NOTES BY AMATEUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2677, 5 July 1905, Page 58

NOTES BY AMATEUR.

'. The next meeting of the Council of the ~ - Jfcw Zealand' Amaieui; Athletic Association - ,is set down for Friday,, Joily 14. " .1 "Mr Jl GTruar,, vice-president of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association andcne of Otago's delegates on. the council, announced! at the meeting, of the council on'Eiaday evening that owing to bi& leaving ton *, visit to- England shortly he- would &afe io .resign* his, position. The-resigna-tions-was, accepted with-, regret. - v TSej' Otagp Centime of the New Zealand- ~ SAraatßur; Boxing, Association has secured-- • r the> Erincess,- Theatre- foe July. 24 and 25' for- tha Newr Zealand; ■ championships, J" The- Dunedin. Asnglican Barriers held: theu! weekly vow on Saturday, when there -jfras a, large -muster of runners.. A 1 good 1 jtraali' was- laid through; the. Woodhaugfc *jVsdtey r and- up; over 1 the. slopes- of Mount The run was very/ enjoyable. - - *FMs JJorifr Otago- Glub-. has nominated' .♦Messrs Jl T. Hamaim and 1 W. L. M'Curdy W its, delfega^e3 on fclie Otago? Centre of ibA-New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. ' <. '- The* members of the Civil Service' Club "journeyed to Wingatui on- Saturday, and -'fenjpyed a very pleasant run* from the raee■<pouibs€& . Theoce- wa£ a large muster, and ~\apd ! form was shown By several of the runners., \ A\ combined run from Wingatui was held Jast Saturday by the members of tho St. '!Joseph.'s, University, South Dunedin Pres,jt>ytpriau,, and Dunedin Harriers. The pacK _'|lvas a very Targe- one, numbering about ,^O,. and" a. good sun was fovmd over the .Surrounding- country. Qh> Saturday, the "V.M.C.A. Harriers ran From Mornington, wHen there were present Jsome > 30F members. One o£ the best trails bf the season was laid, the fine weather ■experienced, lately leaving, the ground in. good; condition. There 1 was only a fair muster of the Port Cahlmeivj Hairier* lass Saturday, when, the weekly run was- held. With five minutes' jsfcarfc;- thfe hares (Taylor and Bauchop) laid Jfche* trail up the hill towards the Junction, thea descended on the St. Leonards side 'fco'thet Lower road, by a rough, bushy gully. :?Ehe s paper then followed, the road- round Hoseneat3r Peninsula, and past the railway Station back to the hall. - At the recent meeting of tho Otago 'Centre of the NLZ.A.A^.A., it was pointed •nufc that several applications- far reinstatetalent as amateurs- had been forwarded to fche- council 1 in Cliristchurch some time -ago, _hub no reply had been received. # The secretary was instructed to inquire' about tho tame, and urge for their early consideration. Several of these applications were granted ftt a meeting on Friday evening last, but 'there, remain others yet to be- considered. Sequel to the Australian tour of world's t>hamgions Shrubb and Duffey and WheatSey and Widmer are the records created by them and passed by the New South Wales 'Amateur Athletio Association: — Two miles, Bmin 33 3-ssec ; three miles, 14min 54-3»ec; four mile*, 20inin 0 3-ssec: five •miles.. 25min 4 3-ssec — Alfred' Shrubb. £80yds,, Imin 56 +-ssee— G. A. Wheatley. 220.yd&, 21 4-ssec— Nigel Barker. 100 yds, lOsec— Arthur DufFey and Nigel Barkei*. Tr> deciding to hold the big interclub Cross-country race at Wingatui over genuine cross-country, the Otago Centre has acted ■wisely. The course is probably the best that can be secured, and should give satisjfaction to the competitors, while the spectators will be able to obtain a good view of the race from the erand stand on the ftraceeourae. The last Saturday in August somewhat late to hold the contest in •view of th© prospect of Otago getting ! control .of the New Zealand CroST-eountry Championship. The conditions for the interolub cro«s- ' iountry race are very simple. The teams | bre to consist- of six men, tho fi'-^fc five tome to count. The prizes are to bo a banner to the winning team and a trophy to the first, man homo. I regret to nor-o that the chairman of the Otago Centre had ac the last meeting toccasion to bring before tho delegates the question of the carele^ncss of runners 1

