ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3006, 25 October 1911, Page 61

ATHLETICS.

Australasinn Championship Meeting.— December 26 and 27. D.A.A.C. Annual Sports Heeding—January 6. NOTES «T AMATEUK. Gerald Keddell, the New Zealand and Australasian hurdle champion, dropped in to see me on Friday of last week as he was passing through to Otautau. He is looking remarkably well, and is training with a view to the. Australasian championships at Wellington at Christmas, KeoV dell purposes specialising in the hurdles, and hones to get such fine conditions for the hurdles in Wellington as prevailed during the run of that event at Christchurch on the occasion of the last New Zealand championship meeting. The Now Zealand champion has put on weight since his last appearance on the athletic field, and informs me that he is feeling bettor in every way. He acknowledges that he will be up asrainst a champion in Davis, of Victoria, who, if in form, will make such a race of it as New Zealand never knew. It will certainly be a clinking go between the Victorian and the New Zsalander over the 120 yards hurdles. For the quarter hurdles Keddell, Davis (and probably the ex-New Zealand champion Harry Murray, who is now in Sydney) will take part. The (latter has yet to strike form, and, if he does, will represent New South Wales. • Writing of Keddell, the executive of the Australasian Union the other day received an application from the New Zealand A. A. A. for Keddell's 120 yards hurdles in 15 3-10 sec, established at Christchurch on March 18 of this year, to be recognised as an Australasian - record. All certificates were found- in order, except that there was no certificate from the referee that the hurdles were jumped in their proper position, and were of the proper height and ' number and correctly placed. It was decided to write the N.Z.A.A.A. that the executive were agreeable to pass the- record on receipt of such certificate.- ~:

The Board of Control of the Australasian Amateur Athletic Union will meet in conference in Wellington in December during the Australasda.n championship meeting. Several important matters will come up for discussion, amongst others that of representation at the- Olympic Games at Stockholm next year. Some three months ago when it was announced in England that Emil Voigt, the English champion distance runner, was leaving for Australia- to settle there, I anticipated that if he struck form Australia would have a worthy representative for the Australasian championships at Wellington at Christmas. Later, after reading an English paper, I -wrote: Apparently E. R. Voigt, the English miler, now in Victoria, ie not eligible to represent that State at the Australasian championships," . and quoted " Strephon," of the Athletic News, as my authority. I expected to hear something from Victoria on this matter, and in the Australasian to hand by the last mail " Harrier," after quoting my commo'at in the Otago Witness, says:—"Well, I hate been an active member of "the V.A.A.A'. Council ever- since its formation, and am still, and never at any time has it had any agreement of any kind whatsoever with the English A.A.A., zo we may take it that the positive 'Strephon l ' is not a reliable guide to follow in this matter. Voigt's offence appears to have been ' that he offended the_ A.A.A. by siding with the opposition, ini their dispute with the N.A.U., and apparently some people would like the quarrel pursued even in these remote regions. Voigt is not only an amateur, as defined by the Australasian rules, but is in the highest class as an amateur (I do not refer to his running ability). Yet because of this miserable dispute in England some people would liko to debar such a man from competition out here. The V.A.A.A. were not unaware of the facts when Voigt first arrived, and that body is not x>ne likely to permit him to compete if they had any doubt as to his status. Jf there is to lie any opposition from the other States or New Zealand to his taking part in the next Australasian meeting, it should be raised at once, for, fit and well, he is practically certain of selection. After his breakdown in the 10-mile championship on September 30, Voigt's leg went black from heel to knee, and he is still only able to get about with difficulty. It will probably be at least a month be* fore he can attempt any running. [We in New Zealand are pleased to have this assurance, and trust that E. R. Voigt will be a competitor at the Australasian championships in December.—Amatbub.] G. N. Hill, one and three-mile champion of New Zealand, has been approached by the Lancaster Park authorities as to whether he would, be willing to visit Christchurch and _ compete in the big sports gathering with which it is intended to open the renovated park on. December 16. E. K. Russell, of Victoria, has stated definitely his intention to take part in the Australasian championships. As he has 6ft in the high jump and 16 l-sseo for the sprlnib hurdles to his credit, he should be decidedly useful. The names at present before the selectors include the following:— Sprints—J. Burton, A. D. Ellis. J. H. Slater. A. E. Hartkopr. Quarter-mile —Hartkopf, Wheatliey. D. B. Bowers. L. H. Kelly, J. L. Davis. Half-mile—Wheatlev, Bowers, S. G. Hollow, R. H. Watson. One Mile— Wheatley, Watson, Voigt. Three Miles — Voigt, S. Long, A. Riichardson. D. Tumbull, T. Vines. Walks—W. Murray. E. ML. Morgan. Hurdles—J. L. Davis, E. R. Russell. High Jump—Jelly, Russell. Lonjr Jump—Davis. Kelly, Hwrtkopf. Pole Vault —L. R. Walker, J. Brake. Hammer and Shot —W. G. Rouse, Robertson. The 440 Yards Hurdles Championship of New South Wales, at the East Sydney Club's annual snorts meeting, was won by J. W. Frazer (South Sydney) in 61 l-sseo. W. F. Pattinson (University) was second, and F. E. Beaver (South Sydney) third. At the last meeting of the New South Wales Amateur Sporting Federation and Olympic Council Mr IR. Ooqjtnbes, representative for Australasia on the Inter

