ATHLETICS

Southland Times, Issue 21832, 8 October 1932, Page 17

ATHLETICS

(By

“Bystander.”)

COMING EVENTS To-night: Annual meeting of St. Paul’s Amateur Athletic Club in St. Paul's Hall, Dee Street, at 7.30. Monday night: Annual meeting of Invercargill Amateur Athletic Club in Mr J. Holloway’s office, Esk Street, at 7.30. October 24: Otautau Athletic Society’s tenth annual sports. December 26: Edendale Soptrs Society’s annual athletic gathering. December 27: Limehills Athletic Club’*, annual sports. December 28: Mataura Athletic Society’s annual sports. December 29: Balfour and Longridge Caledonian Society’s annual sports. December 31: Wyndham and District Caledonian Society’s annual sports. January 2: Tuatapere Axemen’- Athletic Society’s annual sports. January 3: Riversdale Athletic Society’s annual sports. January 11: Winton Athletic Society’s annual sports. January 18: Lumsden Caledonian Society's annual sports. Answer to Correspondent. Otara Sports Club.—Yes. AMONG THE AMATEURS TRAINING COMMENCED LOCALLY. PROSPECTS OF SUCCESSFUL SEASON. With the near approach of the track season members of the local amateur athletic clubs have already commenced training, and there is every indication that the coming season will prove even more successful than last. Amateur athletics during the last few years have in Invercargill being gaining in popularity and appeal to competitors and public alike and for this reason the future of this sport seems assured. A strong effort will be made to have the Otago championship meeting held at Invercargill this season and, with a view to placing this request prominently before the Otago Centre, Mr G. Rodger will make the trip to Dunedin to be present at the annual meeting of the centre on the 18th inst. The Invercargill Club has a strong claim in this direction since it has for several years been sending a -strong team to compete at this fixture in Dunedin. Another point in its favour should be the success with which it has run the sub-centre championships and the secondary schools’ championships. The latter meeting last year was one of the finest held here, the financial result being particularly gratifying. However, in seeking to have the Otago championships here the possibility of retaining the profits of this meeting is not being considered and this point will be stressed by Mr Rodger in Dunedin. The stimulus to the sport in Southland and the undoubted beneficial results which would result from the holding of this meeting is what is being considered and it is to be hoped that this aspect alone will appeal to delegates on the Otago Centre when the matter is being considered. The growth of country clubs in Southland continues and since the close of last season a club has been formed in Riverton and, judging by the keenness displayed at its special meeting, this promises to be quite a strong club. Invercargill athletes can look forward to some good meetings at Riverton.

The Invercargill Club has been fortunate in securing the services of E. Fish, late Pacific Club, Dunedin, and a member of the Otago team to the New Zealand championships at Auckland last season. This runner has some excellent performances to his credit over 220 and 440 yards and is at present Otago champion over the former distance. The absence of Bart. Provo will be felt this year in the field events although the club has in many ways reaped the benefit of his coaching to younger members in this branch of the sport. C. Pierson, T. Pickering, I. O. Manson and R. Creeser will all be giving training serious thought shortly and these, together with A. Derbie, J. Loudon, E. Moyle J. Purdue and others, are all expected to give good performances this season.

Invercargill Club’s Report

Following is the eleventh annual report of the Invercargill Club to be presented at Monday night’s meeting:— The past athletic season has been one of the most successful yet experienced by the club, and with the formation of the St. Paul’s Club in oi.v? city, there is no doubt that the prospects for the amateur code are bright indeed. During the season, four evening meetings and one afternoon meeting were held, and the entries received were well up to the standard. The close results obtained at these meetings were mainly due to the excellent handicapping of Mr G. Rodger, and the good work of the starter, Mr J. Holloway. With the formation of country clubs at Winton and Wyndham, every help has been given by the athletes and officials of the club to foster the sport in these outlying districts. It was decided to form an athletic club at Riverton, and for this object a delegation from the club visited the meeting, and there is every indication that a strong club will be established for the coming season. The committee sincerely hopes that the continued assistance will be given at the various meetings arranged by these country clubs. The Southland sub-centre championships were held on Rugby Park on Saturday, February 13, the meeting proving a success in every way. The club was fortunate in securing the visit of a team of athletes from Dunedin, and also A. A. Cameron, of Oamaru, Mr Cameron was successful in winning the medal presented by the Otago Centre for the most points in athletic and field events, and we extend our congratulations to him on his well deserved win. At the conclusion of the meetings, the visiting athletes were entertained at a dinner in the Federal Banquet Hall. Under the management of Mr G. Rodger, a team consisting of C. Pierson, T. Pickering, I. O. Manson, R. Creeser, J. Purdue, B. Provo, A. Derbie and Miss McLeod travelled to Dunedin to compete at the Otago championships on February 27 and the club was again successful in being runnersup, equal with Civil Service for the List Shield, with a total of 18 points each. We congratulate the Anglican Club in again annexing the shield, and to the Otago Centre and our delegate, Mr Holley, we express our thanks for the hospitable treatment given to the manager and team. The successes of the team were as follows:—Manson, first in 120 and 440yds hurdles; Pickering, first in 440 and third in 880yds; Pierson, second in 100 and 220yds; Derbie, second in 100yds (junior); Pardue, second in shot putt; Provo, second in pole vault; Miss McLeod, second in ladies 100yds. Manson and Pickering were selected to represent Otago in the New Zealand championships at Auckland on March 11 and 12. The former was suc-

