ATHLETICS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1928, Page 4

ATHLETICS

SOME PERSONAL REMINISCENCES, fcoME OLD-TIME CHAMPIONS. By “Physical Culturiete.” —Special to News Forty years ago, it goes without saying, a man was well on to half a century younger than he is to-day. Life was less readable by chapters of four seasoned sections. The way one looked at it then is not the way one would look at it now, one’s point of view will have entirely changd. In other words, one’s experience has been a great teaaher. I fancy if each one owned up every successful athlete hae in early life had some well-known performer in view as -is ideal. It is safe to say that first impressions very often last the longest. Carbine Watts, once a popular figure on Taranaki tracks, confessed to the writer that his ideals as a boy were Harry Greenwood, Mick Monnock, and Frank ("Frankie’) Woods. I can imagine just how those two old opponents in the Feilding champion 200 yards race of over 40 years ago would fire the imagination of young Billy Watts, then scarcely in his teens. And Frankie Woods, of whom old Tom Copeland used to drum into my ears, could sprint. If Woods could so impress the “old and the young,” I am prepared to believe that the young New Zealander could skip some. At any rate, good pudges in Sydney admitted he had some pace. Years went by and Billy Watts also had run into the limelight and heard the plaudits of the multitude, and other little New Zealanders; judging by the frequency 1 have heard his deeds referred to, looked on him as their ideal. When Carbine was around about his best he went to Australia. While in Sydney he located the old New Zealand champion, Mick Monnock, his early ideal, and as he said, had a yarn with him. No doubt the thought that this young countryman of his had lasting memories of hie deeds would warm the cockles of old Mick s heart. Monnock was an Auckland boy, a tailor by trade, but he wag rather more than the nine parts of a man. FIRST IMPRESSIONS. I also confess I had my ideals. My first impression of how to win a race was formed in Bulls, Rangitikei, in the year 1875 or ’76. The sports were held in a paddock adjoining the old Criterion Hotel, and facing the Bulls-Sandon Road, the back boundary being the cliff, overlooking the Rangitikei rivet. A mile race was on the programme. My imagination was fired when in the last lap a light, nippy runner, who had not earlier been prominent, came with a well sustained brilliant sprint to win a well judged race. It was my first impression of how to run a mile. The runner’s name I have forgotten during fifty-odd years that have faded away, but his form and action are still vividly re tained in my mind. My ideal of a sprinter was New Plymouth’s own, Jack Hempton, whom I first saw in Wanganui running from scratch on the racecourse to win the 100, 220, and 440 yards handicaps, heats and finale. He made no race of those events that day. Harry Greenwood was "Wanganui's Pride.” One evening our local champion appeared on the racecourse rather earlier than the usual time for the local peds,' to be training. I happened to b« the only other one present, as usual prepared to sprint with one, run a mile with another, or walk a mile or two with either of the “Bobs” — McNiven, or McManus. To that date I had no decided distance in view. When an athlete wished to run or walk a trial to feel himself out, in any event, each one would suggest standing me up so many yards and having a fly. Apparently thbugh a novice, I was a useful trial horse over any distance.

On the evening I have mentioned Greenwood turned up. He had the Feilding handicaps with him, and, stating he was on scratch, said he wished to run a trial Would I run with him over the quarter ? Reply, yes, what start will you rive? Oh, you had better take 25 yards, that is what you would have if you had entered.” 1 duly took the start, quite certain in my own mind he would beat me. To this end I did not, as usual with me when running 440 yards, go at top when he gave the word go. On the contrary, from the jump off he went at top speed, overtaking me at half-way, labouring and breathing heavily. I dropped in behind and ran with him. Fifty yards from hoi > I realised he was all o.ut while I was fairly fresh. I ran up alongside and encouraged him to do his best. When he recovered his breath he told me that I could fly over 440. "Pity,” he said, “you had not entered at Feilding as you would win over that distance.” This advice decided me to train for -sprint running. THE ADVANTAGES OF A MANAGER. Tire following season 1 was taken in hand and trained by an elder athlete who knew the ropes. I was then eighteen years of age, the agreement put to me being to run in partnership with him and go fair halves in everything. Seemed to me a fair proposition, as he had won a fair sprinkling of races to that date, and won a fair amount after we were each again on our own resources. During the period we were linked together his winnings amounted to two pounds sterling. Somehow until I had reached near scratch he did not seem to strike form. For Boxing Day, 1887, my manager-trainer entered for the Wanganui Garrison sports, giving as the reason by so doing we would miss all the cracks who would be at the big sports at Feilding. A good scheme which went amiss —the Garrison entries were so ..poor, the officials to avoid a loss, threw- the nominations open again and postponed the sports to the day following (Boxing Day), result, the majority. of Feilding competitors nominated. On Boxing Day we went to Feilding. I ran third in the maiden race, 150 yards (won by T. M. Wilford), Bob Oliphant second. In the evening I won the consolation of 150, Bob Oliphant, off

