THE NEW ZEALAND ATHLETES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8947, 3 August 1892, Page 6

THE NEW ZEALAND ATHLETES.

[FKOM OCR OWN COI4RE6PONDENT.]

London, June 24. The New Zealanders made their dzbiU on the 11th instant, at tho meeting of the Tufnell Park Athletic Club, Tufnell Park, •Upper Holloway, London. They had no reason to complain of the heartiness of their reception, and they were afforded a fair chance of disclosing their ability iu the several events. Upon the whole, they created a favourable impression, though their initial performances were scarcely satisfactory to themselves. The day was charming, and the attendance of visitors large. • The whole of the tracks were laid out on the grass, the sprint, which was across the ground, being slightly downhill at the start and uphill at the finish. Hcmpton, though entered for the 100 yards open handicap, withdrew in order to reserve himself for the level hundred later on. L. A. Cuff, however, competed, but was unplaced in his heat, and it was evident his form was not good. In the half-mile scratch race, D Wood competed, and he looked all over a winner at the half-distance, which was done in 58sec. ; but he could not stay the pace, and when going up the hill had to confess lie was beaten, the victory falling to W. H. Smith, the " Biichfield harrier, who covered the course in 2min. 3-sth sec. It was admitted that Wood would do better when his condition had improved. Tho qnarfcer-mile handicap was contested by if?. P. Wood started from scratch in the opening heat, but was never in it. The best event of the meeting was thu 100 yards scratch race. J. H. Hampton won the first heat easily. Time, 10 2-sth sec. He was so much at his ease that he was able to look round upon E. H. Home, of the L.A.C., who was second. The final heat was a grand struggle. C. A. Bradley, of Huddersfield, got away best, but was headed by Hemptou, who led to within 20 yards from home, when Bradley spurted, and won, after an exciting finish, by a yard. Time, lOsec. The same distance separated die second and third. The concluding event was the 440 yards hurdle handicap, in which H. M. Batgcr, of !New Zealand, and W. Kent Hughes, of the Australian Students' Club, competed, the latter receiving 30yds, and the former being at scratch, and clearly over handicapped. Hughes would have won had he not blundered at the last hurdle, which allowed Williams, of the Lea Harriers, to win. Time, eiseo.

The colonial athletes made their second appearance on Saturday, the 18th iust., at the Hnddersfield Athletic Meeting, where their prowess wau witnessed by I'J.OOO spectators. The weather was gloomy, and the wind keen, but the rain held off. The final of tho Quarter-mile Handicap proved interesting, though the New Zealand competitor was third. The result was:- 1, 1. S. Siunott, South London Harriers, 16; 2, H. S. Johnson, Manchester AC, 23; 3, P. Wood, New Zealand A. A. A., 15. Time,somin. l-sth sec. In the I:3oyds Hurdles, Godfrey Shaw, of London A.C., won easily by three yards ; L. A. Cuff beating Batger by six inches for second place. Time, lSiniu. 3-sth sec. For the Quarter-mile Hurdle, the result was : 1, G. Shaw, scratch; 2, Ratge-r, scratch ; 3, T. M. Donovan, of Edinburgh U.A.C., 15. Time, 59min. 4-sth sec.; a best on record. Batger made a great show. He got away very fast, and jumping in faultless style, left Shaw a long way in the rear, and at the last hurdle was at. least four yards in front. Shaw, however, made a most desperate effort, and having more speed snatched the victory on the post in record time. It is recognised that this performance of the Now Zealand athlete is undoubtedly the best of auy that the team have yet accomplished, and in many quarters regret was expressed at its failure. The New Zealand athletes are pronounced "true gentlemen and true sportsmen," but, excepting Uempton and Batger, they are not regarded as great runners. It is hoped that their trainer, Harry Hutuhens, the famous professional sprinter, will have fitted them to do letter at the Manchester Meeting on July 13.