NOTES BY AMATEUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2921, 9 March 1910, Page 65

NOTES BY AMATEUR.

The Dune din Amateur Athletic Club will hold its annual sports meeting on the Caledonian Ground' on Saturday next. The Otago athletes who competed at the recent championships meeting at Auckland have returned, and will be seen on the track on Saturday. A good deal of interest is being taken in the meeting, and-, given fine weather, there should be fine performances and an excellent attendance, Local athletes and enthusiasts will rejoice to hear that Mr J. R. "Wilson, the energetic secretary of the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club, is recovering from his recent illness. All being well, and weather permitting, Mr Wilson hopes to be present at the D.A.A.C. sports on Saturday next. The Mile Handicap at the Palmerston North meeting last week provided the best finish of the day. Beatson, the Otago crack, had a 30yds' advantage over Heffer, the scratch man, but the Wellingtonian wore the remainder of the big field down, and then came at his southern rival a couple, of furlongs f ro:n home. He had reduced the intervening space at the turn, but Beatson spurted desperately, and entering the straight had a full five yards advantage. He maintained his lead amid great excitement, and won' superbly, the Wellingtonian collapsing completely on the tape. He received an ovation for his plucky run, which Was done in 4-rhin' 31 2-s«ec.

Apropos of the Wellington... Centre's application to the New Zealand, Council to have Woodger's 22 2-ssec for the 220 Yards at the recent provincial championships at Wellington recognised as a New Zealand record, the following particulars are interesting:—lt was in the 220 Yards Race however, that Woodger most distinguished himself, for -he won with yards to 6pare from Hubbard—no mean performer-—in time which, -if passed by authorities, "will constitute a new record for the Dominion. There can be no doubt that. Woodger covered the distance of the race in 22 2-ssec, one-fifth leas than L. B. Webster's present New Zealand record, established in 1903. The three watches' agreed as u> the time, and amongst the timekeepers were such experienced holders of the "clock" as Messrs J. H. Pollock and L. W. Ludwig. The most remarkable fact is. that Woodger finished slowing up, and actually looking round. Some doubt the accuracy of the timing. If the race had been, run in such time, they say, Hubbard- could' not have been so close up as he was. The.answer to. that is that Hubbard was not 60 close up as he seemed, and Woodger Was breasting the tape when he was only at the last bend, a good 10 yards" and more away. Woodger runs with a beautifully easy style, an<3 is really travelling a great deal faster than- his action would cause one unacquainted with him to believe. For that reason alone the. watch is often challenged by those who do not know so much as they imagine.

Wocdgo-r's giant burets of speed at Auckland mad© him the most looked for man among the competitors at the recent meeting at Palmerston North. The Wellingtonian, however, was not at all well, and at one it looked a? if he would disappoint the spectators. However, he faced the starter in all his engagements, and gave a really wonderful dismay, putting his, superiority over Opie (the little Canterbury flier) beyond all doubt. In the final for the 100 Yards he had all the best of the start, and had reduced Opie's handicap to zero before the Southerner got going with his magnificent stride. He was with the limit men at 75 yard.?, but hadn't a sprint left in him, and just got into- second place in the great time of lOsec. Roy Miller,; a nineteen-year-old Palmerston boy,' who' had just won the Maidei. had the honour of settling the champion, "his time off the 12yds mark being 9 3-ssec. Woodier again appeared in his hoat for the 220 Yards, and pot an easy place. In the final, howeve •, his weakness was again apparent. He cime away superbly, and, leaving Opie yards behind, was looking all over a winner fifty yards from home, but failed to respond to the challenge sprint by Peed, and was beaten on the post by a yard, Opie having- crept up to third place in the last few yards. Woodg-2-r's time was 22 4-ssac —a fine performance, considering his indisposition.

