ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 57

A THLETICS.

NOTES BY AMATEUR.

The inter-'varsily athletic sports meet between Sydney and Melbourne Universities, held in Sydney on Friday Ipst, resulted in a win for Sydney by five eventsto two.

A meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association is to be held this v.'eek for the purpose of settling accounts in connection with fha recent international sports meeting. At tho came meeting a team will be selected to represent Otago at the Cross-country Championship, to bo held at Invercargill, on Monday, June 5.

One day last week I had a visit from a Scottish long-distance athlete and crossoountry runner, in the person of Mr J. M. Butter, who is ruaking his second trip to New Zealand as engineer on the s.s. Banffshire. Mr Butter, who is s member cf the Wc-st of Scotland Harriers, is well informed in matters athletic. In the course of an interesting chat he informed me, amongst oth«r things, that he has frequently competed in races in Scotland against our recent visitor Alfred Shrubb. Speaking of the English distance runner, Mr Butter remarked that h-e was present at the meeting in Sydney at which Shrubb and Duffey competed. "And what dicJ }"ou think of the meeting and the Duffey 'starting incident,' in particular?'' I asked. For reply my visitor produced from his* pocket a packet of photographs. "Here," he said; ''this will show you what" there is in the starting of Duffey in the much-discussed 100 yds race, in which the American was reported to have beaten the pistol." Well, if the camera does not lie, the photograph of the of the 100 yds race in Sydney, in which Dufft-y is reported to have beaten the pistol, clearly demonstrates that Dtiffey did not — as so many of the Sydney papers stated — start prematurely. ' Let me describe the photograph, taken at close range by Mr Butter, who was invited by the officials of the N.S.W.A.A.A. to witness the racing from the grass. Apart from the miserable array of empty beaches the picture reveals, the actual start of the 100yd!s race is clearly shown. The smoke from the starter's pistol is seen rising back from the ground as Duffey is springing off the mark. The American sprinter is caught in the act of shooting out his right leg for the first stride, while his left foot has not actually left the hole behind the starting line, which is clearly defined in the photograph. Barker an<l Rowley, the other competitors, have not begun to rise from their crouching positions. Th ; s picture would go to show that Duffey did not be-at the gun, but moved with it. It also affords a striking proof of the perfection to which the American has developed the art of starting. What the picture does demonstrate, apart from Duffey "s faultless stai-t, is tliafc both Barker and Rowley have"hung" on the mark, for while the American is shown getting in his first stride, the two Sydney sprinters are seen in th© "all fours" position. The Sydney Sportsman writer was the only one who took up the foregoing view, and the photograph at present in my possession bears out his contention that Duffey's electric dash off the mark served to show vp # the other competitor in the art of starting.

The following team has been selected tt represent Southland against Otago in tha Interprovincial Cross-oountry Championship^ to be decided on June 5: Sloan, Thomp« son, Bust, Smith, Bain, I>yon, Naoh, Anderson ; emergencies, England and M'Kenzie.

I have several times advocated the formation of harrier clubs in Auckland with the object of improving long-distance running (says an Auckland writer), but co far nothing has been done. We are now entering on the winter season, and if anything; is to bei done this season to introduce harrierism it is quite time to make a start.

The annual athletic sports at Akaroa wore hoid on Wednesday, on the Recreation Ground. There was a large attendance, and all the events filler! well. C. Schubert, the limit ma-n, won both the 100 yds and the Grand Handicap, C. Lelievre won tho Mile, W Hewitt tho 880yc?3, and J. Flynni the 440 yds Hurdles. The weather was dull, but fortunately the rain kept off. A good performance for a schoolboy athlete was that put up by J. S. Royle, of Harrow, recently, when he won the 100 yds in 10 2-ssec, 120 yds Hurdks in 17 2-ssec, 200 yds Race in 22eec, the High Jump with sft lin, and the Broad Jump with 17ft lin. Commenting on the suggestion made in these columns "respecting- a 'New Zealand; team for the cross-oountry championship _ at Caulfield, "Harrier," in the Apstralasian says : "If New Zealand and Tasmania both join in, New South Wales might also do so, for it must be remembered that so far the Victorians have admitted Tasmania as a ' club ' team, and presumably would do the same with others, until it was shown that our club, teams were not a match foe the combined teams of the other States. It would hardly be long before that stage was reached, for such as G. Blake, J. A. Stillwell, R. A. Ferguson, C. E. SuffrenJ. Muaccasa, J. R. Riddell, who might well be the first six home for Victoria, all represent different clubs."

