ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2983, 17 May 1911, Page 66

ATHLETICS.

Festival of Empire Sports, London. —June 24 to June 30. Australasian Championship Meeting.—January 1 and 2 (1912). NOTES BY AMATEUE. One must regret, if one has any regrets at all, that th© Otago Centre at its meeting on Thursday evening did not see its way to rescind its resolution, revoking the seats of Messrs Marryatt and Pollock, the two Otago delegates on the New Zealand Council, and so open the road for the clearing of the athletic atmosphere in a thoroughly constitutional manner. While I do not see eye to eye with the two Otago delegates in this business of the Australasian championships, nor sympathise with the methods adopted, I can well recognise the constitutional and unconstitutional manner of setting things right. There has been so muoh beating of the air over this athletio embroglio that a little quiet reflection should have shown the Otago Centre that the damage done was not really so serious, nor the principle involved so great, as to sacrifice the services to athletics generally throughout the Dominion of two such enthusiasts as Messrs Marryatt and Pollock. In commenting on the athletic trouble in New Zealand, a writer in the Sydney Referee says: "Should these ( gentlemen (Messrs Marryatt and Pollock) resign from the council,- the New Zealand Association will lose the services of its two ablest members. _ Whilst in no way' desiring- to take sides with either Dunedin or Wellington in the dispute, it 'must be granted that from an Australian visiting team's point of view Wellington, has the advantage that it is a nearer e.ndl less expensive trip than Dumedin."—[So far as the Otago Centre is concerned the matter in dispute is not one between Otago and Wellington as the venuo for the championship meeting, but the methods adopted by the Otaefo delegates in relation thereto. —Amateur,] It will be remembered that varying times were cabled to Australia in. regard to G. P. Keddell's sprint hurdles at. the last New Zealand championships. _ " Harrier" has since been assured positively that Kedde.ll .put up new Australasian figures of 15 3-10 sec, and won by fully 12 yards from Cook. Shortly before this meeting he had showm remarkable form in the Southland Hurdles, and it is reported that he has now acquired the Kraenzlein straddle, which the famous American showed the world. It is onlv possible to the long-legged, but when facility is acquired is distinctly speedier

than fne old style of tucking the back leg under. If all the imen come together fit and well the next Australasian sports should bo of very great interest. Kcddell v. J. L. Davis, W. Murray v. H. E. Kerr, G. A. Wheatley v. G. Haakins and G N. Hill look promising. Then Hartkopf v. Opio in the quarter, Redmond and Burton v. Opie and Woodger in the 100 yards may be closer than New Zealandsrs think. For all that, I have always considered 1 , and still consider, that New Zealand are quite tho strongest individual member of the union, and expect them to win next January. Studying the programme for the Olympian Games at Stockholm next year, it is easily understood why the British athletes were complaining that the Olympic Committee were "monkeying" with the programme. Many items are included that are common to Sweden and not practised in other countries. New conditions, entirely unfamiliar to athletes in Britain, America, and Australia, govern the discus and javelin throw, and the shot-put. In addition to the free throw there will be throws with the left and the right hand alternately. And it does not end there. The oommittee has decided to cut the "Marathon" distance from 26 miles 385yds (the regulation length) to 24 miles 1496yds. This event is down foir July 15. 1912. _ Gregory A. Wheatley, the Australasian middle-distance champion runner, who has been selected to represent Australasia at the Festival of Empire sports, to be held in connection with the Coronation celebrations next June and July, is a popular member of the Esscndon Harriers. He was bom at St. Kilda 27 years ago, but has spent most of his life in the Esscndon district. Wheatley stands sft. 10£in in height, but on the running track be looks well over 6ft, and is known in other States and New Zealand as the "tall Victorian." His weight is 9st 111 b. in .running costume, but he only scales a few pounds more when out of training. He is a non-smoker. He has for some years been among the leading pedestrians of Australia, and has won innumerable championship and other events. His performances include 880 yairdis in lmin 56fseo, on Exhibition track, Melbourne, March 18, 1910 (Australasian record) ; 1000 yards in 2min 19 2-ssec, on the Melbourne Grammar School Ground, April 15, 1910 (Australasian recoa-d) ; and one mile in 4min 23sec, on the Sydney Cricket Ground, November 9, 1905 (Australian record). He is the holder of the half-mile and mile, Queensland; half-mile and mile, New South Wales; and half-mile Victorian records.

