ATHLETICS

Southland Times, Issue 22215, 6 January 1934, Page 7

ATHLETICS

AROUND THE PROVINCE. COMMENT ON THE MEETINGS.

(By “

“Searchlight.”)

COMING EVENTS.

Wairio.—January 6. Gore.—January 10. Lumsden.—January 17. Tokanui.—January 26. Browns.—Date indefinite.

It is pleasing to note that the Tokanui Caledonian Society is holding its annual sports gathering on January 26. The meeting will be held on nearly the same scale as in previous years, all classes being catered for. An energetic committee is sparing no pains to ensure the success of the meeting and visiting axemen and runners can be assured of a good day’s sport. Worthwhile prize-money is being offered, the Tokanui Sheffield being worth £8 to the winner, with £2 and £1 going to second and third. A good programme of distance events has also been drawn up. The bushcraft section will also be very strong, with four events carrying good prize-money. The 15-inch underhand chop, Kamahi logs, carries a first prize of £B. The list of sports meetings still to be held has now assumed skeleton proportions, and only one fixture will be held next week. Wairio hold their meeting to-day and Gore next Wednesday. It has been rather a patchy week. Glorious weather greeted the Tuatapere sports, but Riversdale the next day encountered heavy rain. There can be no doubt about the keen interest which is being taken in athletics this season. Runners and cyclists have followed the meetings up consistently, while attendances by the public have been large. The standard of sport witnessed has been most satisfactory. Despite the lean times the societies have not reduced their prize money unduly, and in some cases not at all. It is really surprising to see the splendid prize money offered even in small prize money offered even in small townships. Tuatapere. New Year’s Day is always keenly looked forward to by runners, for not merely is a fresh year ushered in but they have a chance of competing for worth-while prize money and experiencing the zest of true competition at Tuatapere. Here, fringed by graceful native hush, is one of the most beautiful sports grounds in New Zealand and a wonderful asset to the local society. A programme worthy of the ground is always in evidence, and small wonder that Tuatapere is the Mecca of sporting enthusiasts from all parts of the province. The town itself presented an unusually animated appearance by noon, with two special trains packed with excursionists from Invercargill and cars parked up and down the main street. But soon after there was a general adjournment to the sports ground, and the stream of cars entering the shady drive reminded one of the concourse which enters ‘the Southland A. and P. Association’s Summer Show. The fine total of £274 was taken at the gates—an increase of over £4O on that of the previous year and highly creditable considering the counterattractions always offering on New Year’s Day. The entries, too, constituted a record, and from all points of view the 22nd annual fixture will probably go down on record as the most successful meeting held by the Tuatapere Axemen’s Athletic Society to date. As elsewhere, the weather was brilliantly sunny, with the faintest breeze to take away any unpleasant reaction. With numerous sideshows, a pipe band and a broadcast announcer in attendance, it was a “day out” for everyone.

The officials conducted the meeting in a capable manner, the only fault being failure to keep times for many events. Otherwise the programme was run off smoothly and to schedule, with no confusion or delay. The Pressmen received the most courteous attention and assistance, for which I personally must take this opportunity of thanking the society. The entries in running events showed an increase over those for the previous year, with the creditable total of 11J8 for eight events. There were a number of scratchings, but the fields were large nevertheless. They were probably not superior to Edendale, however.

There were non-starters in the cycle races also, but the entries for the halfmile event totalled 26, for the two-mile ■wheel race 29, and for the mile cycle 32 —a record.

There was a large increase shown in the bushcraft section, 168 logs being used, 56 more than the previous year and only 5 short of the record. The entries stood at 142. There was also a record in the dancing events of 102 entries. Last year there was 90 entries in the dancing section. The running was of a high order, and some fast times were recorded. Competition was exceedingly good, particularly in the sprint events, with some very close finishes. The mile was spoilt by the competitors setting too fast a pace in the early stages, with the result that only a few stragglers came in behind L. D. Luderman (50yds) who scored an easy victory. No one could have guessed how the Sheffield would go, with the cream of Southland’s sprinters entered. Many of these had been holding off in the hope of annexing the £l5 in prize money and the £5 5/- cup which were attached to the event, but finally W. G. Jones, the Winton athlete, scored a well-earned victory, just shaking off A. B. Crawford (Gore) in the la.-t ten yards. The form of the various runners is reviewed below.

