NOTES BY AMATEUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 62

NOTES BY AMATEUR.

The annual general meeting of the Ihxnedin Amateur Athletic Club will be held on Friday evening in. the Chamber of Commerce at 8 p.m. The club has- just passed a mcvt successful season, a<nd the credit balance ia some £85, which mu&t fee deemed very satisfactory The D.A.A.C. must be about the wealthiest amateur club in the. Dominion. has been received from the council £0 the effect that the Wellington gentlemen 1 nominated for election to the council of the N.Z.A.A.A. are ineligible. The Otago Centre has entered a etron-g protest, as> have Messrs Willett and fareavcr, tho delegates who forwarded" tho names for election. The Wellington and Southland Centres are ako vigorously protesting. The action of tbe returning officer, in refu-sing' Aba "nominations is ultra, vires, and he had ik> right to be dictated to as to who are- eligible for election to the council. He ; and he alone, determines whether nominations are in order or not, and it showed weakness on hie part in consulting the chairman of (the retiring body. Tho following protest was forwarded by Messrs F. Ross, A. Marryatt, A. Davies, W. F. Larkioe, W. H. Pc-Uock, W. Coffey, and Dawson, the gentlemen whose nominations were refused : — Wellington, October 17. 1908.— J. H. Aitken, Esq., seor-eiary aaid treasurer N.Z.A.A.A and returningofficer, Ohristchuroh. — Deaa* Sir, — We the undersigned duly nominated candidates for election as members of the council of the !New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association learn with surprise from our nominators that our names are not included in the •voting paper sent out in connection with the election, and formally protest against your action as returning officer in exclud-. ing 1:3 from tho ballot. We claim (1) ■that our nominations are in ord«r ; that according to the rulee of the X.Z.A.A.A. f« are qualified for cand : clature, and that toeing- cognisant of rhe «=airt rules we- are, if elected, prepared to act in accorda-iico therewith. (2) That as th« returning officer you are the person ups>n whom re^ts the -"' • Jv-Toarib'iitv of determinant -wJifct-htr the i'crii:jia.i.o»i- arc in order, and •fn accordance with t!.-- rules, and co long as th-r '-<» r p:iieTnen:~ 01 the rules havf» been -vJtuphec) w:fh you are in duty boxmd to iccept hh/3 nominations and '>ake tEo efcepe necessary to have the election carried out. W© further contend that your cction in submitting questions that are solely under your own Jurisdiction as -re\htrning officer" to A third person ia entirely

I unconstitutional and opposed to the general practice governing all elections. We f now coil upon you to forthwith proceed , to take a ballot in accordance with the laws of the aei2cia.tion, and insist on our right to go to the fcallot. — Yours faithfully, F. Rose A. Marryatt, A. Davies, W. F. Larkins, W. H. Pollock, W. Caffey, — Da-wean. The following gentlemen have been declared elected as councillors on the N.Z.A.A.A. :— Messrs J. R. Olliver, L. Whitcombe, G. H, Mason, J. F. Grierson, E. Norden, J. H. Aitken, and D. Hoare. Messrs W. G. Atack and H. S. Batchelor will in all probability be appointed president and Vice-president respeornrely. There i is no doubt whatever that these gentlemen have been elected in opposition to the majority of athletes throughout the Dominion, and I can scarcely think that they will continue to sit in office under present conditions. It is the intention of the Wellington, Otago, and Southland ; Centres to see the matter through. Should I the protests to the council of the N.Z.A.A.A. I be fruitless, an appeal will then go forI ward to ifoe Australasian Union, j Both the Otago and Southla-nd Centres { have forwarded the .foHowinig remit to the council for consideration : — "That the head- . quarters of the N.Z.A.A-A. be transferred ;to Wellington." The Wellington Centre wail support this. j It would be interesting- to learn when j the Auckland Centre- last- held a" mee&ng, { and if the club's subscriptions for this ' year have been paid. ! Jn connection with the disputed election I learn that it is the intention of all the centres to proceed with the protest along constitutional lines, and to do nothing- tbai will injure their cause. There is a threatened epffit in amateur circles at the present time over the action of the chairman of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association in connection with the ruling as