ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11841, 19 December 1901, Page 6

ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS.

THIRTEENTH ANNUAL COMPETITIONS. AUCKLAND WINS THE BANNER.

SOME FIXE PERFORMANCES.

Officials:—President: Mr. C. E. MacCormick. Referee: Air. T. F. Upfill. Judges (Track Events): Messrs. W. O. Pritchard. A. M. Stuart,' W. J. Ralph. W. C. Speight. Judges {Field Events): Professor Carrollo, Messrs. E. S Marks, PJchd. Ooombes. Judges of Walking: Mesirs. Richd. Coombes and J. Mahon. Timekeepers: Messrs. F. J. Macmanemin. R. H. Croll, A. Goldwater. G. Bead, G. Dunnett. Standard Timekeepers: Messrs A. Kohn and F. Coombes. Standard Judge: Mr. Shannon. Starter:' Mr. R B. Lads. Track Stewards: Messrs. J. Farquhar. S. Somerfield. C. Hesketh. Call Steward: Mr. J. Buchanan. Press Steward: Mr W. H. Tor. Costume Steward: Mr. A. "Williamson. Survey Steward: Mr. R. Yates. Stewards: Messrs. W. 11. Mercer, C. Z. Clayton. J. Crawford. Results: Messrs. W. L. Fitzherbert, G. Kenning, W. 1.. Hooper. Marksmen: Messrs. W. 11. Martin. W. Dickey, W. H. Mercer, C. Z. Clayton. Laptakers: Messrs. 11. Cooke and 11. Dacre. Assistant Hen. Secretary: Mr. F. J. Ohlson. Assistant Hon. Treasurer: Mr. C. E. Palmer. Hon. Secretary: Mr. L. W. Harley.

The thirteenth annual athletic championship gathering, under the auspice? of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, was held at tho Auckland Domain Cricket Ground yesterday afternoon. During the forenoon a cloudless sky gave promise of most favourable weather, but unfortunately for the authorities rain clouds began to bank up as the hour for commencement of the sports approached, and although the rain did not begin to fall until -veil after the meeting had commenced, the weather conditions militated against the attendance, which mimlx-red about 1500 persons. Beyond the paucity of attendance and the discomfort caused by the rain, there was. however, nothing at which the onlookers had ground for complaint, as the sports were well managed, and several good performances were recorded. Excellent, work was dbuc by the hon. secretary (Mr. F. J. Ohlson) and various other officials (mentioned above) responsible for carrying out the details, while the starting by Mr. K. V. Lusk gave-every satisfaction, a remark that may be applied equally to" the judging and timekeeping. Mr. R. J. Yates had everything on the ground in order, and had not thp rains made the track a trifle soft and holding, nothing better could have been desired. Hunter's brass band contributed an enjoyable musical programme. A moderate and rather puffy wind was something in favour of tho 100 yds and 120 yds hurdles, but beyond this competitors gained nothing from the weather conditions, for,' as mentioned above, the track was hardly at its best. As expected, the Auckland representatives experienced no difficulty in winning tho coveted banner, as in addition to the champions at the club's disposal there were quite a number of second strings to add to the points, and when the scores came to be run up it was found that the wearers of the black and white uniforms had put together more than double the points standing to tliß credit of the next best, Canterbury, though the representatives of the Southern province must be said to have done remarkably well with the small contingent sent along. This makes the sixth occasion on which tho banner has been won by Auckland, as against five occasions by Canterbury, and once each by Wellington and Dunedin. ' The points yesterday wero as under:—-

