ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14924, 23 February 1912, Page 9

ATHLETICS.

THE CHAMPIONSHIPS MEETING.

SUCCESS OF ATJCKLANDERB.

[BY TELEGRAPH..—riIIJSS ASSOCIATION.]

I.WERCARGILL, Thursday

A feature of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Championships, decided a; Rugby Park yesterday, was the success of the Anclelanders, who annexed the distance events from 440 yds. to three miles. If a full team had been sent south, in all probability the shield would have gone to Auckland, considering that the two men competing secured 20 points for that. province.

The 23rd gathering was notable for the failure of tne crack.-.*, H.UI being the only one who did nor suffer defeat at olio stage or another. The. way in which he outclassed his field in the one and three miles the only events in which lie started, demonstrated that he is in a class by himself as a distance runner.

In the one mile Hill was opposed by Dickl son (Canterbury). Pugh Wellington), and I Sodden (Southland), but soon got the measure ! of bis opponents, and, setting to the trout ! early, was never troubled, and won by 25yds j front Push, who, although he ran cleverly, ; could not foot it with the Aucklander on i the heavy track, and against the rain and i ttrottg westerly wind up the back straight. i In 'the three miles Hill again romped ; home an easy winner. It was anticipated • that Dickson 'would have strong claims for i victory here, but Hill left his field in the last half-mile, and, indulging in a fast i sprint to the judge, won by 50yds from | Dickson, in 15tn. 52 l-ss. Hill could easily ! have improved upon these figures if pushed. ' The manner in which Dormer annexed i tho quarter and half-mile in 53 4-53. and j 2m. 5 4-5?., stamped him as a performer of I merit. The holder. Opie, did not start in. I the quarter, but Wilton (Wellington) was I quicker eft" tho mark than Dormer, and ! made the pace a cracker. The Aucklander s sweeping stride brought him to the front, and, netting on even terms at the straight, I he lasted long enough to win by liyds in a I great finish. _ , , 1 ' With Hill out in the half-mile. Dormer had i matters much his own way. and secured the second championship without much I effort by half-a-dozen yards. Thomas (Canj terbury) was the only one of the others who I made any showing. , ] The Aucklanders were not much affected bv the weather, but McKay and Opie lei., the effects of the cold, and this in some measure accounts for the defeat of tlteso past record-holders.