Athletics.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 80, 11 January 1902, Page 6

Athletics.

Local cash runnels have a grievance Tins time it is against the handicapper «md T am told a piotc&t has been signed by over fort\ runners, which in due course is to be forw ardod to the various spots promoters I cannot see that thcie is any valid cause for the "squeal " A dHnteiested spsctator could not have wished for better competition than there was at the Druids' Sports on New Year's Day, especially m the Sheffield Handicap

Mr Shannon was the recipient of main congratulations on the way he had brought the men together, and the good finishes in nearly ever\ race were a treat to witness. I must confess that the dissecting of the various handicaps is too big a contract for me to tackle. Some men ma\ be badly treated, others may be lenientIt dealt with but after all no good will be gained bv the circulating of the protest The luimeis them&ehes will not be true to owe another — in fact, the term<of the protest in my opinion, will he broken by practically everyone v 1 o signed the paper if there is a chance of any running being lost thereby to tlvn either collectively or individually. ♦ * * The tune ci edited to Kerr in the mile w alk at Dunedm, on New Year's Day — bmiii llsec from the mark — seems hard to believe, yet I am assured that it was coirect the three official watches agreeing As the Otago Caledonian Society is not affiliated to the Association of Caledonian Societies, there will be no chance of the "go" being recognised ac a record, although there should be an effort to have it established Kerr is a resident of Tariki-road, in the Taranaki district, and won the mile walk from the mark at the Druids' Sports eighteen months' ago. He gave promise then of developing into somethni" good, but not such class as the time credited him at Dunedm w ould indicate Visitors from Wellington to the Caledonian Championship meeting at Oamaru speak in very favourable terms of the courtesies extended by the officials. Mr Rule (the secretary) being held in much esteem by them At the monthh meeting of the Empire Cit-\ Athletic Club, on Monday evening, it was decided to f orw ard a vote of thanks to the Oamaru people for kindnesses shown the clubs captain, who attended the sports Mr D. A. McPhi'o w as yen warm in his praise of the wa\ m w hioh the meeting was conducted, <md the favour* that had been shown him