Reported that the New South Wales Amateur Athletic Association ie striving hard to secure the Sydney Cricket Ground for November 11 and 13 in connection with the Australasian championships. L. B. Webster, Pat of that ilk, the triple crown New Zealand sprinter, who recently took up his residence in Sydney, has been, elected on the committee of the East Sydney Amateur Athletic Club. Webster, by the way, is i-eported to be going in for hurdling with a view to the Australasian championship meeting. The ex-New Zealand sprinter has given uo press work, which he found unsuitable, and taken up a position in a life insurance office in Sydney.

Commenting on the boom in harrierismi in Dunedin, "Vaulter" rightly wishes to know what has become of the harrier movement in Christchurch. I notice an Auckland scribe asking the same important 3'V"' tion in his province. * The St. Andrew Harriers held their first race of the season last Wednesday, 24-th! inst., when a record attendance (22) faced! the starter. The first man away (with 65sec) was the youngest member in the club, and' ran remarkably well, although unablo to last the distance. The winneff (M'Cracken) is a young member, who won the Cross-country Race last year, and attained his position by most determined running. The second man placed ran well, and should do good things in the future if he keeps on training, ns he is very young yet. Marryatt (third) ran a great race, and his fime (9min 2sec) showed up well;—; although not reaching- Williams's time of Bmin 54-sec last year. Watson (fourth* ran well, notwithstanding that he has not had ony training. Gill (fifh) was also oufc of training, although he ran very fairly off 15see. Williams (sixth* did not show up too well, as he was also not trained, and; his foot was not very sound. If he trains, more will be heard of him this year. A fair number of spectators watched the race. Waddell. another young runner, ran well, and should dt> better in the future. Sloan. Bloy, and A. Clarke were rather disappointing-, as better things were expected of them. It is a pity White did not run, as he is in good formi and running well. The club intend!? going to Balclutha on June 5 to hold a run there on that day. Given a fine day a most enjoyable time should be spent. The V.M.C.A. Harrier Club ran off its Open Handicap Race on Saturday afternoon over the usual course — viz., from the Hotel Metropole aloiig the road round the outside of Forbury Park, and ?> distance of about one mile and a-half The weather was perfect, and the road in good! order. Twenty-eight faced the starter (Mr J. Shaw), and were despatched according to their handicaps, 55sec separating the limit men from Dawson, at srateh. The results are as follow: — T. Laurenson, 45sec (ackial time, 9min

lOsec) 1 C. Darling, 55seo (actual time, 9min 22sec) 2 G. S. Sharpe, 20sec (actual time, Binin 55sec) 3 Peter ' Scott, 45sec (actual time, 9min 25seo) ■* with Claric, Hamblett, Dawson, Allen, and: Bagrie close up. Dawson. who finished! seventh, covered the distance in the best time — viz., Bmin 45sec, the second best time being Bmin 55sec, registered by Sharpe. TII3 best time previously registered by a member of the club over the course is Bmm 15sec. The duties of timekeepers and judges were performed by Messrs Dall (president* of the Civil Service Harriers) and A. Smith*, to whom the club's best thanks are due. Next Saturday the club i*uns from the Albany Stret School Gymnasium.

At Tahuna Park on Saturday the Dunedia Harriers held their first race of the season, the One mile and a-half Novice Race. From a large entry 24 members faced tho starter, and were sent away on their journey shortly after 3 o'clock. Completing tho first round M'Clure and Watson were leading, with M 'Donald and Campbell a short; distaneo away, followed by the rest of the runners all close handy. In the second lap Watson (20sec) went to the front, and Gallcway (lOsecj, from the back markers, made a judicious run and came into fcurtlx place. Going down the back of the {rack for the third time Watson quickened his pace, and looked as if he would win easily ; but M'Donald and Galloway responded with good runs, and Galloway, leaving M'Donald, caught Watson at the foot of the straight, and won rather easily by about 20 yards ; M'Donald. 30 yards behind Watson, gaining third place. Time. Bmin 19sec. The rest of tho club started for their usual run after the race (20 members being in the rook). and went as far aa Lawyer's Hea<T S.Tidthen along the beach towards St. Clait and back.

