HARRIER NOTES, By "The Hare."

Otago Witness, Issue 2528, 27 August 1902, Page 53

HARRIER NOTES, By "The Hare."

Although the Port Ohalmers-Pelichet Bai Road Race is open to all local amateurs, it is not exciting much interest outsido th« circle of the harriers who are promoting it. The handsome challenge cup, presented by the president of the Dunedin Harriers, has been locked away eomewher», when it should have been on view in one of tho city windows. A valuable advertisement for the race ia thus being lost.

This year th* race will probably resolve itself into a Dunedin Harrier road race, be» cause very few outsiders know anything about it, and if it is to be an annual affair, the Dunedin Barriers will, in future years, have to advertise it to greater advantage than has been tho case this year. Several harriortt have been over the distance, and given a fine day and a good "field," a fair exhibition, of road racing should result.

Good news comes from Christchurch. A harrier club has been formed there, and it 'is intended to do everything to promote this form of sport in the City of the Plains.' Tho first run (says an exchange) was over a course extending from the corner of Armagh street and Oxford Terrace across Hagley Park aud back. \ia tho Carlton Mill ' and Park roads. Notwithstanding ihe drizsle which set in, a dozen enthusiasts put in an appearance, and, headed by Mr F. A. Hornibrook, took part in tho run, which was voted most enjoyable by the participants.

It is to be hoped that our northern friends will follow tho example set in Dunedin during the first two years of existence of th© Dunedin Harriers. A choice few (there are always these in every venture) stuck by the club through thick and thin, a.nd the result has .surpassed all expectations.

Football scorns to still have a strong attraction for harriers. The interpro. match, last Saturday no doubt accounted for the falhng-off in attendance at the Dunedin Harriers' run, but 25 odd members who did turn up enjoyed tho hospitality of Mr and Mrs Divers to the full.

When the club are to be entertained as gue*ts by patrons of the sport, it behoves the, membei , to make a special effort to pub in an appearance. This year the attendance has been excellent, but perhaps a word in tho above strain will not be out of place. The V M.C.A. held a most enjoyable run. at St. Leonards last Saturday, when they albo were entertained by one of their fnondn.

The St. Andrew's Harriers had an exciting i mi hi^t Wednesday. The hares laid the tiail light through the middle of the Tomahawk Lagoun, and, nothing loth, the pack followed : sometimes up to their waists in water. It was noticed that the pate, after emerging from the cooling waters of tho lngcon, was as fast as the wet, clinging garments of the lunncra would allow. Every care was taken to prevent the possibility of cold catching, and the St. A. H. are now willing to tackle anything in the shape of a river or lagoon which they might meet in, their wandering?. This afternoon the St. Andrew's Harriers run from th© ICaikorai Valley store, meeting at the Octagon car at 2.2o' sharp.