ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3035, 15 May 1912, Page 57

ATHLETICS.

HARRIER FIXTURES. —Saturday, May 18.— Duneuin Barriers run from Wakari School Gymnasium. Dunedin Anglican Harriers run from St. Clair; guests of the committee. St. Joseph Harriers run from Santa Sabina School, North-East Valley. NOTES BY AMATEUR. From tho secretary of the Olympic Games of Stockholm comes to hand a special brochure of the classic gathering to which the eyes of the athletic world will be tinned next month. The brochure, which is charmingly situated with views of Stockholm, sets forth the work of the International Olympic Committee. and traces its efforts from the revival of the Olympic Games at Athens in 1896, Paris (1900), St Louis (1904), london (1908), and Stockholm (1912). The International Olympic Committee- has determined to celebrate the twenty years' anniversary of the revival of tho Olympic Gaines by a congress in Paris in 1914, to which delegates from all the national Olympic Committees will be called for tho purpose of drawing up fixed and definite rules for the celebration of tho Olympiad's. This grand memorial celebration will precede the holding of the sixth Olympiad, and will be a worthy completion of the immense work which the International Olympic Committee has performed since its institution in 1894. The Olvmpic Games will bo held in the permanent Stadium, erected at a cost of £50.000. The arena contains a football ground, places for the jumping and throwing competitions, and a running track, the inner, circumference of .which measures 383 metres. There is room for 25,000 sj>ectators. The daily programme for the athletic events is as follows: Saturdav, July 6.—Throwing the javelin. 10,000 Metres Flat (trial heats), .100 Metres Flat (trial hoats), 800 Metres Flat (trial heats). Sunday, July 7 —Running High Jump (heats). 10.000 Metres Flat (final heat), 100 Metres Flat (final heat), 800 Metres Flat (final heat), Pentathion. Monday, July 8. —Running High Jump (final heat). Standing Broad Jump (final), 400 Metres Relay Race (trial heats), 10,000 Metres Walking Race (trial heats). Tuesday, July 9. —Throwing Javelin (right and left hand, final), 1500 Metres Flat (trial heats), 5000 Metres Flat (trial heats). 400 Metres Relay Race (final heat) Wrdnesdav, Julv 10. —Pole Vault (final). Putting tho Shot (best hand, final), 200 Metres Flat (trial heats). 1500 Metres Flat (final heat), 5000 Metres Flat (final heat). Thursday, Julv 11. —Putting the Weight (ricrht and left hand, finals 200 Metres Flat (final heat), 100 'Metres Hurdle Race (trial heats), 10,000 Metres Walking Race (final). Friday, July 12.—Running Broad Jump (final), Throwing the Discus (best hand. final), 400 Metres Flat (trial heats), 3000 Meters Team Race (trial hoats). Saturday, July 13.—Standing High Jump (final), Throwing the Discus (right and left hand, final), 400 Metres Flat (final), 3000 Metres Team Race (final) Sunday, July 14. —Throwing the Hammer (final), "402.000 Metres Marathon Race (final), 1400 Metres Relay Race (trial heats). Decathlon (first day). Monday, July 15.—1600" Metres Relay Race (final), 8000 Metres Cross Country Race, Doealthlon (second day), Hop, Step, and Jump (final). The low state to which amateur athletics have fallen, as evidenced by the past season, is to be regretted, but more the lack of enthusiasm on the part of competitors and officials. No other town in the Dominion has such a basis for a successful sports carnival as Dunedin. There are no less than 10 numerically strong harrier packs holding weekly runs apart from the D.A.A.C. (to whonn alone credit is due for sustaining interest in the summer season). Those clubs all hold their distance races in the winter, and at the tail end of the season several have a series of sprint races. In both the distance and sprint races runners of a very fair order compete. After these events are concluded no more is heard of the majority of these runners until the next harrier sea-son begins. Why are these men not competing in the summer, when both training and racing conditions are much more pleasant? Simply because no inducement is held out for them to continue training- Thus quite a number of men who would probably with judicious training reach thr> fop rung of al hetics are wanting when athletes ure required to do duty for their province. The solution of this regrettable state of affairs does not require much thought, and not a great deal of time or work on the part of those prepared to remedy it. At tho close of the harrier season (the end of September), when the majority of the keener men are in good racing trim steps could bo taken by the various clubs to hold a combined sporte meeting on a big scale, say at the end of October, when the men would by tihat time

have had ample opportunities of shaking oft the effects of the slow winter work. It would only be necessary for every individiduaJ harrier to do his share in pushing the sale of tickets and advertising the meeting to his friends to make the meeting a success. Furthermore, such a meeting might induce the University Sports Club and the Otago Labour Day Association (both holding meetings on a smaller scale at the same time) to oater mow extensively for amateur athletics. It only remains for the Otago Centre to call a meeting of delegates from the various harrier clubs te> giv9 this suggestion a practical send-off.

