ATHLETICS

Otago Witness, Issue 3961, 11 February 1930, Page 49

ATHLETICS

GREAT RUNNERS IN ACTION. FINE DISPLAY BY PELTZER. GROSE.. THE CYCLIST, IN FORM. W ELLINGTON, February 8. Scenes of extraordinary enthusiasm marked the great athletic meeting held this afternoon at the Basin Reserve where Dr Otto Peltzer (holder of the world's record for the half-mile), Ger hard Emton (his youthful compatriot), and George Golding (the brilliant New South Wales quarter-miler) were all competing. Every conceivable corner of the ground and ever} 7 vantage point was occupied to its fullest extent by a crowd of many thousand people, all anxious to eee the great German in action. Nor were they disappointed. Peltzer competed in two events, and turned each into as sensational and thrilling a contest as has ever been witnessed in this country. His first race was an invitation 880 yards short limit handicap, in which he conceded 10 yards to the next best competitor. The field was a strong one, composed of the best half-milers available, and included the recent find, D. Evans, of Wanganui, who ran from the 10-yard mark. The doctor won this event magnificently, taking Imin 56 3-ssec for the journey. He eased up slightly in the last 10 yards, which might have made a difference of Isee in the time. His second appearance was in the last event of the afternoon, and was sensational in every way. This was the special relay, in which Peltzer was to run a lap of 440 yards against the Australian Golding. It will be remembered that in Australia this particular contest was found impossible to arrange. The honour of having such an event staged for them fell to the people of New Zealand, who took full advantage of it and were present at probably the greatest 440 yards ever run in Australia and New Zealand. The lap time from pistol to change-over was clocked at 47sec dead by one of the timekeepers, and the lap was won by “ the flying doctor ” after a terrific race. The world’s record for 440 yards is 47 2-ssec, and the Australian and New Zealand record is 48Jsec. The lap which was won to-day by Dr Peltzer was officially 430 yards from clock to change-over, so that some idea can be gained from this of the speed of to-day’s epic contest. Golding was a yard and a-half behind at the changeover.

In the 440 yards invitation race Golding off scratch was beaten by rather more than the five yards he conceded J. T. Fleming in the excellent time of 50 *l-ssec. Fleming has held since 1927 the best New Zealander’s performance of 60sec for the distance. It was a fine race, with a strong field, and the competitors were well applauded on its conclusion. Young Einton won the long jump handicap, and came third in the high jump, but was unplaced in the 100 yards junior invitation race—his performances were very popular with the crowd, who made a demonstration after his plucky and excellent performance in the high jump. The 100 yards race was held up for a few minutes in order to wait for Emton, who was competing in the high jump. When the lad went over he did not grasp the fact that the race was the one in which he was to do his best. He thought that it was a preliminary. His start in consequence was not good, and although he strained every nerve and finished strongly he failed to secure a place. It did not seem that he would nave won it, but he would almost certainly have been placed. The weather was excellent from the first event to the last. The bright sunshine helped to make the occasion one to be remembered. A light northerly breeze was blowing, and had an undoubted effect on the doctor’s performances, but this was nothing to speak of. At 3.15 p.m. the famous half-mile took place. There was a field of ten. W. Ogg, a local runner, started five yards in front of Evans, who in turn was 10 yards in front of Peltzer. After a good start Ogg took the lead very soon, and the rest of the field trailed behind with Peltzer well to the rear of them all. The pace was good, and the ease with which Peltzer was covering the ground was already noticeable. Coming down in front of the stand, with half the distance gone, Evans came up to second place, • with Peltzer still behind them all. The crowd became tense as the distance slipped away with no sign of a burst from the German, although the rest of the field was becoming rather spasmodic in pace. Fifty yards, a hundred yards, and more were passed over, and still the doctor remained almost where he had been right from the start, but with about 650 yards gone the doctor began his spurt. It was nardly a spurt in the ordinary sense, but was simply an amazing lengthening of stride, which brought gasps and cheers from a crowd already highly nervous and excited. The question was now whether the doctor was going to find time and distance to catch up the leaders. The latter put in their last ounce, but for the final 200 yards of the race Peltzer went tip slowly and surely for a win. He flashed across the tap in the midst of tumultuous applause. Ogg, who had done well, came second, a few yards behind, and L. Hack, of Masterton. finished third. The time was Imin B 6 3-ssec. At the end of the afternoon the relay was staged. The teams consisted of Dr

