DUNEDIN SPORTS CLUB'S MEETING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14472, 15 March 1909, Page 3

DUNEDIN SPORTS CLUB'S MEETING

A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. Officials.—Superintendent, Mr A. J. Sullivan. Leitgnc consul, Mr A. ,T. (jullivan. iteferee, .Mr D. Wall. Judges: Cycling— Dr S. Batcbolor, Mr A. Dey; tunning—Xlessrs JJ. Corcoran, W. Campliell. .Starter, Mr \V, ltlldkilis. Press steward, Mr C. it'ivcegan. Timekeepers—Messrs T, I'. Williamson, »». A. Finch, and J. M. K. G arrow. La.p-tukers— Messrs it. Diuvncs ami U. J3. Ogilvic. Clerk o( Course—Messrs A. Findlfty and C. Harris. Umpires—Messrs J. 0. Ilopcraft. S. Bolt, and A. Walker. Telcgiaph—Messrs CI. 10. Israel, A. M'Oowon, nr.cl W. Munro. The promise of big " fields M and keen competition, ;ui ( | tile assttrillieo that MIC.il K-donbtable ehampiuns us Kichard Arnsr and W. Trembath woulu be seen performing doughty dcctls, proved sufficiently strong to counteract tiio depressing influence of wef, bluslering weal iter and attract some 2000 persons to the Dunrdin Sports Club's meeting on the Caledonian Ground on Saturday. Jn a greater or kv« degree, according to the views of unbiased specta.Uiw. those expectations were renlisod; it is Ix>,voik| doubt that there was given 1c ihe public an afternoon of entertaining s|torl. A meeting similar to that of Saturday ha- lieen held every year for souks- time but under a <li fie rent management— that of the okl Cycling Club. This is the liret oettLsion on which the Sports Club lias itsolf controlled the- meeting, and, taking tbe meeting into comparison with those of other years, tbe club has every icasos io be satisfied with its effort. So far as the day was concerned, it certainly lun.! sis disappointments. In tilie first place, Iho weather was so unkind as to bold tho casual ploasure-scekors at home, and permit, only an aitenda-nce of enthusiasts; next, Artist did not yivc the exhibition of trick that was expected of liiin by the enlhiisiasls aforesaid; ami, in the third place, there was an alfience in some way of muscle-racking tenseness in the racin® ami hitter competition in the finishes that was fell rather than noticed, particularly in regard to cm-rain of the later events. Tnis may have been due, to far as the foot races were conc-E:rned, to deadline if the turf, caused t)V reuent heavy rain; or the cyehV.s may tave 10-t some of their energy on the back straight, where they luut to (fo Kittle with a wild foufh-wester; or the state of English politics, or the proximity of an important sports meeting at Invcrcargill, or any other influence more or less relevant may have had a proportionate I'lFcet oil tho competitors. Then Mr J'ortcr, driver of I lie City Brigade's new lire, engine, gave an exhibition of motor-eye!;! riding- on tho track. It was interesting as far as it went, but after All- Porter had Travelled, one mile in lmin 40see he, having regard to a condition that bad uiuoipeckxlly arisen in his machine, deemed it wise to desist, ami retired amid Hie applause of tiie spectators. On t.ho whole- the club may regard the meeting as the most successful of its own kind held fin- some years. The substantial prizes oll'eretl attracted largo imrnlxmi of competitors, including Ihe leading runners and cyclists of Otago and Southland. Among ihe former was the well-known ex-amateur \\. Tremliath, who, however, gained only a third prize, and- that in tho Sheffield, lii longer dwla.nc.-o-;, in which he made bis reputation, he was unplaced. With him on back and half-way marks were P. Sanson and li. 1). Chalmers, boih of whom havo won honours in many hard-fought contests. Sanson gained second' place in ihe Sheffield, am) Chalmers first in the 220 yds liaee, which, despite promising performances in beats, woro thr-ir tot-'U .