ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11538, 24 November 1900, Page 7

ATHLETICS.

« T^ « «A uc ; klan(l Amateur Athletio and Cycle Club hold high carnival at the Domain Cricket Ground this afternoon, when an attractive programme of events will be submitted to patrons of the sport. The piece de resistance is of course the 120 yds Invitation Hurdle Race, in which the famous Irish athlete, M. M. Roseingrave, will meet G. W. Smith, Australasian and Now Zealand champion, and Jas. Campbell, who last year proved himself second only to Smith over the short stick journey, and is said to have improved in the interim. That Campbell is a good one I am quite prepared to admit, yet as I cannot see that his performances warrant my classing him with his clubmate (Smith), I shall pass him over in looking for tho winner of this interesting and muoh-falked-of event. Then the question is, " can Smith beat Roseingrave?" and after carefully summing up the pros and cons, I may say that I am inclined to range myself on the side with those who have expressed . the opinion that he —no new argument, as far as I am concerned, as I have never wavered in my allegiance to Smith since the question of his meeting with Roseingrave was first mooted a couple of years ago, creating at the time considerable controversy. In taking up the cudgels on behalf of the New Zealander, I have, of course, had all along to rely solely on the time test, and as I am now writing without having seen Roseingrave in competition, I must say that the plank _ on which I rely has not been very materially strengthened, the only additional ground being the manner in which the Irishman has been shaping in his training. Again and again Smith has demonstrated his ability to get to the end of the 120 yds hurdle course in 16 l-55., and on making calculations in some of the competitions in which he has figured behind scratch, the comparative results are found to be even a trifle better, while, on the other hand. Roseingrave Ins in no instance shown himself equal to anything better than 16£s., a disparity in time that is hardly likely to bring the boy from County Galway on terms with Smith, even allowing that he should do a shade better on the local track, which is considered the fastest grass track in Australasia. After carefully watching both Roseingrave and Smith oyer the fences in preparation a few days back, I must say that as far as jumping was concerned the Irishman's style was prettier and more in keeping with what is known as the orthodox style than that of Smith, but on all other points I preferred the Auoklandar. He was smarter off the mark, and dashed down over his sticks at a more solid pace than Roseingrave, who, after getting over the first two or three fences, slackened a bit, and did not seem able to maintain his dash. Moreover, he looked to me to be a trifle on the fine side.

W. H. Madill intended coming to town for the amateur sports, but mining matters prevented his doing so. The hammer-throw-ing and shot-putting champion, however, expects to be able, to come to Auckland in time to accompany the championship team to Christchurch if chosen.

Latest files to hand state that at Gutenberg (U.S.A.), W. M. Long ran a quarter of a mile in 475. This is a fresh straightaway record, which has stood the test for 14 years, and proves Loner the greatest quarter-railer of the acre. The old record was 47|5., held by Wardell Baker, who made it in Boston in 1886. The American crack, in accomplishing this wonderful feat, also succeeded in breaking records for two intermediate distances, doing the 350 yds in 36 2-ss. (previous best 36 4-55., by Lou Myers), and the 400 yds in 42 1-59. (previous best, 435., by W. C. Downs). Long was paced by W. S. Edwards and P. Walsh, the former taking him over the first fivlong, and before starting he warmed up with an easy 100 yds, and was then rubbed down. M. M. Roseingrave has 4yds in the 100 yds flat handicap at to-day's amateur athletic sports, but as his sprint performances do not compare with his efforts over the sticks, he is hardly likely to be the first to breast the worsted. When in Sydney some time_ back, Stanley Rowley stood him up 9yds in the 100 yds. and gave him a boating. At the annual display of the Wellington Physical Training School and Gymnasium last week, the most successful item was an exhibition of fancy Indian club swinging by a number of young ladies, who will compete at Christehurch in January for the championshin of New Zealand. The Old Boys' 100 yds Handicap at the Prince Albert College sports on Wednesday afternoon last brought to light a couple of promising sprinters, and provided a decidedly interesting race. Although the recent rains had made the Domain track heavy, the winner, W. O. Carlaw, who ran in nice style, covered the distance in 10 3-ss. off the 4yds mark, while A. Watson, the scratch man, was timed at 10 4-ss. for the full hundred. If this latter timing is correct, then Watson is one who may be ticked off as decidedly dangerous in the 100 yds Handicap at to-day's amateur athletic sports, he being; on the 7£vds mark. „ The famous American hurdler, Kraenzlein, who recently announced his intention of retiring from the track, is said to be going to take up football. If he takes to the game he should be very hard to cat oh once he gets a clear run. The New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association has invited Stanley Rowley, champion sprinter of Australasia, to compete at the New Zealand Championship Meeting, to be held at Christehurch on December 22, but it is hardly likely that the Sydnev Harrier will see his way to crossing the Tasman Sea so shortly after returning' from his trip to the Old Country and Paris. Roseingrave has also received an invitation to compete at Christehurch. American papers bring news of a fresh world's record with the hammer, the recordbreaker beinc J. Flanagan, who at Travors Island. New York, threw the 161b hammer 169 ft 4in from a 7ft circle. This is Ift Bin better than the previous best—his own, 167 ft Bin. . At the Victorian amatour championships, decided on the Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 12, W. Shea and G. Moir deadheated in the 100 yds in 10 l-55., and the former won the 220 yds in 22 3-55., and the 440 yds in 53is. The time for the 220 yds creates a fresh record for Viotoria, and though 2-ss. outside Stanley Rowleys Australasian figures, is better by l-10s. than W. T. Macpherson's record (Victorian), made in 1893. At the same meeting C. H. Gardner won his heat in the 120 yds hurdles in 16 2-ss. (also a Victorian record), but in the final struck the third fence and came down. At the London Athletic Club's Meeting, held at the Stamford Bridge Grounds on September 29, C. H. .Tupp won the 200 yds race from soratch in 20 l-ss.