ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3115, 26 November 1913, Page 55

ATHLETICS.

FIXTURES. November 28.—D.A.A.C. evening meeting. December 20.—American Champions meeting. January 1. —Otago Caledonian Society’s meeting. . January.—New Zealand Championships probably at Dunedin. _ January 24 and 26. —Australasian championships at Melbourne. March 23.—Otago Caledonian Society s meeting. AMERICAN TEAM’S NEW ZEALAND TOUR. December 13—At Christchurch. December 17 —At Invercargill. December 20—-At Dunedin. December 26 and 27 —At Wellington. January I—At Masterton. January 3 —At Wanganui. January 7 —At Palmerst® January 10 —At Auckland January 14 —At Rotorua. January 17—At Hamilton, The foregoing is the complete itinerary of the American team’s tour in Lew Zealand.

notes bi amateur. Matters in connection with the American team’s New Zealand tour were discussed at a meeting of the New Zealand Council on Wednesday evening. It transpires that the Americans will arrive at Wellington by the Tahiti an Thursday; December 4. and will spend a few days m the city prior to commencing the athletic campaign at Christchurch on Saturday, December 13. i reparations for the meeting,,at which the Americans will open their tour are well adi aneetl in Christchurch. A programme of 15 events has been arranged, and trophies to the value of £SO will be presented to the successful competitors. The Canterbury Centre is endeavouring to secure the presence ot Gerald Keddell, the New Zealand and Australasian hurdle champion at the American meeting. The fact that Keddell was competing would add great interest to the gathering, and would furnish some idea ot how the ' Australasian champion compares with the American exponent of hurdle play. If Keddell is up to his best form I would not be in the least surprised to see him defeat Templeton over tne 120 hurdles. On New Zealand tracks the visitors can scarcely be expected to repeat their best American performances. , I note that the Mayor of Christchurch is to be asked to accord the Americans a civic reception on their arrival. Ivo objeetion can be taken to this, as the American team is being toured through New Zealand on a purely amateur basis, and with the object of giving a fdip to amateur athletics in the Dominion. The Mayor will probably be asked to extend a welcome to the Americans on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin. Prior -to appearing at Dunedin on Saturday, December 20, the Americans will show their paces at Invercargill. A meeting has been arranged bv the Southland Centre for December 17, and a programme, including 100yds. 220yds. 440yds, half, mile, and twomile, high and broad jumps, polo vault, shot, hammer, and 120yds hurdles has been suggested. The two-mile event replaces the customary three mile race on account of the fact that the former is the usual American distance. In addition to the above, a 120yds invitation hurdle race will be set on the programme, for much interest is already boino- evinced as to the probable result of this race between G. P. Keddell and the American champion Tcjnpleton. Exhibitions of javelin and_ discus throwing by Caughcy, the Californian High School athlete, will form another interesting part of the programme. ' In connection with the above I am sorry to note that the Invercargill Amateur Athletic Club has been refused the use of Ru-dby Park for the American meeting by the” Southland Cricket Association, on the grounds that club matches close on December 17 and representative matches commence on January 6. It would have been a graceful act on the part of the Southland Cricket Association to show its sympathy with a kindred sport on a special occasion like this to have declared club matches off for that day, and granted the athletes the use of Rugby Park. Preparations are being actively pushed ahead by the Otago Centre for the American meeting on Saturday, December 20, and all arrangements will be completed before the meeting takes place. The question of asking the Otago Cricket Association to forego matches on that date will be open for consideration. Personally, I should hko to see the request, if it should be forthcoming, granted by the Otago Association; but I realised the association’s difficulty in a season backward by a late start and handicapped by bad weather. Territorial parades, too, of paramount importance though these parades are, leave the association fewer clays on which to get in the round of fixtures. It seems a pity that the dates of the Australasian championships at Melbourne could not have been put back a month or six weeks, in which case not only would New Zealand be strongly represented, but it would have given the Americans an opportunity to have competed at the big meeting Here the American cracks would have met the champions from i the whole of Australasia. As it is now' (the Australasian championship dates having been definitely decided as Jauary 24 and 26 and the New Zealand itinerary of the Americans arranged), the_ Americans will not leave New Zealand until January 19, reaching Sydney on January 23. By proceeding straight to Melbourne the Americans could reach there in time to compete at the second day of the championships. It would bo impossible to close the New- Zealand tour earlier without upsetting the whole of the arrangements, a proceeding not to be thought of at this hour of the day. Indeed, it is doubtful whether any other dates would be suitable to the various New Zealand centres. Much easier one would naturally suppose to alter the date of one meeting in Melbourne to a whole tour in New Zealand. It is, of course, regrettable. I had hoped that the members of the New Zealand te&m and the Americans would have left New Zealand together for Australia to compete at the Australasian championships in Melbourne. Arrangements are being made by tne New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association to have a scries of lectures given at the colleges and to the athletes of the Dominion on “American Training Methods.” It was originally arranged that these lectures should ho given by Mr Unmack, who was to accompany the American team as manager, but o« ho is not coming it is hop *! that Colonel Piexotto will be able to give these lectures. G. N. Hill, one and three miles Austral-

