ATHLETICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13631, 28 June 1906, Page 5

ATHLETICS.

Br Aiuteor. HARRIER FIXTURES. —Saturday, June 30.— Y.M.C.A. Harriers—Kun from Primitive Methodist Hull, Woodhaiigh. Civil Service Harriers.—Run from North Duncdiu JDrill Hall. Suuedin Harriers.—Cross-country handicap, about lour miles, Cliffs, St. Clair. St. Joseph's Harriers.—Run from St. Clair. Duncdin Anglican Harriers.—Run from All

Saints' Schoolroom. Southern Bible Class Harriers.—Run train St.

lviluit. Guests of Mr (i. M. Dawson. CavorMiam llorriors.—Huu from Wakari Gymnasium.

It. is report «1 f hat Keddcll, the New Zealand broad jump champion, is likely to take lip his residence in Christchuveh. Should he do so, Ohign wili leso an athlete ot great promise—one who, in his first, season, proved himself to be a, champion. ■Speaking of Keddcll, it is interesting to know tliat ;ifc the last meeting of the council the broad jump performance of 23ft 3in put up by the popular Oamani athlete at the championship meeting in Msreli last was passed as a New Zealand record.

The (|Uoslion of appointing a representative to tour the colony in tho interests of amateurism has been held oyer by tho council pending further information from the centres.

Running from the Ravonahoume School Gymnasium on Saturday last, tho Y.M.C.A. Harriers had a good muster and an enjoyable run. Despite tho hilly nature of the district several good stretchcs of open country were covered and taken full. advantage of. A fast run home on the road of about a mile showed scrotal members to bo in Mod fettle. This club, I understand, wili in all probability enter two teams for the forthcoming Inter-club Championship. In connection with the methods _ for scoring points for the championship shield, tho Canterbury Centre has decided to recommend the council that the points to he counted for first, second, and third places in championship events should be 4, 2, and 1, and that the number of representatives from each centre in each championship event should bo limited to three. The Auckland Centre suggests that iirsts only should count.

Tho first meeting of the recently-formed •Southland Centre was held last week. In ri'iianl to the <|uestion of scoring points for the championship shield it, was resolved to favour tho present sysiom of firsts, seconds, and thirds to count. Air Gilmour suggested that by limiting the number of competitors Irom centre.; to the championship meeting Ihe chaiiws of blocking would he obviated, and a, resolution was adopted accordingly. Mr A. SI. jiiirn.s was elected to the position of vice-president to represent the centre on the council, providing he is willing io act. Messrs K. Cameron and E. Norton made application to bo reinstated as amateurs, and after due consideration it was unanimously resolved to agree to recommend tho same to the council, both having stood down for two years. It was resolved to write to the Otago Centre acknowledging their great assistance itt fostering the interests of amateurism in Southland during tho period in whioh they had control, and also to thank them for the generous manner in which they cntertainod the team who lately represented this province in the cross-country championship race. Mr M'Kenzie, manager of the team, submitted a report of the raco and the behaviour of the team, which was adopted. In view of tho 10-mile Cross-country Handicap at Wingatui on August 25 the Civil Servieo Club has formed a sub-com-mittee to map out a suitable course. The distance will bo measured with a chain, and every precaution will be taken to ensure accuracy, while the best available country will be chosen. This race should prove the best test of tho season over country, and large, entries aro expected. The Inter-club Championship on August II is attracting great interest amongst members of the various clubs. I understand that the St. Andrew Harriers will make a big effort lo have representatives in the race. The difficultv with that club is that all its members aro engaged in business on Saturday afternoons, but it is hoped that, leave will be obtained for the one occasion. A win for, tho black and reds would be highly popular. It cannot bo too widely known that the inter-club race is open to all clubs in the colony, and outside entries would be more than welcome. The presence of teams front Southland and South Canterbury would lend a great attraction to the race. The balanco sheet of the last New Zealand championship mooting, sent forward early this month, is being returned by the council for amendment. Tho Otago Centre was of opinion that the standard caps and badges should be paid for by the New Zealand Council, and that tho cost should not bo charged against tho profits of Iho last championship meeting. I presume the matter will be again disottssed at the meeting of the Otago Centre next week. On Saturday the Civil Service Harrier and Amateur Athletic Club decided their

