ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18172, 18 August 1922, Page 5

ATHLETICS.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. The cross-country championship of the Wellington Province, which took place from the Paik Oval, at Masterton on Saturday, was a prelude to the New Zealand crosscountry championship, which is to be deI oided over the Wingatui course, Dunedin, jon Saturday, Augiißt 26. The event provided a good contest, in which eight teams competed, resulting; in a win for -R. Rose, of the Masterton Harriers, in 31m 4s, over the 3-mile course, ]>. Todd, of the Brooklyn Harriers, was second in - 31m 20s, and H. Moore, of the Olympic Harriers, third in 32m ss. The three place winners, with A. Barclay, Brooklyn Harriers, who was fourth with 32m. 6s, and A. Page, who was fifth with 32m 525, have been selected to represent Wellington in tho New Zealand chain* pionship. Charles Paddock, the world's amateur champion sprinter, is. not having, it all.his own way. Another American has arisen who is capable of fas,t times, over the lOOyds. This is Edward Farrell, a Fordham CoHega man, who ran the lOOyds recently in 9 3<-ss. He is a member of the New York Athletic Club, and other good performances' are- exSected from him. Any runner who can onestly break eveu time is well worth watching for future possibilities. Brilliant Californian Sprinter. Charles Paddock. California suyer-Bprinteiv set five' new world's records in competition at a sanctioned . meet at Santa Barbara on July 4, over a measured track. They wera: 175 yds. 17s fiat, this clipped. 1 l-sa' from the record; 125 yds. 12 l-ss. a gain of l-ss; 80yds. 7 4-ss, a gain of l-ss; 70yds, 7 1-lOs, a gain of 1-lOs; and 60yds. 6 l-sa, a gain of l-ss. Prddock also equalled the records of 9 3-5s for the 100 yd and 7 3«6s for the 7iiyd dashes. He breasted the tape first "in evsry distance of every event except the 50yd distance of the fir«t sprint, in which Eddie Sudden, Olympic Club runner, led with a time mark of 5 2-3s. not a record, and tha 65yd sprint of the third race, which Sudden also won. It is interesting to know that Paddock will compete in the national ■ championships in New York next month, when he will be opposed by. another brilliant sprinter in Loren Murchison. of the Illinois .Athletio Club,.Chicago. Paddook is said to be' "in good shape and running better than ever." Some special performances may be expected from him during ; the present American season. .. ";... W. R, Applegarth, the ex-English, amateur champion sprinter, won the .lOOyds at Dundee recently, bis time being 9 whicli ties .with the professional record; . '.'.'; The Irish Olympic Game*, which jwere to have taken place at Dublin, this mcnth. but were postponed on -account of the unsettled conditions in Ireland, did not attract much attention in New Zealand, and only one representative left from Australia before the postponement /was announced. This wiw Paul Carroll, the 440 yds. champion of Victoria, who left for Dublin some weeks ageHe, will have had a fruitless journey so fur as the big Irish meeting ia concerned, but will probably'take part in some, of the English meetings before he returns' to Australia. ■ ■ ' i ■' • 2T&w Zealand and Australia. The mail vote dealing with Australasian track and field championships, now being taken at the instance of the New Zealand A.A.A., is one of widespread interest- and concern. ■■-,- — New Zealand suggests;.. " That the time has now arrived when a- change should be made in the conditions goveroinsr the Australasian track and field championships. ;It is reported that instead of the Doroviion competing against the various States, of Australia, as at present, it ohall compete against combined' Australia., and that' such contests shall take place every second year alternately in Australia .and New Zealand. It is further suggested that the championships be limited to, say, nine or ben events, as may be mutually agreed upon,, and that the cost of transport be borne by "the visiting team."This question was discussed by ths. Board of Control of the A.A.U.. at the meeting held in Adelaide at the end of December, when it was' resolved .'tliat i'Tew Zealand should further consider the matter and submit a proposal—and the abov* ia the scheme sueseated. ""■"" '•"-'• - - The TasmahianV A:A.A. and the N;S.W. A.A. A. were first to replj', and they voted in favour of the existinsr rule on the subject—a rule . amended at Adelaide so as to ease the., financial .strain on New Zealand, whilo mainly adhering to the old procedure. Now comes the decision of the Victorian A.A l .A;> 'which entirely" approves the iJlew Zealand proposal. Knowing, the feelimc on tho Bubjedt'iu New Zealand and the "wishes of its council, it appears to. a writer in the Sydney Referee that g«neral acceptance of the proposal would be wis©. The situation is somewhat complex, admittedly. Bu,t the fact remains that fD Neuf Zealand strongly desires to remain in the union; (2) that the Dominion prefers to compete against the combined and not the individual;. <;• States; ; and (3) That 1h« present (new) saving clause, which permits the..Dominion to send .teams to the Staies, or not to send them, at her discretion, does not actually.meet the case—the championshios ? could not well be described as Australasian, if no New Zealand team wag in ihe field; Agaiuu if the Dominion sent a team to one State and not to ftaptbAr, it leave* the ground open for unpleasantness, even though no team waa sent whoßv from financial reasons. We could continue our State championships with periodical Australian championships, jnst as our D<>> ', minion friendtt have their provincial fchanipionshipti and their Now Zealand chanroiOTi. shipa. .-- .- . ■ ■ • ■•