Points. Auckland £5A Canterbury 36£ Wellington. 19 Dunedin 3 Coming to the competitors, it may be said that the principal honours of tho day Went to CI. W. Smith, who was in great form, his Priories embracing tho 100 yds. 120 yds hurdles, and 440 yds hurdles. The 100 yds was undoubtedly one of the best races of tho day, there being little to choose between the quartette over tho first. ?oyds, 'after which Smith began to draw out inch bv inch, ultimately scoring by about a yard from Heald, who appeared to bo out of. the hunt in the early stages, but finished tin big task with the greatest gameness. The 120 yds hurdles proved a gift to the Aucklander, who was away like a flash at pistol crack, and drawing out fpom his field all along. breasted the tape just as the second man was landing over the last fence. None of the official watches exceeded 165., and one or two were a tick under. A. dash of interest was lent to the 440rda hurdles by the running of Henderson (Wellington), who ran into the lead at the fifth hurdle and staved there for a couple of jumps, when Smith ljegan to draw up," ami, being with his opponent at tho ninth fence, it was then seen that he had the race — he ultimately won comfortab!.; —well in hand. At the same time, Henderson is to be complimented on his gameness, and a decidedly creditable performance, as he was clocked to do 6?.5. for the full distance, which entitled him to claim a sfcanda-rd badge. Both the 220 yds and 440 yds championships proved a gift to L. B. Webster, tlio young Wellington runner fully maintaining: the reputation that had preceded him by winning the two evenly rather easily. The half-mile was contested by a small, but evenly-matched, field, and consequently onlookers were furnished with a capital race, the honours going to E. T. Harper (Canterbury), C. D. Cowan a good second. As Smith in the. hurdles had matters all his own way, so did Simpson, of Canterbury, in the one and three-rrtilo runs, both of which lie won with ridiculous ease. Ho moves over tlic ground with a nice free stride, and is the possessor of staying and, when called upon, sprinting powers, that will trouble the Australian cracks on Friday and Saturday. In the jumping events C. C. Laurie and C. S. Harper (Canterbury) were out by themselves, the first-named having a walk-over in the pole jump, and dead-heating with Harper in the high jump the Latter also winning the long jump, with Laurie second. Both easily topped the standard height in the high jump. Madill also practically had a walk-over in the hammer and shot events. With the hammer he did 127 ft with the second attempt, but failed to reach standard by 3ft. while with the 161b shot lie registered 39ft —6in over the standard. The, walking events were judged under the new rules by Messrs. B. Coombos (Sydney) and Mahon, the first-named being thoroughly conversant with the new rules under which tho contests were conducted. In the one-mile event Bell, who was making his maiden appearance in amateur ranks, was called off in the first round, while D. Wilson, who was making his reappearance after an absence of two or three years, was called off in the third round, and .T. Dickey was similarly treated about 50yds from the post, leaving 0. J. Barr Brown to come in alone. He walked very fairly, and deserved credit for his success. The disqualification seemed to put Wilson on his mettle, and ho showed some of his old-time dash in the three-mile race, putting in some good work, and finishing by himself. His walking was on this occasion to the thorough satisfaction of the indue, and he seemed to walk with greater confidence. The following are the standards that were equalled or broken : — Half-mile Flat: E. T. Harper (Canterbury) : time, 2m. 25.: standard, 2m. 2s. IOOYds Flat: C. W. Smith (Auckland), 10 l-55.; standard. 10 l-ss. High Jump: C. S. Harper (Canterbury) and C. 0. Laurie (Auckland), sft Bin ; stan- • dard, sft 7in. j Putting the Shot: W. H. Madill (AuckI land). 39ft: standard, 33ft 6in.

120 Yds Hurdles: G. W. Smith (Auckland), 165.; standard. 16 3-ss.

Three-mile Walk: D. Wilson (Auckland), 22m. 465.; standard. 23m. 20s.

Pole Jump : C. C. Laurie (Auckland), 10ft; standard, 10ft.

440 Yds Hurdles: G. W. Smith (Auckland), 61 l-55.; A. K. Henderson (Wellington), 625.; standard, 62 3-ss. Details of the racing are as under: — 100 YARDS FLAT CHAMPIONSHIP. Present champion, C. L. H. Hiorns, P.A.B. and A.C World's amateur record. 9 4-55.. J. Owen, jun., Detroit A.C. U.S A.; W. T. Macpherson, N.S.W.: J. H. Hempton, K.8.A.A.C.: B. J. Wefers, America. New Zetland amateur record, 9 4-55., J. 11. Hempton, W. T. Macpherson. Standard, 10 l-ss. 0. W. Smith (Auckland) 1 S. H. Heald (Auckland) ... 2 L. B. Webster (Wellington) '.'. 3 Run in two heats. First heat—G. W. Smith, 1: A. 0. Keating, 2. Keating and the Aucklander were together at 50yds, and they stayed together over the next 30vds, whim Smith began to draw out a hit. and lie won by a yard. Time, 10 3-s=-,. Second heat— S. 11. I-Icald, 1: I;. B. Webster, 2; E. R. Marriott. 3. Heald lumped away in fine style, and although Webster chased him with great determination, he lasted long enough to win bv nearly lialf-a-yard. Time, 10 2-ss. In the final the field jumped off in beautiful line, Keating being the first to single himself out, and he was just a shade to the good at the end of 60yds, where Smith began to extend himself, and getting in front a dozen yards further on, he stayed there and won by better than half-a-yard from Heald. who was a foot in front of Webster. Time, 10 l-ss. The winner equalled standard time.

