AMATEUR ATHLETICS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11661, 27 October 1923, Page 10

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

N9TES AND JOTTINGS (By “Hurdler.”) COMING EVENTS. October 20— Ehening meeting, Kelburn Park. . November sth—Evening meetms, Basin Keserve. OLYMPIC COUNCIL TIME TO GET BUSY 1 It is essential that all sports bodiea should co-operate m making the Olympic Council a representative body, and unless each branch of sport is willing; in some way or other to give the required support, then far better to say so, and get to work or pull out. The majority of members on tho oouncil, while willing to help any feasible scheme to raise money, have no power o** authority to sacrifice their respective association’s funds. Take the case of the only real financial body in the Dominion, the New Zealand Rugby Football Union, whose rules say that the funds can only be spent in the furtherance of Rugby football. As the Olympic Council is not sending a football team out of this country, no financial help can be looked for from the parent body of Rugby. But this does not hinder the respective- Rugby Unions throughout New Zealand from setting aside a .proportion of their gate on Charity Saturday for the Olympic Games fund, and it should be the aim of the Rugby representatives on the council to see that this is done. Unfortunately, it is too late now to gather in any funds from this source this season, Mr A. Davies, the chairman of the Olympic Council, states that he is disgusted with the apathy of the amateur sports bodies in not insisting on their selected members attending the meetings of the council, and goes on to rub it in t.j the Rugby representatives for not being present at the last meeting. He also goes out of his way to specially mention that one member (Mr A. C. Kitto)—if I might mention names —thought it more fitting to attend a Ladies' Amateur Athletic Club meeting. Well, I do not know who is responsible for the calling of meetings—Mr Duvies or the secretary—but I do know this, that if the council is to be a success, then a definite night must be insisted on for meetings, and not as done in the past— altered at the last minute. The council is composed of business men, and it is not fair to these men to bo expected to attend meetings at short notice. It is now well on the way to the end of this year and still nothing tangible has been done to gather in tlie necssary funds to eend a picked team to Paris next Julv. Orio scheme is under review which the promoter estimates will bring in over Ji15,000. On paper the idea is good, but at the present time, when money is fairly tight, feel a little afraid as to the ultimate result, A SUGGESTION. To my mind the only way to establish a fund is fot* all the sports bodies concerned to run gatherings that would bring in a certain amount of revenue worthy of the work entailed. Surely competitors at these Olympic gatherings would foretjo the usual trophy »ndi accept. a specially designed bronze medal or certificate. The fund is for the express purpose of sending our champions in all branches of amateur sport, on what practically means an educational visit to the Olympia, and I feel sure- that all active sports in the Dominion would lend a hand. Time ir, flying and unless something is done very soon we will find ourselves in a worse position than ever before. This Olympic is a national concern and every sport in the Dominion should do his "bit." LABOUR DAY SPORTS A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. Last Monday, on Newtown Park, the first sports meeting of the season was put through. The day turned out fine, but a howling northerly gale made matters very unpleasant for competitors and spectators alike. All the events run under the N.Z.A.A.A. rules were put through by a limited number of officials well up to time. There were no outstanding performances during the day, the majority of runners beivg short of a gallop, and the strong wind wns against any fast times being events fine form, for eo early in the season, was ffhown by C. H. Jenkins, tho Wellington College champion. Giving away ut> to 17 yards in the 220yds handicap. Jenkins never looked to be moving, and won very easily in 23 l-ssec.

In the 100yds Jenkins was very lucky to lie in the final, as he did not finish first, second or third in his heat, but fortunately for Jenkins the judge placed him second, also filling a similar position in the final. The half-mile introduced some very raw recruits to the track—quantity without quality. G. Zanda (120yds) won the mile, and ran second in the half-mile (60yds), both run in slow time.