when, crossing fences. The protection of property is a matter which every harrier worthy of the name should make his first consideration. The runner who cannot take his fences without damaging them should be asked to stand down from the weekly run, for one careless act o£ his is going to cost the club its reputation and to debar to its members some of the best courses in the country. The dates for the Australasian Championship meeting to be held this year in Sydney Have now been definitely fixed for November 11 and 13. New Zealand athletes who do not as a rale attain "condition" before January and February may be incouveniencsd by the date, which would suit them, better early in the new year.

George Smith, the New Zealand amateur hurdle champion, who won the 120 yds l Hurdles at tke English, championship meet- ' ing of 1900j is about to make another tour of England, on this occasion as a member of the New Zealand footba-U team, 1 leaving on July 30. 1 There- wa.? a> lw*4y discussion at the belated meeting of the Council of the XZ.i-A-i, ' held, in Christchurch. on- Friday evening. Some plain truths wen© spoken. Mr Asehmaffl said that the council had stood for three- months without calling a. meeting, and complaints, were being made of its- inaction. .Other centre* had suggested tliat the headquarters should be moved from Christchurch, and the council would, probably hear more of that proposal. He was net at all pleased that there bad' been such delay in the con-sider-atiom of the accounts of the championship meeting. — Mr- Batchelor said that the. delay seemed unreasonable. The centres L were anxiouo to know the result cf the championship' meeting,, and the council ■- shouiid. 1 have performed its duties more faithfully. — Mr Green said'; that he* agreed with M> Aachman and. Mr Batcfielor. He was almost ashamed to belong, to a council which ' had so neglected its- duties, not only in failing to call a- meeting, but in withholding from, the guarantors the return, they? expected for the sum* guaranteed by them for the Simiifib-Duffey tout). If the money was available, it should have been returned within- 10 days of the meeting. He thought that the- council deserved some explanation of the delay froni the chairman. — Mr Atack said-that he was of the same opinion. Membet's- of the council who had asked for an earlier meeting should, have the position explained. The suggestion for a change of headquarters had been' made in Dunedin, but he thought that there would be nothing to gaiu by a change; even thou*^ Otago was showing keen' interest in athletics. — The President saidr that the fault was not entirely his. Ha had' informed the secretary of the desire for a meeting, but it had apparently not suited' him. to call the council together. — Mb Green said that the whole success of the council must -'epend upon its executive, officers, and iti was playing ducks and drakes with the business to- allow such delay as had occurred. He thought that the council should he assured of the competency of its officers. — The Secretary stated that he had/ intended calling' a meeting immediately after Easter-, but it was found inirossible to have the moetmg. om the dates proposed. Since then, the- matter had drifted along. Hei accepted' all- the responsibility for the delay in the caUdng of the meeting — Mr Aschman considered that the secretary's explanation was a strong reason why the headquarters, rhould, bff shifted to- Wellington. The- explanation: was perhaps the worst that- could be offered to the- centres. — Mr Green, said, that the matter should be brought to a head that night. He would not continue to be- associated with a .body where the same thing was likely to happen again. If the council had not got. officers who could do their duty, then they should get officers who could. It seemed to him that the secretary was too busy to give the Eecessary time to the work of the association, and that he -should! be given the opportunity of resigning. II he did not do so tho speaker would certainly resign his position as a- jnombem of the council. — The Chairman sa-id that the question was whether the secretary could devote sufficient time to remedy matters. — The Secretary re-plied-that he would be- una.ble to give suffi1 cient time to the business of the association until the annual meetinar in October. — Ma* 9 Green said that he would therefore move that Mr East he asked to resign.— What ■ happened to ISlr Green's motion is not known, for another delegate was allowed to move that the meeting should go into committee, which was accordingly done. The tit-bit on the card of the Black- ' heath Harriers' sports, held at London Crystal Palace, was the invitation 130 yds handicap, formed to give the English champion sprinter, W. J. Morton — who was to nave made a tour of the colonies with Shrubb and Duffey — a chance of showing his pace over this distance. Morton ran very fast for » 100 yards against a stiff breeze — so fast indeed that he drew level with Tremeer, whom he was standing 2-^yds, — but Morton's effort ended, and Tremeer slipped through a high-class field with a yard to spare. A petition has been presented for the winding up of- the Rochdale Amateur Athletic Company, which was floated 10 years ago with a capital of £5000, and on whose grounds so many historic races have been run. The solicitor foi the company said the debts amounted to £550. He was afraid there would be nothing for thgi shareholdei's after the creditors had been satisfied. A new company is now in course of construction to take over the grounds, and this is meeting with good support.

