ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3098, 30 July 1913, Page 53

ATHLETICS.

FIXTURES. August 9—New Zealand Cross-country Championship. Australasian Championships, at Melbourne. —Proposed dates, January 31 and February 2, 1914. NOTES ItY AMATEUR The death ol W. F. Simpson, the wellknown long-distance amateur champion, of Christchurch, removes one of the best-known figures from the'cinder path and the road, there will bo many regrets, for Simpson was nu amateur of the real type and an athlete of the best class. Simpson firs* attracted attention in the season of 19C0, when he won the mile and three-mile championships of New Zealand—a performance ho repeated in 1901-2 and 1902-3, and the throc-milo again in 1903-4. In December, 1901, he won the mile and three-mile championships of Australasia, at Auckland, establishing an Australasian record of 14min 49sec for the longer distance—a record which stands to this day. Simpson went to England in 1901-2, with G. W. Smith, but only won minor events, although his best time in England, 4min 26scc, was ssco better than his b ,: &fc here. Smith, it will be remembered, won the 120 yards hurdles championship of England in that season. Simpson retired early, owing to weak legs and bodily ailments, but turned om again at thy New Zealand championships at Dunedin in the 1908 9 season, being, however, out of form and out-classed. His last effort was in the modified Marathon race promoted by the Ashburton A.C., from Rakaia to Ashburton, about ISA miles, shortly after the championship meeting at Dunedin. 1 shall never forget that day (writes “ Sprinter”). It was .scorching hot, with a. blistering nor'wester blowing. “Billy” was then about half “ crocked.” but his brilliant little black eyes bespoke the indomitable spirit of old, and for fully 15 miles he ran with the winner, Miles Dickson, then at the top of his form. He coached Dickson, paced him. showed him how to conserve energy, and all the. while running like the champion he was. In the end youth told its tale, and when Simpson began to grow weary he sped Dickson forward with splendid advice arid unselfish and sportsmanlike wishes that made him at that moment lovable. How he gamely struggled on, dead bear, to finish second, is known only to himself. On that scorching day young men fell out all along the road. To them it was agony; to Simpson it must have been torture; but he never gave in, and he never once complained. The reception lie got from his own townspeople on that occasion will live long hr memory. It could not have been less than on the occasion of all his other famous triumphs, not excepting his Australasian championship ovation in Auckland. Many and many a man in Australasia to-day will feel a sincere regret for gallant “ Billy” Simpson. The South African A.A.A. has accepted the offer of the English A.A.A. to send out a representative team of athletes at the end of the present season, provided that a guarantee of £llOO is sufficient. Assent had already been given to the suggestion subject to the various provinces agreeing to guarantee their quota, as promised early' m the year, and it only now remains for the A.A.A. to take the matter in hand and send out a team worthy of the occasion. This should not be impossible now that the ’Varsities American trip is off (says Sporting Life). The original suggestion was for two sprinters, two distance runners, a hurdler, jumper, and two cyclists, but that was modified afterwards, and it is not quite clear what the £llOO guarantee covers. However, an all-sufficient team could bo sent out for that, and for some of the ’Varsity men it would be an educational rour of the best kind. The English A. A. A. should get to work at, once to organise a team worthy of the occasion. W. fl. Appiegarth, D. Gordon Davit's. A. N. S. Jackson, anti W. J. Bailey would be a good nucleus if available, and there are others who might wish to go out. Hut the team must l>e first class. John Paul Jones, Cornell’s great runner, nml holder of the world’s amateur record for the mile run, has made a definite announcement, that he will never run again. He expects to receive his diploma as a bachelor of mechanical engineering this month, anil will then enter business and bid good-bye to tbe cinder path for all time. Tt, must certainly be saitl that Jones enth d his track career in a blaze of glory At th■> intercollegiate meeting held at. Harvard Stadium, Cambridge. Mass., lie ran a mile in 4mm 14 2-ss> e. a full second faster than Itis world’s record performance over the same distance two years previous. Prior to Jones tho record was belli bv Gonneff. who diil the mile in 4min 15 3-Ssee. O’ course, (he old professional record—W George’s 4min 12Jsec —still stands supreme. Tt is claimed now that Donald F. Lippincott. the University of Pennsylvania sprinter. really won tho 220 yards at the intercollegiate championships in world's record time. At. least, several experts who acted as officials. are of that opinion. A despatch from Boston, of date June 6 says in part; “ft became known to-dav that Uppincott was timed by several watches in 21src flat, a mark hitherto nnattained. All the t-tnore did not agree, however, and after a conference the time was announced at 21 l-ftsoe equalling the record. As a further test of the value of Lippincott’s performance, the •Stadium straightway track was measured yesterday on orders from James E. Sullivan, secretary-treasurer of the Amahur Athletic Union, and referee of Saturday’s meet. It wns found t<> be one and one-fifth inches over 220 yards ” CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP. The ninth annual interclnb cross-country championship, run under the auspices, of tho Otago Centre of (he New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, was he’d at Vvingatui on Saturday afternoon. In consequence of the heavy ruin on the previous night the ground was in a very sodden condition and made the running very heavy. Tho weather during tho afternoon looked threatening, but the rain fortunately hold off. The following 10 teams competed: Dunedin, St. Kilda. St. Joseph’*, Pacific, Civil Service, Anglican, V.M.C.A., Caversham No. 1. Caversham No. 2. and Cargill Road Methodist. Entries had been received from the St. Andrew’s Club and Dunedin Club (No. 2 team), but these teams did not put in an appearance. At the start Gillmnn (Anglican) lord 100 yards through neglecting to take off his

