ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15849, 20 February 1915, Page 10

ATHLETICS.

UNDER NORTHERN" I NION RULES. FIXTURES: February 20—Onehunga Friendly Societies. •February 23—Batley Athletic Club. February 27—Whananaki Sports Club. March I—Waihi1 —Waihi Miners' Union. March 3 —Waterside Workers' Sports. March 10—Gordonton Athletic Club March —Pukekawa Sports Society. March 13— Ohaupo Athletic Sports. March —at. Patrick's Day Sports. March I* Railway Sports Club, Ma tingaturoto. March IS—Bombay Jubilee Sports. March 20 —Waikato Caledonian Society March 20— \ ictoria Valley Athletic Club. March 24—Matangi Athletic Sports. March 27—Huntiy Sports Club. The Onehunga sports will be held to-day, and. given fine weather, a great gathering »noui<l result. The sports are being held under the auspices oi the friendly societies, and some 300 nominations have been received.

During the past few days the Te Puke Athletic Society, the YV ark worth Athletic t_iub, , and ■ the Buckliind Sports Society amliated with the Northern Athletic Union. ijacn club has increased the prize-money. I iie Bucxland Sheffield 13 now worth £7. Two cycling races, a '2'2oyds handicap, as well as dancing events, have been added to the PapaKura programme for Easter Monday. This will be an important gathering, and, being the first meeting held at .Fapaiura on toaster Monday, should attract good gates. The new date lias been duly allotted by the union. The work of reviving the Wailii Cycling Club is meeting with encouragement, and prospects are bright for a big meeting after faster.

It is noticeable that programmes having chopping items tire drawing keen competition from bushmen. From a public point of view these struggles among wielders of the axe form a popular part ot sports meetings. Keplies coming to the union office endorse 'the opinions of the executive in regard to the control of piping and dancing events outside Auckland Province. It is quite evident that the right to compete anywhere in New Zealand must be given to pipers and dancers, and any attempt to curtail that privilege will be stubbornly resisted by the Caledonian societies. The Te Puke sports will be held on Easter Monday, and arrangements are being made to assure a record gathering on that day. Programmes may be obtained at the union office. The well-known sport, Mr. A. Montgomery, is still at the head of affairs, while the appointment of the former secretary, -nr. ir. Hail, an ex-competitor, will satisfy one and all.