ATHLETIC TITLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23284, 1 March 1939, Page 17

ATHLETIC TITLES

AUCKLAND MEETING • ' 'V' ■ • LARGE CROWD ATTENDS Physical .fitness attraction OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES The attendance at the annual Auckland provincial amateur athletic championships at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon <was the largest for many years. This was no doubt duo to tho ndclcd attraction of tho Physical Fitness Week parade, in which 3000 sportsmen and sportswomen participated. The grand inarch past was 0110 of the most spectacular of its kind yet held in Auckland. What with displays by navy recruits, pupils of the Seddon Memorial Technical College, and Girl Guides, n most enjoyable afternoon Was experienced. Tho interruption of the athletic programma was responsible for a late finish, but, it was well Worth it, as the variety of entertainment was greatly appreciated bv the spectators and altogether the meeting was a memorable one.

One of the features was the display of camp pitching given by the Girl Guides who took part in the parade. Their skill Was amply demonstrated by the fact that they pitched a number i ; tents, erected two flag poles and started a camp nre in less than five minutes. The work of the guides was inspected by Her Excellency Lady Galway and the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, and Lady Davis. The Navy cadets performed their exercises with a snappineSs characteristic of bluejackets generally, and their marching and deportment were excellent. Both day and evening students of the Technical College won applause for their- skill at balancing and tumbling.

THRILLING FINISH ONE MILE CONTEST DARE AND WADE DEAD-HEAT One of the most interesting and thrilling finishes of the day was provided in the one mile championship, which the judges announced as a dead-heat between S. J. Wade, who won the event in record time in 1037, and A. 0. Dare, the title-holder for 1938. It was apparent in the concluding stages of the contest that there were only two runners who had any chance of success. There was never more than a foot or two be-

tween Wade and Dare in the last 200 yards. They had a great tussle down straight, both being full out. They breasted the tape together. The fact that it is not permissible to record dead-heats in a championship event makes it necessary to ro-rtui the race between the pair to decide the actual first placing. This will be held

on March 25. Wade is the present New Zealand champion. The leaders over the first half of the

distance were Wade and T. R. Johnson. Dare went to the front after the half-mile, but Wade was always in a handy position. Dare's time was an improvement on that registered by him in the event last year, but was. 5 2-os slower than the record established by Wade two seasons ago. With a number of sound runners qualifying, the final of the 100 yards sprint promised to be interesting. R. W. Cheater, of the Technical Club, moved off the mark very fast and won comfortably, but the event was rerun, owing to the starter's gun jamming. which prevented the field being recalled. One of the joint title-holders, D. Flett, was disqualified the second time for breaking twice. Cheater showed that his performance the first time was no flash in the pan by winning in 10 1-os, time equalled by Flett in the fourth heat, in which Cheater was second. LEOKIE'S GREAT THROW H. D. BALL LOSES 880 YDS. TITLE The performance of the Empire Games representative J. G. Leukie in throwing the hammer ldl'ft. lin., which was 29ft. oin. better than the record made last year by A. E. Sutton, was the outstanding feature of the day. The standard in the hammer throw was particularly high, as the second and third men. S. W. White and Sutton, also did better than the record figures. One of the surprises of the day was the success of the Ottthuhll middledistance runner, W. Goosman, who scored over the previous title-holder, H. D. Ball, and a former winner, L. H. Johnston, in the 880 yards event His win was well merited. He was weil up in tile field from the start and showed wonderful staying ability to come through after tho first quarter of a mile and maintain the lead to the tape. A. W. McManus led for the first half "of the distance, but was unable to quite maintain the pace set by the leaders from then on. When Johnson challenged Goosman. the latter had something in reserve. Goosman again demonstrated his form in the quarter-mile contest to lead throughout, and win in 525. Baker, who was_ successful in this event last year in 53 1-os, had no chance on the run to the judge, and had to be content with second place. Goosman impressed as a runner Avith yet greater P oc «jbilities, •"r ' : ~ PERFORMANCES IN THE FIELD HIGHER STANDARD SHOWN The standard in the field events in recent years has not been very high in Auckland, but Saturday's "results in this division gave evidence of improvement: As well as the halnmer throw, n<j\v figures were also made in the putting the shot championship when last season's winner was beaten into third place by C. L. Main and K. Bjerek. Main's performance of 40ft. 33 in. broke a record that had stood for 16 years. Alkor did well to equal the pole vault record. In tho broad jump, too, the standard was considerably better. Although he was 4Jin. off the record, established in ]922 by W. C. J. Perry, B. T. Robertson, of the 'Tniverslty Club, "bo has been on the improve for some tune, displayed form well above the average. F. A. Finlayson's jnmpi which won tho event last season, was inferior by 2ft. 3ih. The high jump was a fiasco, only one of the entered competitors contesting the event. 11. W. Ahlls' height of sft. Sin. was 2in, under the standard.

S. Cameron, emerging from retirement, showed marked superiority in the walk championships. He annexed poth tiie one mile and three miles titles in good average time. Contesting the one mile event early in the day lie i ol i v 1 4-ss, which was a good tieal better than last season. His time 2Gm 44s for the longer distance was sound, considering that he had pre tously been competing. . 1.. B. Joves ran well up to form IV llurd,in S events to annex two titles the furlong and quarter-mile, ■the former, title he retained and, the latter lie took from H. D. Ball, who .was second.