ATHLETICS, NOTES BY AMATEUR

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 30 March 1904, Page 54

ATHLETICS,

NOTES BY AMATEUR

FIXTURES,

Ipril I—Axemen's1 — Axemen's Carnival, Invercargill. Easter Monday — Ashburton Amateur Athletic

Club. Easter— lnter-'Varsity Athletic Tournament,

Dunedin. April 9— Schools Championship Meeting. August 26, 30, 31.— Olympian Games, St. Louis,

U.S.A. September 1, 2, 3. — Olympian Games (continued).

The Victorian Amateur Athletic Association incurred a loss of £16 12s over the recent Australasian, Championship meeting in Melbourne. Information has been received foreshadowing an invasion of Australasia by some of the great wrestlers* of the world, including Haekenschmidt, the Russian champion, and

Carkeek, the well-known English wrestler. -in. all /probability they will give exhibitions "in New Zealand. "I understand that Mr -Harry . Rickards" has made arrangements for ±K& appearance of Carkeek in Australia, ''It Mac been given out that Moyes, the Canterbury College athlete, intends to retire from the tract after the inter- J varsity athletic tournament at Easter.

A Chrisichurch writer asserts that there

will have tcV be a great all-iound improve- ■- inent if Canterbury College representatives are to hold their own at the inter-varsity tournament. Foster, Moyes, and Rice, who secured most -wins in the recent athletic meeting of Canterbury College, are said to lie a long way from top form. Particulars are to hand by the last English mail of a proposed jumping contest for £1000 aside, which Harry A. Hurst, of America, is anxious to arrange with John Btiggins, of England, who styles himself "14 years undefeated champion all-round jumper of the world." Another Englishman named Baker is desirous of meeting Higrgine. Trouble has, however, arisen over iwhat an all-round jumping contest is, and iwhen the mail left nothing had been defltoitely decided. Higgins wants to use •weights, but Hurst was against this proposal. The champion- distance runner of NewSouth Wales, S. W. York, has decided to xetire from the track. York, 'who was born in April, 1873, has a long list of performances tc his credit, including many championships. York was beaten by W. F. SimpBon, af New Zealand, in the Three Mile Commonwealth Celebration Championship

in 1900, but turned the tables later in the ~ day. by winning the One Mile Championship with Simpson in second place-. The fact that several aboriginal sprintel'3 appearing in pedestrian events in Queensland" are being fed and clothed and travelled . at the Government expense, is being freely commented on. There were on-© otr two fine performances mt the inter-collegiat© meeting of Emmanuel (Cambridge) and Braesnose (Oxford) on February 18. S. Abrahams (Emmanuel) won the IJong Jump with a fine effort of 21ft 3in, T. A. Leach (Braesnose) doing 21ft 2£in. O. B. Lewis won the Mile in 4min 535 ec 6. P. Connop (Braesnose) is credited •with doing sft 12£ in in the High Jump, but I think it is a misprint, and should be 4ft 12iin.

. The Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletio Association decided to inform all amateur athletes of the rule

requiring registration of competitors before taking part in any sports gathering. It •was decided to disqualify a runner who

competed in an amateur event at the Hawke's Bay Caledonian sporta. Mr E. W. Cardale was elected secretary, vice Mr Bpeed, resigned. The Victorian Amateur Athletic Association, at its last meeting, decided to recommend that £15 be set aside as the nucleus Df a fund for the next Victorian team to visit Sydney for the Australasian championBhip meeting n&xt year. The inter-university athletic tournament on, Easter Monday next should provide a good day's sport. Canterbury College, the .holders of the Athletic Challenge Shield, are sending down an exceptionally strong team, /whilst Auckland XJnive-rsity College and Victoria College will b© strongly represented. Otago University men are in hard training to keep the shield in Duneddn. R. Hay, the holder of the 100 yds and 220 yds 'Varsity championships, will ako be down, and as he has been in hard training he should improve on last year's performances, as he then, had very little training. Hay has represented M-olbourne University ag&inat Sydney, and in the Aiistralasiaei championship "held in Auckland he shared ■with Moir, Hunter, and Macpherson, the honour of representing Victoria in the sprint events. George' Smith could give Say very little in the hundred. Hay's time last Easter at Auckland was 10 2-ssee. W. H. Moyes, the Canterbury College sprinter and 'Varsity quarter mile champion,

