ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10290, 22 February 1895, Page 2

ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING.

(Vsu United Press Association.)

Napier, February 21,

The weather is delightful, aud there is every appearance of its remaining so over the athletic meeting. All the representatives aru here, and the doings of the men are watched with considerable interest. It is generally admitted that the calibre of the men is not up to the standard of previous athletic gatherings except perhaps in the jumping events. In cycling we have a number of competitors who would not disgrace any team in the world, aod the Christchurch men are looked upon as having a considerable mortgage over those events. Greatdiscontent is occasioned amongst the men at the following clause iu the rules of the meeting : — '' The first in each heat and the second in the fastest heat run in the final." This, of course, refers only to the short events, which are run in heats. 'This afternoon the secretaries of the various athletic clubs met and decided that the first and second iu the sprint events on the flat should run in the final, aud in the 120yds Hurdles only the firsts should run in the final. The programme to-morrow, excluding heats, starts with the Three-mile Walk. The following are looked upon as likely winners:— Half-mile Bicycle, Pither (Christchurch) ; Two-mile Walk, Creamer (Auckland); 250yds Flat, Jones (Auckland) ; Half-mile Flat, Low (Dunedin) or Wood (Christchurch) ; High Jump, Bailey (Wanganui) ; Five-mile Bicycle, Hayward (Christchurch); 120yds Hurdles, Moir (Christchuruh); Mile Flat, Farquhar (Auckland); Putting the Weight, Kurepo (Hawke's Bay); Ten-mile Bicycle, Hayward; Pole Jump, Kingsley (Wanganui). At the meeting of secretaries of clubs to-day the next Australasian championship athletic meeting was discussed, and it was suggested that it be held in Chritchurch, and that the next New Zealand championship meeting be held in Timaru about the same time. The other matters dealt with were of no public interest.