Amateur Athletic Sports.

Southland Times, Issue 9375, 15 November 1886, Page 2

Amateur Athletic Sports.

It is an unfortunate incident in th c career of the Southland Amateur Athleti 0 Club that they were induced by seemingly unfavourable circumstances to postpone their sixth meeting from the date originally fixed (ihe Prince of Wales Birthday) to Saturday last. The excellence of the sport may not have bet n affected, tut the attendance of the public was, and instead of the proceedings being marked by the hearty and lively tone a large assemblage inspires, the dispiriting influence of a comparatively meugre patronage was moat palpably felt, the beet efforts of the office- bearers notwithstanding. In connection with such meetings a postponement, even a little postponement is a dangerous thing, and the Clob would do well to remember in future that the best way to win the favour of the public is to keep faith with them if at all possible. Of course the weather on Tuesday morning was decidedly disheartening, but the Club might have known the variableness of our climate better than to jump to the conclusion, that so it would remain all day. However, it waß pre« Bumably done for the best, and the instigators of the postponement may comfort themselves with the reflection that the result might have been far more disastrous. Taken as a whole the meeting was, except in the respect alluded to, very successful, the competitions being good, the race finishes generally close and exciting, and the arrangements satisfactory. Dr Macpherson acted with his usual ability and astutenesß as starter ; Messrs J. T. Martin (whose services as Referee were never required) and T. B. Bennett were quick-eyed and impartial r»s judges ; Mr F. C. R. Evans timed each race with unfailing accuracy ; and Messrs J. Macgregor, G. Johnston, and W. T. Mitford, ably assisted the gentlemen previously mentioned in the arduous work of properly carrying out the arrangements. Ooe misfortune under which the Club suffered at this meeting was the absence, through indisposition, of the Yen. Archdeacon Stocker, a gentleman whose enthusiastic energy is always of invaluable service on such occasions. The first event of the day was the Hundred Yards Handicap, a competition in which the livliest interest is usually taken. The first heat, for which five started, was won by D. Macpherson, with G. Kingswell second, and bo close were the two together that some little doubt was exproßsed aa to the correctness of the decisoD. As they were both entitled to take part iv the final heat, however, it did not matter how they were placed re»p©c-» lively. Tug second heat resulted in an easy victory for A, Irving, with D. Pale 1 second, there being three other 6tartera, In the fiaal Irving proved himself the best man, and Kingawellj'secured second honours. Tbe next item on the pro- , gramme, the Milo Walk, was struck out, oniy ono of tha competitors, T. Bews, turning np. The mile bicycle race proved an easy thing for Rough, who, starting with an advantage of 225 yards, was never overtaken. In this race F. H. King met with an accident which put him out of it altogether, the wheel of his machine coming in contact with the ground and " spilling " the rider emphatically. Fortunately Mr King was unhurt, although his bicycle was considerably shaken. For the 120 yards Hurdle Handicap only three started. W. F. Thompson fell before reach* ing the second last hurdle and so destroyed whatever chance he had. D. M. McPbe?son and A. Irving cleared the last hurdle abreasr, but in tbe short race from that obstacle home McPherson managed to take the lead and won a capital race by about a couple of yards. Tbe 220 yards Scratch Race was a capital contest, D. A. Cninnery Brown winning it almost on the tape by a few feet only. The Three mile Bicycle Race brought out four competitors, F. H. King and W. G. Bright, scratch, R. G. Spiers, 200 yardß, and George Rough, 300 yards. Rough led for a long time but eventually Spiers passed^ him and took the lead, followed shortjy afterwards by Bright. King's machine had not recovered from its accident in the previous race, and he had consequently to, retire in the mjddle of the contest. Bright kept close behind Spiers until the last lap, when he suddenly shot to the front' and, although Spiers made a plucky Q&ort tQ

r wrtake trim, won. an "excellently and judiciously ridden race by gome Seven or eight yards. The 440 yards Handicap was one of the best races of the day, there being no less^ than ; nine starters; Fale was the winneV f : ->i.^.^p.'M. : :Mc)Phcr«na tecond and D. Macpberebn close up. The Half-mile Handicap was. also ra most in-.; teresting and exciting event, and was won< by the scratch \ man, P. H. Cox, D. M. McPberson again being second. The five mile biej cle race, announced otLthe programme did not come off, the competitors failing to turn up. For the mile handicap four started, and after a capital raco P. Macpherson won just at home, the finish beiD^ particularly close. Worthington joon dropped out of the runniti£, aod although Cox, who started at scratch, ran ; *Feli> and sturdily he never ; ; . troubled the other two, J..H;* Dick and McPherson, "who had 35|and 40 jarda reepoctively. ■Dick led most of the way, but about fifty yards from the tape McPherson put on a spurtj toek the lead, and won a splendid race: by some four or five yards. The events not referred to above require no special comment, but will be found enumerated in the full details hereto annexed. ■ . ■;■ ' The Garrieon Band put in an appearance, thohgh not in very strong force,and played some excellent mnsic during the afternoon. Mr F. Roe, who had a booth bin i the^ground, was patronised wisely and not too well. The following were the events :— 100 Yards Handicap.— First heat: D McPberson (6yds), 1 ; G. Kingewell (6yds). 2. Time— lo' 2-s'h Be:s.— Se^nd heat : A. Irving (6yds), 1 ; D. Fale (6ydp), 2. Time— 103-sth sees.— Final heat : A. Irving. 1; Q. Kingawell, 2. Ten ran. Time— lo 2-s th ■ecs. Mile Bicycle Race.— G. Rough (225 yds), 1 ; W. Q, Bright, 2, Throe started, Time— 4 mins. 120 Yards Hurdle Handicap —D. M McPherson (lydj, 1 ; A. Irving (6yds), 2. Three ran. Time— lß i -sth sees. Half-mile Boys' Race. — D. McEobie (5 _jd»), 1 ;E. Russell (15jda), 2. Three ran. Time— 2 mins. 41 2-sth ices. 220 Yards Scratch fiace.— D. A. Chinnery Brown. 1 ; &. Morrison, 2. Four ran Time — 25 3-5 th tecs. 440 Yards Handicap.— D. Fale (12yds), 1 ; D. M. McPaerson (scr) # 2. Nine ran. Time— 55 4-s th sees. -Running High Jump.— W. F. Thompson (sfc 3in), 1 ; W. J. Woithington (4ft 7in), 2 Two competed. Three mile Bicycle Race.— W. G. Bright (scr). 1 ; B. G. Bpeirs (290; dn), 2. Four started. Time— l 3 mins. 28 sees. Boys' 315 Yards Race (opeu to members of the Youths' Recreation Rooms only). — J. McKinnon, 1 ; Cbarles Cain, 2. Four ran, Time — 45 2-sth sec;. Half-mile Handicap.— P. H. Cox (scr), 1 ; D. Iff. McPberson, 2, Four [ran. Time— 2 mins. 8 3-6 fth sec?. Running Long Jump.— A. Irving (18ft 6jiu), 1 ; G. ilorrison and D. McNeil tiod with 18ft 4 in. Six competed. One Mile Handicap —D. MoPherson (40yds), 1 ; J. H. Dick (,35yds), 2. Four tan. Time — 5 mins. 6 3-5 th sees. Special prize for tho winners of most points f torn scratch (to be won twice at November meetings), a silver cup valued at dBiO 10s. presented by W. Moir, K-q.— D. A» Chinnery Brown and P. H, Cox tqual wnu two points easb. The cups, trophies, &c. were presented to those of the winners who were in attendance at the conclusion of tbe sports, Dr. MoPherson performing the ceremony.