-icliieveiiH-jits during the day. .lames White, who was given big starts in all his raw?, won the Sheffield and the llalf-mile llaoes—the latter easily. He did not slart in the 220 yds Hack The cycling events, o[ which there were three, were, as stated, expected to hold added interest, in tho presence of Arnst, but 1 ho champion was so very much out of form that he only rode three laps in the -Mile, was unable to make a winning spurt in the Two Miles, and did not start in the Mjle ami A-half. Seeing his condition, one is constrained to wonder why Arn-it entered for those events at all. C. Belcher, an unknown rider, who had lieen placed on limit marks, was beateji with dillkmlty for it place in the Mile, and won his heat and then the filial of tho Two Mile llace by nearly a complete lap. The authorities descended on him, and penalised him 50yds in the One Mile a;id A-half content, but, starting ifYom tho 150 yds mark, lie rode very strongly, and won a place in his heat, and the second prize in the final. A mere boy, his acquirable sans froitl seemed to make tho crowd glad, and lie received many rounds of applause after making his second win. Dennis, a competitor to whom big starts were given, was second in the Mile, third ill (lie Two Miles, and first, in tlie .Mile and A-half. lie was a rider of much diplomacy, who lay snugly behind the wheels of his confreres until the right, jnoment, and then made a spurt, into a plaw. W. Harris, cf Inveroargill, favoured Bclcher tactics, pushing away out by himself. Tims lio won the .Mile. I'. L. Cusack, a veteran and n baekimu'ke.r, contrived to win third place in the Mile and second in the Two Milos, but. was beateji 'in his heat in tlw last cycle nice. A number of oilier wellknown track -riders were competing, but .inly. it. Withcy (thiid in the Mile and A-half) got beyond a heat victory. Tito 220 yds Amateur Kaoe provided interesting competition, L. J. Potior eventually securing victory. Tho sport 6 official*, with tho exception of the man who put starters' numbers on the board, achieved souwthmg of a record by tho smartness with which they commenced the various events. The lnsv race was timed for 5 o'clock, and the sports were actually and satisfactorily over by five minutes past the hour. The proceedings wero enlivened .and made more pleasing by selections by tho Kaikorai Jsand. which during an interval took t.he field and played the Ballarat competitions teat march. The following: are particulars of the raws: ONE-MILE cycle handicap.First £4; second £2, third £1. First J«^ut• U'. W.-wii, lIAviLS.,I; A. lx. il'Le&B.

35yr13, 2; A. J. i\! 'Konzio, 15yds, 3; W. Goodiill, 70yds, 4. Also sta-rti'd: H. Arn-it scratch. W. Colo 10yds. 11. Wilson 30yds, 11. Withey 3Cyds, W. 11. Matthews 100 yds. N. Nicholson 120y<ls. Arnsr cli.wd (ho front-markers fur three laps and then gave in. The first. man home led l>\ 20 yards from the start; tho remainder of ili« liold bunched. Time. 2tnii> 24sec. Second heat: <1, Dennis, 120\'ds. 1; C. iV'lclifr. 160 yds. 2; IJ. 0 Neill, 130 yds, 3; P. L. Ciisiicl;. 35yds, 4. Also started: (/'. K. Smith 30yds, A. Carnegie 40yds, •I. Keen 45yds, b. C. Craig 110 yds. Jot' (,'arnt't'it* 120vds, A. J. Louden 325 yds. F. Moir 135 yds. 11. Siingle 160 yds. The com hunched in tho third round, a clost! finish rosultiiijr. Time, 2min 16 4-ssec. Final. W. Harris, 115 yds ... 1 J. Dennis, 120 yds 2 ]'. 1,. Cnsack, 35yds 3 M'Kenzie made a false start, and liftiitg imnalised itnd hooted liy the impatientcrowd. refused to ride. Harris repeated his heal perforiua-nco, going away out by himself and winning by 40 yards. Belcher followed him closely into the last lap, when he dropped lack, and Dennis, spurting, got into second place hy 10 yards. Time, 2min 12sec.

SHEFFIELD HANDICAP.—First £12, second £3. thitxl £1. First, heal: Jas. White, 12yds, 1; D. Sanson, 3Jy<ls, 2. Also started: J. Slinson Byds, F. M. Wright 9Jvds, J. Cool: ltyds. Sanson, with a line effort, .fought his way into second place, wit.h Wright close up. Time, 13 2-ssee. Second lit!al: W. F. Trembath, 3Jyds, 1; W. Dull, 9y<ts, 2. Also started:".!. Ptiddy 10yds. H. D. Chalmers lOJyds, A. W. Valentine llvds, J no. Smith, 12Jyds. Trembath got. tnvay well from tho jump, and, lighting hard, secured and maintained a. lead, the other back-marker haixl on his Hank, and won bv two foot. Time, 13see. Third heal: J. Park, 6vds, 1; W. F. North, 12£ yds, 2. Also started: S. Major 92.vds, K. Gutin lOivds, Hood 11yds, W. M'Fee 11yds. A very hard fought, race, the hack-ma rkc.r, closely attended by Major, getting into place before North just on the tape. Time, 13 2-ssec. Final. Jas. White, 12yds 1 D. Sanson, 3jy<ls ,2 W. F. Trembath. 3iyds ... ... 3 The competitors got away with a splendid start. White dropped back a little to Sanson and l'rimibatli, who fought out a great race, the former just beating Trembath on the tape, White winning by a. foot. Time, 13sec.

