AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22708, 22 October 1935, Page 2

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

OTAGO CENTRE’S ACTIVITIES According to the annual report of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association to be presented at the annual meeting to-night, tho past year has been a difficult one, but the centre looks forward with confidence to a successful season for 1935-36. The report states, inter alia: In the passing of the centre’s president, Mr E. L. Macassey, the centre suffered one of the severest l losses it has received. Mr Macassey, with his wide experience, energy, and high character, had been a tower of strength to sport in Otago for many years. The wide esteem in which he was held was witnessed by the expressions of sympathy which were received from kindred bodies not only in Dunedin, but in all parts of New Zealand. The year was marked by the appearance at Dunedin of a team of English and Finnish athletes and by'the despatch of a New Zealand cross-country team to compete in Australia. Hie outstanding individual performances were those of L. C. M'Lachlan at the Melbourne Exhibition in the one-mile championship, when he returned the best time of his career, and of J. E. Lovelock in winning the international mile race at Princeton (U.S.A.). The New Zealand track championships were held at Wanganui. Otago fielded only a email team, which performed creditably. The cross-country team, after having held the championship for two years, was this year displaced by Auckland. Sports meetings were held at regular intervals, and were invariably well contested. The country clubs, including Alexandra, Waikouaiti, Palmerston, Tokomairiro, and also the Cromwell Caledonian Society, successfully conducted meetings. This year it is anticipated that in addition to these centres amateur meetings will be held at Roxburgh and Gore. In the New Zealand championships at Wanganui, the championship shield was won by Auckland. M. R. Spillane gained tho hammer throw championship with a throw of 151 ft 7iin, and the other members of the team were T. Allan, R. 0. Johnson, A. A. Cameron, and H. Milner. The team was capably managed by Mr R. 0. Johnson. The Otago trade and field championships were held at the Caledonian Ground on March 2, the standard of performances being good. The outstanding performer was A. A. Cameron (North Otago), who gained five championship events. At this meeting Miss B. Forbes broke her own New Zealand record for the ladies’ high jump with a performance of 4ft lOin. The List Shield was again won by the Dunedin Anglican Club, 37 points, North Otago, with 28 points, being runner-up. A. A. Cameron won the Cabot Cup for most points in championship events. A team of four English and two Finnish athletes appeared at Dunedin on February 28. Unfortunately, the meeting had to be held on a week-day, and the visit was not financially a success. The extensive amount of travelling required of the team allowed only a short visit, with little opportunity for coaching, and militated against the athletes being able to give their best performances.

While the Otago team was not euccessful in winning the championship held at Wellington on July 20, nevertheless the team performed well, and W. A. C. Pullar gained third place. The team was represented at the harrier conference by Messrs B. R. M Kernan and J. Beatson, Mr M’Kernon also acting as manager of the team. The Dunedin Club again conducted its Edmond Cup race at Wingatui on June 8. The team race was won by the Anglican Club, 19 teams being entered. . W. A. C. Pullar won the individual title with L.' C. M’Lachlan second. The Civil Service team which travelled to Christchurch again won the teams’ race in the Kennett Cup Steeplechase, while L. C. M'Lachlan was the individual winner. The New Zealand University cross-coun-try championship was also held at Christchurch, and the Otago University team was successful in retaining its championship. An Innovation this year was the holding of the Port and Modified Marathon Road Races close together at the end of the season, September 7 and 21 respectively. This proved advantageous, and will probably be continued. The wanner of the Port Road Race was D. Scott, with G. Ross second. Marrett gained the prize for the first unplaced novice, while I. Curtis and W. A. Stewart shared fastest time honours. Ninety-one competitors were entered and 77 completed the course. The teams’ race was won by Anglican. The Marathon Race was held from Mosgiel for the first time—34 started and 29 completed the course. L. R. M’Millan vas first with B. R. M‘Kernan second, the teams’ race being won by Caversham, 15 points, and Civil Service second with 16 points. The Nickels Cup was won by the Civil Sendee Club with 51 points, the Anglican Club being run-ners-up with 65 points. The Otago senior and junior championships were held at Wingatui on July 6. The senior race was contested bv a field of 103 competitors representing 11 clubs, while 68 competitors representing 14 clubs competed m the junior race. W. A. C. Pullar was first in the senior event, with A. R- Geddcs second, while R. M’Lachlan won the junior championship, with L. W. Wood second. The Civil Service team won the senior teams’ race with 43 points, the Anglican team being second with _bd points. The junior race resulted similarly, points being 40 and 78 respectively. The Caversham team won the senior sealed handicap and the St. Hilda team the junior scaled handicap. A New Zealand team was sent to compete in the New South Wales championships at Sydney. W. A. O. Pullar and A. R. Geddcs being selected from Otago. Though not successful in winning -the championship, both men performed well, and Pullar was successful in gaining second place in the test race. Mr B. R. M'Kernan was the South Island selector for the team.