ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2801, 20 November 1907, Page 63

ATHLETICS.

FIXTURES. November 28— DuB«din Amateur Athletic Club's ETening Meeting. , January— New Zealand Amateur Athlewo Championship Meeting, Wellington. February 29 «nd March 2— Austr*tosi«ra • Amateur Athletic Championship Meeting at Hobart. XtTIS BY AMATEUR Mr 0. W. Turvey, honorary secretary of the P«lmereton Amateur Athletio Club, has recovered health and resumed duty la6t ireek. Mr Turvey has lost no time in getting to work on the approaching evening meeting at Palmerston. The prize for first novice homo in the CSvil Service 10-mile Cross-country Handicap goes to Mr A. Love, of the Port Chalmers Harriers. At a committee meeting of the Civil Service dub it was decided to hold a sport* meeting this season, the date to be fixed later on. Probably the^ meeting will eventuate in January, and if run on the same line* as thai held two yean ago should prove an unqualified success. The question of the schools' championship meeting was brought up at the centre meeting on Monday night, and it was decided bo write to the Schools Committees' Conference on the matter, with a view of putting affairs in. hand for th© meeting, which fa lo take place in March next year. Among the vice-presidents of the Dunedin Amateur Athletio Club I notice the name of Mr A. Dey, who has ■* again assumed an active role in amateur athletics. It is not generally known the amount of assistanoe rendered to amateur athletics by Mr Dey, particularly to the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club. When fortunes were at a low ebb Mr Dey's business methods were of invaluable service to that club, and to his chairmanship the success of at least one sports meeting is clue. Besides which Mr Dey never grudged the time of his employees to assist in the work. The Tapanni Amateur Athletic Club had a most successful meeting on the King's Birthday, there being a- large attendance of the putflio and good competition. Unfortunately, the handicapper had underestimated. Trembath 'a powers, or rather had overestimated the strength of those opposed to him, for the Gore runner won no Ices than five events — rather a paralysing performance for one afternoon. Amongst those competing I notice the names of Nash and Bust, both, good sports, and alike in their -willingness to assist amateur olubs. Mr T. A. MTKenzie, the honorary seorefary of the Tapairui A.A.0., although he had his hands full with ail the arrangements necessary to successfully running a sports meeting, managed to spare time to compete in the Walk, which he won, and the Pole Vault, where he took second place. At tiie meeting of the Otago Centre on Monday night it was decided to vote for Mr Bamber as * member of the council. The St. Andrew Harriers held their annual presentation of prizes on Wednesday of last week, when there was a large attendance of members and friends. Mr Struthers, who presided, spoke of the success achieved by the dub during the past season, and congratulated the winners as they came forward to receive their handsome trophies. Mr W. Lang, president of the centre, spoke a few words of encouragement and advice, and in doing co referred to the fact that the Otago Centre thought co much of the St. Andrew Club that they had come to them, <ior a 'secretary. A very enjoyable progressive euchre party was held, the president of the centre narrowly escaping winning th© first prize, being apparently no amateur at euchre. It is understood "that the Dunedin Amateur Athletio Club will revert this season to the one handicapper system in lieu of the committee of three that acted last season. There can be no question that handicapping in any sport is better done by one man, and the club are wise in altering their system of last year. It 13 understood the position will be offered to

Mr W. McDonald, honorary handicapper for the Otago Centre.

A meeting of the Otago Centre was held on Monday night, Mr W. Lang presiding. Owing to the fact that several meetings of the centre had been held lately, there wa3 not much business to transact, but one application for reinstatement from the Palmerston Club was received, and, after consideration, wae sent on to the N.Z. Council for favourable consideration under tbe Special Cases clause. Complaint was made of the delay in dealing with previous application^ sent on to the N.Z. Council, delegates for country clubs explaining that a number of men were thereby being debarred from competing at the evening meetings now being held at Milton, Lawrence, and Palmerston South. Presumably the delayed election of the N.Z. Council is interfering with the consideration of the reinstatement cases in Chriatohuroh, but it is a pity that it should happen at this juncture, and the country clubs are to be sympathised with in the circumstances. A contingent of about six members of the Balclutha Club will take part in the evening sports meeting at Milton this week. Victor M'Donald is competing along with his clubmates, and the presence of the visitors will do much to enhance the success of the Toko Club's first meeting of the season. A very commendable spirit of assisting a sister club actuates the Clufcha boys in their trip. The • Civil Service Club has decided to hold three events during the summer seaeon, and will ask the D.A.A.C. for permission to hold them at the evening meetings held by that club. Tbe events, which will be open to members of the C.H.S. only, are 220 yds, 440 yds, and Lomr Jump Handicaps. It is hoped that the latter event will bring out some ■nromising- field event men in the amber-and-white ranks.

