ATHLETICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13589, 10 May 1906, Page 5

ATHLETICS.

Br AUATItJK. 3AR3JEK FIXTURES. —Saturday,' May 12.— Dunediu Harriers.—Butt from Mutimer's store, Kaikorai'Yalls. Civil Service from Tomahawk Beach. Duredin I.M.C.A. Harriers!— Run from George Street School. Dunedin Anglican Harriers.—Run from Royal Terrace as guests of Mr Edward Herbert.

A great deal ljas been heard ot late concerning the activity of the Otago Centre. While one must admit that it is a very "live" body, there is a. prospect, unless a reform sets in soon, of it losing its reputation. Up to tlic present no balance sheet of the New Zealand championship meeting, held early in March, has been "submitted. Whose is the fault? Dear Amateur,--From our own experience, it would, I think, be a great convenience for officials of clubs to know at the beginning of each /year who are to i.ct as secretaries for all . other clubs for that season. 1 venture to suggest, therefore, lliat you invito the/secretaries of all athletio clubs in Otago to send you. their names and addresses, arid, if it would not he putting you about too much, for you to, mako up a list and publish it in your much-ostcmocd notes. — Y ours sincerely, Arthci: 10. Boxnix, hon. sec. IJunedin Harriers.—[l shall bo pleased to do as my correspondent suggests, and trust that secretaries of athletic clubs will accept the suggestion made as an invitation to forward their names and addresses.— Amateur.] The popularity of St. Clair Baths' as a starting point for harrier runs was exemplified last Saturday, no fewer than three clubs having chosen this spot. These clubs were the Y.M.C.A., Caversham, and St. Patrick's, and they decided to run in one pack to avoid confusion. This locality provides probably the best open country near Dimedin, and the hares, making good use of their opportunity, laid aj; excellent trail. The pack numbered about 60, but after soveral miles had been traversed it was divided, a fast pack being sent ahead. The members comprising this showed surprisingly good form, and succeedcd in sighting the hares about two miles from home. A race then ensued, which ended with the hares arriving home with a margin of barely two minutes in their favour. The ground was in 1 fairly good condition in spite of the rain, and as the day was cold enough to make running a pleasure, everyone enjoyed the outing. The St. Andrew's Club are having splendid musters every week, and promise to turn out some sturdy representatives this season. The pack is being kept well in hand, with the result that the new members arc given every encouragement to persevere. I understand that this club has its mind set on winning some relay races during the forthcoming season. _ An excellent idea comes from the Wellington Centre in conncetion with the proposal sent round the centres by the council for reciprocity with the newly-formed New Zealand Athletic Union. That is, that the centres should club together to send representatives all over the colony to arouse amateurs and to organise in districts where no clubs exist. The idea will commend itself to everyone who takes an interest in amateur sport, and I am certain that a. sufficient quota of the amount required would 1» readily subscribed by the followers of tho sport ill this city if the proposal is carried out. Of course, it will not be necessary to send representatives to all the oentres. Some aro active enough ■ already. But Auckland, Napier, New Plymouth, Wanganui, the West Coast, Timar'u, and Oamaru could be visited and an attempt made to renew life in amateurism m these wntros. It is certain that there aro numbers of amateurs in each of tho places mentioned. It only remains to get them organised. The Civil Service Club liave received among tho new members this year a groat accession of likely material, and last Saturday's run at Waitati gave a number of them their first opportunity of testing their strength. The counry traversed was a splendid tost of stamina and endurance, a.nd all seemed to come creditably through the task. These trips to tho country, while tJiey involve a little extra inconvenience.,

form a pleasant change from the usual week-end run. and those who made the trip to Waitati last week were one and all thoroughly pleafcd with the outing. A large pack ran from St. Clair Baths on Saturday, when ihe St. Joseph's, Y.M.C.A., and Cavcrsham Clubs joined forces, and scoured the Cliffs country in a large pack. The large number out thoroughly c-njoycd the run. Mr if. Ollivcr, tho newly-appointed dele-

gate to represent Otago on ihe New Zealand Council, is a gentleman of some experience in amateur athletics, and the centro is to be congratulated oil obtaining his services. Two.new clubs were affiliated to the local cchtro at its last meeting—viz., the Anglican and tho Southern Bible Classa. Harriers. Unfortunately the latter had chosen colours that belonged; to a club already affiliated, and ihe newcomers will have to make an alteration. What about an ail-white uniform?