asian champion, has definitely decided to retire from the track. The Auckland distance runner recently made his reappearance in a few training runs, but did not persevere further. -A New Zealand exchange, while stating that Hill’s reason for severing his connection with business ties, hints that the Dominion’s Olympic representative was disappointed with his preliminary efforts, and felt that training would be too irksome after a' year’s absence. It is an open secret that President Nigel Barker, of the Sydney University A.C., had been putting in some steady work with a view to the coming visit of the American team, and, possibly, also, the Australasian championships, but, the pity of it, he broke dowm once again in a back tendon early last week, and thus, I fear (writes “Prodifal”), we shall not again see this once rilliant sprinter in racing attire. Ralph Rose, the world-famous California shot-putter and hammer-thrower, died in a local hospital of tvphoid fever (writes the Frisco c orr esp on d e nt of the Sydney Referee). He had been ill only two weeks. Of the deceased athlete an athletic official said:—“Ralph Rose was know r n in nearly every civilised country in the world. His huge figure was prominent at three Olympiads—St. Louis, 1904; London, 1908; and Stockholm, 1912. During the 10 years_ of his activity, Rose was peerless in the eftotputt, and frequently participated in other weight events. Defeat he never experienced until last year at the Swedish Olympiad, when his team mate, Pat M‘Donald, of New York, earned first place over the big Olympian with the 161 b shot. On the following day, however, Rose redeemed himself by setting a superior mark with both the right and left hand. Five national championships appear to Rose’s credit—--1907 at Jamestown, 1803 at New York. 1909 at Seattle, 1910 at New Orleans, 1911 at Pittsburgh. In August, 1909, at the Siadium in Golden Gate Park, Rose established a world’s record with the 161 b shot with a toss of 51ft. In addition, Rose is credited with records in the 81b shot-putt of 67ft Tin, 121 b shot of 57ft 3in, 141 b shot of 51ft bain. 281 b shot of 34ft 53in, and the 161 b shot, right and left hand, with a total distance of 91ft 10:n. He held the records also, for the Amateur Athletic Union, Inter collegiate Conference, and the Canadian and Irish Amateur Athletic Union.” Patrick Ryan, of the New York IrishAmericans. established a world’s record for the 121 b hammer by throwing the missile 213 ft 9in from n 17ft circle. This was at Celtic Park on October 19. The previous best was John Flanagan’s 207 ft 7|in, made three years ago. The New Zealand amateur athletic championships, as was generally anticipated, have, for the season of 1914, been allocated by the Now Zealand Council to Otago, under the control of the local centre. The meeting will probably bo held here in the second week in January. The American team, which sailed from ’Frisco on November 12, is timed to reach Wellington on December 4. The Americans will probably remain in Wellington, where they will be entertained by the New Zealand Council before 0001111011011% the athletic side of the tour at Christchurch on December 13, The team, which is 0.11 board the steamer bound for New Zealand, is as follows:—Power (middle distances), best performance mile in 4min 18scc; Rosenberger (sprints) has a record of 9 4-ssec for the 100yds, 21 4-ssec for the 220yds, and 49sec for" the quarter; Templeton (hurdler), 9sec for the 75yds, and 15 2-sscc for the 120yds hurdles; Caughey (field events), a young athlete who has several good performances to his credit. In a circular to affiliated centres respecting the visit of the American team to Now Zealand, the ban. secretary of the New Zealand Athletic Council, under date Wellington November 11, says: —“Should there ho any profits on the meeting after all expenses have been deducted (expenses include cost of Americans while in each centre’s territory and the guarantee), one-half of such profits is to go to the New Zealand Council.” Referring to the position in Australia, the circular reads: “The New South Wake Association have undertaken to contribute their quota. Victoria also agreed. On the strength of this, we cabled to Mr Unmack, the organiser of the American team, to go on with the arrangements. Victoria now say they will not stand to their agreement unless we give a satisfactory guarantee that New Zealand will be represented at the Australasian championships on two dates selected by them [January 24 and 26J, and which are entirely unsuitable to us, and, among other things, preclude the American team from competing. The Victorian Association suggest to us the alteration of our itinerary, but we do not feel disposed to do so. New Zealand matters are our business, and if the arrangement of dates of the 11 meetings in New Zealand docs not fit in with the date ol the one meeting in Melbourne we say, and have said from the first, Why not make the alteration in the latter? Only recently have wo been supplied with reasons for the Victorian Association refusing to consider an alteration, which is that the State associations would not agree to the Australasian championship meeting being held over two Saturdays, and, as they would get no gate in a mid-week fixture, they had selected the only dates available. New Zealand was never asked whether it would be favourable to a two-Saturday meeting, but has cabled at once agreeing. Tasmania, New South Wales, and the Dominion agreeing for the meeting to be held on two Saturdays in February or oarlv in March. Victoria’s last communication is to the effect that the association finds it impossible to alter the dates. New Zealand’s reply goes forward to-day to the effect that we deny the right of any association to demand a guarantee, and wo will not undertake that any team, in January will be satisfactory, but will undertake to get a really good team if the dates can be changed. In the meantime, the New Zealand Council expects Victoria to act up tc its agreement re the American visit.” Li connection with the American visit, the Canterbury Centre has decided to write to Messrs Keddell (Australasian hurdle champion) and M’Holrn _ (hammer-thrower and shot-putter), asking them if they would be able to compete at the American meeting on December 13. N.Z.A.A. ASSOCIATION. THE AMERICANS’ TOUR. WELLINGTON November 19. The annua! meeting of the Council ol the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association wis held to-night. The balance sheet had hot been prepared, so consideration of the annual report and election of officers was postponed until a special meeting, to be held on Monday evening. The other business was proceeded with. Those present

