ATHLETIC NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4313, 23 March 1901, Page 6 (Supplement)

ATHLETIC NOTES

(BY ADVANCE.) FIXTURES. APRIL. ‘ V ! B—Star Football "Club (New Piyipputh) j B—Thames Foresters’ Fete -■ | B —Oamaru Hibernian Society • ■ ’ ' j s— Kaponga. ■ , j F. H. Somers won £l7 at the AVellington and Blenheim Hibernian meetings. Ho is very pleased with the Payne Cup, which is a better trophy than generally given for athletic meetings. Somers did not journey to Inglewood, and was net entered at Otaki. Ho may compete at Oamaru on Easter Monday. The principal event at the Thames United "Foresters’ Fete on Easter Monday is tho Easter Handicap (100, 200 and 300 yards), value £6, £3 and £l. The half-mile is worth £3 10s, £1 10s and 10s; and the mile £5, £2 and £l. ■ The athletic events at the Kaponga sports on Easter Monday are 220 yrds hurdles and 220yds handicap,' The principal meeting at Easter time is tlie Oamaru Hibernian Society. The Sheffield Handicap, £2ooyda, is worth £ls, £7, £3 and £2. Other events are 75yards. £2, £1 and 10s; 440yds,, £3, £2 £1; half-mile, £4, £2 and £1; and mile, £5, £2 and £l.; The Druids gala will bo greatly missed this year, especially by local men, as there are a good number of them in training. The Blenheim and Otaki meetings filled in tho interval between St. Patrick’s Day and Easter Monday. I have had sonic inquiries from Masterton and New Plymouth for the programme. J. F. Leyden, who scored a double at the Auckland amateur meeting, and A. E. Smith, who was successful at the Auckland Hibernian meeting (for amateurs), formerly ran for cash. J. Garrity competed at tho Gisborne sports last week. Ho looked well in on paper with 10yds (100), 20yds (220) and 30yds (440), but the best he could do was to run second in each event to the Maori Pera Natana, who had Byds, 18 yds and 30yds. L. McLachlan (scr) beat Najtana iu his neat, and ran third in the 220yds and 440yds. 'mo Otaki Athletic Club’s sports will be held on Wednesday next. Satisfactory nomination,s have been received, and the handicaps will appear if received intime.

P. Mullins continues to show good form. He ran second in the half-mile off 25yds in 2min 3sec. In the mile Beatson failed to give him 35yds- Roderick won off 130yds in 4min 31sec. A southern scribe thus refers to a man who, won the maiden and three distances at Hawera on November 9th last, but did not get themoney and who afterwards competed unsuccessfully at Feiiding (Dec. 26) and Masterton (Jan. 1.); —Davidson, the Canterbury winner who was credited with even .time, for the hundred at Amberley last year, is again running in tnis province. At Ashburton sports recently ho was second from scratch in his heat of the 100yds. 10-Jsec, unplaced in the final, won in lOsec, and first in the 220yds Handicap —from scratch in 24sec. r Arthur Skinner was a competitor at the Auckland Hibernian Sports on Saturday last. New Zealand “Herald'' thus refers to his performances: —An exhibition of wrestling, Oumßeraland style, was given by Messrs A- Skinner and T. Tuoby; the decision to rest on best two falls out of three. Mr Dan Dee acted 1 as judge. Skinner succeeded in winning the first two falls, two hips and two shoulders, both beautifully clean falls. Tire first was "a clean buttock, and the second a right outside hip. The match was in every way a genuine one, and the winner was presented with a handsome gold medal, of cliaste design and encircled with native fern leaves: Tuohy was much the heavier man of • the . two. Mr A. Skinner, the well - known professional athlete, gave an exhibition of hammer-throwing, using the wire-hand-led hammer. Only Two throws were made, and when the second, came to be