The three cycle races proved really exciting, with some of the finest sport yet witnessed during the circuit, and the crowd was on its toes as the men entered the final laps of each race. An interesting though not übiquitous feature of the meeting was the clay bird shooting, the marksmanship being of a really high order. J. Leitch and H. Bevin tied for first place in the novice event, securing a limit score of nine birds each, while in the open section all three of the placed men, P. O’ Calligan, H. Bevin and T. Christie also tied, all shooting one less than the possible of 15 birds. Greenhills—Bluff. A further fillip to the athletic sports movement was given yesterday week when the Greenhills —Bluff Athletic Society held their inaugural meeting. The attendance of the public was disappointing considering the fine day and good programme, and most of those present were visitors to the town. The society did not lack courage in putting on such a comprehensive programme, and the officials carried out their work energetically. The track was not of the best, and next year the society intends to obtain a better ground. Unexpected dips and bends may add to the excitement of the sport but they do not go towards good times. The time-keeper was otherwise engaged when a numeber <?f races were being run, but he was able to supply the times nevertheless! The bushcraft, as at the other meetings proved highly interesting, and special credit is deserving to the society for staging two exhibition events. In one, the Fraser brothers, Alec and Horace, succeeded in lowering the world’s double-handed sawing record of 12 seconds for 18-inch logs by one-

fifth of a second. It was a great effort and received loud applause. 'Hie other was an exhibition of tree-topping by Walter Bone. Waikaia. Although Waikaia had splendid weather for the sports on Monday, the entries suffered owing to the clash with Tuatapere, and the fixture was marred by a late start and long intervals between events. However, a high standard was attained in athletic events, and the sport proved most interesting. Riversdale. Heavy rain throughout the afternoon unfortunately put a “damper” on the Riversdale sports on Tuesday, and there was some delay in settling down to the programme, but the officials wisely decided to carry on, as it would have been a pity to disappoint the large attendance of the public present. ■ The two motor cycle races which took the place of the wrestling, particularly the first three mile event, in which W. T. Jones, off scratch, put up a very creditable performance to win in 6min 31sec. N. Murray (60yds) and Jones fought out the finish for the last several laps, but Jones had the inside running and won by two lengths. The shot putt was won by J. Stewart with 35ft 3in and the hammer throwing by J. Wills with 78ft 4in. Otara. The “furthest south” meeting did not prove particularly successful on the athletic side, although there were large entries for the bushcraft, and in this section the meeting ranked next to Tuatapere on the circuit. The attendance of professional runners was only fair, and the races suffered as a result, although the Sheffield was well contested.

Ten yards from the tape in the 440 N. A. Garden seemed assured of finishing in second place, with Pickering first, but it was evident that the pace had been too hot, for all the runners looked done. Garden could scarcely run the last few yards, and was beaten by Myles Forde, who hung on to finish second.

A very interesting unofficial function took place in the dressing room at the end of the afternoon when the professional runners “clubbed in” and made a presentation to James Chisholm, aged nine, of Fortrose (for his plucky though unsuccessful run in the boys’ half-mile race under 16.) It was a sporting act, and no one was more pleased than little “Jimmy.” The Athletes. W. G. Jones. Running well this season, he secured his reward at Tuatapere, where he won the Sheffield. He was also third in the 220. He had no success at Riversdale or Otara.

R. Frampton. Generally working into a place, he was third in the 100, second in the 220 and third in the 440 at Bluff, unsuccessful at Tuatapere, third in the 100 at Riversdale, and at Otara second in the Sheffield, third in the 220 and second in the 100.

Myles Forde. Unsuccessful at Tuatapere, he was third in the 220 at Riversdale, and first in the 220, second in the 440 off scratch and third in the Sheffield off two yards at Otara. A. B. Crawford. A long succession of seconds had caused him to be known as the “second-place” man, but now he is showing better form. At Tuatapere he secured an inevitable second in the Sheffield and a third in the 100 yards, but at Otara he was first in the 75! N. A. Garden. Second in the 440 at Tuatapere, he won the Sheffield and came third in the 440 at Otara.

R. Pickering. This runner is also showing up better as time goes on. He was first in the 440 and 220 and second in the 100 yards at Bluff, first in the 220 and 440 and third in the 75 at Tuatapere, and first in the 440 and second in both the 75 and 220 at Otara —an excellent record for three meetings.