HALF-MILE FLAT CHAMPIONSHIP. Present champion, C. A. Cuff, D.A.A.C. World's amateur record, lm. 54 2-55., F. J. Cross, Oxford. New Zealand amateur record. 2m., D. Wood, C.A.A.C. Standard,

2m. 2s. E. T. Harper (Canterbury) 1 6. D. Cowan (Auckland) 2 E. Sutherland (Auckland) 3 Also started A. S. Henderson (Wellington), C. Cuff (Otago). J. McKean (Auckland]. jj. A. D. Anderson (Auckland). They all moved off together, but had not gone far before Anderson was in front, and setting a strong pace, he was still a yard or two in front of Cuff and Henderson at the close of the first lap. with Harper close up. At the back the Canterbury man was with the leading division, and a bit further on Cowan began to move up, and when they entered the straight he was running tfcurd to Harper and Henderson. Cowan made a most determined effort to reach his Southern rival, but Harper had too .much left in him, and he stayed long enough to win by a couple of yards from Cowan, Sutherland, who made up "a lot of leeway in the last bit, filling third place. Time, 2m. 2s. The winner equalled standard time, breasting the tape the best part of a yard under the official figures.

HIGH JUMP CHAMPIONSHIP. Present champion, O. S. Harper and M. Rosei!igrave'(tic). World's amateur record, 6ft s|in, M. T. Sweeney, America. New Zealand amateur record. sft 9iin, R. Brownlee, D.A.A.C. Standard, sft Tin. C. C. Laurie (Auckland). sft 8m + C. S. Harper (Canterbury). sft Bin ... t E. T. Laurie (Auckland), sft 4in 3 Also competed: F. M. B. Fisher, sft lin. Starting at 4ft 9in, Fisher was stopped after sft lin had been done, and E. T. Laurie dropped out when the bar was hoisted to sft sin, leaving C. C. Laurie and C. S. Harpar to fight it out. Both went on to sft Bin, jumping in fine style, but an inch moro found both out. and the bar was lowered to sft B£in. Here again both had three attempts without success, and tlie pair were bracketed equal firsts at sft £in. E. T. Laurie was third, with sft 4in. . In the tie both beat the standard by an inch. ONE-MILE WALK CHAMPIONSHIP. Present champion. J. C. Dickey, A.A.A. and C.C. World's amateur record and New Zealand amateur record, 6ni. 27 2-55., F. H. Creamer, A.A.A. and C.C. Standard, 7m. C. J. Barr Brown (Auckland) 1 Also started: D. Wilson, J. C. Dickey, E. Bell. Bell was the first to the front, but when the first circuit liad been completed they were altogether, where Bell was disqualified, his stylo not being to the satisfaction of the judges. Dickey showed the way through the second circuit, where lie was a couple of yards in front of Barr Brown, Wilson a similar distance away. There was still nothing between them when thev entered on the home circuit, where Wilson moved out, but he evidently broke, at the back, and was also disqualified, leaving Barr Brown well in front of Dickey, and he was still well clear when the straight was reached. Dickey lifted half-way up in the straight, leaving Barr Brown to go on alone and win. Time, 6m. 545.

PUTTING- 16lb WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (from 7ft square). Present champion, W. 0. Bradley. World's amateur record, 48ft 2in, D. Horgau, America. Nov.- Zealand amateur record, 39ft 4in. O. McCormack, W.A.A.C. Standard, 38ft 6in. W. H. Madill (Auckland), 39it 1 F. M. B. Fisher (Canterbury). 36ft siin... 2 T. B. O'Connor (Auckland)* 36ft 3iin ... 3 There were no other competitors. The winner's other efforts included a couple of fair puts, one of about 38ft and another about 38ft 6iu. ONE-MILE FLAT CHAMPIONSHIP. Present champion, S. Pentecost, P.A.B. and A.O. World's amateur record. 4m. 15 3-55., J. P. Conneff, America. New Zealand amateur record, 4m. 28 2-55., W. F. Bennett, D.A.A.C. Standard, 4m. 325. W. F. Simpson (Canterbury) 1 E. Sutherland (Auckland) 2 0. E Hanson (Auckland) 3 No others started Sutherland started out to act as pace-maker, and with Simpson and Hanson separ.'«4,ed a couple of lengths each, they remaiued in this order for a lap and three-quarters, where Simpson broke away from his opponents, and he was having 30yds the host of the other pair, who were in close company when they entered on the last circuit. Hanson and Sutherland both made a determined effort to catch the Southern distance crack at the back, but -when he found them closing up at the hospital bend ho bounded away again and ran in an easy winner by 20yds from Sutherland. Hanson, easing up, last. Time, 4m. 44 4-ss.

