ATHLETICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12800, 22 October 1903, Page 5

ATHLETICS.

Br "Asi.vieok."

FIXTURES. October 31—Dunedin Harriers Ten-mile race. November 19 and 21—Pioneer Amateur Bicycle and Athletic Club's spring meeting. November 21—Auckland Amateur Athletic Club's spring meeting. December IG—South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club's annual snorts meeting. The annual general meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association will bo held on November 20. The Auckland Amateur Athletic Club hold their spring meeting on Saturday, November 21. To hand from the secretary of the Pioneer Amateur Bicycle and Athletic Club, copy of programme of annual spring meeting to be held, at Lancaster Park on November 19 and 21. 'The list of events is very comprehensive, no fewer than 37 items being set down for decision during the two days. Entries close, with the secretary, Mr J. E. Green, on November 12. W. 11. Madill, the hammer-thrower, has commenced training in view of his probablo selection as a member of the New Zealand team for the Australasian championships to be held in Melbourne in January. There was nothing of a sensational character at the Boys' High School sports (Christchurch), decided at Lancaster Park on Friday last. The best performance was that of G. H. Pearson, in the Lang Jump (for boys under 14), who covered 15ft 6in, beating tho previous record by 9in. The Champion Cup was won by J. W. Mason, who scored 20 points.

Somo discussion took place at the annual meeting of the South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club concerning tho registration of amateurs. The Otago Centre had protested against its adoption. The general opinion of tho meeting seemed to be that tho rule would be an excellent, one for the prevention of fraud at amateur sports, for the cheeking of "dark horsas," and in othe.r respects; each centre would bo allotted a special colour, and tho men from each being numbered, would bo known all over the colony as genuine amateurs. It was also pointed out that while it seemed hard to have to pay the 2s fco in addition to tho entrance fee for such a race as tho "strangers' " race at the High School sports, that was the only extra expense, and it served for a. year over the whole colony—[Could the Otago Contre not be brought, to see tho matter in the same sensible light.—Amatecp..]

Den-is Horgan, of Bantecr. was again to the fore with the 161b shot (7ft square) at tiro Killarney sports in the middle of August. In the open handicap he won from scratch with a grand put of 47ft 3in. Ho holds the world's record at 48ft 2in. J. B. JPGough, the Scottish long-distance amateur champion runner, the triple champion, of the Land o' Cakes, is after all an Irishman. Ho was born at Clones, and is thus an Armagh man. At the Aston Lower Grounds, Birmingham, on August 22, A. Shrubb won a mi'e and a-half handicap from scratch in the fast time of 6min 53 l-ssec. Ho had only an hour or so previously won a threo milca handicap from scratch in 14min 52 2-sscc. Tho gate a?ain. A speakor at the Pioneer Club's smoking concert remarked that the cross-country course at Lancaster Park was hardly suitable considering the class of country available. "But see the gate wo had," interjected one of these present. "Amateurs aro not supposed to consider the gate," was the intelligent response. Tho Queensland "100," a Sheffield Handicar of 130 yds, and to which £100 was allot-

ted as prize money, was decided on September 30, and won by F. Tully, a Nudgcc Collego boy, off 16yds, in 12 1-5-cc. The attendance at the- recent Steeplechase Championship in Christchureh. was larger than usually seen at athletic meeting;? in the north. The race was decided partly on the ordinary running track and partly outside the fence. Water jumps and brash hurdles mado up the "country." The- individual champion turned up in P. Malthas, of Timaru, who beat 11. C. Murray, of Otago. The winner's time ins 29inin 56iec. W. Anderson, of Aphburton, won tlio 120 yds Flat Handicap off Iyd, by oft, in 12 3-ssec; the 250 yds -Fiat Handicap went to J. H. Morgan, off Syds. who won easily in 28 2-sscc. F. Drake (Bycb) won the 440 yds by a yard in 55 l-sscc.

Tho annual report and balance sheet of tho South Canterbury Amateur Athlctio Club, submitted to the annual meeting, held on Friday last, showed the club to be in a very sound position, tho aasote exceeding tho liabilities by £60 14s Id, and there being a balance in tho bank of £5 14s Id. At a committee meeting held in October last, Messrs H. H. Frasrr and T. H. Bowie were made treasurer and secretary respectively, and Messrs S. A. Bristol 2nd J. Hay we-ro appointed to Iho vacancies thus left in tho committee. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr G. J. Hamilton; vice-president, Mr W. J. Co'terill; secretary. T. 11. Bowie (re-elected); treasurer, 11. 11. Frasw (re-elected); committee—Dr C. ft. Thomas, llc-n M. .1. Kuubley, P. Sealcy, ]'. Malthus, (i. Crawshaw, T, Tesehcmakcr, J. Hay. and G. K. M. Jones.

cross-country team arrived home on Thursday night, and were welcomed by a number of local harriers. Tho members of tho team cannot speak too highly of the kindness and hospitality extended to them while in Christchureh. The officials of tho Now Zealand A.A.A., the members of the Canterbury team, and local athletes did all in their power to make tho trip an enjoyable one, and our men hope to bo able to reciprocate when Canterbury visits us. Mr A. Ti, Styche (secretary 'of llie council) and Messrs Grierson and East wore indefatigable in their elforts cu behalf of the Otago team.

