ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

Evening Star, Issue 23834, 14 March 1941, Page 4

ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

FINE PROGRAMME FOR SATURDAY Every section of the Otago track and field championship programme on the Caledonian Ground to-morrow afternoon promises to provide lively competition, and in the field division some of New 'Zealand’s foremost athletes will'be figuring. Great interest will centre in the meeting of the Dominion champion, M. R. Spillane, with the ex-champion, J. G. Leckie, in the 161 b hammer throw, and first-rate figures may be expected. Spillane has a remarkable record in national championship competition, and it is considered that had he gone to the Empire Games in 1938 he would have been in the running for a title. Leckie was captain of the New Zealand team at that meeting, and finished third in the hammer throw. He has been in the North Island for some years, but is. now back in Southland, and will be carrying the Invercargill Club colours on Saturday. A. A. Cameron and R. 0. Johnson, two of the greatest all-round field men this country has produced, will both be taking part in a variety of events, and it yeill

be interesting to make comparisons b*tween these fine performers of the older brigade and K. J. Morgan, the New Zealand junior shot putt and discus throwing champion. Other noted field men are competing, including A. L. Fagg, J. Dalgleish, C.. E. W. Black, and R. M’Kenzie. The pole vault, with Flagg, Black, and Johnson in the list, should be worth seeing.

Visitors from Southland and South Canterbury will be present, and R. T. Harris, the New Zealand junior half-mile champion and recoidholder, will be a starter in the half-mile and mile. Harris represented (Wanganui at the junior championship meeting, bat is now attending the Training College in Christchurch. Local enthusiasts will! have an opportunity of seeing Harold Nelson, the Dominion junior mile champion and recordholder, in action in the mile, and this lad, considered one of the best prospects the province has ever had, will take a lot of beating in the senior event. G. L. Austin (New Zealand marathoa champion), A. R. Geddes (Empire Games rep.), A. C. A. Coombes (University), and several other well-known performed will line out for the three miles, which should be an unusually good race. The sprints have also drawn good fields and competition should be of a spirited nature. Cycling events will add to the attractiveness of the programme, which is timed to begin at 1 p.m.