Peltzer, Gerhard Emton, and T. Mexted (of Wellington), who were pitted against George Golding, W. Tuckwell (of Wellington), and F. Stephenson fchampion of Wellington College). With the exception of Peltzer and Golding, the others were all juniors of the first rank. Peltzer and Golding ran the first lap, of 440 yards, and the others took laps of 22G yards. Peltzer broke ahead of the pistol, and the pair were recalled. Then the magnificent race started. Golding led away, and kept his lead of three or four yards. As the distance flew by the crowd was waiting for the remarkable lengthening of stride from the German, and a roar went np as he opened out, in spite of th. hitherto breakneck pace, shortly after the half-way mark had been passed. From here to the end was the fastest effort ever seen in Wellington in a similar event. Once again the German passed his man amid cheers as the two came into the straight, and when the exchange was made Peltzer had beaten Golding by a yard and a-half.

Emton and Tuckwell sped away, both running like machines, and their relative positions remained stationary unti’ the next exchange was made. Mexted added further to the lead established ami held by his partners, and won the race from Stephenson fairly easily in the time Imin 37 4-ssec.

Hundreds and hundreds of people rushed across the grounds to where Peltzer was standing with Emton, and the scene was one of the wildest enthusiasm. Into the middle of the crowd came Golding, full of congratulations for the great German, and the Mayor (Mr Troup) said informally a few words within the hearing of those nearby. The demonstration was remarkable. Peltzer was extremely happy as the people insisted on shouldering him and cheering him to the echo. A similar honour was done the sporting Golding, and rousing scenes marked the close of a marvellously successful meeting. Notable performances were put up by the cyclist F. J. Grose, of Canterbury, who won all three match cycle races over the usual three distances—half-mile, mile, and three miles. He was well re ceived by the crowd after these outstanding performances. T. Oakley, of Waira rapa, and L. Pearce, of Wellington, were second and third respectively in each of these events.

PELTZER AND EMTON IN CHRISTCHURCH. TO RUN AT LANCASTER PARK. CHRISTCHURCH, February 8. According to a telegram received from Mr G. L. Austin, lion, secretary of the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, to-day, Dr Otto Peltzer, the famous German athlete and holder of the world's half mile record, will visit Christchurch. He will arrive from Wellington to-morrow morning, and will appear in a meeting at Lancaster Park at 5.30 p.m. on Mon day. Peltzer will run an exhibition half mile. Gerhard Emton, the great runner's 17 year-old protegee, will accompany Pelt zer, and will run in a special 100 yards race against secondary schools’ chain pions. LERMOND AND GOLDING. THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS. It is understood that Leo Lcrmond. the American runner, and G. A. Golding, the Australian quarter-mile champion will appear in Dunedin on February 7 22. An offer of £25 has been made for a one day visit, and an answer is expected early this week. NEW SOUTH WALES TITLES. SYDNEY, February 9. At the State athletic championships the 100 Yards resulted as follow:—Carlton 1. Hampson 2, Vaughan 3. Time, 9 4-ssec This equals the Australian record. Won by four yards. Quarter-mile. —Hunt 1, Heath 2. Stuart 3. Won by five yards. T ; rr.?. 51sec. .Mile. —Hayland 1, Dillon 2, Blythe 3. Won bv 17 yards. Time, 4min 32 2-ssec. Women’s 100 Yards. —C. Dahi . 1. E. Robinson 2. G. Phillips 3. Won by half a yard. Time, 11 l-ssec. Previously the winner covered the distance in 10 9-10 sec, but this record has not been recognised.

DIRT TRACK RACING.

MEETING AT FOR BURY PARK. The Otago Athletic Centre held its third motor cycle and athletic meeting for the season at Forbury Park on Saturday, in ideal weather, in the presence of about 4000 spectators. Good entries came forward in all of the events, and some close finishes were —■tnessed, but the motor cycling races were somewhat spoiled from a spectacular point of view by the heavy pall of dust which hung over the course and at times almost completely obscured the riders. The dust also proved the downfall of more than one of the riders, who found the visibility very bad, especially on the corners. No serious mishap occurred, however, although H. L. Homer, whilst riding in the final of the Forbury Park Handicap, completely lost his way in the blinding dust, and was unlucky enough to wash into the picket fence on the bottom bend. He escaped uninjured but two spectators who were standing behind the fence received slight cuts or. the legs. A. D. D. Inglis, whose brilliant riding has made him a prime favourite with the patrons of dirt track

racing, had a most unlucky day and came off twice, the fault lying with his machine, which was badly balanced in the head.

