ATHLETICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13857, 21 March 1907, Page 5

ATHLETICS.

Bv AMATMR. At the last meeting of the Otago Centre it was dccidcd to postpone discussion of tho resolutions passed at the confcrc-nco of ccntrcs in Christclmrcli until the next meeting. Meantime it is quite safe to say that Otago will adhere to the position taken up all_ along, of opposition to the proposed ' reciprocity agreement with the professional body. It is quite certain that no_ amateur club in Otago would entertain the idea of including cash events on a, sports programme.

The annual general meeting of the Civil Service Harrier and Amateur Athletic Club will take place on Monday, the 25th inst. This club anticipates a great increase of members this season, and' it is exuded that the positions of officebearers will bo keenly contested.

When the. newly-formed Congregational Harrier and Amateur Athletic Club is affiliated to the Otago Centre tho total number of clubs belonging to the association in Otago will be 14.

The sporis meeting which was proposed to bo held at Pott Chalmers next Saturday by the Duncdin Amateur Athletic Club in conjunction with the Port Harriers has been withdrawn in view of tho fad that the regatta at Waihobt takes place on the same date, I understand the meeting will not, now eventuate, but that an evening meeting will be put on next sciKon for the benefit of Port members of the D.A.A.C.

I'lie case reported at. the last meeting of tho Otago Centre, where an amateur runner was asked for an explanation as to how he came to compcto in u race at a trades picnic, should put amateurs oil their guard as to competing in these events. OE course, where' it is expressly provided that none but amateurs can compete, and where the prizes arc trophies, there can be no danger. Each runner, however, . who competes in any picnic race takes a chance which it would probably be as well to obviate by making certain before competing. '

A vigorous attempt is, I understand, being made to establish harrier clubs in tho country towns during the coming cross-country season. The Organisation Committee of tho Otago Centre intends making a move at once to form a club in Oamaru; several members will probably ,-isit the White City at Easter with that object in view.

The annual report of tho Junior Anglican Harriers shows that (hat club has had a, most successful season. Tho average attendance at the club runs was, considering tho total membership, excellent: and the runs have proved Ixith bcnolicial anil enjoyable. t; Amateur" wishes the club another prosperous season during 1907. '

Crokor's case was considered at tho last meeting of Iho Otago Centre. It appears that somo years ago Croker, when a lad. competed at a professional meeting at Dunback, where he won one racc, receiving a. trophy as his prize. Strictly speaking, ' Croker broko his amateur status by taking part in the races in question, and the Otago Centre rightly so decided. . Croker must, therefore. apply for re-instatement in the usual way. and has, I understand, done. so. While tho matter was under discussion at the centre meeting several members pointed cut. the hardship of making Croker suffer for an action taken when quite a lad, and ignorant of the distinction between amateur and professional. Tho amateur definition cannot, however, be varied, although, no doubt, the N.Z. Council will take all the circumstances into consideration when Crokcr's Application comes beforo them.

From the annual report of the, Duncdin Harrier Club:—"To land. owners and fanners around Duncdin wo also owe our sincere. (hanks for permission to run over their grounds. It. was pleasing to note a. decided improvement last ceatson in the care bestowed by harriers on the fences and hedges, and your committee earncsly trusts that this will continue."

The eighth annual meeting of the Dunodin Harrier Club will bo hold on Thursday. March 21.

Tho proposed Congregational Harrier Club has become an established fact, and I am suro I am only voicing tho opinion of existing harrier clubs v.-hen 1 wish it a sticccssfnl career. A wcll-aiicmled meeting of those interested was held on Monday evening, when the proposal, was formally put, and unanimously carried— that, a club lx> formed, the title to be the Congregational Harrier and Amateur Athletic Club. Rules were adopted and officers elected, after which Mr A. Marryalt. the jiopular president of the local centre, said a. few words of encouragement and advice. The club colours are dark blue jorsoy, with white sash and blue knickers. It. was decided to affiliate with tho N.Z.A.A.A. Mr T. P. Lauvenson. late of the Civil Servico Club, was appointed the club's delegate to, the centre, and Mr A. Ileighway was appointed secretary. The election of captain and deputy-captain was deferred till the afternoon of the opening run. It is expected the average attendance will be about 20, as considerably over thai, number were present on Monday evening, and others intend to join. Mr A. E. Bonnhi, lton. sec. of tho Duncdiii Harriers, has consented to convene a moiling of secretaries of harrier clubs to arrange trvsts for the Saturday afternoon runs, so that two clubs will not lie found making the same locality their headquarters during tho afternoon, and will, I presume, shortly notify club secretaries of the date of ihe proposed conference.

