ATHLETICS

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 53

ATHLETICS

By Amateur. LORD BURGHLEY AND LOWE. At last week’s meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, it was decided to support a proposal from the New Zealand Council that Lord Burghley and D. G. A. Lowe, the British athletes who were responsible for wonderful performances at the Olympic Games, be asked to tour New Zealand during the coming season. A letter from the New Zealand Council stated that it had been decided to cable Dr Porritt to co-operate with Mr Amos in inviting Lord Burghley and D. G. A. Lowe to tour New Zealand next season. It had been decided that if either Lord Burghley or D. G. A. Lowe was not available, Williams (sprint champion) be invited, while if neither was available, it was decided to invite Williams and Ball, of Canada. If the tour eventuates two meetings will be held in Christchurch, while the option of holding the third will be given to Timaru or Ashburton. The programme provides for a meeting in Dunedin on February 16, and one at Dunedin, Oamaru or Invercargill on February 20. PROPOSED CYCLE ROAD RACE. The proposed New Zealand Grand Prix Road Race, Christchurch to Dunedin and return, has been discussed by road-racing cyclists, and has had a favourable reception, especially among the first-class road riders (says the Christchurch Star). It is just a question, however, whether it will be possible to get sufficient riders in the Dominion capable of doing the journey. One prominent rider, when approached for his opinion of the race, stated that he would like to compete, but his difficulty would be in getting off work for the time necessary for the event. The cycle traders are keen for the race, and no doubt would give sufficient financial support to make the race an accomplished fact. In the meantime, the secretary of the North Canterbury Centre is getting into touch with Timaru, Oamaru, and Dunedin in connection with the proposed race. Mr W. J. Walter, when in Oamaru recently, mentioned the race to Mr J. D. Forbes, the secretary of the Otago Centre, who was positive that a good deal of support would be forthcoming from Oamaru. An endeavour will be made to induce one or more Australian teams to participate in the race if it is held. A conference to go into, the “ pros and cons ” of the matter will be held at Timaru on October 5, the day prior to the Timaru-to-Christchurch Road Race.

NEW SHOT RECORD. One of the most amazing performances in the history of world’s athletics was registered in Germany in May, when Karl Hirschfeld hurled the 161 b shot a distance of 61ft 9Jin, nearly the length of a cricket pitch. This staggering performance knocks to pieces the famous world’s record of 51ft established by the late R. Rose (U.SA,.) away back in 1909. Previously Rose’s figures never looked like being beaten. Such was the stir created in Germany by Hirschfeld’s mammoth effort that General Wilhelm Heye, oommander-in-ehief of the German Army of Defence, issued orders that Hirschfeld, wTio is a soldier, should be promoted from sergeant to sergeant-major in the Rifle Battalion. Perhaps it is just as well Hirschfeld was too young to be hurling bombs around in the Great Wap. OTAGO AMATEUR CYCLING CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. The first annual meeting of the Otago Amateur Cycling Club was held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms on Wednesday night. The president (Mr J. A. Johnston) occupied the chair, and there were about 30 members present. In extending a hearty welcome to those present the chairman said he was very pleased to see such a large attendance, which was an indication of the keen interest that was being taken in the affairs of the club. The report and • balance sheet, the latter showing a credit balance of £8 7s 6d, were adopted.

The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year :—Patrons— Messrs H. Paul and L. Biggs; president, Mr J, A. Johnston; vice-presidents— Messrs V. Nelson, W. Feiehley, B. Winchester, R. Greenslade, G.' Cooper, G. J. Barton, W. W. M’Laehlan, A. Seott, T. K. Sidey, M.P., R. W..HalI, R. Maxwell, H. Scott, W. M’Connell, Mrs Plank, and Dr Allan; club captain, Mr J. Fogarty; deputy-captain, Mr H. Cooper; hon. secretary, Mr J. Ewing; assistant secretary, Mr H. Cooper; treasurer, Mr H. Ockwell; auditors, Messrs A. Oekwell and B. Winchester; handicapper, Mr E. Palmer; time-keepers—Messrs A. Ockwell, E. Palmer, and T. P. Williamson; starter, Mr B. Winchester; call stewards, Messrs W. FeiohUy and J. Brady; delegates to the Otago Centre, N.Z.A.A.A., Messrs Johnston and Ewing; committee—Messrs C. Garside, W. Feichley, and P. Traill (Messrs Johnston, Ewing, Ockwell, Fogarty, and Cooper arc also members of the committee) ; collector for the accident fund Mr JR. Johnston. Six new members were eletled. It was decided to make an effort to arrange a football match with one of the harrier clubs

It was decided that a charge of 3d per week be made on the riders in track or road races throughout the season. A motion that application be made to the St. John Ambulance Association for the services of members at sports meetings was carried. PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES. The annual presentation of trophies by the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held on Thursday evening in the Embassy Salon, the function taking the form of a dance, at which well over 100 persons were present. The president of the centre (Mr E. L. Macassey) occupied the chair and presented all the trophies with the exception of the Hooper Cup, which was presented by the donor (Mr W. L. Hooper). Before making the presentation of the trbthe president apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Mr vV. B. Tavet; ner). It was the first occasion on which the Otago Centre had made the wind-up of the season a social evening, and after the success which had attended the first venture he had no doubt that it would become an annual affair. The prize-winners were as follow:— Edmond Cup, J. G. Barnes; winning team (Caversham), J. W. Tapp, J. J. Morris, C. W. Frye, D. Brown, C. F. Clark, L. Wood (medals); Sealed Handicap, Moller Cup, University Club. Port Chalmers Road Race, Mr Hooper’s Cup— C. E. Birt 1, L. M’Millan 2, R. Bauguen 3; novice prize, R. Ridley, fastest time and Mr Nickels’ Cup, J. G. Barnes. Otago Cross-country Championship—J. G. Barnes 1, J. J. Morris 2, J. W. Tapp 3; wining team (Caversham) —J. J. Morris, J. W. Tapp, C. W. Frye, D. F. Brown, A. Sadler (medals). Modified Marathon Race —D. Thompson 1, W. Poulter 2, J. W. Geddes 3; fastest time and Mr Nickels’s. Cup, G. Farquharson; second fastest time, C. W. Frye; winning team (Mr Nickels’s Cup), Hanover Street Club.