ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3015, 27 December 1911, Page 62

ATHLETICS.

D.A.A.C. Annual Sports Meeting.—December 30. Southland Championships, at Riverton.— January 24. New Zealand Champions-hips—February 21. at Inveroargill. NOTES BI AMATEURThe Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club's sports meeting on Saturday next will be specially interesting by the fact that several of the Australian champions who competed at the classic gathering in Wellington will be competing. The meeting of the Board of Control of the Amateur Athletic Union of Australasia will be held in Wellington on Thursday, December 28. The following are the representatives of the various states:—New Zealand A. A. A., Mr Marryatt (president) and Mr W. G. Talbot (hon. secretary - treasurer) ; Victorian, A.A.A., Mr B. J. Parkinson and Mr L. A. Adamson; Tasmanian A.A.A., Mr E. A. Brooke (hon. sec.) and another; Queensland A.A.A., Mr D. M'Grath and Mr R. W. T. Ronnick; New South Wales A.A.A., Mr R. Coombes and Mr G. P. S. Parke; South Australian A.A.A., Mr J. H Pollock. The South Canterbury Caledonian Society has extended the time of entry for its big Sheffield Handicap till Wednesday, the 27th inst. The rw»on for this is that so few competitors entered and to give the late comers a chance to enter. Amateur runners should note that entries close en the above date for all other events. The society has put on a real first-class programme, and; it now rests with the competitors to support them in every way. The Sbadium, at Stockholm, where the Olympic Games are w> take place, is situated close to the fashionable part of the city, at the foot of a hill which forms the northern side of the structure. It is to be of a permanent character, built of brick and granite, at the expense of the Swedish Government, and is to be completed during 1911. The gates and arcades are vaulted in the old mediaeval Swedish style, reports an exchange. National heroes will be represented in a series of sculptured blocks of granite, on the walls, and the entrances will bo decorated with representations of Olympic gods. At the side of the eastern and western gates stand two massive towers, at the foot of which large water fountains will be placed. From, the top of these towers the signals for the various oontests will be given by blasts from trumpets. Behind these _ towers are two side buildings, each containing a hall and assembly rooms. In the centre of the northern arcade, which connects these buildings, there will be a gate through which all the competitors will pass on to the ground. The running track will be four laos to the mile. There will be accommodation for about 25,000 spectators. Apropos of the Olympic Games: "It is useless for the colonies to send men who are not out and out champions to represent them, and their representatives must all be able to do a performance approaching world's record. It is useless to send a pavement artist to paint a picture for the Royal Academy; it would be idiotic to send a 16ft cutter to compete for the Lipton Cup; and it would not be more absurd to send" a hurdler over to Sweden who cannot beat 16sec, when there are four Americans who can beat 15 2-ssec for 120 yards. It would be equally useless to send a" half-miler who cannot beat 2min for the distance, when there are a dozen in America who can do the distance in less than lmin 58sec. However, South Africa" (says a writer) "can send a team of selected athletes which may possibly achieve more success than any other team outside the U.S.A. Such men as M'Arthur, N.C.C., St. Norman, and G. H. Patching, could all probably touch, world's record in their events, and at their-distance, and each and all of them.may. score a success." It is announced that 40 nations will be represented at the Olympic Games next year, including Egypt, Japan, Turkey, and possibly China. At the athletic games of the IrishAmerican A.C., at Celtic Park. New York, on October 22, Pat M'Donald, of the IrishAmerican. A.C.. put the 241 b shot 38ft 8 11-loin, which beat the previous record of 38ft 2§in," put up by Ralph W. Rose at New York on December 31, 1904.

