ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2511, 30 April 1902, Page 52

ATHLETICS.

NOTES BY AMATEDB. An athlete of considerable prominence in Conbtable Oliphant has been recommended the Humane Society's medal for rescuing several people froia drowning in Napier Harbour. One thing that strikes " The Wanderer " about the New Zealand athletes is that they are "of a superior kind, gentlemaaly in their manners, respectful in their conversation, and with an absence of "blow." Thos. Sherlock and P. Walfh have been matched to run a half-mile for £50 a-side. The race will take placo on June 14, at Waimangaroa. Sherlock concedes 25 yards to Walsh. It has been decided to procure a championship shield or banner before the date of the next tournament for competition by the university colleges of New Zealaad. At the annual sports of the Wanganui Collegiate School, held recently, the fivi> runners left in th& final of the- Open Quartermile finished close together in the good time of 55sec. All fivo must at least have equalled tk» school standard of S7soc, a very creditable performance. The amateur ranks in Wellington (saya "Advance" in the New Zealand Mail) have been strengthened by the addition of Mr W. A. Low, who recently took up hi 3 residence in Wellington. Mr Low was for many years a prominent member of the Duasdin Amateur Athletic Club, and filled the offices of handicapper and .starter. On tho track he was one of the best, having won the 440 yds and Half-mile Championships three years in succession. W. Skinner, who won llic hammer and cLot events at the last meeting of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club, has been transferred to Aucklavid, -alicip- he will be able to get in some practise work with hi? brother. If W. Madill turns the game vj 1 . Auckland will have a worthy representati\c in Skinner. A well-attended meeting of students was held at the University College, Christchurch (says "Sprinter"), for the purpose of appointing bodies to control the athletic and tennis competitions of the next interuriversity tournament, which is to be" held next year in Auckland. It was decided to form an Amateur Athletic Club, officers b<-ing selected, and it was also decided to lorm a Tennis Club. The president and vice-pivsident of the Students' Aseociatio'n were appointed to consider the questicu of securing lawns for use of the sti. dents. The. Ca übridge Tniveraity sports were held on March 8 and 10, the winners being as under:— lOOvds, R. W. Barclay, 10 2-ssec; 440 yds, "it. W. Barclay, 50 3-sscc; Half-mile, F. G. Coekshott, 2min 2 o-ssec ; One Mile, F. G. Coekshott, 4miu 28sec; Three M.le=>, H. W. G-rogson, 14min 53 3-ssee: High Jump. G. Howard' Smith', sft 9in; 120yd a Hurdler. G. Howard Smith. 17 l-ss-ec; Long Jump. H. A. Hay (late East Melbourne Harriers). 20ft 3iu ; Shot, F. P. Young, 35ft llin; Hammer. N. Spicer, 111 ft Bin. All these gained full blues. Hay and J. Andeison. of Christchurch, New Zealand, both competed unsuccessfully in the first heat of the IQGyds. Anderson won hip heat of the Hurdles in 17 1 ssce. but fell in the final. He w &=. to have a further test for hid half-blue tiipgsou was only beatcu by thiee yard- in V\c Ml». md ho was hard pressed by H. P. C. Maonaghten in the three miles. The V.M.C.A. Harriers held their second rim on .Saturday from Woodhaugh. Th© "li-'ios'' vere Jiio. Sbaw and M. Dawson, who v, ere given the uoiial start of 10 minutes. I/rannof Mrs Gknild'b hall they climbed the zlg-i.ag 'track to Maori Hill, then, turning to the right, passed the golf links ; on over the hill at the back of the reaervoir, and down again on to the Leith Valley road, and then with a straight run made for " home." The pack, numbering 16 strong, were under the control of Mr Hannah (captain), who maintained a very fair pace throughout the run, which occupied about an hour. In the sprint home H. Davies was first and W. G. Hannah second. Three new members were enrolled after tho run and more are expected shortly. Next Saturday's mn takes place from Kaikorai Valley, starting from Wakari Rifles Hall. The Dunedin Harriers, numbering about 40, wore the guests of their president (Mr W. L. Hooner) on Saturday, and «.icedleFs to say the aft-n-noon parsed all too quickly. However, all good thing 3 come to an end sooner or later, but the members of the Dunedin Harriers' Club will always have pleasant recollections of their visit to Castle sli^et North. Everything was done to promote the comfort and happiness of the runners, and tho three cheers given for " mine host " before parting