annual nice for ilio valuable trophy picsented bv the officers of the Postal Department. The distance was one mile, and the race look place at Forbury Park, where the going was vitv heavy. There wore over 20 starters in the race. A. Melville being on scratch, the limit being 110 yds. Mr J. Faulks effected an excellent start, and the front-markers immediately struck on! at a groat- pare, which was maintained to (lie lialf-mile post, which was maintained alteration in the positions to this stage. Shortly ' ofter the half-mile one or two of the competitors fell out, the pace at the start having settled them; an<l irDonald, Pittaway, Franklin, and French were in front, with the back-markers bopintiiiifr to make up a little of their leeway. Franklin led lo ihe straight, where lie- compounded, leaving French going well in the lead, with Pittaway handy and Stephens and Melville coming through the Held. In the run home Pittawav prevailed over French, winning by about 15yds, with Melville (who sprinted home in excellent style) third. The time (tain Msec) was surprisingly good, seeing the state of the course, while the handicapper deserves a pat on the baek for the excellence of his work. The winner was in rcceipt of llOvds. and this is his iirst run in good 'company. He ran with (treat determination and seemed lo win with a little in hand. French (20yds) Droved that the adverse comment on his selection in the interpro. team was without grounds. Stephens ran well to within 50vds from home. He was in receipt of lOvris from Melville. The judges were Messrs A. Marryatt and 11. Mackintosh, Mr J Faulks was starter and handicapper, while ill' J. ftoodmanson was clerk of the course. At the last, meeting of the N.Z.A.A.A. a letter was received from the Wellington Centre-in reference to remarks made at the last meeting of ihe council by the president of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association concerning the proposal to reciprocal with the New Zealand Athletic Union. It resented tho suggestion that the centres hail acted hastily, considering that the council had invited them to consider the question with a view to guiding the council in iU subsequent action. It was decided to reply, further explaining the position and statinj that there bad evidently boon snmo

misapprehension respecting Hie wishes ol the council when first referring the matter to tho centres. Tlie Chairman said that there was no necessity for other immediate action, as tho Athletic Union had not yet placed its views anil wishes before the council.

In connection with the Shrubb-DulTev t n ui- of tie- colony the Xmv South Wales Aimitotr Athletic Assoei»tien forwarded a cheque for £16, which it referred to as its debt :o the Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. The secretary also tool: oxception to a statement reported (o have ljcen mario by Mr C. T, Aschmun concerning apparent collusion between the New South Wales and tho Victorian Associations in respect to money due io the New Zealand body. Strong terms- wore used. Mr Aschnum replied at some length, and the council decided unanimously to send a strong protest on the matter to the New South Wales Association. Tho Chairman said there ««s itill £22 duo by the New South Wales Amateur Athletic Association. It was derided to approach tho Xmv South Wales Ainateur Association through its president, requesting an immediate settlement. Apropos of the foregoing, ''Prodigal," in the latest issue of the Referee, sav6: — "I might mention that the gum which the N.K.W, A.A.A. deem to be owing to tho N.Z.A.A.A. has been forwarded to Christchurch. I believe Ilia Sydney authorities object to the 'pay and look pleasant. 1 theory as applied to a sliaro of the settlement- of ccstly blunder?,' in the making of which they had no voice or participation— notably in the allowing of Duft'ey to leave London for the United States only to immediately reiraeo his steps. However, whatever the merits of the cases between New Zealand on the one side and Victoria and Xew South Wales respectively on the other, it is to bo hoped that they will be soon settled amicably by arbitration." The Otago Centre forwarded to the council the balance sheet of the New Zealand championship meeting, held in Dunediu on March 3. It showed receipts £190 5s 4d, expenditure £153 17s 7d, profit £36 9s' 9d. Front this was deducted on a special balance sheet £11 19s 41(1, half nhiire of cost of standard caps and badges, reducing the council's proportion of tho profit to £4 12s, It was pointed out at the last meeting of' the council that this item should have figured on the main balance sheet, and tho statement was sent back accordingly for amendment.

