NOTES BY AMATEUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2804, 11 December 1907, Page 57

NOTES BY AMATEUR.

It ha 3 r-ow been definitely decided that the New Zealand amateur athletic championship meeting, which has been allotted to the Wellington Centre, will take place at Wellington on February 1. W. J. O'Kane, the local sprinter, who has beon spending a holiday on the Australian side for some months past, has returned to Dunedin. Despite rumours to the contrary, O'Kan© purposes turning out again on the cinder path .this season. O'Kane expects to strike form in view o£ the championship meeting. A regrettable accident took plaoo ,at the Dunedin Athletic Club's evening meeting 1 on Friday last, J. Allan, who was taking part in. the Long Jump, "spiking" himself badly, inflicting a nasty injury in the fleshy part of the left leg. I am pleased to. say that Allan is progressing favourably, and will be able to take part in future meetings shortly. Thk athlete will have to get out of that habit h© has of landing on his right log, otherwise he runs a risk of meeting with a similar accident.

Hoare, the cret-vhile sprinter, has not yet put in an appparance on the training track, and I understand that owing to pressure of business he does not intend devoting much time to athletics this season.

It has been practically decided that Hector Burk will not mako the trip to Hobart to compete at the Australasian championship meeting, 1o be held there in February and March next. The local crack will, however, compete at the New Zealand championships, to be held in Wellington in February. Pressure of busineas is the reason for his being unable to make tho trip to Tasmania. The second evening athletic meeting ol tfcc Dmi^m Amateur Athlotic (TU<*> *"M take place on Friday evening novl, at 7 o'clock, when the following e\cnts will b« decided. —so Yards Fbf Handirap '(D.A.A.C.). Half-nule Walk Handicap. (DA \.C.i, Putting the Weight Handicap (opeii), 440 Yajd« Flat Handirap (open), Two-n.i!© Flat Handicap (opon) Acknowledged with thanks from the pntTgotio it-cri'tarv (Mr J. T. Hamann) a li-t of the i<opular cvoning athletic meetings now ho in? held hv the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club. The event* are varied and well selected, engaging the attention alikeof the athlete, and the spectator. Thero will be a break in the series of evening athletic meetings during the Christmas and New Year holidays. After Friday, December 20, no mectinc will ha