cessful in winning the heat of 120yds’ hurdles in 16secs, and was second in the 440yds hurdles. Owing to an injury to his leg in the final of th© 120yds, Mansdn was unable to finish. In the 440yds Championship, T. Pickering broke the New Zealand record in winning his heat in 49 4-ssec, and obtaining second place in the final. To Pickering and Manson, who so worthily represented the club, we extend our congratulations on thgir meritorious performance, and hope that the same will be maintained in the coming season.

The secondary school championships, held on Rugby Park on March 12, proved one of the finest meetings yet seen in Invercargill. The meeting was a huge success, and the club has to be congratulated on the manner in which it was conducted. For the purpose of encouraging secondary school boys to compete at our evening meetings, both a senior and junior cup have been presented by Mr R. A. Anderson and Mr A. Derbie. The Otago Centre has also donated a javelin and discus for the same purpose, and the club is indeed indebted to the above, for their generous help in the matter. The harrier branch of this club continues to thrive, the past season being, from every viewpoint, a decided success. Not the least enjoyable part of the syllabus has been the combined rims with the St. Paul’s Club, good musters on each occasion making the runs- interesting. The last of these, held at Greenhills, was one of the best runs of the season, and our thanks are due to the Basketball Club there for the hospitality extended after the run. At the commencement of the season, Mr A. W. Jones notified his intention of handing over for competition between the clubs, a harrier shield which was won by his old club many years ago, and his action was much appreciated. It was then decided to hold two team races between this club and St. Paul’s, the team securing most points to collect the shield. In both the crosscountry and road race our rivals were superior to us, and our congratulations are extended to them on their performances. At a tea after the final race, Mr Jones presented the shield to the winners, St. Paul’s No. 1 team. For this race we were fortunate in securing several harriers from Dunedin, and their running was certainly an eyeopener to harriers here. During the season a club five-mile road championship was held, and in a close finish E. Moyle proved the winner, and we congratulate him on his meritorious display. In this branch of our sport, it must be our aim to pay a good deal more attention to securing new members, and this will need to be kept in view next season. We desire to thank the Invercargill Amateur Cycling Club for the assistance at meetings, in the shape of cycling events. This sport was an added attraction to the meetings, and the close finishes were very much appreciated by the public. Our thanks are also due to the St. Paul’s Club and all those officials who rendered service at the various meetings, and to the Press also for the mannei’ in which it has assisted us in the encouragement of the sport in Invercargill. We also wish to thank the Southland Rugby Union for the use of Rugby Park, and our delegates, Mr J. W. Holloway and Mr E. C. Isaacs, for the good work done on behalf of the club.

The statement of receipts and expenditure shows a credit balance of £l2 which must be considered satisfactory indeed. For the 1932-1933 season we appeal to all members of the club, and those interested in the spoil generally, to give us their wholehearted support as they have done in the past. St. Paul’s Club Report The annual report of the St. Paul’s Club for the year ending September 30 last, to be presented at to-night’s meeting, is as follows:— Ar this is the first annual report no comparision can be made with previous years. However, the hopes entertained at the commencement of the season have been more than realized. The object of the club when it was formed was to create a keener interest in athletics and to create a fellowship among athletes. Although on the track and field our members did not come into the first ranks yet they did remarkably well for young athletes, and with a little more experience and competition they should be able to hold their own in higher competition. The committee is very pleased to report that many athletes who had never before donned shoes have joined up and are doing well.

