ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2758, 23 January 1907, Page 61

ATHLETICS.

FIXTURES.

January 25-D.A.A.C. Sixth Evening Sports Meeting, at Caledonian Ground. February I— D.A.A.C. Seventh Evening Sports Meeting, at Caledonian Ground. February B— D.A.A.C. Eighth Evening Sports Meeting, at Caledonian Ground. February 16— Dunedin Amateur Athletic Meeting, Caledonian Ground. February fi and 23— New Zealand Amateur Athletic Championship Meeting, Exhibition Grounds, Christchurch.

i NOTES BY AMATEUE.

Owing to the cold snap that blew over the city last Friday, the committee of the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club wisely decided to postpone the usual evening meeting. It was feared that the effectof strippin" on such a coLd night after the warm weather immediately preceding might prove harmful to competitors. As at turned out, tho night was exceedingly stormy, and compeiitors, officials, and public alike were no doubt pleased at the postponement. The meeting will take place on Friday next, and the series will now be extended to February 8, when the la&t meeting will be held. From Invercargill comes the welcome news that the recently- formed Southland Centre will be represented for the iirst time at the New Zealand Championship meeting next month at Christchurch. So far the team is likely to consist of P. C. Siokcs, W. F. Trembath, R. Nash ami R. E. Bust. These runners are well known in Otago, and will, it is certain, do credit to the southern centre. R. Nash represented Otago at the last championship meeting in Dunedin, and has on more than one occasion run well in Dunedin. Stokes is a promising sprinter who has during the past season performed excellently in Southland. Trembath -should bhapo well, while Roy Bust will, I presume, tako on the distances. It is highly creditable to me enthusiasm that exists amongst our near neighbours when they are able to send a team like the foregoing, and I am sure the wearers of the dark blue will wish the southern contingent every success. Tho Southland Centre heartily approves of the proposed conference at the New Zealand Championship meeting next month, and will more than likely be represented by Mr A. A. Paape, the father of amateurism in Southland.

Canterbury Centre has signified its approval of the Otago Centre's idea of holding a conference of representatives at the forthcoming championship meeting, and will send delegates. This centre asked the Otago Centre to defer action regarding the license rule xmtil after the conference. The local centre had, however, already incorporated the rule amongst its lawe. Nevertheless a discussion among the delegates might do good. Tho twenty-second annual sporte meeting of the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club will be held on Saturday, February 16, on the Caledonian Ground*, commencing at 2.30 p.m. The programme of events, as usual, givos ample opportunity for competitors in all branches of the sport. The distances are 120 Yards (maiden), 100 Yards, 220 Yards. 440 Yards (Ladies' Bracelet), Half Mile, One Mile, Two Miles, all flat handicaps; Half-mile and Mile Walk, 120 Yards - Hurdles, Putting the Shot, Throwing the Hammer,

Pole Jump, High and' - Long Jumps,. 220 Yards Flat Handicap for memberg of tho Dunedin Amateur Boating dub, ' t Teams Relay Race for ,teams of fourjeaeh -man to- run- a lap. There will also be a 440 Yards Flat Handicap (open to members of the D.A.A.C. belonging to Port Chalmers and members of the Port- Harriers only. The usual 22v. Yards Flat Championship of Otago will, also be held, and should this year furnish s 1 splendid 'contest. The prizes rary" from trophies valued at £3, £2 and JBI *10s- for first with the usual second prizes, while the medal for the championship will be worth £3 33. The entry fees are Is 6d\ 2s, with 2s 6d for the Lady's Bracelet, and 4s for the Relay Race. There is every indication that the forthcoming meeting will . exceed all" its many excellent predecessors in interest, and, given a fine day, the Caledonian Grounds should be taxed to its uttermost capacity on the 16th prox. I learn that an enthusiastic supporter of the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club resident in the country has generously; offered .to donate £5. 5s to the funds of tli& sports meeting to be held next month. The D.A.A.C. are fortunate in having so many keen supporters; whioh. fortune has, however, been deserved by the good management and enthusiasm shown in the past. The Otago Centre held a short meeting on Monday night. The chief business before the meeting was the running of, two competitors at a reSent evening > meeting. ' It was found,-' however, that. ~in_.the'>»one '. case the runner ftatl "gone out A uhder/.persuasiorfto make trp a- field, so the runner '. in question was absolved from any unfair running; but it was at the same time . out that runners should not allow themselves to be- persuaded to go out in a race . under such circumstances. 3ji the other case it was found that while there was ground for the Vigilance Committee's action, the centre was satisfied that the runner had run to win.

