AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20115, 28 November 1928, Page 16

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

COMPETITORS IN TRAINING. MEETING AT THE DOMAIN. CARNIVAL AT LYNNDALE. Both track and field athletes havo been busy during the past week at the Domain , preparing for forthcoming meetings. Each evening the number increases, and there is evidence the sport will gain in popularity this season. This evening tho Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club, together with tho Manukau Cycle Club will decide several running and cycling races. Nominations aro not so good as was expected in the track events, but excellent entries havo been received from tho cyclists. The i.rst big meeting of tho season will take place at New Lynn on Saturday, when the Lynndalo Club will decide a full programme of running, field and cycling races. Tho carnival promises to givo local runners a real try out, as good nominations have been received from the best athletes. On Wednesday, December 5, tlio University Club wii; hold its first meeting. Three events will be for club members only, while handicaps of 100 yds. and 880 yds. are also included for members of affiliated clubs. I,'ho Auckland half-mile champion, J. S. Walt, hat decided, owing to studies, to retire from the sport for several months. Watt showed good form at the last even ing meeting, and ho gave promise of becoming a really good half-miler, capable of running the distance in two minutes, which time would on most occasions win a New Zealand championship. Good All-round Athlete. J. W. Shirley, tho best all-round athlete seen in Auckland for many years, is again in active training, and his advice is eagerly sought at tho Domain in all branches of the sport. Of late tho hop- step and jump champion has taken an active part in field events, and promises to become efficient in this bram h. A. J. Elliott has done some solid work of late, and tho sprint champion is fast gaining top form. Elliott is keen to compete at, tho New Zealand championships to bo held at Waiiganui in L'ebm.irv. In" I 1,. Henry, 11. M. Murray. I*. Nesdalo, A. C. Uarl/lc and D. KerrTaylor, Auckland has n quintette of hurdlers who are certain to provide some good contests this season. At tho Australian and New Zealand championships, held at Wellington iu Decernln;r last, Nesdale dead-heated with I". Kaiuson fo. the 440 yds. hurdles title. Later, at Auckland. both Oat lick a:ul Henry got within ono second of tlio New Zealand record of 56 4-55., registered by F. Bamson at Chrislchureh on December 9. 1927. In his recent schooling efforts Henry has improved considerably, and his form suggests anyone defeating him will have to beat the New Zealand record over the 440 yds. hurdles. Murray is little inferior to Henry and Garlick, and when in condition is capable of running a fast quarter over hurdles K. Cooper, who won tlio Public Service Cup last season, is a promising sprinter and will be a competitor at tonight's meeting. O. R. Metcalfe, the well-known secretary of the Auckland Club, has fully recovered from painful injuries sustained recently. Keen Competition Expected. Keen competition is expected in di-ens throwing ami shot-put tin;;, and Brocas, Wills and Shirley aro included among the nominations this evening. Last season F. .1, Doehcrty, the well-known racing enthusiast, threw tho shot over 30t't.—an excellent, effort for his first attempt. With coaching Doehcrty could eusilv improve on this throw. In winning the 860 yds and one mile championship-; at the Training College sports on Monday I'. Wittmi recorded two excellent performances and is undoubtedly a fine stayer. His lengthy stride proved troublesome to the opposition and he sustained a fine sprint over the concluding stages <>f each race (Witten was .successful on Labour Day in v> inning the one mile handicap, lhe college champion is certain to be on a tight mark when he next appears, and he would provide a good lace over one mile with J. W. Savidan should tho

handii aps br> rcitsoriiil•!«•. L. D. Abbott w;>s easily (lie U\st of thi' sprinteis and should win races in better company. Il'- has a nice, easy style, with plenty of arm notion to aid a well-balanced stride. At tlio annual mootinpj of (lie Now Zealand Athletic Association held at Wellington last week it was decided that, in order to provide sufficient funds to assure representation at the Olympic Games, the council will s»'t aside £2O each year utit of its general funds and each centre forward a sum n«»t exceeding £lO per ;1111• 111■ 1 in accordance with its financial position. JSOXI N< r JMNC. THE HARMS-McINNES MATCH. Australian boxing critics who have fr on both Tommy Mel lilies and Billy Harms in art ion consider the match next Monday night will he a first-rate one. Harms is training under Jack Warner and is in first-class condition. Melnnes is equally as lit, doing hard road and gymnasium work. Tho amateur preliminaries arc good. Leslie and Kami), two lirst-class lightweights, should give an outstanding exhibition. Leslie defeated the redoubtable Donovan for the feather-weight champion :.hip of New Zealand. Da vies and Johns, two bantam-weights, can he depended upon for a fast display, while R. Purdio and I'ooley should also show up well. The heavy-weights, Clifford and Mullins, hav» been matched, and, if Gifford lights witli anything liko the vigour he displayed in the military tournament, Mullins will be hard pressed throughout. O'Brien an J Brown are opponents in tho emergency bout. Tho To Awaniutu Young .Men's Institute is again active and under the auspices of tho Frankton Boxing Association is promoting a boxing tournament of ten lights for next Monday evening. Tho secretary of the institute, Mr. A. S. Ttirrell, advises that the following amateurs will be competing:—A. Craig, feather weight, champion of the Waikato v. Mutton, Frankton ; J. Roper, Maiuinui, v. J. Wilson, Frankton (these are two special bouts and will be fought over six twominuto rounds): C. Saunders, Ngaruawalua, v Jl. Bennett, To Awamutu; •' Horan, To Awamutu, v. Crompton, I<rankton: Alexander, Frankton, v. \V. Craig, To Awamutu; Lilt, Taupiri, v. F. Holmes, To Awamutu; Davis, lluntlv, v. Harford, To Awamutu; Murray, To Mawlini, v. T. Moses, Frankton; Adams, Hamilton, v. Morriniau, Frankton; Ryan, v. Fleming, To Awamutu. Frank Taylor, tho Auckland bantamweight, is Indeed fortunate in securing a match at Wellington against Billy McAllister. Ho apparently created a very favourable impression against Green at Napier and consequently was called upon to step into Leckio's place and meet the hanlani weight champion of Australia. The date scheduled is December 10, and the purse is sure to bo a £2OO ono with expenses. Mr. Henry Donovan, manager-trainer for the Auckland professional featherweight. Matt Hatton, was in communication with the Manawatu Boxing Association, Palmerston North, last week with a view to arranging for Ilatton to fill the breach caused by Leckio being unable to keep his engagement to fight Whybrow. So far no reply has been received from Palmerston North. A statement appears in a Wellington paper that Malt Hat toil has shown no inclination to meet Leckio at any time. This is contrary ty fact. Hatton has received offers which he lias been unable to accept on account of his employment.