THE ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8483, 6 February 1891, Page 5

THE ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS.

TIPS FOR TO-DAY. All interested in athletic sports of any kind in this city must congratulate themselves that Auckland has secured the privilege of holding the first combined meeting at which the athletic and cycling championships for the year are to be decided. To those who are accustomed only to the local meetings of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club, we may explain that between these and the present carnival there is a great difference; in that, while the rank and file, which always constitute the majority of any body, athletic or otherwise, is relegated to comparative obscurity, the chosen champions all meet on equal terms; in short, to-day's and to-morrow meeting is a contests of "cracks, not only from all the various New Zealand centres, but also from Ne South Wales. _ Each team has been carefully chosen, and each rep. is set apart to " uphold his country's honour" over his respective pet distances alone, so that the events are sure to be most keenly contested, as well as much above the ordinary in the quality and speed of the work done. With hardly an exception, both visiting and local champions arc trained " to the hour," and therefore in the best possible condition to do their utmost, so that the results of the meeting should conclusively show which is the superior province or district for this year of grace, 1891. The local committee has worked hard to have all the necessary arrangements in readiness, and the caretaker of the Domain ground has prepared an excellent track for both lap and straight events. The handicap races have splendid fields, and though all the competitors may not be in the pink of condition, yet excellent contests are sure to result in all. The first .race to-day (the programme for which includes nine of the championships) starts at 2 p.m. sharp. To-day. for the first time, the Auckland A.A. Club will display their new banner, which is a splendid one. It is about 6 feet by 4 feet, of the club's colours, black and white satin. Upon the face is a life-size figure of an athlete, painted gratuitously by Miss Anne Dobson, while the reverse bears a list of all the winners—both running and wheel, —as well as the club champions for years past. The work in connection with the banner was done by Mr. G. H. Powley as a compliment to the club. Appended will be found notes by our athletic contributor " Jason" upon the meeting, together with " tips" for to-day's events — At the meeting, the club which scores the most points in various events is entitled to the N.Z.A.A. Association's Champion Banner for the year, and all the various contesting clubs are naturally anxious to secure the honour. Our New South Wales friends felt the same desire, and wished to enter for this competition, but Mr. L. A. Cuff, the secretary of the N.Z.A.A. Association, the other day, informed them that they could not do so unless they had entered as belonging to one club. As a matter of fact, all the members of the New South Wales contingent are members of all and each of the Sydney clubs and ought certainly to be eligible, if any team is to contest for the banner, but Mr. Cuff has stated otherwise. If this decision is upheld it is manifest the Australian visitors are quite unjustly and discourteously dealt with, because they had no previous intimation of such a rigid and unmeaning adherence to the letter of a law which they most asswredly comply with in spirit. The local club and other contesting teams are both willing and desirous that the visitors should have no hindrance put in their way, and we understand have wired to the headquarters at Christchurch to endeavour to have the matter settled at once.

As a fitting finale to the meeting it has been arranged that the visitors snail be entertained at a smoke concert on Saturday evening at the Imperial Hotel. His Worship the Mayor has been asked to preside, and the medals won at the meeting will be presented to the several champions.

[BY JASON.]

In my notes the other day a remark I made was, I am sorry to say, quite misconceived by those to whom it referred, Messrs. Macpherson and Sefton, the Sydney sprinters. I referred to a rumour which was current with a view to expressing my entire disbelief in it, and my confidence in the intentions of the visitors to do nothing bearing even the semblance of crookedness, but the gentlemen mentioned have since informed me that they feel that it conveyed a slur upon them in some way. I certainly believe an amateur runner must, "like Cesar's wife, be above suspicion," and am pleased to state that Messrs. Macpherson and Sefron's long and honourable career upon the racing track justifies me in thinking that they fill this bill to the utmost.

I will now endeavour to aid the public in picking the winners of the various events, which are to be » un to-day : — Three-Milk Walk.—There are einht competitors, four being local men. Selby and McDonald are somewhat outclassed. The others should make a close race, finishing— G. Peace, Auckland, 1; G. Bailey, New South Wales, 2; H. S. Cocks, Christchuich, 3.

250 yds. Championship.—' will be a most bitter contest, and the finish must be close—very. All tne six starters are good at the distance, but I will place them —B. Owen, Auckland, 1; W. T. Macpherson, New South Wales, 2; M. H. Laird, Auckland, 3. Five-Mile Bicycle.ln this event the Southern contingent is too good for the local men, and the race should finish — C. Wilmot, Canterbury, 1; W. J. S. Hay ward, Canterbury, 2; A. G. Buchanan, Auckland, 3. High Jc.up.—Of the trio engaged I think the merit is in the following order :— E. Hume, Wellington, 1 ; K. T. Laurie, AuckB. A. Laurie, Auckland, 3. Half-milk Flat.—There are eight entries, but only five are likely to be about at the finish. White, of Sydney, is, unfortunately, not quite fit, and therefore I leave him out, except for a possible " boil-over," and place the men : J. F. Grierson, Canterbury, 1; J. W. Winks, Auckland, 2; E. E. Corner, New South Wales, 3. 120 yds. Hordles.— It is probable only three will see the post, and I .think they will come to the tape : H. W. Batgor, Wellington, 1; B. Owen, Auckland, 2; W. G. Moir, Canterbury, 3. Ten-mile Bicycle Championship.—ln this distance the places will be ' changed, and though I fancy the local men, Buchanan and Short will be near, the finish will be : S. R. Stedinan, Dunedin, 1; W. J. S. Hayward, 2; A. C. Wilmot, 3. Long Jum p.—A good contest is anticipated, but without going into details, I expect the result: T. F. Upfill, Auckland, 1; T. O'Connor, Auckland, 2; H. W. Batger, Wellington, 3. One-mile Flat.This race is sure to be a close one, and should end : D. Wood, Canterbury, 1; E. Corner, New South Wales, 2; J. W. " Winks, 3. ' 600 yds. Handicap,— is not likely any of the visiting champions will compete in this, and after a tight race the following should seel the judpee first: 6. H. Nixon, 15yds., 1; D. F. Lundon, 3oyds., 2; H. N. Goldwater or A. G. Harvey, 3. Two-mile Bike Handicap.lf Wilmot starts he should win, otherwise I expect the finish to be: E. Reynolds, 1; J. G. Lecky, 2; P. Ledsham, 3.