THE FIELD OF SPORT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17408, 5 November 1930, Page 4

THE FIELD OF SPORT

I Amateur Athletic Review: New Season Dawns To-morrow: \ Unfair Judging Will Injure Sport

By Discus.

Unfair Judging Last.-season unfair judging by sonic of the officials in Gisborne resulted in much feeling among athletes. All competitors know that the judges’ decision is final, but that is all the more reason why they should be careful in allocating the glarings. Far instance, there was the occasion on which two prominent sprinters wore placed together at the finish of a furlong handicap event. The verdict of the judges was considered hard on one, who actually won the race by inches. A point which should have assisted the judges had they noticed, was the fact that one sprinter touched the tape with his chest, while the other lunged forward about a yard from the worstmi, throwing his arms out, as he feffi. This action probably confused the officials, for their judgment was incorrect.

(Christchurch), 59 2-osec., Christ church, 8/3/30. 100 yards ladies: T. Kench (Wanganui), 1.1 l-s.sec., Wanganui, 15/3/30.

,T. G. liCckie: .161 b. hammer throwing, 151 ft. Gin., Tokomairiro, 15/2/30.

Jim Mercer’s Departure Had he remained in Gisborne this season, Jim Mercer, whose work has taken him to Te Araroa, would have been the oldest active member in the Gisborne Amateur Athletic and Harrier Club. Jim lias been a consistent performer in cycle events, both on the track and road, during the-past eight years, and although he will not bo competing this summer, he still remains a member of the club.

Popular Handicapper The appointment of Mr. E. Morrow, sen., as handicapper for the Gisborne amateur club has been received with general satisfaction among followers of the sport in Poverty Bay. Mr, Morrow should develop into the right man for the job. Possessing more than average knowledge of track and field athletics, he should, after lie has become acquainted with the capabilities of the competitors, be in a position to allocate the penalties in a manner which should prove agreeable to all. Members of the committee and officials '.have placed their faith in Mr. Morrow, and there is no doubt that, ho will gain the support and goodwill of spectators and competitors. Record Team of Harriers

Unfortunately, this was not the only time last, summer when the ruling of the judges was questioned. It is to be hoped that similar occurrences will bo less frequent this season, for such treatment of athletes does not help to promote the sport. It will do more harm than good. “On Your Mark!”

The starter's pistol will bark for the Jirst time in Gisborne to-morrow evening, when the 1930-31 amateur athletic track season will be ushered in with a sports meeting at the Childers road reserve. Never before in the history of the sport in Poverty Bay have the prospects for a successful season been so encouraging. The membership of the Gisborne club, exceeding that of any individual athletic club in New Zealand, includes a number of new aspirants this season. It is impossible to locate the outstanding performers until the season starts, and then all eyes will be searching the ranks for a new champion. The visit of the American stars will add impetus to the. sport, and there will be the annual mooting with Napier arid Hastings, not to mention the sub-centre championships. Indeed, the season commencing to-morrow promises to be a boom time i'or athletics here.

Outstanding in the annals of Victorian and Australian cross-country contests and relay racing has been the brilliant'record of St. .Stephen’s Harriers, Richmond, Victoria, winners of more events, both handicap and championship, than any individual club in Australia. Team work has been a fetish and a. success with them, and lias earned the club the title of Australia’s greatest at teams and relay racing. The club was founded in 1908 by the present secretary, Air. George Langford, now president of the Victorian Olympic Council, who has held office continuously since. Strong Position

Members of the committee have been at work on the grounds, and the cycling path and sprint track, should bo in good order for the opening meeting, which should be well attended, providing the .weather is fine. F. Grose Breaks Record Fastest time honors and (ho New Zealand 100-mile cycle road championship were won by F. Grose, the Christchurch cyclist, who rode a great raeo from the scratch mark in the Palmerston North to Wellington contest last Saturday. A. D. Arthurs, a young, Wellington wheelman, who turned into the Basin Reserve and rode his concluding lap to finish ohrs. 41min. after he had set out on the long journey, was the first competitor to break thq tape. Arthurs started off Hie tiOniin. mark. Grose put up record time for the distance, covering the course in 41irs. 58m.in. llsee. Of the 42 cyclists who started, at least 34 completed the journey. This in itself is an index to the success of the race, which was conducted under the auspices of the Wellington centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. Record Performances

The New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association is again in a strong financial' position, the actual cash funds totalling £-170 4s Gd, without any unpaid accounts. In its annual report, the association regrets that some of the centres have not paid their registration fees during the past, two years, and laments the fact that there are, a large number of clubs, particularly in the North Island, whose annual subscriptions are unpaid. The association acknowledges the assistance given io its finances by the tour of overseas athletes early in the year. Will Miss Wilson Return? Gince the writer announced a fortnight ago that Miss Norma Wilson may return to the athletic track this season, he lias heard nothing further concerning the intentions of 1 lie former champion lady sprinter of New Zealand.

