ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 63

ATHLETICS.

Festival of Empire Sports, London. —Juno 24 to June 30. Australasian Championship Meeting.—January 1 and 2 (1912).

NOTES BY AMATEUR. The delegates of the Otago Centre were summoned to a special meeting, which was held" on Monday evening. Mr E. Kosevear (president) presided, and there was a large attendance of members. The Chairman explained that the purpose of the meeting was the consideration of representation on the N.Z.A.A.A. Council. The secretary having read a letter from tho secretary of the N.Z.A.A.A. to the effect that the Otago delegates (Messrs Pollock and Marryatt) had resigned from the council, the chairman said it was necessary that two delegates should be elected to act in their stead, for which purpose he called for nominations. There being only two nominations (Messrs Thos. Crouch and John Chas. Cusack) they were unanimously elected as the centre's representatives en the N.Z.A.A.A. Council. Both gentlemen reside in Wellington. They have had a good deal of experience in athletic circles. Mr Cusack at one time was a member of, the New Zealand Council prior to the formation of the centre system of government, and is now a leading light in cricket, hockey, -and other sports. A communication was read from the council asking for the Otago Centre's suggestions and amendments to the association's 'rules. It was resolved to leave the matter in the hands of Mr J. B. Callan to deal with. The secretary reported that fully 45 harriers had signified their intention of journeying to Milton on June 3 to participate in a combined harrier run, and for which purpose he asked the centre's co-operation. Mr J. List was appointed manager. In a letter to the New Zealand Council conveying his resignation, Mr Arthur Marryatt explained that he took this step as the outcome of the resolution passed by tire Otago Centre. He was of opinion that this resolution was ultra vires, but, as he considered that the motion amounted to a declaration of want of confidence, ho would no longer act. A letter from Mr Pollock conveyed a simple intimation of his resignation. "Handing in my resignation," remarked Mr Marryatt, in the course of a brief address, "I wish to make it clear that I called a special meeting in order to give the Otago Council the earliest possible opportunity of electing new delegates." Continuing, he stated that he had acted in consonance with his conviction in regard to what constituted the duties of a representative upon the council. Delegates were in a position comparable to that of "representatives in Parliament or in a City Council. They should bo guided in carrying out their duties by their own ideas, and should exercise a proper discretion. Their constituents came into the matter when tho delegates sought re-election. While he felt no shadow of regret at having adopted that stand, he felt keen regret at giving up his position as president. For many years, in Otago, Wellington, and elsewhere, he had been closely connected with the management of sport. He had taken, Oftd always would take, the keenest interest in amateurism in New Zealand. Asked by the Chair-man if he would accept renominaticiTi,. Mr Marryatt replied that the matter was one of some difficulty. His interest lay mainly in Otago, and he would not feel the same satisfaction in representing any other centre on the council. Nevertheless, if his coming back in■vtalved no immediate resignation of any present member he would accept renomination.

Speaking of his resignation, Mr Pollock explained that when, his son (Mr W. H. Pollock), who preceded him as a delegate for Otago, acoepted the appointment, he stated that he would endeavour to further the interests of amateur athletics in New Zealand, and would support the desires of the Otago Centre. At the same time Mr W. H. Pollock stated that if ho should happen to conscientiously dissent from the views of Otago Centre he would hold himself free to vote, in suoh a manner as it seemed to him would best serve the interests of amateurism. These conditions, Mr Pollock stated, were accepted by the OtagW Centre, and the speaker, in. contenting to fill the office vacated by his son, did so upon a clear understanding that the same conditions should apply. In fairness to members of the Otago Centre, said Mr Pollock, he felt bound to assume that those. who spoke of "broken pledges." etc., had overlooked these conditions. Neither the speaker nor his colleague had broken any pledge, nor had l there been breach of faith. As to the general question, it would seem to the speaker that it. would bo a very bad thing for amateur athletics if a man were expected to act as a delegate upon the council with his hands tied, and as a mere mouthpiece of his centre.

The Otago Centre is mot to ba allowed, after all (writes "Mercury"'), to deprive amateur athleticism in general, and tlv> council of t>h.3 N.Z.A.A.A. in particular, of the services of Mr Arthur Marryatt. Private advices from Southland state that it is the intention of the centre there to appoint the deposed president of the council as its delegate to the governing hodv. - This provides an excellent way r-if-. of a real difficulty. For soma time 'v** 1 Southland! has had onlv one delegate it--*-.•• '' ■•-> noraooil, and Mir Ma.rryatt's anpoini -.•"! f o the vacant seat is an excellent move alike for sport, for the council, for Southland, for Mr Marryatt, find for thz Otago Centra. For fhc last-named bodv because it will show the thereof exactly what tlio other centres think of their recent action and present attitude. As things are. there is every prosnect of Mr Marryatt being reelected 1 president of the council again at the next meeting-. The councd of the N.Z.A.A.A. now has before it two applications for the New Zealand cross-country championship—one from Wellington and tbe other from Auckland. The matter will be gone_ into by the council whan more information is to hand from the Auckland Centre, which is endeavouring to arrange with the Rugby Union so as to ruin, off' the fixture in conjunction with one of the big football matches. Mr Emil R. Voigt. the well-known English and Olympic champion runner, will shortly arrive in Melbourne, with a view to settling there. Mr Voigt held the five miles Olympic championship, and still claims the title of one mile amateur champion. Voigt, whom we hope to have the pleasure of seemi? at the Australasian championship in Wellington in January, is said

