ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12266, 9 May 1903, Page 7

ATHLETICS.

Mr. Frank ("Snowy") Sturgeon opened his gymnasium (in His Majesty's Arcade Buildings on Monday evening last, when a number of invited guests were present, and witnessed two or three interesting sparring exhibitions, and an exhibition of ball-punch-ing by Mr. Sturgeon himself. It is, I understand, Mr. Sturgeon's intention to devote a good deal of attention to instruction 111 the art of self-defence, and as he is recognised as a past master of the art, he will no doubt enrol a strong ii.-st of pupils. In the course of a week or two a branch of the New Zealand Boxing Association (headquarter;-;, Christehurch) will be formed in Auckland, and it is to be expected that many aspirants for fame as amateur boxers will take advantage of Mr. Sturgeon's skill as au instructor, when preparing themselves for local tournaments that may be expected to follow the establishment of the branch, and for the annual colonial championships, held under the auspices of the governing body. The Sandow system of physical culture has been introduced into Auckland by Mr. A. G. Fordham, who has opened classes in the well-appointed rooms, opposite the Metropolitan Hotel, in Durham-street. Mr. Fordham, who lias mad© a close study of the system, and spent some two years under Mr. Hornibrook, of Christchureh, is himself a striking example of tho benefits to be derived from the course of physical training laid down by the world-famed strong man (Mr. Eugene Sandow), and is therefore fully qualified to impart instruction to those who may become his pupils. The Sandow sysI tem is divided into so many grades that it touches every case where physical exercise is beneficial, and innumerable instances have been brought under notice where » course of training has converted weak and puny pupils into strong and healthy men and women. Already several pupils have joined Mr. Fordham's classes, among the number one or two well-known Auckland medical men. The Wellington centre of the New Zealand Boxing Association has decided to hold its championship tournament early in August., " Sprinter," of the Canterbury Times, says that tho New Zealand distance crack, W. F. Simpson, is giving his weak knee every attention, and that at last there are signs of improvement. W. H. Moyes, the Canterbury College sprinter, who has during the present season been running at 100 yds, 220 yds and 440 yds, | intends discarding the two shorter distances, i and confining his attention to quartet and | half-mile racing in future. ! The famous South London Harrier, A. E. j Shrubb, finished first in a cross-country race I of an international character at St. Cloud, | near Paris, towards the end of March. The | British national champion, although missing ! the trail twice, led throughout and eve j tually won by nearly a mile, his time being ' 62m. 295., and the course measured 10 miles | 500 yds (including four miles of rond). The j race went to the Britishers, the other clubs | interested being the Racing Club de France, j the Brussels A.C., and a Swiss team. The Queensland Amateur Athletic Assoj ciation have notified the Amateur Athletic ! Union of Australasia that they have deI cided not to allow aboriginals to compete j in any event held under their auspices, and j at the same time have asked the executive I officials if they concur in this decision. It will be remembered that at a recent sports meeting at Brisbane the entry of an intelligent and well educated young aboriginal (T. JE'ublo) was refused. The new record of 118 ft with the discus, put up by J. Kearney, and 13ft 6ir., 561fc weight, for height record, accomplished by j George Hawkes, both at the last St. Pati rick's Day sports at Brisbane, have receive*.. I the approval of the Q.A.A.A., and have j been referred to the A.A.U. for recognition j as Australasian records. The Amateur Athletic Union of America has accepted as world's records two performances recently made in hurdle races at an indoor meet at the Exposition Building, i Chicago. The holders of the records are j H. Kirbv, who ran the 75yds low hurdles j in 835., and M. Brockman and Fred. Schule, who tied in the high hurdles at 10s. _ I "The Amateur," who writes the boxing I notes in the Sydney Referee, says there is little doubt but that tho New South Wales Sports Club (which governs amateur boxing in that State) will fall in with the proposal from New Zealand that the amateur champions of New South Wales and Maoriland should try conclusions at Sydney in Oc- ! tober. ! ft is announced that the Amateur Athi Totie Union of America will have charge of i the Olympic names which are to be held at • the "World's Fair in St. Louis next year, j Mr. J. E. Sullivan, of New York, secretary I of the organisation, says ho has received a | cablegram from Baron Pierre de Coubertin, I of Paris, asking the Amateur Athletic Union ] to assume full control of the games.