The Anglican Harriers journeyed to Green Island on Saturday, and had a run from the Groen Island School gymnasium. The paper was despatched in charge of Breen and Steele, who laid a trail along the main road through Green Island, across the railway line to Burnsido extension, taking a straight cut over the hills to Kaikorai Valley. The trail then led' up the hill, through several ploughed paddocks and gorse hedges, eventually coming out on to' Silverstiream Water-race. This was followed for about a mile, which allowed the pack to get a straight run. A turn was then made to the left, the trail keeping through some broken country, thence some splendid running paddocks were traversed, the runners afterwards coming out on the railway line, near the Abbotsford station, which provided a smart run home. The St. Joseph's Harriers ran to Waitati on Saturday, as the guests of Mrs M'Cleary, 18 members turning out under Captain ' Swanson. Starting from the Albany Street School at 3 p.m., tho pack struck along Harbour terrace, up Forth street, and through the Gardens, coming out on the Main road, which was followed to the end of Norimanby. The pack had a stiff climb up the short cut, coming out at the Upper Junction, and after a brief spell they settled down in earnest for their destination, reaching Waitati about'4.4o p.m. after a very-en joyable run. A good pace waj- maintained throughout, and most of the members showed surprisingly good form, none of them being any the worse for their long iourney. The members subsequently sat down to an excellent dinner, kindly pr6vidod by Mrs M'Cleary, assisted by her lady friends. After a short musical programme the mietmbers and lady friends returned to town by the 7 o'clock train.

The Civil Service Harriers held their weekly run from the Wakari School, and a very pleasant afternoon was spent. The trail led past the transmission station, then oyer the hills towards the Silverstream race, and back around Ashbum Hall, thence home via the North Taieri road.

The Cbrstorphine Harriers ran. from the North End boatshed on Saturday. The trail led across the reclaimed ground, along Harbour terrace, and past the Pelichot Bay butts, then up nast the quarry. The trail then led along the crest of the hills, coming down through Ravensbourne to the road. The road was in good condition, and the run home was very enjoyable. Dyer and Home had charge of the paper. The Pacific Harriers ran from the Musselburgh School, 25 members being present. M'Kay and Cashman had charge of the bags and laid a trail across Tainui, over the quarry, and through Bayfield, coming out at the Taihoa Tea-rooms, the high road being then followed for half a mile. Turning for home, the trail led down the hill towards the lagoon, then on to the beach along to Lawyer's Head, and over the hills, coming out at the brickworks. From there the trail went across the paddock and finished on the road near the pimping station. The Y.M.CJ.A. Harriers held their weekly run from the North-East Valley School. The paper was despatched with M'Dougall and Beadle, who laid an excellent trail, which, on leaving the school, led up Signal Hill to about the trig station, _alorig tho Upper Junction road to the District School, then down through Bettoune's Gully to the Main road. From here a good sprint home wa= maintained, some of the younger members keeping well to the front. The Cai-gfll Road and St, Kilda Methodist Clubs held a combined run from Wesley Hall. 32 members being present. Brown 'and MTarlane wore the hares, and laid the trail over Tainmi to the first lagoon and then up the hill, coming out on the high road just below halfway rock. After a short run down tho road the trail led down to tho low road, coming out by the D.A.B.C. shed. From here a fair pace was kept up, the pack eventually finishim? with a smart sprint. Afterwards the Cargill Road Harriers .were the guests of the St, Kilda Club at the Bungalow Tea Rooina. The Cave-sham Harriers ran an Saturday from the Green Island School Gymnasium. The two hares led the p'aok over fully 15 miles of country. When Hearing the end of the trail several of the younger runners,

and, indeed, a few of the old hands, were completely done 1 up, one in particular having ito be helped home. Starting from the back of the school, the trail led over several miles of splendid harrier ground until the Brighton road was reached near the bridge. This road was followed for several miles, and then the trail branched off and led round the saddle and out near Allanton. A dense bush was then negotiated, which was mainly the causo of breaking up itbe runners. When tho pack got down on to tho Main road its leader determined to follow it home, as darkness was fast setting in.