AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19859, 1 February 1928, Page 16

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

EVENING MEETINGS RESUMED AUCKLAND'S JUBILEE CARNIVAL. INVITATION TO R. A. ROSE. \ There has been a period of inactivity in amateur athletic circles since before Christmas, and last Wednesday's evening meeting is the first of another series proposed to be held before the jubilee carnival on February 25. Good nominations were received for the Auckland Club's combined running and cycling meeting at the Domain, but the actual number of starters was diappointing. Two heats of ten sprinters event* ally confined themselves to one race of eight starters. The use of a whistle to start the race did not improve matters, and several of the more experienced runners were not above beating the starter, whose position was by no means an easy one. R. Wiliey, off B£yds, eventually proved the winner, and the University man has been placed on numerous occasions this season. This is, however, Willey's first success. He is at present in good form to gain further successes. A. J. Elliott, scratch, was again among the placed men, and his second was full of merit. J. L. McCoy, 2£yds, finished very fast. Favoured with a better start he may have won. The 880 yds handicap proved very easy for L. C. Barker, who figured ently in cross-country events this season. Barker has an ungainly style, but he can stay well, and more attention to sprinting would greatly improve his racing. T. E. Henry made a bold bid for first place, his finishing effort being very convincing. Henry was a good sprinter several seasons ago, and ho should prove successful with more experience over middle distances. Jubilee Meeting. The Auckland Club's meeting on February 25 is attracting considerable attention from track and field athletes and a successful carnival is expected. The Auckland Club, which is the oldest amateur athletic organisation in the Dominion, has borne the brunt of sports meetings for some years, and the club has suffered heavy financial losses as the result of poorly-patronised meetings. Its officials, however, are appealing to supporters for assistance, and already some fine trophies have been promised. The jubilee cup, for aggregate points scored in events from 100 yds to one mile, is the gift of Messrs. H. Curran and W. Norton, and it is a particularly fine ,cup. To give the meeting added interest it is the intention of the club to invite R. A. Rose to appear in the handicap events against J. W. Savidan. The meeting of the pair would undoubtedly attract public attention. It is to be hoped that Rose can see his way clear to come to Auckland. Perhaps the object of the meeting, to assist the Auckland Club financially, will appeal most to Rose, who appears to be in his best form. A small team of Auckland athletes journeyed to Hamilton to assist the Waikato Club's annual meeting, held on Saturday, when the 100 and 200 metres Auckland Provincial championships were the principal events. The local champion sprinter, A. J. Elliott, was successful in winning both races. He was the holder of the 100 metres title, but this is his initial success in the 200 metres which event was won last vear bv D. P. Deere, who did not defend the title. ROWING SEASON. HAMILTON CLUB'S SUCCESS. GOOD STANDARD OF RACING. The annual regatta at Hamilton on Monday proved a great success. The programme comprised 12 rowing races, and the finest standard of rowing for many years was witnessed. There were 61 crews, comprising fours, pairs, double and single-scullers, and four crews of eights. This great response of entries provided the officials with a formidable task, and although the events were not run to time, all the races were successfully completed 'without any mishaps. Praise is due to the regatta officials for the splendid arrangements made and all oarsmen left thoroughly satisfied. The course had been well buoyed, which had the effect of placing the crews well off the sheltered waters out in the strong-running current. It provided the supreme test over a long portion of the course. A feature was the great finishing dashes the crews were able to put in. It was by far the best racing seen at a Hamilton regatta, which caused a surprise, especially after the crews had been watched in their final work. The best race would be very difficult to select, as there were so many stirring finishes. Some crews fully upheld their reputations, namely, St. George's double sculls, Hamilton youths and light-weights, the Tauranga juniors and the Whangarei heavy maiden fours. These races in particular witnessed all the boats close up at the finish, and every atom of strength and skill had to be expended to win. The form of the crews was a splendid indication of the standard of Auckland oarsmanship, which enables it to rank so high in the Dominion. A Great Attraction. The great attraction was the two eightoar test races, in which the finest oarsmen under the jurisdiction of the Auckland Rowing Association were drawn together. The Hamilton Club headed the winning lists with St. George's second. Tsuranga came next, closely followed by another country club in Whangarei. Then followed Auckland and North Shore. These crews all collected winning donations, th>3 only unsuccessful clubs being Waitemata and West End. This was a big reverse for Waitemata, which for years has figured so prominently, but the West End crews were appearing for the first time this season. The gala will decide whether several clubs will be represented at the Dominion championships. The certainties for the journey appear to be Hamilton, senior, youths and light-maiden fours; St. George's, senior four; Tauranga, junior four, and the Whangarei heavy maiden four. LAST DAVIS CUP QUEST. Q. L. PATTERSON'S POSITION. Gerald Patterson, who has been appointed captain and manager of the 1028 Australian Davis Cup team, has stated that this will be the last time he will represent Australia, says a Sydney pape?. It is hoped he will be successful in helping to win the Cup. His business is increasing so much that its claims leave him little time for lawn tennis. He also ffels that younger players than he (although ho can scarcely be called a veterm yet) should bear the heat oi the battle. He was not anxious to go abroad this year, but his fellow selectors—Messrs. N. E. Brookes and F. Peach—prevailed upon him to lead the team in view not only of his fine play, but also of his wide and valuable experience. This notwithstanding there is a possibility that Australia may regain the Davis Cup. In that case the next series would be played in Australia. One never knows in sport what may be achievod by a combination of experience with youth when there is a fair amount of genius in both. If the team wins in France, G. L. Patterson may bet once again in the field.