national Olympic Committee, attended by invitation, and addressed the council on the question of the fifth Olympiad. Mr Ooornbes detailed what he had done whilst in England, and outlined the proposed grouping of the British end colonial teams in London, the whole invading Sweden as an Empire team. Mr V. Horniman (chairman) thanked tho visitor for his lecturetto, and the Executive Council then, resolved, on behalf of New South Wales, to endorse all that Mr Ooombes had said and done whilst in London.

OLYMPIC GAMES. WELLINGTON, October 18. At a meeting of delegates from sports bodies held here to-night it was decided to form an Olympic Games Comimittee._ Representatives of all sports mentioned in the Olympic games 1912 programme are to be asked to become members. A sub-commit-tee was appointed to draw up a constitution. A discussion as to Mr G. S, Hill's connection with the body in Dunedin was ruled out of order by the chairman (Mr A. Marryatt). MELBOURNE MARATHON. MELBOURNE, October 22. The Marathon race resulted thus: —J. Lewis 1, A. Ryan 2, W. Murray 3. There ware 26 starters. Lewis led throughout, and won by a mile, finishing strongly. Time, 2hra 59min 30sec.

PROFESSIONAL ATHLETICS.

By Spobt. Frank S. Hewitt, the famous old-time champion, who established a record for the half-mile of lmin 53£sec am. the Riocarton road, Christchurch, as far back as 1871, referring to recent performance of 12sec for the 130 yards, says:— " My impression is that there would not be much between Hutchens, Samuels, and Donaldson ovor 130 yards. Hutchens and Samuels were all alone by themselves as sprint runners, but there is no getting away from the foot that this young fellow Donaldson is as good as either of them, and may be better. Anyway, though I have not been lucky enough to hold the watch 'on him myself, I have confidence in one of the watch-holders—viz., Mr W. T. Kerr. . Let me. in fairness state that I do not know either of the other gentlemen who held watches. I hope to be able to hold the watch on him some day. It was bad luck for Holway to meet a man like Donaldson, for he is a good runner, and, like Donaldson, a very agreeable and. gentlemanly fellow. He will be able to tell the people in his own country when he returns tihat he was beaten well arid fairly. I am very thankful I have lived to pay tribute to a champion runner." Manager Terry, representing Jack Donaldson and A. B. Postle, met on the morn, of October 9, and signed articles for their match for the championship of the world, to take place at the Exhibition Oval, Melbourne. The match will probably take place on Monday, November 13. It is proposed to run three distances for £IOO. aside and a purse of £2OO. Both men willingly agreed upon the 100 yards as the first distance, and after some discussion 110 yards (the longest straight run that "can be secured at the' Exhibition Oval) was approved of for the third. Donaldson would have liked 130 yards, but Postle objected to the turns. Then, again, Postle considers he has a better cihanoe in lowering the colours of the champion in any races up to and not exceeding 100 yards. Both men and their representatives argued for some time as to what should be the second distance. Postle held out for 75 yards, over which he is an undoubted champion; but he eventually gave way when Terry . suggested to split the difference and make it 80 yards.

