ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10291, 23 February 1895, Page 6

ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING.

(Peb United Passs Association.) Napjee, February 22, The championship athletic meeting began to-day en the Recreation ground. The weather was very hot, but ia tUo early part of the afternoon a light breeza from the east cooled the atmosphere. The attendance at the opening ■was not large, buo an .'the day wore on tho assemblage tucrcMsed, aud by 3.30 p.m. t'aerc mast have bton quite 2503 present. This year's gathering constitutes tbe third combined meeting held under tha auspices of the N.Z.A.A.A. jtDd ff.Z.C.A., being t'je Mxth championship meeting of the Atsletic Association and the fourth gatU< ring of the Cjcliug Alliance. Koroma Gurr, tiu oi-Wellrngtou ped, had charge of tho aiTiiUgitiieuts, and tas b«eu very successful in having everything up to d&te. For weeks past the meeting has been looked forward to with a considerable amount of interest, and it ia therefore not surprising to find visitors here from all parto of tha colony. The track was in excellent condition, but from its formation is one net likeiy to be conducive to recordbreaking, especially in flat erects, as there is y.io spring in the ground. ]t: is generally admitted mat so i'nt ai the gathering has advanced it is one of thts incsS successful held undue th« auspices of tha association. The programme opsued with ths 250 yds Championahij), asd Joaes ml looked upuu 8,3 likely to register •' lirsc blood" for Auckland; but. ho had a littlrt bard luck in getting through at the turn, and suffered defeat at the hiuids ef Broad, of Christehurch. Iv the Half-mile. Bicycle Race Keynclds thowed how wonderfully he is endowed with pace, and simply buried his opponents in the final. Tn the Three-mile Walk the Wellington representative was cle«ly outclassed, auu the pair of northerners had the go to themselves, finishing up with a fine orueh. In the 380jdo FU;.« Stuart, of Wellington, rusted to the front after going a-quartsr of a iniJe. and before ho got to 800yd9 hud almost run himeelf to » standstill. Lew, who ran with great judgment, won in stoucUrd time. In the High Jump Brown, of Chr stchurch, who cnioe with a sft lQiu reputation, J he.d. to lower his colours to the redoubtaWn Bxiley, ot' Wiingauui, vrho jumps in very taking slyie. Tile Five-mile and Ten-mile Bicycle Cnsmpiocships ws;re indeed a iVafcu-'e of. tha meeting. The spectators regr«!tsd that a slight indisposition prevented tb.9 Chris1; - church crack, Hayward, from competing in these events. One singular thing in connection with the two long-distance bicycle races is that ac one tima or other of the races each of the competitors had been in the lead. The wheeling was very popular, and the finish of the Ten-inilo wan received with cheering, and both Either and Jones, who fougbt out a desperate finiah, were accorded a great reception. In the 120,jds Hurdles Bloir, the Ghristchurch jumper, though he won his heat, could not jjet » place in the final, and this was a sad disappointment to his friends, who looked on hi« cnaneuß with especial favour. F. Hurley had bad luck in striking one of the hurdles, otherwife he would have made a close thing of it with Nathan, who ran a very game race. Somewhat of a surprise was occasioned in the Milo Flat, as Jfarquhar, of Auckland, and Angell, of Wellington, who were regarded something in the light of certainties, failed to get a situation, and little Davis, of Auckland, running very pluckily, got home a few yards in advance of Kankin, of IVsnganui. The latter had a stitch when hale the distance had goue, and was DBsrly giving up, but, as the pain wore away, continued on, nnd would have caught the winner had there buen another 30 yards to travel. Farqubnx f aiuted towards) the end of the raca when with the leaders ; but Angell was never nearer than fourth. But his defeat his explained by the fact that he is suffering from a, strained leg, which in now festering. He will, however, run in the Three-mile to-morrow. Putting the weight was a disappointing display, and what little interest there wo.a in it was overshadowed by the Ten-mile Bicycle Race, which was run at the same time. In the Pols Juoip, after wining with 10ft sin, Kingsley essayed 10ft Bin. He failed to clear the bar, but iv each of the two attempts just touched tho timber, causing it to fall.

Only the events under the New Zealand A.A. rules count for tho championship banner, and at the close of to-day's proceedings the scores stood: —Auckland 23 points, Canterbury 16, Waujranni 16, Otago 5, Wellington 1, Hawke'a Bay 3, Mannwafcu 1.

