ATHLETICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13886, 25 April 1907, Page 5

ATHLETICS.

Bv Amateur.

HARRIER FIXTURES,

—Saturday, April 27.— Dunedin Harriers.—Rim from Macandrow Road Gymnasium: guests of Messrs A. T. JPlndoa and A. J, Foley. • Civil Service Harriers.—Run from St. Clair

Baths. Y.M.C.A. Harriers.—Knn from George Street School.,

Cavorsham Harrier;

—"Run from residence of

Mr T. K. Sid-jy, M.11.1i. Congregation! Harriers.—Run from North-

Bast Valley School. Anglican Ilarriers.—Bun from All Saints' S:liool; guests of Rev. 11. 11. Bedford.

A luirrior of some distinction has settled down amongst us and taken to running with the St. Andrew Harriers. This is Mr H. 11. Sylces, who was one time captain of tho. St. Mark's Harriers, Leeds. The new-comer is certain to prove a valuable acquisition to the -club, not alone for his running powers, but for his knowledge of tho sport.

In last, week's notes attention was drawn to the fact that in order to complete the list of harrier fixtures at the head of this column it was necessary for secretaries to forward the syllabuses of their respective elubs foj tlio .season.' The majority of the secretaries have already complied with the request, but'syllabuses from the Port Chalmers. Southern Bible Class, and St. Joseph Harriers have yet to conic to ■hand to complete the list.

Acknowledged with thanks from the secretary of the Anglican Harriers copy of (hat cltib's. syllabus for 1907. An interesting number of club runs have teen arranged, and inumbcrs of the Anglican Hapriers can look forward to having a good time, during (he season. *

The first outside event connected with the Anglican Harriers is an open handicap over a mile course at 'Minna. Park, which is set down for decision oil .May 25. Kutrie.s close with the secretary on May 13. The. usual club run takes place after the race.

From the secretary of ihe C'aversham Harriers .comes to hand that, club's syllabus for thn season which has just commenced. The run next ,Saturday takes place from the residence of the. worthy president of the club. Mr T. K Sidey, M.H.K. Other interesting runs have been arranged from Wakari, .Uosgiel, ltavonsbourne. and Green Island. The club has 21 aclive members, and the season promises to lxj the best in the club's history, Xl'Muvlrie. of Milton, has joined the L'avershatn Harriers, and M'Knkdit and Beatson are again running iu the well-known 'colours.

Conspicuous in Saturday's run.from Port were the colours of the youngest club, the Congregational' Harriers. Seme half-dozen of the new runners brought distinction upon themselves by being inclined to neglect the whistle on . occasions; but a

few inoro runs will probably break -them, into tho paths -of, obedience. The handsome trophy presented to the Duncdin Harriers by Sir W. I'. Edmond to promote "friendly rivalry amongst thoDuncdin clubs" will be .competed for on Forburv Parle on June 8. Conditions have been drawn up, and each club secretary has been circularised on tho subject and' requested to inform club members of tlio rules conuoliing tbe race. Tbo main points are, briefly, as follows:—Tbe competition will take the sliapo of a stceplcehaeo over three miles, and one team consistiy? ■of not more than ten or less than six may ho entered from each club, the first six men in each team to count for pointslivery member of a competing team slmll compete in his club uniform, bo a bona fide member of tho club lie represents, and shall havo taken part in at least three of his club's official runs held previous to the closing of entries for this competition. The club securing the smallest aggregate number of -points shall lie declared tho winner, and shall be entitled to have its name and the names of its winning team (six men) inscribed upon a. tablet on the pedestal of tho ctip, and shall hold the.cup for 11 months subject to tbe terms and conditions imposed' by the trustees ' thereof. Tho Duncdin Harriers shall present the club's standard mementos to the members of the winning team (six men), and a special memento to the first man home if not. a member of tho winning team. Entries, accompanied by a fee of Is per man, close with tho secretary of the" Duncdin Harriers on Wednesday, 29th May. In connection with tho Thrce-milo Steoplechase set down for June 8 it is freely rumoured- in harrier circles that those, two champions, Burl: and Murray, purposo Branding down from tho coil test. The motivo is said to bo a desire to make the race more open and encourage keener competition, and certainly there would bo greater eagcrnoss among lesser lights for first honours, if these two were not running. Burl; has an additional motivo 'n not competing, in that his business will need attention. If the Duncdin Harriers' team does not includo these men, the race will bear a very open aspect, and a, close, go should result between the Civil Service, Dunediu, and St. Andrew's Clubs. The Wednesday men are, 1 hear, particuldrlv strong this year both' in iiumbcre and quality, and should go very near to occupying first place. Tho present- flourishing condition of amateur athletics in Duncdin has caused Mr J. B. Holt, of this cilv, to unburden himself of tho sccrct to a Christehurch pressman: "Encourage harrier clubs and eroes-coiinlry running." Touching ou I lie relations between the Now Zealand Amateur Athletic Association and tho NewZealand Athletic Union, Mr Holt, said that he regarded well-managed professional sport as the safely valve of amateurism.