were ringing with heartiness. In replying to a vote of thanks Mr Hooper made a splendid suggestion. He said he would like to see prominent residents on the outskirts of the city invite the harriers as guests on Saturday afternoons. There are already one or two places where the harriers have received invitations, backed up by the most cordial hospitality, but tue list is by no means full, and the clubs are always on the lookout for fresh haunts. The trail laid by Murray and Caldow at the Dunedin Harriers' run on Saturday was a good one, except that the run home was rather long on the flat. A quarter-mile flat is quite enough after a, run of about , five or six miles over up-hill and down-dale country. Taking them all around, the new members are a sturdy lot, and some- of them should make their presence felt before the season finishes. There is a tendency, however, amongst a few to overdo it, especially in the final sprint. A man is better last than striving to gain first place when he is out of form. There will be plenty oi opportunities of gaining honours as the Reason advances. Meanwhile, training should "be kept up by young members during tho week. The St. Andrew's Harriers held a sue- , cesbful run last Wednesday, and it is gratify- j ing to note the steady increase in membershin. A pleasant time was spent before and after the run at Mr Khlan's (St. Clair) tea rooms, where the members met wi*h the utmost kindness. A curious but obvious mistake crept into

writer stated that '" nearly all the members run on the ball of their feet instead of flatfooted." St. Andrew's Harriers will readily see the error, and no doubt they will profit by what was intended to be stated — viz., that flat-footed running ■is slow and really injurious to the muscles. To-day the St. Andrews Harriers enjoy the hospitality of their president, ai.d it is understood that arrangements have b<"en made for this postponed function to be held", wet or dry. The meet i 3 at the corner of Duke and King streets at 3 o'clock sharp. Invercargill is to be congratulated on the success attending the formation of barrier clubs in, the southern city It is on'y » month since the sport was commenced there by the formation of the Invercargill Harriers, and already two other clubs — alive and numerical^ strong — have sprung into existence. The High School boys at lavc-rcargill have started a harrier club, but, boy-like, the excitement of the first chase^ evidently blunted their judgment to some extent, as a writer in a southern paper gives them, the hint that 14 miles is too long. Assuredly it is, and thest young fellows cannot be too strongly impressed with the fact. Even, half the distance is too long for a young club. The Railway Harriers (Invercargill) have opened quite auspiciously. There were 30 members present, and after ao enjoyable run they all partook of the hospitality of the club's lady friends. Altogether, the afternoon was «v most pleasant one, and it is to b9 hoped the club will spend many more like it. In Victoria numerous harrier clubs have opened tho season, amonjrst the most prominent being :--Ballarat East, Ballarat, East Melbourne. Brighton, Ksseudon, Goburg, and many others. Thi--- sport was started in Victoria some 10 years ago, and now there are fully 500 active members who take part in the weekly runs. Three harrier racea took place in Bendigo (Victoria) on Easier Monday. The first, 220yd-s, was won by R Al>crcronibio (MclIxrarne) ; J. E. Hunter (Bendigo), 2 ; E. Mills (Bendigo). 3. Time. 22 2 ssec. Halfmile: D. O'Halloran (Buuligo), 1; Murphy (Bendigro), 2; "Whcatlcv (Ksscndon), o. Time, 2min 0 3-ssee. A 500yda steeplechase caused a considerable amount of interest. There were four hurdles and a 12ft water jump, with hurdle in front. To clear this meant a a 7ft jumn. Only onv competitor made any attempt to clear it, and the spectators revelled in the competitors' misfortunes. The final resulted as followa: — D. Gunn (Raywood), 1; Smith (Melbourne), 2; Aberorombi© (Melbourne), 3. The races 1 took the public's fancy, and a local report; says: — "The people ntfr greatly pleaded with the harriers' event, in 1 if the Steeplechase* was severe it wa^ -n least a most exhilarating spectacle, 2i".J should give the committee the cue to arrange an event on j similar linos at future sporting carnivals. ' The English Northern Counties cross-coun-try championships were- decided at Hadcock Park racecourse in February. For the junior race no fewer than 26 clubs sent teams, the number of competitors being 218, of whom 16f completed the distance U£ miles), which: was won Ly E. Butterfield in 46min 51sec, his club (Murlington) being the successful team, with v total of 85 points. It is most unlikely now that M'Lachlan. will be sent Horne — at present, at any rate — ihe support given to the undertaking in tho shape- of £ s d being quite- inadequate and disappointing. Much as this 13 to be regretted for many re xsone, Oamaru may possibly he- the gainer, inasmuch as M'Lachlan's great match with M'Manus will very probably be run on the .Vorth Road ground on May 24, if satisfactory arrangements can be made. M'Lachlan (bays Oaniaru Mail) telegraphed Mr Rule aolcing if the ground would be vacant on the date in question, j and an answer in the affirmative was sent, i While the match would prove a great draw, j certainly many more people would attend if there were other attractions as well. But there are difficulties in the way. For instance, the amateur authorities might, and probably would, veto any amateur events in conjunction with the match, and, even if this could be &ati»/.tijorily arranged, M'Manus and M'Laehhi 1 ! would naturally want at least the gre.u . part of the gate money, for thore is no t:dk as yet of any of the societies subsidising the match. However, the next few day-, should definitely settle the question. If the match is run in Oamaru, the public will have to thank the Caledonian Society for it, for their j New Year gathering immensely raised | Oamaru's etatus in the athletic world, as, [ indeed, wo said it must do before it was decided to accept the championship meeting. [ We may say that the North Road ground would be used in preference to the Show ground for the great match, in order to enable fast times to be put up. It is a question whether the Caledonian Society would not be consulting their best interests if they offered something to have the match decided in Oamaru, and, perhaps, <iven go so far as to manage tho affair itself. What is termed "one of the greatest longdistance races that has ever taken place in England" was run la«t month at the Tee-To-Tum ground?, Stamford Hill, between two well-known pros, in L. Shepherd, and A. Crudgington. The distance was 15 miles, and the ground was in fair condition for making time. Crudgington immediately jumped away with the lead, and ran in very attractive fashion. Third lap Shepherd went to the front, and soon widened the gap to six yards. Crudgington quickened and decreased the lead. Third mile he was only a very few yards behind. Next lap but two yards separated them. In the middle of the fourth mile Shepherd was 30yds to the good. Again Crudgington drew near. Another half a lap Crudgington led, was apparently less distressed, and took his opponent along afc a better pace. He lost the lead through taking refreshment and a "rub down," but quickly regained it. They now alternately led. Six miles one lap Shepherd broke away with a lead of 25yds. Ilis opponent caught and passed him. Then Shepherd! led, and in one lap it was give and take. Crudgington now led for several miles. In the ninth Shepherd headed him. Great excitement was caused by both sprinting at 10 miles and a-half. From this point Crudgington led, and Shepherd remained in close proximity. Lap after lap in this order continued, and one mile from Uie finish they passed the winning post deadlevel. Crudgington struggled to premier position, and Shepherd hung on. Another half-mile Crudgington gained a few yards, and they entered the final circuit amidst the greatest possible excitement, almost 6houlder to fehoulder. Down the back 6tretch a punishing race took place, and rounding the bend Crudgington still led. Commencinp the run homo a desperate race earned, ike crowd came over iato tb«

enclosure, and surrounded the competitors, but kept at a respectful distance. Half-way up the straight Shepherd, in his distress, rolled against Crudgington, but the latter immediately recovered his stride. Both men, terribly exhausted, struggled home, and Crudgington fell on the worsted a. winner by barely half a yard. His friends .prevented" him from falling, and laid him on the grass until lie was strong enough to .walk to the dressing room. On the way 'lie Saluted his eon and heir with a kiss. Thus ended one of the most remarkable races on record, described by a very old ped as "the sort of race for the distance that you don't see very often in a lifetime." A syndicate backed Crudgington, and E. G. Chapman supported Shepherd. The excitement at the finish may be better imagined than described. The time for the full distance was lhr osmin 36£ sec.