ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3033, 1 May 1912, Page 54

ATHLETICS.

NOTES nr AMATEUB. .The hon. .secretary of tho Dunedin Harriers forwards a copy of the club’s first sjllabus. which shows that members arc being' well catered for. On Saturday next tho run 13 from the St. Clair Baths, and an enjoyable outing 1 should result. The races for the Edmond Cup will be decided on July 6, provided sufficient support is received. The course is a steeplechase one of three miles, open to teams of not more than 10 men, and not less than six. Tho first •ua-n homo receives a special trophy, and .9. 51 s * x men home in the winning team will bo rewarded with medallions. The St. Joseph’s Harriers, a copy of whoso syllabus has also been received, have an outing at Mosgiol on Saturday, the run talcing place from the Holy Cross College After tho run tho Harriers will bo the guests of the Rev. Father Buckley. The Threemile Cross-country Novice Race is set down for Juno 1 at Wingatui G. N. Hill, the New Zealand representative for the Olympic Games, the expenses for whom after a groat deal of trouble have been raised, left for London, en route to Stockholm, by the Osterley. Tho Now Zealand Olympic Council in Wellington is to be sympathised with in tho difficulties which besot it in tho collecting of funds for the Dominion’s representative. The experience, however, is not likely to be lost on the council, and it may be expected that for future representations a fund will bo established and subscribed to by all athletic bodies in tho Dominion. W. Murray, tho Victorian walker who competed at tho Australian championships and at tho Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club’s meeting in December last, accompanies Hill on bound tho Osterley Jack Donaldson, the professional champion, is on tho same boat, on route to England. A novel plan has been decided on for tho transportation and accommodation of the Americans for the Olympic Games. A largo transatlantic passenger stcaVner has been chartered, and all the athletes will be taken over on one vessel Besides the accommodation required for the members of tho team, managers, trainers, and other officials, there will be accommodation for 300 other passengers and tho committee Dopes by soiling these berths to secure enough money to make tho trip a cheap one for tho custodians of the fund. While the team is in Stockholm tho men will make their homes on tho steamer, which will also tend to lessen tho expense. Nearly all the men who made the best appearances on tho track and field last year will bo available for the American team. G. W. Mind.- of tho University «f Pennsylvania, and Gwynn Henry, the Texas sprinter, who created a sensation at the National Championships last summer; R. C. Claig, of Michigan; and Jack Nelson, of Seattle, aro looked uj>on as the most likely representatives in the sprints Rector, the speedy Virginian, who rat. third in the 100 metres in four years ago is about through with racing, and although it is possible ho will make an attempt to get into condition, good judges fear that his long absence from competition will make it impossible for him to recover his wonderful speed. America has two wonderful quarter-milers in Young, of Atr.lierst College, and Davenport of the University i.f Chicago. Davenport is also a star in the half-mile event, and might bo entered in the 800 metres run. In tho mile the United States has tho fastest man in tho world in John Paul Jones, of Cornell University. Jones ran a mile in 4 ra in 15 2-sseo last May at the inter-collegiate championships, and on the same day won tho half mile in Imin 54 4-ssec—a double performance probably never before equalled in competition Then there is Melvin W. Sheppard, who captured the 800 metres and the 1500 metres at the London games. Last year Sheppard showed that he was still one of the world’s leading runners by setting marks of Imin 54 l-sseo, Imin 54 3-sseo, and Imin 56 l-sseo for tho half-mile. Abel Kiviat, of New York, did 4min 20 l-seec and 4min 19 3-ssec last season for tho mile, and his running in indoor meets this winter shows that Kiviat is still in fine shape. In the hurdle events America still has Forrest Smithson, who eet a world’s record in the 1908 Olympic Games by doing tho high hurdles in loseo flat. Smithson tied the world’s record for the 75yds low hurdles, indoors, a month ago, and is apparently as clover and fast over the sticks as ever. Chisholm, of Yale University, and Benson, of the University of California, did 15 2-sseo several times last season, and Colson, of Hamilton College, was timed in 15 l-B«co for the New York State Inter-collegiate championships. Eller, of New York, also made 15 2-ssec last season, so that America

seems to be well provided with hurdlers. A. B. Shaw, who ran second to Smithson in London, won the national championship last year in 15 3-ssec. Over 20 men cleared higher than 6ft in the high jump in this country during the last athletic season, the best jump of the year being made by Horine, of Stanford University. He cleared 6ft Ain. The same jumper also made 6ft Sin and 6ft 2in in other contests, and is a consistent 6ft jumper.—[Horine has since established a world’s record.] Porter, the winner at London, made his best mark for last season at 6ft 3in. Grumpelt, of New York, Burdick, of Pennsylvania, and Beeson, of the University of California, also cleared 6ft 3in in competition. Jn the running broad jump the best marks made last season by American athletes are: Guttcrson, New York, 23ft Sin; Platt Adams, 25ft A^in; Wassan, Notre Dame University, 23ft 3in; and Allen, University of California, 23ft.3in. In Cook (12ft 6in), Bellah (12ft 6in), Coyle (12ft 6in), Dukes (12ft 7in), Wagonner (12ft 6in), Gardner (12ft Sin), and Babcock (12ft Bgin) the United States has the material for a strong representation in the pole vault. • Matt M’Grath was the best hammerthrower last season. Ho set a mark of 187 ft Ain last October, which should be far enough to win in any land. Ryan, of the New York Irish-American Club, did 179 ft lin.