The Scottish amateur high jump champion, which samtfr is B. G. Murray, is reported to have gone over to the professional ranks. He competed in the English championships last year, dead-heating with Milne and' O'Connor.

An attempt is being made to bring A. Shrubb and A. Aldridge together on WhitMonday on the Sporte Ground in connection with fehe Redhill Football Club sports. With this object in view a Marconigram has been despatched to Shi'ubb inviting him to compete against this year's 10-mile National Cross-country champion on that date. — London Sportsman.

The English mile records are 4min 12|sec (professional), by W. G-. George. Lillie Bridge, August 23, 1886, and 4min 16 4-ssec, by J. Binks- at Stamford Bridge, July 5, 1902.

The Bishop of London, who presented the prizes to the successful competitors at the sports of the London Training College, had a word or two to say on the value of athletic-, to the man whose ordinary vacation lies in the- direction of mental rather than manual effoit. His lordship said that he felt aure that without, the condition induced by regular exercise both in the past and present it would be impossible fov him to c;ct through the mass of work which his bishopiic entaikd. He also urged on those

of his hearers about to take \ip teaching as a profession to interest themselves in the sports of those under their care and teach them to become good sportsmen and "manly" men. Needless to say, his remarks found a warm, welcome with the sturdy representatives of the colleges present..

w ithin the next few weeks Alfred Shrubb will be again in England — indeed, I ("Vefceran'") shall not be surprised to see him competing for the S.L.H. against the Racing de France next Whit-Sunday, and in some of the invitation events (of which there are several, from 190 metres to 5000 metres — a limited handicap) on Whit-Mon-day. The 1000 Metres Scratch Race, the 2000 Metres Handicap, and the Invitation Inter-club Relay Race (one mile in four quarters) should prove particularly interesting-. Slirubb has not confined his attention solely to running during his stay in the colonies. He has had some quail-shooting and deer-stalking, and has had a bit of success with his gun. Sixteen quails and a deer (the latter bowled over from a distance of 200 yards) represented his bag. The. deer was the first victim. Quails followed as a matter of course. The champion will have a fund of anecdote- for his friends and fellow-athletes on his return.

