ATHLETIC NOTES

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1715, 11 January 1905, Page 56

ATHLETIC NOTES

FIXTURES. Jan. 19 —North Taranaki Caledonian Society, Jan. 23 —Wanganui Caledonian Society. Jan. 23—Mangaweka Athletic Club. Jan. 28—bu'aaord Caledonian society. Feb. I—Elsthorpe Athletic Club, teb. 2—Eltham Caledonian Society. Fob. B—vVaipawaß—vVaipawa Athletic Club. Feb. 9 —Toko Athletic Club. Feb. 15 —T&kapau Caledonian Society. Feb. 18 —Egmont Village Athletic Club. Feb. 22—Hawke’s Bay Highland Society. Feb. 23 —Tariki Caledonian Society. ('Ey “Advance.”) L. C. McLichlan appears to have got back to bis best form this season. At the Clifton (Bluff) meeting on Boxing Day he just failed to give Dodds 6yds in the final of the 100yds, run in 10-;ee. He gave the same runner 7.lyds in the final of the CLfton Handicap, 120yds, in which the Napier man was credited with running 2yds inside evens. In the 440yds he was on 4yds and walked in in 52 2-ssec. The 220yds event McLachlan won easily in 24.ee. Dodds, who is evidently a useful man, acted as runner-up in both furlong and quar-ter-mile events. McLachlan’s share of the prize money amounted to £l3, Sir Josenh Ward’s cup, valued at five gu.neas, and two medals. The following day at Waianina he won the L2oyds and half-mile handicaps. MeLuehlan competed at the Southland Caledonian Society s meeting on New Year’s Day. He failed to concede Dodds 25yds in the quarter, but secured the half-mile from scratch in 2min 3sec. The two event.:, wero worth £6. The following day hi. competed at Dunedin. He got third in the first heat of the quarter and won the final easily in 52 2-ssec. The race was worth £l2, making £3l for the three days. McLachlan will compete at meetings in the Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki districts next month.

T. E. Foster, the Wailii runner, competed at Cambridge on Boxing Day. He won the Friendly Societies handicap, 150 yards, and 220yds hurdles from scratch. He also competed in the Cambridge Cup, three distances. He won the first beat of the 100yds from scratch in 10 3-ssec, beating FI. Atkins, B.lyds. In the final Atkins beat Foster by three inches. He won the second heat of the 200 yards event in 21 l-ssec, and the final in 21sec. In the 300yds event Foster was beaten by inches by Atkins (20vds) and Lee (9vds). At Morrinsville on New Year’s Day Foster won thtfc 100yds, 440yds and halfmile events. Foster entered at Feilding and the New Plymouth and Wanganui carnivals, but did not compete at the meetings named. H. V. Buchanan and W. McPike, two Auckland peds, were down the West Coast during the holidays. They had a three distance match at the Ngakawau snorts on Dec. 31. McPike won the 100yds event and Buchanan the 200yds and 300yds event. S. McNamara won the Maiden but was beaten off 16yds in the final of the Sheffield Handicap, 120yds, worth £l7, £5, £2 and £l, by F. Brace (12yds), Mc-Pike being third and J. Halligan (15yds> fourth. Buchanan was second in the 440yds handicap off 10yds. At Waimangaroa on New Year’s Day McPike won the Maiden and ran second in the hurdles. The Sheffield Handicap, 120yds, worth £2O. £7 and £3, was won by McNamara. They have some good sorts of Maidens down the Coast.

Tho Terry Bros., well-known Tasmanian axemen and athletes, competed at Dannevirke on New Year’s Day. They met in the second heat of the Sheffield Handicap, George being first and his brother .second. George got third place m the final. In the 440yds event E. R. got third off 20j'ds. In the Forced Handicap G. Terry was first and E.R. second. The Dannevirke form does not make them to be out much above second raters. Both have done better in Tasmania and New South Wales. So far handicappers in this colony have not taken any liberties with the Terrvs. There is a good long distance runner in the South named A. Couling. At Orepuki on Nov. 9 he won the 440yds, half-mile and mile.events from scratch. At Cl'fton on Boxing Day he won the mile from scratch in smin 3 2-ssec, and half-mile off 25yds in 2min 13«ec. Both events were won anyhow, which accounts for the poor times registered. At Invercargill on New Year’s Day he ran third from scratch to McConnochie (100yds) and Harris (135yds) in the mile. The following day at Dunedin he was beaten a yard by T. Black (BBydsj in tho mile in 4min 50 2-ssec. Couling won the two-mile handicap in 10m‘n 48 2-ssec. Tlie amateur events at the New Plymouth carnival did not pan out well. Tho sum of £lO was given in prizes for two events, towards which the oomnetitors contributed nineteen shillings