220 YARDS AMATEUR. lIANDICAP.Kirst worth £2, second worth £1. First heat: R. I. Danscv, 3y<is, 1; 11. M'Corkin. dale, syds, 2. Also started: A. Iloiiro 2yds iiikl H. Williams 10yds. Danscv inado u lino elFort, and, coming l round tlic sid<s just teat M'Corkindalo on the tap*. Time, 24scc. Second heat: L. J. Potter, 6yds, 1; A. P. Campbell, 11yds, 2. Also storied: A. T. Pittaway scr, R. F. Mitchell 2yds, J. Allen 4yds. A 'hard struggle between the three back-markers, wlio could not, however, get near Potter, wlm won by two yards. Time, 24 l-ssco Third heat: J. L. Sinnill, syds, 1; W. J. Mum-O. 2vds, 2. Also started: W. King 12yds ami A. Love 12vd?. The two backmarkers established a lead some distance from the tape, and won comfortably. Time, 24soc. •Finnl. L. J.- Potter, 6yds 1 J. L. Smaill, syds 2 li I. Dansey, J.vds 3 Potter, from a good start, took the lead at once, and. making a fine eftort, beat Smaill by a few inches; Dansey close up. Time, 23 3-sscc. OrAGO WHEEL RACE, two miles.— Fiist £10, second £4. third £1. First heat: C. Belcher, 350 yds, 1; J. Dennis,

165 yds, 2; M. Wilson, 60yds. 3; A. Car- i negie, ,70yds. 4. Also start-Mi: R. Arnst i scr, W. Cole SGrds. A. .1. MiCenzie 30yds. i A. L. M'Loan 65yds, W. Goodall losyds. ; An interesting contest. Arnst and Cole, t ta.king advantage of each other's pac<\ | presently ■ caught I lie lield. bunched, at ' the fourth lap. iieleher went away by i himself, and increased his big start a.s i the race proceeded, winning by half a ; lap. Arnst meanwhile stayed with the field, evidently intending to spurt, but he was " pocketed coming into the straight 1 in the, last la)), and did not extricate ; himself quickly enough to get a. better place than lifth. being beaten for fourth bv a wheel. Time, 4min 52 3-ssoc. Second hija.).- P. L. Cusaek. 65y<ls. 1; It. Withey. 6'o\ds, 2; W. Harris, 125 yds. 3; o._ F. SmWt, 70yds, 4. Also started: ,T. Keen ! HRvtls N. Nicholson 170 yds. .1. Carnegie 170vds L. Ixniden 175 yds, 11. O'Neill 180 yds' if. Moir 200 yds, 11. Stingle 350 yds. Stiiigio went' « wa y a wreat load, hut having foitgh'n ins way round the back Straight, in .the teeth of the gale two or three times soon dropped back. Ihe lulu drew together after four or five rounds, and in the final struggle til the straight, the, back-markors fecund tho places. •Time, 4min 53*ec. Final. 0. Belcher, 550 yds ... •• 1 r. L. Cusaek. 65yds 2 J. Dennis, 165 yds J Asomcwliat amusing race. Belcher went away -.on his own at the very commencement. Aid. fighting grimly all the way, gtwlually increased his lead to nearly a lap, apparently oblivious of the fact that ilie remainder of tiio fi&Wl, bunohow, woio a. long way off. Cusack and Dennis drew out ill tlio finaf (vpurt, and won comfortably. Time. sniin'.3sec. 220 YARDS HANDICAP.-Fi«fc f, second £2. third £lx-.First heat : .To in Smith, 13yds, 1; D. SwiWJi, scr, 2. Also started: .1. Stinsoni 7yds, AVv Dull 7.hip, A. Kay 9yds. Sanson chased Cine limit ma'} almost all the way, ami got into seoond place cleverly. Time, 231-sscc: Seoond lvcat: \V. P. Trembath, ecr, 1;. 1. MWright, 7yds, 2. Also started: A. A. Thomson. 