overcoat. The field was bunched until tK runners left the course. Going through Mr Gow’s paddock Jack and MTvnight wore well to the front, with Torrie just behind. Beatson, (J. Frye, Crimp, and It. Frye followed in that order until the Otago Central railway line was reached. Ac this stage Beateon took the load. The field had stretched out considerably on reaching the racecourse at tlie cud 01 the first half of the journey. Beatson (Oavorshain) bad maintained his position and was the first man to pass the judge’s box. having covered the 2j miles in 14min 3soc Beatson was followed by MTvnight (Civil Service), D. Jfick (Caversham), O. Frye (Caversham), D. 11. Thompson (Dunedin), G. Dungey (Dunedin). M'Lauchlan (Cat crshani), Crimp (Caversham). and F Frye (Caversham) in that order. On leaving the course for the -second time this order was practically unchanged. Going through Mr Goff’s paddock Jack ran up to Beatson, and the two Caversham men ran together until reaching the Mosgiel road. Beatson then drew off and, running strongly up the straight, increased his lead, winning by about 70 yards, thereby placing the fifth ’interclub victory to hie credit. Jack, 20 yarcU back, finished second, with MTvnight, 30 yards behind Jack, third. O. Fry a finished fourth and Thompson fifth, followed by Crimp, M’Lauchlan, F. Frye Dungey, To mo (Pacific), 1.-. H. Henderson (Pacific), J. Swanson (Dunedin), A. Love (Caversham No. I), K. J. Orchard (Pacific) A. Melville (Civil Service), and W. Mayali (Dunedin), iu that order. Across some of the paddocks the going was found to bo very heavy, the mud being over the ankles in some places. Beatson was in splendid lorm and well maintained his reputation ns the finest cross-country runner in the dominion. Jack and MTvnight, were also in good condition, tho latter running better than he has done for some time. Jack, who won the Kdniond Cup Steeplechase (m winch Beatson did not compete), again ran up to his best form. 'The results were as follow:INTEKCr.ru TE VMS’ CHAMPIONSHIP. Caversham No. 1 (J. Beatson, D. Jack, G. Crimp. C. Frye. F. Frye), 21 points 1 Dunedin (D. R. Thompson, J. Swanson, Hawkins, W. Mayali, G. Dungey), 67 points 2 Pacific (Scott, Henderson, Bond. Fergu eon. Orchard, Torrie), 79 points 3 Caversham No. 2 finished fourth with 130 points. Civil Service fifth with 154, Cargill Road Methodist sixth with 159, Anglican and Y.M.C.A. tied for seventh place with 178. Sr. Joseph’s, eighth with 182, and St. Kilda ninth with 221. SEALED HANDICAP. In connection whh tho race the centre hold a sealed handicap, tile results of widen wore as follow; Civil Service. 131 min Olsoc ... 1 Caversham No. 2,132 min 16s<;e 2 St. Joseph’s, 132 min 27seo 3 Pacific, I32min 52seo 4 Anglican, 132 min 59sec 5 INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP. J. Beatson (Caversham) I 1). Jack (Caversham) 2 G. A. M’Knight (Civil Service) ... 3 C. Frye (Caversham) 4 U. P. Thompson (Dunedin) ... 5 G. Crimp (Caversham) 6 'The time of the winner (J. Beatson) vat 23min 4seo; Jack’s time was 23miu llsecj M’Knight. 28min 23seo; C. Frye, 28mift 35sec. At the conclusion of the race Mr E. A. Kosevear (president of t)sc centra) piosonted tile banner to tho Caversham team, and congratulated tho members upon winning is for the fourth time in scee "-cion. Threo hearty cheers were given for the team, and also for Beatson, the individual champion. PR FAMOUS INDIVIDUAL Cl IA M P lONS. 1905.—5. Sharpe (Y.M.C.A.). 1906.5. Croker (Southern Bible Class). 1907. H. H. Burk (Dunedin). 1908. —(J. A. M’Knight (Caversham). 1909. J. Beatson (Caversham). 1910. J. Beatson (Caversiiami. 1911. J. Beatson (Caversham). 1912. -J. Beatson (Caversham). WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL CHAM. ITONSHIP. MASTERTON. July 27. 'The Provincial Cross-country Harrier Chamjiionship was run hero yesterday. About 50 barriers representing six clubs competed. The Brooklyn (Wellington) team was successful. Central (Wellington) being second, and Masterton third.