After a dozen attempts Matt M'Grath, the giant field-gam© exponent, of the IrishAmerican Athletic Club, succeeded on October 29 in adding the world's record for the 161 b hammer to his credit. He accomplished his task at the Galway Men's games at New York in Qeltic Park, when he hurled the .implement the unprecedented distanoo of iß7f"t 4in, adding exactly 3ft to the old record made by John Flanagan on July 24, 1909. The event was the feature of the meet. For three months M'Grath had been throwing the hammer to great distances. Several times he threw the hammer to record distance, but each time he overstepped the circle, only to have his throw declared foul. THE FIFTH OLYMPIAD. The Rev. Pv. S. de Courcy Laffan, hon. secretary of the British Olympic Council, has recently returned to London from . a visit to Stockholm, where he has been making inquiries regarding the arrangements for the Olympic- Games to be held there in July next, with particular reference to the accommodation to be provided the British competitors. Mr de Courcy Laffan, interviewed by a representative of the Evening Standard, spoke in high terms of appreciation of the kindness and hospitality with which he was received;, continuing: "The organsation is admirable in every way. The Swedish Government has made a grant of, I believe, £40,000, and every other country concerned has given a substantial su?n. This applies even to the Australian colonies. We shall shortly issue an appeal for £6OOO to defray the expenses of Great Britain, as we have no Government subsidy to help us out. "Two new features in the athletic programme are the pentathlon and decathlon competitions. They demonstrate who is the all-round sportsman. In the pentathlon the trophy goes to the competitor who excels in

five events —running, swimming, pistolshooting, fencing, and riding. The decathlon is a, test in 10 events, and the winner will hoLd the Emperor of Russia's handsome gold oup, which represents a Viking ship putting into land. The Kaiser and tlie Emperor of Austria have also given prizes, and H.R.H. the Crown Prince of Sweden, who is president of the Swedish Olympic Committee, is taking great personal interest in the work.

"They are building a very fine Stadium, and the structure will be complete by the end of the year. It is of dark red brick with granite insets, and it will be sculptured by different artists. It will be roofed with red tiles. The building is situated in a picturesque position just outside Stockholm, within easy access of all parts of the city. There will be accommodation for 50,000 spectators. "The track will not be quite so long as that at Shepherd's Rush. It is being laid by Mr C. Perry, who is the expert at Stamford Bridge, and superintended the work at the London Stadium. Underneath the spectators' seats at one end of the ground are to be the (dressing rooms, each nation having its distinct block of buildings, whioh are complete in every detail. There is a ground 300 yards from the Stadium where the competitors will have an opportunity to train in riding, shooting, fencing, and lawn tennis, when it is not possible to uso the larger area. Rowing and swimming will take place in the harbour.

