CASH ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2809, 15 January 1908, Page 63

CASH ATHLETICS.

Bt Slpokt. FIXTURES. Jan. 22 — Caledonian Sports, Wanganui. " Feb. 12. — Caledonian Sports, Napier. Feb. Id, — Caledonian Sports, Takapau. Feb. 26 — N.2.A.TJ. Running Championships, New Plymouth. M-arch. 18. — Athletic Sports, Invercargill. The Otago Centre New Zealand Athletic Union has wisely decided to hold another evening sports meeting, the date not being yet fixed. It is probable, however, that the meeting will eventuate on the 29th inst., when .two running events will' form part of the programme. It is proposed to put on a Maiden, or, better still, a Novice Race, open only to Tunhers not having won j more than a stipulated amount of prize- j money. A Maiden Race would exclude a winner, even of only a small prize. An Open Race will also appear on the programme. It -is hoped that the events will be placed so as to allow a maiden runner entering and competing in both events. Although I have not heard whether a cycling Tace ie to be included, it is more than likely that it* will, and if th© race at the last evening gathering can be taken as a criterion, it will well earn its position as 'a most attractive event, as_ well as an interesting diversion. - Meanwhile, peds may early expect the programme at the Sports Depot. The winner of the Manchester Handicap, of one mile, at the Feilding athletic sports on Boxing Day has been disqualified for failing to give a complete list of his previous performances, having omitted to mention that he won a mile^race at the Bongotea sports last year. V. Carroll therefore takes first prize of £10 and a gold medal valued at £2 2s. The circuit of sports meetings in the Lake district — Arrowtown on. December 26, Arthur's Point on 27th. and Queenstown on January 11 — 'were all very successful. The last-mentioned society had a large attendance, * while ' Arthur's Point sports were- the.- most -successful lor a number of years* Arrowtown, too, had a. big "gate,"

something like £17 being taken. . The most successful runners at the meeting being C M'Bride, R. Hunter, W. Neylon, and G. Campbell. The lists of disqualifications of the Otago Centre of the N.Z.A.U. have been somewhat swelled by the unregistered meetings of Brighton and Tuapeka. Mouth. .A couple of the competitors at the former gathering on January 1 attempted to get in at Dunedin on the 2nd, but they were refused. It may aot as a lesson to competitors who think they can defy the union by taking part in unregistered gatherings. W. Laweon, whose death at Timaru ..occurred suddenly, was a keen sport and enthusiast in all branches of outdoor games. He had been a member of the South Canterbury Caledonian Society for a number of years, and was at the time of his demise in the honoured position of president. In this capacity he was much in evidence at the eociety's recent games on January 1 and 2, and his untimely end came as a shock to all those wi*h whom the genial "Bill" came into contact. Besides acting as starter, Mr Lawson had been a member of -the South Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Athletic Union for^the past two years, and had done much for the purity of sport in his district. To his widow and family a largecircle of friends in the athletic world extend their deepest sympathy. With the holding of so -many gatherings during the Christmas and New Year thework of the Athletic Union -Centre here has much diminished. This was evidenced by the short meeting on Tuesday evening last; short as regards local matters are concerned. Most of the time was taken up considering foreign, matters — viz., the annual conference of the union in New Plymouth next month. As appears in the- report -published, a few remits have been decided upon for consideration, and, with the exception of the 30-mil& radius^ the others are not so very important. The radius remit only affects about two parties, or four bodies,, in the Otago district. Whether it will receive much support from the North Island centres remains to be proved. There is little -fear, however, that the centre's delegates, Messrs Corcoran and Keast, w^ll give the remit every argument in its favour. A comparison with last year of the takings from different sources at the Oamaru Caledonian, jsports may be of interest. In each case the figures for 1907 are put first : Gates, first day, £178 and £183, second day, £91 and £113 ; oonceirt, £62 and £65 ; , entries, £44 and £65; privileges, £27 and £28; programmes, £5 and £8; members' tickets, £57 and £100 (estimated) ; —totals, £464 and £574. The second day's ' takings, entry _ fees, and members' tickets are the principal increases this year. A movement is on foot to hold evening sports in Palmerston under .the auspices of th© Caledonian Society and to cater for running and cycling. A meeting was to have, been held after "the New Tear with this end in view, but I have not heard anything further of what-'has eventuated. Certainly the idea is good; and is sure to help all — runners, cyclists, and the Caledonian Society. At the usual monthly- meeting of the Wanganui Caledonian Society on January 3 the bank book was produced, showing a credit baianoe of £36 7s lid. The Cambrians St. David's Day Sports have applied for registration with the union, and for permission to hold sports on February 28, their usual date, March 1, falling on a Sunday. At the Taihape sports on January 1 just on -2500 people were present, £115 being taken -at the gates'. Taihape is only a small bush town, boomed up by the .Main Trunk line passing through connecting Auckland and Wellington by rail. Several pipers and dancers intend touring the North Island during the next few months, commencing with. Wanganui "on January 22. To those athletes, dandsmen, -and others visiting New Plymouth during band contest week and at the time of N.Z.A.U. running championships, it may be news to know that the world's sculling championship between Webb and Tressider has been postponed to Eebrua-ry 25, just a week later than the original date. Perhaps those in authority" for the fixtures in New Plymouth will arrange so as to allow the 25th free to visit Wanganui on the date mentioned. It certainly should be worth the trip alone - to see such a contest as ib expected for the sculling premiership. The Olympic Athletic Club, Victoria, -was unfortunate in striking the hottest day of the season for its Christmas Day sports meeting, and, to make things still more unpleasant; a stiff northerly wind, accompanied by a blinding dust," prevailed. The attendance of the public was, under the sircumstances, very satisfactory, &nd the qruality of tihe- running left very little to be desired. A novel attraction was a series af races, each of 100 yards, between the 3rack Victorian sprinter, R. Cromie, and the champion racing -whippet, Captain Cook. The pedestrian received 30 yards in each race. Cromie won the first event by bwo yards. In the second contest the whippet ran more kindly, and scored by 18 inches. In the third and final set-to the man, running with great dash, passed the line two yards in front with the watch ihowing seven seconds dead. The event was run with a strong gale in the rear, which accounts for the fast time.