The two stars of the day were two visiting riders, R. G. Slade, of Timaru. and C. F. Hasler, of Balclutha, both of whom fought out some exciting finishes and gave splendid exhibitions of skilful and daring riding. R. 11. Stewart, the local B.S.A. exponent, also rode well, and J. Nesbit, although his big Zenith did not appear to be running at its best in the earlier part of the meeting, showed what it could do in the final race of the day, in which he came second. The athletic events were keenly con tested, a popular placing being that of the veteran, W. J. Duff, who, off the four-yards mark in the 120 yards B grade handicap, just missed first place by 7 inches. In the hammer-throwing handicap the New Zealand champion, j. G. Leckie, put up a good performance with his throw of 143 ft 31in. During the afternoon the New Zealand Airways’ (Ltd.) Simmonds-Spartan aeroplane, which arrived in Dunedin on I- riday, performed a number of evolutions over the ground, and the crowd was entertained by an excellent programme of music reproduced by Mr IL A. Hogg’s public address system, the , results being announced with extraordii nary clarity by 7 the same method. The following are the results:— ATIII ETIC EVENTS. ONE MILE HANDICAP. •T. Lovelock (15yds) 1 B. IL M'Kernan (95yds) 2 S. Anderson (80yds) 3 Sixteen starters. Won by five yards, with three yards between .second and third. Time, 4min 25 3-ssec. 100 YARDS’ LADIES HANDICAP. Miss G. Winder (scr) 1 Miss C. Blaekie (21yds) 2 I Miss M. Pettit (scr) 3 Four starters. Won by a yard, with a foot between second and third. Time, 12 2-ssec.

120 YARDS B GRADE HANDICAP. B. Waller (31yds) ] W. .1. Duff (4yds) 2 J. Hook (31yds) 3 Twelve starters. Won by ' idles, foot separating second and third. 120 YARDS A GRADE HANDICAP. G. Garden (7yds) 1 N. I. Pledger (61yds) 2 A. L. Price (7yds) 3 Twelve starters. Won by a yard, with a foot between second and third. Time, 12see. THROWING THE HAMMER HANDICAP. B. Quemiell (75ft), 151 ft Tin .. .. 1 J. G. Leckie (scr). 143 ft 31in .. .. 2 B. Provo (60ft), 132 ft 6in . . . . 3 Seven competed POLE VAULT HANDICAP. L. M. Wright (Ift 3in). 10ft 3in .. 1 R. O. Johnson (6in), 10ft 2in .. .. 2 B. Provo (scr), 9ft 9iu 3 Four competitors. RELAY HANDICAP. Civil Service No. 1 (L. C. M’Lachlan, C. J. Thompson, M. G. Valk, and W. Farr (scr) 1 Dunedin (25yds) 2 Pacific (60yds) 3 Time, 3min 41sec. CYCLING EVENTS.

ONE MILE B GRADE HANDICAP. R. N. Taylor (15yds) 1 L. Biggs (80yds) 2 J. Campbell (25yds) 3 Thirteen starters. Won- by a length, with half a length between second ami third. Time, 2min 34sec. ONE MILE A GRADE HANDICAP. G. Smith (15yds) 1 J. C. Fogarty (scr) 2 C. Lucas (15yds) 3 Eight starters. Won by one yard, with two yards between second and third. Time, 2min 25 4-ssec. lIALF-M1 LE 11A NDI CAP. J. Parsons (20yds) 1 C. Lucas (10yds) 2 G. Smith (10yds) 3 Fourteen starters. Won ay half a length each way. Time, Imin 8 l-ssec.