"The British members of the committee represent for the most part the great governing bodies of sport. A certain proportion are nominated by the leading athletic, football, and other organisations, and two are the ' choice of subscribers. The Olympic Games of ancient Greece have been revived now 16 years. They are adapted to the conditions of modrn times, and so far they have proved exceedingly popular." OLYMPIAN COUNCILS. WELLINGTON, December 18. A meeting of the New Zealand Olympic Council was held to-night to arrange for a conference in Wolb'ington of delegates from the various amateur sports federations and Olympic councils in Australasia. The secretary of the New South Wales Amateur Sporting Federation and. Olympic Council forwarded a communication on the subject, and stated that he would bo present if a coreferenoe were held. It was resolved to hold the conference on December 23. Mir A. Marryatt was appointed delegate from the New Zealand Council. Members generally were opposed to the principle of an Australasian Olympic Council, unless good reasons were advanced in its favour. SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE. HASTINGS, December 20 A meeting was held here yesterday afternoon for the purpose of forming a branch of the New Zealand Sports* Protection League. Sixty were present, representing all branches of sport. It was decided to form a Hawke's Bay Centre. There are stated to bo 10,000 member© of the league in Hawke's Bay. The election of officers resulted: —President, Mr G. P. Donnelly; vice-presidents—Messrs E. H. Williams, If. Logan, George Hunter, M.P., Fra«k Gordon. G. R. King, H. M. Campbell, M.P., R. D. D. M'Leau, Leonard Storey, and J. H. Hartgill. GISBORNE, December 21. At a well-attended meeting to-night it was decided to form at Gisborne a centre of the Sports Protection League. Mr J. W. Nolan (Crown Prosecutor) presided, and after the aims of the league had been outlined by the general secretary (Mr Paape), Mr Nolan was elected president of the centre. A strong committee was appointed. THE CHAMPION HURDLER. (Fnon Our Own- Correspondent.) INVEROARGILL, December 21. Mr Gerald Keddell, the Australasian champion hurdler, left Inveroargill to-day for the annual championships at Wellington to retain the honour he now'holds. Speak, ing to a News representative Mr Keddell said he felt confident of retaining the title, and, with all things being in his favour, he believes ho will fall very little short of the world's record in the 120yds. He was not disposed to speak with any certainty regarding the 440yds hurdles, as the result depended largely on the position he was allotted on the track. If he secured the inside running his chances were bright, but if he was unfortunate enough to strike the outside running, it would be different. He believed that New Zealand will retain the shield they so ably won from the Australians last year. AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS. WELLINGTON, December 20. The New South Wales, Queensland, and portion of the Victorian teams for the athletic championships arrived by the Warrimoo from Sydney to-night. All the men are well, though they had a rough voyage. December 21. Several changes have been made in tho New Zealand team for the athletic championship meeting. Dethier and Stohr are unable to get the necessary leave, and their places will bo taken by' M'Farlano (shot-putting and hammer throwing), Messenger (220yds), and Wilton (440yds). The Victorian hurdler Davis did not arrive yesterday with the other Australians. SYDNEY, December 20. Mr Coombes, president of the Australasian Athletic Union, is a passenger by the Victoria for Auckland. He will attend the championship meeting, and also the conference to discuss the questions of an Olympio team and a board of control for the union. THE AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS. The following is a list of the representatives of New Zealand and the four Australian States, showing how they are drawn for competition in the respective championships: 100 Yards. —New Zealand: Opie, Duncan; Victoria: Burton, Troup, Ellis; New South Wales: Southee, Redmond; Queensland: Ronnick; Tasmania: Hart. 220 Yard's.—New Zealand: Opie, Stohr, Coard; Victoria: Burton, Tioup, Ellis; New South'Wales: South*®, Redmond; Queensland- Recnick, Francis; Tasmania: Hart. 440 Yards.—New Zealand: Opie, Harding, Stohr; Victoria : r Ellis, Kelly; New South Wales: Redmond, Battison; Queensland: Rennick, Francis; Tasmania: Gourlay. 880 Yards—New Zealand: Harding, Dou°all; New South Wales: Pattison; Queensland: Francis; Tasmania: Gourlay.

One Mile.—New Zealand: Hill; Queensland : Francis Throe Mile.—New Zealand: Hill, Pugh. Walk®. —New Zealand: Kerr, Cashman, Bennett; Victoria: Murray; New South Wales: Harley; Tasmania: Ellis. 120 Yards Hurdles.—New Zealand: Keddell, Halligan, Hamilton; Victoria: Davis, Russell, Kaigho'n; New South "Wales: Fraaer. 440 Yards Hurdles.—New Zealand : Keddell, Hamilton, M'Kenzie; Victoria: Davis, Ruseell; New South Wales: Fraser, Lane. Broad Jump.—New Zealand: Millard, Keddell, Hubbard; Viotoria: Davis, Troup, Kelly; New South Wales: Dane, Southee. High Jump.—New Zealand: Mitchell, Millard, Winkleman; Victoria: Russell, Kelly; New South Wales: Scott, Southee. Pole Vault.—New Zealand: M'Kay; Victoria: Brake, Walker. Sh ot -—New Zealand: De Their, Reid, MKay; New South Wales: Lane; Queensland: M'G-nath. Hammer.—New Zealand: Bisset, M'Holm; M^Grath° Uth Wales: Lane; Queensland: SPORTS MEETING AT WELLINGTON. A NEW RECORD. WELLINGTON, December 23. In the Two-mile Handicap at the evening sports meeting last night E. N. Hill (Auckland) won-from scratoh in 9min 36 2-ssec, beating the New Zealand record by 5 4-sseo R. Opie won the heat of th© -100 Yards event against a light wind in 10 2-ssec, but did: not start in the final. In the Two-mile Walking event Ellis (Tasmania) beat Kerr (New Zealand) by about 10yds. The walking of all the competitors wati not above question. The Australian visiting athletes were given a civio reception last evening by tho Mayor.