CASH ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2840, 19 August 1908, Page 68

CASH ATHLETICS.

By Spoet.

In last week's notes a typographical error crept in which vastly altered the complexion and meaning which I intended to convey. In refer-ring to the probable dual loss which the Otago Centre is abotit to receive I was made to say, "However, the centre is NOT composed of enthusiastic members, and worthy successors will no doubt be appointed in their place.'' The word "not"' should have read "now." As anticipated, B. R. Day defeated Australian A. B. Postle in their match over 440 yds. run at Salford (Eng.) last Saturday. From the meagre details to hand, one learns that great interest must have been taken in the race, for the attendance numbered 15,000, which doubtlets would gladden the heai't of the promoter, our old friend Rufe Naylor. To defeat Postle by Byds in the fast time of 49 l-sseo showe a marked improvement in the result of the last race between tho peds. named. As mentioned last week, Postle defeated Day over a quarter of a mile at Claremont (W.A.) on April 10, 1907, the Australian finishing alone in the wonderful time of 50sec on a loose track. To now beat Postle so decisively shows that Day must have improved greatly, for finishin~ Byds behind Day in 49 l-ssec would give the Australian's time ac being 50sec — the. same as that recorded in the previous match. When fuller information comes to hand' I shall not be surpri-esd to hear of Postle attributing his defeat by Day to the "special preparation which ho must have made for his 130 yds match with the English champion Groiveott. Coming within a fortnight of the lastmentioned match, Pcetle could hardly have been thoroughly wound up for a race o\er 440vd->.

The annual meeting of the Enfield Athletic Society was held on Monday, 10th inst., ther being over 50 persons present. The report stated that the society was entering upon its fifth year, and has a, membership of 75. The year commenced T'th a credit balance of £15 3s 3d, and

ended with a credit of £21 4a sd, 'a print of £6 on the year's workings. During the year the society became affiliated with the Otago Centre N.Z. Atheletio Union, which we think will be in the best interests of the competitors. The election of officers resulted : — President, Mr A. M*Naughton; vice-president, Mr J. Cornick; secretary, Mr R. B. Meek; treasurer, Mx A. Martin ; committee — Messrs Mahoney, Little, Telfer, Cowan (2). A. Meek, Dorwood, Berry, Leathern, Rainforth, Begg, Dugg-an, Freeman, Smith, and Cox. Mr J. Mahoney was appointed to represent the society at the annual meeting' of the Otago Centre N.Z. A. Union. Thus a well-known writer in Sydney ; — " . . . Perhaps some of the oldtimers who have all along- disparaged Ai*thur Postle's ability as a sprinter when compared with many of those who preceded him in the boom days of professional pedestrian isn will now feel inclined to moderate their opinions, seeing that he has proved himself equal to defeating the champion of England. Postle had frequently been credited with running better than even time in Australia, and, though a subsequent development' to the foot-running boom, there is no matter of fact reason why he should not be as fast as any of his predecessors. In referring to Postle's defeat of Growcott, however, in 12 3-ssec for the 130 yds, too much appears to be made of the fact that the performance took place on a grass track. This alone may not enhance the value of the performance in any way. seeing that, with the exception, perhaps, of Botany, the grass track at Newcastle was probably the fastest in Australia. As with horses, so with athletes, it appears impossible to draw any satisfactory line of comparison with the champions of old and those of the^ present day. the time test, if any, being the only reliable guide. Postle's defeat of Growcott speaks for itself, the latrt-r being the recognised champion of England, and, without drawing any comparison between Growcott and H. Hutchens it should be remembered that the latter visited Australia in his declining days as an athlete, and made short work of the best we wen able to pit against him ; and that was in the boom days. too. However, the chances are that Charlie Samuel improved considerably after the Putney champ-ion had returned to England, and would have been a much stiffer proposition six or twelve months later.

"Samuels ie generally recognised ac the erreatest sprinter Australia has so far protruoed. and, wirhout wishing to put Postle on a level with the black, fellow, the least those who are always recounting the deeds of champions of the /.ast can do is to cla«s him with the previous best of the white msn. At their best there was probably little to choope between W. H. Williams, Joe Price, and J. M'Garrigal, although this trio never clashed at the top of their form. Williams or M'GarrigFal, on the days they won their respective handicaps at Botany, would perhaps have more tha.n held their own with any white-skinned . Australian champion who had preceded them, and at anything over 130 yds the consensus of opinion would have favoured M'Garrigal. However, let us credit Pcsfcle with his brilliant achievement in beating England's best — a performance we were incapable of even in the days when the conditions for the development of champions were much more favourable than they are now."

A London Highland Games Association has "been formed with the object of holding an anmial mee+ing in London, at which the leading; Scottish professionals will meet in competition, as up north. The Stamford Bridge Grounds have been secured for the inaugnral meeting, which will be held on August Bank Holiday. Substantial money prizes will bo given, and all events are to be open and entries free. The p.rogremme will includo piping, dancing, running, jumping, throwing the hammer, toesing the caber, putting tho ball, football (five a-side)," weight-throwing, steeplechasing, wrestling, bicycle races, etc. The profits will he jriven to the Caledonian Asylum and the Scottish Hospital.

The M'Manus-Donald'son match for a pur o e of £50 was decided recently on the Maryborough Show Ground (Vie.) under very adverse weather conditions and in the presence of a small a.nd very undemonstrative crowd, whicS did not seem to realise •that they were witnessing a series of races such as ihey had never seen — and possibly may never see again, as all three events were keenly and undoubtedly honestly contested. Heavy rain fell during the night preceding the match. and continued throughout the day. Thi6, together with tho uneven nature of the track, made fast times an impossibility. 300 Yards. — M'Manus had the inside- runI ning, and set a solid pace for- about' 70 yaTds, when, in dodging a pool of water, he lost ground. Donaldson -went to the front, and when two-thirds of the distance i had been traversed Jed by five.yards. Here M'Manus put in a good run, but could 1 not overtake his speedy opponent, who won all out by nearly two yards. Time, 31sec. 440 ' Yards.— M'Manus again had the inside position, and after several "snap caps" both got away together. Donaideon soon went to the front, and at halfway was four yards to the good. The /eteran, however, was not to be denied, and at about 70yd« from the tape he ranged alongside. For 20y<?s a neck-and-neck struggle ensued, then M'Manus, with his long strides, slowly but surely drew away and won a good race by a yard. Time, 48 l-ssec. 500 Yards.— This race was indeed worth going a long way to see. Donaldson had the inside- running, and at the pistol crack both jumped smartly away. After racing together for about 200yde Donaldson forged slightly ahead. From the 300 yds' post M'Manus made a good run, and going to ihe front led by 2yds, with a hundred yards to go. The race seemed over, but the game Victorian top-noteher had still to be reckoned with, and putting in : a desperate, run he quickly reduced the gap j to about 18in, but tho effort had told, and the last i'Oyde sa>v no change in the positions, M'Manus winning all out by halfyard. Time, lmin 1 3-s&ec. Should M'Manus .-etain his pi-eeent form h& will be prenared to race A. B. Postle I over a 440 yards' course on the' champion 'b • ietum from England.