LONG JUMP CHAMPIONSHH\ Present champion, M. Roseingrave, N.S.W. World's amateur record, 24ft 4£in, A. C. Kraendein. America; 24ft Gin, by O'Connor. Irish champion, not yet passed. New Zealand amateur record, 21ft 6in. J. Ryan, H.8.A.A.0. (21ft lOin, M. M. Roseingrave, N.S.W.A.A.A.. November. 1900, not so far passed). Standard, 20ft 6in. C. S. Harper (Canterbury). 19ft Bin „. 1 C. C. Laurie (Auckland). 19ft s|in ... 2 H. G. Thomson, 18ft 7Jin 3 Also competed: A. E. Styeh, 17ffc 4£in. The take-off was not what it might have been, and this in a measure accounts for the moderate jumping, the best being lOin below the New Zealand standard. 120 YARDS HURDLE CHAMPIONSHIP. (10 flights, 3ft bin). Present champion, If. Roseingrave, N.S.W. World's amateur record, 15 l-55., A. C. Kraenzlein, America, on cinders, on grass 15 3-55.; G. W. Smith, A.A.A. and C.C., November, 1900, 15 3-ss. Standard, 16 3-5?. G. W. Smith (Auckland) 1 C. S. Harper (Canterbury) 2 E. T. Laurie al>o started. At pistol crack Smith was away like a flash, and was on top of his first hurdle 4yds in front of the other pair. Racing away from the opposition he was a hurdle clear at the seventh fence, and playing with, his field, lie went on and romped home in the easiest possible fashion from Harper, who was only just over the last hurdle at the time. E. T. Laurie did not finish. Time, 16s. Standard time was again beaten, Smith doing 3-ss. better. 220 YARDS FLAT CHAMPIONSHIP. Present champion, C. L. H. Hiorns, P.A.B. and A.C. World's amateur record, 21 l-ss, B. J. Wefers, America. Standard, 22 4-ss. L. B. Webster (Wellington) ... ... 1 A. O. Keating (Canterbury) 2 F. R. Marriott (Auckland) 3 Also started: .7. Stalker, C. Cuff. Webster, who had the inside running, got away splendidly, and making the pace he showed the way round tho hospital bend better than a yard in front of Keating, who was a yard clear of Marriott at this stage. Making every post a winning post, Webster moved a bit further out when the straight was reached, and he came on and won easily by better than a couple of yards from Keating, Mariott a yard and a-half away third. Time, 23 4-ss. 440 YARDS FLAT CHAMPIONSHIP. Present champion, C. A. Cuff, D.A.A.C. World's record, 475.. M. W. Long, America. New Zealand amateur record, 50 2-55., W. T. Macpherson, N.S.W. Standard, 525. L. B. Webster (Wellington) ... ... 1 J. Stalker (Otago) 2 E. T. Harper (Canterbury) ... 3 Also started: H. G. Thomson. A. R. D. Watson. Webster, who again had the inside running, was quickest to move, but they had not gone far before Stalker dashed into the lead, and he showed the way round the back, where Watson made his way into second place, and he and Stalker were well together just before the straight was reached. A few yards further on Webster made his effort, and cutting down the opposition in fine style in the run to the tapes, he won as he liked from Stalker by 4yds or syds. Harper 4yds away third, and Watson fourth. Time, 52 4-5?. THROWING HAMMER CHAMPIONSHIP. (161b, from 9ft circle; length of hammer handle, 4ft). Present champion, W. Angland, P.A.B. and A.C. World's amateur record, 163 ft 4£in., J. Flanagan America. New Zealand amateur record, 136 ft 4£in., W. 11. Madill, A.A.A. and C.C. Standard, 130 ft. W. H. Madill (Auckland), 127 ft 1 T. B. O'Connor (Auckland) 2 There were no other competitors. O'Connor only threw about 60ft, but must. be excused, as he was without practice. Madill had a couple of shots for the standard (130 ft), but was throwing under 120 ft, and as the handle was greasy he stopped. THREE MILES WALK CHAMPIONSHIP. Present champion, L. A. G. Rich, P.A.B. and A.C. World's amateur record, 21m. 9 l-55., F. P. Murray, New York. New Zealand amateur record, 21m. 375., D. Wilson, A.A.A. and C.C. Standard, 23m. 20?. D. Wilson (Auckland) ... ... *.. 1 i C. J. Barr Brown (Auckland) 2 J. C. Dickey (Auckland) .., ... ... 3

