ATHLETICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18801, 2 March 1923, Page 9

ATHLETICS.

Br Amateur. From present appearances I would say that it requires only a fine day and a good ground to make a thoroughly successful meeting at Mosgiel to-morrow. Of the former we must entertain hope, in spite of a summer which has spread 14in of rain over the past four mouths. As to the latter, I am informed that the track is receiving special care, and that the competitors need have no fears on that score. As to the other factors, it is apparent that the officers of the newly-formed Taieri Athletic Club are most enthusiastic, and are leaving no obstacle in the road to success. The entries are exceedingly good, and it is much to the credit of the suburban sportsmen that a largo number of maiden runners will be facing the starter. Visitors should travel on the 1.15 P'.m. train. Of the competitors 1 would say that the chief interest centres round, the meeting of I’orritt and Morgan, who, on last Saturday’s showing, are the leading sprinters amongst our New Zealanders to-day. Both runners are capable of doing 10 l-ssec, and if they could be kept on sprints alone would record oven time at no distant date. However, for New Zealand purposes, for inter-university purposes, and for interfaculty purposes, such men, expert in several branches of athletics, are of material assistance to a team. In the middle distances the meeting of dale, Forbes, Hobbs, and Rolfe should provide a splendid contest. In the jumps Kirk, the local man, is expected to show well, and Murray, a veteran in field events, has again decided to appear in the ring to assist his club. There is no more- profitable field than that which includes the younger generation, and the promoters of the meeting have shown a wise discretion in catering liberally for the children. The illustrations in Monday’s Dominion show many strring incidents, one of the most notable being the finish of the 100 yards. Kirksoy is shown breasting the tape fairly, while Carr had thrown himself over the last few yards, so that the camera caught him as he fell at full length. I’orritt, in the string next to Carr, was close up, his stride being superb. Morgan was ppparently not many inches behind Porriit. The council has forwarded to the local centre a piece of information far from consoling—that they were on tho point of allotting Otago the date asked for for the New Zealand championships when they heard that a Plunkot Shield match was to be commenced in Dunedin. While claiming only the best feelings for and the Inchest respect towards tho knights of tho willow, we suggest that an international contest would on this occasion have made a strong bid for first place. Let ns carry on in spite of tho New Zealand Council. There are three or four other meetings in the next month, and wo shall try to forget for a while the sterilising influence of tho northern officials. The Anglican Club intends to run an evening meeting on the 14th or thereabouts, particulars of which will be supplied later.