Ths Waitati Caledonian Society hold Iheir .'annual sports meeting on Easter Monday at Waitati, and this year there is some prospect of two amateur events beiVig included in the programme. The probable distances will be 220 yds and 100 yds or half-mile, md if tho races are held a good entry is assured. A number of harriers encamp every Easter on the north line, and would doubtless take part in the events. , The, Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club's application to hold the 220 Yards Championship of Otago at its forthcoming meeting -was granted by the Otago Centre. A jocular suggestion of ■ financial assistance wasi however, met with the .unanimous * promise of the best wishes of v the "centre for the meeting. Which was probably all that was looked for. It is said that several Dunedin clubs will be represented in the Relay Race and Crosscountry Teams Race at- the N.Z.A.A.A. Championship meeting next month. If. members could spare time for the trip, Ix>th these events could be made mo6t interesting, and would doubtless create more interest -in relay and- harrier racing v in Christchurch. ' It is to be hoped the authorities are;'going' to make some difference on , the/ • 'Hinds at' the Exhibition where the championship • meeting is tor be~ held. A* ' Christmas- time the centre of the ground, . where the field events must take place, was . extremely .rough. The track, itself seemed . fair enough, but I am, told that comrjeti- , tors at the Pioneer meeting on the 29th , ult. were not taken with it. It would be a great pity if the state of the ground! sHbuld be allowed to spoil what promise? to fnrnish a historic contest for the championship provincial shield. The TapaJiui Amateur Athletic Club have notified the Selection Igomrnittee oE the Otago Centre that no members will bo available for the team to # represent Ota?o at the championship meeting. J.ne club hopes, however, by next year to have, unearthed some competitors who will bo * b jL h^ot^oftrthur Skinner, .the wellknown athlete of Auckland, ha* joined th« ranks of the Civil Service Amateur Atb.* 16 Entries 'for the New Zealand amateur athletic championships to be held at Chriatchurch on the 21st and 23rd of next month close on -the 7th prox. ' G P. Keddell, the New Zealand broad jump champion, who has been nursing an injured knee for many months, has now almost completely recovered. Though Keddell is most anxious to compete at the championship meeting, it is doubtful whether his knee will stand the strain. Wellington is casting longing eyes on the championship banner this year, and judging by' the cracks available to represent the province, there is every prospect of tho much-coveted banner going to the Empire city. A team which includes such men as Henderson, Goddbehere. and Fisher for the sprints, Bradbury and Pren- " deville (if he starts) for the distance events, Kerr and Fitzgerald for the' walks, ' and Halligan for the hurdles, and others of slightly lesser athletic calibre, is certain to take a power of beating. Canterbury, being the home province, is rortain to place a strong combination on track and field 1 , and will- make a bold bid for the banner. I have not yet heard what Auckland in- ■ tends doing in the way of representation at the classio gathering, but the- state of athletics in the northernmost province does not suggest that anything very sensational will come from that quarter. Otago's prospects at time,, of writing are not over. ' bright, and I fear me that unless something extra special happens along in the course of a day or two Otago will have to strike its colours to the athletic north. From information received, as the police have it, there is a prospect of Prendcville, the well-known Wellington runner, beingunable to take part in the New Zealand Championship meeting. It will indeed ba unfortunate if the Wellington distance man is prevented from competing at tho big gathering. His absence is certain to rob the Mile and Three-mile- events ot* some interest. From the secretary of the South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club comes Ut hand a complimentary ticket for the S.C.A.A.'s thirty-sixth annual sports meeting, which is "to be held on Thursday, January 31st. The programme includes, in addition to the usual evente, the 100 and . 200 Yards Centre Championships. White < regretting mj inability to be present, I-. wish our South Canterbury friends a euc ■ cessful gathering. The decision of the .council of the N.Z.A.A.A. to hold a conference of re« presentatives from the various centres as* tembled in Ohristchurch during the chanvf pionship meeting is a wise one* and ahodtt