There was conoiderable growling at the decision of the association to only allow winners of heats to start io the final of the 120y<!o hurdles. There is, of course, a good deal to be said on both sides, and competitors very justly say that at times some of the men finish so close together that the tirst and second should have a chance in the final. This was exemplified today, when Harley just beat Gore in standard time iv the eeoond heafc. The contention of the association, no doubt, is that if they allowed first and second to start in the finals, where there ia a large number of entries, it would practically have to decide the raco in further heat*, which, no doubt, would bo inconvenient. With the above exception the competitors apeak highly of the manner iv which the mosiiiig was conducted. Mr K. B. Lpk, the well-known cricketer, handled the pistol successfully, and the judging was very good. The following ace the results :—

250yns Flat Ciiampiokship. — Present champion, ST. M. Keevea (0.A.A.C.) World'o jnintem recon), 24 3-s«ec, W. T. Macpherkoii (X.S.W.) New Zealand amateur record, 24 3.ojo<\ W. T. Macphorson (N.S.W.) Best Hew Zealand championship performance, 21 3-55-r, AY. T. Rlacphersou (N.a.AV.> Standard, 2(i :t-saoc. First Heat.-G. A. Holder (Wangauui A.A.C.), 1: AY. Francis (Auckland A.C.), 2. T. ltichar.lsoii (Havrku'a liay) also ru. AVon by 6ix yards. Time, 27b«c. Second Haat.— A. Jones (Auckland A.A.C.), 1; T. J. Nttthin (Wnllinston 4.A.C.) 3. O. F. Smith ((JhristcbuTch) also ran. Won by two yards. Third Heat.—X. Fi-a.ier (Ilawke's Kay A.A.C.) and 1-. Broad (Canterbury A.A.C.) dead heat. Also utarteil : R. Nea^le (tlawke's Bay) and S. Crawshnw (Duncdin). The latter gave up in the straight, and Nangle was spiked. FINAL HEAT. L. Broad (Canterbury A.A.C.) 1 A. ,lon«a (Auckland A.A.C.) 2 P. J. Nathan (Wellington A.A.C.) 3 The other three also started. From a capital ntart Broad was the firgt to ehavv in froot, but after goinft SO yardd Nathan came through ia line styln and showed tha w»y, but ho began to tirß and Broad was soon on terms with him. Nathan, however, struggled on gamely, but just as tho tips was reached Jouo heat him hy a couple of inches for second place. Joncei finished a foot behind Broad ; Holder was fourth, and Fra^er lar,t. Halk-milb Bictclk Championship.— New Zealnud and AustraliKU record, lmin 75sec, E. A. Heynoldn (A.A. and O.(!.). Pressnt champion, A. -C. AVilmot (N.C.8.0.) Standard, lmin llsec. First Iff at.—H. J. Pither (Pioneer Bicycle Club), 1; AY. Pilkingtoo (Auckland A.A.C), 2. J. Cowell (Napier) and AY. J. S. Hayward (Christchurch) also mn. I'ithcr rods a.waiting race and won easily at the finish. Time, lmin lfaec. Sscond H«nt.-K. llrynolds (Auckland A.A.C), ]; C. Hall (Tiu:aru CO. 2. .1. Shorland (Christchurch) also ran. Reynolds come with a brilliant I nuurt at, tho finish and won by several yards. Time, lmin PJaee. Third lle-.it.-O. 11. Jones (Pioneer 8.C.), 1 ; S. It. Stedm».n (Otngo CO.), 2. Jarnea Caiighley (Napier 8.C.) also started. AVon by five yards. Time, lmin 12j3ec. FINAL HEAT. E. Reynolds (Auckland) -, ... 1 H. J. Pither (Cmlerbury) 2 C. H. Jones (Canterbury) 3 Reynolds jumped away with the lead, and making every pout a winning post, won by several leugthß, Jonas baing four lengths behind Pither. Time, lmin 9|noc. Three-milk Walking Championship.—Present champion F. H. Creamer (A.A.A. and CO.) AVorld's amateur record, Slmin OJ-aec, F. H. Murray (New York). New Zealand amateur record and best New Zealand chainpiooship performance, 23min 10'3«c, H. S. Cocks (C.A.A.C.) Standard, 2'.)min 30s?c. ] F. H. Creamer (Auckland A.A.C.) 1 A. Brady (Auckland A.A.C.) 2 AY. Talbut (Wellington A.A.C.) also started. Creamer and Brady Trent away together, ■ with Talbut about six yards behind. The two ' northerners held their position, but led alter--1 nately, and in the ncvonth lap T»lbut, who was goiup further behind as the rice proceeded, saw > tho chance of catching his opponents a hopeless oDe and gave up. Tho others continued to race ' together for th« remainder of the journey. In a bu3tle home Creamer defeated hia club rom- ■ panion by about three yards. Time, 23min 1 4-Osec. Brady has a nica style of moving, and the Mile Ruce to-mnrrow is looked forward to with a good deal of interest, as it is believed hs will ba able to turn the tables on Creamer.