were Messrs A. A. Marry att (president, in the chair), W. Larkin, J. H. Pollock, A. Davies, C. E. Bridge, B. Guise, J. Cusack, and W. H. Pollock. The Chairman, in referring to the visit of the American athletes, stated that there was a good deal of uncertainty as to the exact dates of the Americans’ tour of the various centres. The team, which consisted of Templeton, Power, Caughey, Rosonberger, and the manager, Co]onel Sidney Peirotto, left San -Francisco in the Tahiti on November 12, and was expected to arrive in Wellington on December 3. The tour would commence in Ohristchprch on December 15. Tire following dates had been arranged :—lnvercargill, December 17 ; Dunedin, December 20; Wellington, December 26 and 27; Masterton, January 1; Wanganui, January 3 ; Palmerston N., January 8 (this date had not yet been finally accepted) ; Auckland, January 10; Rotorua, January 14 (this date hacT not yet been finally accepted) ; Hamilton, January 17. The team would leave New Zealand on January 19, and arrive in Sydney on January 23. Mr Marryatt, stated that he did not know exactly what date the team wished to leave Australia. All that was known was that they desired to arrive in San Francisco on their return by the end of March. There was ample time for all the dates in Australia to bo filled in. It was expected that there would be time for the team to visit Tasmania. ANNUAL MEETING. WELLINGTON, November 24. The annual meeting of the council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held to-night, Mr Marryatt presiding. The report and balance sheet, showing a credit balance of £l4B 7s sd, were adopted. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows: —President, Mr A. Marryatt; vicepresidents—Messrs J. H. Pollock and A. Davies; representatives on the Olympic Council —Messrs Marryatt and Davies; delegates to the Sports Federation—Messrs J. O. Cusack and B. Guise; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. G. Talbot. It was decided to allot the 1914 championships to Otago. Mr Cusack was appointed organiser of the tour of the visiting American athletes, and will conduct the team throughout the dominion.