regards the election of officers on the council. At the special , meeting in Wellington the Chairman (Dr j Newman) said that h© was perfectly amazed - at Mr Atack's action, whicli, he considered, was utterly indefensible. He had never , heard of such a preposterous ruling in all ' has experience of sports bodies. x He was • of opinion that the meeting should enter a strong protest against the unwarrantable 1 action of the chairman of the N.Z.A.A.A. i in interfering, as he waa attempting to do. ' with the conduct of the election, and Hb i could find in the rules no justification j for such action. It was a deliberate attempt, on the part of Mr Atack,, to disfranchise the Wellington and other provincial centres. Mr W. Coffey said that it was the most extraordinary ruling that j had ever emanated from the president of , a sports body. It was a matter seriously affecting tho interests of athletic associations. He was strongly of opinion that the candidates, severally or conjointly, shou-ld enter an emphatic protest against this an-empt to disfranchise -tihem. He moved — '* Thac this centre recommends that the i candidates who have 'been nominated by the Wellington delegates for seate on the N.Z:A.A.A., either severally or conjointly, enter an emphatic protest to the returning officer against the ruling of the president that they, the candidates, are ineligible on , the ground that they are not resident at ' headquarter^, and that the returning officer bs asked to explain his official position as returning officer and candidate." Tho motion was. seconded a>nd carried unanimously. Mr Pollock then moved — "That the council be -written to and asked to explain -why the returning officer consulted anyone in connection with t-he nominations, and why he was not guided by the rules as laid down; and that this centre insists upon him proceeding with the election according to rules, and that the deputy returning officer of this centre now awaits the voting papers containing the names of •the whole of the candidates nominated." This was carried, and as an addendum ifc was resolved, on the motion of Mr Bridge. "This matter be treated' as 'urgent,' and bo dealt with by the council as at present constituted." The opinion was freely expressed by various speakers that the matter, as being of vital importance, cfeuld have tout one of two iseuce:— The ruling as to the qualifications of candidates must either be reversed, or the question of eeceding from the N.Z.A.A.A. would, in the interests of local centres of the association, have to be seriously considered. Guy Haskins, who is returning to New Zealand from America, has, on several occasions, distinguished himself in the athletic world. He left the Christchurch Boys' High School in 1902 to Jtudy dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania. Whilo there he won the One-mile Championship of the University in 180t in 4min 28sec, a 'Varsity record. Ho also represented the College in the intercollegiate tournaments in 190*, 1905, 1906, and 1907. In 1906 he again won the one-mile event in 4min 29seo on a heavy track and against a gale. Later in the 1906 season he traversed a mile in 4min 26 l-ssec. This record slocd until last year. when he accomplished the distance in 4min 20 2-5s3C, and subsequently accounted for the half- ) mile, thereby securing a win for his University by 4 points. The Philadelphia Press; referring to the mile contest, elated that Haskins completed the half distance in 2mip lOsec Oce, of Michigan, another favourite, was on even terms with him when he finished three-quarters in 3niin 17sec. Running into the back stretch, Haskins sprinted at a terrific rate, and ultimately -won by eight yard 3. His win in the half-mile in lmin 57 4-sseo produced one of the most sensational finishes ever seeD on any track. Entering the back straight in the first round, Haskins, who had been buffeted about, filled last place. At the end of the first round, which \va<? completed in 58scc, Haskins was still almost in tho rear. Going round the first turn in the other and last lap, Haskins evading a scrimmage, moved up, reaching fifth place on the back stretch. With 220 yards to go, Haskins looked hopelessly out of it. As the leaders turned into the stretch he tried to get through, but was • almost boxed. Realising his position, Has- , kins turned out and dashed for the tapo with all Ins strength, winning by half a yard When the result wae announced, Murpbv, tho veteran trainer, was so ovor- ' come that he burst into tears. In June, 1906, Hawkins took his D.D.S. degree. ; Subsequently he has had the benefit of a special post-graduate course and of expori- ; ' once ju England. It is not unlikely that I he will settle in Christchurch. In a review of the proposed tour of Au'- [ tralia and New Zealand by a team of South African athletes (outlined by me a week or two back), '•Harrier," of tho Australasian, writes in a favourable strain, and voices the opinion, that Victoria could find