Mid until January 10. T.-hvn the. series will 1 pc rtsumed. ~~ / At th# Caledonian Ground the other •Yening I was introduced to a gentleman po claims to have run 50yds in unheard-of tMnp (I blush to state it!), and the in considerably under world's ftfcordt This flying oprinter who outrivals tttifffy hat promised to give an exhibition ;bl his marvellous sprinting powers. . Oar old friend A. Halligan, the present {120 yds hurdle champion, and ex-member of fche D.A.A.0., now in Wellington, is leaving for England in the course of a few days. 'Atoropoe of this a Wellington writer says: f* Halligan is undoubtedly a. good hurdler, but with Cook still avilable his loss will not b© felt greatly. The city has two very Atomising hurdlers in A. Bvensen (the Wellington representative three-quarter) and T. N. Holmden (the present 120 yd» hurdles champion of the New Zealand UniverIt i« possible that B. Goodbehere, of .Wellington, who ran so wejl in the last 100 Ysrds New Zealand Championship, will not be seen on .the track this eeason. Mr A. A. Paape (secretary Southland Centre, N.Z.A.A.A.) supplies the followSng amended list of fixtures m Southland tor amafceuns, to be held during the holiday season:— Clifton (Christmas Day]— One Mile Handicap, entry Is 6d ; 220 Yards Handicap. Is; Half-mile, Is; 100 Yards, la. ■Wmton Caledonian Society (foxing Day)'AmateiK" Handicap (150 yds) entry 2s; 440 JYarde, 2s. In addition to the usual prises, a handsome silver cup {value £5) will be presented to the competitor gaining most rints in the two events. Points to count 2 1. Makarewa Athletio Society (at - iWallacetown, December 30)— 100 Yards Handicap, entry 2s; 440 Yards Handicap, 2e Caledonian Sooiety of Southland (January 1)— 100 Yards ' Handicap, entry 2s; E2O Yards Handicap, 2s; 440 Yards Handibao 2s. Riverton Athletic Society (Friday, December 27)-l Mile Handicap, entry 8a i ; 440 Yards Handicap, 2s; 220 Yards Handicap", 2e. The fate of Harry Kerr s walking record jrf 6min 26seo is still in doubt. The Australasian BoaTd of Control, to whom the (performance was submitted for endorsement as an Australasian record, has postponed final consideration until its next kneeting in February. For those clubs in search of novelty in sports events here is the latest American notion — a pole vault for distance. In a freoent competition of this description in New York one Martin Sheridan won out Trjij) a jump of 26ft 6in. The recent Wanganui A.A.C.'s spring touting brought to lig>ht a promising tarinter in V. S. Williams, who won the 100 Yards Maiden in llsec. his heat of |h« 75 Yards (open) in 8 1-Sth sco off seven yards, and the final in Beec. The mile run mm won by W. A. M'Kenzie, a Wellingfeottian, in 4m in 49seo off 34 yards. A recent cable from America states that Weston walked 1230 miles— from Portland, $oaine, to Chicago— in 595 hours. His prefeione record was 623 hour*. The best day's Walk was 95 miles. With reference to other ireoords on May 14, 1879, in England, William Gale walked "2280 miles in 912 hours 1 foooaeeutive), walking 1100 yards each and evar/ 16 minutes (two miles and a-half each hour)." Westons average per hour if comething over 2.06 miles. The greatest distance walked in 12 hours is 64 miles 824 yards, by P. Girdleaton, on September 87, 1904, at Old Trafford, Manchester. The greatest distance walked in 24 hours is 127 tnfies 1210 yards, by W. Howes, on February 23, 1878, England. Prospeots are very bright for the annual fcporte meeting of the Tokomairiro Harrier knd Amateur Athletic Club at Milton on fclew Year's Day. Already* a. large number of Dunedin runners have decided to make %• trip; amongst others ' the champion Hector Burk, whose presence alone will koaLe the meeting of more than provincial Importance. In addition entries are promwed from Lawrence and BaJclutha. Fapafiui can be reKed on to send a strong Contingent, so that the meeting at Milton will afford aq. opportunity for country athletes to show their mettle against the piok of the city representatives. The handifcapping will be in the competent hands of Mr W. M "Donald (honorary 4iandicapper to the Otago Centre) and Mr A. Parlane, who fcotc in a likje capacity for the Tokomairiro Olub. The race* should prove all the more interesting on that account. In addition to the active athletes a large number of supporters of amateurism intend making the epprt* meeting the occasion of a holiday trip to the olean town, par excellence, of Otago. The folio wine programme will be submitted:— loo Yards Flat, 120 Yards Maiden, Half-mile, One Mile, Relay Race of about a mile, for teams of four, Toko Handicap of 220 Yards, 120 Yards, Hurdles, Pole Jump, Long Jump, High Jump, and Putting the Shot, besides which there will be a race for youths under 18 over 220 yards, a relay race for schoolboys, and a handicap^ of 120 yards, also for schoolboys. AS entries will dose on Tuesday, the 24th, ,T»ith the honorary secretary, Mr E. Moore, fcox 23, Milton, or Mr R. G. Anderson, G.P.0., Dunedin. In connection with the mishap that befell Allan in the long jump at the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club's sports meeting on Friday night, it is fortunate that there was present Mr W. Wilkinson, an pxpert in rendering first aid, who speedily tnade the sufferer comfortable. Mr Wilkinson holds a high certificate of efficiency in the ranks of the St. John Ambulance Association, and his ready assistance has fr- been available on many similar occasions. Mr R. G. Anderson having presented one tot the bamboo polee recently imported to She order of the New Zealand Council to -jthe Toko Club, an early opportunity will be j?i.ven of testing t3ie many advantages £xuplaimed for the bamboo. The pole vault ™*6t Milton on New Year's Day will be of frnore than ordinary interest for this reason •done. In the lowr jump on Friday night the 'usual take-off was dispensed with, competitors taking off fnyn a 2in chalk line. Even (with the assistance of handkerchiefs placed »n the ground jumpers seemed to be all fct sea. at judring the take-off, and muoh bf the mediocrity of the diaplay may be g>ut down to this cause. The attention of runners is drawn to the itwc amateur events at Lawrence on Boxing Dttv. The distances are 120 yds and 350 yds, and entries (Is for the first and 2s for the second) close with Mr J. Airey, Lawrence, on the 18th inst. These events are put on the programme with the intention of helping the newly-formed amateur club fend town athletes, and those residing in addoining districts who make the trip will be helping the newly-formed club to proImote amateurism in the goldfields, besides toaving a thoroughly enjoyable outing wnong their Lawrence brother athletes.