PROFESSIONAL ATHLETICS.

By Sport. The Port Molyncu:: Caledonian Society is out with its programme for the annual sports meeting to 'Do held on January 1. There arc 21 events to be decided, for which liberal prize money is offered. I acknowledge complimentary ticket from the secretary.

Prize money to the amount of £l2O is to be distributed to the winners of the events at the twenty-seventh annual sports meeting of the Balfour and Longridgo Caledonian Society, to be hold on the society’s ground on Boxing Day. Everything that the heart of man might desire in the way of sports is provided over 23 items, exclusive of piping and dancing, which is specially provided for. The principal athletic events is the Longridgo Sheffield, the first prize for which is £lO.

Jack Donaldson, the professional sprinter, who has been sweeping the board in England, talks of retiring owing to shortage of competitors. Ho was in communication with the Auckland Exhibition authorities, but the terms were unsuitable, and Donaldson will remain in England, where ho will look out for a position as athletic coach. Many outstanding events in the world of athletics have been decided on the wellknown Powderhal! track at Edinburgh, and yet another was added to the list on Saturday, September 6., when Hans Holmcr, America-, and Frank Kanaly, Boston, L.S.A., met to dispute the world’s mile professional championship, hold by the -latter, says the London Sportsman. While Kanaly’s form over a mile was well known, it was only within the last 12 months that Holmcr had flourished out as a milor. In July of this year lie created a surprise at Powder hall Grounds, Edinburgh, when be and Willie Kolohmainen turned out in a mile handicap at the Edinburgh City Police sports, by beating the Finn. Then followed a series of successes at Scottish games, while his victory in the 10 miles championship at Salford Grounds, Manchester, is fresh in the minds of many track enthusiasts. Kanaly, on the other hand, had not been running too well this season, as Ids displays at Shawfield Grounds, Glasgow, and Salford Grounds, Manchester, indicated, but since then it was reported that he had come on a groat deal _under the charge of Nat (Jartmcll at Liverpool. The Boston man certainly did look fit, though it was noticed that ho was wearing a strengthening patch on Ids right calf. Hohner’s operations had been confined to the Powderhal! track under the supervision of that old mile champion George Tinder. Both men got a good reception when they made their appearance on the track, quite 3000 people being then present. Holmcr, winning the toss, took the inside berth, and Mr Lynch quickly despatching the pair, Holmer started off with a three-yard lend. The first quarter was covered in Imin 3 2-ssoc, and, continuing to set the pace, Holmer reded off the half-distance in 2min 9j-sec. A surprise was given the crowd when Holmer increased his pace in the third quarter, and approached the tape hading by fullv 10yds: his t'mo for the three-parts of the distance being 3min 18 3-sscc. It was expected that the Boston man would hero make his effort, but judge the surprise of his supporters when Holmer drew clear away from his opponent in the last quarter, and, running Kanaly to a practical Standstill, ultimately won easily by 30yds in 4min 24 2-5-rc. Kanaly certainly did make an effort, hut it was so feeble that he never looked a winner.