'Iho Southland Centre may be regarded an almost ail accomplished fact, the council having signified its approval if the Otago Centre hud no objections, while the hitter body, at its last meeting, gave the proposal cordiai support. The southern athlete:: shoiild now take immediate stops to get into working order, and the first and most important business will bo the selection ot officers. In this connection the splendid work achieved for the suoit in the past. by Mr A. A. Pa ape as local representative ol the. New Zealand Amateur Athletio Association deserves the highest possible recognition. Mr Paapc has been tho means of tlia establishment of the new centre, and! trust to see him made its first president. I understand that a hitch has occurred in connection with the date of the I'nterprovincial Cross-country Championship, which the centre decided should take place at Balcluiha on .Tune 4. A meeting/ will l)e held on Friday to discuss the matter, when it is trusted that a suitable arrangement will be made alike to Southland and Otago.

At a meeting of the Otago Centre, held last week, the question of the propoccd reciprocity between the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association and the recently-formed professional body iho New Zealand Athletic Union ■ was raised. Tho matter was but briefly discussed, the generally expressed opinion being against any treaty with the professional body. Ultimately it was decided to inform the council that the matter would be fully gone into when dofinito proposals were forthcoming from the council. Up to the present I have refrained from commenting oil this question, for the reason that I am in ignorance of the Now Zealand Council's proposals in the matter. When definite information is forthcoming from the N.Z.A.A;A. opportunity will bo taken of commenting on the proposed reciprocity. I am pleased to seo that an attempt is being made to boom harrierism in Timaru. A meeting for the purpose of forming a Harrier Club was held on Wednesday evening. Mr A. E. Rowland read a paper dealing witlw Harrier Clubs, and Mr H. Murray, of the Dunedin Harriers, spoke at length regarding harriers in that city, and gave some very useful information. It was decided that a club l)e formed, and named the Timaru Harrier Club, and Mr Rowland was elected secretary. Messrs S. Malthus, G. M. Gunn, B. Culverhouse, A. C. Martin, 11. Smith, W. Walcli, and the secretary were appointed a provisional committee to draw up rules to be submitted at a future meeting.

A meeting of harriers interested m the formation of a new club in Invercarjrill was held recently. Mr A. A. I'aape, who wa6 voted to the chair, referred to the progress which had been made in harriorism during: recent 'years. He was present when the first club was started in Dunedin some years ago, and tlic popularity of the sport in that town was evidenced by the fact that there were now 1+ clubs working, with a membership of 400 or SCO. In conjunction with Mr tT, Thompson, he convened the meeting which decided to form the first club ill lnvereargill, and though the first season brought out only six members to the weekly runs, there were now two clubs, each with an average of 25 runners per week, and an aggregate membership of about 130. There was jdcntv of room for a third club, ard the healthy snirit of rivalry would lie further encouraged by its formation. Mr J. Thompson also spoke in favour of tho formation of another;, club. Ho said that the proposal was not. brought forward as tho lesult of anv ill-feeling, but. purely in the interests of the sport. A motion that a Harrier and Athletic Club, to be called the "All Blacks," be formed, was carried unanimously, and the follow ing officers wore appointedPrcrident, Mr 0. S. Longuet: vice-president?, Messrs R. B. M'Kay, J. Gr. Petrie, J. Cunningham, R. Emerson, F. W. Greshant, and A. A. Paape; captain. Mr ,T. Thompson; deputycautain, Mr J. M'Andrew; recretarv, Mr A. M'Gruer; treasurer. Mr E. Drain: committee —Messrs Lindsay, Roby, Fairbairn, Do Joux, and Andrew Thompson. The formation of the new club is yet aostbsr ioEtasce of the activity in amajcur

circles in Southland. Operations will be commenced this week, when a large muster is_ expected for the first run. "Amateur" wishes the new club every success, and hopes at an early date to see the all-black -uniform catching tho judges' eve in open raoing.' . ■ The Canterbury Centre of the N.Z.A.A.A. disoussetl .'the. question of llie formation of a Civil Service Club at a recent- meeting, and resolved to welcome such a club. Two members :of Ihe cciitre were appointed joint 'secretaries in the formation of a. Civil Service-Club on similar lines to the club in this.city.

