ATHLETICS

Otago Witness, Issue 3865, 10 April 1928, Page 59

ATHLETICS

By

AMATEUR.

RECORD BREAKERS. At tho Victorian College interfaculty championships no fewer than four new records were established. In the first’ chanipronship event—looyds—O, H. Jenkins, the Wellington, provincial sprint champion, set a new figure. Jenkins.- who is in great form at the present time, won easily in lOsec, time which clips 2-ssec off that put up by L. A. Tracy in 1924. There, followed another fin e performance in the 830yds championship. This time R. Leech (Wellington provincial half-mile champion) was tho principal. Leech ran a splendid race, and won by two yards from A D. Priestley, who led for the greater part of the distance. In this event, C. B. Allan, last year’s champion, and, incidentally, the P r . < : sen t New Zealand 880yds champion, failed to get a place, finishing fourth. Next came the 440yds. hurdles championship, and another record. In 1922, A. Jackson recorded 59 3-ssec, time which has stood as a. record ever since. R, W. Lander won in 58 l-ssec this year, defeating F S. Ramson holder of the Australian and New Zealand quarter-mile hurdles championship, with F. Nesdale. Lander was a fitter man than Ramson, and led from the outset. Three championships, three records ! But another was to oome. Lander followed up his success in the 440yd s hurdles with a good win in the 120yds hurdles. Lander’s time was 16 l-ssec, which betters his own record, established in 1924, by 2-ssec. OLYMPIC GAMES. Following are the records of Dominion representatives at the Olympic Games: — At London, 1908: Team of tw r o men. K- E. Kerr, third in final Two Miles Walk; thl F d in faste st heat Ten Miles Walk; unable to start in final on account of injured feet. At Stockholm, 1912.—Team of two men. M. E. Champion, member of the Australian and New Zealand team which won the final of 800 Metres Swimming Relay 7, establishing a world’s record of lOmin lljsec. Reached final of 1500 Metres, free style swim, and semi-final 400 Metres free style swim. At Antwerp, 1920.—Team of four. Darcy Hadfield: Third in Single Sculls. H. E. Wilson: Fourth in final 110 Metres Hurdles. G. Davidson: Fifth in 200 Metres Flat; reached semi-finals in 100 Metres Flat. Miss V. Walrond: Fifth in final 100 Metres free style swim. At Paris. 1924.—Team of four. A. E. Porritt: Third in final 100 Metres Flat; reached semi-final 200 Metres Flat. Miss G. Shand: Reached finals of 100 Metres and 400 Metres free style sw’im, but owing to indisposition could not start. NOTES. The cup presented by Mr H. T. Emmerson to the Caversham Club for competition during the track season, has been won by W. Murphy, who secured 22 points. J. J. Morris was second with 19 points, and L. H. Wood was third with 16 points. F. S. Ramson met hi 3 first defeat in a quarter-mile hurdle race on March 21, when R. W. Lander, running and jumping better than ever, won in 58 l-ssec. There is no doubt (says the Dominion) that Lander is a great hurdler. The question of th 6 allocation of the various cups presented to the Otago Centre for competition this season has been held over till the next meeting, but it is understood that the Barton Cup, awarded for relay races, has been won by the Civil Service Club, with the Anglican Club a close second. Miss Swinburne nut up a great performance in Wellington on March 21 by winning a 100yds handicap in 11 4-ssec. There is no. doubt (says “Spike,” writing in the Dominion) that if Miss Swinburne had the same training opportunities as Miss Wilson she would have been an Olympic nominee. A wonderful old runner is Jim M‘Kea< (says the Auckland Sun). He won the " double ” at the New Zealand amateur championships away back in 1896, half and mile, and now at the age of 60 still runs a good race. Some time ago Mr F. D. Gibson, of the Pacific Club, proposed that an interclub competition in track and field events be held. His suggestion has been adopted, and a meeting of the kind proposed will take place at tho end of the winter season. Mr R. Swinney has promised to provide a cup for the winning team. Victoria University College is very hopeful of retaining the shield awarded for most points at the intcr-University Athletic Tournament, which takes place in Wellington at Easter. With such runners as C. H. Jenkins, F. S. aamson, R. W Lander. R. I.eitch. A. D. Priestley. C. B. Allan, and with G. J. Sceats in Geld events Vic toria College expects to have little diffi culty in keeping the trophy. ford University, California, in. even time, besides scooping the 44‘0yds hurdles. Charles Paddock, who was a spectator at the sports, was so impressed that he promis.ed to give tho New Zealander some coaching. King is an ex-Napier High School boy, and as he will be returning to New Zealand at the end of next year, he should be an acceptable addition to amatei.tr athletics in the Dominion. At the .Napier Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club’s sports meeting on Maron 24 L. Veitch, of Wellington, was credited with three good performances. He won his heat and final of the 100yds handicap from the 3yds mark, being officially timed to do 9 2-ssec in the final. The time is open to doubt, however, as the wind bio ving favoured the runner and Veitch beat the pistol by a yard or two. In the 220yds handicap he finished a close second from the syds mark in the fast time of 21 4-ssec, in which two watches agreed. In the 440yds from scratch he finished 6yds behind the winner in 50 4-ssec. Dr Otto Peltzer, the German athlete, and holder of the world’s half-mile record, was easily defeated in a mile indoor race at New York on March 1. Hahn’s time was 4min 13sec, a- shade below record. Three days later, a cable state, Hahn fhn half a mile on an indoor track in- Imin 31 2-ssec. which is l-sseo better than Dr Peltzer’s outdoor world’s record, and 2 2-sseo better than the previous indoor record, held by Hahn. According to ■ information received in Wellington there is a distinct possibility that Dr A. E Porritt, the New Zealand sprinter, arid Lord Burghley, -the university htirdles’ 1 champion, -will visit ■ tho Dominion after the Olympic Games. Both

