ATHLETICS

Grey River Argus, 12 March 1938, Page 6

ATHLETICS

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS

Events at Christchurch

FPer Press Association]. CHRISTCHURCH, March 11. nhe national amateui athletic championships opened at Lancaster Park this afternoon in cool, overcast' weather, with a fair track. The days principal event, the mile race, drew a field below the standard of recent years. A. R. Wilson (Wellington) was favoured for the title but after making the pace most ol the way, he was passed by S. J. Wade (Auckland) half way round the last lap. Wade went on to win in 4min 25 l-ssec. Wilson made a desperate effort down the straight but was beaten by inches, and collapsed at the tape. The heats of the sprints and quar-ter-mile gave promise of some interesting racing in to-morrow’s finals. W. J. Fitzsimmons (New Zealand champion) qualified in both, but he will be fully extended to. retain his titles. . C. V. Evans (West Coast, North Island), a former middle distance champion, making his return to the track, won his heat of the quarter mile in 51 l-ssec, running easily, and he will meet H. J. Tyrie, the Empire Games representative l in to-mor-row’s final. Detailed results: —

The wind prevented the recognition of Bradwell’s time as a New Zealand record.

Otago is leading for the provincial shield with 12 points. Canterbury is second with 7; West Coast (North Island) and Auckland five each, Auckland and Otago are to fight out the decision to-morrow.

Empire Games

SELECTORS CRITICISED. [Per Press Association]

CHRISTCHURCH, March 11.

Revelations of the methods of selection of New Zealand teams for the Empire Games, were made at the annual conference of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, this morning.

Strong criticism was voiced by two Auckland delegates and a letter was read from Mr. J. K. Moloney, Christchurch, one of the selectors. In this letter, Mr. Moloney contended that the power conferred on the selectors made them advisors only and not selectors. It would appear that power was spread over a number of individuals and associations.

“When I arrived in Wellington, the Secretary of the Empire Games Committee (Mr. H. Amos) was the first to try his hand,” wrote Moloney. “He intimated to a large gathering of athletes, before the trials, who the successful ones would be. As a number of the athletes paid their own expenses, this was to say, at least, ?. tactless attitude. The other selector, Mr. A. C. Kitto, and I, conferred, and

though in the dark as to the number to be sent, we produced a list in order of merit, which we thought covered Ihe ground. We were informed that five women were to be sent, and there can be no doubt that we chose the five best on the day, although I personally would not have sent any of them.”

Mr. Moloney denied the allegations that Mr. Kitto was the sole selector. The real selectors were the New Zealand Council, as witness lhe inclusion of Weller’s name in the first list published. "He had no claims whatever,” wrote Mr. Maloney. “It was a pure case of provincial bias. I would suggest a sole selector, with absolute powers. If this man came from Auckland, there would be no dissentient voice,”

Schoolboy Athletes TO PREVENT OVERSTRAIN

CHRISTCHURCH, March 11.

Alarm at the manner in which secondary schoolboy athletes were being burnt out by the time they left school, was expressed at the annual conference of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, this morning.

After a full discussion, it was decided to take steps to prevent secondary school athletes from competing in so many events in one day at school championships.

“Otago has found for a number of years that boys who start in secondary schools, with a prospect of being real champions, are practically burnt out by the time they leave school, be cause they have been competing in too many events,” said Mr. C. Clark. “Southland has also come to the conclusion that many boys are sick of athletics by the time they leave school. We are losing many promis ing athletes in this way. Perhaps sports masters can help by. limiting the number of events in which the boys compete.” The conference decided to include a marathon and a six mile championship in the 1939 programme. ■

MATTHEWS’ FUTURE.

CHRISTCHURCH, March 11

C. H. Matthews, the Canterbury distance runner and Empire champion, has not agreed with the proposal made after his brilliant win at the Empire Games in Sydney, that he should contest the English championship in June. He said to-day that after his strenuous period of racing culminating in the Empire Games, he would be unwise to undertake a sea journey immediately and attempt to find form on the cinder tracks in England.

One Mile. 1 A R. Wilson (Wellington) 2 R Morley (Hawke’s Bay) 3 Time 4min 25 l-5sec. Three Mile Walk. 1 D. Kingston (Hawke’s Bay) .... F W. Dukes (Canterbury) 2 3 Time 23min 17 4-5sec. Long Jump. H w Wilkins (Canterbury) .... 1 C Hausman (Wellington) 2 R. G. Pilling (Otago) 3 Distances: 22ft 3iin. 22xv l.»m, 0 7-8in. Pole Vault. F S. Barraclough (West Coast, 1 F. Bradv (Wellington) 3 64 Heights: lift 3 l-8in. lift. 10ft in. Throwing Discus. A A. Cameron (Otago) 1 J. R. Dalgleish (Otago) D. Herman (Canterbury) '• • • 3 Distances: 129ft Win. J20ft 3in, 113 ft 6in. 100 Yards Championship. (First Heat). G. Quinn (Hawke’s Bay) 1 G. C. Gordon (Canterbury) .... R. A. kodgers (Canterbury) .... 2 3 Time lOsec. (Second Heat). W. J. Fitzsimmons (Hawke’s Bay) 1 J Eastwood (Wellington) 2 3 Time 10, l-5sec. °20 Yards Championship (First Heat) J. Eastwood (Wellington) 1 W. J. Fitzsimmons (Hawke’s Bay) 2 G. C. Gordon (Canterbury) .... 3 Time 22 4-5sec. (Second Heat). C. Robinson (Wellington) 1 M. C. Baker (Auckland) :.. 2 . Time 23 3-5sec. 440 Yards Championship (First Heat) M. C. Baker (Auckland) 1 H. J. Tyrie (Otago) 2 E. D. Queree (Canterbury) 3 Time 52 2-5sec. (Second Heat). C. V. Evans (West Coast, North 1 I Bickerstaff (Hawke’s Bay) .... 2 A. W. Lohrey (Canterbury) .... 3 Time 51 l-5see. . - ... 120 Yards Hurdles. (First Heat) P. T. Bowie (Auckland) 1 L. C. Woodward (Wellington) .. 2 Time 15 2-5sec. (Second Round) C. R. Bradwell (Canterbury) .... 1 A. J. Maher (Auckland) 2 Time 15 2-5sec. 220 Yards Hurdles. (First. Heat). J. D. Nelligan (Canterbury) .... 1 Bowie (Auckland) rp ime 26?sec. (Second Heat). C. R. Bradwell (Canterbury) .... 1 J. Hamilton (Wellington) 2 Time 25-sec.