in entrance fees. Although the conditions stipulated there should be five starters or no race only three competitors turned out for each event. In consequence of the poor support given to amateur races by competitors this class of events has been deleted from most programmes in this island.

There are several good distance men competing in this island this season, the most promising being Arthur Arnott, brother to W. H. Amott, the wellknown hurdler. He was placed in both quarter and half-mile events at Feildmg and won this double at Wanganui, running himself out in both events. At Indian© lie won the 440yds hurdles and was second in the lialf-mile from scratch. At New Plymouth he won the half-mile from virtual scratch (30yds).

W. A. Oathro competed consistently at Wanganui and Hawera. At the first-named carnival lie was beaten by inches in both 220yds and 440yds handicaps. At Hawera he was second in the 100yds and 220vds events and won the 440yds. Among those present at the Wanganui Carnival sports were Arthur Holder, who was assisting the committee, and F. J. Ohlsen, of Auckland, tor many years secretary of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club. “Curly” was invited into the enclosure by the committee. and expressed himself as particularly pleased with the • fine sports ground at Cook’s Gardens. Wellington athletes were fairly successful during the holidays. P. McCcll, the local heel and toe exponent, journeyed down to Otago, which is about the only district in the colony which goes in for walking to any extent. At Mat aura on Boxing Day McColl was second in tlio one mile walk. At the Otago Caledonian meeting he won the mile handicap and was second in the two-mile handicap. On the second day of the meeting he dead-heated for third in the mule and won the two miles. The four performances were worth £l2 10s to the Wellingtonian. After competing unsuccessfully at Feilding, F. H. Somers journeyed down to Oamaru. Oil the first day he failed to qualify in the first heat of the 440yds handicap. He won the fourth heat and semi-final of the 220yds handicap and in the final was third after running T. Ivane, who had Byds from Somers, to inches. He also competed unsuccessfully in the lialfmiie handicap off 40vds. On the second day he won the 440yds off 17yds in 54sec. He also got into the semi-final of the 75yds handicap, and into the final of the Oamaru Handicap, 200yds. A. IF. Baskeville went to Maunceville, Ormondville and Taihape and got more than expenses. F. FI. Smyth won his heat and the final of the 120yds Sheffield Handicap, worth. £lO, at Wanganui.

W. Black, the New Zealand champion, competed unsuccessfully at the Oamaru meeting;. He got third in tlie final heats of two handicaps. Seasonal greetings, which are most heartilj’ reciprocated, are acknowledged from Mr Richard Coombes (editor of the “Sydney Referee”) and Mr J. B. Holt, of Dunedin).

.Luke Ward was a consistent but unlucky place-getter in mile handicaps during carnival week. Ho was fourth at Feilding, second at Wanganui and Cheltenham and third at New Plymouth. A win for this well-known hack marker would have been heartily applauded at each of the meetings named. Had Ward not competed in the potato race —which meant a 600yds run —at Wanganui, he would probably have won there, as he was only beaten by inches.

O. Degarma.n stood S. Barnes and L. Ward up syds and 10yds respectively m the half-mile at Cheltenham and beat them. On the day of the meeting Degarman journeyed from Wellington to Feilding by rail and walked out to Cheltenham, a distance of nine miles.

L. B. Webster competed in the amateur events at New Plymouth, but was beaten in both by A. V. Stolir, whose brother won the boys’ race (under 16 years). Both are sons of Fred Stolir. owner of Parkshot, who in his youthful days could go fast. Webster also competed at Waita.ta.ra on New Year’s Day. He got a go on the gun in the 100yds and won easily from Craig. The latter reversed positions with t?ie New Plymouth man in the 220yds event. L. C. McLachlan and G. Campbell, of Invercargill, are entered at the North Taranaki Caledonian Society’s meeting on the 19th.

