ATHLETICS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11833, 14 January 1933, Page 6

ATHLETICS

: . THE: AMATEUR, BR ANCH. DOINGS OF INTEREST. SOME , HELPFUL CRITICISM. (By “Old-Timer. ”). The outstanding feature of the Gisborne'A. A. and H.C.’s current 'track season is the definite' improvement which is apparent in all branches of the sport, and it is pleasing to re'' cord that, not only is tlm improvement fairly general, but it is being steadily maintained. The excellent programme winch the club put on on January 2 is a very good example of the all-round advancement of local amateur athletics and a continuation of this present progressive policy can achieve nothing but good. The decision of the club to get a, team of athletes from the Canterbury Athletic Oub to appear on the Reserve on, Anniversary Day (January 30th) is to be commended, and in view of the qualifications of the visitors, the local cracks will he called ujpon to produce their host. The. team will comprise eight track and field games exponents and will include such runners as G. Hart, (ex-N./. sprint champion), I’. G. Broadway (N.Z. 880yds. champion) and that wonderful young mile runner Matthews. This lad has fir nod some astonishing times for the mile and a duel between be and 11. Cousins should be full of interest, The full personnel of the visitors is not ,\ ( 1 available, but it is safe to say that, it will be the strongest outside com bin at ion ever to appear on the local lu -addition, every effort is being made to secure the services of a crack cyclist for this date, and -m view of the excellent form of T. Campbell it is to he hoped that one of the Dominion’s host riders ran b persuaded' to make the trip and r.v conclusions with the populai local ace. “Old-Timer” expresses the opinion that Campbell is definitely up to New Zealand championship form just now, and over three miles, in particular, ho will be a. hard unf for any cyclist in this country to dispose of. In fact at the present time the club would appear to possess two potential national title-holders, viz., Graham Quinn and Campbell, and it is up to the people of Gisborne to give every possible en,.nnraeminent and assistance to the club in their effort to provide suitable competition for their athletes. In addition to these outstanding performers, the qualifications of a-la,-cm number of local athletes entitle them to the chance of trying conclusions with first class opponents and the forthcoming meeting should sfi further improve the standard of amateur sport locally. The activities of the ladies’ section of the club arc also worthy of mention. and a great deal of interest is being manifested in their projector visit- to Hastings in an endeavour to win the coveted Etevoneaux C-up. The possible inclusion of Miss Norma Milson, Gisborne ex-Olympic representative, adds considerably to the hiteiest of the venture, and most certain ly enhances the chances of the local relay team. Miss Wilson’s ran in the relay last Thursday amply demonstrated that she is by mo means a hack number, and it is safe to predict that she could show a clean pair of heels to most lady track aspirants despite the fact that she has not participated in active competition for many months. Miss 'Wilson has taken » keen interest in relay racing ibis season and the thanks of the club are due to her for her untiring efforts in this direction. The chance* of the local aspirants are hv n° means remote and in view ol the excellent attraction provided by a relay. challenge it is to be hoped that the ladies will bring the cup back with them. RANDOM JOTTINGS. Geo. Phillips, of Napier, is in great form just now and he will he a points scorer for his dub in rim forthcoming shield contest, p Markio is showing astonishing improvement in his riding of late. His ride last Thursday was a really creditable performance. Secretary Mercer is establishing a reputation as'an organiser of convivial evenings. This week’s ofloil was an unqualified success and mot viili the approval of all assembled. Jam* a is an excellent host hut treasures those cigars! At a welcome home to the British. Olympic team, Lord Burgh ley stated that, in his opinion, it was useless for the various governments to on. deavour to make pacts for peace without: the spirit to hack them up. That spirit is fostered, he maintained, by such fixtures as the Olympic Games. An interesting feature of the last Olympiad was the establishment o' new Olympic and world records in each of the six events participated in by the spike-shoed section for the ladies.

GISBORNE AMATEUR- CLUB. The weekly meeting of the committee of the Amateur Athletic Club was held last evening, there being present Mr. C. McCoy (chairman), A. Ingram, W. Campbell, J. Algie, R. Wildish, W. Wildish, G. Quinn, P. McMahon and J. E. Mercer (hon. secretary).

Arrangements in regard to the transport of the Canterbury athletes for the meeting on January 30th was left over in the meantime.

Permission was granted lady members to- send a team to Napier on January 23. It was decided that the starting time of the evening meetings he extended from 5.30 p.m. to 6.15 p.m.

A lengthy discussion took place in regard to the, ladies’ jumping events and it was decided to write to the club’s surgeons and ask for their opinion on the matter as to whether tjiese events were harmful to lady athletes.

It was reported that all trophies are available at the secretary’s office, Childers Road.

It was decided to hold scratch races to select the team to compete at Napier on February 18 for the H.B. Herald Shield at the earliest possible time. The programme for next week is as follows: 100 yards ladies’ scratch race; one mile scratch cycle; one mile flat handicap, second distance .Johnson Cup, 300 yards men’s ban. dicap (President’s Chip), ladies, relay; men’s relay; men’s high jump.

Tt was stated that the winner of the cake competition was No. 33.

BILLIARDS McCONACHY v. DAVIS. ;Press Association.i LONDON, .lan. 13. At billiards McCnnaoliy is 17,192 and Davis 12,334.