ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3438, 3 February 1920, Page 16

ATHLETICS.

FIRST DAY'S EVENTS. SYDNEY, February 1. The Australasian athletic championships, which, like other leading sports meetings, were in abeyance during the war, were revived yesterday at the Sydney Sports Ground under the most favourable conditions. The weather was glorious, the tracks were in excellent order, and the' attendance was large. The last meeting was held in Melbourne, when Victoria won the premiership from New Zealand, which had held it from 1908. Yesterday's gathering brought together the pick of the athletes of Australasia., New Zealand, New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland being very strongly represented. South Australia also participated. Never before had such a ring of talent assembled in this part of the world. Though no records were established, the competition throughout was of the keenest and the sport was of the highest class. New Zealand took first blood, Munro maintaining his reputation with the 161 b shot by easily outdistancing other competitors. Lindsay had to content himself with second place in the 100 yards event, which went to the New South Wales flyer, Hunt. Wilson reserved himself for the 120 Yards, which he won in fine style from the Victorian chapion, Edmunds. In the Mile Run Dormer made a good showing, but Brown (Victoria) proved too good, beating him home by six yards. The Three-mile Walk proved an easy thing for Parker (New South Wales), Sievwright filling - third place. The Broad Jump went to Honnor (New South Wales), who beat Wilson by, a margin of seven inches and a-half. Victoria scored her second win of the day by annexing the 440'yards event, which. Lenehan won from Hutton (New South Wales), who finished in front of Stafford (Queensland), with Lindsay (New Zealand) fourth. The Pole Vault, the last championship event on the day's card, added to New Zealand's laurels, Harvey topping the bar at 10ft 9in. a good inch better than Gorman (New South Wales). New Zealand thus secured three firsts,, three seconds, and two thirds; New South Wales, three firsts, four seconds, and five thirds; Victoria, two firsts, one secon 1, and one third. Queensland and South Australia so far have failed to get a look in. Results :

SIXTEEN" POUND SHOT.—Munro (New Zealand), 43ft 4in, 1; Nankler (New South Wales), 37ft o£in, 2; Edmunds (Victoria), 35ft 3. Putting more weight behind his throw the. New Zealander easilyoutdistanced his opponents. 100 YARDS.—The first heat was won by Burgess (Queensland) by two yards in 10 2-ssec. Second heat: Hunt (New South Wales), lj Lindsay (New Zealand), 2; Gale (Victoria), 3 Won by a yard in lOsec. Third Heat: Wilson (New Zealand) and Lenehan (Victoria) reserved themselves for later events, allowing Leadlev a walk-over. Final heat: Hunt 1, Lindsay 2, Leadley 3. For the first 50 yards the field was bunched. Hunt commenced to move forward at 75 yards, and though Lindsay stuck to him closely tho New South Welshman carried the advantage to the finish and won by a yard in lOsec. . " v

120 YARDS HURDLES.—First heat:' J. Fraser (New South Wales) held Wilson over the first hurdle and then fell. Wilson easily beat Almond (Victoria) by six yards in 16sec. Second heat: Edmunds (Victoria) defeated L. Fraser (New South Wales) by two yards in 16 3-10 sec. Final heat: Wilson 1, Edmunds 2, Fraser 3. The winner went to the front at the first hurdle, and making the pace warm maintained his winning by three yards in 15 9-10 sec. ONE'MILE RUN—Brown (Victoria) I, Dormer (New Zealand) 2, Grandemange (New South Wales) 3. The early running was made by Dormer. Brown took charge in the third lap. Dormer hung on to his quarter throughout up to the straight, where Brown lengthened his stride and won by six yards, seven yards between second and third. Time, 4min 36sec.

THREE-MILE WALK.—Packer (New South Wales) 1, Stokes (New South Wales) 2, Sievwright (New Zealand) 3. Parker held the lead to the fifth lap, where Austen headed him and led to the ninth lap. He then struck a flag post and fell, and retired. Parker won by 140 yards, Sievwright, who was never prominent, 400. yards behind. Time, 22min 45 4-ssec.

BROAD JUMP.—Honnor (New South Wales), 22ft 6in, 1; Wilson (New Zealand), 21ft 2; Wicks (New South vV'ales), 20ft lOin, 3. Great things were expected from Wilson, who, however, failed to realise his full form ana had to content himself with second place.

440 YARDS RUN.—First heat: Lindsay (New Zealand) 1, Stafford "t-Queens-land) 2. Won by two yards in 54sec. Second heat: Hutton (New South Wales) 1, Lenehan (Victoria) 2. Won by inches in 52sec. Final: Lenehan 1, Hutton 2, Stafford 3. The winner led from the jump and won by six yards. Lindsay never got near the front and finished fourth. Time, 53 2-ssec. POLE VAULT.—Harvey (New Zealand), 10ft 9in, 1; Gorman (New South Wales), 10ft Bin, 2; Harbison (New South Wales), 10ft 3in, 3. A great tussle with the bar, but at 10ft only the placed men remained in. After trying lift Harvey and Gorman cleared 10ft Bin. At 10ft 9in both failed at the first attempt, but Har-i vey succeeded at the second.