to be tihe finest distance runner on the path to-day. A note comes all the way from r\e\v Zealand from a famous runner, now, or recently, in the Dominion, who knows my 'keenness in the matter of time-keeping (write* " Strephon " in the Athletic News). It appears that so imany records have recently been " beaten " that the officials of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association appointed a sub-committee to investigate the whole matter, and they have made the following report: 1 That sports clubs be requested to carefully select as timekeepers men experienced in construction "of chronometers. 2. That the timepieces used be tested by experts experienced in the construction of chronometers within 24 hours prior to sports, and be tested 72 hours at tor the race, and a further certificate issued—3. That timekeepers for events run on a straight course take up their positions immediately at right angles to the starter, and on a direct line with the finish, and be careful to set watches going with the flash (not the report) of the etorter's pistol. 4. That the starter hold his gun directly overhead, so that the timekeepers may have a clear opportunity for seeing the first flash. - 5. That clubs publish prominently on their programmes for the guidance of timekeepers section H of the N.Z.A.A.A. racirig laws. 6. That official watch-testers be ap-

pointed by each centre. There is nothing very startling about any of the plans. Candidly, I do not like the first one. A piano-builder rarely makes a good piano-player, and it does not follow that a good watchmaker will be the most expendable timekeeper. A lot more things than mere skill in the maniufactu.re of timepieces is ncccs:o,ry to make the reliable cS'-'megranbe. l -. This strin<rencv of the tests of the watches is a splendid thing. Would taint it were carried out in this country. It is the attest important thing of all, and will do more than anything else to bring about sound times. An analysis of the do hugs of Oxford and Cambridge on the athletic field makes interesting reading. Sports have been won on 24- occasions by the Canrabs., and on 22 occasions by the Dark Blues. Oxford have scored 223 5-6 firsts and 220 seconds to the- 219 1-6 firsts and 214 seconds of their rivals. The Cantabs. reduced the margin of firsts by two at Queen's Club at the recent meeting. Oxford added 3g to their tally of seconds, which,, however. is taken natfher of, failure than record of triumph. In these great sports —one of the rarest tests of amateur skill irr the athletic year —surprises are looked for. On March 25 the unexpected frequently happens. Wearers of the first colours, significant of prime prowess in the sports previously held at Oxford and Cambridge, repeatedly disappointed; in four events—the long jump, the quarter, the high jump, and the three miks —the'second string of the winning side succeeded. Cambridge won by six wins to four. George Haekcnschmidt and Frank Gotch are to wrestle in America on Labour Day, September 7, for the title of world's champion. Gotch is to get £4OOO, win, draw, or lose, and Hackenschmidt gets £2250, win, draw, or lose. Agreements have been signed, and substantial forfeits have been lodged. I .have read a. most remarkable challenge saidi to have been issued by Alfred Shrubb. who offers to match himself to run against any horse a distance of 10 miles, for a stake of 1000 dollars; and I have heai-d that same challenge commented upon by many athletes, all of whom declared that the old South London harrier mu=t have taken leave of his senses if he had issued any such cartel. Probably _ (remarks "Strephon") when the American mail brings supplementary intelligence to the contents of the brief cablegram it will be found that manv qualifications a.re contained in Shrubb's ch-vllenge. The man never lived who could match pace or stamina against a horse. It took a lot to convince A. R. Downer of this fact When he was running very fast tho then champion made a match to sprint an old horse on a Lancashire track, and until tho race was over he never imagined that any other result than victory would attend his efforts. But the old horse won that match, just as ho had won a great number of catch matches for his owner, a.nd_ tho pedestrian left the track a disa.rMopinfed l man. I would rather have heard of Shrubb tacklin.oa more sensible proposition than this, and I would like to see him return to this country and do something for the reputation of its long-distance running. That seems to be going back. The professionals are simply inferior to the Frenchmen and to the Americans over Maratnon Even across country, W. T. Clarke and J. Price were the other day well beaten by Louis Bouchard, who is, in my opinion, the best 10 or 15-miles lunner the world has soon. Shrubb could make a profitable match to run Bouchard, who, one of these days, will put up a tremendous performance. Apparently, his amateur compatriot, Jean Bouin. the international cross-countrv champion, has come on immensely since I saw him three years ago. In Franco he lias been running very well this season, and that performance of his at Oaerleon out the seal on his reputation. I hone lie will have the time to travel from Marseilles to London to run in the Ten Miles Championship at the end of this month. Then we should be able to form a real notion of his merits, which we cannot properly do from his performances across country. HARRTER NOTES. The Pacific Harriers held a two-milo open handicap at Tahuna Park on S^to' l "- day afternoon under _ ideal weather conditions. The track was in good order, though somewhat hard. Sixteen competitors took part in th 6 race. Castlehow, the limit man, made good use of his handicap of 75 seconds, and held a safe load at the end of the first lap, with Richardson second and D. Black third. Going down tho back stretch Castlehow was still leading, with Richardsoin about _ 70 yards behind second, and D. Black lying third, and gradually reducing the gap. By the time the second lap was finished the field was fairly close together. Castlehow here retired, and left Richardson in the lead, with Black second and Henderson third. Going down the back of the course for the third time Richardson dropoed out, and W. Black ran into the lead. Swinney and Bond made a forward movement, which took them into second and third positions, and passing tho stand at the end of the lap D. Black held the lead. Nicol retired at this stage. Going down the back stretch on the run home D. Black commenced to make the pace, and

