DUNEDIN ATHLETICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10924, 13 November 1913, Page 2

DUNEDIN ATHLETICS.

[FBOM OUP- CORIIISrONDEKT.] November 7

I had no idea until I read the re- | port of the races at the Labour Day sports meeting that we had such a speedy, sprinter as Y. Barton in our midsb. This runner is credited with' having won the 100 yds off 6yds in lOsec, and tho 200 yds off 9yds in 22seo. I would like to beliove theso times, but, taking runner, track, and other circumstances into consideration, find it hard to justify 94yds in lOseo and 211 yds in 22sec. I trust I am wrong, and • that Barton is capable of the times credited him on a track like Wingatui. If so, wo need not despair of soon unearthing a champion si 3 r inter. This month should,see a, commence ment made with evening sports meetings on the Caledonian „ Ground, and the first tryouts of talent in view of tho American invasion. It is many years since the prospects of amateur athletics were so bright. The sport should with all the good things in store flourish like the, greon bay tree. Moro sprinters and middle-distance runners are available this season than ever before, and if Otago cannot un- J earth a couple of champions at least from tho numbers that one expects will be competing it .will bo a poor outlook * indeed. -

Since tho days when Hector Burk was in < his prime, Otago has had to tako a back seat so far as champions are concerned, but with this season's advent' and all the attendant sports gatherings, including tho New Zealand diampionships and • thq American champions, there is every prospect of the province coming back to its own.