Athletics

Southland Times, Issue 10996, 27 July 1907, Page 3 (Supplement)

Athletics

(By “ Relay.'’) The Balriulha Harriers hold a fivemile road race on 21st August, and the club championship will lie held over the same distance the month following. F. Trembath, of Hofie, without equal over 220, 480. and 880 yards distances in amateur ranks in Southland, and wlio won the 440 yds handicap at Hie Exhibition, is improving with age. Tie obtained fastest time over a four-mile distance at Gore, and at the same time esla’bll.shert a record for that track. The South London Harriers find no less, than 141 entries for u mile handicap held recently. This demonstrates the popnbirite of distance running in England, The wrestling championship of West Australia was decided at Perili, when; George Hinnie. n member of the police to fee. won the title. E. R. Terry, a pedestrian Km! axemen much above the average, and well known in InvcrrtTrgill. gave an exhibition of woodcraft a>) the Rockhampton (Cj.) Rugby Enlon sports. Tie cut through a mahogany log IGin in diameter in' X min. "S bees. The event was a standing chop contest.

In a letter to the Ref ere.', Mr Rufe Naylor, who is accompanying Mr B. H. Bay. the Irish champion, stated that the latter. oasiJ}* defeated McLachlan o-Vcr two distances and would have won ihc 130 vartis in tw 0 more strides. I to refers to the fact that ihc Auckland Athletic Club have registered 591 pedestrians, and says they intend forming a N.Z. Athletic League to control professional running in the yolony. In nis opinion, “ there is room for .such a tody, as thn N.Z.A.r. seem to be going the nVght way to settle the business.'’, n-. also slates that the Invercargill both , consisting of a limited number of pco.de. recently overruled the Bunedln Council. Those who like good honest running will tmt, in my opinion, welcome Pie pro-prh-tnrv sports meetings in this colony, but there remains the fact that th“ present body who profess to managd the professional sent ion. have not succeeded in carrying wit their 'original high idealThe mistake seems to have been madd in giving practically the control of thß .•port into the hands of a limited number of persons, referred to by Mr Naylor. 1 am. at the came time, thoroughly convinced that tho president and secretary l ave done their bust— and as much work as any other two men in the colony would have done. True, the Council consists of oilier representatives in the colony, but they must necessarily bo out of touch with those who do the work. It is unreasonable to expect thfflt two men, employed at their ordinary ftvoeai lon, can' spars the lime to attend to'

the business that must come along from the HOD odd affiliated societies through the provincial centres, apart altogether from the huge questicrj of initial oiganisation. The secretary, Mr T. P. Gilfed lor, who was mainly responsible for tho initiation of the N*/..A.U., now feelst live strain iffo much and has resigned the posit ion. A successor is to ho appointed and practically on the selection of& the executive rests the future of the organisation. A controlling body such as the N.Z. A.I 1 ., is essential to the well-being of true sport, and it would he in tho interest i f athletics, if a secretary were appointed who would receive such a salary as would permit him to give, the greater proportion of his time to his duties., B. It. Bay, the Irish champion, ond ttiffe Naylor, his manager, have left (or America with the object of endeavouring tc arrange n match wuth Duffy for 100 vards and against Shrubb for any distance over 410 yards to one mile.