ATHLETICS NOTES BY AMATEUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2689, 27 September 1905, Page 58

ATHLETICS

NOTES BY AMATEUR.

The New Zealand! Council have asked Dominations for the team «to represent New Zealand at the Australasian Championship meeting at Sydney on November 11 and 15. Hector Burk would, of course, be the first man selected, and I hear he would be able to make the trip. Last year ( Otago contributed £10 towards the expense "of the trip, and I am certain more could be raised this year :f: f a vigorous canvass were made. J. M'Lachlan, winner of the pole jump championship at Christchurch last March, was in Dunedin last week. ' M'Laeblan hopes to be able to devote more time to training this season, and should be a winner of points for the shield at the corning season's championships On Saturday the Civil Service hold thsil annual cross-oountry championship at Wingatud. A sealed handicap will be held in connection with the ~aoe. and a large field has entered. The course is about the same- as that over which the inter-club race was held. Melville has won the race for the' past two seasons, and; this year should see him repeat his previous victories. I fancy French will be seen to advantage in this race, while on his Port performance Reynolds should run. into a plaoe

Christchurch people complain of the lack of interest taken in cross-country running there as compared to Dunedin and Invercargill. and ar& at a loss for a reason. Perhaps the holding of the firsj New Zealand cross-country championship on a track at Lancaster Park has had something to do with the subsequent disfavour into which this branch of amateur athletics has fallen in Christchurch.

It is hoped tha-t an early refund of the amounts guaranteed iv connection with the Shrubb-Duffey meeting will be made. At its last meeting the council decided to forward each centre a iheque for the amount cf the refund. The profit will be divided and sent on later. In this connection I presume a balance sheet of the entire undertaking covering the balance sheets of the four meetings will be sent each of the partners in the tour. Two what are often called odd events have bdßii added to the programme for the Schools' Championship meeting in the shape of a Siamese Race and a Potato Race. These items are bound to provide amusement, if not instruction, for the spectators. It will be remembered that some of those erstwhile connected with the management of amateur sport in Dunedin at one time formulated the brilliant idea that the inclusion of these "odd events" in programmes would do more to popularise the sport than the visit of world's champions like our late visitors Shrubb and Duffey. I understand that Nelson may be chosen as the location, of the next New Zealand championships. Thi? -will moan, I presume, that we will not get the meeting in Dunedin for at least two years, as Auckland will be entitled to hold it before Otago. Next month will see the coming 1 into force of the new rules of the Otago Centre. The principal alteration is the fact that the nominated vice-presidents now dror out, their plaoe being taken hy inxir vice-presi-dents who are elected at the annual meeting f the Centre. The change should be for

the better, as those at present on the governing body as vice-presidents will still bo there as delegates, and the reduction in numbers should make a more workable body of the Centre.

An attempt will be made this year to interest the country sohooh in the school? championships on the King's Birthday. In Ohristcburch special events arc placed oil the programme [or country schools, and if sufficient support was forthcoming, I have no doubt the same could be arranged here.

The potmlar evening meetings so successfully promoted by the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club should provo doubly interesting this year in view of the largenumber of new men on the tracks. I hear that the Otago Cycling Club „urpose holding evening meetings for amateur cycling. Perhaps the two clubs could amalgamate on this point and prat on a joint programme each Friday.