A copy of the programme of the Star sports, to bo held at New Plymouth on Piaster Monday, has reached me from Secretary Elliott. The half-mile, worth £l3. is the best prize. The 120yds Sheffield, 220yds, 440yds and Mile events are each worth £lO. There are two amateur events, 120 and 440yds, trophies for first being £2 10s. The cycling events are, half-mile £2 10s, one mile £4 10s, and two 1 miles £B. David Smith, the Queensland long distance running champion, returned to Australia on Saturday last. During tho present trip, which is tlie fourth lie lias made to this colony, Smith competed at Wahnate and Oamavu. At the firstnamed place he won the quarter-mile and mile events from the back mark. \fc Oamaru he won the half-mile and was •second in the quarter-mile and mile events. The winnings at the two meetings amounted to £24, which will more

than pay expenses of the long journey from Bundaberg. Smith was naturally disappointed that there was no championship meeting this season. On arrival in Sydney it is Smith’s intention to interview Mr Richard Coombes (editor of the Sydney “Referee”) with reference to getting on an exhibition mile with A. Shrubb. Smith has a 4min 20sec record, and is the only man in the colonies that could live with the English amateur champion. Smith is seriously thinking of settling down, and may, therefore, not be seen on the track again in this co ran y.

The writer witnessed the second day of the New Zealand Axemen’s Association fourth carnival, held at Eltham during Christmas week. The gathering was a great success, the performances of th© champion axemen being witnessed by a big crowd each day. The meeting was capably managed by Mr E. F. Hardy (secretary). Mr A. Hansen acted as starter (an important official at such gatherings) in an cmcient manner. The Mayor of Eltham (Mr G. W. Taylor) is president of to© association, and aLso holds the ofiice of treasurer. He found tune to pay some attention to visitors to the carnival. A. SFIRUBB COMING TO THE COLONIES. The cabled announcement that Alfred Shrubb, the English amateur recordbreaking champion, has left for Australia, means that we are to see the man who broke up \Y. F. Simpson, the New Zealand representative wh> went to England.. Slirubb was at Glasgow on Saturday, November sth, where lie covered himself with additional glory, demonstrating more than ever his marvellous powers as a distance runner, and creating records which will perpetuate his na.:.e and fame for many years to come. Great as the performance in itself undoubtedly is, it is still greater, says "Athletic News,” when we bear in mind the conditions under which it was achieved. Rain began to fall early on Saturday morning, and it wars noon ere the sun broke out. There was a very stiff breeze (wliat yachtsmen on the Clyde call a “choppy breeze’’), and the general impression was that Shrubb wc .hi not succeed in his ambition to lower George’s record. But just as the preliminary arrangements were being completed, the wind died down somewhat, and though all the flags were still “fluttering in the breeze,” it was seen (liat they were not so ag.tated as when the splinters were running off the heats of the 100 yards. There were eighteen start?is in the Ten Mile Handicap besides Shrubb, but, of course, the Englishman was the figure that all eyes were fixed on. He appeared to be a little finer drawn than he was at the "West” sports in June, but prior to the race he expressed himself as feeling "very fit,” though he did not disguise liis regret that the conditions were not a little more favourable. However, he set out on his great effort with a light heart, and it was seen very early in the race that if he did not succeed he at all events would put in a good performance. But the further he travelled on liis journey the more determination he threw into his running, and at the half distance, which was supposed to be the crucial stage, he was moving so sweetly that his friends began to express confidence in his ability to set up new figures. And he did. At six miles he got in among amateur world’s records, while at eight Cummings’s 4-Omin 45 4~sscc faded away, and, stimulated by the encouragement which he was receiving from the spectators, he gave the "pro ” times for nine and ten miles a severe slap. To cue a long story short, he finished the distance in 50min 40 3-ssec, which is 39 2-ssec faster than George’s world’s time, and 26sec faster than Cummings’s. His running was most consistent, and altogether was a performance that will never be forgotten by those who were privileged to witness it

PREVIOUS BEST PERFORMANCES. One mile. 4min 18 4-ssec, .T. Biliks; two miles, 9min ITsec. A. Shrubb: three miles, 14mm 17 3-ssec, A. Shrubb; four miles, 19m in 31 3-ssec, A. Shrubb; five miles, 24mm 23 2-fisec, A. Shrubb; six miles, 30min 17 4-ssec, 8. Thomas; seven miles, 35min 36 4-ssec, S. Thomas; eight miles, 40min 57 2-ssec. W. Or. George; nine miles, 46min 12sec. W. G. George; ten miles, 51min 20see. W. G. George; eleven miles, 57min 9 3-5-sec, W. G. George. One hour: 11m iles 1137 yards/ Previous best: 11 miles 932 yards, by W. G. George, at Stamford Bridge, on July 28th. 1884. NEW WORLD'S RECORDS.