measured it was found that tho aistancrt was 158 ft 9,fin, the best throw recorded by Skinner, and about 4ft 9iin better than his effort at the recent Caledonian sports. The wrestling event was practically a match. Tuchy belongs to AA aitekauii, and went to Auckland with the inten- , lion of defeating Skinner. The Eltham paper thus refers to a performer at the AViiangamomona sports ; We regret to turn from contemplation ; of theso°hclient competitions to speak of ! the decided ‘cronk’ running of Scott, a , visiting runner. It is really surprising . iibw his behaviour escaped detection. Ihe ; way ho allowed Morey to win iu the , 220 and the 440 was the most bard-faced j attempt at stiff running we ever wit- ■. nessed. In both races, Scott could have beaten Morev with ease. However, he allowed Merely to win, satisfying himself with second place, with the object, we suppose, of keeping down his handicap at other meetings.” J. B. Scott was entered at Inglewood on Thursday last, being in receipt of 6yd,s, 12yds and 20yds from Somers. Scott won the 100 and 220yds events at Strathmore cu the 14th inst. The first prize in the Hairdressers’ Handicap at the picnic to be held at Day’s Bay on AA rednesday next is £5 ss. The nomination and acceptance money is only Is. There is an event for all comers on the programme, distance 150 yards. J. Sexton won the half-mile and was second in the 410yds and mile at Strathmore on the 14th instant. P. Mullins should about win the mile at Inglewood and Otaki. J. D. McPJiee and E. A. Ready, who got first and second in the Irish Jig at the Basin Reservo last Saturday, are both well-known athletes. L. McLachlan was giving away starts of 15yds (loo), 27 (220), 60 (440), and 90 (8S0), at Gisborne. A New Plymouth correspondent writes me that there is disappointment among the cash runners in that district at there being no meeting on the Basin Reserve this Easter. The Druids’ meeting is off for the present. A. Ross wired las acceptance for the local Hibernian Society’s meeting from Gisborne, but was evidently unable to get down, as he did not put in an appearance. F. H. Somers created a favourable impression last Saturday by Ids running in the 220 and 440 yards events. Barring McLachlan Somers could hold his own with anything in the colony at these distances. Tile local police force has a promising exponent of freld games iu D. Mahoney, who made his first appearance at the rtibelrniali sports last Saturday. He won the shot putting and finished second in the high jump and the wrestling. AYith proper coaching there is no reason why ho should not be as successful as O'McOormick, Bob Oliphant, Jack and Arthur Skinner.

The interest in the-sport at Auckland at present is not too good, judging by the following remarks by “Lynx”: Clashing as it did with the Premier picnic, the Auckland Regatta, theatrical, and other attractions, it was not anticipated that the autumn sports carnival of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club would be very largely patronised, but even after making all necessary concessions, it must be admitted that the attendance on Saturday was distinctly disappointing. The afternoon was -delightfully fine, and a very; enjoyable programme of events had been drawn up; yet there were not more than from 100 Q to 1200 persons on the Domain—truly, a pointed illustration that interest in sports gatherings is at low-dater mark, and that the public cannot bo prevailed upon to extend their patronage unless some unusually powerful attraction is provided. • - . , , New Plymouth and district is a hotbed of professional runners, but the garden of New Zealand can claim a naming amateur champion, in “Pat” AVobster, who is a clerk in the Bank of New Zealand. As there is no amateur club within a, hundred miles, and with so many “pros” around, it is a wonder AVejbstor did not join the cash hunters, but being a keen sport h» joined the AVariganui Club and regularly.puts in an appearance at that club’s meetings. In December he won the 100 and 220yds from scratch. In January ho again got away with the 100yds, giving as much as 11 yards, and was 2nd in 220yds off scratch. The same day he placed tlie 440 (from scratch) to his credit. Last month Webster gave the AV’anganui people another display by winning both, the lOOydis and 250yds—in each case from the mark. The 100yds go was ticked off as even time, but the ■winner and his friends were dubious of the! time, although he has been known Ito get right handy to lOsec in a trial. When a man comes over • 100 miles to run and has previously been timed to do 10 seo by tlie club’s officials, it shows very loose management on the part of I tho club, that AVebstcr, after again being credited with doing the 100yds in 10 sec., should be unable to obtain a standard bodge, owing to tho club failing in its duty to provide 3 time-keepers, as required by tbe N.Z.A.A.A.

It is to be regretted that Smith, of Auckland, talks of retiring, as the Taranaki sports are very anxious to see Webster meet the Northern champion' over 100, 250, and 440yds. One thing Smith would have to move as quick as ever he has done in his life, and then I fancy the New Plymouth boy would defeat him. If the two do meet Auckland punters can obtain unlimited bets as the are prepared to put up their gold. Fred Odium, a Ponsonby boy, not unknown to Wellington, writes “Lynx” as follows from the Pennsylvania University, Philadelphia: —“I was (he says) very pleased to read of George Smith’s victory over Roseingrave, and would have given quite a little to have seen the ‘go.’ I. see he came very near Ivraenziein’a grass record. I might tell you I have met Kraenzloin, arid am working with him every day. He is taking a special course, the same as myself, barring graduated last year. I think he is one of the finest fellows I have ever met, and is immensely popular at college. To talk to, you wouldn’t think he had won a ‘pig hunt,’ and it is a pretty hard job to _ get him to talk-running—he certainly has not got a ‘big head.’ We have a Freshman here named Anderson, who cut out the 100yds in lOsec at the novice sports, and Kraerizlein. tells ipo ho is going to be a wonder. . The way they get hold of their athletes here is this; When college opens all now students are requested to fill in. a sports form, stating whether they have ever taken part in athletics—naming their particular branch—and if they have ever won anything. They are then asked out on the track to see what they can do.- Even if you have nover taken any part in the game you are asked out to see what you can do, or if you have any idea. After about sis. weeks’ training they hold the novice sports, and it is then they pick out their men. Each university has its own athletic field, and an army of trainers, so that if a man has anything in him they will bring it put. If 'Smithy’ was over hero for a while under their care, I guess he gould give Ivraenzlein a good go over the sticks.”