J. Gallager. Without having much luck, he has shown rather good form, several times being just out of the money. He won the 100 yards and came second in the 75 at Bluff and was second in the 220 at Tuatapere. M. Sutherland. It has been reliably stated that no one—not even himself—can tell exactly how good Sutherland really is. There are those who say he will represent New Zealand on the track some day, and I am prepared to believe it after seeing him win the Sheffield at Riversdale. Walter Mair. This Gore runner has been showing up quite well this week, coming second in the 100 yards at Riversdale, and at Otara first in the 100 yards.

T. Valli. Most of his success was gained at Tuatapere, where he won the 100 yards and was second in the 75 and third in the Sheffield.

C. Hansen. This cash cyclist has been riding in a really brilliant manner during the cirsuit. At Tuatapere he was first in the half-mile and second in the two-mile.

D. Morrison. Very few placings have come Morrison’s way this season, though the ability is there if he cares to run. At Tuatapere he won the first heat of the 100 yards, but he went out of the ring and when he came to the final his legs simply gave way.

THE AMATEURS COMING EVENTS. January 10.—Evening Meeting, Rugby Park. January 13.—Dunedin 20 mile Championship Road Race (sealed handicap.) January 13.—Evening Meeting, Ryal Bush. January 20.—Southland Championships. February 3.—Otago Championships. February 16—17.—National Championships, Wellington. February 28.—Visit of Australian Athletes. GENERAL NOTES. The holiday lull is not yet over and several members of both clubs are still out of town. Those who have returned report unsettled holiday weather all over the Island, the conditions being very similar to those prevailing locally. E. Fish left during the week for Dunedin, but he will be down for the championships on the 20th. He will also represent Southland at the Otago championships. Arrangements are completed for the meeting on Wednesday evening next. It will be the last opportunity of a good try-out before the championships and the entries should therefore be large. For the benefit of those who may have been away last week the programme is again given: 100 yards, 120 yards hurdles, 440 yards and 1 mile—all handicap; 440 yards junior and 880 yards invitation scratch race. Field events: Pole vault, high jump, shot putt, and discus. The first event is timed for 6.45 p.m. sharp. The gate and entry money vzill be similar to that of previous evening meetings. Next Saturday evening a meeting is to be held at Ryal Bush. The enjoyable nature of their previous meetings is still fresh in the minds of runners and no doubt this coming event will be well supported. The programme is as follows: 100 yards, 440 yards, 1 mile, shot putt, javelin and hop, step and jump—all handicap. The entries close with Mr K. Cocker on Tuesday, January 9, or with Mr W. Bruce, ’phone 1934 K. City men are asked to notify their club secretary if they wish to travel.

These two meetings come at very opportune dates and will give competitors a final tryout before the premier meeting on January 20. There is only a fortnight left now in which to finish off—less than a fortnight really, since

no work will be done for several days before the t>ig meeting. Trainers are complaining bitterly of their charges being absent on holiday instead of at home attending to training, but perhaps the spell may be all to the good. Most of the men had been doing it pretty solidly up to Christmas and should benefit from a week or two off. They will, however, have to take it very seriously during the next ten days. If the usual standard is maintained among the visiting athletes the local athletes must be at their best. The reports of northern scratch meetings disclose some very excellent time returns. It is a great pity that the local clubs are not strong enough to run regular scratch meetings. There is nothing better calculated to bring a man out than competition in scratch events. The inclusion of scratch races on the programme is a step in the right direction, and we must be content with this move until the clubs have a stronger active list. At Otara on Thursday last the amateur events drew a satisfactory entry of city men, eight starting in the halfmile and six in the mile. The outstanding performance was that of T. Pickering who won both events. Running off scratch in the half and conceding a 55 yard limit, he got home by a yard in a splendid finish with N. E. Andrews and D. McLauchlan; his time was 2.5. In the mile the runners all went well in the early stages and the last lap saw F. Mayne take the lead from L. Roberts who had headed T. Pickering in an earlier lap. Pickering clapped it on and 50 yards from the tape he caught Mayne, with whom he fought out the finish to win by a yard, in 4min 57.3-5 sec. Andrews beat Roberts for third place. In the light of this performance Pickering must be considered a very versatile runner, since he is also the best 440 man this season. Andrews, Mayne and McLauchlan ran well, but L. Roberts did rot find it to his liking. G. Metcalfe and A. Martin have been disappointing so far this season, neither carrying out the promise they show in training.