ATHLETICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13786, 27 December 1906, Page 5

ATHLETICS.

Br Auateck. FIXTURES. December 29—Pioneer Jlecting, a' Cbristchurcll. January l—Tolwmairiro Auif.leur Athletic Club's Sports Meeting, at Milton. January 1 and 2—Amateur events, at Dunedin, Oamaru. and Invcrcargill, on Caledonian Societies' programme. Feb. 2, 7, o—Australasian Championships at Christchurch. February '21 and 23-X.Z. Championship Meeting, at Exhibition, Christchurch.

The Tapanui Amateur Athlctio and Barrier Club hold its first ovening sports meeting on Monday, December 17. The meeting proved a huge success, and was certainly very encouraging to the management. The weather was perfect, and the spectators turned out in full force, fully 150 being present. The spectators were well rewarded, for eaclt event was interesting and worth going a long way to see. Tho club's liandicapper (Mr X. Collins) deserves a. word of praise for the close finishes he worked out. The officials are to be congratulated on the way they carried out their respective duties, everything going of? like clock work. The form shown by some of the competitors on the slight training they have had goes to show that Tapanui can produce athletes of good rjuality. The results are as follows:—100 Yards Open Handicap.—Final; P. Quin, Sj.vds, 1; W. H, Quin, syds, 2. Time, 11 l-s;ci'. This was a real good race, not more than two yards separating the men at the finish

220 Yards (for lads under 18).— G. King, 22yds, 1: A. Quaylc. 13yds, 2; E. G. f?hed:ion, 14yds, 3. Time, 34sec. Right started. This was a splendid race, and caused great- excitement.

440 Yards Open Handicap.—A. M'Eachon, scratch, 1; P. Quin, scratch, 2: G. Wilson, 25yds, o. Also started; I!. Whito and T, M'Kcnzic Bvds, K. Quin 9yds, H. Jl'Donald and S. King 25yds. Time, 57 2-ssee. In this race M'Eachen showed good judgment, reserving his sprint till about 100 yards from homo, when he look the load, and s.lcadily increasing his advantage till tho tape was readied. Quin and Wilson fought pluckily for second place, Quin beating his opponent by inches. A 100 yards race for boys under 14 was arranged on tho grounds, which brought seven stalwart lads to taw the starter, the result, being I'. Mey 1, H. M'Loocl 2, B. King 3. The dub intends holding similar meetings further on in the season, when it hopes to introduce field events, etc.

In Victoria they are asking for an amateur pole jumper of better class than 10ff. A professional has been unearther who recently cleared lift 2iin. The previous best in this class was lift- lin. .

11, is just possible that if Auckland eau get ils representatives away to tho championship meeting tho banner will conic hack to (bis city (says an Auckland writer). Tlio meeting is 10 weeks away yet, and if G. Smith went into training he could account for at least two events. If Wilson etrikos his old form the walks ivoulcl be at liis nierey, and the O'Gradys cnuM possibly account for .some of the field events, while G. C. Lawrie would probably be good enough to win the polo vault and perhaps win a point or two in the high jump. Fifty pounds would pay the fares of the team, and it is lo he hoped that something will be done in this direction.

Light body, who won the 1500 metres event at. tho Olympic (lames, lias boon spelling from tho Iraok o\vin|fK> tlio illness of his father, but ho expects lo turn to the game again shorllv. lie reckons iShcppard and Parsons, of Tale, are tho best middle distance runners at present on the American cinder path. Tu a letter recently received from him, Mr .1. T. Mair. son of Mr and Mrs Hugh Mair. Invercarsill. now of Pennsylvania t'niversity, U.S.A.. gives an interesting glimpse of the athletic side of life in the grout universities of tlio Unilotl States, ami of the extraordinary attention which is paid lo tlio physique of students. It is_ compulsory lo learn to swim, but before you aro allowed lo start swimming or gymnastics a thorough medical examination takes place. Mr Mair's examination lasted nearly an hour. lie was weighed and then measured slamling and silling-. The measurement oT all the muscles was taken, and (he strength of the back, legs, arms, and lingers was tested, lie. was required to (ill in a form giving his age, and particulars as to his ilneases. He then had to breathe according to commands given, and a spirometer was applied to test the capacity of his lungs. Tlio stethoscope was applied to the back anil the chest. The ears wore examined, and the body carefully overhauled. As a result Mr Mair was pronounced sound and fit to enter upon the gymnaslie course. Tlio University Gymnasium is beautifully equipped. The swimming pool is 109 ft by 30ft. The boltoin and sides are lined with green tiles and tho water is heated to 60 degrees. Kvcryone is compelled to uiko a. hot and cold shower lieforo entering the pool. Attached to the gymnasium there is a big football ground with a <iuartei-niile running track round it. There is a cinder track for (raining in wet weather. These notes serve to show the importance attached io physical training among the university students, but it must, be remembered that things on sue'; a scale are hardly possible, outside a town like Philadelphia, with its population of 2.000.000 souls—more than twice the population of ail Xcw Zealand.

At a meeting of the council nT flic Now Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, E. Edwards. A. Lynch, and ]?. 11 Lusk were reinstated as amateurs. J. It. Simpson's application was refused, as ho was not eligible, and J. W. T. Walters was advised to apply again in April. All the applications wove forwarded from Auckland.