ATHLETICS

Southland Times, Issue 20675, 22 December 1928, Page 18 (Supplement)

ATHLETICS

(By “Bystander.”) COMING EVENTS December 25: Edendalo sports. December 26: Limehills sports. December 27: Mataura sports. December 28: Balfour and Longridge Caledonian Society sports. December 29: Orepuki sports. January I: Tuatapere sports; Dipton sports; Waikaia sports; Kelso Caledonian Society sports; Port Molyneux Caledonian Society sports. January 2: Riveradale sports. January 4; Tokanui Caledonian Society sports. January 9: Waikaka and Combined Districts Athletic Society sports. January 16: Wyndham and District Caledonian Society sports A DECIDED SUCCESS INVERCARGILL’S CLUB’S EVENING MEETING. AMATEUR ATHLETIC SEASON OPENS. PROMISING LOCAL TALENT. There is always a considerable number of difficulties to be contended with when a new organization comes into being and from recent experience in Invercargill as far as amateur athletics are concerned, the greatest of these is lack of public support. It consequently reflects great credit upon the Invercargill Amateur Club that it should this year make a great effort to revive atheletics locally and, after a reverse, achieve its object for there is not the slightest doubt that its adjourned evening sports, held on Tuesday last, was an unqualified success. The opening night was originally set down for Friday, December 7, but unfortunately a heavy rain set in early that evening and made it necessary to postpone the sports. Not to be deterred, however, the energetic club officials selected another evening when fortunately excellent weather conditions prevailed and such a varied programme was presented that it attracted public attention with the result that there was a very satisfactory attendance at Rugby Park last Tuesday evening. The interest evinced by the crowd in the various events indirectly acted as an impetus to the competing athletes and some very fine exhibitions were witnessed during the course of the evening. The outstanding performer was Bert Geddes. Assiduous training under the care of Mr. Tom Rodger, has resulted in Geddes being in the pink of condition and in all the events in which he participated, he showed pace and stamina. In the 100 yards handicap the stop watches recorded ten seconds dead for Geddes’ effort from scratch, truly a remarkable achievement. All things, considered, however, this time is hard to believe. One thing is certain—if Geddes can run 100 yards in ten seconds at Rugby Park and can reproduce that form on other tracks, he should have no difficulty in carrying off the New Zealand championship. Louden was a very consistant performer throughout and was successful in annexing the prize for most points. His running was quite promising and he put in a good effort in gaining second place in the 100 yards handicap. He also occupied the same position in the 75 yards handicap, whfch was won by Palmer who made a good effort. The 880 yards handicap proved an interesting event, the corfipetitore keeping fairly well together in the first lap but towards the end of the second, Creaser drew away and finished strongly with Stanway a few yards behind. Ward came in third. The winner’s time of 2min 3sec, was very satisfactory. By way of a change from the running events, a mile cycle race was held and provided much interest. Some half-dozen cyclists took the field and for the first two laps, a steady pace was maintained with Patton in the lead but in the third lap Patton fell back and Gonley took his place. Gonley was not in his usual good form owing to rather a severe cold and was unable to hold his position. Barrett an< Eastlake came up strongly and in the final stages of the last lap the race developed into a duel between these two for first place. Barrett however, succeeded in crossing the line first with Eastlake a close second. Gonley came third. The one and a-half mile bicycle race narrowed down to a struggle between the undefeated cyclists, Barrett and Eastlake and so well were they matched that, their wheels flashed over the line simultaneously. In connection with this event, rather an amusing interlude occurred at the conclusion of the meeting during the distribution of prizes when the two competitors who successfully tied for first place, were given a cardigan to divide. Mutilation of the garment was avoided, however, by a satisfactory and mutual arrangement. Fast time was recorded for the relay race, the 5 o’clock team consisting of Geddes, Smith, Louden and Palmer, accomplishing the 440 yards in 49 4-ssec. The winning team gained its unusual name from the fact that its members practised at 5 o'clock in the evenings. The Marist A team was a good second. The high jump, usually the most uninteresting event on’ an athletic programme, proved to be quite a feature of the meeting, being productive of some good entries. In coming first, Norton, a small lad, gave a good exhibition .and cleared the bar well. His effort in jumping sfeet 2ins from scratch was a particularly good one and his victory was very popular. Tansley, Maher and Burke were promising performers in this section.