£500 as that Spate's share of the necessary guarantee. I should say New Zealand and New South Wales could each find the samo amount (certainly the Dominion could), and it would rest with Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania to make up -another £500 bi-tween the three States named. The question is : Which association is prepared to take the initiative? In i»y opinion success would most likely be achieved if the "Victorian A.A.A. and the New Zealand A.A.A. took the matter in hand. Or should the executive of the A. A. Union make a start by sending a circular letter on the subject to the affiliated associations ? At a. recent i»eetinp -of tlie- Wellington centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association Dr Newman said that during -his recent visit to Australia he had talked with Mr Coombes. the president of many sports' bodies. Mr Coombes agreed with . Dt Newman that as New Zealand was so distant from Europe it would he a good plan to write to the controllers of the Olympio Games endeavouring to get direct representation on the. governing body of that famous organisation. Witt New Zealand delegates on the body, this Dominion, which surely intended to Trequently send contestants to the games, would have some voting power, and a portion of the control which would be of infinite assistance to New Zealand athletes in the great struggles. He thought it might be possible to organise a race in New Zealand on the lines of the Marathon Race, and if such a race could be arranged," he would give a trophy. Mr Stuart Robinson doubted the possibhty of the scheme, stating that the harriers had tried to include such a race, but had found it impracticable. To some unknown friend I am indebted for a copy of the report of the Riverton Harrier Club's sports, held on Wednesday last. Unfortunately the weather conditiona wero unfavourable. There were competitors present from the Gore, InveroargiU, Riverton, and Union Harrier Clubs, all the best pßrformera in. Southland, with the exception of W. F. Tremhath, being present, including G. Driscoll (Southland and Union Harrier cross-country champion), H Windle {Gore cross-country champion), K." Robertaon (Riveirton cross-country champion), and T. Haslett (la.te University mile champion). The following are the results : — 100yd3 Handicap— C. Robertson (Riverton Harriers). 1; J. Johnstone (Gore Harriers*, 2; R. Pyle (Invercargill Harriers), 3; G,. S. Wilson» (Union Harriers), 4. This was a first-class race, all being in a line at 80yds, when Robertson came out in fine stylo and won a good race by a yard from Johnstone, who squeez€cl_ into second place on the tape, Wilson being a yard behind Pyle; time, 10 4-ssec. 220 yds Open Handicap— -P. Uren (Invercargill, ljd), 1; J. Johnstone (Gore, 12yds), 2; H. Woods (Invercargill, 4yds), 3. Jobnttono took the lead early, but Uren closed up at 150 yds, and netting a clear run m the straight came through fast, and won by a couple of .rds from Johnstone, Woods being a geed third; time, 26?ec. Half-mile Open— H. Windle (Gore, 18yds), 1; T. Haslett (Riverton, Byds), 2; R. itobertson (Riverton, 14yds), 3. A field of over a dozen quickly thinned after the first lap, Haslett being in the van. At the end of the' second lap the scratch man (G. Driscoll) gave up, and four men were left to finish. Haslett still held the lead, but coming into the straight Windle passed him, and a struggle between the two men , resulted in the Gore champion getting the ' verdict by a yard, R. Robertson being a iif air third; time, 2min 14 3-ssec. High Jump (Open)— H. E. Philp (Riventon, 3in), 1; P. Uren (Invercargill, 3in), 2. The •winner jumped 4ft lOin, the second man 4ft 9£in, and the scratch man (W. Mitchell) 4ft llin. The bard take-off prevented tho men from showing their best form. 440yd3 Handicap— J. C. Robins (Riverton, 20yds), 1; R. Pyle (Invercargill, scratch), 2; H. Windle (Gore, 7yds), 3. These were the only starters, xiobins led throughout, Pyle being unable to gain until the