It is said that Trembath will be a competitor at Milton on New Year's Day, and should the Gore champion make the trip he will for the first time measure strides with Hector Burk, and an opportunity will be given of settling the question as to the southern man's chances with the New Zealand champion. Personally, the writer hopes io witness the quarter and half in which both compete, beinii satisfied that Trembath will put up a great race. As to his obanees of beating Burk well that is another etory. At its next meeting on the 16th Jnst. the Otago Centre will have to *ake into consideration the representation of Otago at the New Zealand championship meeting in Wellington on February 1. The matter will present some difficulties this season, as there will, in the first pl*oe> be v«ry little to go en in the eelectior of the team, the Milton meeting on New Year's Day being practically the only test before entries will close. Then, again, there is the question of finance. The Otago Centre has a balance certainly, but quite inadequate for the purpose, so that presumably the time-honoured method of going round -with the^ hat will have to be adopted. year the clubs came to the rescue, bora the Civil Service and the D.A.A.O. donating £5, while the other clubs assisted according to their means. "Amateur" is of opinion, in the light of past experience, that a small team should be sent this year, and that the men should arrive in Wellington at least the day before the meeting, and earlier if possible. As the meeting j* held on a Saturday it would be possible to leave Dunedin on Thursday, arriving in the Empire City on Friday and returning on Saturday night, reaching home on the Monday night by the first express.

Guy Haskins has written from Philadelphia to a friend that he is a. fixture in the "States, and does not intend returning to New Zealand, as reported, and will not, tl«refore, be available for the Australasian championships. Rather disappointing, no doubt, to New Zealanders, but a gooa man out of the path of G. A. Wheatley and others (saye 'Harrier"). Owing to having snapped a back tendon, he was not competing in the National Championships this year. The mile waa run in 4min 29« ec, and as Haskins has 4min 20 2-ssec to his credit for the distance, he should have had a big say in the result. The famous Olympic Games of ancient Greece have benefited by the gift of M. Zappa, a Greek resident of Roumania, who has bequeathed the sum of 1,000,000 francs (about £40,000) to the Government as a fund to ensure that the games will be continued at regular intervals. These games were revived at Athens in 1896 at the instance of Franco after an interval of 1600 years, and were held at Paris in 1900 and St. Louis in 1904. At Athens last year athletes from all parts of tfte world took part, and the games were & great success. Next year they will be held at the great Stadium at Shepherd's Bush, London. The Stadium exceeds in dimensions that from which the ancient Greeks witnessed the Homeric contests of the Olympiads. There is dressing-room accommodation for 25 nations at -the Stadium and space for 80,000 spectators. Tommy Burns, who recently defeated Bill Squires io easily for the world's championship, wae to have fought Gunner Moir, the English champion heavy-weight, in London last week. Providing he defeated Moir, Burns promised to meet Jack Johnson, the coloured champion, on his return to America.

Tom Stubba, an ox-Wellington representative at New Zealand cliampionahip meetings, returned to New Zealand last week (says a, Wellington writer), looking well after a two-years' sojourn in the Old Country. Stubbs did some running durinjr his stay in England, and was credited with running 100 yards in 10 l-sseo. He picked up a few points in regard to getting off the mark during hie English experience. Stubbs intends to assist the Wellington Centre to retain possession of the Championship Shield at the forthcoming meeting.

The position of amateur athletics in Auckland would appear to be flourishing, judging from the tone of the report presented at the annual meeting of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club, held recently. The annual report stated that the members had another succeauful year, and the bank overdraft had been reduced. The active membership of the club had been fully maintained, and that the institution continues in favour among amateur athletes is evidenced by the fact that applications for admission have increased since last year. Forty new members have been elected and 12 resigned, the majority of the latter having left Auckland. Two athletio bodies have been affiliated and two have withdrawn. Since last annual meeting the committee had removed from the register the names of about 40 members for ron-payment of subscriptions, such unpaid subscriptions extending _ over a period of three years. ( The committee had again been denied the pleasure of wiping off the bank overdraft, which, however, had been reduced to £24 15e lOd. Against this outstanding subscriptions were estimated to produce £12. As usual, the latter amount had not been included in the balance sheet. The following officers were elected .-—President, Mr W. Coleman; vicepresidents, same as last year ; committee — M«wrs J. H. Watts, S. J. Ohkon, M. J. Lynch, T. Davies, J. Russell, S. Somerfield, R. H. Fronde, N. Hill, and J. Alexander; secretary, Mr O. F. Creagh; treasurer, Mr D. Hey ; auditor, Mr P. R. Fraser.