Very encouraging support has been received from the Otago Education Board and Board of Governors for the Schools Championship meeting. Both these bodies have notified their approval of the meeting and expressed a wish for its success. The preliminary work in connection with the approaching Heliools' Championship meeting- on November 9 is being vigorously carried out b y the joint committee of the Otago Centre and' teachers. It has boon deoided to hold the meeting on the Caledonian Grounds, and the first event will take place at 10.30. Provision is being made so that refreshments will be on the ground for the competitors, and promises of assistance from the lady members of the teaching 1 profession have, already bean secured. There ane in all 35 events on the programme of athletics, and almost exactly the same m-ovision has been made for girls as for boys. A brilliant Maypole display is in rehearsal, and the cadet and physical drill preliminaries are now being settled. A laTg-e amount of valuable information on these last points has been received from Messrs Aschman and Garrard. of the North Canterbury Schools Association, which tha local centre will endeavour to put into practice , Dear Amateur,— Your par in the Witness re resolution carried by the Wellington Centre instructing delegates to N..Z.A.A.A. to support Otago Centre's proposal re change of location of council was not quite accurate, inasmuch as (1) resolution was not carried unanimously ; (2) the opinions quoted were not those given expression to. The meeting was not a full' one, the following members being absent— Dr Newman (president), R. E. Bannister (a vice-president), F. Ross, W. H. Pollock, E. W. Cardale, B. Davis, and J. B. Speed. As chairman of the meeting, I advocated the matter being left for a fuller meeting, md in this was 'supported by a minority. Notice has been given, andi subject will come up at next meeting of the centre. I might add that the feeling: of the , local centre appears to be that the council must be reconstructed, but until the annual meeting takes place it would ba unwise and premature to adopt drastic measures. The Wellington Centre is apparently entirely in accord with the Ota-go Centre in denouncing the council for its past mismanagement, and seems determined that there shall either be reform of a change of location. — I am, etc., J H. Pollock, vice-president Wellington Centra N.Z.A.A.A. [The paragraph bore the hall mark of a member of the Wellington Centre, and was quoted! in all good faith. In justice to the Wellington Centre and fco place the matter clearly before my readers, I am pleased to give publicity to the explanation of Mr J. H. Pollock, vice-president of the Wellington Centre, N.Z.A.A.A.— Amateub.]_ Next Saturday the Caversham Harriers will bring a very successful season to a close by holding their Five-mile Crocs-country Championship. Every member should strive hard to get into a place, and as the race is very open the competition should be keen. Although this is the first season of the club's existence, a few ups and downs havebeen gone through, mainly caused by valuable office-bearers leaving the district, whose places it was found hard to fill ; but one and all have worked hard, and the members are all the better for the experiences they have gone through. A great deal of the success ifl mainly due to the energetic president and vice-presidents, who have taken a personal interest in each member, and no duty was too small or too great for them to attend to. This club is also the proud possessor of the most promising young distance runner that has come to light since th-e advent of Hector Burk, some years ago, and although only a young lad and a first year's runner, he has already made a name for himself. The future of the club is now practically assured, and as several of the members intend going on the track this season, that will tend to keep the club together.

In consequence of last week's heavy rain the V.M.C.A. Harriers' Three-mile Championship, set down for decision last Saturday, was postponed till next Saturday, 30th inst.

The Canterbury Centre of the N.Z.A.A.A. has evidently a very poor opinion of its usefulness (says a CnViatchurch paper). At last meeting one of the members wished to move that the centre should be abolished. The Chairman said he would like to receive the motion, but he thought it was out of order. The matter dropped, but not before several of- those present had expressed the opinion that the presence in Christchurch of the council of the association rendered the existence of a centre unnecessary.

The Gore Harriers hold a Five-mile Crosscountry Handicap last Wednesday for a fiveguinea trophy, to be won twice in succession or three times at intervals. The race resulted as follows: — W. T'-ernhath (Smin), 1; U. Bust (35sec), 2; C. L. Smith (■scr), 3. The time, 35min 20 4-ssec. was good, cons'dering- the rough state of the country. The Gore Harriers hold their championship next Wednesday, when a keen race is looked for. It is doubtful whether the ►Gore Club will be represented at Labour Day, members finding it difficult to get away just now, preferring; to wait until the summer season, .vhen they hope to be able to come up frequently to the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club's meetings. The runs of tho club have been -well attended during tho season, and the interest in the sport has been well maintained.