Mr G. Blake, of Victoria, who took part in the Olympian Games at Athens, has returned to Melbourne by tho R.M.S. Orient. Although he did not succeed in tho pedestrian competitions, lie gained expcricnoc which rhould prove helpful to him in future big contests. Wheat-ley and be had intended at first to go to England. He said living expenses in Greece were high. Speaking of ■ the Olympian games, ho said tho arrangements wore not good, 'j'lio Americans had too much say. A lot of races were fiasros. Heats appeared to bo arranged to ji'.it the The competitor who won the big walking contest, liouhag, was not a walker bv profession, but a long-distance runner. Tho contest was not a fair heel-and-toe one. In a hurdle race an Englishman got a good start, and as ho would most likely lr.tve won, it did not suit the Americans. The competitors were therefore called back. The race was restarted, 'and the Englishman did not win. Whoatioy, tho Yictorian short-distance man, did not strike form. Personally, he thought that ho himself was in better form than the other two Victorians. "I was in tho fivemile contest and the 26-milo race from Marathon to Athens," remarked Mr Blake.

"I came seventh in the five-mile event, but was thrown oat of a winning position in j tlic other race through becoming attacked with cramp of the legs. The Marathon Race j was won by Shewing, a Canadian. In t-ho five-mile rr.ee I did not exert myself, lweause I desired, if possible, to v,-in the longer event, Ijufc I defeated many of the old Continental cracks. I had liiv shoes stolen before the race, and had to wear an old pair, lent mo by Wheat'ey. I was leading in the Marathon Race for 151 miles, and felt confident that I should win until I was seized with cramp. When I had covered 16 miles the othc.r competitors passed mo. Bii«rrin:r. the Canadian, who won, told mo that he had given tip all hope of catching me after the lead I had established. I attributed the cramp to the fact that the roads were hard. I had three weeks' training before the Olympian Games begin, but had not the benefit o[ a trainer. Much interest was taken in the games. Between 70.000 and 80.000 people were in tho stadium at Alliens to see the finish of the long-distance race, and tho route for miles was thronged with people. This was the greatest revival in tlie Olympic Games for years. The people are [rend sportsmen. Before the winner of the big rac« entered the stadium the interest. was so pn>at that one could have heard a pin drop. Tho Olympic Games are to be continued every four years. I think tho _ Commonwealth should see that Australia is well represented in future." .Sinister riuncurs hud not been war.tinp throughout the duration of the games as 1o what might happen should Ihe Marathon Race not go to a Greek. It is pleasant to be able to record the complete amily which marked the race from start to finish, and tlie friendly and generous spirit with which ail the runners declare they were

