ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2516, 4 June 1902, Page 53

ATHLETICS.

NOTES Bl AM ATE UK.

The fir3t sealed handicap of the St. Andrew's Harriers held last Wednesday was won by Talboys, a new member. His performance came as a surprise to many. The

fastest time w.'u done by Gordon, who covered the distance in Bmin 55sec. This, considering the heavy state of the road, was a splendid performance. We look to Gordon to put in some good work before the end of the season. The second place was scored by Harris, who ran a splendid raoe. showing good form, the result of careful training. A great race ensued between Christie, Talboys, and Price in the last 200 yards, the pace being a regular cracker. Price, well known on the track for short distances, ran in good style, but the distance was a little too much for him. Christie kept second place till turning for home, when Harris managed to pass him. Some of the members showed the lack of training. It is in an event like this which proves the value of judicious training, and I would urge every member to train at least once a week. It was pleasing to note that ©very ptaiter finished. The thanks of the club are due tti Messrs Rosevear and Sims for coming out and giving their assistance. Mr H. E Clark acted as handicapper, his efforts giving general satisfaction.

The fallowing is a. copy of the rules of the Amateur Athletic Association of Otago, to be submitted to the various clubs for approval. When the clubs pai& them the delegates will again meet, and no doubt the association will enter on a career of usefulness which will be watched with interest throughout athletic circles in the colony: —

1. The association shall be called ' The Amateur Athletic Association of Otago/' and shall be composed of athletic clubs in Otago affiliated to the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association.

2. Yfhen the word "association" is used it is understood to mean the Amateur Athletic Association of Otago.

3. The objects of the association shall be to further the interests of amateur athletics in Otago and to settle all disputes between affiliated clubs.

.4. Each club belonging to the association shall pay an annual subscription of £1 Is — except clubs whose • annual subscription is below 10s per member, the subscription from euch clubs .to be on'.y 10s 6d. All subscriptions shall he payable on the Ist day of November in e2eh year. In the event of any club's subscription being unpaid for a period of six months, such club shall cease to belong to the association.

5. The association shall be managed by a president (to be elected at the annual meeting of the association), vice-presidents (one from each club belonging to the association), a committee consisting of two delegates from each club subscribing 21s and one delegate from jttch club subscribing 10s 6d (to be appointed annually by the respective clubs), and a secretary and treasurer (who shall be elected by the committee from amongst their number). Vice-presidents and delegates shall be deemed to bs duly appointed when written notice of their respective appointments, feigned by the secretary of the appointing club, shall have been received by the secretary of the association. A delegate unable to attend a meeting may, by writing under his hand, appoint his co-delegate or any other delegate his proxy.

6. There shall ba an annual meeting of the committee held at Dunedin i» the month of May, at which the retiring committee shall submit their annual report and balance sheet, duly audited; the president shall bo elected; the appointments of vice-presidents and delegates shall be received, and they shall assume office ; the officers for the :nsuing year shall he appointed; and one auditor, not being a delegate or member oi committee, shall be elected.

7. Meetings of the committee shall be held ot such times and places as necessity requires. Such meetings shall be called by the secretaiy, •who shall also at any time call a special meeting of the committee on the requisition of any two clubs. A week's notice to bs given of any meeting, specifying the business to be transactedithereat; four delegates^ representing not less than three clubs, to form a quorum. Th© president. shall preside at all meetings, and in his absence the vice-presidents (taking precedence in alphabetical order) ; an-.l in their absence the committee shall appoint a chairiran.

S. The secretary shall keep correct records of the proceedings of the association, in books to be provided for that purpose, and shall prepare the annual report. 9. The treasurer shall receive all subscriptions and other moneys payable to the association and account foi all funds ot the association, and shall produce at the annua l meeting the balance sheet, duly audited. 10. When the committee so determine, voting *>hall be by ballot, the chairman having a deliberative as well as a casting vote. The committee shall have the power to expend the funds of th' association and to incur such 3iabilities on behalf of the association as they may think expedient.

11. All moneys shall be placed to the credit of the association in a bank to be named by the committee. All payments shall be made by cheque, signed by the president nnd treasurer. The property of the association shall Tie vested in the comnntter a« tru=tees for the time being.

12. Notic» of any proposed alterations or additions to these rules must be giver to the secretary in writing 14 days prior to the meeting called to discuss the question. Notice of proposed alterations or additions to be made shall be stated in the notic* convening the meeting.

The Tasruanian Amateur Athletic Association, which came into existence this year, is "applying for affiliation with the Amateur Athletic Union of Australasia. A mail will be taken on the matter, and as theie would appear to be no obstacles in the way, we may see the island State represented at the next Australasian gathering.

It is rumoured that another race between Lord and Sherlock is being arranged, the distance to be half a mile, a.'id the contest tftkw ltte/io ill A watch between

M'Lachlan, who holds the championship of the colony, and Lord would be a very interesting one. There is some talk of bringing the men together.

The aboriginal's (Billy Bowen) win in the recent big handicap at Brisbane was certainly one of the finest performances ever seen on a Queensland track. His style and movement were perfect, and his starting without an equal. He cut the 124- yards out in 12 2-ssec. And that on a grass track ! Bowen's start is not stated.

The world's championships will this year be held at Rome on Jun« 8, 12, and 15. Pity Australasia is not represented, says Melbourne Sportsman, especially when she can boast of 6uch sterling exponents of the path as Messrs L. M'Lachlan, Dave Smith, and W. M'Manus J Kramer and Stinson have been chosen to uphold the prestige of the United States of America.

Commenting on the English Ten-mile Championship race, '"Veteran." in the London Sportsman, says: — Shrubb's ability to stay the distance at the pace he did, after cutting out the work at the racking rate of 4-min 46 3-ssec for a mile, 9min 51sec for two miles, and 14min 58sec for the three miles, was simply remarkable. In nine cases out of ten he could have won a threemile handicap from scratch in the timo stated. Yet we saw him keep on for another seven miles, ju3t as if nothing had happened to disturb his equanimity. All the same, it must be remembered that, while Shrubb was doing such good things, A. E. Barker, of Leeds A.C. (a very decent fellow, and a coming champion), was very little the holder's inferior. His style of running was certainly as good as Shrubb's. Indeed, Barker travelled more liko a runner than did Shrubb — perhap3 for the simple reason that Shrubb ran like a marvel.

The trial of strength between. J. H. Cordel and the famous strong man, Sampson, at the Paragon Theatre of Varieties, London, in April, ended in favour of Sampson, as Cordel failed t< raise the bar to his knee 3, while Sampson lifted the bar before Cordel made his trial, and afterwards raised it a second time. It wat a .steel shaft bar, and weighed 3001b.

The boxing and athletic tournament to take place in London during the Coronation, under the auspices of the National Sporting Club and other influential patronage, promises to exceed the limits of anything of its kind ever held. A committee was formed sometime since to conduct the extensive undertaking, one of whose objects was to bring together athletes of all kinds from every part of the universe. Boxing, wrestling, fencing, and gymnastics are amongst the many items for decision.

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