The' question of reciprocity with the recently-fottncd New Zealand Athletic Union was discussed at a recent meeting of the Canterbury Centre of theN.Z.A.A.A., when it ■ was agreed to recommend the oduncil to call a special meeting io discuss the subject, at which delegates from tho centre should attend for the purpose of discussing the situation.

Tlie question of the aggregation of prizes won at amateur athletic meetings was discussed the other evening at a meeting of the Canterbury Centre of the X.Z.A.A.A. It was pointed out that men might thus obtain valuable trophies and attribute them to insignificant events.

At a recent mooting of the 'Wellington Centre of the N.Z.A.A.A. a letter was read from tho New Zealand Council asking tho centre to defray the cost of a. badge won by C. C. Laurie, of Auckland, at the championship meeting held in Wellington in 1904. The request was received with much surprise, as in the first place all championship caps and badges art awarded by tho council, and not by local centres; and in the second place, the lateness of the hour that such a request is made, over two years having elapsed since the badge was won. It was decided ■ that as the council had seen fit to award all tho other caps and badges won at 6ueh meeting, no distinction should be made in the case of Laurie,, and that tho centre cannot see its way to agree to the request.

In a recent letter to G. A. Wheatley, the American runner, A. F. Duffey, states that he has brought an action against the American A.A.A., requiring it to show cause for the expunging of his records, He also expresses grief at the untimely death of swimmer Kieran, and congratulates Wlicatley on his victory over Hector Burk. whom ho regards as " a wonderful runner." Marker's quarter in lie terms a remarkable feat; " a good chap, and deserves all the ; credit New South Wales bestows on him." Of himself he remarks: "I have put on weight awfully; you would not think I was once a bit of an athlete."

A new English 'varsity record for throwing the hammer has been set up by A. H. Pvff, who t-K?od the piece of ironmongery a distance of 142 ft 6in.

Albeit the performances of Australia's athletes—Messrs Barter, Wheatley, Blake, and Healey—warranted their being despatched to the Olympian Games, there can be hut a feeling of disappointment at the results.

11l the New York Supreme Court Justice Fitzgerald lias reserved his decision upon the application of A. F. Duffey for a mandatory injunction 'to restrain tho Amateur Athletic Union from expunging his name and records from the "Official Atlilctio Almanac." Even should Duffey's application be refused, and his name expunged from the athletic records, his will still be the honour of having once run 100 yds in 9 3-sscc.

At the last mwting of tho New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association some sidelights on the rcecnt (our of Messrs Shrubb and Duffey were introduced. Commenting; thereon. '.'Sprinter" says: —Councillors of t!io M.Z.A.A A. are naturally very indignant at the attitude of tho N.S.W. and Victorian Assiv.-ial.ions over the settling up cf the Shrubb-Dulfey tour. Tho facts are that when Shrubb nud Duffey arrived. in Christchurch tho former demanded a payment of £100 ovev and above travelling expenses, as recompense for the loss sustained llircuph leaving his business for the period occupied by the tour. The amount was, in fact, io l:o paid to Shrubb's locim tenons as wage.", during lbs former's absence. Shrubb claimed tliar he understcod, when leaving England that there would be no difficulty about she money being paid. Prior to this it had been underwood by the N.Z.A.A.A. officials that the English runner was to receive only £30 as recomoensw for tho business loss entailed through his alienee. Tho local officials protested, but Shrubb was admnnt, declaring that- he would pack up his trunks and leave. Finally. lie was induced to accept £60 instead of the £100 first demanded. The position was, then, that the chief cost of the tour, return fa'cs tn England, had already been paid, and to refuse the £60 would".mean tho loss of possible profits on the Wellington. Auckland, and Sydney nicotines. A 6 tlifi chairman of the • N.Z.A.A.A. Council said on Friday night, the association made the best of an awkward position. If it had refused the money and let Shrubb and Duffey return without further competition, tho New South Wales Association probably vouk! i have boon tlio first to censure it. Yet now the association referred to objects io pay its share of the £30 increase. At Friday's mcetini n. fresh phase of the dispute, with a rather curious flavour about it, was introduced.* Tho Victorian Association, which had icceivod a balance sheet from Iho N.Z.A.A.A.. and had settled some months a-go, wrote objecting to pay part of tho £30 as well as another item, and demanded a refund of £24. By thp same mail, th? N.S.W.A.A.A.—which, after all possible items of dispute had been cut out, admitted a liability to the N.Z.A.A.A. of £16—wrote stating'that it was holding Iho money pending a settlement between New Zealand and Victoria. What wonder that Mr Aschman said it, looked cs though there had been collusion between the New South Wales and Victorian Associations, and that the chairman sa.id their attitude was most | unsportsmanlike. .. I