Half-mile Championship.—Present champion, AY. A. Lmv (D.A.A.C) AVorld's amateur record, lmin Sljacc, F. J. K. Cross (Oxford). New Zealand amateur record and best Hew Zealand championship performance, 2mln, D. Wood (C.A.A.C.) Standard, 2min 2sec. AY. A.Low(Dunedin A.A.C.) 1 A. M. Stuart (AV«lli D gton A.A.C.) 2 X J. Huntsr(H.B.A.A.C) 3

A. J. AA reekes (Manawatu), J. Bull (Auckland), D. AVood (Christchurch), 11. Rayhow (Napier), and AY. Rudinan (Napier) also ran.

Bull and Weekes led the firet round, where Low was absolutely last. After going 300 yards Stuart rushed to the front and soon put several yards betweeu himsolf and hia nearest opponent, who was Hnnter. Both theso had evidently m»tle th«ir efforts too soon, and not many yards had been left behind when Low could ba seen threading bin way to the front, and, ditching Stuart, shortly after the turn for home, won a very nicely-judged race by about a dozen yards. Wood was fourth, and the others pulled up whim they s&w they hadn't a chance. Time, 2min 2!eo.

Hion Jujip Championship.—Present champion, H. S. Bailey (Wanganui A.A.C.) World's amateur record, 6ft 4£ia, W. J. Sweeney (American). New Zealand amateur record, sft Sin, H. S. Bailey (Wanganui A.A.C.) Best New Zealand chamDionthipporforma.nce, Sit sia. F. Mcyrick (M.A.A.C.) and E,. Gore (W.A.A.C.) Standard, sft 7in. H. S. Bailey (Wan»anui A.A.C), sft 7Jin ... 1 P. J. Brown (Canterbury A.A.C.), oft tijia ... 2 IS. Laurie (Auckland A.A.C), sft 4Jin 3

R. Gore (Wellington) sft 4in, F. C. White (Napier) sft 3iin, Kingsley (Wanganui) sft 2in also jumped.

Brown ha.d hard luck in each of his final tries, ss he only jusl; touched the bar, bnt the contact wai eufficient to dislodge the bar from tho pegs. Laurie, Gore, and White tiad for third place, and iv the jump oif the former won.

Five-mile Bicycle Championship. — Present champion, A. C. Wilmot (N.C.E.C.) New Zealand record, ISmiu 4^Jsec, I. Crow (D.C.C). Australian record, 12min 21sec, W. L. Kerr (N. S. W.) Standard, 12min 348ec.

H. J. Kther (Pioneer 8.C.)... E. Reynolds (Auckland A.A.C.)

... 1 ... 2 ... 3

0. 11. Jones (I'ionuer 8.C.),).

H. Surman (Auckland), W. Pilkington (Auckland). J. 0. Soorland (GliristchurcW, t. M. Lucy (WollinKton), Jauins Caughlcy (Napier), Jame3 Cowell (Napier), 0. Hall (Timaru), S. K. citedrnan (Duuedin) also ran.

