ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 61

ATHLETICS.

BOTES BY AHATEEB

Heartfelt sympathy will go out to Mr E. A. Rosevcar, the esteemed president of the Otago Centre, on the death of his son, E. J. Roaevear, in Egypt, whither he went with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Deceased took a prominent part in amateur athletics and harrierism, and was one of the most promising track runnel’s in Dunedin, lie was a consistent competitor at all the local sports meetings, and 1 won several important races. At the popular evening meetings of the Dunedin Athletic Club E. J. Rosevear was particularly successful, and he always ran with distinction. Only the other evening, at a meeting of the Otago Centre, Mr E. A. Rosevear was congratulating the athletes of Otago on their response to the call to arms. Now his son, one of those athletes, has given up his life in the nation’s cause. The glory of it may be some comfort to the bereaved parents, to whom sincere sympathy is extended. No further news has been received concerning the fate of Lieutenant (“Dick”) Egglestone, the Otago and ex-New Zealand champion- sprinter, who is reported “missing.” Great anxiety is felt by his many friends in Dunedin.

Amongst the deaths reported from the fighting at the Dardanelles is that of Private James 11. Aitkcn, who was a very well-known figure in Christchurch sporting and athletic circles. He played for the Christchurch Football Club, and in athletics was for some time secretary of the Now 7 Zealand Amateur Athletic Associatoin. A wide circle of friends regret the loss of such a thorough-going sportsman. The New 1 South Wales Amateur. Athletic Association lias decided to postpone the Australasian cross-country championships. At the spring meeting of Jhe California Inter-scholastic Federation, at Fresno, California, on April 3, some great performances were registered' by schoolboys. E. Thompson, of the Long Beach (Southern California) High School, ran the 120 Yards High Hurdles in the phenomenal time of 15 l-sscc. which is l-ssec better than the previous record. ■ Another lad from the southern part of the State, Martin House, of Riversdale, was timed in the 220 Yards Low Hurdles in 23 4-ssee, which is 3-ssco better than the previous best held by Cory, of Chicago University High School, and is only l-sscc slower than the world’s amateur record held jontly by Kracnzlcin and Wendell. Wark ran the 220 Yards Flat in 22sec. and Blankensop covered the Half-mile in Imin 59 l-ssoc-

The question of the world's greatest runner has been revived in England by a letter from Colonel Arthur Lynch, M.P., to a London paper, who refers at length to the career of that famous runner Frank Hewitt. As Hewitt toured New Zealand with J. G. Harris, another fine runner, many years ago, putting up some wonderful performances, including the still unbeaten professional world’s record for the half-mile of Imin BSgsec on the Rfccarton road, Christchurch, an extract concerning that performance is interesting to the present generation. His half-mile record (Imin 53-isec), which still stands as the world’s professional record, was run on Riccarton roar), Christchurch, on September 21, 1871. The day was fine and almost calm, with a slight wind blowing at right angles to the track, which was formed in a straight lino on the public road. The race was run to beat the record of Imin 55sec, held at that time, I believe by Nuttall., Hewitt ran the first quarter very fast, and, having plenty in hand, finished the half-mile with to spare. jiulling up undistressed. His record has since been beaten as a world’s record by l-10sec (by the amateur C. Kilpatrick, of New YoVk, on September 21, 1895); but there is no doubt that on the occasion of his half-mile, and on many other occasions, Hewitt could have reduced the time considerably. Hewitt’s records are appended : Time. Distance. Where Pun. m. s. ♦soyds—Sheffield. England ..; 0 5J tlOftyds—Melbourne, Victoria 0 93 142yds—Sheffield, England 0 133 1300 yd Victoria ... 0 30J 400yds—Manchester, England 0 43 440yds—Manchester, England 0 4!) }BBoyds—Riccarton road, N.Z. 1 63J 1000yds 3 13 1 mile—Manchester, England 4 20 J ♦Standing start. fOn grass. road. OTAGO CENTRE N.Z. ATHLETIC AND CYCLING UNION. The ninth annual meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union was held in Mr Divers’s rooms on Thursday evening, and there was a good attendance of delegates. Mr D. F. MTvay (president) occupied the chair, and in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet said there were 21 affiliated clubs on the roll, being one less titan last year, and there was a slight falling off in the number of permits granted during the past season. This was no doubt due to the fact that a large percentage of competitors had joined the Expeditionary Forces, but he urged the various athletic clubs to continue to hold sports meetings whenever possible, as there was not the slightest doubt that the training necessary to keep competitors in good form for the various contests would make them more valuable fighting units when it came to a time of stress such as the nation was now passing through. In view of the exigencies to be contenclell against since the war started,’ the executive had to report an exceedingly satisfactory year, which closed with 413 competitors on the union’s register. The balance sheet disclosed a very satisfactory position, a credit balance of £24 9s being carried forward to the new year. In conclusion, the president cordially thanked the delegates, for their services during the year, and stated that the executive owed a great deal to the country delegates, who were really the backbone of the centre. The report and balance sheet was adopted unanimously. POINTS PRIZE. The President reported that the executive, at its last meeting, had resolved to recommend that the centre donate £lO as a points prize, open to competitors registered with the centre. He formally moved that the recommendation bo adopted, but the motion lapsed for want of a seconder. Mr Wyllic said ho thought that the amount offered was too large, and moved as an amendment that the sum of five guineas be offered, open to registered members who have not been less than six months on the roll prior to the annual meeting. After a short discussion, during which several members thought the should economise during the war, the motion was carried.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following office-bearers wore appointed for the ensuing year: —Patron, Mr John Lang; president, Mr James Howell; vicepresidents, Messrs A. Polwarth and A. M. Wylie; auditor, Mr George Davidson; executive —Messrs R. B. Mock, R. S. Yarcoo, J. Carroll, H. M'Donald, A. A. Campbell, A. G. Dreaver, W. M, Wilson, J. E. Menzies, D. F. M'Kay, W. E. Power, and R. Telfer; sccretarv and treasurer, Mr J. M. M'Kay. PRESENTATION. At the conclusion of the business Mr J. Carroll, on behalf of the executive, presented the retiring president (Mr D. F. M'Kay) with a silver-mounted oak tray, suitably inscribed, as a token of esteem and appreciation.

The recipient responded in suitable terms, and thanked the donors very cordially for their gift.