THE CALEDONIA^ GAMES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 3692, 31 December 1872, Page 2

THE CALEDONIA^ GAMES.

TO THE EDITOR OF TEfE INDEPENDENT. Sir, — I hope the committee of the Caledonian Society will not take umbrage at my suggesting that the omission of the 100 yards race is not wise. The race is always a favorite test of speed both with amateurs and professionals, and is usually looked forward to by the public. I would also suggest— l merely put it as .a suggestion — that the half-mile hurdle race should be reduced to 300 yards at the out side. A half-mile race is long enough for most amateurs, but the hurdles make i it too great a tax upon the staying powers of untrained amateurs. The public would I think, be better pleased by seeing a fast, well-contested, 300 yards hurdle race than a half mile race, in which all the ■■ competitors will be more or less fagged, and the interest be consequently dimi- ■ nished. For the sake of comparison in future years, it would also add to the f completeness of the sports if the time of the races were accurately taken by one of the stewards. The heights and distances, of the jumps have always been retarded s by the stewards, but the runners have not ; hitherto enjoyed the same attention at the \ hands of the stewards. I- make these few remarks fromade- 3 sire to see the arrangements of our; annual gathering as perfeot. as possible;,/ , and I hope they wiU-be accepted in that /; spirit.— i am, &c., V ;■ Amateur;; ;"