ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 17 April 1901, Page 50

ATHLETICS.

Wellington Police Force has a promising athlete in Mr D Mahoney. An exchange says that with proper coaching he would become a formidable mal to such men as M'Conmck and Skinner, putting the stone, Irish style (4-lft 4m), .Mid eateh-as-catch-can wrestling Norman G. Pritchard, tho Indian athlete, who ran second to A C Kraenzlein, the American, in the 120 yds Hurd'es Championship of England last summer, has announced his intention of retiring from the numint; path, but prior to taking that «tcp he will es=ay the task of equalling 11. W. Long's record for the quarter-mile. There was a laree attendance at the Athletic Institute, Birmingham, on Saturday, January 26, when the amateur weightlifting championships of England were decided A record entry of 24- had been received, but considerable disappointment was caused through the heavy-weight champion. Launceston Elliott, being unable to defend his title through an attack of lumbago. The tournament was divided into three classes, light, middle, and heavy-weight, and all three championships were won by London athletes. The tests were righthanded lift, left-handed lift, two dumb-bells lift,, and bar-bell lift, total number of pounds lifted being added together. Result: — Hea\y weights: T. E. Pevier, London Weight-lifting Club, combined weight htted, 83141b, 1; F. Booth, Bradford, 6671b, 2; D. T. Cooper, Birmingham, 6-ti-Üb, 3 Middle-weight (12s t and under) : T E. Pevier, combined weight lifted, 7321b,. 1 ; G. Butler. Amateur Weight-lifting Club, London, 678|1b, 2; F Booth, Bradford. 660.' 1b, 3. Light- weight (10st and under)C. Russell, London, combined weight lifted, 617i1b, 1; J. W Wcldon, Leeds, 600ilb, 2; B. Cottrell, Bnmingham, 554J,1b. 3. New Plymouth and diatnct can claim a

coming amateur champion in " Pat " Webster, who is a clerk in the Bank of New Zealand (writes "Advance" in the Wellington Mail). As there is no amateur club within 100 miles, and with so many "pros." around, it is a wonder Webster did not join the cash hunters ; but, being a keen sport, he joined the Wanganui Club, and regularly puts in an appeaiance at that club's meetings. In December he won the 100 yds and 220 yds from scratch. In January ho again got away with the 100 yds, giving as much ns 11yds, and was second in the 220 yds off scratch. The same day he placed the 440 yd« (from scratch) to his credit. Last month Webster gave the Wanganui people another "display by winning both the 100 yds and 250 yds — in each ease from the mark. The 100 yds go was ticked off as even time, but the winner and his friends were dubious of the time, although he has been known to get right handy to lOsec in a trial. When a man comes over 100 miles to run, and has previously been timed to do lOseo by the club's officials, it shows very loose management on the part of the club that Webster, after again being credited with doing the 100 yds in lOsec, should be unable to obtain a standard badge, owing to the club failing in its duty to provide three timekeepers as required by the N.Z.A.A.A.