ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14906, 3 February 1912, Page 9

ATHLETICS.

TEE HAMILTON CLUB. , ' .. EVENING SPORTS MEETING. The Hamilton Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club, held an evening meeting last night. There was a good attendance of the public, and the meeting was very successful. Two events—a • 100 yds handicap and a 1000 yds handicap—were on the programme. Each drew a field of 15 runners. The 100 yds was run off in two heats and a final. The results of the two races were: — 100 yds: S. Davis, 7yds, 1; R. Whittcn, 6vds/2; J. Qualtrough, 2yds, 3. Time, lbs. ■■■...• 1000 yds: H. Eraser. 35yds, 1; W. Peters, 45yds, 2; Gates, 75yds, 3. F. Jones, the scratch man, was fourth. Time, 2m. 295. The club will hold its autumn meeting «it Steele Park, Hamilton, on Easter Monday. UNDER UNION RULES. FIXTURES. February 13:* Matakobo Athletic Club. February 17:' Premier Picnic and Sports. March 7: Waiuku Athletic Sports. Marcli 16: St. Patrick's Day Sports, Auckland. March 27 Te Kuiti Club. March 28: Otorohanga Sports. March 30: Waihi Athletic and Cycling Club. April 8: Thames Foresters.

The programme, for the Waiuku sports, to be issued shortly, contains several important items, the chief being the cup race. Mr. Alec- Michie, of Waiuku, is secretary of the sports, and has a strong committee at his back. The Premier Picnic and Sports Committee has affiliated with the New Zealand Athletic Union, and all registered competitors will be eligible to compete in the 100 yds handicap, for which the first prize is £t>. While at, the athletic conference at Hamilton, Mr. A. J. Woodley arranged for the D.C.L. trophy to be handed over to St. Patrick's Sports Committee, Auckland, for competition by cyclists. It is probable that cycling championships will be held at the same meeting. ■ , A feature which contributed to the success of the championships at Frankton was the starting. Mr. F. Burbußh, of Auckland, had charge of 'the pistol, and through coolness and strategy got his men off the marks like machinery.. . '. Close on 40 clubs are now affiliated with the Auckland branch of the union, and the secretary, Mr. Trinnear, is kept a busy man. Competitors • speak well of the interest taken in them by the officials of the union in Auckland, . evidence of this being specially forthcoming at the championship meeting! ■ ,- '/ : ■ Several clubs > have obtained during the season the services of centre officials, and tho wisdom of this has.been a benefit to clubs, competitors, and the spectators in general. The winner of the Waikato Hundred, A. Williams, Auckland, was warmly congratulated by members of the local centre, which shows the popularity of tho big winMr. Castleton, of Frankton. proved an indispensable help ! at the Waikato Caledonian sports, and worked like a Trojan to ensure every detail being carried out. *■■.'■■' A meeting of the Auckland centre of the New Zealand Athletic Union ] was held at Frankton on Monday, and considerable business was transacted. ■■..■-:■.':,:,

11l reference to certain remarks appearing in theHKBALD on Saturday last, Mr. T. P. Gilfedder, - president : of the local union, writes as follows:—"I refrained from commenting on the letter v which appeared on Saturday regarding handicapping, feeling sure that the results would fully justify the work of "the union's official handicapper— Mr. _ Burbush. This > expectation has been realised, and so convincingly was it,demonstrated at tho championships that the tirade hurled at the framing of the handicaps might well, be treated with the scornful contempt which it so richly deserves. But -as president of the centre, I must officially condemn it. The finishes were excellent inches, and not yards, separating the contestants in ;. both ; heats and finals. Backmarkers, as well as other competitors at the meeting, have expressed to_ me their unabated confidence in the official handicapper, and this;■ was most pleasingly endorsed by, tho officials on the grounds. Further words are needless, beyond remarking that tho comment which was appended to the letter when it appeared in the Herald was much appreciated." ■ - The Matapuni-Manunui Sports Club will hold its sixth annual meeting on Saturday, 24th inst., on the Manunui sports ground. A very good programme has been arranged, and the meeting should be full of interest. The principal event is the Manunui Stakes, for which £20 is allotted. This will be rim over 100 yds, 200 yds, and 300 yds Amongst the other events on the programme are a MOyds race, 120 yds hurdles, 100 yds maiden, high jump, half-mile, and mile, as well as a chopping and a sawing competition. Entries will close on Friday next, with the secretary, Mr. A. E. Phelan, Manunui. - ,

SPRINT CHAMPIONS. DONALDSON T. POSTLE, A v hitch has occurred in connection with the matching of the two great sprinters, Donaldson and Postle, by the St. Patrick's Day Committee. - The Otago Caledonian Society telegraphed yesterday that it was. emphatic in its desire to have the first appearance of the sprint champions at its gathering on March 23, and that it v had cabled to that effect, stipulating for cole rights. The sports secretary (Mr. A..J. Woodley) immediately wrote to the; Caledonian Society pointing out that any idea of postponing" St. Patrick's Day sports was entirely out of the question, also that there was no other athletic club or society in Auckland who could match Donaldson and Postlo, so that if the Otago people could not see their way to forego their rights, Auckland would have no chance of seeing these famous runners in action. Mr* Woodley also cabled to the men, and is now anxiously awaiting a reply. ' -'.--.- : ; It is a pity that such a hitch as this has occurred. 'As the Auckland gathering will be held just a week before the Otago Caledonian Society's sports, and the two sprinters will have ample time to reach Dunedin, it is difficult to understand the attitude of the Dunedin people. With the two places .so far apart there can- be no question •of the appearance of Donaldson and Postle in Auckland on March 16 militating against a good attendance of the public at the Dunedin sports. The position, on the face of it, does not reflect credit on the Otago Caledonian Society's committee.