AMATEUR ATHLETICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10545, 23 March 1920, Page 7

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

(By “Hurdler.”) COMING EVENTS. March 27—Victoria University, Gelburn Park. , . March 27-Country Club’s championship., "Wanganui. . April 3 —N.Z. Universities Championship, Basin Reserve. . April s—Wairarapa Athletic Club. Master ton. NOTES AND COMMENTS. The Hibernian Society were very fortunate in having such a fine day for their gathering last Wednesday. the amateur athletic events were a feature of the day’s sport. The fields were largo and the finishes exciting—in fact I am quite prepared to say that the handicapping was the best w r e have seen this season. G. Gillespie (Byds) won the HO yards bracelet in lino style, and I think will prove to bo the best of the local University runners over that distance. G. H. Lusk did remarkably well to get second, as he did not get as good a passage ias the winner. In this event there wero twenty-eight starters. The one mile looked like giving us a tight finish, but Bell, though jmesssd hard by Nesdale, won by three yards. Nesdale (winner of our half mile provincial championship) was handicapped by a long train journey; he only arrived from Peilding on the morning of the race. 11. C. Wilson failed to give H. C. Why to Ifiyds in the 120 yards hurdles, but nevertheless put up a game finish. JUDGING. How many of our sports officials here are capable of correctly judging a close finish in a sprint event? This season I have not seen one wh«m you could rely on for accuracy. X have stood on the tape many a time during the present season and helped the judges out of their difficulties. I have also seen many a race given to the wrong man. One remedy is for the judges to stand at least two yards away from the last line in which a competitor is running, and another. is to watch the line of the tape, not the race. VARIOUS MEETINGS. Next Saturday at Kelburn Park the University students are holding their annual try lout meeting—that is to pick representatives for the New Zealand tournament to he held at the Basin Reserve at Blaster. At the present time the Victoria students have a set of sprinters who will take a lot of beating, but they have not a fast distance runner in tlie college. How they will miss the late Athol Hudson, who was always a big asset to them in the one mile and three mile events. 'They are also unfortunate to lose the services of S. A. Wiren (who rune a. fair race), who is laid aside with rheumatic fever. I, with all other sports, wish him a-speedy recovery. The i’eatherston Amateur Athletic Club held their first sports meeting last Saturday and they had a first-class gathering. A number of runners went up from here and were amply rewarded for making the, trip. G. H. Lusk won the ICOyds and 440yds, E. J. Bell the mile, H. Wilkins was second in the 100yds and 220yds, H. Jackson second in the hurdles, and J. C. Johnston second in the mile. The track was not a first-class one by an v means, and the officials would be well advised .to pay special attention to it for next season. 'The town runners who made the trip all speak well of the hospitality meted .out to them by Aha Eeatherston Club officials. The evening meeting, which was to have been held last Monday, will take place this Monday. One of the entrants tor the 220yds is G. Austin (who represented Otago at the last New Zealand championships hold here. He has decided to take up bis residence in this city and should prove an acquisition to our sports here. OLYMPIC GAMES. The Olympic Council of Australia have picked twenty-five men to represent them at the games to be held in Antwerp in September. The cost to the New South Woles body is close on X‘6ooo for their quota. Now, our own council, in fairness to the men likely to be picked, should at once state their intention*. I did hear a rumour that they were going to start on the public for subscriptions in a short time. The council must consider that the men they pick will have to leave ■ here about May and that to obtain leave and raakd all , aaecossairy (aSrrangeiu.%xts for such a long trip will take time, so once again 1 urge the Olympic Council to got moving. The Canterbury Centre are holding their provincial ■championships nest Saturday at Lancaster Park, Christchurch. G. Holey, R. J. Bell, and P. G. Thompson are going down from Wellington to try to gather in a few of the championship events. RESULTS OF EVENING MEETING. 'The foljlowifngJ (are the results of | tho Wellington Amateur Athletic . Club’s meeting, held at the Basin Ke- .! serve yesterday: 1 220yds Handicap.—L. Richardson (Byds), 1; F. S. Hill (19yds), 2; M. Trower (12j T ds), 3. Time. 24 3-sseu. One Mile Handicap.—W. Scratchard (50yds), 1; W. Melrose (lOOyds), .2; R. Bell (scr), 3. Time, smin 0, 4-ssoc.