T. E. Chamberlain, who won the high jump easily from scratch (sft 4in) at the Basin Reserve last Saturday, came down from Masterton for the event. Chamberlain won at Dreyertown on the 6th inst with sft Sin, and at Masterton on New Year’s Day put up Sft 6in. Had he, journeyed to Napier he! would

have had no difficulty in winning the championship. L. H. Furrie von the 100yds handiop last Saturday by fully three yards, and is evidently the equal of Somers over that dusance. Furrio was going at top . in the first ton yards. | J. O’Brien, who won the sack race ' last Saturday, was the winner at John- , sonville, and is, 1 understand, > I u_i bjoiuoo ||« plum ckj pcußtload; j bags. O’Brien has a style of his own. j iHo is strapped round the waist, and j ' therefore does not have to hold his ; bag up. JJe has one foot in each corner | |of the sack and bounds kangaroo fash- j | ion. Among those he defeated was a: j veteran at the game in Noil Austin. , F. H. Somers is particularly good on; his mark. In both the 1120yds and i quarter mile events he was standing | after some or the others had moved. H. j Payne was on Jus worst behaviour last Saturday, and in the 220yds event for { members of the Empire Ojty Athletic Club persisted in breaking and was disqualified. Mr Moldeworth made his first appearance with the gun and did very well. F. A. McColl’s condition pulled him through in the half-mile. He and Somers were the fittest men on the ground. MoColl has previously paid most attention to walking events, which arc no the decrease. If ho trained for the distance ho was successful in last Saturday ho would hold his own with the best in time. He won £6, and the brothers AA'ard divided £lO between them. Luke held MoColl too cheap in the half mile, and' may have expected Ills brother to run hotter. In the mile Luke won in the slow time of 4min 60sec. Bert Coleman is in no form at present. Peri Natana entered for Napier from Te Ante, and received 12yds (120) and 36yds (440), from McLachlan. At Invercargill ho was entered’ fof. AVaikouaiti, and has only received 3yds in 120, and syds in 220 from the same scratch man. That is presuming Na Tana Pera is the same man. The report of the Gisborne St. Patrick’s sports hold on the 14th inst., has not yet reached me. A Press Association wire stated that Peri Natana was tlx© principal winner. He had Syds in the 100, 18yds in the 220, and 30yds in the 440yds. This is the Maori runner .1 mentioned a couple of weeks back as likely to make the trip to Australia. This has evidently been cancelled. McLaohlan is scratch in all events. up to half a mile at the Southland Irish Society’s meeting, which was held on the 20th. The visitors entered were T. Dawson (AVestralia), G. Simmons (Tas r maiiia), W. J. Strickland (Napier). . At Napier Strickland was receiving Byds (120), 18 (440), from Strickland. Now he only receives Syds and 10yds. MoLachlan gave Taylor 12yds and beat him in the 440yds at Napier, and at Invercargill the latter only receives 11yds.