One day the president of the English A.A.A. (Lord Alv<?rstone, Lord Chief Justice, as" he is now) was driving in a hansom to the Law Courts when his cab was run into by another. Chi alighting Sir Richard Webster (as he then was) gave the cabman his card. Perhaps he would be wanted as a witness. The case came on in due course, and Sir Richard, coming into court, was asked to take a seat near the bench. The verdict was given in the cabman's favour. When Sir Richard went out there stood cabby" waiting for him. "Jump in, sir, I'll drive yer anywheres. I knowed it 'ud be all right when I saw yer up there a-squaring the beak." Once a witness being cross-examined by Sir Richard practically pleaded for mercy. "Let U3 down light^," said the. witness; "many's the time I seen yer stepping round the track like a greyhound, so now, there, let us down lightly." And the appeal was not made to deaf ears. In the spring of 1906 the "King of Greece will open the Athenian Stadium for the celebration of the Olympic Games. The programme includes foot-racing, wrestling, jumping, rowing, tennis, cricket, etc. The Marathon road ra<se is the principal attraction, for long distance runners. Classio readers will remember (says a writer) that after the famous battle of Marathon, "where Persians victim horde first bowed beneath the brunt of Hellas sword," a horse-soldier started for Athens to announce the glad tidings of victory to the Greeks. On the road, however, his horse, fagged after the hard fighting, dropped dead, after doing but quarter of the journey. His vider then started on foot at top speed, and reached the gates of the city, where he gasped the- one word, "Nike!" or "Victory!" and dropped dead also. He had a funei'al -that was. the envy of every corps for a hundred miles round in neturn for his 9^ miles' journey, and the great race above-mentioned 'serves to keep his memory green, to-day. An enthusiastic athlete and worker in the cause of athletics is Dr Badger, one time president of the Midland Counties Athletio Association (England). His hints for athletea are wise;

Bo5 r s of 14 to 18 should not be alloTrcd to train They require all their strength for mental development.

The muscles should be kept warm right up to the moment of running.

Severe massage -of the muscles in the dressing room before a race is a mistake.

Very gentle massage to give the skin pliability and a glow may be beneficial. If you are young you don't need alcohol. If you are older, and have been used to it, extreme moderation may be a wiser course than total abstinence.

Odd' drinks between meals must b© tabooed.

Eat pretty well everything- in moderation — except pastry.

Breathe deeply. The portions of the lungs not in vesv.lav use are the first to be attacked by die«ti^e.

A friendly jog aei - os<j-- country is more beneficial to healbh. than an inter-club race. race.

Long distances should only be attempted gradually. To run a three-miles race a week after. the opening run is madness.

The best exercises are those which exhilarate, such as outdoor game«.

Veterans' races are a vic-e.

• Great exertion by veterans who have for years dropped their athletic training may bring about heart troubles. Once an athlete, always be an athlete, and you will prolong your youth. Don't sink into a fireside critic.

The English Amateur^ Athletic Championship meeting, at which our recent visitors Alfred Shrubb and Arthur Duffey were to compete, were held at the Stamford Bridge ground (London) on Saturday last. No results will be to hand for sonic little time yet.

The last English amateur championships resulted in a profit of £185. The One-mile Amateur Championship of the Midland Counties (Eng.). decided on May 20, resiilted in a win for H. Hulford, of Herne Hill and Birchfield Harriers, by 15 yards in 4min 35 l-sscc.

A proposal to eliminate the hammerthrow from the list of championship events at the English Amateur Athletio Association's championships was lost at a meeting of that body, held recently. As an alternative, the present rule as to the definition of a hammer, especially in regard to the 5.0-called wire handles, was referred to tho General Committee for revision.

K. J. Scott, tho New Zealand wrestler, who recently lowered the colours of the Hindoo, George Brahm, sends me a. postcard from Melbourne, where hp was preparing for his match with Harry G-erth. Scott will wrestle the winner of the Weber-Singh match for the championship of Australia, and then intends returning to New Zealand, he hopes, with an unbeaten record.