M. P. Adams sends " Harrier" news of the Wellington championship meeting, held on February 6, when some remarkable results were achieved. W. A. Woodger showed in Brisbane his great capabilities as a sprinter, and he clinched his record with two wins of 100 yards in lOsec, and 220 yards in 22 2-ssec—the latter being a. fifth inside New Zealand record. I must confess that in times past we have in Australia usually smiled at New Zealand's alleged even-time sprinters, and in most cases with reason. Men, like G. W. Smith, 1.. B. Webster, Patrick, etc.," were never more than good class sprinters, but I am not prepared to say that of Woodger. He is not invincible, perhaps, but he is thsbest in- Australasia to-day. and not an unworthy successor to Nigel Barker. The 44-0 yards was won by J. Wilton in 52sec. Wilton is the present New Zealand champion. J. F. Wilson, a new runner, was the only man out in the half. He was paced by two men, who took a lap each, and out out the distance- in lmin 58 4-ssec, or only three-fifths off New Zealand record time. T. B. Heffer, who has been running only a few weeks, having been rowing all

the season, ran away with the mile in 4min 29 4-5 sec. The three miles went to H. T. Thompson, holder of the Australasian record over the Marathon distance, in 15min 53 3-seec Commenting on the walking at the provincial championships at Wellington, that recognised authority, "Prodigal," comments: —"To me the surprise of the day was the win in the mile walk by D. Cashman in 6min 38 4-ssec I must confess to not knowing much of 1 the performances of this heel and toe artist, but, anyway, as I have often said before, I look upon 6min 45sec as about the extreme limit as to time tor a mile if the union rules of walking are strictly enforced. New Zealand is noted for her fine walkers—and for the leniency of many of her judges. Cashman easily won the three miles handicap walk from scratch in 23min 56sec. I must confess to a desire to- see this heel and toe performer in action, and to hear something of previous performances 6f note. I notice L. M. McKay cleared 44ft 4in in a running hop, *tep, and jump—a good performance. Of a truth New Zealand will be hard to beat on. her own soil in the next Australasian, championships." I am to hear what "Prodigal" will have to say concerning the walking at the New Zealand championship meeting.— " Amateur." _ * OTAGO CENTRE N.Z.A.A.A.

The monthly meeting of the Otago Centre ot the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was attended by 11 delegates, Mr L. Sanderson presiding. The Town Clerk, Dunedin, wrote stating that the use of the reserve opposite the Botanic Gardens for the purpose of forming a running track thereon had been granted by the City Council's Reserves Committee, subject to the work being carried out under the supervision of the superintendent of the gardens and reserves (Mr D. Tamnock).— Received. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Murray, seconded by Mr Mazengarb—" That the Otago Centre, being the main body, put down £ls towards forming the track, contingent on the clubs interested subscribing pound for pound up to £15." It was further resolved:—" That a subscription list be opened and clubs written to.' j, The date of the monthly meeting wis altered to the second Thursday in each month.

Mr H. Divers gave notice of motion: — "That the resolution passed at the centre meeting, held on February 3, 1910, confirming the minutes of the previous meeting (January 20, 1910), be, and is hereby, rescinded." —Mr Divers explained that a survey had been taken of the Woodhaugh reserve fo ra running track, and the expense had been charged to the centre. Som? delegates considered that the subcommittee did not have the authority to make this survey. The centre passed a resolution of sympathy with Mr J. R. Wilson, who has recently been subject to an illness, but is now recovering.

AMATEUR ATHLETIC UNION. WELLINGTON, March .7. The Council, of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association met to.-night. The sub-committee appointed to deal .with the readjustment of the boundaries reported (1) that the Canterbury Centre be asked to include in its territory the West Coast, Marlborough, and Nelson districts; (2) that Wanganui be asked to form a centre to include all clubs from Marton northward to Taranaki's northern boundary; (3) failing Wanganui being able to form a centre, Tararraki be asked to do so.—Consideration of the report was deferred until'the decision of the conference of centres at Auckland on the subject has been received. The Dunedin Centre asked for a ruling As to whether amateurs and professionals could compete together at house and trade sports, trophies only being given as prizes. —lt was decided that professionals and amateurs cannot compete together at -house and trade picnics and sports. Consideration of a letter from the Canterbury Centre regarding Marathon raoss was deferred until remits from the conference of centres at Auckland are received. [ The Amateur' Athletic Union of Australasia notified that rule 1, relating to the Australasian cross-country championship, had been so altered and amended as to allow of. the words " Five miles course " reading "Five or 10 miles course" at the option of the association holding- the meeting.