7vds and ITcod 9jds. An easy win. Time, 23see. Tliicd heat,: R. 1). Chalmers, Bv<ls, 1; -T. Park, 4yds, 2. Also started: S. Major 7yds, A. AV. Valentine 10yds, w. G. Love 12yds, L. E. Broad 14yds. An easy win for Chalmers; a . couple of f cet. separating second and third. Time, 23 3-ssec. Final. 11. D. Chalmers, Byds ••• 1. J. Smith, 13yds 2 F. M. Wright, 7vds ...• 3 AV'right a.gain displayed tho Ipaoe. lie f.liowed in tho second boat, and contrived to get into third plaeo liehind the t.wn limit men, with TrembaMi, wid Park fighting out a finish close behind htm. Time, 23mc. , . . lh\ii JIII.E AMD A-IIALP BICYCLE . HAiNUIUAF. I'irst; ±>5, s'ecend i)ii, thiril i>l— i''iret beat: A. J. .M'K.eiizie, 20jxb, X; U. C. Uiuig, 125 yds, 2; W. Ilairis, ItSyos, 3; J. .Damns, 14Sjxls, 4. AJtO started: \*. Colo lbyds, A. Uirtfegie 50yOs, J. Keen 65yds, M. Wilson 40yds, J. Carnegio loOyos, U, M'baren lboyos. Iho tieid bunolieu in t,lio fourth lap, and in the ln;ai spurt the Uiunani man won rather easily. Arnst, ditl not start, 'lime, 3iui'H 4/ 3-osec. Sec<rnd Jieat.: P. i-. Cusack, 46yils, 1; AV.'Uoodall, bbyds, 2; U. Belcher, lau.vtls, 3; H. Witney, 4Uyds, 4. Also staruxl: A. L. M't/Oan 45y».is, A. L. Louden 155 yds, il. O'Neil 160 yds, 11. Stingle 200 yds. Jk'leher, who liad 2UU y;urds, was penalised 50 >urds owing to liis performance in tho nig wheel race, and started from the 100 yards mark, lie joined tlie field whon't bunched in a later Jap, ami then, spurting strongly, (pi lie easily seemed third piaoe, a yard or two separating the placed men. 'nine, 3min 350-ssec. Final, J. Dennis, 145 yds 1 U. Jtelcher, 150 yds 2 H. Withey, Wytti 3 Apparently tho most, keenly contested race of tiio <lay, and one providing an exciting finish. !n« compet.iiors were bunched at th-2 end of the first mile, and so tliey remained until the last spurt. Belcher, who had received big starts and gone away • by himself earlier in the day, was still oonspicuous, riding strongly and easily, and in the finishing struggle he hung to Dennis's wheel, and easily beat two or ihree other competitors for second place. Time, 3min 38 3-ssee. HALF-MILK AMATEUR HANDICAP. Firet, worth £3; second, worth £1. ! A. l'Oiier, 10yds ... 1 A. 11. Burn, lOyils 2 l l '. llace, 20yds 3 Also started: A. Moore scr, L. E. West scr, AV, Smaill 10yds, P. M. lioid 15yds, L. J. Pottar 15yds, S. AA'illoughby 20y<ls, James Beatsou 20yds, A. Love 2byds, F. P. Frye 3U\<fe, \\. king oOyils. A sonie- ; what dispiriting race. Dm competitor I after another Iveeame tired, and dropped i. out, leaving the middle distant men to | tako tho places. As there were no Uurks i or Trembatlis to brighten up tho finish it was tatne, sotnc feet sepiratmg the pri?.o | winneis. Time, 2min 91-ssec. [ HALF-MILK HANDICAP, First £5, | second £2, third £1. } James AVhite, 55yds 1 AS'. G. Love, 60yds 2 A. Kay, 33yds 3 I Also started: AY F. Trembath scr, P. | D ; Ohalmej's 10yds, P. M. Wright 25yds, i . AV. Gfarigor 30yds, A. A. Thomson ! I A. AV. Aaleutjne 40yds. Another unexeitj ing race. Sanson did not run, and Tremj bath and Chalmers seemocl hopelessly lot>t. ! Consei'juently AVliite and Love went, at onoo j away by themselves, and finished solitary j Mid alone. A alentine kept olcse up tiil near tho finish, and then Kay spurted up into third place. Time, 2min 1 l-s»ce.