§1 the means of settling A number of differences that at present exist. Tne eport is certain to denve much benefit from such a conference. Owing to an injury to his foot received while competing at an amateur meeting in Wanganui recently, it ie stated that Craig wiU nbt be a competitor at .the championihip meeting next month. Competing at the South Canterbury liurdle events, as well as in the uigi the near approach of the chan. ,plonship meeting, great interest i* being ?aken in the classic gathering. The .cham wmmm msmm the 161b Weight (from 7ft Bquare)-gBU 6in 40ffc 3in. Second day, Saturday, Feb^ ffSrj r 23? 220 Yards Flat-22 4-ssec, 22 SSS; 880 Yards Flat (Hooper Cup)Irnin; lmin 59 l-sseo; One-male FlaMmm MBec lmin 27 2-Jkec ; One-m.te Wa^6min 50sec, 6min 27 2^sec; WO Yaide Hurdks (10 «ighte 3ft 6in)-6lßec, 58 4-seec; High Jump-sft 7m, sft 94in; Pole JuS-lOftT lift Oiin; Throwing ; the 161b Hinnner (from 9ffc cirole)-130ft, 136 ft ♦*»«- $n addition to the championship races, the following handicap* and team «™nte «in also be decided at the f*?*" I *.^ 6 . V*Y * (Flat, 220 Yard» Flat, 880 Yards Flat, One tMile Flat, Hop, Step and Jump, High Jump, -4W Yards Hurdles (10 nights, 3ft 6in), One-mile Centre Championship Keflay Race (for teanw of four men repre.eentinjr any one centre), 50 Yards Flat, J420 Yards Flat, 440 Yards Flat (Lady'e Bracelet), 120 Yards Hurdle* (10 flights, 3ft 6in), 220 Yards Flat (opon to boy« attending primary schools), Half-mile Reday (teams of four boys representing any '^primary school), One-mile Relay (teams of ■four men representing any one affiliated club).

Th© athletio mefiting 1 promoted by th« young naen of th© Congregational Churches, feeing held at Tahuna Park on February 9, (promises to be an interesting and encouraging little meeting and one calculated to do fiudh for the epread of interest in amateur thletics. The Otago Centre has »ign : fied ate approval of the undertaking, and has ■Stt addition appointed two representatives. iThe progr&mme, comprising 10 events, provide* ample scope for the display of the Capabilities of competitors — sprinters, jumpers, and long-di«tance men being catered for, while the heavy-weights can lexert tbenwclves in the Tug-of-war. When j$ ia qjenlfcioned Colin Gilraj, 'Varsity £h»inpioi> tlong jumper and hurdler, and £ove end Bauchop, of the Fort Qbalmere Harriere, in addition to a number of meznfcgm of the T.M.O.A. and Civil Service jClubs, will compete it will be Been that 4f£en contests will be witnessed. It is an encouraging sign that such a number of fthletes should be willing to train, and ompete without the inducement of prizes onp solely with the object of winning the shield for their reepeotive churchee. Judging by the enthusiasm displayed by tho^e interested the hope that this will become «n annual contest should be realised.