received at every point on the road, end the kindness universally shown to thcin. In the stadium the scene was verily a stirring one. As one man, the waiting thousands sprang to their feet when at last tho winner was seen making his way through the tremendous press outside. As he entered the stadium, a tornado of eheere and applause was let loose, above which was audible the roar of the British as the maple leaf was espied upon Shcrring's chest and the Canadian flag was seen in his hand. Escorted on one side by the Crown Prince and on the other by Prince George of Crete, Sherring trotted gailv. a broad smile •upon his face, along the track, and breasted the tape amid such thunderous applause as could only have been exceeded had a Greek been the victor. Not the least remarkable feature of tho scene was _ the amazing vigour and freshness with which the vrnncr finished his Ion;? journey. .As lie camo over the last 100 yards, he might have been trotting from the dressing rooms to face the starter, and, after making his bow to King George, he walked away, flower wreath in hand, without anv sign of unduo fatigue. His time, 2hr Slmin 23 3-ssec, not only beats the record of 10'" years ago (2hr 55min), but beats it jpdsomcly, since the course this year is longer than on the last occasion 'by"some couple of kilometres. Commenting on the alleged mismanagement in connection with the Olympian Games many stories aro told. Mr 'I'. G. Mathews, of the Putney Athletic Club, in his published comments siates: — "American 'bluff came off nearly every time. They appealed against decisions given to Englishmen for the simple reason that they went to Athens with (he sole idea of" securing more points than our countrymen. Thoy knew wo could win the high jump. sr> persuaded the authorities to have the hop, step, and jump event directly before the jumping contest, so that our men would bo tired for the jump. Happily this ruse failed, as we pulled off both events. "Heaiy was robbed of the hurdle race. After he had cleared the sixth hurdle and was winning, someone rushed in front him and stopped him, on tho ground that a. German (who liad no chance) was qualitied fov tho final, and was not rumimg. Tho Yankees upheld the appeal, the race was ordered to Iks re-run, and an American won tin's lime. "Wilkinson was disqualified for the walking races, for the reason that the judges wero not acquainted with modern walking methods. As a matter of [act, Wilkinson feared disqualification if he got too far in front, and throughout both events was walking far below his real paw. "To prevent- a recurrence of this sort of (hing at (he next meeting, I suggest (hat the English athletic bodies hold meetings beforehand, and send athletes out with the understanding that thoy will have justice. "The Greek Government allowed £200 towards the expenses of English athletes, but, as a lnntier of fact, tho men that won at Athens did not receive a penny of (his. The Greek representative in London was hoodwinked as to the disposal of this grant. "The universities were given £60 of this, and eight, tickets to stay at holds at the Greeks' expense. As the l>est 'Varsity athletes could not make the journey the money should have gono to ano-.her r.unrtcr. Instead of which undergraduates went out who had 110 chance whatever of winning. at the Government's expense. "That the British Olympic Association will do anything for athletes I do not believe. It i 6 a telf-constituted body, with men at its head who aro interested in fencing only. They tried 011 this occasion to stop men from going who nominated themselves, and who wero willing to pay their own expenses. These titcn, • however, went, and, moreover, won their races." HOW SHERRING WON THE MARATHON RACE. The London Daily Mail's special correspondent at Athens, cabling on May 2, lwd the following to say:— Sherring was fresh as a daisy when lie , reached iho post, after winning the MaraI tlion Race. Prince George ran the length ■ of the stradium with him, and the Crown I Prince's son presented him with a bouquet I of roses. Tho Swedish president kissed tim 55TO>id wsn in front of tlw King. The

crowd, and even the judges, mistook the maple, leaf for the shamrock, and thought Ihiiey had won, and his number was at first hoisted.

Daley and Blake led for 12 miles, when Blako fell nut exhausted. Daley's shoes became tilled with dust, raising nasf.y blisters, and ho desiiied 10 miles \from hcime.

I went for a stroll with Sherring this morning, and we. had some extraordinary experience. At almost every step the Creeks, who have ieeovered from their temporary disappointment at not winning the raw; themselves, surrounded us and insisted upon kissing Sherrini;. 1 was myself twice kissed by mistake. Sheriing has been inundated with congratulations from the King, princes. ?.nd peasants. The street sellers thrust their wares gratuilouslv upon him. and it is impossible to elude the thon'ands of autograph hunters. Photographs of Sherring are having an enormous sale in the streets. At noon we momentarily escaped and hid in an obscure cafe, but 'half-way through our beer we were di-eovorod Again, and had to beat a retreat to Cook's office.

Sherring is an exceedingly modest man. He is only just beginning to realise the magnitude of his victory. Cables of congratulations are pouring in from Canada telling him that fiaes are flying in his honour everywhere. He is an Irishman by birth, and intensely Imperial. His proudest thought is that he has carried the Union dack 1o victory, lie is 28 years old, and weighs H'ilb—l?.ll> less than when he arrived at. Athens three months ago, since wiien he has assiduously trained on the MaraiJion road daily, lie has also had sun-baths on Phalerum Sands for the purpose of acclimatisation. Sherring's room is one mass of floral tributes from the highest 1o the ]ov;est. Besides the official prizes. Showing is the recipient of innumerable, valuable gifts from all over Greece, numbering altogether nearly 500. including the traditional b?-ribboucd young kid presented by Prince George. Tho Marathon contest is his twentieth race over 20 miles.