B. Woodcock showed fair form by running third in both the distance events. Unfortunately for this runner the handicanper, thinking Woodcock had won the muo, penalised him 10yds in the half-mile. Tlie javelin event did not last lens’, the spear breaking after each competitor had two throws. F. S. Hill was the only entrant who had any idea how to thc;ow, and his 115 ft 2in was a creditable performance. Keen interest was taken in the pritnary and secondary school events, and one boy, D. Scanlon, of the Mariet Bros/ Rchool, stood out on his own as one likely to gain higher honours later on. The result of the competitions for the cups and medals competed for are: National Cash Register Cup—St. Patrick’s College, 18pts, 1; Technical School, 17pts, 2. ■Sommerville Medal—T. Taylor (St. Patrick's College), Bpts, and J. Oakley (Technical School), Bpts, dead boat. Te Aro Advancement Association Cup (primary school girls)—South Wellington, llpts, and Newtown School, llpts, dead heat; Clyde quay, 3. Preston Cup (primary school boys)— Mnrist (Newtown), 15pts, 1; Lower Hutt (D.H.S.), 9pts, 2. The lady runners were evidently afraid of the weather, and did not muster their usual number of starters. Miss J. Harper and Miss E. Posselt divided the prizes in each event. The first-named runner will be in the first flight of sprinters before very long. HERE AND THERE. Tho Queensland Amateur Athletic Association has granted record certificates to Scoullev and Orphan, who won the Iflflyds in 9 9-10 sec and the 220yds in 21 respectively. Much doubt was placed on these times, especially ns they were made running against a breeze. All eye-; will be centred on these two runners at the next Australasian championships. “’Amateur sport in New Zealand is at its lowest ebb," said Mr Moss Ballin at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association last week (says the ‘‘Lyttelton Tijnes"). ‘‘‘ln running, it is inr-possible to pick one man in the whole country who is fit to go to the Olympic

Games,” lie concluded. Systematic training 1 was the remedy he suggested. 11. G. Watson, the winner of the Christchurch to Timaru Cycle Bond Race, is ninoteen years of age, and a jliomber of the Marshland - Mairehuu Club. This was his first attempt at the big race. Last year lie won a nine-mile club event, and the only other race performance to his credit were a first and a second in club events at Ohoka. Phil O’Shea, the scratch man, finished thirteenth in the big race, but he made the fastest time in 6h Tftn 50 l-ss. beating "Watson by over 10m. O’Shea is thirtyfour years of age, and has competed in the Timaru-Christchurch Road Race on nine occasions He has secured two firsts, three fourths, and fastest time on six occasions. In the 1913 race he secured first place and fastest time from scratch. JOTTINGS. Evening meeting Kelbum Park Monday, St. Patrick’s College sports at the Basin Reserve Monday. "Dave” Paris will be a starter at Monday’s evening meeting. He has decided to withdraw his resignation from the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club. G. Gorrio (Hutt Valley Club) and J. Dean (Selwyn Club) are two promising sprinters who Should be near championship honours later on. F. Sullivan, who won the 100 yards Trade Unions’ race last Monday, would be a worthy acquisition to any club. He also was instrumental in his team win* ning the relay race. "Fred” .Juno (one of our best trainers) was another starter in the Tramway team.

C. Campbell (Olympic) ran a good race in the mile, but he has one bad fault, and that is. of trying to catch the limit men too soon. If Campbell could only judge his races better ho would get many more wins.

Otaki sports meeting December 29th. Paraparaumu sports January Ist, 1924; Waikanae sports January 2n<l, 1924. First meeting in Wellington on December Ist at tho Athletic Park. Gathering to be comtroll xl by tho Wellington Genre. This will be the first competition for the "Dewar” shield, presented by tho Glasgow whisky firm through the efforts of T. and W. Young, of this city. The shield will be for competition between tho local clubs in handicap events at special afternoon meetings. The Wellington Amateur Athletic Club have been refused permission to take the Hoenan baton to Christchurch. It was tho intention of the club to give the Canterbury club a lift along bv sending a strong team down. This set-back should not stop tho club from going on with their mission, as another baton could easily bo obtained for competition between the two clubs.

Tho greatest honour a body can confer on any of its members is to place their names on tho life membership list. The Wellington Centre hnvo recognised the good work done for the sport by R. W. McVilly, B. A. Guise, aud Y. ,W. Heenan and have added these gentlemen’s names to the honours list. J. O’Sullivan has been re-elected secretary to the centre. Tho right man in the right place. Amateur athletics have progressed, beyond any doubt, since tho worthy "Jack” took up office. "Don Wilson,” the silent worker, and ho has had plenty of work, has been reelected treasurer. ■***■

Sub-c.ontres must in future apply to the Wellington Centro for confirmation of sporis’ days. It is the only way to save trouble.