The Port Nicholson Amateur Athletic Club and the Civil Service Sport* Club held a combined evening sporte meeting on the Basin Reserve (Wellington) recently. The races resulted as lollowe: — 75 Yarda Handicap — First heat : Hodge (7ydte& 1, Cunningham (s£yda) 2; time, &co. Second heat: Woodger (siyds) 1, Golds (s£yds) 2; time, 8»eo. Third heat : Faina (6yds) 1, Dawson (24yds) 2; time, Bsee. Final: Woodger 1, Hodge 2; time, 7 3-ssec. Onemile Run— W. Gosling (25yd«) 1, I. F. Wilton (Wyde) 2, R. Gosling (45yds) 3j time, 4min 37sf-c; won by a yard after an exciting finish. Long Jump — Green (21ft 3in, including 3ft handicap) 1, Brewer (20ft 9in, including 2ft handicap) 2. Bicycle Race, one mile (for members Thor-ndon Cycling dub)-— First heat : Cramp (15yde) 1, Le Compte (10yds) 2, Edwards (25yds) 3; time, 2min 36seo. Second heat: Evieon (i-emtoh) 1, Wollermann (15yds) 2, Goldie (55yds) 3; time, 2min 37 4-saec. FinalCramp 1, Evison 2; time, 2min 33sec. These two paragraphs, both from late American filee, eeem lo clash : " Alfred Shrubb has accepted the position of instructor to the Irish-Canadian Athletic Club of Toronto, and intends to retire from the

track. He recently refused to race Irishman Day over a mile." A little later the following defiance from Shrubb appears, dated October ll:—"2 :— " Snorting Editor Globe: Dear Sir, — I see by your issue of to-day's date that it is the opinion of certain good judges -of distance running in Toronto that Longboat can beat me at a long distance. I am prepared- to run Longlx>at 20 or 25 miles on a properly measured track for 2000dol, and place the money as mutually agreed. As it has been said by a prominent amateur that I am cut for money-making, I am prepared, if Mr Longboat will meet me, to give my proportion of the' gate receipts to the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children. I trust that Mr Longboat will accept this challenge, and then the publio will see whioh is the better man. I am tired of hearing 00 much bluff. Now come along. — Ybuo* faithfully, Alfred Shrubb." According to Mr T. 0. Flanagan, the great American authority, and president of the Irish-Canadian Club, Longboat has refused the challenge, on the ground that he is an^amateur, and intends to stay as such.

Shrubb, however, is finding other game, as the following, also by the American mail, shows: Alfred Shrubb, the English champion runner, is etill carrying all before him in America. At the Caledonian sports he met some ol the best American athletes, and in every event in which he competed — the Mile, Tfcree Miles, And Five MUee — he defeated allcomers. In the Mile and Five Miles he had as opponent a full-blooded Bed Indian, a descendant of the great Indian chief Black Hawk, but the Indian gave the Englishman no trouble. In the Five-mile raoe Shrubb was matched against six champions, but mowed down the field as if th«y were standing still, and, amid great cheering* cantered nome a winner by over half a mile. Shrubb was carried off the field on the shoulders of two brawny Scots, to tho accompaniment of a band of .Highland pipers.

NEW ZEALAND ATHLETIC UNION. Otago Centbe.

The usual monthly meeting of the above was held on Tuesday evening. The following were granted permits: — Id* Valley Athletic Club (December 26); Owaka, Caledonian Society (December 27) ; Raitanui Sports Club (December 28); Oamartt Caledonian Society (January 1 and 2); Waitahuna Athletic Club (January 1); Clinton Caledonian Society (January 1); Roxburgh Cycling Club (January 1). Mr A. A. Thomson applied to hay« his diequalification removed so as to enable him to compete at the Christmas and New Year meetings. — After disoussion the original date (December 31, 1907) waa adhered to. The Secretary reported having visited Lawrenoe, 'Beaumont, and Rae's Junction re centre matters, and also having satisfactorily arranged matters between the two latter olubt, whereby Beaumont will 'hold sports on January- 1 and Rae's Junction on the following day (January 2). All the sporta societies in this- district were unanimous in their opinion that the centre was doing good work for the purity of sport. Accounts amounting to £1 5s were passed for payment.

The following representatives were appointed to different meetings at Christmas and New Year: — Kaitangata and Waikouaiti, Mr M'Kay; Dunback, Mr A. J. Kitchen; Duntroon and Oamoru, Mr D. J. Corcoran; Dunedin, Messrs Hobbs and M'Kay. The secretary waa empowered to appoint any other representatives.