Undoubtedly the attraction of the Celtic sports meeting 1 , which attracted the big attendance # of 20,000 spectators, was a repetition of the three cornered duel over one mile and a-half between M'Gough, Butterfield. and Shrubb, which was the sensation of the West Harriers' meeting-. On this occaai-on Butterfield made amends for recent defeats from the Scottish miler by winning with ssven yards in hand in 6min 55 2-ssec 3

Shiubb being second about ivro yards in front of thu latter. A fa&t pace was set in the opening lap, which took 59sec to cover. The next was slower — lmin 10-ec — and the mile occupied 4m in 36scc. After the second quarter and right up to the last hundred yards the order was Shrubb, Butterfield, and M'Gough, but the pfacmg was quickly disturbed by the Darlington harrier, his sudden sprint, which left tho remaining pair well in the rear, carrying in to the post with a seven-yard advantage in 6min 55 2-5s3C. At this meeting J. W. Morton Avon the 100 Yards Sprint in 10 3-ssee. A Scotch amateur runner who, in filling Up a handicap form, displayed a lamentable loss of memory and disregard for detail, recently received a quiet hint to hand back his prizes within a, given time. The alternative made mention of police proceedings. Alfred Shrubb, the holder of numerous records, is busily engaged in making preparations for a trip to Canada and AmericaHe proposes leaving these shores in about a fortnight's time (says Louden Sportsman), and when in Canada, he will compete iiithc Jubilee Championships, running at Montreal. Winnipeg, and British Columbia. He also intends running at meetings in the principal cities of the States, and will attempt to break all American records from 2000 yds up to 10 milee. Naturally, Shrubb's decision to visit America has caused considerable surprise to the friend* of A. Aldridge, the Ten-milo and Cross-country champion. When Shrubb returned from his Australasia trip Aldridgo challenged him" to a ten-mile race. The champion of champions declined the challenge, but eventually terms were settled, and two matches were decided upon — a fivc-rnile race at Horsham on August Bank Holiday and a tenmile race on the RedhiU Sports Ground at a later <]ate. That date nas not been fixed, and Mr W. H. Peskett, of the Tower, Redhill, in a chat with our RedhiU representative expressed great surprise when he was told that Shrubb intended crossing the Herring- Pond in & fortnight's time. "It is liko this," lie added, "Aldridge did not want to run Shrubb five miles, he wa3 anxious to run him 10, but gave way to Shrubb. Here is a letter Aldridge received from Shrubb when negotiations were taking place." Mr Peskett showed our representative the letter, and in it Shrubb stated, referring to a ten-mile race on the day of the Horsham sports, "Such a distance would be in the way of other races, as we have so many to get through that day. So if you will run me five miles at Horsham on August Bank Holiday I will run you 10 miles at your home, Redhill, and day after." Mr Peskett also stated that Shrubb did not want to run 10 miles in the heat of the day, and it was verbally agreed to fix up a date late in August, so that the two champions could compete in the cool of the evening. Shrubb contends that as the Redhill people had not fixed a date he is justified in accepting the Invitation to run in Canada and Amerioa. "There is certainly not tame to make the necessary arrangements," added Mr Peskett, "if Shrubb is 'off in a fortnight's time, and what will happen when he returns it is difficult to say, as Shrubb in no way hinted to me or Aldridge at Haywards Heath that he proposed taking thi^ American trip." Apropos of the foregoing the English Amateur Athletic Association has refused permission to Shrubb to go on his projected tour of tho United States and Canada. It appears that the conditions of the trip left no option for the association but to act as they did. Shrubb may not now feel so charitably disposed towards the English Amateur Athletic Association, which has twice stepped in and prevented him going on a running tour. The refusal of the English Amateur Athletic Association to grant permission to Shrubb to tour the United States and Canada on a running tour gave rise to rumom-3 that Shrubb had been asked by the Amateur Athletic Association for_ an explanation as to his appearances at various athletic meetings. The rumours have been contradicted.