Is there any news of the Albion Club’s annual meeting? I hope that tho officials of this club recognise that there is not room in Master!on for two dubs. My suggestion is for them to pull in with the Masterton Club. Amateur athletics are in full swing right throughout New Zealand. Auckland and Otago have hod a ©ports meeting— Canterbury and Wellington are storting off with evening meetings next week. I cannot get hold of any ueww re tho formation of the amateur clubs in Napier. The Otaki Club ran a very successful evening meeting last week. "Frank" Nesdale, a distance runner of some repute cntli well-known in Wellington, is now* up in Auckland. It 15 rumoured that he is coming down to Warganui to live. S. Harrison (re-instated lad .season) is now residing in this city, and is joining up with the Wellington Amateur Ath-

letic Club. Some miler, this Harrison! "Bill” Auld, a member of the Wellington Centro and a well-known .Soccer enthusiast, is having rather a rough time at present. Bill i§ in the hospital to undergo an operation. I know I vote the sentiments of all true sports When I wish him a speedy recovery. L. A. Tracy and K. Griffen will be competing at Kelbum on Monday evening. Just a reminder re the secondary schools’ sport© at the Athletic Park on. Novembsr 17th. The boys are training h&Td and have been undergoing eliminating tests during the past week. "Charlie” Jenkin-s, of the Wellington College, will bo a hard nut for tile other college lads to crack. The 449 yards relay race on Mondiay at Kel'burn Park—post entries. January sth is suggested as the date for the Wellington provincial championships. HINTS RE TRAINING. Athletic Park now* available for training purposes. No word about the Basin Reserve. It is time our runners were doing a lot of overtime in the way of training—it is madness trying to race when not fit. Do not rush your training. Work up gradually—get out of the practice of running against the clock every gallop. Find a #ood trainer—one who will rub you the right way. Now that the Athletic Park is at your service do your training before tea. This running after tea is injurious to ycur health, and it takes a mighty long time to get fit. Specialise in the way of events. Find out your distance, and stick to it. It is not a bit of good trying to be a successful sprinter and a distance runner at the same time. Championship honours await a good half and miler. We have not one runner in this Dominion to-day, in the above distances, who could finish in the first twenty at a Stamford Bridge meeting. N.Z.A.A.A. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association will take place earlv next month. This body is composed of two representatives from each affiliated centre, and some great changes in the personnel of the council will take place. Wellington were represented by B. A. Guise and J. W. Heenan, but owing to pressure of private work both these members have resigned, and their places have been filled by the election of A. B. Sievwright and H. W. Thompson. Dunedin have, up to the present, only one representative, Mr O. C. Mazengarb Auckland still stand by A. T. Davies and S. S. Dean. The last-named gentleman would be pleased to be relieved of his responsibility'. The West Coast Centre have not chosen their delegates, but there is every probability of "Frank” Wilton and F. Campbell being elected. Canterbury has for some unknown reason dropped Mr A. C. Kitto (who has stood by them for many years) and chosen Mr T. Fletcher in his place. Their other delegate, Mr M. Burnett, has resigned, and his place has yet to be filled. It seems to me that tho council is gradually getting together a set of members who are not in touch in any way with the sport in general, and unless the centres realise what they ate doing the control of amateur athletics will be in danger of losing its present high standard. 11. M. Ellis (of the Catford, England, Cycling Clubt recently put up a remarkable performance at Herne Hill. With a fiying start and paced by a motor he covered the mile in the fast time of Imin 23isec. SCOTS' COLLEGE SPORTS Sr.VER.VL RECORDS BROKEN. The seventh annual sports meeting of Scots College was held yesterday, under ideal weather conditions, there being little or no sun and practically no wind at all to mar the afternoon’s sport. The ground was in good order, and the races were run off without delay, thanks to the efforts of the starter, Mr T. W. t"Dorrie”) Leslie. On the whole, the racing was of a fairly high standard, several runners showing good form, as well as producing good times. If the course be measured

correctly the college has this, year three new records for the 440 yards, the best being that ut I. Fraser, in the Intermediate Championship Race, who completed the run in 06 3>sseconds. A record ◦f iSft 2in was also established in the Intermediate Long Jump by W. Kemball, whilst S. Fleming likewise broke the previous record for the Junior High Jump, clearing the bar at 4ft 104 in. The mile walk produced a good walker in Sharp, who, with a handicap of 70 yards.

