AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 79, 2 March 1929, Page 3

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. (By “Miler.”) The thirty-eighth Now Zealand championship meeting . was held on the Basin Reserve, Wellington, on Friday and Saturday, 22nd and 23id of February. The sprint and distance running and also the cycling events were in numerous cases well up to the New Zealand standard, but unfortunately in (the long and high jumps the competition did not attain the results that were to be expected at such a gathering. The walking events were most uninteresting from the point of view of number of competitors, as only two men tried conclusions in- both the one and three mile events; if walking is not stimulated throughout the cotintry, “Miler” would not be at' all surprised to see these two events deleted from future championship programmes. ” / During the progress of the meeting twelve New Zealand standards were bettered, one equalled and one record broken. S. A. Lay (Wanganui-Tara-naki) was responsible for breaking the existing Australasian' record by throwing tne javelin a distance or 206 ft bin, which is 6£in better than his previous best throw in Australasia. In this event, as Lay was throwing against the wind, his performance was truly meritorious. Fifteen previous • champions lost their titles. Of these, the following, tor Various reasons, did not compete: VV. Leadbetter, IUO and 220 yards; C. B. Aden, «b(J yards; W. J. Lankey, 1 and If miles walks, team in the medley relay, and G. J. threats, high jump. F. Grose was injured in tile half-mile cycle event and could not compete in the one and three mile races. The remainder of the titles were lost during competition. Wellington retained the Championship tohieid with 73 points, Auckland being next with 22, then Canterbury V, Otago Id, and \v,anganui-Xara-naki 7. The Queensland Commemoration Jubilee bmeld, for most pomts gained by records or standards,; was. also unotriciaily won by Wellington with six points. A. J. Elliott (Auckland) has been a “trier” at the championships tor some years past, and Ins winning of both sprint events was well deserved. His time in the 220 yards was little short of brilliant. A. W. Findlay (Otago) accounted for the 440 yards fairly easily and apart from beating last year's champion, also bettereu his time by 4-oth seconds. L. (J. Mciiauciilan (Otago) won the 830 yards owing to the unfortunate disqualification of buckling. In the one and three mile events, J. W. Savidan (Auckland) was the star pertormer. in the former event our local representative, i±. McDonald, made quite a good showing considering it was his first appearance at a New Zealand championship meeting. He was unfortunate in being beaten by Gibbons for second place, but with the experience gained this year “Mac” should make a bold showing next season. Ramson and Lander (both of Wei-, lington) provided a great race on the 120 yards hurdles, the former just winning by a touch. In the 440 yards hurdles the positions were reversed. In the 100 yards ladies’ championship Miss Norma Wilson was apparently not at her best and was beaten by Miss Martin (Canterbury). LOCAL PERFORMERS. M. Donald did well to win all three cycle events at Bunnythorpe last Saturday. He should win the mile championship at the Showgrounds today, with G. Cooksley not far behind. , Several Feilding Club members are showing good form and have managed to secure more than their share of wins at recent meetings. Cochrane, who won. the 880, and C. Pearce, who won the 100 yards at Bunnythorpe have been specially prominent. This club also possesses several jumpers who are capable of extending the best in Palmerston North.