ar 9 in the running for nomination as Bntash representatives at Amsterdam. Dr I orntt is expected to make the journey to the Dominion soon to visit his family, and Lord Burghley, a close friend and his best man at his wedding, probably will accompany him. Now, Dr Porritt is attempting -to induce D. G A Lowe, the Olympic half-mile and one of the greatest runners in tho world, to v lS it New Zealand at the same time, and Lowe appears to be taken with the idea. Definite advice is expected at an early date. OTAGO LADIES’ CHAMPIONSHIP . WELLINGTON, April 3. At a meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association last night the appeal against the decision of the referee in the 100yds ladies’ Otago championship was upheld. The winner, Miss Stewart, was allowed to start in the final to defend her title. A complete withdrawal of any remarks previously uttered concerning the conduct of the Wanganui Association was made by the president (Mr R. W. MWilley), who tendered his profound apology. 'He said that evidently it had not been explained to the Wanganui Association that he had not considered intentional the act which necessitated his action as referee at the Auckland meeting in disqualifying a Wanganui competitor. NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL MEETS. WELLINGTON, April 2. A meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held to-night. The expenses of the GrayStanden tour amounted to £l6O, the payment of which is to be distributed as follows:—Wellington, £43 10s; Wanganui and Taranaki, £29; Canterbury, £l4 10s; Otago, £l4 10s ; N.Z'.A.A.A., £l4 10s. The following Australian and New Zealand records were- allowed and passed: — Running High Jump.—E. M. Davidson, 6ft One Mile Medlev.—J. Martin, W. Hunt, A. Walker, and J. Carlton. Time, 3min 35 3-ssec. Decathlon.—Eino' Keskinen, 6433.78 points. Permission was received from the A.A.A. of Australia and New Zealand for New Zealand to become a separate association. The possibility of a visit from Lowe and Lord Burghley, of England, is still in the air. All New Zealand teams will in future be selected by two delegates appointed by the New Zealand Council —one delegate from each island. T. Oakley’s performance at Masterton in covering three miles (cycle) in 7min 13sec was accepted as a New Zealand record.