With a view to assisting the secretary of the Otago Centre in hia work a delegate proposed at last meeting that half-cost of a telephone to Mr Thomson's house be borne by the centre. The idea was favourably receiqpd by members, and it was deoided to ascertain the cost before carrying out the suggestion.

The directors of the local Caledonian Ground are taking steps to much improve the nopular Gale, from a spectators' point of view, and the filling-m now being carried on will do much to increase the comfort of the publio at sports gatherings. While on the noint, though, would it not be worth the sooietv's while to consider the question of constructing a cinder track on the Jtround. Either the present cycling track (which seems to be xtsed less and lees every year) could be removed, t>r a new track could be laid down inside it. This would give a good-sized track and would not interfere with the srround either from a cricket or football point of view. Dunedin has now no omder track — that at Carisbrook having been sacrificed to the cry for more room for football, — and if one were formed at the Caledonian Ground it would fill a much-felt want in athletic circles and aleo assist the society financially.

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletio Association, which was to have been held on the 13th inst , has been postponed until November 23. The dates of the Australasian athletic championship meeting, to be held i- Hobart next year, have oeen definitely settled for February 29 and March 2, 1908.

Local oivil service athletes may be interested to learn that owing to the impossibility of securing a suitable ground on November 30, the inter-civil service championship meeting, which was to have been held at Wellington, has been postponed indefinitely. A Christohurch writer congratulates the Otago Centre on setting up an Advisory Board to deal with applications for reinstatement, and suggests that other centtes might well follow the course adopted by Otago. At the annual meeting of the Wellington Centre of the N.Z.A.A.A. it was decided to bring before the notice of the New Zealand Council the advisability of altering the rules relating to the high jump. In the opinion of the local committee the "take off" block was not only unnecessarbut dangerous. The. meetinar resolved -to request the council to put trie matter before the Australasian authorities.

With d view to encouraging amateurism among the schoolboys, the Auckland Amateur Athletio Club has decided to admit all schoolboys to the club free. The idea is certainly a good one. By the way, amateur athletics aro ?orely in need of gome assistance in Auckland.

Mr R. Coombes has been appointed sole selector of the New South Wales team to take part in the Australasian amateur athletio championships in Hobart in. February and March next. Relay races have taken a firm hold in England, and of the various systems of running such events that of eight relay* to a mile furnishes the most excitement.

Afc the annual meeting o£ the Southland Centre the balance sheet and report showed receipts £19 4s Id, made tip by donations £4 4b, club registration £2 2e, licenses £2 Ba. The expenditure was £11 lie Id (championship expenses £4 18s, championship medal £2 10b, printing, stationery, eta. £4 3s) r leaving a balance of £7 13s 6d. The reporfc referred to the inquiries that were being made regardingreinstatement a« amateurs. The interolub championship was won by the Gore Harriers for the second time, and will shortly receive for the next period a. handsome challenge shield, now being executed by Mr T. jtf- Rankin. The championship was won b7 C. li. Smith (Gore), with W. Trembath second. TKe centre was represented for the first time at the New Zealand championship meeting (at Exhibition time) by Messrs R. Nash, W. F. Trembath Jf. C. Stokes, and R. E. Bust. Although these competitors did not compete in the championship evente, Trembath showed out brilliantly in the 440 Yards and Half-mile handicap events, which he won from a back mark. The Riverton Harriers joined tho centre during the year, and at the commencement of the harrier season an effort will bemade to forra clubs at Bluff, Wyndham, "Winton, and Mataura. In connection with a further ballot for six members of the council of the N.Z.A.A.A , the following candidates wore supported: — Messrs T. R. Alexander, J. P. Grierson, D. Hamber, A. Kirrvij?, G. H. Maso.i. and E. Xordon. Tho election of office-bearers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: — Patron, llr W. B. Scandrott (re-elected); president, Dr C. B. Snow (re-elected) ; vice-presidents — T)r J. B. Sftle, Messrs J. J. Kingston, R. A. Anderson. .T. J. Bell, E. A. Pigeon (Gore), and E. D, Bust (Goro)j

secretary and treasurer. Mr -A. A. Paape ; auditor, Mr J. B. M'Kinley.

The Civil Service Amateur 9port3 Club of Christchnrch held a half-mile walk at Lancaster Park the other evening. The race resulted as follows : — P. H. StubberLtld (scr) 1, J. Lundon (85yds) 2, J. M. Gray (100 yds) 3. Xo time appears to have been taken.