Applications for reinstatement ware dealt" with as follows:—G. W. Lawrence, to apply again after three years from date of last professional performance: J. M'G. Grierson, referred to Southland Centre far consideration; A. H. Bruton (Dunedin), reinstatement agreed to from October 1, 1910; M. M'Kelson (Dunedin), declined; W. Gosling (Auckland), declined: J. J. O'Gradv (Ashburton), reinstatement agreed to. Applications from the Woodville Club for reinstatement of a number of its members were referred to the Wellington Centre, through whom the application should have come. Steps will be taken to have the applications considered with all possible expedition, so as not to interfere with the club's meeting in April. C. W. Mexted's application was agreed to after the expiration of 12 months from his last competing as a professional. Application* was made by the Wellington Centre to have W. A. Woodger'e performance in the 220yds race at the Wellington Provincial championship meeting, . in which he ran the distance in 22 2-ssec, recognised as a New Zealand record. Held over for additional certificates to be supplied. L. B. Webster, of New Plymouth, reviewed the question of the walking events at the recent amateur championship meeting at_ Auckland. He wrote as follows: —" Being a visitor and an* {official at the recent New Zealand championship meeting, as secretary of the New Plymouth Club I wish to protest against any application for a record or a standard whioh may come forward in connection with the walking events. I venture to ventilate' my experience. Whilst the walking event (three miles) was in progress, being an official, I came in contact with several other officials, several of whom are well known to me. The walkers had not gone yards when one well-known" official to me: 'Well, Pat, this is not the Dave Wilson we used to know but it won't do to let the judge hear ue ?*' Tne non -°ompliance. of Wilson r u j r rules ls now > 1 think, an established fact, and I trust the foregoing may be of interest, if nothing else, to your association. One can but shudder to think

what time would have been recorded haJ the weather conditions been favourable."— The letter was " received " without comment. '

MANAWATU ATHLETIC CLUB. < PALMERSTON N., March 2

The inaugural meeting of the nowlyformed Manawatu Athletic Club was held; to-day in beautiful weather, and was. a' distinct success. Many of the competitors present at the New Zealand championships were present, including the Wellington contingent, in strong force. M'Donald, ofi Dannevirke, with 60 yards handicap, won( the Half-mile from the scratch man (Hard-* ing) in lmin 59 3-ssec. The 100 Yards was won by G. Milne (Palmerston), 12 yards, defeating Woodger (scratch) by two yards, in 9 4-ssec. Woodger's time was lOsea dead. Kerr (Wellington), scratch, won the Mile Walk in 6min 42 3-ssec. M'Kay (Wellington) won the High Jump. G. Beatsori (Otago) won the Mile Run in 4min 323 sec. Milne also defeated Woodgei in the 220 Yards Handicap. The Long Jump was wont by Hubard (Wellington), and Dales (Palmerston North) won the Quarter-mile* Wellington won the Relay Race.

WELLINGTON AMATEUR SPORTS WELLINGTON, March 6.

- The combined sports meeting hejd by the Wellington Athletic Club and the Port Nicholson Amateur Athletic Club yesterday attracted a large attendance. The 100 Yards Open Handicap was won by W. G. Harding, off the sgyds mark, in 9 3-ssec. The One-mile Walk Handicap was won by D. Cashman, off the 25yds mark. H. Kerr(scratch) finished first in 7min 35sec, but was disqualified for lifting. M. R. Stewart (Wellington College) won the 100 Yafrds Inter-College Championship in 10 3-ssec; and the Three-mile Walk Handicap was won by Kerr (scratch) in 21min 37 3-sseo. with Cashman (75yds) second.