THE NEW ZEALAND ATHLETES AT HOME.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 32

THE NEW ZEALAND ATHLETES AT HOME.

(Fkom Our Own Correspondent.) London, June 24.

The results of the Tufnell Park Athletic meeting, though somewhat disappointing, are considered very favourable to ihe New Zealanders who compebed. Naburally they were nob in tho best fettle, and the grass track must have proved very trying to those accustomed to cinders, aud it is more than probable that when they meet at Stamford Bridge to compete for the championships, with a cinder track under foot, the New Zealauders may astonish tho natives. The papers speak highly of their first attempt, aud hint at better things in the future. This from the Referee': — "The promised appearance of the world-renowned New Zealand athletes, about whom so much has been written and said, formed the chief attraction at Tufnell Park. How far they may jusbify the good accounts which preceded their arrival in this country, still remains to be seen. When thoroughly fit and completely climatised they may do a good deal. That they are barely at bheir besb is jusb possible at the present time. Hempton, the sprinter, seems to have some sort of claim bo championship form ; bub even he was quite outclassed by C. A. Bradley, of Huddersfield, iv tho level sprint, the labter winning by a good long yard, in what most wabches registered a shade inside lOsec. D. Wood, the half-miler, travelled well for some distance in the 880 yds scratch race, and was ahead of the field at the quarter-mile, but failed to stay, and fell exhausted near home. Batger made an excellent fight for the 440 hurdles, but apparently for want of training was unable to last out the full distance. This race was a very exciting one, and at one time the New Zealander was Aiot favourite."

On Saturday last the athletes made their second appearance, this time at Huddersfield, bub, as in bhe former meeting, scratchiugs were the order of the day. Hempton, much to the regret of a large crowd of spectators, did nob pub in an appearance ab the sbart of bhe 100 yds scratch race, and D. Wood, owing to a sprained foot, was unable to compete for the half-mile. It is just possible, I hear, that the latter may not be able to run again in England, certainly not for some little time ; a most unfortunate occurrence, as his plucky run at Tufnell Park had excited considerable interest on his behalf, and better things were expected of him at the championships. The quartermile hurdles was won by Godfrey Shaw, Batger coming in a good second. It will be remembered that on a former occasion in New Zealand Batger met and defeated the former comparatively easily. At one moment ib seemed as though the New Zealander was aboub to repeat his former victory, but Shaw pulled rapidly to the front over the last half-dozen hurdles. Both men started scratch, and the race was closely contested from start to finish. Again in the 120 yds hurdles Shaw was victorious, L. A. Cuff second, and Batger third. Both Shaw and Batger were handicapped 15yds behind scratch, and Cuff Byd«. Tho latter kept the lead for some considerable distance, when Shaw spurted and quickly displaced him, leaving Batger a bad third. In the quarter-mile handicap Peter Wood made a good light for a place, aud gained it, third. The two 1 -.-I'ling men were handicapped 2yds aud 13yds ah* 1 1 s f tii' C!iiisU'aur..h man, but he btrugglecl

manfully and considerably shortened the distance between him and the latter, who took second place, but his efforts to gain upon Sinnotb were of no avail, and he breasted the tape a capital first in 50 l-sth seconds. Thus, it will be seen, that the team have gained very little upon their previous appearance at Tufnell Park three weeks ago. A great amount of interest was taken out of the day's proceedings by the non-appearance of Wood senior and Hempton. The only races in which the public betrayed any symptom of excitement were the two in which the New Zealand hurdle champion competed, and in these, as you have seen, Batger was worsted by his old antagonist Shaw, who carried all before him on the other side until he came to face the North Islander. Batger's New Zealand records still remains unbeaten, and therefore it is just possible that he may once more make Shaw feel his superiority when he is in proper trim and condition. Cunningham, whom, I understand, is not here with the intention of upholding the glory and honour of his country, did not don his flannels, though entered for several races. He is here purely for a pleasure trip, and does not care about the exertions of training and running. The next meeting at which the New Zealanders appear will be at Crewe, to-morrow. Cuff says they are in slightly better form, and, if so, Hempton should do some good work, and astonish the Crewe Athletic Club.