ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12609, 25 June 1904, Page 7

ATHLETICS.

A meeting of the Auckland centre of tho Now Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held on Thursday evening at the rooms of the Amateur Sports Club, to consider the circular from the governing body in connection with the proposed visit of a team of AmerJfcan athletes to the colonies. The opinion of those present was that no great difficulty would be experienced in raising the necessary guarantee (£7O), and after discussion it was decided to refer the commuiiiemtion to the committee of the Auckland Amateur Athletio and Cycle Club, in order that their opinion on the proposal might be obtained. Should the proposal to bring a team of American athletes to the colonies be carried to a successful issue it is quite on the cauls that the world's champion sprinter, A. V, Duffy (100 yds, 9 3-55.) and J. Flanagan, who holds the world's record for hammerthrowing, will be members of the visiting contingent. We at this end have no sprinters capable of pushing such a flyer as Duffy, but with practice W. H. Madilt (Auckland) and W. O'Reilly (New South Wales).should not disgrace themselves in competition with the 16lb hammer against even such a champion as the mighty Flanagan. For years past the heads of the hammers in use in America have been so shaped as to offer less resistance to the air in flight than those used in the colonies, in addition to which the i handles have been fitted with grips and swivels that give more freedom in turning, thus enabling the throwers to increase the velocity in delivery. With such improvement* as these there is no reason why one or other of the pair mentioned should not succeed in hurling the missile a distance of between 160 ft and 170 ft, provided they have reasonable opportunities of practising with the most up-to-date hammers before entering into competition. The Victorian Amateur Athletic Association has decided to ask the Amateur Atnletio Union of Australasia to nominate C. H. Gardner and L. Maopherson as the representatives of Australasia in the Olympian games at the St. Louis Exhibition. Gardner will leave for America on the 27th inst., and Macoherson*a week later. Both, are Victorians, and were competitors at the recent Australasian championship meeting. Gardner was second to G. W. Smith, Auckland, in the 120 yds hurdles, and Maepherson was third in the same event, third m the pole jump, and second in the 440 yds hurdles, also won by the Aucklander. A Southern confrere says it is reported that a long-distanoe runner of repute in the Old Country proposes making New Zealand his future home ere the present year expires. The New South Wales Sports Club intend sending four representatives to compete in the Australasian amateur boxing championships, to be held at Ohristehurch, in September next, and the selection of the team will no doubt be made from this year's tourney candidates. The New South Wales tournament takes place in the National Sporting Club's Hall, Castlereagh-street, Sydney, on July 6, 7, and 9. Hero worship: Pictorial postcards of Alfred Shrubb, the famous English distance champion, are now all the rage in the South of England. Donald Dinnie: Who does not remember this famous Scotch athlete? Stated in an Edinburgh paper that Donald Dinnie is now a gray veteran, over 60 years of age, and not too well provided for. A writer, calling attention to Dinnie's case, appeals in a practical manner: "As a Scotchman, and with a profound veneration for the greatness of my race, and a great admirer of Donald Dinnie, I propose to initiate a sympathetic fund for the old man, once great, but now, alas! almost forgotten, and, like the American who was spectator of a disaster on an Atlantic liner, who, tired to death with the profound expressions of sorrow manifested by those on board, said, ' Well, I guess I'm 50 dollars sorry. How sorry are you?' said he to the crowd, and immediately there was a practical expression of sympathy. Well, I'm £5 sorry, and I want to know how sorry my brother Scotchmen are."