CASH ATHLETICS,

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 65

CASH ATHLETICS,

By Spoht. The annual general meeting of delegates to the Otago Centre, New -Zealand Athletic Unidn, was held on. the 19th inst., and was a very representative gathering, delegates being present from the following athletic bodies : -^Palmerston, . Dunback, Waiko'uaiti, Blaeskin, Dunedin, Port Mblyneux, Middtemarch, Cromwell, Qtteenstown, and Mount Ida Caledonian Societies; Enfield, Otepopo, Kaitangatn., Beaumont, Miller's Flat, Soxbuirgh, Olyde, Arthur^ BoJiit, Cambrians, .and Rae'-S Junction, jts-tiileiio and Sports • Clubs ; iLawrenoe And ' St. Bathans St. Patrick's Sport, Societies, and Oamaru Hibernian Society. , The new members appointed to the executive -are Messrs 'R. G. "Varcoe, 3J. Broad, G. W. Collie, W. M'Donald, and A. G. Eenwick, "Who - take the places of Messrs Coughlan, Harper, Powley, Sullivan, and Legerwood. The first four of these tetter gentlemen would -not accept Te-election, while the re-election of the last 7 naniedi was prevented by Ms non-attendance, the remarks of the outgoing president I take it that there is every reason for believing that the centre's affairs will be .as well looked after as formerly, for those officials entrusted with the coming season's work have the necessary qualifications for the control of the sport over which the centre holds sway. A matter that caused a good deal of discussion was the question of the next championship gathering, which the last conference, held (in New Plymouth, decided was to be contested in Duaedin. The newlyelected pr-esident, Mr Corcoran, thought that the centre should conduct them, or, failing that, that they be allotted to some society «mder the centre's jurisdiction. A delegate "was of the opinion that if?- was not the place of .the centre to conduct sports, merely to control them. At the bottom of - the whole position was, as Mr Keast pointed out, the question o£ finance. The amount to b© Involved would be a, matter of some £350 or £400, and the centre's present position would not look at that. Th© matter was eventually left to the executive, who will deal with it at the first centre meeting, to be held on Tuesday evening next, Ist prox. -Although a motion emanating from the 'Pidmerston Caledonian Society— " That the registration fee for competitors who compete at their own local meeting only be reduced to Is" — was carried, it does not mean such will be the case during the coming season, or the season after that, for that matter. This and the other motions carried at the meeting can only go before Qic tiext -annual meeting of the New Zealand Athletic Union «s remits from the Otago Centre. If then carried the Is dny registration wonld come into effect for the season 1910-11} season after next. The rule bearing on a competitors registration fee is <the same as it has always been — i.e., -that each competitor before competing in any event must pay an annual registration fee of 2s 6d. The division of the 2s 6d between ■the union" and its centre was amended at last conference, so that the ■union retains. 1g and the centre Is 6d, thus reversing the original division. I understand that the "big" «vent nt the Palmerston Caledonian -Sports on November 9 will be worth dBB for first, £3 for second, and £1 for third. - Writing to Sydney Referee, A. 3. Postle says:—^Since my last letter both Todd and myself harve made our debut on the Englishrunning track at Manchester. We had only been in the country three weeks., iconeequenfcly 'these was nothing very brilliant about our running. However, Todd especially ran well. He won the Half-mile from svds (virtual scratch), giving away 90yds. The, race, however, according to the watdhes, was slow, taking slightly over 2min- This may be somewhat accounted

for by the fact that the track was wet, heavy grass, and a three-lap one. It was a pretty race to see him get Tip from so far back, and It greatly pleased the speota■ijors. He also won the Hurdle Championship, beating the other competitors by 10yds. I was made a. warm favourite for my heat in the 'Sheffield,' but was beaten a y«rd by An old veteran who, according to report, is well over 40. His name is Bob Cryer. I was giving him ,131 yds in the distance (110 yds). English critic is a very severe one, and I was rather an object ol mirth and derision, or felt so, after my lather poor exhibition. However, this was my first attempt to sprint in this country, and I had been confining myself to long, slow work on the track. The papers on the following morning did not give me any more credit than I deserved. However, I 'was not daunted, though disappointed with my bad showing; and as I was performing in th© 60 Yards Sprint in the evening I hoped) I might show a better run. My hopes were realised beyond expectation, as I won the back division final right out after a dead .heat with Baily, to whom I was conceding 4yds. I thought I iust won the first time, but made no mistake in the run-off, arid was in front and dronped -my hands with lOyde to i*o. I ran, to all watobes f oisee on the wet grass. It was raining hard, and over my pumps in mud. "What a change of -voice from the crowd! I had won back my laurels in one act (of two scenes). I was accorded all <Jue credit, termed a Txrasor' and a 'champion.' On the third evening a good crowd came to .«ee- me compete in' the 250 Yards Handicap. In thia event Day and I were on scratch, the limit being 54-yds (don't laugh) ; but, of course, the limit men are a very bad class of runners. Day and leach qualified for the final, and it brought back memories of our matches in Australia to he^m-the mark with the Irish lad again. Day is * popular fellow in England, and has good supporters. He- was made second favourite, but ■was beaten out of a place. 1 ran third, beating Day by 4yds. I shall be able to -do well in England should I triumph over Growcott on the 25th. I have already several engagements to fulfil at different meetings during the next two months. I think I can. beat anyone here, but prefer not to say any more for the present."