■will be amongst the competitors at Caris-

brook. At Auckland last year Moyes was ' ibeaten ~in the 100 yds and 220 yds by Hay, but won the 440 yds with ease in 51 2-ssec. Webster, who attacked the record in a handicap event on the same day, though paced to some extent, could not g-e-t inside 52sec. With the good quarter-mile track at Carisbrook, we consider Moves should -beat 51sec, whilst the i-ace betw x a Hay and he in the 220vds should te and exciting, tnd get within the standard time cf 23 3 ss-cc, Stuckey, Marsd-en, and Ga.tland, of Auckland, are* all good sprinters. Stuckev ran second in' 1903 in the 100 yds and 220 yds. Marsden, when at the Auckland Grammar School, was credited with 10 2-ssec, and if, Ze rumour has it, he is rcgainirvr bis tTut> form, the sprints should provide gcod racing-. Rosewarn&, who represented Auckland last fear, is now studying at the Medical School, and don.- the running shoe for Otago. He is a fine build of athlete, and by assiduous

training is rapidly getting into form, so that he, with O'Kane, Parkinson, >nd Milroy, are factors to be reckoned with in the jprints.

A. S. Henderson, of "Victoria College, who ihased George Smith in the New Zealand 140 yds Hurdles in Auckland, and last year Unaccountably beat O'Kane, th-en holder of the New Zealand Championship, is uncertain of getting away to this mec+ing. He holds tire 'Varsity 880 yds record of 2min 3 l-ssec, but test year did not defend hie title, Davie, of Otago. winining with ease in 2min ssec. , Had Henderson urn Davie would undoubtedly have beaten the record. The Canterbury team would not be complete without E. D. Rice, who is one cf tlis

best all-round athletes in New Zealand. At the Auckland tournament Rica was placed second 'in the 120 yds Hurdles, Long Jump, and Weight-putting, and he won the Lawn Tennis Singles Championship, and, with Cox, the Doubles Championship. He is a, sound cricketer, and has represenred his province' in Ru<;by ii. the three-quarter line. Amongst the open events are 220 yds, Halfmile, Three Miles, and Hop, Step, and Jump. The Canterbury College team will number betwewen 25 and 30, Victoria College 20 to 25, and Auckland about 15. The medals for championships are of bronze, except in the case of the athletic events, where breaking a record entitles to a gold medal. To prevent gold medals going too cheaply standards have been set up, and anything under •"■he- standard is only considered a test performance. The- rne-dals bear the arms of the New Zealand University, and as they are oast from a die the bronze ones only cost 4s 6d, thus proving that the eporfc in the universities is as purely amateur and sportsmanlike as all amateur sports should

At the annual inter-varsity athletio meeting decided in London on Saturday, Cambridge won eight events, and Oxford two. Cambridge alscT won the boat lace decided on the same day, after a splendid struggle, by two lengths and a-quartsr. A correspondent supplies the following particulars respecting the Otago representatives in the inter-varsity athletic tournament to be decided on Easter Monday: — Patrick is, shaping well over the half-mile and quarter, and I expect to see |m well up in both events. ~ Andrew and Harrison, the distance men, are going very strong. The- former would do better if he learnt how to sprint. Harrison may be found handy in the Mile, but I do not anticipate that he will win.