Also started: Bull. Bell showed t, c I way lor a bit better than a lap and a-haL ) when he incurred the displeasure of the judges and was disqualified, leaving D. Wilson in front. The ex-champion continued in front lap after lap, and commenced to clap en the pace at the end of a mile and a-half, where he was about 12yds to 14yds in front of Barr Brown, Dickey a similar distance away. Both back men were now shortening up a bit in their stride, while Wilson, who was moving along in his old style, was 60yds to the good of Barr Brown when the last mile was entered on. Dickey 20yds behind the latter. Increasing his lead in the last four circuits, he was the best par% of half-a-lap in front entering on the final round, and striding out in a takim; manner, he came tip tho straight with a nice spurt, finishing fresh as a daisy. Barr Browr. came in second, and Dickey third, about 20yds away from the second man. Time. 22m. 465." Wilson broke the standard (23m. 205.) by 345. POLE JUMP CHAMPIONSHIP. Present champion, H. A. Prebble, P.A.B. and A.C World's amateur record, lift lOiin., R. C. Clapp, America. New Zealand amateur record, lift o;!in., Hori Eruera, A.A.A. and C.C. Standard, 10ft. C. C. Lar.rio (Auckland), 10ft 1 There were no other competitors, and Laurie contented himsef with going for the New Zealand standard, and succeeded in vaulting tho necessary height. THREE MILES FLAT CHAMPIONSHIP. Present champion, S. Pentecost. P.A.B. and A.O. World's amateur record, 14m. 245., S. Thomas, England. New Zealand Amateur record. 15m. 27 l-55.. W. J. Burk, D.A.A.C. Standard, 15m. 30s. W. F. Simpson (Canterbury) 1 E. Sutherland (Auckland) 2 J. H. Kelly (Auckland) 3 Also started: S. A. Shaw. Sutherland and Kelly stayed in front for the best part of a milo, when Simpson and Shaw began to draw away from the other pair, and they were about 40yds to the good when they entered on the second mile. At the back Simpson cleared right out with one of bis killing bursts, taking all the steam out of Shaw, who gave it best a bit further on. Striding along freely, Simpson had matters all bis own v,-ay for the balance of the journey, and finishing up the straight at a wonderfully smart pace, he won by half-a-lap from Sutherland, who had too much left in him at the; end for Kelly. Time, 16m. 10s. 440 YARDS HURDLES CHAMPIONSHIP. Present champion, E. T. Harper. P.A.B. and A.C. World's amateur record and New Zealand amateur record. 53 4-55., A. H. Holder, Wanganui A.A.C. Standard, 62 3-ss. G. W. Smith (Auckland) 1 A. S. Henderson (Wellington) 2 E. T. Harper (Canterbury) 3 Also started: C. S. Harper. Smith was the first to move, but they had not reached the second fence beforo E. T. Harper was with him. The pair wece well together— Smith having just a bit the best of it— over the next three hurdles, when Henderson dashed up, and taking the lead at the seventh jump, ho was still in front when they rose at the eighth, when Smith began to move up again. The Aucklander was quickest down from the ninth hurdle, an;! although Henderson ran very gamely, it was seen that he was beaten, Smith being well clear at the last obstacle, which the Wellington man rapped, and winning by 6yds, Harper some distance away third. G. S. Harper did not finish. Time, 61 l-ss. Both Smith and Henderson gained standard badges.

HALF-MILE BICYCLE HANDICAP. H. H. Brook, 20yds ... 1 H. C. Alexander, 50yds 2 F. G. Hayward, scratch 3 Also started: G. W. Spragg, 15yds; W. Hendry, 25vds; E. A. Thomas. 40yds; G. Savers. 50vcls; J. Waite, 60yds. Brook raced up to the field at the back in the homelap, and, drawing out came away and won easily by several lengths from Alexander, who rnado the pace in the early stages, Hayward third. Time, lm. 11 l-ss. TWO MILES BICYCLE HANDICAP. W. Hendry, 60yds 1 H. H. Brook, 60yds 2 F. G. Hayward, scratch o Also started: E. 11. Cucksey, scratch; G. W. Spragg, 40yds; E. A. Thomas, lOOyck ; H. C. Alexander 160 yds ; G. Savers, 160 yds; J. Waite, 200 yds. Brook was just in front of Thomas and Hayward when tho first mile had bof>n left behind, tho others all close up, and they remained bunched, taking their turn at pacing until they entered on the last lap, where W. Hendry was in charge just in front of Hayward. Hendry was still showing the way when tho straight was reached, half-way up which Spragg dashed up on the inside, and the pair crossed the line looked together, but Spragg was disqualified for taking the inside running. Brook was placed second, and Hayward third. Time, sm. 15s.