A harrier club has been formed at Waimnto called the Wnimato Haiviers. Tim following office-bearers have been elected: President, Mr Will. Coltman; captain, Mr C. Taaffe; vice-captain, Mr E. Mcldrum; handieappers, Messrs Simpson and R.cscingrave; committee—Messrs Mercer, Divers, Clear, and Butcher. The opening ruu was held on April 11 over a. six-milo course. It is intended to hold the runs weekly, and when tho men got in good form to hold cross-country steeplechases and oilier events.

Local harriers may bo interested to learn that G. Pearce, of tho Highjjato Han'icTs, won the National Cross-country Championship, dccidcd in England on Saturday, March 2. No fewer than 186 competitors faeod the starter. Tho country was trying for cross-country running. Pearce's time was 55min 33eec. Tho coura, which measured nine and a-half miles, ivas a good, test of stamina, a pretty considerable hill having to bo laekled three iimta. .T. ]}. Deakin (Herne Hill Harriers) was sccond to Pearce, oniv 130 yds away. Third place was filled by a. Underwood, of tho Birchlieid Harrier?, which club won right out with a 6Coro of 86 points. Eighgato took second place (128 points), Hnllawshiro. Harriers third (147 points), and Polytechnic Harriers fourth (236 points). Tho French amateur runner Kogncncau, who lias for a long time been easily first in all the'past-six years' cross-country "championships of France, lost his title recently, \ "coming" young pedestrian named Kup'er boating him by 10yds in 57min 42sec for tho nine miles' 1653 yds. I am pleased to notieo that tile, Christchurch Press taking up tho question' of harrier running, and' by bringing v jt before tho athletic public is endeavouring lo foster an interest- in the popular winter pastime. "What is the matter with harrier running in Chrisicliuroh?" asks a local writer. ITow is it that in Dunedin scarcely any class of sport or exorcise is r/> popular, and that in Wellington harrierism has' a very strong following? In Chrisfehurch, however, harriers, are almost a curiosity. Two years ago a fairjy strong club was in existence under the wing of Mr F. A. Hornibrook. but. owing to apathy-it was allowed to fizzle out. Finance was not the trouble, for a sum of seven guineas' was handed over to tho Pioneer ■Club after tho Harrier Club's demise. Again last winter several enthusiasts of tho Christchurch Civil Scrvice Club made an effort to revive cross-country running, but the-attempt mot with but- Jittlo support, ami up to the present lime there docs not appear to bo -am- likelihood of tho club goiii!,' oil with (he game. There ia perhaps no largo centro whose surrounding country is so well suited for harrier running, and I doubt very much whether any of ,(hc other centres enjoy such admirable climatio conditions for this class of exercise, hut for somo rea.son or other it has never yet properly caught on." I cannot altogether asreo with tho latter statement, for tho surrounding country of Christchureh is monotonously flat, and apart, from.the Port Hills there is little variety in tho country. However, I should liko to see tho sport prosper in Christchurch.