ATHLETICS

Southland Times, Issue 20633, 3 November 1928, Page 5

ATHLETICS

(By “Bystander.” COMING EVENTS November: (date not yet decided upon): Evening meeting of the Invercargill Amateur Athletic Association. December 25: Edendale sports. December 26: Limehills sports. December 27: Mataura sports. December 29: Orepuki sports. January I: Tuatapere sports; Dipton sports; Waikaia sports. January 2: Riversdale sports. AMATEUR ATHLETICS THE INVERCARGILL CLUB. OPENING OF SEASON SHORTLY. The coming athletic season should be a record one locally for the Invercargill Amateur Athletic Club has taken a new lease of life judging by the enthusiasm displayed by members at the annual meeting which was held on Tuesday evening. After the annual report had been read, the chairman (Mr. J. Page) stated that last year the club did not get the support from the public and runers which it deserved. He congratulated the club on the improved conditions and paid a tribute to the services of the secretary (Mr. J. O. Manson). In conclusion he hoped that the present season would be most successful. Mr. T. Rodger also paid a tribute to the secretary’s work. Last year both officials and runners evidenced a lack of interest in the meetings, but with the assistance of the Southland Rugby Football Union, there was a bright future for athletics in Invercargill. He assured the club of his unfailing support. Other speakers endorsed Mr. Rodger’s remarks. Mr. C. A. Davis, on behalf of the Rugby Union, assured the club of that body’s support and stressed the value of athletic training in connection with rugby football. When the election of office bearers resulted, Mr. J. Page was once again elected president, members testifying to his valuable work in that capacity during past years and refusing to consider his intention of retiring. It was decided to circularize football and rowing clubs, asking for active members to support the club’s meetings. This is undoubtedly a wise move and it is to be hoped that the club will receive plenty of assistance from the members of these kindred sports bodies. The question of holding the opening night caused some discussion, some of the members desiring to hold the fixture this month. It was decided, however, to open the season with a bang, so to speak, by holding a big evening meeting which will take place next month at a date to be fixed by the committee. Worthy Suggestion. A noteworthy suggestion was made by Mr. T. Rodger who stated that the club should endeavour to have the Otago championships held here this year, declaring that it would strengthen the position of the local club. He urged that the club look into the possibilities of the scheme. Other members spoke in favour of the plan and the secretary was instructed to write to the club’s Otago delegate to see if the Otago Championships could be held in Invercargill this year. It is to be hoped that successful negotiations can be entered into with respect to the scheme for the holding of the championships at Rugby Park, which would undoubtedly create considerable interest and give a decided boost to athletics locally. SCHOOL SPORTS SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. Wednesday was children’s day at Rugby Park when the Invercargill and Subburban School Sports’ Association held its ninth annual sports, over 2000 school children from town and country, taking part. The tracks were inclined to be heavy after the recent bad-weather, but nevertheday was A. Inglis, Queenstown, and he fully deserved the gold medal presented by Mr. G. Munro for the champion boy (over 13 and under 15). Miss E. Pratt (Middle) gave a very creditable performance, winning the silver cup presented by the Amateur Sports Trust for champion girl. R. Grosbie, also hailing form the Middle School, won the gold medal presented by the Amateur Sports’ Trust for the junior champion boy, while a similar medal in the girls’ section was won by Miss E. West (North). The solo skipping challenge cup was taken by Waihopai, while the country schools’ cup presented by Mr. A. C. Gardner went to Queenstown. Hawke Shield. The Hawke Shield for the school gaining most points in the boys’ events was won by Middle for the third year in succession, Queenstown being runner up. Following is I a table showing the points gained by the various schools in this competition: School. Points. Middle 39 Queenstown 23 St. George 22 North 18 Brydone 14 Marist 13 Waihopai M 10 East Gore .. .. .. .. 6 Rimu 5 South .. .. 4. Waikiwi 4 Fairfax .. 3 Hanan Shield. The Hanan Shield for the school gaining most points in the girls’ events was also won by Middle, North being runner up. Following is a table showing the points gained by the various schools in the competition: Schools, Points. Middle •• 04 North 31 St. George 22 Waihopai 16 Waituna .. .. .. .. 15 South .. 13 Waikiwi 6 Greenhills 5 Fairfax bjs •• 0 East Gore .. .. .. .. 1 Makarewa 1 GENERAL JOTTINGS (By “Bystander.”) Just Beginning. Admirers of Percy Williams, the Vancouver schoolboy, who vanquished the world’s best sprinters at Amsterdam, were given qualms when several American papers announced that Williams did not intend to take his running career seriously. Reassurance came with a speedy denial of the report from Williams himself. He said that he realized that his athletic possibilities had just begun. Williams has been widely lauded for his running ability, and, in England, has been placed on the same level as Lord Burghley, Douglas Lowe and the veteran, EL M. Abrahams. Athletic Meetings. Pleasure is expressed in the annual report of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association at the advance that is being i made throughout the Dominion in holding i both primary and secondary school athletic meetings, and a statement relative to the , value of such sport which appeared in a German paper recently is quoted. After referring to the New Zealand track and field championships at Christchurch in December last and setting forth the results of the events, the report states that the outetand- ■ ing performance of the meeting was that ! of F. S. Ramson, who, in winning the 440 i yds hurdles championship, was successful in bettering the New Zealand record of 58 sec. Sceats’s high jumping was -very much appreciated, while Leadbetter’s success in ‘ the sprints, although running with a strain--5 ed tendon, was highly applauded. Savidan was far superior to his opponents in the

distance events. In the cycling events F. Grose is mentioned as having been in a class by himself. Advance of Cycling. Referring to the Standen-Gray tour the report states that in every town in which the two Australian cyclists competed they made a fine impression, and there was no doubt that Dominion cyclists would profit by their tour. The visit proved a boon to the cycling section of the sport, and it is believed that there were many potential Standens and Grays throughout the Dominion. The association expects to see a big increase in the number of cyclists this season, and a higher standard of competition. Big Championship Meet. “After a lapse of 16 years, it was once again the turn of your association to have the honour of controlling the Australian and New Zealand track and field championships,” continues the report, “and the association may well be satisfied with its efforts.” The biennial conference held on December 23, was the best one of the Union of Australia and New Zealand, as by the unanimous vote of all States the association had been given permission to break away and become affiliated direct to the International Amateur Athletic Federation. That had been done, and the association was now a separate member of the federation. In the future it was hoped and expected that contests would be held between the N.Z.A.A.A. and Australia every two years, with alternate meetings in Australia and New Zealand, commencing in 1930, with the first meeting in Australia. Congratulations are extended to the members of the New Zealand team on their success in winning the championship shield at the big meeting. Records Passed, At the Congress of the I.A.A. Federation, held at Amsterdam last July—August, the following records made at the Ninth Olympiad were officially recognized : 1600 Metres Relay (4 x 400 m). —U.S.A, team (G. Baird, F. Aiderman, E. Spencer and R. Barbutti), 3min 14 l-ssec, on August 5. 110 Metres Hurdles.—G. C. WeightmanSmith (South Africa), 14 3-ssec,. July 31. Putting the 161 b Shot. —John Kuck (U.S.A.), 52ft Ofin, July 29. Decathlon.—Paavo Yrjola (Finland), 8053.290 points, August 3 and 4. Fine Record. Three sisters have established a record •in athletic and jumping events at the Girls’ High School sports at even intervals of 10 years (says the Christchurch Star.) In 1908, Mary Corby won the senior championship and cup for jumping. In 1918, Edie Corby won the cup for jumping. In 1928, Nancy Corby won the junior championship and also all the junior jumping events.