The one-mile race for the world's professional championship, between Frank M Ka.na.ly, of New York, and H, A. Wilson, of Sheffield, was decided on September 1 at Whitegate Park, Blackpool: The match aroused considerable interest, for Kanaly recently defeated the Welshman, F. O. Davies, for the half-mile championship, and was voted by his connections to be a world beater. Articles- were signed to run for £SO aside and the purse of £SO given by the syndicate. Kanaly, a tall,, magnificentlybuilt athlete, fairly towered over Wilson on the mark, and, darting away from the inside, quickly established a twoyard lead. His stride, long and free, was in great contrast to the somewhat scratchy, short action of Wilson, and, seemingly mo'vmg without effort, the American went s v¥ td *»y ahead- Wilson never seemed to be able to reduce the gap, and the further he went the further he fell behind, and Kanaly ultimately strode home the easiest of possible winners by fully 150' yards. Wilson was simply outclassed, for Kanaly was credited with doing something in the neighbourhood of 4min 21sec. It is certain he beat 4min 22sec.

L. O. MLachlan and W. F. Trembath were competitors at the Eight Hour sports in Sydney. Trembath turned out several times without, success, but veteran Lockie M'Lachlan annexed the B£o Yards Handicap from the. 20yds mark in convincing style.

Great interest was taken in the halfmile world's championship race at Taff Vale Park, Pontypridd, yesterday (says the Manchester Sporting' Chronicle of October 26) between F. C. Davies, Henby, and P M. Kanaly, America. The men were despatched to a splendid start, not two yards dividing in the early stages. Kanalv, however, shot ahead to 10 yawfe. When about 280 yards from home, Davies, with desperate effort, closed up, and amid great excitement he overtook the American and kept the .lead until well on the way home. The fortunes of the men now seemed most uncertain, but 40 yards from the tape Kanaly reduced the lead, and amidst tremendous excitement won by two yards. Davies was completely exhausted, while Kanaly was quite fresh. The winner's time was returned at lmin 56 4-ssec.

A. Postle appears to be back at his best form. At Pitts worth. Queensland, recently th:* ex-champion won the 75 Yards Sheffield Handicap in 7 l-ssec. In a trial against time over 70 yards he reduced his- Johannesburg figures from 7 l-16sec to 7seo "dead." Three independent watches agreed— so the time will most likely be accepted as a world's record.

A one-mile walking match was held at Eaton A. A. Games, Toronto, recently, between George Gouldinig (Canadian champion), G. E. Lamer (Olympic champion), E J. Webb (English champion 1910), and Percy, M'Donald, of Canadian fame. The result was a win for Goulding in the world's record time of 6min 23sec. Lamer was second, 30 yard* away. Details of the world's wrestling oompe-

titioni between Gotch and Hackenschmidt state that the Russian's showing- was pitiful. It took Gotoh 14min 18 l-ssec to gain the first fall, and the second fall required only smin 32 l-ssec. The first fall resulted from a reverse body hold and the terrible to.=) hold, for which Gotoh is famous, was responsible for the second fall. He clamped it upon the left foot for Hackensohmdditt Scarcely had h© obtained the grip when Hackensehmidit acknowledged defeat with his shoulder. For his defeat Haokenit Schmidt offers but one excuse, that.his lefti knee, which was injured in training tw<> weeks ago, weakened under the pressure of the iron hands of Gotch, and it wad useless to continue at the risk of being permanently injured. Hackenschmidt weni into the ring with the knee in a bandiage. Li the minds of the vast crowd that savfl the match there was no doubt as to which was the better wrestler. Gotoh out-pointed, out-generalled, aind out-gamed his oppo» nent. He appeared to be faster than ha ever had been before. His condition wa< perfect. He entered the ring filled wifchl oonndenoe, and never once did lie lose hi» coolness. On the other hand!, Haeken* schmidt seemed ill at ease. During thfll first fall he went about his work with hi«| face set, and anything but the glint of confidence in his eye. The referee in the match, Edward W. Smith, declares that for tho next 10 years there will be no shift of the wrestling capital, unless Gotoh should choose to change his place of residence.

NEW ZEALAND ATHLETIC UNION. FEILDING, October 20. The annual meeting of the Feilding Centre of the New Zealand Athletic Union was held to-day. The report stated thai the 24 club?, affiliated to tho centre progressing. The new boundaries formed had left this centre extending from Pal* merston North to Tauma.urunui. Effective measures had been taken to minimise fraudulent and corrupt practices. Last 3'ear's officers ■were re-elected. .-.-..■