MOTOR CYCLING EVENTS. FORBURY PARK HANDICAP. Three and a-quarter miles. First heat: C. 11. K. Napier (2J A.J.S.), 4see, 1; R. G. Slade (31 Ariel), 4sec. 2; R. 11. Stewart (3| 8.5. A.), scr. 3. Four starters. Won by three yards, with 50 yards between second and third. Time, 4min. Second heat: H. L. Homer (31 8.5. A.), 4scc, 1; C. F. Hasler (25 Harley), 4see, 2; D. R. Millar (3J 8.5. A.), scr, 3. Seven starters. Won by 50 yards, with 20 yards between second and third. Time, 3min 53 3-sscc. Inglis was amongst the starters, but he fell after covering two laps, escaping without injury. Final. Hasler I Slade 2 Stewart 3 Hasler immediately rode into the lead, and, closely attended by Homer, Stewart, and Slade, led the field for the first tw r o laps. Rounding the bend going into the third lap, Homer, blinded by "the heavy dust, struck the fence and came off, but was unhurt. Hasler, who rode a very steady race, went on to win by 100 yards from Slade, who beat Stewart by five yards for second place. Time, 3min 48 2-ssec.

LUPINS CHAMPIONSHIP. Three and a-quarter miles. R. H. Stewart .. 1 D. R. Millar 2 R. G. Slade 3 Four starters. Stewart, Millar, and A. D. Inglis were in the van with Slade 20 yards behind until going down the back on the second lap, where Inglis’s machine developed a nasty wobble, with the result that he came off. Stewart and Millar, who were almost together established a lead of about 200 yards over Slade, and fought out an exiciting finish, Stewart passing the judge with 10 yards in hand, Slade being 100 yards back in third place. Time, 3min 41 l-ssec. ST. KILDA HANDICAP. Three and three-quarter miles. First heat: D. R. Millar (scr), 1; R. G. Slade (ssec), 2; C. 11. K. Napier (ssec), 3. Five starters. Won by 150 yards each way. Time, Imin 33see. Second heat: R. H. Stewart (scr), 1; C. F. Hasley (ssec), 2; E. S. Bridger (25 Royal Enfield), 3. Five starters. Won by 100 yards, with 200 yards between second and third. Time, Imin 35 3-ssec. Final. Slade 1 Hasler 2 Stewart 3 The riders travelled in a bunch for the first three laps, when Slade drew into the lead, closely followed by Hasler and Stewart. These three went right away from the rest of the field, and after a splendid race,, in which Slade ami Hasler gave beautiful displays of cornering, Slade rode home a winner by 10 yards, with Stewart a similar distance back. Time, Imin 36 4-ssee. ST. CLAIR HANDICAP. C. F. Hasley (3sec) 1 J. Nesbit (25 Zenith), 3sec .. .. 2 R. G. Slade ( Isec) 3 Nesbit rode into the lead from a bunched field at the end of the second lap, closely followed by Hasler and Slade, with the rest of the field 100 yaTds back. The order remained unchanged until the fourth lap, when Hasley clapped on the pace going down the back, and shot to the front. He maintained his advantage, and, gradually drawing away, rode home an easy winner by 200 yards, Slade being 50 yards behind Nesbit, who also rode a good race. Time, 3min 56 4-ssec.

THE EMPIRE GAMES

BRITISH REPRESENTATION. LONDON, February 3. A strong committee has been formed to ensure adequate British representation at the Empire games in Canada in August. Lord Desborough, in declining the presidency, remarked that there might be a genvral election in August. REPRESENTATION OF DOMINION. WELLINGTON, February 7. New Zealand's representation at the Empire Games to be held at Hamilton (Canada) in August was considered by representatives of the Wellington sports bodies. The discussions which took place in London, after the Olympic Games, on the question of holding Empire games, were outlined by Mr Amos, who also supplied information as to the proposals which have been made regarding events, representation, and accommodation of athletes. The generous offer from Canada of 5O(M) dollars to assist New Zealand in sending a team was accepted, and it was decided that everything possible should be done to send a fully representative team to the Empire Games. The claims of rowing were dealt with at some length, and it was the feeling of the meeting that a rowing eight should be sent to Canada. New Zealand's representation, however, would not be confined to rowing. \\ ith regard to control of the movement to send a team, it was decided that a special committee be formed, and Mr L. A. Traev was appointed acting chairman and Mr N. M’Cartney acting secretary. Further information regarding the events to be decided at the games is being awaited from Canada, and when that comes to hand the committee will be in a better position to determine the extent of New Zealand's representation.