The Civil Service Harriers still continue to make new members, and at last Saturday's run from the boating shed at Anderson's Bay these new men had their abilities tested, and were not found wanting. Steps are being taken to get a team into training for tho Edmond Cup, and the various club races. An attractive syllabus has been prepared for the first half of the season, in which is included tho Novice Race, and as the runs are being so held as to give the ma-imum of pleasure and at vho same time to develop individual pace, a good race should ensue. The five-mile cross-country championship of New Zealand is to be held in Wellington, probably in August. With G. N. Hill an absentee, there should be keen competition for the title of champion. I read the other day in a morning newspaper a eulogy of the grand feat of MacMillan at Queen's Club last Saturday (writes "Strephon" in the Athletic News), wherein the writer finished up by describing him as the "finest amateur sprinter in the world." The world is rather a big place, and amongst its inhabitants are still a few great sprinters, some of whom have shown MacMillan their heels in the past. There are in the United States one or two very good runners, such for instance as B. O. Craig (the inter-colegiate champion, whose inability to go to Stockholm will be matter for regret), Meyer, Rosenberger, and the Texan, G. Henry. The club man in the United States does not credit all inter-collegiate times, and so Craig's 9 4-ssec at Cambridge (Mass.) was not everywhere accepted any more than was the 9 4-ssec attributed to MacMillan at Cambridge the other day taken as gospel. Still he is a brilliant runner. In Canada Halbhaus is still fit, and Ronald Opie, the New Zealander, was good enought to win three Australasian championships. To what extent the German, Rau, has improved remains to be seen; but it is pretty certain that MacMillan will have a deal of good running to put in before he can justify the description of the "finest amateur sprinter in the world.''' An effort is being made in America to have the hammer-throw eliminated from inter-collegiate sports meetings on the plea that it is an event which has to be held o in a corner where few .see it, and if- it does take place in the main area is dangerous to competitors and spectators alike. The Dunedin Anglican Club ran from the residence of Mr H. W. Reid, Campbell street. Mornington. Thirty members were present. F. M. Reid and L. Kitt laid the trail, and the captain (G. G. Notman) had charge of the pack. After the members had been entertained by Mr and Mrs Reid a very pleasant social evening was spent, songs and recitations adding to the enjoyment. Mr Notman thanked the hosts for their kindness, and Mr Reid suitably responded. The Cargill Road Methodist Ciub held its annual run from the Roslyn Methodist Church. The hares were L. Holman and B. Cowie. A good run home finished with M'Kernan and Botting in front. After tea a musical programme was gone through, and Captain Stephens thanked Mrs Jamieson and the young ladies for the entertainment. The Caversham Club held its weekly run from Green Island School, 24 members taking part. The young members, being now more seasoned, allowed a fair pace to bo kept up. After the run Mr A. Miller (a member of the club) entertained the harriers, and an enjoyable evening was brought to a close about 8 o'clock. The Y.M.C.A. Club held its weekly run from Maori Hill Council Chambers. W., Beadle and L. Benjamin laid a first-class trail.

The usual run of the Dunedin Club was held from the Mornington School. 20 runners taking part under Captain Hodgson. The trail, which was over ideal harrier country, was laid by Dall and Hughes. Excellent form was shown bv some of the new members, and in the Novice Race fco be held in tho near future some good racing will be expected. OTAGO CENTRE N.Z.A.A. ASSOCIATION. A well-attended meeting of the Otago Centre oif the New Zealand Amateur Athlotio Association was held on the 9th. The president (Mr E. Roscvear) occupied the chair COBRKSPON'DEN'CE.

