Athletic Notes.

Southland Times, Issue 19725, 27 January 1906, Page 2 (Supplement)

Athletic Notes.

(Lly “ T.P.”) I’rofi'ssional athletes will In- intorto learn that, (ho New Zealand Athletic Union is in communication with the Premier regarding the representation of this c'olony at the Olympia flames, Athens, in April. Should it he decided to semi a few good men. Southland is likely to ho represented.

Tim proposal of the Southland Axemen's Society to hold championship events is likely to- lead to greater conflict with Um Nor tin Island Axemen's Association. The matter applies solely to woodcutting events, hut various athletic bodies are liable to he drawn into (lie emit ruversy. It seems ns if neither of these axemen's organisations will " give in ” to the other, and this -will prove, very unsatisfactory if champion axemen, etc, are to he sent beyond the colony. I •would suggest that both Southland and JCltharn join the New Zealand Aihldtic Union by special agreement and S'o let the breach be healed.

Some professional athletes receive handsome amounts in prize money. At one day’s sports in Dunedin D. McKechnie received £2O (lor dancing and piping), G. \V. Collie £l6 (running), W. Craik and W. Boyd, £lB each (walking). In the walking

events., pace-maker Creightoti was net u competitor, ho having gone back to the amateurs. At the same sports meeting Frank Fordo, of local fame, gained £9 and 1 Weber, the wrestler, £7 10s. The next man to make n haul will be the winner of the Sheffield at St. Patrick's sports —£3o and Sir J. G. Ward’s gold medal.

I believe there is a probability of the Gore Society joining the Southland Association before long. This will be a relief to l competitors, as after the troubles of training have been undergone the average performer likes to be able to try his luck at any sports meeting. Coro being out. of the Association, all competitors are thus barred, as all the prominent societies in Southland are affiliated to the Association.

It in not generally known that Premier Seddon is an old " has been ” of athletic fame. He was prominent in the ring in the good old days at. Kumara on the Coast. Ho was not " King Dick ” then, but was Mayor of Kumara when he won his 1 ist tussle in the 100 yds. Instead of donning a belltoppcr and marching round the grounds, .ho was inside the ring with coat and boots off, enjoying himself. I wouldn’t trust him but that ho could run yet. Ho can dance with great dash and abandon anyhow, and often puts younger gentlemen in the shade.

After going exhaustively into the evidence re the Bdendalo Handicap '•use. the Southland Athletic Association has decided that the winner is M- !\ r . T. Drown, of Core. No discredit is attributed to any of the ■ojupetitors or officials, although mistakes were made. The decision will, 1 think, meet with general favour ns it seems fair and in keeping with • i,., -ecognisod rules of racing. It is satisfactory to note that the Axemen’s Society did not-forget professional racing when making up their programme. £34 having been allocated for such events.