Whether she intends coming back to the fold again is a matter for consideration. Personally, “Discus” would like to sec Miss Wilson slip on the running shoes again, and there are many others who would also welcome her return.. As a drawing-card she had few equals, but there is another side to her brilliant, career.

Below is a list of performances during the past year which have either equalled or eclipsed former New Zealand records:—

Wherever Miss Wilson appeared sho had a host of admirers, and her performances never failed to create a great deal of interest. Last season the announcement of her intention to take up running again was welcomed locally, for there is no one who more appreciated Miss Wilson’s performances on the track than the .Gisborne supporter.

. 440 yards: George Golding (Australia), 49 .l-ssec., Wellington, 1/3/30. 1000 yards: C. E. Evans (Wellington), 2 min. IS l-sscc., Wanganui, 5/3/30. l’olc vault: W. J. Batstonc (Canterbury), lift. 3{jin., Kinvce, 5/4/30. Discus: P. Munro (Wellington), 139 it. 2in., Potone, 22/2/30* One-mile medley relay: Wellington, 3min. 35 2-ssec., Wanganui, 15/3/30. 880 yards cycling: F. J. Groso

Of medium build, Miss Wilson was a powerful runner, and still is for that matter, capable of performing creditably over any distance between 50yds and 220yds. Her start was almost

perfect, and she was into her stride before the first 20yds had been covered. She always carried her body well, bent slightly forward, during the runthrough, and her strong finish was a feature of her performances. There was no evidence of overstrain ill her actions; they portrayed easiness, if anything. Miss Wilson still lias youth on her side, and if she decides to return to the track this season she should have little difficulty in defending her Poverty Bay titles. Miss Wilson holds the distinction of being the only lady athlete so far to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games. Famous Hurdler Retires , F. R. Gaby, the famous Polytechnic hurdler and rival of Lord Burghley, is to retire. He has come to this decision after having represented England very creditably in the Empire Games at Hamilton. Ontario, and the British Empire v. U.S.A. match at Chicago. Gaby, who is engaged in tho Post Ottioc telephone service, is now 35 years of age. Ho won the A.A.A, 120 yards hurdles title on five occasions, his best championship time being .14 9-10 see. in 1927. A keen rivalry existed between him and Lord Burghley after the latter had distinguished himself at Cambridge, but until he reached the veteran stage Gaby could generally beat Burghley by a narrow margin. Whereas Burghley’S great asset is his speed between tho jumps and on the run in, Gaby held advantage by reason of his perfect hurdling. Advice to Lady Athletes

Some practical advice for lady athletes is given by Fraulein Haux, captain of the German team which defeated the British representatives at the women’s Olympiad, held recently in Prague. Czecho-Slovakia. She thinks that the British Athletes should eat more, develop their arm strength, and engage in more training. Of course, her advice is limited to competitors in the field section, and therefore would not be suitable for runners. At the Olympiad Germany scored 57 points, whereas Britain was third with only 19. Fraulelia Haux criticises the British women as throwers of the spear, discus, and shot, all three of which arc yet in their infancy in Britain. “Nineetccn of the points secured by the German team were scored in these events, and Great Britain, which is regarded as our principal rival, cannot expect to enjoy success without firstclass throwers,” she said.

Handicaps for To-morrow. Good entries have been received for the sports meeting to be conducted by the Gisborne Amateur Athletic and Harrier Club at the reserve to-morrow evening. Handicaps declared by tho official handicapper, Mr. E. A. Morrow, arc given below: — 75yds. men’s flat handicap.—First heat: E. Grant, 4yds., A. M. Terry, 6 J yds., IT. R. Fisken, 7yds. Second heat: G. Hartley, 31yds., F. McDonald, 4yds., R. Mace, 51yds., L. Morrow, 7yds.

50yds. ladies’ flat handicap.—First heat: Misses D. Dixey, 2yds., E. Sired, 31yds., F. Flanagan/ 4vds., T. Shorter, 81yds., E. Vincent, 81yds. Second heat: Misses P. Tui, 3yds., C. McConnell, 31yds., P. Beale, syds., E. Williamson,' 61yds., (). Ingram, 7yds., V. Goldsmith, 81yds.

880yds. flat handicap.—H. R- Fisken, scr., M. McDonald, Gyds., W. Williamson, 70vds., F. McDonald, 85yds., R. Quinn, 100yds., C. Davy, 100yds., A. Terry, 105yds., .T. Jones, 115yds., J. Somerville, 120yds.

880yds. cycle handicap: —G. Howson, scr.. F. Campbell, scr., A. Campbell, 20vds., J. Algic. 25yds., C. Parker,. 45 yds.. A. E. Redmond, 55yds., P. Mackic, 60yds., R. Redmond, 65yds. Shot putt handicap:—-T. Algic, scr., P. Scholium. 1 Sin., F. McDonald, TSin., R. Macc, 18in., ,T. Ansell. 241 n., Geo; Hartley, 30in., H. R. Fisken, 36in.