Six miles. Shrubb; 29min 59 2-ssec. Seven miles, Shrubb, 35min 4 3-ssec. Eight miles, Shrubb. 40min 16sec. Nine miles, Shrubb, 45min 27 3-ssec. Ten miles, Shrubb, 50min 40 3-st~ec. PREVIOUS AMATEUR, Six miles, Thomas, 30min 17 4-ssec. Seven miles, Thomas, 36min 36 4-ssec. Eight miles, George, 40miu 57 2-ssec. Nine miles, George, 46min 12sec. Ten miles, George, 51min 20sec. PROFESSIONAL. Eight miles, Cummings, 40min 45 4-5 see.

Nine miles, Cummings, 45min 49see. Ten miles, Cummings, 5 limn. 6 5-Bsec

Commenting on Slirubb’s marvellous running, 'Veteran/’ in London "Sportsman/' says:—Directly the pistol was fired. Shrubb shot, to the front, •He rattled along at a great rate on the far side of the track,- but having to fight against the wind when reaching the feide of the ground where tlie timekeepers sat, he perceptibly slackened —not voluntarily, but from tlie sheer force of wind resistance.

Lap after lap was reeled off in tho same fashion. Shrubb completed liis first mile in 4min 44 l-ssec. We all thought he was too fast, and as he took smin over his next mile that view was confirmed.

Here, however, is where the force of Shrubb's argument comes in. "Let me

make use of my pace while I’ve got it in me,” says Shrubb, “and the bit that I get in hand by so doing gives me confluence.” Shrubb said at the start that he did not want any schedule, and he did not wish to be bothered with a lot of information about lap times or even too frequent a reference to mile times during the journey. He had made up his mind to run his race in his own way. How his tactics succeeded is now well known. In the third mile the wind was less noticeable; the air seemed fresh and clear, and Shrubb, with a rather longer stride than usual, kept unconcernedly on his journey, most of his men, and covering mile after mile at very little worse than a five-minute pace, until, at five milea in 24min 55 4r-ssec, he had beaten F. E l . Bacon’s Scots ‘ allcomers” record by 1 2-ssec. He was then only 32 2-ssec outside his own ''world’s record” for the distance, and only 15 4-5 see behind Jack White’s professional recoru. Covering his next mile in smin 3 S-ssec Shrubb passed his six-mile mark in 29min 59 2-ssec, a further, proof of his argument that the time which he saved in hie first mile was instrumental in keeping ills average mileage on the right s-~e of five minutes per mile. He was now inside Sid Thomas’s long-standing record of SOmin 17 4<-ssec. On reaching seven miles in 35min 4 8-ssec he had served the same runner’s record at that distance in the same way; and at eight miles in 40min 16sec he had effectually disposed of both W. G. George’s amateur record 'of 40min 57 2-ssec and W. Cummings’s professional record of 40min 45 4-ssec. Nine miles in 45min 27 3-ssec as against George’s 45min 12sec and Cummings's 45min 49sec: and ten mile? in 50min 40 3-ssec, agadnst George’s 51min 20sec and Cummings’s 51 min 6 3-ssec, constituted fresh records which are not likelv to. be removed by anybody but Shrubb himself.

So strong and well was he that he dashed through the tape and kept on, until pistol-fire denoted that the hour was up —having covered 11 miles en route' in 56min 23 2-s>sec. On measuring to the spot which he had passed when the pistol fired, it was found that he had crowded 11 miles 1137 yards in the time. Thus W. G. George’s 11 miles 932 yards ■ —accomplished, at bxamford Bridge just over 20 years ago, in a 12-mile handicap, which I (‘'Veteran’'; was lucky enough to win—its at length surpassed, and only H. Watkins’s world-paced record of 11 miles 1298 yards remains.