Although Davie has not jet put in an appearance, he is almost sure to uphold his last year's performances. [ understand ha is doing good work at Timaru. Buck and C. Gilray aro very keen on the Long Jump. I anticipate that Buck will beat his last year's performance. Buck is also m good form with the Hammer and Weight. Gilray would do better if h© got on to the "block better. He jumps too far behind. He is almost cortam to secure a place in the High Jump. Rosewarne, erstwhile Auckland's rep., is coining on nicely. Ho is rather heavy, and lately has been suffering from cold, but is improving slowly. Milroy is sprinting well, and should beat more than beat him in the 220 yds Championship. Johnston is training consistently. Buck and O'Kane are going well over the hurdles. The latter is sprinting much better than last year. Thomson is in fair condition, and will run well. Aitken, the Otago walker, is •training hard. The Auckland Athletic and Cycle Club's autumn carnival was held on Saturday in fin© weather, but though no srrong counter attractions were on the board, and capital entries had been receive-d, the- attendance of the public (wires my Auckland correspondent) was distinctly -disappointing, there being only about 1400 persons on the JDomain Ground to witness the sports, "ihis yeir the club's Victor Ludoram trophy went to the runners, and the covered prize was won by a comparatively new s spirant to athletic fame in the person ct Hooker, who finished first in the 220 yds Handicap off 16yds, in 22 2-ssee, and ran second loir. R. Marriott, at present the- finest sprinter in the- club, in the 100 yds, and 440 yds Handicaps. Marriott, who had 3yds in the 100 yds, and! 7yds in the 44-Oyds, won the respective events in lOsee and 53sec, running ag-ainst the wind for 50 or 60 yards in the longer distance, and for eight or nine yards in the 100. L. B. Webster, &x-champion of New Zealand, competed in both the 100 yds and 220 yds Handicnys, but failed to get a place in his heat in the 100 yds, while after qualifying for the 220 yds by getting second place' in his heat, ho was unable to get into the placed division in the final of that event. Considering that the final of the Furlong race was won in 22 2-s'seo, it is no surprise that the New Plymouth crack failed to get np, as the competitors were battling against strong wind at the- business end of the journey. At the same time Webster's running clearly showed that he- was not in as good form as when the spriming honors of the colony fell to his lot some 13 or 15 months ago. In the High Jump C. ('. Laurie could only get seeoml place with sft 7in (scratch), T. A. Kerr Taylor winning with sft 9in, including a handicap of throe inches.

SCHOOLS' CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING

A full meeting of the Sports Committee was held on Monday, Mr W. J. Mcorc in the chair. Ihe Secretary reported that 500 entiies had been received for the various events on the programme of the championship meeting,, which takes place on the Caledonian Grounds on the fir.=t Saturday after Easter, 9th April. The meeting will be the first schools' championships' ever he.d in Otago. and the keenest enthusiasm is being shown throughout Oiago, and all schools aie well represented, and keen competition for the honoured positions of champions is bound to be witnessed. The Caiedojiian Gioimds are crowded clai'y with yoursgsteis training for the events, and getting starting practice from athletes and members of the Otago Centre. The Mar.agenieiiu Corr.niittee has matters well in hand, and is do:i:g its utmost to make the initial schools' championship meeting a marked success. Medals are to be presented to winters of the following championships — lOOytU flat under 15. 22Oyds flat under 15, half-xnrc under IG, and one-mile under 16. The Dunedin Amat?';r Athletic Club, in addition, ha' 3 sreneiously offered to g-ve the winners free membership of its club for two yeais, so that il any of the boys leave school they will be given a fair chance to &la>t a caieer in amateur athletics.

At Monday's meeting of the Sports Committee the offiicinlE for the championship meeting were appointed as follow : Referee, Mr H. B. Courtis; suoenivtender.t. Mr A. Dey ; judges of running — Me=srs R. G. Wherinr, W. Bennett, W. B. Graham, J. Brady, W. M Laren. G. W. Macdonald, W. L?ne. and Dr Stanley Batchejor; judees of w.iik'iig— Messrs G. Galloway and A. Fmdlay ; judae^ field events — "Messrs P. S. K. Mecassey. J. J. Kingston, F. H. Campbell, anJ. W. F. W.itters ; bicycle race judges — Messrs W. J. Mooie, J. M'Phee, and Thcs. Bf-eg; starter and handicapper, Mr W. M'Donakl ; press stewards, Mcasis A. J. Sullivan and A. Marryatt ; telegraph board — Messrs F. Jago, J. Regan, T. Gordon, and W. Boithwick; clerks of the course — Me^rs G. MMi llan, W. Rudkin, J. Mooney, and G. Moicton. The members of the Otago Centre •will also assist.

