first six in the Olympic 400 metres event. The selection of Miss Kench is bound to cause comment, and will mean that a chaperon will have to be appointed. J. A/. Savidan has been unfortunate. H. won the 10,000 metres event in convincing fashion at the Empire Games, he is still a great runner over the distances, and yet ho is being asked to undergo a further trial, although the athletic selectors placed him first in their recommendations. Grose is in a similar position, and in view of the comment made by the Canterbury cyclist it is difficult to see_ what value lies in a further trial for him. It is unnecessary to go into details again concerning Evans. No one doubts his inherent ability, but he has been off form this season, and, while he may do well at the Olympic Games, his selection would certainly he risky in view of his showings this season. (CYCLING SECTION). PACIFIC CYCLING NOTES. The Pacific Club opened its season on Saturday last with a club run from tho bathing pavilion to Broad Bay and back. There was a good turn-ont or members, among those present being G. Hetheringtou, J. Kennedy, Beale brothers, D. M'Callum, C. Hansen, G. Deans, Vic. Magee, T. Riddle, J. Kiiner, C. Jackways, A\ r . Templeton, J. Blackie, C. Lucas, G. M'Ginn, and C. Gilchrist. .. Another club run be held tomorrow from the George Street School, at 2.45. . . The club is fortunate in having an able liandicapper in Mr J. Wilson, who is very keen on the game, as may be gleaned from the fact that has twenty-five miles to travel every SaturMr Beale, of the Green Island Hotel, has presented to tho club a handsome cup, which will be competed for later in the season. Tho club also wishes to thank the proprietor of the AVaterloo Hotel for the trophy he has donated. The much-anticipated race, the M'Lachlan Cup event, should prove very interesting this year. Everyone seems to have his mind set on winning this trophy. Experienced riders, such as AV. Templeton, H. Cooper, C. Lucas, AV. T. Fergus, intend competing, while no doubt Kennedy and Gilchrist, who fought out the issue last year, will he right out for it again. It should prove the race of the season. G. Hetheringtou does not intend competing at the start of the _ season, having had more trouble with his hand. It is not definitely known where the 100-mile New Zealand championship race will be held, but it will probably be in AVanganui. It is to be hoped that Reg. Timms, the present junior New Zealand road champion, will bo able to make the trip to defend his title. The Realo brothers, who have to come from Mosgiel to compete in the runs and races, are very keen again, and Maurice has been seen his machine quite a lot recently. If Freddie can produce his old form he should be in the running for the junior titles. Jim Kennedy is back in town again and looking as fit as ever, and with the experience ho gained last year should win many more events. It may be said that probably lack of experience had something to do with his losing fastest time in the fifty-mile race which he won.

D. M'Cailum should be seen to a much better adavntuge on his new machine which ho had built to suit him. He was unfortunate in having a bad spill in the first race ho competed in last year. The promising young rider, C. Hansen, is expected to put up some good performances on the road. He seems to put too much weight ou his bars, and could do with a different position for the road than the one he at present has.

There are some promising new riders, such as Vic Magee, Tommie Riddle, and J. Kilner, wno are all good solid pushers. It is a pity if C. Jackways cannot produce the same form as he showed when lie won the eighteen-mile race on the Taieri. He is of good build, and should be a rider hard to beat. When C. G. Lucas settles down to steady training he can keep up a pace that takes a lot of keeping with. H. Cooper, who has some good track performances to his credit, should also bo seen to advantage. It is to be hoped that the Outram boys will he riding again. Jackson last year had his tyre blown off in almost every race.

An old hand at the game. P. M'Connell, has joined the ranks of the Pacific wheelmen. Phil made a good

showing in the Calder Mackay Cup last year, and will bo with the bunch of fast men in the coming races. C. Gilchrist will be riding a new machine, and is out to try and better his last year performances. The position on a machine is one of the mam things a rider should see to. He should not be too low on his bars. A rider can find the best position himself, and it is certainly worth the trouble. It also pays to have the machine looked over occasionally by a competent mechanic. A machine with a limited frame makes the riding much harder. A bike should steer a perfectly straight course with the hands off the bars. If it does not one may be sure there is a twist in the forks or frame somewhere. Freewheels seem to be universal in Dunedin now, and a few of the new three-speed gears have made their appearance, and make the hill work much easier. It will be remembered that all the Christchurch boys rode them in the 100-mile race with marked success. CASH CYCLING, The Otago Athletic and Cycling Club has decided to open its road racing season on Saturday, April 23, and it is its intention to hold races weekly. The first race will be held from Parkside to Coach and Horses and back. It will be interesting to'see how Tom Brosnan, who met with much success during the track season shapes against Cyril Preen and Alby Ralston on the road. Neither Cyril Preen nor Alby Ralston have done any training since Christmas, but it is hoped they will soon strike form for the road season. NOTES. Lachie M'Laehlan, who shaped so well across country last year under Bernie M'Kernan’s guidance, will again be a competitor in the interclub events this winter, for he found himself greatly benefited last summer from his participation in the winter side of the sport. , There is no need for the writer to labour the question of the Olympic nominations, which is dealt with in another column. But it may be said that it certainly seems as if the nominations were decided upon without taking into consideration the selectors’ report at all. The matter is not likely to rest where it is, and the writer understands it will be taken up by the Otago centre at its meeting next week. The International Amateur Athletic Federation’s announcement —made without previous reference to the Finnish Athletic Association —that Paavo Nurmi has forfeited his amateur status is, following the Ladoumeguo case and some others of less importance, an indication that there is a little “clean-ing-up ” going on in Continental athletics.

A question of vital interest to athletic centres hinges on the action of Gordon Bayne at the New Zealand A.A.A. championships recently. Bayne was originally selected to represent Wellington in the one-mile and threemile title events, and the Wellington centre decided that, unless Bayne consented to run in both events, he would not be selected. Bayne refused to do this, and was accordingly not selected. He asked that he be nominated as an “ individual ” and this was done. According to the rule, a champion may defend his title as an “individual,” but his points cannot count for any shield or such contest. Bayne’s points were counted in the shield contest, and a Wellington writer contends that this was an error—Bayne was in no way representing the Wellington centre. They had told him in effect that they did not want him! The New Zealand has decided to offer the Keddell Memorial Shield to the Waitaki Boys’ High School, such shield to bo placed in a prominent place and to be engraved each year with the name of the winner of the New Zealand 120yds hurdles championship, and that in the New Zealand championship programme each year reference be made to the shield.

The International Amateur Athletic Federation has advised the New Zealand Council of the appointment of Mr T. W. Leslie as one of the starters for the Olympic Games. The veteran Wellington official has created a fine impression on athletes from overseas when they have appeared in New Zealand, and his appointment is certainly a tribute not only to himself but to New Zealand athletics.