Swinney here loft Bond, a,nd challenged the leader. He put in a magnificent sprint, but failed to overtake Black, who won a well-judged race by three yards. The result of the race was as follows: —W. Black, 25scc, 1; R. Swinney, 17. sec, 2; J. A. Bond, scratch, _3. Time, limit) 50 3-ssec. The winner is a new member, and gives promise of doing well in opdn competition. Swinney lias improved very much, and Bond (the scratch man) also ran well. Messrs J. T. Hamarwi and J. Bond- acted as judges, and Messrs T. A. Dawson and J. R. Wilson as timekeepers. The Pacific and Anglican Harriers, after their runs, adjourned to the Bungalow Tea Rooms.. Ocean Beach, where they were the guests of Captain Richardeon, of the Pacific Club. A very enjoyable evening was spent. Captain Breen (Anglican) and Deputy Captain Ferguson (Pacific) returned thanks to Mr Richardson for his hospitality, and Mr Richardson suitably replied. The Caversham Harriers ra.n on Saturday from the Wakari Drill Hall. There was a splendid muster, about 26 members attending the run. The bags were in charge of A. White and H. Gear. A splendid trail was laid along the Kaikorai Valley road and on to the golf links, over several good fields, and then up past the Wakari School. A football was taken along with the pack, and for a time afforded some little amusement. The trail eventually led into a bush, and then out on to the track at Fraser's Gully. This track was followed to the end, and then past the Roslyn tramsheds and on to the road. The road was followed home to the hall, and a most enjoyable day's outing thus terminated. The-St. Joseph's and Duncdin Harriers and the Mornin.gton Scout 'Cadets held a combined run from the Mornington School. Dunedin mustered 17 membeis, St. .Joseph's 15, and the Scouts 8, making a total muster of 40. Dale and Newman. were despatched with the bags, and laid a good trail down through Kaikorai and up over the hills in the vicinity of Broekville, where some- g - oed harrier country was negotiated. They eventually came out at Fraser's Gully, which was found to be in a very wet and slippery condition. The Kaikorai Valley road was next reached, and followed as* far as the Mill road, where the pack commenced a fast run home, the Scouts showing up well. The clubs tender their thanks to the Moi ;i;r. lon School Committee for the use of the gymnasium. The Civil Service Harriers held their weekly run from the George Street School. There was a good attendance, and the pj.ck, under Captain H. Bond, followed, an excellent trail laid by F. Glastonbury and L. Bond, round the Ross Creek Reservoir, and over the surrounding country and back home through Newington. The Corstorphine and Y.M.C.A. Harriers held a combined run from St. Clair Baths. Begg and MacDougall had charge of the paper, and laid a good trail round the second beach, uphill past Cargill's Castle, andi along the coasit as far ae> the Caves. The hares then struck inland to Burnside, and doubled back over Look-out Point. The return journey was over roads and through paddocks, with the addition of a good deal of hill work. The- Cargill Road Methodist Harriers commenced their run from Caversham, along the Main road to the Caversham Railway Station, and through the old tunnel. The trail then struck across the hills for about a mile in the direction of the Silver Stream Reservoir, and from there back towards Burnside. dossing the Main road the hares (W. and C. Cole) Jed the pack over the hills _ towards the Golf Links, Forbury road being reached in the vicinity of Shiel's quarry. A fast run home followed. At the conclusion of the outing the harriers were the guests of Mrs W. R. Cole, Baker street, Caversham.