In describing the race lu» said that he stayed at Marathon overnight at- the same cottage as the other Britishers—Blake, theAustralian; Cormac, the Scotsman, and Daley, the Irishman. "Blako made the pace terrifically fast for Iho firslv 10 miles, and actually covered tiio first six in 30 minutes. He was then seized with the cramp, and Cormac had stomach troubles. 'Tlien,' eaid Sherring, 'I t-bought I would start running in- earnest, and went to the front, never afterwards iwing headed or troubled. Scon all the runners wcro out of sight. Five miles from Athens, seeing no one behind me down the straight stretch of road, a mile long, I decided to rest for a few minutes. I'licrn was no use punishing myself tinncoctsarily. On resuming, as fresh as paint, I trotted for tho remainder of the journey. "The reception. I received en routs will never fade from my memory. There was a living wall on both sides of the road for every yard of the 26 miles. The Greek spectators, seeing their champions' hopeless plight, cheered me every skni of tho way. They seemed glad, a IJreek victory_ being impossible, to sec an Anglo-Saxon win. "I didn't forget to wave the old flag in response to every- cheer. Nothing passed my lips throughout the run except occasional sips of water and a couple of oranges." PROFESSIONAL ATHLETICS. Already the secretary of the newlyformed Otago Athletic Association has had inquiries from several societies ro affiliation. As the annual meeting is to be held in August it behoves all soeioties and club 3 to join the association, so as to have a voice in the selection of tho Executive Council for the ensuing year. Several of the older and more financial societies are amongst tho number desirous of being under ono ruling body, having at heartthe purification of cash athletics. Says tho Melbourne correspondent of the Sydney Referee:—"The boom which is promised in Melbourne next spring in professional athletics is gradually developing. Mr E. J. Wright has already announced particulars of the Sportsman's meeting, to he held in the Exhibition Arena on October 15 and 20. at which £300 will be distributed in prize money, while Air J. Wren is at present busily engaged in framing the programme which is to bo played out at the same rendezvous, tinder his' management, on November 3 (Derby night), November 6 (Cun night), and other nights till concluded. Prize money aggregating close on £1000 will be allocated, tho chief dish of the feast being a Sheffield Handicap, of 120 yards, for £500. All other classes of running will be liberally catered for."

North Canterbury has now got its association in full working order, with close on 20 societies affiliated. Otago, when properly combined, should have near 40 societies and clubs under its control.

For the Rockhampton carnival record nominations have been receiycd. there being over 500 in all events. •• For tho Shetfield Handicap there are 106, and they include pedestrians from every State in the Commonwealth. A. B. Postle is on 7vds, Maurice Buxton on 10yds, Thompson (Stawell winuer), Todd, and Ryan, on l.lsyds; M'Manus and M'Grory on 12} yds, Eg'an on 13yds, Flanagan on ' 14yds, and Terry on 15yds. with a limit of 20yds." I" the Sprints Handicap Postle is on 2yds, with limit 11yds; total entry 120. In tho Half-mile Postle and Davo Smith are on scratch, with (he limit 60yds. and a total entry of 83. This should be a good race between Postle and Smith, as tho latter (who has competed successfully; at various meetings in Oamaru) is, if in anything like form, capable of doing under 2min. Possibly Postle will reserve himself for the sprints. A mooting between the two champions would bo worth going a distance to see. P. NVnllburton, the well-known sprint runner, is still in the Christchureh hospital, suffering from an accident while plaving football. I am. however, nleased to bear that, ho is rapidly on the mend. According to tho Now South Wales Athletic League Calendar for this month (he. number of clubs registered to date is 117, or 35 more'than at the end of July last year. The number of pedestrians registered is 1600, or 209 more than last year.