Amateur Athletics.

Free Lance, Volume V, Issue 247, 25 March 1905, Page 19

Amateur Athletics.

The athletic event of the season, the New Zealand championship meeting, is now history to all followers of the sport. The coveted shield, for which many a keen struggle has been fought out, is x now in the care of the' Canterbury men, who scored 72 points to Wellington's 51. The Wellington team on the first day did all that was expected of them, and their supporters were confident that the shield would once more become the property of the Wellington Centre. But, on the second day the only man who ran up to form was T. Craig, of Wanganui, who won both the hurdle events m good style. Craig also obtained second place in the long jump, thus scoimg altogether 15 points for his team. F. Ross easily won the three-mile walk on the first day, but had to put up with second place in the one-mile walk on the following day. W. H. Pollock ran second to G. A. Widmer in the 440 yds, being just beatem by two feet, after a great struggle. In the half-mile, on the second 1 day, Pollock could not get closer than fourth, although the race was out out in the slow time of 2mm 4seo. M. Burnett ran second in the half, and only for the fact that he was blocked at the turn into the straight would have seriously troubled G. H. Wheatley, the winner. T. Stubbs, the local crack sprinter, won his heat in the 100 yds without being pushed, but he also, on the second day, cracked up, and could not finish m either the final of the xUOyds or the heat of the 220 yds, although at threes quarters of the distance in the former he was running second to Duffey, and in the latter event was a clear five yards ahead of the field at 60yds from the tape. Considerable interest was centied in the visiting athletes, especially A. H. Shrubb and A. F. Duffey. Shrubb had to lowei his colours to the young Dunednnte, H. Burk, who won the mile championship in 4min 27 2-sth sec, a record for New Zealand. Shrubb, however, was not in good health, not having recovered from his illness in Austialia, and, at a smoke concert held after the sports, expressed a desire to meet Burk at Wellington or Auckland if it could be arranged, when Shrubb considered he would have sufficiently improved to run a mile in much better t me than he had done so far during the toui . Duffey won the 100 yds championship by bydis from Hartland, of Canterbury, in 10 2-oth sec, and accounted for the 50yds Invitation Handicap in the record time of 5 2-sth sec. Duffey is very faist off the mark, and thus secures a bio- advantage over the New Zealand athlete>, who are not so well up m tlus department of athletics. He also finishes the last ten yards of a race very fast, but opinions were expressed tlhat several of his opponents would hold their own with him had they not been so slow in starting. At the sports meeting to be held at the Athletic Park to-morrow (Saturday) the public will have an opportunity of witnessing the pcraeis of these two wonderful athletes, and, provided 1 that the day is fine, there is little doubt but that Shrubb will lower both the onemile and three-mile records of New Zealand As Duffey has now struck form, he probably will equal his previous records for the 75yds and 100 yds sprints. Numerous entries have been received for all events, and the competitions should be keen. The following I expect to run well in their respective contests — 75 y( j s — A. Duffey (America), F. Brace, E. W. Cardale. 100 yds. — R. Duff, A. Duffev, Kelly. 440vds.— W. Wallace, G. A. Widmer (New South Wales), A. E. Nolan (Auckland).

880 yds. —M. Burnett, H. Bradbury (Wairarapa), G. A. Wheatley (Australia). One mile.— A. Shrubb (England), W. H. Pollook, G. A. Wheatley. Three miles.— A. Shrubb, JH. Preadeville, N. Gordon. Grand Steeplechase. — W. Llewellyn (Canterbury), L. Cowan (Auckland!), Marshall.