ATHLETICS

Southland Times, Issue 19458, 24 January 1925, Page 14

ATHLETICS

(By “On-side Mac.”) Otautau Sports on Wednesday. Tokonui Caledonian Gathering the week after. Mataura Society’s bank balance is close to Mr M. Dowling’s ideal—a £2OO nest egg. Invercargill Amateur Athletic Club should have some good men competing at Otago championships. Most interest will attach to performances of R. C. Morgan in the Otago capital, in view of New Zealand championships to follow. It is understood that it is on the cards that the famous old Irish Athletic gathering may yet be revived. A golden opportunity awaits a sports society in Invercargill which will put on an axeman’s carnival in conjunction with a judiciously varied athletic programme. Merely removing his coat and boots, Andy Davidson went out and won the high jump at Waikaka at sft 2in. This fine all rounder had a bad accident during the football season, but has made a splendid recovery, although he is wisely taking things easy for a while yet. At the same gathering, the young Riversdale athletic, M. Stanton, went out just a shade under five feet. He has a nice style, and as stated before, is a coming champion. News from Otautau: —“The tracks out here are being well cared for, and under ordinary circumstances should respond to treatment well on Sports Day (Wednesday next). Our Society have in conjunction with the Town Board spent a considerable sum of money filling in portions of the grounds and cutting walks on the hillside, thus allowing everyone an equal chance of viewing all finishes from the splendid natural grandstand. The special train arrangements should prove an incentive to the people of Invercargill and t-L® Tuata-

pere line to spend their half holiday at Otautau’s third annual sports meeting. A single handed sawing event has been added to the bushcraft section, which should serve to bring the whole programme right up-to-date, and the wide variety of sport to be provided should make the gathering appeal to competitors and spectators alike.” A. E. Porritt, the New Zealander (writes a London correspondent) ought to be very prominent in amateur athletics during the next few months. He ran 120yds over the regulation high hurdles in 15 4-ssec. and the same afternoon covered the furlong in 21 4-ssec. With Eric Liddell and H. M. Abrahams absent from competition next season, Porritt will be first favourite for the A.A.A. sprint championship, even though Nichol and Matthewman are certain even timers.

Liddell will soon be returning to China (he was born there) for the purpose of teaching in a missionary school. Britain’s loss will be China’s gain, for he is a man whose influence, on and off the track, must be for good. Abrahams has announced that he will not run next year, though he may perhaps try the hop, step, and jump. We shall see; but it will not surprise many folks should he again don the running shoes.