Two correspondents to whom I am indebted have forwarded accounts of the first meeting of the Tapanui Amateur Athletic Club's meeting, at which tho young Gore athletic put up euoh a wonderful performance by winning four out of five events on the programme, and coming second in the fifth. I moke the following extract: — There was very fair competition in tho various events, but in the running section the presence of W. Trembath, of Gore (who was undoubtedly too fast for the company), had the effect of reducing the "fields, sis it was apparent from the outset that this strong and stylish runner was to have matters very much his own way, and he fairly scooped the pool with ease — in fact, he made "no race" of it in several cases. He appropriated the 100 Yards, 220 Yards, Tapanui Handicap, Ladies' Bracelet, and Half-mile — a very creditable performance for one day, notwithstanding that he conceded long starts in all the events. 100 Yards Handicap.— First heat: W. Trembath, scr, 1; W. R. Quin, 9yds, 2; J. Potts, 13yds, 3. Six . started. Time, 11 l-ssec. Second heat: P. K arris, 9yds, 1; R. E. Bust, 7yds, 2; A. M'Eachen, 4jds, 3. Seven started. Tdme, llseo. Final : Trembath 1, Farris 2, Bust 3. Time, 10 4-ssec.

220 Yards Handicap.— First heat: D. Murray, 16yds, 1; A. M'Eachen, 10yds, 2; F. Reid, 12yds, 3. Time, 26 l-ssec. Eight started. Second heat: S. C. Nash, 9yds, 1; R. E. Bust, 13yds, 2j P. Farris, 16yds, 3. Time, 26sec. Nina started. Final: R. E. Bust 1, P. Farris 2, D. Murray 3. Time, 25 4-ssec.

Tapanui Handicap, 440 yds. — W. Trembath, scr, 1; C. Badman, 30yds, 2; R. E. Bust, 23yds, 3. Time, 55 4-ssec. Ladies' Bracelet, 350yds.— W. Trembath, scr, 1; W. R. Quin, 24yds, 2; J. White, 25yds, 3. Fourteen entries. Time, 42sec. Half-mile HandicaD.— W. Trembath, scr 1; R. E. Bust, 25yds; 2; S. O. Naeh, 30yds, 3. Time, 2min 20eec.

One-mile Handicap.— C. Badman, 125 yds, 1; W. Trembath, scr, 2. Five started. Time, 4min 53sec.

Apropos of Trembath's performance at Gore, an esteemed correspondent forwards the following personal item: W. F. Trembath is running better than ever, and his trainer (Mr B. Perks), who has trained some of the best men in New Zealand, considers that Trembath is without a superior in New Zealand over the 220 and 440 distances, and that he will always do better than 2min for the half mile. His trainer is not hustling him overmuch at present, as he wants to get him fit for the New Zealand and Australasian championships. It might be of interest to your readers to know that Trembath has never yet been beaten over the 440 yds or half mile distance, having won nine 440*3 and eight half miles. Hie record to date is — 35 amateur raoes, 27 first 6, five seconds, one third, two unplaced, which takes some beating.

One of the "tit bits" at the London Athletic Club's meeting on September 21 was a 300 yds hurdles match between two well-known athletes, O. Groeninge and L. A. Burton. After a splendid struggle from, pistol to post, Groeninge achieved a narrow success l and put up the new record time of 36 3-ssec. The previous best was 38 l-ssec, al«o held by Groeninge. The fact that both men rose together over the last obstacle goes to show that the contest was exciting'y close. , A. E. M. Rowlands, the New Zealand walking champion, competed in the Two Miles Handicap Walk at the London A.C.'a meeting at Stamford Bridge on September 21. He and F. B. Thompson were virtual scratch men on 50yds, the limit being 550 yds. H. W. Hines (425 yds) won easily by 30 yards from Thompson in 13min 40 3-ssec* Rowlands, evidently in not muoh condition, retired two laps from home. Commenting on Rowlands's performance, " Veteran," in the London Sportsman, says: "F. B. Thompson, although unable to overhaul H. W. Hines in the Two-mil© Walk, proved his superiority over A. E. M. Rowlands, the New Zealand champion. The latter, however, was far from fit. Indeed, ho had only turned out three times since his arrival in this country.' In the circumstances, it would be unfair to pate adverse criticism on either his style or speed. One cannot disregard the performances with which he had been credited at the antipodes, under the watchful eye of so-astute a judge as Richard Coombes — himself a past challenge cup holder in the L.A.C." Commenting on the Members' Meeting of the Herne Hill Harriers on September 28, "Veteran," of the London Sportsman, says : " The most disappointing performance was that of the New Zealand champion, A. E. Rowlands, who received 15seo from Webb. The New Zealander made but little impression on the leader** and finished twelfth. From a middle mark in the Two Miles Running Handicap ho .fared little better, running into ninth position. '