One of the most interesting and amusing features of the evening was the game of football played on motor cycles by two teams from the Southland Motor Cycle Club which is to be congratulated in showing such a fine sporting spirit by assisting the Amateur Club in this way. At the conclusion of the meeting, the presentation of prizes to the successful competitors was carried out in one of the dressing rooms under the grandstand. In addressing those present, Mr. Tom Rodger thanked the runners and the public for their support. He also paid a tribute to the excellent work of the secretaries, Messrs. J. Gonley and J. Holloway. Before the gathering broke up, Mr. Hol loway announced that the next meeting of the Invercargill Amateur Athletic Club would be held towards the end of next month. After then, if sufficient support, was forthcoming, a meeting would be held every fortnight. Orepuki Sports. Intending competitors for the seventeenth annual sports gathering of the Orepuki Athletic Society to be held to-day week, are reminded that nominations close this evening with the secretary, Mr. E. D. Bone. Edendale Sports. Tuesday next will be a memorable day for Edendale as on that date the twentyeighth annual meeting of the Edendale Sports Society will be held. From indications to hand this should be one of the most successful gatherings yet held in the district. A lengthy programme of field, bushcraft, piping and dancing events has been drawn up and very satisfactory train arrangements have been made for the benefit of the public. Waikaka Sports. During the week an attractive programme for the twelfth annual gathering of the Waikaka and Combined Districts’ Athletic Society has come to hand. There are 18 field events and 9 dancing events while during the day, a number of boys’ and girls’ races will be held. The attractive sum of £7O is being offered in prize-money and this meeting which will be held on January 9, promisee to be most successful. Mataura Sports. Mat aura’s “big” day is on Thursday next when the Mataura Athletic Society will hold its annual sports on the recre ation grounds. This gathering is always a great Christmas holiday attraction and

this year an excellent programme of bushcraft, running and field events, and piping and dancing, has been drawn up, the attractive sum of £153 being offered in prize money. Special train arrangements have been made and bands will be in attendance so that with fine weather prevailing, the public is assured of an excellent day’s entertainment. New Zealand Championships. The New Zealand Championship meeting, which has been allotted to the Wellington Centre, will be held on the afternoons of February 22 and 23. The first day’s programme is as follows: 120 Yards Hurdles Championship (heats), Half-mile Cycle Championship (heats), 100 Yards Championship (heats), 100 Yards I Ladies’ Handicap, (heats and final), 120 Yards Handicap (heats and final), Threemile Walk Championship, Three-quar termile Cycle Handicap (heats and final', Hop, Step, and Jump Championship, 220 Yards Championship (heats), One Mile Cycle Championship (heats), 1000 Yards Handicap, 440 Yards Hurdles Championship (heats), Pole Vault Championship, Throwing the Discus Championship, 440 Yards Championship (heats). The events set down for the second day are:—BBo Yards Championship, 100 Yards Ladies’ Championship (heats and final), Putting the Shot Championship, 100 Yards j Championship (final), 120 Yards Hurdles i Championship (final), Half-mile Cycle I Championship (final), 110 Yards Handicap (heats and final), 110 Yards Ladies’ > Handicap (heats and final), High Jump Championship, One Mile Cycle Handicap, (heats and final), 300 Yards Junior Scratch Race, under 18 years on date of race; 220 : Yards Championship (final', Throwing the Javelin Championship, One Mile Cycle ■ Championship (final), One Mile Champion, Throwing the Hammer Championship, 440 Yards Hurdles Championship (final'. One Mile Walk Championship, 880 Yards Handicap, Long Jump Championship. 440 Yards Championship (final), Ladies’ Relay Race, Three-mile Cycle Championship, Three-mile Champion Relay Race. South Island Neglected. For some time strong complaint has been made by business organizations that the interests of the South Island have been neglected in favour of those of the North Island, and it seems as if the amateur sports bodies can complain of similar neglect. This is certainly true in the case of amateur athletics. This question was referred to by the president of the Otago Centre (Mr. E. L. Macasj sey) at a meeting on Tuesday night, states the Otago Daily Times. Mr. Macassey I stated that the last Australian and New Zealand Championships had been held in Wellington, and that the last New Zealand Cross-country Championship was staged at Wanganui. Apparently the present Council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association cannot see further than the immediate locality and a district that is handy for Wellington athletes, for, judging by advice by the Otago Centre, the track and field championships for the 1929-30 season l —probably more than r a year hence—have j been allotted to the Wanganui Centre! A sop has certainly been offered to the Otago ’ Centre in the shape of the 50-mile Road ' Cycling Championship, but it is quite safe to say that this bait does not arouse any ! enthusiasm locally. The position is that J five of the most attractive meetings are ; being held in the North Island in succession. ' Mr. Macassey, who would have been justified in expressing his criticism in much stronger terms that he did, was unanimously sup- • ported by the centre, which decided to en--1 ter its protest against the action of the council.