At club runs and races there is often a considerable delay in getting a s%rt. This has been particularly noticeable Shis year, and unfavourable comment has ueert caused. Delay at the start, besides being vexatious, is calculated to da harm to tkoso

jfrho turn up In time ancS have fo wait, stripped, for the late birds. It is not too Imuch to expect that men who get away by 3. o'clock should turn up in time to start punctually at 3. Officials would: do well 4o*-lay more stress on this being done. ♦The following are the results of the Melbourne University Championships, decided jbefore the Inter- T varsity meeting: — Half-jmileT-ISL W. Barratt (Law), 1; A. Tymm {Medicine); 2. Time, 2mm 7seo. Won. 'easily. 120 yds Hurdles— H. M. Z. Ross itaw), 1; C. Melville (Engineering), 2; R. ML. G. Elcoate (Medicine), 3. Time, 17 2-ssec. Won by three yards. 100yds— E. {Barkley (Engineering), 1; N. W. Barratt Law), 2 ; R. M - Kinley (Medicine), 3. Time, L 0 4-ssec. Won by inches. High. Jump— j; T. Lawton (Arts), sft 2iin, 1; G. A. Melville (Engineering). sft, 2; T. H. Morjan (Dental), 3. One-mile— R. R. Wettenlall (Medicine), 1: P. Oldham (Medicine), !; F. Gavan Duffy (Law), 3. Time, 4min H> 2-ssec. Won by 25 yards. Quarter-mile — N. W. Barratt (Law), lj G. A. Melville . Engineering), 2; R. L. G. Elcoaie (Medi:ihe), 3. Timet, 55sec. Barratt cantered; in. Dong Jump — D. M'Whae (Medicine), 19ft 3in,.1; J. T Lawton (Arts), 19ft 7£in, 2; M. P. Garner (Medicine), 19ft, 3.

*-" A wrestling match which promises to rival in!,. interest the famous meeting between Haekensehmidt and Madrali at Olympia, is for take place shortly in London. The contest *i« to be for the middle-weight wrest- ' ling championship of the world in catch-as-catch-can style, at present held by Jo© "" Garroll. Carroll's opponent will be the - great Japanese jiu-jitsu champion, Tarro " Myaki, whoso wonderful skill is attracting cvoirda to the Lyceum Theatre. Carroll JSeing very anxious to bring the match, "about, sent the following challenge: — "As ;|phampion catch-as-catch-can wrestler of the "jSrorld, I beg to issue through the columns mthe Express a challenge to Tarro Myaki', .mpioa jiu-jitsu wrestler of Japan, to ,' wrestle wiih me in oatch-as-eateh-cah style 1-por the- world's championship. I have now ;*rre3tled.with Myaki four times, in his own iptyle, and I think~it is time that he gave me Jai chance oE showing 1 what I can do in SpSibh-as-oaloh-can style. Even should I poeat him, that will not affect his position fbi.s champion Jiu-jitsu- wrestler, whereas if F Sie beats me he will become champion joatch-as-eatch-can wrestler of the world. 1 ehall be glad to meet Myaki in catch-as-*?.atoh-can style under the auspices of the SExpress at an early- date, to be fixed. — Joe Carroll, the Gymnasium, Camberweil gate." &he editor of the Express informed Myaki npf Carroll's challenge, and offered to make Jill arrangements for a meeting between the Sfcwo champions. Through the interpreter, pir Edaa, Myaki expressed his^pleasure at pCarroll's challenge, and said that he would Hbe glad to meet him in catch-as-catch-can «tyle. „ '¥. Ford*, champion all-round athlete -,*>f New Zealand, was. tendered a banquet at SGrove Bush the other evening, £50 persons ibeing present. He was presented with_ a igold watch and two medals in recognition pf his achievements in the athletic arena.