The thanks of the club are due to Messrs J. D. Gilmore, Alex Adam, B. C. Galloway, the trustees of the Southland Amateur Sports Trust, and the trustees of the Herbert Smith Trust (Hamilton) for trophies presented during the year, to the Southland A. and P. Association and Southland Rugby Football Union for the use of their grounds, to the Invercargill Harrier and Amateur Athletic Club for the use of apparatus and to those officials who controlled the sports meetings. The club championships were held on Rugby Park on Saturday, March 5, under ideal conditions and before a fair attendance of the public. The following were the section winners:— Junior championship.—W. T. Adam. Intermediate championship.—N. E. Andrews.

Senior championship.—J. T. Gardiner.

The club was represented at the Otago championships by W. Atley, G. W. Lindsay, G. Mcßurney and J. T. Gardiner, of whom W. Atley was the only member to score points although the others ran well under the conditions.

It was very gratifying to see all the local sports meetings during the season well supported by members of the club. An improvement should, however, be noticed this coming season. A harrier branch was formed at the start of the winter season when it Became evident that such an organization was necessary. Under the experienced guidance of the club captain, W. E. McIndoe, the club had a highly successful season. The enthusiasm of all club members made the task of the committee extremely easy and the members desire to thank their club-mates for the loyal support and co-operation they received. The roll reached 25 and there was an average attendance at all runs including races and the hexathlon of 14 which is quite satisfactory for the first year. By defeating the Invercargill harriers the club also received the Southland harrier championship shield, and as our teams were all on the young side the prospects for the future are fairly bright. We would like to congratulate the Invercargill Club on its performances throughout the season and wish it every success for the coming season. The club is indebted to Messrs W. J. Bennett and J. Mcßae, resident delegates to txe Otago Centre, for the way thev have boosted Invercargill and for the valuable assistance rendered throughout the season. OTAUTAU SPORTS LABOUR DAY ATTRACTION. POINTS ABOUT THIS YEAR’S MEETING. With Labour Day steadily drawing nearer interest is mounting in the great holiday attraction provided on that date by the tenth annual sports of the Otautau Athletic Society. Southland is indeed fortunate in the number of energetic sports societies it possesses and the big holiday circuit always comes in for good support by the public. Particularly is this the case with Otautau where no stone is left unturned by the

society to provide an ideal day’s outing. It always has an advantage in that it gives the sporting public the first inkling of what competition there is likely to be in professional athletics this season. A poster which has reached “Bystander” from the honorary secretary (Mr R. R. Walker) reveals a most interesting programme, comprising running, cycling, bushcraft, piping and dancing events. This year the society has extended the programme to include two amateur cycling events, showing that it realizes the interest that is being taken in the country districts in this branch of sport. Cash runners will be interested to learn that the Sheffield money has been increased a trifle with a decrease in nomination fee. The prizes are now: First, £7 7/including £2 2/- donated by Mrs S. Keith, second £3 3/~, third £1 1/-. The sprint and circular tracks have received a top-dressing and have been levelled with the result that they are now presenting a very even surface. Runners have in the past favourably commented upon the tracks, but this year they far eclipse any previous season for condition. Mr Wallace Murdoch, jnr., has been anpointed handicapper of the running events and, with the experience gained as joint handicapper to practically every affiliated society in Southland, should as In previous years give every satisfaction. The prize-money and trophies total £9B 11/-, exclusive of the £5 5/cup and other money usually provided for school children’s events. list year the primary schools’ relay race from entries numerically, was not very strong, but what it lacked in numbers it made up in quality and enthusiasm, the Otautau team being extended to its fullest in the retention of the coveted trophy. It is to be hoped that this year more entries will be received from Southland as there is an abundance of speed in the senior ranks of many of the primary schools only awaiting an opportunity of presenting itself The veteran bushcraft handicapper Mr Mick Dowling has again charge of the chopping and sawing events. Competitors and public alike have favourably commented upon the precision in the starting of these contests by Mr Dowling and his worthy colleague, Mr Tom O’Byme. These two are pastmasters in the art of handicapping, starting and judging woodcraft events so that further comment In this direction is quite unnecessary. The professional cycling events have been increased in distance and stake. These events proved very popular last season, but in some quarters the distance was considered too short, hence the alteration. Nominations for the fixture close with the secretary at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 15. An exception to this rule is the dancing and piping, nominations for which will be received on the day of the sports. Held on the beautiful recreation grounds with a fine natural grandstand and ample seating accommodation, the sports will provide an ideal outing. Music will be supplied by the Otautau Pipe Band and the fixture will be wound-up with a ball in the Coronation Hall in the evening.