The following day at Wanganui I secured second place in the 100yds handicap 9 yards, second in the 150 yards, second in the 220 yards volunteer race (handicap 12 yards), run in full parade uniform and carrying arms. From memory, I;believe this race was won by Geo. Smart, now a well-known business man of Stratfprd. I was successful in winning, the 220 yards handicap, 15 yards, and ran second, in the 440 yards handicap, 25 yards, the winner being the late William Mahoney, for some yeans postmaster at Hawera. In those early days "Billy” Mahoney was an enthusiastic footballer, oarsman, and sprint runner. When the public baths were first opened in Wanganui he turned his attention to a more valuable accomplishment, swimming and diving, being particularly good at plunging. Later he devoted his energies in the water to teaching others the art of swimming. In those early days his bosom pal was Charlie Olliver, also a good sprint runner. The two were almost inseparable in their rambles when in train, ing. To revert to the sports. I also won the points prize. At this meeting Harry Greenwood was the honoured man on scratch. He was also amongst the prizes; just what he won I have forgotten. Two Taranaki men running that day were the brothers Julian, and the mile was won by toothet Tirana's! representative, F. Parson. THE GLAD HAND AT NEW PLYMOUTH. For New Year’s Day ,we were entered for New Plymouth, which was one of fie most enjoyable outings I had during a long career amongst athletes. Some of the good fellows who extended the glad hand to a stranger, some being competitors and officials at the sports held on the racecourse, were Starter Geo. Sole, unconsciously responsible for my losing the hundred yards; Wm. Coad, J. H. Hempton and F. Watson, who won the hundred yards champion race; Ted Humphries, Fred and the late Frank (Detective) Bishop, and a "bandsman" brother; Billy Webster, two Julians and Fred Parson. The athletes were keen rivals, but vied with each other in making me welcome to their home town. A few, I have never met since; others I competed against, with varying success, as the years went by. On the day of days I ran third in the 100 off 7 yards, first in the 220 off 10 yards, first in the 440 of 25 yards, and won the half-mile obstacle race, all off scratch. I think F. I Pearson was second by scoring most points in the Grand Handicap, 100, 220 and 440 yards. I also scored a gold medal and a prize which was much coveted by all competitors, a satin sash worked and presented by the Mayoress (Mrs. Bayly). With the exception of self and W. Spurdie, of Wanganui, who finished third from 25 yards in the quarter, all the placegetters at the sports that day lived in the New Plymouth or nearby districts. E. Humphries won the hundred with Fred Bishop second; Fred Bishop was second in the 220, with, I believe, E. Humphries third. Frank Bishop (second) was the other placed man in rhe quarter, off same mark as self. My hardest run race -it the meeting occurred in the furlong. F. Bishop and self were on eame mark, and had each won our heats. In the final start we left the mark together. At 150 yards we were neck and neck, straining every nerve. I thought I must collapse, when suddenly I shot to the front; running became easy, and I won. My rival finished second. I had not increased the pace, but he had to ease from .the strain. ; Another ten yards and it would have been "seif to crack.” As it was my luck was in. Following the sports, We visitors were taken by the hand and shown the vantage spots of the town. AN IMPRESSION OF STRENGTH. In those long ago days New Plymouth citizens were planning and laying out their park. "Have you seen the park?” we were asked, "Oh, you must see our park,’’ in which we spent a pleasant Sunday morning viewing the various features, some of which were historical. I wonder do the younger generation of citizens take the same interest in their park as their forbears did ? Another feature which appealed to us young fellows was the two large strawberry beds, which covered two sides of a hih or ridge. By paying sixpence to the caretaker visitors were allowed to pick and eat strawberries to their' heart’s content. I can vouch for the fact that more than one of our party ate their sixpence worth and got their full value. THE OLD ORDER CHANCETH. The next time ! visited the park some sixteen years afterwards, a new generation bad sprung up. Again my party were shown th- park, the breakwater, the oil derricks, and the sugarloaveS. There had been great changes, especially in the park. The cannon and the bridge were still there. In the park, however, the strawberries were “non est.” Hillsides had been excavated, a football ground laid out, the hillside lined with rows, of seats —a veritable amphitheatre. Another decade passed, another generation had arisen before I again visited New Plymouth to find it much as it is to-day, with its electric trams, up-to-date motor Services, deep sea shipping facilities,' its beautiful park, still with the poet’s bridge, and at present its Dicky Barrett co. non, and its sugar loaves, or what is left of them. Alas! old Paritutu, grim sentinel, has been much under fire! New Plymouth has grown, is still expanding, and destined to be a city. Its athletes are proving worthy sons of worthy sires. As we oldtimers foregather and listen to the plaudits of the multitude our thoughts drift back to' "Auld Lang Syne.” •'