The liigli-jvimpiiipr at tho recent, inter'Yarsity championship mooting in Melbourne was of a high standard. There wro /out' compc-titore. • At sft sJin two of the competitors failed. Lawton and Moyes jumped until they Imd oacli cleared sft BJin, establishing a new record for the sports.

Tho sports in connection with the Melbourne University jubilee aro said to have boon in keeping with tho occasion. The results were \ip to the best standard in these contests, and for t.lle first time Tasmania and Adelaide Universities took part. The championships resulted as follow: — Hail-mile: N. \V. Barratt (Melbourne). 1; Bruce (Sydney), 2; K. C. Kelly (Melbourne), 3. A good race: won by 3yds. Tinie, 2min 7 3-55c0.—120 Yards Hurdles: 0. I\ Stewart (Sydney). 1; J. T. Lawton (.Melbourne), 2; M. C. Gardner (Melbourne), 3. A fine race, the Australasian champion winning by k-s than a yard. Time, 16 3-ssec.—loo Yards: C. R. Dowdy (Adelaide), 1: R R. French (Sydney), 2: M. B. Angwin (Adelaide), 3. A splendid finish, inches between the placed men. Time. 10 3-Ssee.—High Jump: ,f. T. lawton (Melbourne) and M. H, Moyes (Adelaide), dead heat, sft 83in; St. V. Welch (Sydney) and 0. Yeatman (Adelaide). sft s|in, 3. —One Mile: R. G. Waddy (Sydney), 1: E. I'. Oldham (Melbourne), 2; 0. Nevitl(Melbourne), 3. A good race: won by Byds. Time, tain 41«ec.—Long JilmpM. W. Murray (Adelaide), 19ft 10in, 1; .T. T. Lawton (Melbourne). 18ft. lOJin, 2; 0. P. Stewart, 18ft 9Jin, 3.-440 Yards: B. K. Francis (Sydney), 1; N. W. Barratt. (Melbourne), 2; A. Aseher (Sydney), 3. A good race; won by 2yds. Time, 51 l-ssec.—The records for these contests aro as under:— 100 Yards—H. 11. Hunter (Melbourne), 10 l-l&sec: 440 Yards—N. O. Barker (Sydney), 50 4-ssec: Half-mile—N. W. Barratt (Melbourne), P.min 2 4-ssee; One Mile—E. 10. Webster (Melbourne), 4min 39see: 120 Yards Hurdles-C. P. Stewart, 16 3-spgc : long Jump—D. J. D. Bevan (Melbourne), 22ft 3in; High Jump—-T. T. Lawlon (Melbourne) and M. H. Moyes (Adelaide), sft BJin.

_ The inter-collegiate championships decided in Melbourne on Friday, April 27, resulted as under:—loo Yards: M. 0. Gardner (Trinity), 1; H. M. /. Ross (Trinity). 2; A. S.. Houston (Ormond), o. Time, 10 2-5?ec.—120 Yards Hurdles: H. M. Z. Ross (Trinity), 1; ,T. T. Lawton (Ormond), , Gar(ln . p f (Trinity), 3. Time, j6 3-ssec.—One Mile: Rupert M. Downcs (Ormond), 1; 0. Nevitt (Ormond), 2: L. N. Spcirs (Queen's), 3. Time, 4m in 47 2-sscc—High Jump: J. T. Lawton (Ormond), sft 4iin, 1; G. A. Melville (Ormond). 2; M. O. Davies (Queen's), 3.220 Yards: -M. C. Gardner (Trinity), 1; A. S. Houston (Ormond), 2: H. M. Z Ross (Trinity), o. Time, 24 l-ssec.—Long Jump: G. A. Paton (Ormond). 20ft 2Jin, 1; J. H. Dunstan (Queen's). 19ft siin, 2: M C. Gardner (Trinity), 19ft 3Jin, 3.—440 Yard. s ?: H. M. Z. Ross (Trinity), 1; A. S. Houston (Ormond), 2; 0. Nevitt (Ormond) 3. Time, 54see.