Surman lout nearly a Jap early in the iocs owing to hh Beat shifting, and eventually gavo up. Hall led for the first three laps, with Reynolds in close attendance, Pither and Jones lying handy. At two mileß Caughley made a spurt and went right up from the rack to the front, and led the field for tw:> laps. Pither then asnumed command, Reynolds meanwhile clicking well to the leader, but allowing others to make the paco for him. 'Jlie order kept changing every Jap till the last one, when Pither wn in ths lead, with Reynolds next, followed by Jones and Hall. A magnificent struggle ensaed between the Cfariatchurch a.nd Auckland representatives, Reynolds getting even with his opponents hnHw&y round. However, entering the etraigat Pither had the iupide running, and, making the most of it, won by a bare yard; Jones, two lengths away, third, Pilkington fourth. Tuen came Hall, Cowell, Oaughley, and Saorlanci. Lucy, who was lying about fifth, h&d a spill in the fourteenth rouad. There was a good deul of boring throughout tha race, and entering the straighc iv tha lap mentioned, Lucy, who was on the inside, wan forced on to the e.dga of the track, came i nasty cropper, and took no further part in the race. Fortunately, beyond carving a piecs of iie?h out of his thigh ho did not sustain any injury, but from the pace they were travelling at it was at first feared he had mt& with a serious accidnnt. Time. 13min 1 2-ssec. 123vns HuaDtEs Championship, over 10 flights 3ft Bin.—Present champion, H. W. Bxtger, W.A.A.C. World's amatear record. 15isec, W. K. Henry (America). New Zealand amateur record, ltisec, H. W. Batger (W.A.A.0.) Euat JS'evv Zealand championship perforraanue, 16}sae. H. W. Batger (W.A.A.C). Standard lli 3-Eaec.

First Heat.—T. Roberts (Auckland A.A.C), 1; H. S. Biiloy (Wanpanui), 2. H. Curtis (Christchurch) al?o ran. Koberts won by about two feet from Bailey, who was rather handicapped by having only a few minutes before had a hard light in the high jump with Brown. Time, 17? see. Second Heat.-X. S. Harley (Canterbury A.A.C.), 1; K. Gora (Wellington A.A.C.), 2. A. Good (Wanjranui) and F. C. White (Napier) also ran. Won in standard time, lfa' 3-ssec. by about a f oO". Third Heat.-W. Martin (A.A.A.C.), 1; T. Richardson (N.A.A.C.), 2. J. L. Lord (Wanganui) also ran. Won rather easily at the nnish. Time, 17sec. I'IXAL HEAT. W. Martin (Auckland A.A.C.) 1 T. S. Harley (Canterbury A.A.C.) 2 T. Koberts (Auckland) 3 Harley had all the worst of a none too good start and struck one of ths hurdles rather sharply, ■which interfered with his chr.ric«, but h« made a good fight of it with Martin, who has greatly improved since the previous running at the championship meeting. Ho takes his fences very nicely, and much after the style of the erstwhile champion hurdler, Harold Batger. Martin won all out by a couple of yards. Time, 16 3-sse,e. One-mile Flat Championship.—Present champion, C. JJ. Horpeth (W.A.A.O). World's amateur record, -Imin 17 4-ssec, T. P. Conneff (America). New Zealand amateur record, 4mm Sfifjec, i J. Morrison (S.C.A.A.C). Best New Zealand championship performance, 4min 31s?ec, D. Wood (C.A.A.C.). Standard, 4min 30t:eo. A. Davis (Auckland A.A.C.) 1 W Itunkin (Wanjanui A.A.C.) 2 A. W. Bell (Manawatu A.A.C.) 3

A J. Weekes (Mannwntu), W. Farquhar, M. O'Connor (Auckland). F. C. An^ll (Wellington), M G. Dodwell (Wellington), C. Price (Napier), 11. Hayhow (Napier), H. Marshall (Napier) also ran.

When the men had settled down into their positions it was seen that O'Conuor and Farquhar were in the van, with Prica and the two Wellington representatives close up. Much tha same order of things continued until half the journey had beeu left behind, when Price attempted to mtike the pace «. "cracker," but O'OonDor wont at him and soon had him in trouble. Fnrquhar at this time was handy, while Davis, Weekes. and Bell were following, and just clear of Angell and Dodwoll, Marshall whipping in. Aa the field entered on the last lap the paca was very sound, and Farquhar was completely exhausted 100 yardu from home. Not so, howover, was Davis, who gradually cut down tho leaders, and wbs the first to show for home, and i.hen Rankin, who up to thiß time had not been prominent in the raca, camu with a wet sail, but though he cut down Bell, Angell, and Co., could noi; reach Davis, who won all out by eight or ten yards. Angell, despite his injured leg, finished fourth, and Price last. Time, 4min 40 2-sseo.