in I lid Canterbury College sports on Saturday R. Opie won the final of ihe 100 yds Championship in 10 4-ssee; W. 11. King second, and C. Turner tliml. Opie also annexed the 440 yds Handicap in 54 l-ssec. whilst King (lyd) won the final of the 120 yds Handicap in 13sec, and the 220 Yards, oft' svds. in 24 l-ssce. The. BSO Yards Championship (champion. P. M'Callum) resulted—P. M'Callum 1, C. S. Collyns 2. Time, 2min 7sec.

My suggestion (-ays. "Harrier." in the Australasian) some weeks ago that n small

athjetio teamjrom South Africa should be invited to tour Australasia, has boon favourably viewed in the other State?, and the matter mighty well bo discussed by the various councils, and their delegates to ihe next, union meetings instructed how to act in regard io it. . Long pedestrian exploits of (lie kind initiated nearly a century by the famous athlete. Captain Barclay, are-not often attempted nowadays, although popularised for a i ime by,such men as TO. P. ucsion, William Gale, ami William Uucklcr, hut one such feai—forming a new record—has just boon accomplished at Bradford by Hugh Sloaiuvof J3olton. The usk ho lmd set himself was to walk 2252 Wiles in 10001ns, covering two and a-qua-rt-er milts every hour, ami this ho succeeded in doing, although Jic went so weak that on the final day. when half a gale of wind swept the track, he was several times blown over, and had a difficulty in regaining his f<iet.

CASH ATHLETICS. By Spout.

Entries close on Friday, 22nd, Tor all events in connection with* the Jiruce Athletic Society's sports, to bo hold on Easter Monday, not for Sheffield onlv, as stated in those columns last week.

Jho Clyde Sports Chtb's Committee are endeavouring to secure a special train from Kanfurly for their annual gathering on i',aster -Monday. If ihey arc successful in this tho eoming meeting should easily .prove the most largely attended yet held a i i, 01 "!?' opening of tho railway on tho following day is also a big draw, and residents from all parte have signified their intention of putting in the two days at those festivals. .Ironi present indications the occasion promises to he a very redletter <lay indeed for tho coiuity town* Entries for the Blueskin Handicap and District Handicap in connection with ihc Waitati Easter ilondav 6ports closo with the secretary om Satimlay next, 23rd. _ On the Wednesday previous to competing in the Duncdin Cycling Club's Sheffield J. Shiras, at the Waituna (N. 1.) sports, won the 100 Yards aaid 220 Yards Handicaps off the 4vds mark in each race, C. W. Mexted (on 4 yards and 5 yards respectively) being second on each occasion.

Commenting on the race for the Invcrcargill Sheffield, "Onlooker" iu the Southland News, says: '*Tbc winner, Curry, got over the ground in rare style, and, 25 yards from the judge, had tho honours in his keeping, as. with a final rush lie took command ami won by a. yard and a-half. Thomson remained in second place until tho last 10 yards, when Henderson and Baird passed him, the first-named securing second money by 3in or 4in." <T. Curry is slightly over 21 vears of ago, and resides at Heriot. At 'ho'closo of last year he formal one of the Southland team of three (Curry, W. Robinson, and D. Dodds) sent across to Melbourne to compete ill the Wren £500 Sheffield. The travellers wore not successful in getting among the prize-winners, but that continigeney was considered onlv second in importance to the fact that tho men would meet tho best performers, and gain- in cxoerienco and ability by the trip. That this has proved the case as regards tho Sheffield winner all acquainted with his form previously will readily admit. Henderson (Duncdin) is a elevcr little runner, slightly, younger than the winner, while Baird is under 21, and Thomson -.bout 18 years of age. In the Gernldine Sheflield of £15, £5, and £2. run on Monday last, L. C. M'Lachlan :o(f scratch) and A. S Peters (on 7sytls) ran a dead heat for first place. At the late conference held by the N.Z. Athletic Union the question of adopting a seals of penalties, as is in vogue in' Now South Wales and Viotoria, was discussed, it being eventually derided to 'envc the matter to the discretion of the hanr-'ieapper This method, however, hns i!s 'anils. ns is evidenced by the action of the handioappcr at the recont Invercarcill gathering. In the Sheffield Handicap Peters and Hcnder son, who had run, second and third re spccr.ively in tho Dnnedin Sheffield on the 9th and had won only £5 and £?, for so doing, were penalised 2yds and IJyds in tho Invcrrargill race respectively. Nicholls tho winner at Dunediii of the £20 prize, was only penalised half a yard, while M'Lachland, who received £1 for running! fourth in the same race, was not penalised at all! Surely Nicholls who won tho Duncdin race, should have received a creator penalty, in comparison to tho other placed men. than half u yard for so doing. Again in the 220 Yards .Handicap at Invei-Kirgi l ' S'-evborne. who had earlier in the day nr second in the 75 Yards Flying Handica', and liendcrson, Paird, ami Thomson, who had fillcdVpkicM in the Sheffield other t-ha - - first, received who!«=ide ..ena'ties. Henderson to the tune of 6yds, which brought .him towiliiin 4yds of Shiva?. Taking ihc Invercargill snorts as a Ires,a. the sooner the T T nion steps in and provides a scale of penalties the better for all concerned.