The great amateur athletic meeting of the Western. Colleges of America, decided on a fast track at Chicago, and witnessed by 5000 spectators, was replete with sensational record-breaking performances. Lightbodj (Chicago) smashed all existing Western records? for one mile by cutting out the distance in 4-niin 25seo. The ea-me athlete also won the Half iv the fast time of Imin 57 2-ssee. The 100 yds Dash was won by Blair, of Chicago, in lOsec dead. The 120 yds Hurdles was scooped in by Catlin, of Chicago, who hopped over tha *tu*k% in

16sec. Waller, of Wisconsin, won the 440 yds in tho fast time of 50sec. Hegen.=<?r. of Chicago, annexed the 220 yds in 22sec. The 220 yds Low Hurdles wenfc to Garrells, of Michigan, in 25 l-secc. A fine performance was created in the Pole Vault by the Illinois athletes, who tied at lift 9|in. Barker, of lowa, won the High Jump, clearing sft lOiin, while Friend, of Chicago, won the Broad Jump with 23ft o|in. Parry, of Chicago, won the Hammer with 156 ft, and Dunlop (Michigan) the Shot Put with 44ft lliin. Rcwe, of Michigan, romped home in the Two-mile in the fast time of 9min SOsec. Chicago University won the contest with 56 points, and Michigan second with 38 points.

Tho secretary of the Dunedin Harriers is having the following circular re the "paperchase," which is to be given a trial on the Bth inst., distributed amongst members: — "Dear Sir, — Your committee note with pleasure the continued gootL attendanco of members, and have no dofflj^^hat this season will be tlie- most successfUj&jkj the club's history. v j^| " Inter-club Team Race. — In view of rafe: contest, it would be well for all members' to pay careful attention to healthy commonsense living and to their mode of training, and in this connection perhaps some of the time usually spent in running on the track could be more profitably used in indulging in long pleasant walks. We have the authority of experts that walking is an excellent method of training for long distance racing. One great advantage it has over training by means of running only is that the pcss-ibility of overdoing it is practically non-existent. It will perhaps be superfluous' to point out also to members the value to one's wind which the regular practice of proper deep breathing exercises for, say. 10 minutes a day will have. As other clubs possess some very gcod men, we cannot a-fford to take the risk of under-estimating the 1 strength of opposing teams. The- D.H. holds the honour of being the senior club in. Cfargo, and therefore nutet not on any account be beaten in this race. July 22. — Your committee have accepted with pleasure the invitation of Mr and Mrs Cailan to run from Leren street, Roslyn, on this date. You might please take a note of this on your syllabus. July 8 (Paperchase).— "With reference to the run from Mr Bunting's oa the Bth July, perhaps a few particulars may be of interest. The idea, ■is to ' hold a true ' paperchase ' on this date, at which members will bo given a free hand' with the pace and in finding out the trail. It is not intended that the event should be considered as an ordinary race, but one which, while giving to those who are fit an opportunity of enjoying to the full their increased health and strength, would provide excitement and pleasure for all, and at the same time should not unduly break up the pack. The bringing forward of the scheme arose from a sincere desire to make the grand and healthy sport of harrierism as attractive as possible, not only to present members, but also to other young follows, who, hearing our own men speak enthusiastically of the afternoon's run, may thereby be induced to join the* club. As false trails of from 50 to 100 yards will be laid at intervals, the new members and those who prefer to go slow so as to p.tudy and admire the beauties of Nature need have little fear of being left much in the rear, as tho front men will' be pulled up every now and then in order to pick up the true trail. The ' hares ' will, of" course, make every effort by all legitimate means to elude their pursuers, taking care not to tak° any sharp bends unless well protected by cover. Failure to- take this precaution would, of course, "give part of the pack an opportunity of making a. short cut. If the event proves successful your committee will no doubt grant permission for it to be held, say. once in each syllabus during the season. As to its being a, success I have no doubt whatevei-, provided that each man goes out with a determination to enjoy himself, not waiting to see if there is anything in the idea and then joining in the chae,e, but starting right away to make the fun himself. In conclusion. I may add that no member need have any fear of giving himself away to the handicapper, as this gentleman will take no notice whatever of the places gained when handicapping for the next race, for the simple reason that it will not necessarily be the best men (as far as pace goes) who will be in " front at the finish."