The South African Amateur Athl-etic Association, dn order to settle a much-vexed Question amongst .members, asked the ■tiSnglieh A.A.A. to give a ruling, the question being: — "Should competitors bo penalised dor breaking over in championship jraoee?" And, contrary to Australian oxf>emience*, the English A.A.A. vouchsafe! % reply. It was as follows: — "In answer $o youre of the 17tJi July, I beg to inform lyou thafc in our champion«>hipß we never penalise behind scratch." The South African athlete is an amateur tight down to his 6piked shoes, and ama£eur athletics in South Africa are something -to rejoice over. They do things in , fine style out there where the '"Springboks" come from. The last championship meeting of the S'Afrkan Aithletic Association yielded a profit of £207. The Amateur Athletic Union of tli« "United States held its annual convention on November 19 last. Considerable time •was occupied by the report of the Record Committee, and the testimony and affida\its furnished showing that Dan 11. Kelly, of the Multoomah A.C., of Portland. Ore., xan lOOyde in 9 3-sseo and 220 yds m ?1 l-sseo at Spokane, Wash., on June 23 Jast. Official documents were there by the ton to show that everything was eoriect — timing, judging, starting, waul, and >\<?aiher. Kelly's records wore accepted, and h.e will figure alone a*, the holder of the ■World's amateur mark for the 100 yd.-, and jomfc holder with B. J. Wofers for th<Z2oyds. An important atom in fa\our of KoUy'fi olaim was a letter from L. Carv. Qf Seattle, who is now ai- Yale University. aitd who ran second in the 100 yd«». Cary Bbated *hat Kelly beat him sydt> instead of sft, as was originally reported. The number of athletes registered by the 'A.A.U. of tho United States is 13, 72 7 Curing last year 288 weie suspended. 130 feiasfcated. 280 open games were sanctioned, emd 152 athletes were declared pio(fcssionals.

Apropos of Kerr's petforinance it was gabled to Australia that the lecemly stated professional's time for the mile at ihe Wellington amateur thampion-hip njeeting on New Year's Day was 6mm 23sec, and that the tune equalled ihe world's amateur record. ai"l wa* 3-oc Blower than the professioi a! best. Thi-, of course, is incorrect (<yy-. " Piodigal' )• world's records are: P.ofe-sional. 6min 23sec, by "W. Peikuis; and amateur. '6«in 19 3-ssee, by A. T. Ycomans, although the latter has not yet been definitely accepted by the English A. A. A. Kerr'a 6min ' 23sec thm ties the woihl •> professional best, and would be 2 3-ssec •better than G. E. Larner's accepted omin 25 55sec. Having seen the late W. Perkins put up his 6min 23see at Lillic Bridge, London on June 1, 1574, the above cable was particularly interesting to me. H. Kerr was one of New Zeafjuid'i l>rst known profesMO'fcial athletes, and i\as rorenilv rcinsiaud by the New Zealand AA A. When competing at the Otago Caledonian Soc.ft>'.-> games at Duncd,in ho has been cr'diud with some remarkable times- I f.uuN it \\a K sn 19C2 that ho was alleged to ha\i' walked a nulc in 6min llsec, whilst in 1903 if memory *cj[ves, they had him dowu as oovenng

two milee in. llmin S4 4-^seo, although this vra.3 palpably a mistake— the competitors probably -went a. lap short. However, despite the email army of judges visually officiating at these games, the phenomenal time 3by Kerr and other heel-and-toe artjsts never seem to have been taken seriously. H. E. Kerr, of Stratford, made bis "first appearance as an amateur at Wanganui on the 27th ult. In a threemile race he won easily, -while in a mile he finished second to Slyfield (who had a long start) by about 12 yards, the race being won in 6.17. A correspondent, commenting on the racing 1 , cays that whilst Slvfield's mode of progression seemed to him very doujbtful, Kerr, on the contrary appeared to walk very fairly.