BLENHEIM HIBERNIAN SOCIETY'S ANNUAL SPORTS. The sports maleting of this Society was Held at Blenheim on Monday, March 18. Some fine races were witnessed. The majority of the honours fell to visiting athletes. The St. Patrick’s Grand Handicap (100yds, 220yds and 440yds) fell to E. W. Evans, the nuggety and speedy three-quarter of the Melrose Football Club, who won two of the three events, and ran second in the other. In . the 220yds event he got a flying start and made "no face” of it. Somers, who filled second place, was a goodi sprinter who was evidently not exceptionally anxious to win. His performance in that 100yds event was decidedly meritorious. ’The run was a trifle up-hill, and .the turf was none too goed, but hd nevertheless carved thd distance out in 10 1-5 secs. Ten yard's froili the tape he was last man bar one, but he came from there with the dash of a drunken thunderbolt. In the first heat of the 100yds an unusual occurrence took place l , three men—Pike, Sbmers and Clarke—dead-heating for first place. Evans won the quarter-milo In fine style, in the good time of 61 3-5 secs, his going evoking hearty applause!. Bull, a Ideal man, made a good effort in this race, and succeeded in showing' Somers the way to the tape. The best race of the day was the half-mile, which brought out a field of fourteen. The front-markers set the pace at a merry bat, but all of them save N. Neame, a local man, sustained “tired feeling*’ in the straight. A ding-dong go ensued between H. Payne of Wellington, J. D. Wells of Havelock (both of whom started off the 10yd mark) and Neame (35yds). Payne and Neame ran leg and leg up the stretch, but the Wellington man stretched home, a victor by two feet. Neame, who is quite a youngster, has “a heart as big as a bullock’s,” and will undoubtedly make a name for himself on the track if he takes cure of himself. Bull, who filled third place in the handicap, is a good man, but. he struck the writer as being a trifle. over-trained and consequently “stale.’’ The) open hundred yards provided a fine sight for the spectators, the result being two dead-heats. J. Morrison and D. Thompson tied for the, first place and A. Oben and J. Clarke were level for third position. The Hurdle Race was won by A. Oben, J. Clarke being second and E. Sowman third. The points gained in the handicap were as follows:—E. W. Evans', 13 points; F. 11. Somers, 10 points; F. Bull, 5 points. Somers was the scratch man in each event, Evans’s starts were 7yds, 13yds and 17yds, and Bull’s Byds, 16yds and 24yds. The handicapping was very good as judged by thd finishes for all the races, and thd handicappers—Messrs Ulie Shannon and Timothy O’Leary—are to be complimented on their efforts. The usual side events were brought off during the day. The high jump caused some! excitement, but the glory has departed since the days when the late “Billy” Morrison cleared! sft lOin. A scion, of the family competed on Monday, but he failed to negotiate mord than sft lin. O’Brien won the event with sft 2in. Thompson wen the running long jump with 17ft 7in (including 9in. handicap). Carkeek put the weight 32ft 4ih and annexed 30s as a reward 1 . The attendance of the public was very fair, and it may safely be said that thdse old-established sports are now on the up-grade and likely to again attain the pride of place which was their’s in the days bygone. The presence of Mr Humphrey Leary, in his well-known green garb, as clerk of thd course formed a link with old times, Mr Leary’s occupation of this office dating from a chillingly remote period.

OTAKI ATHLETIC CLUB. Mr M. H. Ayre, handicapper for the Otaki Athletic Club, has ddclared the following handicaps for the jsports meeting to be held on Wednesday, 27th instant;— Hurdles.—F. Cootes scr, W. Hughes scr, E. W. Evans scr, Pati Pineaha 6yds, W. D. Bennett 6yds, Fred Cootes 12yds, W- Cootes 12yds, B. A. Reidy 12yds. ' ICO Yards.—H. Payne scr, Cathro 2yds, E. W. Evans 3yds, J. W. Pike 3yds, T. Carrig 3yds. W. Hughes 4yds, T. Stubbs 4yds, F. Cootes 4yds, W. Bennett 4yds, J. Garritty 4yds, R. O’Brien 4yds, W. Puklowski 6yds, Pati Pineaha 6yds. E. A. Reidy 6yds, P. Mullins 6yds, P. Freeman 9yds, W. Bevan 9yds, J. Noble 9yds. 220 Yards.—H. Payne scr., Cathro ,2yds, B. W. Evans 2yds, T.. Carrig 2yds, R. O’Brien 4yds, J. ,W. Pike 4yds, F. Cootes, 6yds, W. D. Bennett 6yds,‘ W.

Huges Cvdsr, P Garrity 6yds, T. Stubbs Cvds. P'.' Mullins 12yds, AA T . Puklowski 12yds, Pati Pineaha 12yds, E. A. Heidy 12yds. Fred Cootes 16yds, J. Noble 16 vds. AA r . Bevan 16yds, P. Freeman 16yds. 440 Yards.—li. Payne scr, AY. Hughes 5 vds, Cathro Syds, 15. AY. Evans Syds, J. AY. Pike Byds, T. Carrig Syds, P. Mullins 10yds. T. Stubbs 12yds, T. Garrity 12yds. R. O’Brien 12yds, AY. D. Bennett 12vds. F. Cootes 12yds, AY. Puklowski 18yds, E. A. Beidy ISyJs, P. Freeman 20yde, AV. AVilscn 20yds. Half-mile.—L. AVard scr, P. Mullins 15yds, H. Payne 20vds, E. AY. Evans 20yds, C. AA’ilson 30yds, AY. D. Bennett 30yds, P. McColl 30yds, AY. Hughes 30 yds, AV. Puklpwski 35yds, F. Cootes' - 40 yds, H. AVard 40yds, A. Bills 40yds, R. Hughes 50yds. Milo. —L. AVard scr, P. Mullins 30yds, C. Wilson 50yds, W. D. Bennett 70yds, P. McColl 70yds, E. R. Hughes 70yds, W. AVilson 75yds, H. AVard 80yds, A. Bills 80yds, R. Hughes 90yds.