The Pacific Harrier and Amateur .Athietic Club wrote notifying an alteration in the name of the flub, and also that the secretary, Mr T. J Richardson, had been appointed delegate. —Approved. The Secretary of the Cargill Road Methodist Church Harriers wrote notifying that Mr W. R. Cole had been appointed delegate to the centre. —Received. The Secretary of the Dunedin Anglican Harriers Club wrote stating that it had been resolved, owing to the meml>eiship exceeding 35, to appoint another delegate on the centre. He also notified the appointment of Mr G. G. Nottnan to the position. The affiliation fee (£1 Is) was enclosed.—The Chairman pointed out that tho rules of the centre provided for an active membership of 50 before a second delegate could ba appointed, but ho had been in telephone communication with the) secretary, and found that tho membership was over that number —The action of the club was upThe Secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Athlefio Association wrote with referenca to the case of M'Clennan, and' stating that it was the intention of tho association, having heard he had taken up his residence in Wellington, to ask him to attend its next meeting. Tho committee was asked to fix a date for the cross-country championship as toon as possible.—TJie letter was received. J. A. Jenkins foi-warded an application for reinstatement. —After discussion, it was unanimously resolved that the application be forwarded to Wellington with a strong recommendation that it bo granted. GENERAL. Mr A. Melville gave an account of tho opening harrier run, and pleaded for a larger attendance of membera of the centre on such occasions. A vota of thanks was passed to the chairman for the way he had treated the runners on that occasion.

It was resolved that a" special commits toe, consisting of the chairman arid Messrs Smith, Sanderson, Andirowß, and the secretary, be appointed to go into the rules with a view to their revision. Mr A Melvilie spoke in favour of secretaries and others connected with the various clubs sending in notes of local amateur events to the press, as such a practice would lead to a greater interest being taken in them. The proposal was met with hearty approval. A committee, consisting of Messrs Reicf, Notman, Ferens, Richardson, and the secretary, was appointed for th« purpose of considering ways and means for improving the centre's finance. Mr G. Ferens read an excerpt from a private letter addressed to himself by Mr P. E. Titchoner .announcing that he and Mr F. Fry, Jate of the Caversham Harriers, had! joined the Essendon Harriers, Melbourne. At tho opening ran 18 clubs were represented, the total number of runners taking part being 501, Essc-ndon supplying 46, Melbourne 61, and' other clubs over 30 each.

INTERNATIONAL CROSS-COUNTRY RACE. The International cross-country race was decided in Scotland on Saturday, March 30. Competitors from England, Scotland, Ireland and France took part, the winner turning up in J. Bouin (France) who covered tho nine and three-quarter mites in 51min 46sec. Bouin went off with the lead at the start, and did most of the pacing in the mile of track running which opened the race. Just before the men took to the country he was passed by Scott, who ran the mile in 4m in 55sec. When they reappeared—the race, as stated, was arranged to : be run in three circuits, and the spectators thus found themselves well posted in the course of events—the Frenchman and Englishman, were disputing the lead, but six miles and a-half Bouin came back to the park alone, and his lead was never thereafter threatened. He headad his English rival by about 100 yards, with a slightly shorter distance between Scott and Hibbins, and this was the order when the leaders came back to complete the course by a threequarter round of the track. Bouin, who finished fresh and ran in easy style throughout, was returned as beating Scott by 120 yards, and a little over that distance would separate the Broughton Harrier from Hibbins. Wallach and O'Neill-were together at the end of the first and second circuits, first the Irishman and then the Scot leading, and in the final course Wallach, who ran an easy, graceful race, got well in front, and finished' fourth, receding a place as against last year. O'Neill was followed by a Frenchman, and then came a group of English runners —bcken by Murphy, the Hallamshire Harrier, who was running in Irish colours — whose forward running had made the team championship a good thing for England throughout. Details: — m. s.

1. J. Bouin, Franco 51 46 2. W. Bcott, England 52 19 3. F. N. Hibbins, England 52 34 4. G. Wallach, Scotland ... 52 51 5. Sergt. O'Neill, Ireland 53 7 6. J. Keyser, Franco 53 12 7. E. Glover, England 53 14 8. W. J. Tucker, England 53 20 9. J. Murphy, Ireland .53 26 10. F. C. Neaves, England ... 53 38 11. C. ' Vose, England 53 45 12. J. Hughes, Ireland 53 57 13. J. D. Hughes, Scotland ... 54 1 14. G. Stephens, Scotland ... 54 5 15. H. Hughes, Scotland ... 54 11 No other times were taken E. Davies, •who ran sixteenth, was the first Welshman to come in. — Team Placings.- —. England (2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11), 41 points 1 Scotland (4, 13, 14, 15, 20, 22), 88 points 2 Ireland (5, 9, 12, 26, 27, 31), 110 points 3 France (1, 6, 21, 24 30, 41), 123 points 4 Wales (16, 17, 18, 29, 32, 34), 146 points 5