straight was reached, when he got within 6yds of him, Windlo being about 2yds- away; time, 57 '3-ssec. Teams' Relay Race— Riverton {Haslett, Robins, Robertson 2), 45yds, 1; Invercargill (R. Nash, J. Ardajh. P. Uren, and H. Fancourt), 20yds, 2. Only these two teams ran. Robins and Fancourt were the first away. Fancourt gained on- the Riverton man, but Cam Robertson outpaced Ardagh, and sent his successor away with a good lead, which R. Robertson irjf creased from R. Nash, Haslett having a -walk-over from Uren, who, finding the chase hopeless, eased down at half the distance. One-mile Handicap — R. Robertson (Kiverton, 20yds), 1; W. Mitchell (Invercargill, 20yds), 2. These were the only starters. The men, paced each other until the last, lap when Robertson quickened up, find, sprinting down the straight, won try about 20yds: time, smin 30sec. Hop. Step, and Jump— W. Mitchell (Invercargill, 35ft .TOm), 1; A. Forsyth (Riverton, 35ft 9inl, 2. J. Bannerman. and C. E. Robertson also competed. Club 220 yds Handicap— J. C. Robins (12yds), 1; C. Robertson (scratch), 2; J. M'Donough. (3yds), 3. Robins quickly rtook tho lead and was never overtaken, eventually winning by 2v<k frim C. Robertson, who came through the field very fast. f Also started : C. E. Robertson (12yd^, R. j Koberf-on (syds), A. i'orsyth, (3vd^>), and ! li. M'Nee (15yds). I Arthur Shrubb, in a recent letter to tho press, sadly lamented the position that England's "distance runners occupied in the recent Marathon race. He attributed their failure to insufficient training at the distance. WiCltout being joyous, at Longboat's non-success (which he predicted), Shrubb iliinks that he is now a certain winner of the proposed race over 10 miles for £500 aside. He is to run Longboat, en the latter's return to America. The English crack has had a busy time in the States. He has raced almost every week, running relay races and scratch race?. His last performance was at New Bedford, Mass., where he ran against three men. who covered two and three.quarter miles each. Shrubb and his time was 40min 41eec. He speaks of runj ning as well as ever. The fact that he has, J won ell his 10 races may prove little, owing to the cla.^ of men he may bo meeting, but there is something -tangible and substantial in his times. For one mile he has j dono 4min 29 4-ssec, and 4rnin 25sec; for j two miles lie has dono 9min 23sec; and 1 for 10 miles his best tinir has been 51mia lOsec. Fully 12 OCO persons attended the Lincoln City F.C. Sports on August 29. Amongst tho competitors was H. E. Kerr (Welhngi ton. N.Z.), v.ho started in the Handicap I Mile Walk. As W. Robinson, of Burn Joy,

225 yds, won in 6min 3 4-ssec, Kerrs chance may be imagined. , R. E. Walker (Natal) and E. R. Voigt (Manchester) were the stats at the games at Fallowfield (Manchester) on August 29. In the final of the 100 Yards Handicap Walker failed by inches to catch J. Jeffries, of the Crewe Harriers, 4yde, who "won in 10 l-ssec. Voigt ran in a five niiles handicap, and made an attempt to lower the world's record (A. A. Shrubb's) of 24min 33 2-ssec. He failed by 57 l-56ec, doing 25min 30 2-ssec. It i« palpable that both Walker and Voigt were below form. Dorando Pietro, the hero of the Maratthon race, fell from his bicycle at Sako Maggiore, and fractured his right leg. He was taking the famous ironirater bathe, and. had gone for a spin, when Raicevitch, the wrestler, passed him on a swiftlymoving motor car, throwing up such a dust that Dorando became confused, lost his balance, and was thrown from his machine. — London Sportsman o£ August bi. R. E. Walker, the Natal crack, was in form at /the Notts Rugby F.C. Sports at Beeston on August 22. He first won the 120vds handicap from scratch in 12 2-56 ec, and followed this up by capturing; the 100 yds invitation scratch race, wherein he beat J. W. Morton by inches in 10 l-ssec The times appear slow for the ohampion, but presumably he had a bit in hand — in the scratch race at all -events. At the Queenstown, Co. Cork, sports recently the Irish-Americans, Flanagan, <Walsh, and Rose, were very, much in evidence. Flanagan threw tho 161b hammer from a 9ft circle 181 ft Bin. which is a worlds record, previously held by the same man at 173 ft lQin. Flanagan later tihrew the 561b weight (9ft circle) 37ft 7in. Con Walsh slung the 561b for height 16ft 3£in, which beats his previous record by 6£in. Ralph Rose put the ehpt 51ft liin, but on being weighed the shot was found to be 4oz short of the regulation 161b.