In the shot-put America’s representative of four years ago, Ralph Rose, is still breaking records. A month ago he put an indoor shot over 50ft, and is confident that this summer he will break his own record of 51ft outdoors. McDonald, of New York, who did 48ft B|in, and Beatty, of New York, whose best mark is A7ft HJin, are other prominent candidates for the. American team. Horner, of Michigan University, is also credited with a put of ABft 2in. With a team composed of these men and others who may bo expected to improve this year on their performances of last season, the American Committee is of the opinion that it stands an excellent chance of once more putting the winning team on the Olympic Games Stadium. Mr J. G. Merrick, in a letter to Mr Coombes, tells of Canadian arrangements for tlie Olympic Games, which are even now almost complete. Trials will bo held, but it is considered that the following arc fairly certain to be included in the team: R. Kerr (present Olympia 200 metres champion) for the 100 and 200 metres; F. J. Halbaus (who won the 100 and 200 Yards Festival of Empire Championships, and the 4AO Yards English Championship last year), for the 400 metres; Howard, for the 200; Knox, for the 800; Tait (Festival of Empire mile champion), for the 1500; Happening, for the pole vault; Gillis, for the weights: Lukeman and Gillis, for the pentathlon. At least six men will compete in the Marathon madness. But the king pin of the team will undoubtedly be G. Goulding, famous as the conqueror of G. E. Lamer, who will probablv account for the classic 10,000 metres walk. The feud which existed for so long between the English Amateur Athletic Association and the National Cvclists’ Union has been settled at lost to the satisfaction of both parties. All athletic sports in England and W r ales are to be under the control of the A.A.A., but all cycle races at such meetings shall be run under the rules of the N.C.U. The N.G'.U. undertakes not to sanction professional cycle races at any meeting where foot races or other athletic shorts are competed for. Finally, all athletes and cyclists who were on April 9, 1910, eligible to compete under A.A.A. or N.C.U. laws shall, notwithstanding what rules they have competed under since then, be eligible to compete now under A.A.A. or N.C.U. regulations. The Dunedin Harriers held their weekly run from Waitati, 18 members turning out. The hares (H. M'Laughlin and T. Smith) laid an excellent trail, starting from the hotel. Some good harrier country was here traversed. The new members showed good form. A fast sprint home ended an enjoyable run. The Dunedin Anglican Harriers held their official opening run from the reeidence of Mr A. Washer, Koslyn, on Saturday. Twenty-five members turned out, and. despite tno heaviness of the ground, the run was made in fairly fast time. Messrs Mazengarb and S. M’Donald had charge of the bags. On returning the members were liberally entertained by Mr and Mrs Washer and friends. Songs and recitations added to the enjoyment of the evening, and shortly before 10 o’clock the captain (G. G. Notman), in a few wellchosen words, thanked the hosts for their generosity. Mr Washer suitably responded. On Saturday the St. Joseph’s Harriers held their weekly run from the St. Clair Baths. There was a very satisfactory attendance. On account of the windy weather paper was dispensed with. The run was an unusually long one, being approximately about 10 miles, but all the runners lasted the distance very well, some showing great form. The Pacific Harriers held their weekly run from Musselburgh School, and there was a good attendance. The trail was laid by Swanson and Seal. A smart run home finished a good day’s outing. Only a fair number of members turned out to the usual weekly run of the y.M.C.A. Harriers from the Albany Street School, some of the younger members not daring to face the elements. The paper was entrusted to M, Dawson and R. M‘Pherson, who both had a good knowledge of this part of the country. The run was enjoyed by all. The St. Kilda Harriers held their weekly run from the Cavorsham Presbyterian Hall, 17 members being present. R. Henderson and F. Graham had charge of the bags and laid a fairly long trail. The Cargill Road Methodist Harriers ran from the Glenaven Methodist Church. A keen wind met the pack at the top of Signal Hill. A good run home finished with M'Kernan, Slater, and Stephens in front. SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE. Mr A. A. Paape, secretary of the New Zealand Sports’ Protection League, addressed a meeting at Balclutha last week with tile purpose of forming n branch of the league in that town. It was decided to form a branch, and the following office bearers were appointed:—President, Mr H. Gunthrop; vice-presidents—Messrs D. T. Fleming, George Bain. G. W. Wood, R. R. Grigor, and J. P. Anderson ; committee— Messrs P. Greaney (secretary pro tern), W. Stewart, T. Redding, T. D. Pearson, and A. J. Braithwaite. NASEBV April 27. A branch of the Sports Protection League, to be termed the Maniototo Branch, was formed in Naseby on Thursday

evening, when the following officers .were elected:—President, Mr T. B. M'Neill (Mayor of Nasobv); vice-presidents —Messrs A. B. Armour (Gimmerburn), Thomas Hall (Patearoa), John Beattie, jun (Cambrains); committee—Messrs H. W.. Davis (Gimmerburn), John Francis, C. E. Davey, J. C. Malfroy, and O. J. Inder (Naseby); secretary, Mr F. W. Inder (Naseby). Mr Arthur A. Paape (general secretary of the league) was in attendance, and fully explained to the meeting the aims and objects of the league and its branches. HILL S EXPENSES. AUCKLAND, April 26. In reference to the amount required for ; Hill’s expenses at the Olympic Games, it j is understood that the sum has been sub- | scribed, but owing to the absence of the secretary tire subscription cards are not* yet collected. It is expected that the I matter will be completed during the , week.