CHRISTCHURCH AMATEUR ATHLETIC MEETING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13838, 27 February 1907, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH AMATEUR ATHLETIC MEETING.

* THE WALKING CONTESTS. IPir United Press Assocutiok.) WELLINGTON, February 26. H. Kerr, the walker who competed at the Christchurch amateur athletic meeting as Wellington representative, referring to his disqualification, states that during tlio past nine years ho bus competed in walking events about 40 times, was placed first on about 30 occasions, and in one solitary instance only was ho disqualified, and that was in Normanby in 1900. As a professional lie competed at- all the leading gatherings in New Zealand, and up to last week his style had not been officially questioned. It accordingly camo as a great shock when he was "ordered off" on Thursday last when competing in the Threo-mile Championship. Immediately after the contest ho interviewed Mr Coombes (tho principal judge, who hails from Sydney), and asked to bo corrected in his stylo. Ho was told that he did not keep his knees " locked," and that he did not land on tho heel of his foot. Keneven went the length of submitting himself to Mr Coombes at, the latter's hotel for a lesson in walking on Friday evening.- and as far as possible followed liis instructions on Saturday. Referring to the Mile Race, ho states that as a matter of fact ho deliberately walked behind the Canterbury man the whole- way because Mr Coombes had asked him to do so, knowing that ho could pass his opponent in tho straight. Hβ did so, and actually .won, but was disqualified afterwards. Naturally, after patting up the fine performances that he has, Ken- is very much distressed at the action of tho judges. Asked if he intended to compete again, he sa.id ho hardly knew what to do, but will probably compete at tho sporls here on Saturday, when j\lr Coombes again judges tho walking.