AMATEUR ATHLETICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10853, 19 March 1921, Page 10

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

NOTES AND COMMENTS MEETINGS AND COMPETITORS. (By “Hurdler,” for “N.Z. Times.”) COMING EVENTS. March 19—University Inter-Faculty Tournament, Kelli urn Park. March 26 —Country Clubs Championships, Palmerston North. March 23 —Waikanae A.A.C., Waikanae. ' April 2—Featherston A.A.C., Featherston. SATURDAY’S MEETING. The meeting held at the Basin Reserve last Saturday was a great success both as to competitors and finance, and I think the spectators received good return for their money. The fields were the largest ever started in this city, and this went a long way towards unduly penalising the back-markers. Another thing that struck me in connection with the running was the remarkably improved fonn shown by some of our limit men. I think that in the 880 yards event (33 starters) the limit was rather extreme, but as this race was specially handicapped, with the idea of extending O. H. Taylor in his endeavour to £ut up a New Zealand record, then must admit that (though Taylor was unfortunately absent) the handicapper judged his men to a nicety, and if the Canterbury champion had started I am of the opinion that he would have been very close up at the finish. The 100 yards was won in 9 4-ssec. If Davidson had been hero he would have flown in, as the strong wind and downhill course materially helped to make the fast time. Of course on the day no record would have been accepted. The one mile teams race (held here for the first time) was one of the star events of the day, and caused a lot of excitement. The points gained by each team were not - announced, but are as follow: —Victoria College Ist, with 13 points; Athletic 2nd, 15 points, and Olympic 3rd, 17 points. W. Scat-chard proved our best local miler, and at present is running better over that distance than over his pet three miles.

The three mile event caused quite a sensation amongst the spectators. F. Rose, off 200 yards (a real raw athlete, but game), won in good style. In fact his style was too good, for instead of breasting the tape he made a flying leap over it, and the judges disqualified him. The judges’ action was the subject of a demonstration by a certain section of the spectators. This was quite unwarranted, for the judges had. no option but to do as they did. “A competitor must breast the tape” is the rule laid down in the constitution Rose has learned a lesson which he will not forget in a hurry. The committee, however, have decided to give him a special trophy. At last E. Mnnro has broken the Australasian record with the shot. His “putt” of 45 feet 1 inch beats the existing record of 45 feet 0i inches, held by E. R Caughey, who visited here some years ago with the American athletes. E. J. Sutherland is going to he a champion with the javelin, and as an all-round athlete is the best in Australasia at the present time an Olympic candidate in the making. H. E. Wilson ran a good race m the 120yds hurdles, hut owing to the improvement shown by White and Jackson was only able to get third. Wilson has defeated both these hurdlers (earlier in the season) with a yard more start. Amongst our younger athletes N. W. Craig showed fine fprro and should later on gain greater honours. OTAKI MEETING. The Otaki meeting was held on Thursday, and was a great success. About a dozen local runners made the trip up and brought back a fair share of trophies with them. Just fancy the handicapper giving W. G. Candy (New Zealand champion) 20 yards in the 440yds event. Luckily for some of the runners- he did not compete. K. S. Glendining, of Falmerston North, won three events, and here again the handicapper erred on the side of leniency. It is not a bit of good asking our local handicapper to frame the starts for the city competitors when you find men from other centres pitchforked into races by the club’s own handicapper. Glendming should have had his starts reduced after bis first win. B. E. Waters gained his first win at this meeting and is improving fast. WAIKANAE CLUB. On Easter Monday the Waikanae Club is holding its first meeting under N.Z.A.A.C. rules, and by the list oi entries should have a successful gathering. About 20 of our local lads are making the trip. The sports are held on an ideal picnic ground, and any local enthusiasts could do far worse than spend the holiday at the sports ground. UNIV ERSITY~TOUR.NAMENT. The University inter-faculty tournament will bo held at Kelburn Park this afternoon. Victoria University is holding a free sports meeting to pick their representatives for the New Zealand tournament at Christchurch on Easter Saturday. The public should roll up and give our university lads the encouragement they deserve. JOTTINGS. To settle a lot of argument which 1 hear going on, I would like to state that R. R. Templeton (America) is the present Australasian pole vault champion. He vaulted lift 6}in at Sydney on February 21st, 1914. G. Harvey is New Zealand champion (lift 3in). The New Zealand Council should keep alive to the fact that a select team of champion athletes from South Africa are visiting Australia next season. To bring them to New Zealand would he beneficial to our athletes, and of national importance to our Dominion. A. T. von Heerden, a member of the “Springboks” Rugby football team .to visit here shortly, is the champion hurdler oT South Africa. K. R. Saxon (one-time Nelson College lad) won the long jump, 21ft at tho Gartlbrdge College - sports in England last month. Wellington is going to lose very shortly one of its best workers in the cause of amateur athletics that it has ever had. I refer to Mr A. ISlarfwefrb, who is under transfer to Auckland. He has been for many years president of the N.Z.A.A. Council, and mainly by his efforts amateur athletics were placed on the sound basis that they aro to-day. As president of the Wellington Amateur Athletio Club and Olynijiic Council he has done excellent work, and he ear. leave Wellington with the knowledge that lie has done his best for the sport, and that his flood work has been appreciated. Welington’s loss is Auckland’s gain. Trophy winners at the combined clubs' sports gathering can collect their orders from A. C. Kitto, 15, Manners street-