ATHLETIC CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19831, 29 December 1927, Page 11

ATHLETIC CONTEST.

the decathlion events.

NEW ZEALANDER IN THE LEAD.

CONCLUDING EVENTS TO-DAY.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WEiLLlfs GTON, Wednesday. Ihe final stage of the Australian and ew Zealand athletic championships was entered upon to day, when the contest in the Decathlon began. At the end of the first five events, E. G. Sutherland, the only New Zealander remaining in the trial of all-round athletic ability, is leading from E. Keskinen, tho Finnish Olympic Games representative, who is now resident in Queensland, and a close finish is expected. Much depends on'how the men perform in __the 110 metres hurdles and 1500 metres flat, which will he decided to-morrow, for in the javelin throw and polo vault Keskinen has already Leaten Sutherland, and will probably beat him also in tho discus throw.

G. J. Sceats (New Zealand) and G. R. Lundquiest (Victoria) were non-starters. After competing-in the 100 metres fiat and broad jump, J. W. Shirley (New Zealand), who was suffering from muscular trouble resulting from his effort on the previous day, withdrew. A. Walker and W. Hunt, both of New South Wales, then entered, but Sutherland and Keskinen are well ahead.

The best performance of the day was Hunt s 50 4 5s in the 400 metres flat, and tho next best, Walker's 11 2-5s in the 100 metres flat. Ihe basis of scoring in the five events is as follows:—In 100 metres, the 1912 Olympic record of 10 3-5s is scored at 1000 points. For every fifth of a second over that time that a competitor takes to cover the distance 47.6 points are deducted. Ihe 1912 Olympic reccrd for the running high jump was 1.93 metres, or 6.331 ft., ana this is scored at 1000 points. Other heights are scored at the rate of one centimeter equalling 14 points. The running broad jump record, was 760 centimetres, or 24.923 ft., and any competitor who fails to cover this distance is credited with 2.45 points for each centimetro that he jumps. In throwing the 161b. shot 50.394 ft. (15.34 metres) is the 1000 point mark. Other distances are scored at the rate of one centimetre equalling 14 points. Olympic time for 400 metres flat was 48 l-ss, and a competitor loses 7.52 points for each fifth of -a second over this timo recorded against him. The total points scored to-day were;— E. G. Sutherland (New Zealand), 3303.761; E. Keskinen (Queensland), 3139.957; W. Hunt (New South Wales), 2557.817; A. Walker (New South Wales), 2504.868; J. W. Shirley (New Zealand), 1005.265. Shirley retired after competing in the 100 metres and broad jump events. Detailed results are: —

100 Metres Flat. —Walker, 11 2-ss, 1; Hunt, 12s, 2; Sutherland, 12 l-ss, 3; Keskinen, 12 3-ss, 4; Shirley, 12 4-ss, 5. Running Broad Jump.—Sutherland, 21ft. B£in. 1; Keskinen, 19ft. 10j|in., 2; Shirley, 18ft. 7gin., 3; Hunt, 17ft. Bin., 4; Walker, 17ft, 4|in., 5. Putting 161b. Shot,—Keskinen, 39ft. 7ain., 1; Sutherland, osft, 7.2 in., 2; Hunt, 30ft. 10in., 3; Walker, 27ft. 21n., 4. Running High Jump. —Sutherland, sft, Bin., 1; Keskinen, sft. 2; Walker, 4ft. Tin., 3; Hunt, 4ft. 6in., 4. 400 Metres Flat.—Hunt, 50 4-ss, 1; Walker, 52 4-ss, 2; Keskinen, 54 l-ss, 3; Sutherland, 56 2-ss, 4. To-morrow's events are the 110 metres hurdles, throwing the discus, pole vault, throwing the javelin and 1500 metres flat.

CONTROL OF THE SPORT.

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The athletes who competed at the Australian and New Zealand championship meeting were the guests of the New Zealand Athletic Association, at dinner last evening. The chairman, Mr. R. McVilly, in proposing the toast of the Lnion of Australia and New Zealand, made passing reference to New Zealand assuming independent control, and paid a tribute to the work of Mr. E. S. Marks, M.L.A., secretary, and Mr. R. Coombes, president of the Amateur Athletic Union of Australia and New Zealand. Mr. Coombes said the union had made the names of Australia and New Zealand known throughout the world. Mr. Marks, like Mr. Coombes, regretted the severance, but hoped some arrangement may yet be made, whereby the meetings could he continued. In proposing the toast of the New Zealand association, Mr. Marks said the r e l a " tions between the Dominion and Australia had always been most cordial. The New Zealand Association had been one of the finest bodies controlling spoit, and had always been ready lo promote the interests of the sport.