Wo juViikiiil were Curvy'# supporters over their man winnuig the bis Sl<-fli<Al that they cha'lcngnd M'Lnchl.m to run him n match for £100 or any part thereof, over a distance of 500 yds. Tho cli'llengc v.\v- : a genuine one. as the stake "onld have Iwen put up there and then. Al'owing for Curry having improved yards, I am of the opinion that "LocVic" could' still muster up sufficient paco to win over a level hundred.

At a meeting of directoi.i of the Southland Axemen's Carnival, held on Friday last, it was derided, owm? to the Clifton. Irish Athlotic, and Ca'edonian gatherings having received less support than in pre vious years anil tho fact. that. Raster is it bad time of the year tc hold sports, to postpone the annual gat.iering till tho Saturday after Boxing Day. 1907, when, with the Clifton and Caledonian sports the same week, it would he a. bigger inducement to visiting athletes to come south. According to a. press wire which appeared in tho telcgranhic columns of tho dailies during the past, week, the motion as passed bv tho conference of delegates to the N.Z. Athletic Union has been slightly misrepresented by the meeting held in Wellington of delegates from societies joined to the Axemen's Association and holding athletic events under union rules. ItwaG given out at tho Wellington conference, according to tho report, that sc'veral societies affiliated to the union had to pay an affiliation fco also to tho Axemen's Association without 1 «ing entitled to any represcnta tion on the governing body, which is registered in a joint stoclc company with headquarters in Kit-ham. After hearing a report from a select commiltco, it- was dccidcd that tho N.Z, Axemen's Association ho asked to organise as a colonial body, otherwise tho union would, in t.lie interests of its several affiliated societies holding axe men's events, l>o compelled to take ehargo of all those competitions. Before taking this step the union was to ascertain, through its centres, tho opinions of all its affiliated societies holding axemen's events. It. is probable that this latter action of tho union was the. cause of motions lieing passed as appearing elsewhere. It seems hardly likely that tho union will tako any further steps in the matter seeing , its affiliated societies are satisfied.

FRANK FORDE BREAKS RECORD. Few who watched the Fordo. Bros, carrying off the prizes for throwing the 161b stone, Irish style (7ft run) at 1-hc Jnvereargill sports last v.-ock were aware that something out of the ordinary was transpiring, but tliiawas certainly the case. Frank Fordo, despite liberal handicap aJlowanccs 1o his opponents, won with a throw of 50ft lin, whilo W. Fordo- recorded 18ft Bin (3ft 6in allowed), Maoriland's champion thus achieved a world's record, the previous best figures reading: AY. AY. Coo (amateur), 49ffc Gin. in 1905, at Portland, Oregon, United States; 48ft 9iin, Denis Horgan (amateur), 1904, Mallow, Ireland; 48ft 7 l-sin, il. Rose (amateur), 1904, Chicago, U.S.A.; 48ft. 7in, Ralph Ross, Olympian Games. Sr. Louis. 1904. That Frank Fordo should perform this feat is not surprising (says "Onlooker," in Southland News) us ho is at present in perfect condition, and in addition to tho world's bests which he already holds, it is an open secret amongst his admirers that- ho can top all previous performances in several other field games should he so desire.