In a five-mile contest between the Horsham long-distance runner Alfred Shrubb and A. Aldridge, the English 10-mile champion, Shrubb, running in his best style, won by over a lap and a-half in 24-min 51 l-ssee. Shrubb's mile times were : — One mile, 4min 36? Ec; two, Stain 37 2-ssec; three, 14niin 41 l-ssec ; four, 19min 46 2-ssec ; and five, 24min 51 l-ssee. In the 161b Hammer Throw at the Glasgow Hangers sports a few weeks ago Thos. Nicholson, the strong man, tossed the hammer 154 ft 3in, beating the -previous record by lain. The mile runner from ayonfc the Tweed, or thereabouts — John M'Gough, the Scottish sportsman, to wit— defeated the present English mile champion, George Butterfield, in a mil© race off scratch by half a yard, in a desperate finish, in 4min 27sec. In .i 300 yards invitation raec, decided in England recently, H. A. Hyman, the American athlete, won a magnificent race off scratch in 31 4-sseo.

The Scottish record time of 15 4-sseo for the 120 yardg huidle race was equalled again by R. gl. Stronach, the Scotch champion, in a 120 yards international scratch hi.rdle race decided a few clays before the mail left. There were three starters — Stronach (Scotland), Croslec (America), and Denis Carey (Ireland). The Scotchman, taking his hurdles like a bird and travelling fast, outpaced the American and Irishman, winning by two yards in 15 4-ssec.

At the Montreal police games on July 26 F. Desmarteau, of the City Force, not only won the gold medal for the highest number of point?, but beat the world's record of 15ft 6|m, made by John S. Mitchell, for the 561b high throw, by raising the mark to 15 ft 9in.

SCHOOLS' ATHLETIC CHAMPION SHIPS.

_A meeting of the Otago Centre of the K.Z.A.A.A. and teaohea-s was held in Messrs Grace and "Wilson's office on Wednesday to consider the report of the Fub-committca m reference to the programme for the athletic champiniiships and display to bo held on the 9th November. Mr Lang (president of the Otago Centre) occupied/ the chair, and there wera also present Messrs H. B. Courtis, A. Mairyabfc, J. Melville, J. I*. Haniajin, W. J. O'Kdno, H. P. Titchener, and Paterson.

The programme approved comprises championships varying in distance from 50yd« to 220yd 9 for hoys, according to age; championships for 50yds and 75yds for girls; relay races; distance evsnte; bicyclei skipping and hoop races; various field events; and races for amateurs.

It vas decided to arrange for a display cl Maypole ami fancy danemg. Tlie matter of physical drill and cadet display was left, in ihe hands of lie Sports Oommrttee It was decide dthat the championships aad display be held on the Caledonian Grounds. Messrs Lang. Courtis, Hamaan, MauyaU,

J. Melville, Cook, Patersoa, Stables, Mackintosh, and Morelon were appointed a Sports* Committee, with full power to make and carry out all arrangements in connection with the meeting. It ws decided that a Ladies Commit tea be formed and tEe idea pi onuses to meet with hoarty support from lady teachers. Tlis greatest enthusiasm prevailed at the meeting, and indications aJroady point to the Schools' Championships of 1905 being an assured success.

DUNEDIN AMATEUR ATHLETIC CLUB.

The final committee meeting of tihe Dun«tm Amateur Athletic Club for the season was held on Thursday ; present— Mar P. S. K. Ivlacasscy (vice-president, m the chair), H. B. " Cteurtia, W. J. O'Kane, J. T. Hamsun, V. S. Jacobs, H. Burk, P. Romearil, and "W. L. M'Curdy (assistant hon. secretary).

The Secretary ieported that the olub would close the season -with a credit balance of more than £10.

Messrs S. Jacobs, J. T. Hamann, and W. L, !\l ! G\u"ly weo o appointed a sub-canumtitea to chavr up tfia annual report and balance sheet.

Satisfaction was expressed at tfco higihly successful year's lacing, and the forthcoming season premises to bo one of the most successful in the annals of ihis club, and one befiTting- the celebration of the club's majority.

Correspondence was received from, tha Labour Day Spoils Committee, advising that the following amateur laces would ba held at the annual sports to be held at Evansdale on Wednesday, October 11: — 100 yds Flat Handicap, 220 yds Flat Handicap (Bla,nd Holt trophy), Teams' Kolay Race. The club decided to give tlio Labour I>ay Committee its hearty suppoit.