Putting tup. V/f.ioiit, Mb.—Present champion, O. M'Oormack (W.A.A.C). World's s.umt-ur record, 47ft, G. 1.1. (Jray (America). Kbvv Zenland amateur record, D!):t 4in, O. Jl'Conuack (W.A.A..0.). Best championship performance, :ffft flin, O'Connor (A.A.A.C.) C Louisson (Canterbury A.A.U.), 34ft6in ... 1 A. Hepburn (Hawkc's Kay A.A.C.). 32ft fljin... 2 H. Speedy (Napier, 82ft 7in) and Korepo (Xapier, 31ft (iin) also competed. Very little iutorc.-« was taken in this event, and tlis put is much below previous results. Tii.N-Mir.KliiCYCLKOiiAMi'ioNaniP. —Present, champion, C. 11. Jhobs (P. 8.0). New Zealand record, 20ai in 2lt«c, J. 0. Shorland. Austra. lasizn record, 21raiu sSsec, W. L. Kerr(New South Wales). Standard, 25mia SOsec. ill. .T.J'ither I I'ioneer Bicycle Club) 1 G. H. Jones (Pionner Bicycle Club) 2 E. Kcynolds (Auckland A.A.0.) 8 11. Rumian (Auckland), J. 0. fihorland (Christohurch), James Caujhley (Napier), C. E. Hall (Tiraaru), and S. It. fcitedman (Dunedin) also started. This undoubtedly was the most interesting event of the day, and tlio very best cycling ovrnt ever netn in Napier. I'ho statt was delayed for a time, sb it was found that too pneumatic tyre of Kcynolda's machine had apparently bean tampered with, as a fair-sized tack was found embedded in the gutta-percha. Howevor, tha tyre was fixed up, and at about 4.50 the field were sonfc away on even term 3. Hall was the first to break the line, and, with Reynolds second, took the Held along without appreciative change in thn relative position of the men. Stedman at this time was lying third, with Jones fourth, and the others in a bunch. As lap after lap was recorded, first one and then another would rush through and Bet a pace, for (i lap, only to drop back again. Reynolds and Joneo wore about th« most consistent ia retaining their positions of Hocond and fourth respectively, but would every now and again put in a feeler and not the field at a fair puco. Pittier and Hall were hero there and everywhere, at one li:no being first and the next lap lust. As each now totiu took up the running tho fact wan heralded with cheers by the large coin'ourne who lined tba enclosure ou the northern (.ids of the track. After two-thirds of th« joiic:i»y had been wheeled the mtsu appeared to oettlo down in earnest. Reynolds then took command, but immediately Siurman shot oub, only in turn to give placa to Hall. This sort of thing contiHucd until the race was within half a mile of the close, when one and all sat down and begtn to rido resolutely. Pither was the first to put in a decided challenge, and, with Jones, drew away fromthe others. A hundred yards from horn» Jones, who htd ridden a capital race throughout, was loudly proclaimed the winner, but he could not get on terms with Pither, who ■won by about three or four yards, Reynolds being a fair third, and Caughley fourth. At various tjmoa the men ncera so close together that a sheet would almost have covered the field. Time, 27rnin 18 3-ssec.

Polr Jump CHAaipio.NSirip.—Present champion, H. L. Kinsley (W.A.A.C.) World's amateur record, lift 9in, T. Dickenson (England); !New Zealand amateur record, 10ft uin, W. St. West (C.A.A.C.) Best New Zealand championship performance 10ft iin, W. 11. West (C.A.A.C.) Standard, lOjt. H. L. Kingsley (Wangamii A.A.C.), 10ft Sin ... 1 A. Adsett (Wancanui A.A.C.), 10ft 4in S

Kingsley essayed 10ft Bin. Hs got over the bar, but disturbed it in the descent.

The following are the times set down for the events to morrow :—Mile Walk, 2.10; 100 yds Fiat (final), 2.35 ; Long Jump, 2.W ; One-mile Bicycle (final), 3; Quarter-mile Flat, 3.15; Throwing the Hammer, 3.35; Quarter-mile Hurdles, 3.50; 25-mile Bicycle, 3.55 o'clock.

The chances of the following are favoured:— Mile Walk, Brady; 100 yds Flat, Nathan ; Long Jump, Eyan; One-mile Bicycle, Reynolds; Quarter-mile FUt, Low; Three-mile Flat, Angell; Throwing tha Hammer, Louisson: 440 yds Hurdles, Good; 25-mile Bicycle. Pither. ,