DUNEDIN CLUB'S EVENING MEETING.

The first of the series of evening athletic meetings promoted by the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club took place on the Caledonian Ground on Friday evening in the presence of a fair attendance of spectators The weather was fine, and the field 1 in good condition. There weTe large entries, and the various events were closely contested. A regrettable accident occurred during the meeting, J. Allan " spiking " his right leg rather badly when landing in the Long Jump. Apart from this the meeting passed off without a hitch, and was in every way successful. In the final of the 75 Yards Flat Ruddock came with a food run and won on the tape. The Mil* rought out a large field, the winner (Love) running a splendid race, and finishing strongly after taking the lead at th« end of half a mile. The 220 Yards was well contested, Reid coming with * great burst of speed in the last 20 yards. Mitchell won the long jump with some inches to spare. The majority of the competitors in this event took off badly. The following officials controlled the meeting:— Referee, W. Maclean; judges— V. S. Jacobs, P. Doull, R. G AndeTson, A. Dey; timekeepers— W. J. Burk, JB. Nelson, P. Brady, L. Lilburne; clerks of course — S. Bass, J. R. Wilson, W. L. M'Curdy, H. Downes; handicapper, W. M'Donald; starter, W. Rudkin; secretary, J. T. Ham»nn. Following are the details: — 75 Yards Flat Handicap.— First heat: W. Kennedy, 51yds, 1 ; F. M. Reid, 4yds, 2. Also started: G. P. Keddell scratch. D. Macfarlan« 3iyds. J. W. Falconer 4Jyds, G. A. Scott 6yds. Won easily. Time, 8 S-se«c Second heat : R. F. Mitchell, sJyds, 1 ; T. S. Ruddock, ljyda, 2. Also started: E. A. Shand 3Jyd», W. M'Kay 4Jyds, F. Cray syds. Won on the tape- Time. 8 2-ssec. Final, 75 Yards. T. S. Ruddock . 1 W. Kennedy .- ... . 2 R. F. Mitchell .. .. .„. t- .. 3 All qualified started. From % good start Kennedy showed okar, and was leading 10yds from the tape when Ruddock, who wpb running well, came fart on the outside, «..d won on the tape. Time, 8 2-ssec. One-mile Handicap. A. Love, 20yds . ... ... 1 IX Hodgson, 20yds . .. -. - 2 A. H. Bone, scr . .- . .. S Also started: T. R. Gordon scr, J. Frew syds, J Beatson 10yds, A. Foßter 15yde, T. Meredith 4Oyd«, A. M'Hurtrie 50yds, T. Dallas 55yds, J. Stewart 70yds. The big field was despatched to a good start, the limit man taking the lead for the first round. At the end of the half-mile the field began to string out. M'Murtrie was in lh« lead, with Frew and Beatson ctose up, the rest of the competitors bunched some yards away. Going round tor the third lap Love stretched out, and placed a considerable gap between him and his nearest opponent. At the bell for the last round Love had a lead of 20yd«, and was Increasing it with every stride. Going down the back stretch a number of the competitors dropped out. Love was going strongly in the lead, and coming up the straight finished full of running, and won by 80yds from Hodgson, who was 20yds in front of Bone. Time, 4min Si l-ssec.

220 Yards Flet Handicap. F. M. Reid, 11yds . - . , 1 F Cray, 13yda , ,j . £__ .'. 2 E. A. Shand, 10yds .. .'. .. .. 3 Also started: H. Gk Burk scr, E. "Williams 13yds, T. R. Gordon 14y4s. Burk got a break on the field at pistol fire, but Cray was the firrt to show c'.ear A and. vras leading the field

to well up the straight, when he died away, and Reid, coming with a, strong run, won at the finish by half a yard, » y»Td separating Mcond and third. Time, 24 4-ssec. Long Jump Handicap. H. F. Mitchell (2ft), 19ft llin . n 1 J. Allan (2ft), 19ft BJin .. .. .. 3 F. M. Reid (lft), 18ft llin . „ „ 8 Also competed: D. M'Fftrlane (ecr), 18ft 2in; T. S Ruddock (scr), 18ft 2in; C. A. Shand (9in); and H. F. Titchenwr (lft). The winner jumped well, taking off splendidly and landing clean. Allan, who met with a regrettable injury, took off well, but landed rather awkwardly.