ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 40

ATHLETICS.

TWITES BY AMATFUB. "Tho Prodigal," in the Sydney Referee, referring to "W. V. Kingston's resentment respecting a statement contained in the report of the N.Z.A.A. representative at fl«» Championship meeting at Dunedin, romarks: "Personally, I cannot see that Kingston has any grievance against the . N.Z.A.A. A. It apparently is an undeniable fact that jostling took place and that Kingston ran on the grass, and the association's representative merely did his duty in mentioning the fact. Had any jostling on the part of Kingston been wilful or had he run on the gross for tho purpose of trying to take an advantage, the referee of the sports would have disqualified him. The sports officials were evidently satisfied that the breaches of jhe rules named, were quite unintentional on the part of Kingston (or anyone else), and t-hus he was absolved of all blame. Still, as certain things happened in a certain race, the association's representative perforce mentioned them. I should imagine that Mr Kingston will, on reflection, reconsider hia decision, and he should certainly remember that tho honour of representing his colony should be placed above any personal feeling, the more so when the colony wants every one of her best athletic sons in what promises to be a very keen and close contest." Death removed a famous athlete on February 15, in the person of Laurence 15. Myers, the amateur running champion, aged 4-2 years. During his career as a runner, Myers won 14- American championships, 10 Canadian • championships, and -three championships of England. His matches with W. 6. George, the English distance runner, created much excitement at the time. In 1887 Myers went to Australia, where professional running was at the zenith of popularity. He competed in nearly all the big handicaps, and was credited with some wonderful performances. "While there he ran his old rival, W. G. George, another series of race? for 2000dol. The American again proved his superiority by winning two events off the reel. He captured the 1000 yds race> in 2min 19sec and the 1500 yds in 3min 46sec. On October 29 he won a quartermilo handicap in Sydney, from the 4yds mark, in 49sec. His profits from the trip were small, as his form was so well known that ho waa handicapped out of moßt of the races. Latterly Myer3 had gone in for horse racing. His running records, which still stand, no runner, professional or amateur, having equalled them, are: — 350 yds, 86 4-6 sec, Philadelphia., October «, 1881. 400 yds (circular path), 43|sec, New York, June 3, 1882. 660 yds, lmin 22sec, New York, July 17, 1880. 80yds, lmin 44 2-ssec, Brooklyn, September 16, 1882. 840 yds (grass course), lmin 48 3-ssec, London England, July 6, 1885. 1000 yds, 2 mm 13sec, New York, October 8. iew.

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