The nice for the championship was extremely interesting, the presence of such good performers as Malthus, Simpson, and Murray ensuring a good race. The courso, which was partly on the track and partly outsido it, included more than 70 jumps, so that a severe enough task was set tho men. Our team, when inspecting the course on the morning of tho race, came to the conclusion that the council, in view of the opposition to Lancaster Park, had determined to make the race as good a test as possible. Murray ran "very well, and but for mistaking tho course at ono point, whereby he lost a good deal of ground, would have finished ranch nearer tho winner. Malthus put up a good performance, and in running second to such an acknowledged champion Murray has every reason to bo proud. Simpson was short of training, but nevertheless ran well; whilo Lcjgatt, who finished fourth, was the popular tip for the race prior to tho start. Melville'ran a sterling race, and in finishing fifth gives promise of developing into a top-nctehcr. Kendiick's easy stylo was greatly admired, and later in tho day he gave further evidence of his staying power by _ coming cut in tho two-mile race, in which, although he ran well, he was just beaten out of a place. Titchcncr, another of the colts, ran determinedly, and should later take his place among the good ones. Dickson, when running well within himself, had the misfortune to strike a hurdle, and falling heavily had to retire. Want of training told its tale with the other members of our team; but with the experience now gained they are going to alter all that next vear.

Mr Musker. who accompanied the team as manager, proved fho right man for the position, ami was very popular among "tho members; while- H. Murray made an excellent captain. Next year .should prove a record one in the. annals of cross-country running in Dunedjn. The various clubs give promise, of being stronger numerically, and there is a sufficient number of promising young runners to ensure keen competition. More attention should undoubtedly be paid to training, and if our barriers will only settle down early in the season to steady work they will find the- benefit of it 'when the championships come along. At a conference, between representatives of New Zealand, Queensland, and Now South Wale.;, the- following amateur definition was drawn np:—"An amateur is or.o who has never competed for a money prize, staked bot. or deeb/.-ed wager, or who has not, knowingly and without protest, competed with or against a professional for a prize- of any description, or for public exhior who has never taught, pursued, or assisted in the practice, of any atretic exercise. a,s a means of livelihood, or for pecuniary gain." It was al.-o agreed that contests should be hold in the- years 1904, 1905, and 1906, at Now Zealand, Queensland, and New South Wales, respectively, the order of holding same, being left to the Now Zealand ami Queensland bodies to decide, Now South Wales agreeing to go last.

In proposing tho health of P. Maltbus, (ho winnor of iho New Zealand Steeplechase Clmmpions'.iiD, at tho annual meeting of tho South Canterbury Athletic Club, the President said ho had'upheld tho honour of tho club very well, and tho clu.b felt it a groat honour that he had succeeded in winning tho race-.—Mr Mallhus thanked tho members for tho reception they had given him. In tho course, of his reply ho mentioned that ho was also a member of the Pioneer Club, of Christ-church, which had offered a £3 3s prize for the first- Pioneer representative in tho cross-country raw; but lie- preferred to bo considered a- South Canterbury man, eo he waived his right to Iho £3 3s to the -n-sxt Pioneer man. This e\.pia<uat-ion was applauded. It would seem (says "Prodieal") that at no distant date thoYictorian Cross-country Championship will bo competed for by not inter-State, but a New Zealand team, judging by the following in "Harrier's" notes in tho Australasian. He says:— "The Tanmanian team returned home last week well pleased with their visit. Thoy created a most favourable impression hero, both psrectrally and athletically. They expressed thejiopo that a Victorian team wouM repay their visit, "but, whether or no, they expect to he over again for next year's race. Mr S. Pentecost tolls mo (hat New Zealand n also almost certain to be represented. There was considerable talk of it this seabut it was left a littlo late, and in addition it wis thought better to await tho •result of their own first championship, which is to be hold on Ootolior 14. W. F. Simpson is recovered from his accident, and will compote in tire race, and iai viow of Mr Pentecost's statement the result will bo additionally interesting to Victorians." It is hardly likely that tho Victorian clubs would allow a New Zealand team to compete. In tho case of Tasmania, it is difToTent. Tho Tasmanian A.A.A. is. from what I understand, practically a olub, and not. much moro than a Hobarfc one at that, otkl tho strongest of the Victorian olubs oonild easily hold thoir- own against it. But in

tho caso of New- Zealand, it is different. II tlio Now Zealand harrier clubs combined and sent a team, it would have an iradua pull over the individual clubs in A ; ictoria. Perhaps wo shaE yet see an Australasian cros?-cou:'try championship rim in Victoria, and, say, very shortly after the V.C.C.O. ■ev-'iit.