DUNEDIN AMATEUR A'JHLETIC CLUB

A comnii+ee meeting of the Dunecbn Amateur Athletic Cub, held on Fuday in the Otago Cycling Club's looms, v/a; attended by Messrs 11. B. Courtis (president, m tht chair), S. Jacob? (vice-p. c3xlejt), H. Bulk, A. B. Christie, T. R. G 02 don, A. Iloare, J. Mooney, T.

Murray, W. J. O'Ksine, and J. T. Hamann (hon. secretary). Cvnskierab'e satisfaction was expiessed at the resist of the club's annual sports meeting, held 021 12th Jlsrch, the opinion ben:g that it was one of the most successful athletic meetings ever held in Dunedin. _ A hearty vote of thanks was p-aseed to tie various gentlemen who acted as officials at the club's annual sports, also to the Civil Service Harrier and Amateur Axhletic Club for the support given throughout the season. Accounts amounting to £52 4s 3d were passed for payment. The D.A.A.C. intend supporting the various meetings on Easter Monday, and members intend competing at Invercargill, Oamaru, Ashburton, and the University meeting at Dtinedin. It was decided to present the prizes won during the season at a meeting to be held at the Ota go Cycling Club's rooms as soon after Easter as possible. THE WELLINGTON MEETING. WELLINGTON, March 26. The annual meeting of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Association -,vas hold to-day in beaiitiful v.-eathtr, and some 2503 were present, including the Premier and Sit J. G. Ward and party. The Junior Handicap. 100 yds, was won by H. Marshall (syds) in 10 l-sse c . The Half-mile Flat was won on the tape by Cozens (45yds), with Burnett (10yds) second; time 2min 8 4-ssec. The O"e-rni!e Walk was won easily by F. Ross from scratch in 7min 2G 4-sscc, Meston (200 yds) second. In the Twomile Flat W. F Simpson (the Now Zealand champion) endeavoured to beat his own Australian record of 9min 42sec, but failed. He covered the first half-mile in 2min 20sec, the mile in smin ssec. the mile and a-half in 7min 50sec, and the full distance in lOmin 22 4-ssec, nrishing 300 ya.rds in front of Robinson (JSOyds). The College Championship, 100 yds, was won by B. Goodbehcre (Wellington College) in 11 l-ssec ; the 100 yds Flat by C. Griffiths (Byds), after a close Tace with tha Premier's son, T. Seddon (syds) in 10 l-ssec. Ross won the Half-mile Walk in 3min 15 l-ssec, beating the standard by 4 4-s«ec. K. W. King won the jump with 20ft 6in. Henderson (owing 15yds) won the 120 yds Hurdles in 19 l-sssc from Thompson (owing lOrds), and takes Mr Tancred's cup. B. Goodbshere (Wellington College) won the Quart-er-inile College Championship in 56aeo. In the 220ydg Handicap T. Stubb (scrstch) jU3t beat T Seddon (10yds) in 23 l-sscc (2-ssec under the standard), and takes P. Nathan's cup. W. Arthur (Te Aroa) won the 100 yds Pubic School's Championship in 12 2-ssec. In the Mile Eace Simpaon started, and though he broke the standard, finishing in 4min 41& ec, lie finished thiid to Bamdell (lOOj'd?). and De la Mero (70yds). Blundell won easTy by sonic- yard? in 4mi:i 34 2-osec. H. Thompson (25yds) won tha Quarter-mile easily in 52s£c from H. King (2Pyds). The High Jump was won by W. Taylor, sft sijin (inckiding 6in handicap). W. H. Brewer won Putting the Weight with 35ft Ohm (including a handicap of 6ft). H. W. King and H. D. Thompson tied for H. D. Bell's oup for most points at th«; meeting, and Ross, Bltindell, and Cozens tied for L. Tripp's cup for the running and walking events.