PROFESSIONAL ATHLETICS. [COXTBIBUTED.] O" Saturday, 12th, a- meeting: convened by Mr Thomas Duncan, secretary of the Masterton Caledonian Society, is to be held ,at Mastcrton r© forming an athletic association under union rules. Similar steps are beinpr taken to form an athletic association for Marlborough province. The secretary of the New Zealand Athletic Union advises that arrangements are being pushed ahead in connection with the Exhibition sports. The union is still pegging away tl\e <Jhpap fares or to

competitors at these snorts, and the' State Premiers are being- approached rc concessions to Australians. Only competitors who are. registered by some athletic association under union rules are eligible to compete. Highland dancing and bagpipe musio are said to bo prominent items on the Exhibition sports programme. Pipers from Australia are to be present, and a championship (according to a northern paper) is to bo allotted to the Highland events. Mr Wren, o[ totalisator fame, usually does things on a. largo scale, During next Melbourne Cup week lie intends holding a sports meeting with a £500 Sheffield Handicap. Having this in view, Southland is taking time by the forelock in endeavouring to send a representative to this meeting. The Stawell Easter Gift meeting put up some good time records. In the 220 Yards J. Donaldson (second in tho Gift) won off 18yds in 20 4-ssec without being pushed. A. E. Gibbs, of Preston, annexed the 440 Yards Handicap from the 24yds mark, fully extended, in 48 3-sscc. Then J. M'Neill, of Ballarat, won the Half-mile off 38yds in ltnin 53 3-ssee, whilo W. L. Garrard, of Hobart, with an allowance of 40yds, is reported to havo won tho Mile easily in 4min 15 4-ssec. Tho baokmavkers must have had a hopeless task.

Evidently tho North Canterbury Centre of the N.Z.A. Union is doing its sliai-e to bring all the athletic clubs and societies under one governing body. The union have in Mr 11. Walden, tho secretary, a. man well up in the sport, and with a keen eye to business. Already he is in communication with the societies in his district, some 14 in number, with a view to furthering their interests by representation on tho cent-re executive.

In the Sheffield at- the Menzies sports meeting on Easter Monday and Tuesday, A. 13. Postle ran third to A. V. Rose, who was conceded 12 yards in the 130.- In this final heat- Poitle broke the world's record for 130 yards, covering the full distance in 12sec, each of four watches agreeL. M'Bride, a- university student, hailing from the Lakes district, made U6e of his spare time during the late vacation by competing at the Clyde and Cromwell siwrts at Easter. At the former place he won tho Sheffield, heating T- Kano (Invercargill). The latter, however, made amends by winning the Cromwell Sheffield, and running a dead heat in the 100 Yards. Tho latest mail to hand states that, a match has been arranged between the Englishman, B. R. Day, and A. B. Postle, to bo decided at Kalgoorlie during August, over three distances. Day leaves England in June.

Tho Irish Atlilctio Society and Southland Athletic Association have lost a live enthusiast in Mr Martin O'Brien, who has been transferred from Invcrcnrgill. , Mr O'Brien was secretary of the former society, and was on the executive of tho other athletic body, besides being a great help to professional athletics in tho south. Peds. from all over N.Z. always had a kind word for Martin, whose courteous and obliging ways brought him many friends. The abovo-namcd bodies intend eiving him a send-off at, no distant date. He will lie of inestimable value to the llataura Society, lo which district he has been transferred. Mr O'Brien holds an important position oil tho engineering staff of the local freezing works. I wish him every success in his nev sphere of labour. Some 500 people witnessed the match at Wellington between L. C. M'Laehlan, champion sprinter of N.Z., and K. Honrigan, of New South Wales._ Honrigan le<l as soon as the pair got in their stride. At 50 yards Hourijan led by a yard, while at 60 he was 1| yards to tho good. At 75 yards he increased his lead to nearly two yards, but on approaching the 100 yds M'Laehlan was only a yard in the rear. After a great finish Honrigan won by tin.' the time being 12eec. MTjachlan admitted tho fotler man won on tlio day. With an interval of quarter of an hour Honrigan attempted to breali the record for 75 vards. M'Lachlan, with one yard start, acted as pacemaker, and was beaten by a yard in 7 3-sscc.