kept the field well paced. Afternoon tea was served at the school, there being a large attendance of parents and friends on the field. The success of the afternoon was inv.ni:- due tc the officials, who kept tilings up to time. The programme, which was a lengthy one was not finisho daf a late hour, so that it was found necessary to hold over the Mile Open, 880 yard© open, B$C yards Senior Championship, and the Medeley Race, which will in all probability be run to-day. THE EVENTS . The result* of tlio \arious events arc us under;— Throwing the Cricket Ball.—L. Coleman I, Wagg 2, Macartliur 3. Distance 90 yards 1 loot 7 inches Loug Jump, open.—Martin (6cr) 1, Brien t6in) 2, George 3. Distance 17ft 4in. Long Jump, Intermediate Championship.— Ke in bail 1, Strachan 2, Green Held? 3 Distance 18ft 2in. High Jump, Junior —S. Fleming (lin] 1, Langmuir (2in> 2, Campbell \scr) 3. Distance 4ft (Rdoordj. . Mile Walk.—Sharp iTOyds/- 1, Young (375yds) 2, Maekay <4oyd*>; 3. Time, Bmin 23sec. High Jump, open.—George and Brian (equal) 1, Martin 3. Height, 4ft lliin. High Jump, Intermediate Championship.—Kemball and birachan 1. Height, 4ft 6in. Long Jump, Junior.— I Campbell 1, Langmuir 2, -Smith 3. Distance, 1 oft Sfin. 50 yards, under 9. —McCracken l, Watson 2, Scotland 3. Time, B©ec. 75 yard', under 11.—Elphick 1, Reed 2 Young 3. Time, 12 l-ssec. 320 yards Hurdles, Senior Championship.—George 1, Martin 2. Time, 18sec. 129 yards Hurdles, Intermediate Championship.—Str&chan 1, Kemball 2. Time, 20sec. 120 yards Hurdle*. Junior Championship.— Campbell 1. Time 21 l-ssec. 300 yards Open Handicap. —Mexted 1, Maxwell 2. George 3. Time, 36 4-osec. 100 yards Junior. —Cairns l,Longmuir 2, Duthie 3. Time, 12 2-ssec. 75 yards, under 9. —Scotland 1, Kemp 2. Time, 14 3-ssec. 229 yard© Open.—L. Coleman 1. F. Coleman 2,Simister 3. Time, 38 4-ssec. 220 yards Junior.—Nicholas 1, Broberg 2. Dcrhura 3. Time. 29see. 100 yard©, under 11.—Elphick 1. Reed 2 Young 3. Time. 15 l-sseo. 4to yards Handicap. Open.—McGregor l. Ifockon 2, McKelvie 3. Time, 56se<\ (Record). 440 yards Senior c hampionship.—Martin 1, George 2. Time. 58 2*ssec. (Record) 440 yard* Intermediate Championship. Frazer 1. Strathan. 2. Kemball. 3. Time, 55 3-osec. (Recordh 440 yards Junior Championship.—Campbell 1, Fleming 2, M. McKelvie 3. Time. 53 4-ssee. 100 yards, under 13.—Smith 1, Harle 2, Campbell 3. Time, 14 1-ssec. 120 vards Hurdler*. Open.—George 1, McArthur 2, Brian 3. Time. 18 l-ssee. 100 yards Old Boys* Race.—Robicson 1, Tait 2.. Time, llsec. 220 yards, under 13.—Smith 1, Harle 2 Campbell 3. Time. 34soc. Tho Inter-form Relay Race resulted in a win for Matriec. the Remove and Sixth being second and third respectively. CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS. The SBO yards has yet to be decided in the senior championship, but a* yet the results are Ik Martin 19 points’ 1. aud George 'l4 points' 2. St melt an wins the intermediate, with 16 points, Kemball being second, with It punts, ami l. Fraser and Greenfield third and fourth, with 5 points and 1 point respectively. The junior championship goe« to Campbell, with 11 point**, there bein# no others placed.