ATHLETICS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1927, Page 5

ATHLETICS

ELECTRIC LIGHT MEETING N.P. CLUB ACTIVITIES, Through the rain and general bad weather at Hawera yesterday, the electric light meeting that was to have been held there last night was postponed till to-night. The runners from Wellington will be competing, so that if th© weather clears there should 'be a feast of running for those attending. A team of eight runners will be going Irom the New Plymouth Club, and will be competing in t'he various events. They are: A. Hunter (880yds, 440yds and javelin throw), B. Thompson and Pankhurst (220yds, 120yds hurdles, 440yds and 100yds), Julian (880yds and one mile), D. Robertson (one mile), Capon (walk and one mile), and Tuffery (one mile). Most of these have fairly good starts and should at least finish among the prizes.

It is hard luck that KnofTlock has been injured and will not be able to compete in t'he cycling events for some considerable time. He had excellent starts and on his present form should have at least won two of the races.

Though most of th© New Plymouth runners who have shown good form in New Plymouth ‘have rarely shown that form when competing at Hawera in other years, they should 'be able to produce the “goods” to-night, as they are of the best in each event except that our best sprinter (Black) is not competing. It would do him good to make the trip as with such runners as Fleming, Jenkins and Newton running there would be a store of knowledge to pick up. WEST COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS. This year the New Plymouth Club will have a lew more representatives at the West Coast championships than last year, and will have a man in nearly every distance. So far Black, Norris and Medley have been selected for the sprints, Hunter for the middle distances and Tuffery for t'he one .mile and three miles. It is a pity that more distance men cannot be persuaded to make the trip, as it would be far better for the club, giving more chance to the runners. As yet there is no indication of any New Plymouth cyclists going to Wanganui, as there are a number of events for them it would be a good thing if some could make the trip. Besides the championship events there are a number of handicap events, and Pankhurst will be taking part in these. Last year Pankhurst competed with some success and gained a great deal of knowledge of the inner secrets of the game, thus improving him out of sight from the raw runner he was when he joined the club. The New Plymouth evening club runs still continue apace, and are bringing the best men to the front. It is gratifying to see the number of new runners who are turning out to these meetings and are meeting with success. The most improved of these is Boyer. Among others who are showing good form for beginners are Bruce Thompson, Eaddy, Gray, Heatly, L. Thompson, Harris and a runner who has to come all the way from Bell Block to run, Emeny. Though he lias only competed in two runs so far Emeny shows that he will be a force to be reckoned with when he strikes form.

Of the older members, Don P.obinson shows a great improvement and is now back on the scratch mark with Tuffery and Penwarden. “Robby” seems to 'be best over half and one mile, his speed and stride serving him to good account over those distances, while it would not help him so much over a longer distance. Penwarden is back on the track again, but has not got things his own way. His race with Tuffery from the same mark in the three miles last Thursday was a good effort, and on account of his co-mar’ker feeling the effects of a fast half-mile,' he just got ‘home. Geddes ran well to finish about 200 yards 'behind third, while the rest of the field had been lapped. Head is not displaying the form that was expected of him earlier in the season, and is rather going back. Perhaps wrong methods of training are the cause. HANDICAPS FOR TO-NIGHT. The following handicaps have been declared by Mr. Hutchinson for the meeting to be held at Western Park this evening at 5.30: — 220 Yards.—Norris 2yds, Webster 10, Lobb 12, Dleßson 13, Hinkley 14. Warner 14, Meuli 16, Fookes 16, McCabe 16, Pankhurst IS, Rogers 18, Boyer 20, McAllum 32. 880 Yards.—Julian scr, Warner 30yds, Kelly 35, Gorringe 35, S. Smith 40, Head 50, Gray 50, Rogers 50, J. W. Hutchinson 55, Boyer 60, Greenlees 95. Three Miles”—E. G. Penwarden scr, Walsham 150yds, Head 175, Capon 175, Geddes 230, Gray 250, L. J. Thompson 300, Eaddy 400,” Harris 500, Greenlees 500. One Mile Walk.—Capon 10yds, Kelly 40. Geddes 60, Eaddy 75. High Jump. —Webster, Kelly, Pankhurst, Geddes.

Discus.—Meuli scr, Pankhurst 10, Ged des 20.

BRITAIN AND THE OLYMPIC GAMES

PAYMENT FOR “BROKEN TIM!

(From Our Own Correspondent.) London, Sept. 29. When the International Olympic council broke faith with the Football Association, and sanctioned the payment | for what is known as “broken time,” it was pointed out that a grave situation had been created. It was known from the first that the Olympic authorities had acted at the dictation of the Continental nations. They did not approve the principle themselves, having always maintained that the Olympiad must be conducted on strictly amateur lines, but tlio football section is such a powerful one from a gate point of view that they dare not face the threat of a boycott. At the same time they must have known that a British team would not be entered under these conditions, and they were apparently prepared for the withdrawal. It is clear, however, that they did not fully appreciate what their decision amounted to. If the footballer is to be paid for “broken time,” the athlete, the boxer, and all the other competitors at Amsterdam next year would be entitled to the same consideration. This view could not be avoided. Indeed, it was so obvious Unit it is difficult to understand how it was not seen at once. Perhaps it was, and it was believed that the British sporting authorities would waive their principles. If this is the case a great mistake

was made. The Amateur Athletic Association have just considered the position, and the action of the Olympic Council has been condemned without one voice being raised in its support. The Association, who are very powerful, have asked the British Olympic Committee to call a conference of all governing bodies of amateur sport in order that the position may be closely reviewed. Meanwhile, plans which had been prepared for the training of competitors for the Games have been hung up. It was intended to launch-an appeal for £30,000 to meet the expenses, but it was realised that, until the matters in dispute have been settled, it would be futile to do so.