ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 14, 1 November 1890, Page 4

ATHLETICS.

[By

Nimblefoot.]

The Dunedin A.A.C. annual sports take place on the Casbrook Ground in December. All the events with the exception of two bicycle races are open to members of any Club affiliated to the N.Z.A.A.A. At the end of their programme appears the following: N.B.—The next championship meeting takes place in Auckland next February, and it is the intention of the Committee to send a team from the D.A.A.C., and the performances at the coming sports will be a guide to those likely to be chosen in the team.

lyt. Monnock, the ex-New Zealander, with 6yds. §tar|, ran second in a 75yds. professional handicap at Lillie Bridge, Stamford, September 24th, W t J, Byrne, 4|yds., winning. The annual 24 hours race of the North Roads Cycling Club (Eng.) was decided on a Well arranged ppurse in the neighbourhood of Hitchin, Bygleswade, Peterborough, Wjsbeck, Huntingdon, Lynn, Bedford, and other places, finishing at Hitchin. Forty-four riders started from Hitchin. Soon after the, start Mr- A. Holbein of Jthe Calford Club took the lead, and at the expiration of the first twelve hours he had covered 178 miles —2£m. better than the record. Holding the lead throughout Holbein eventually won with 336 b miles, thus beating the record by miles. Bullake on a tricycle With 289 miles beat the three wheel record by 9 miles. One Hundred Miles Record.--Mr. R. C. Nesbitt, Bath Road Club (Eng.), succeeded in lowering the record by 2omin. for ordinary bicycles, his time being 6hrs, 27mm, aoaecs. The course was from the 63 milestone near Huntington to Henslow and back to Lynn. A.A.A. & C.C. SPORTS. Hendry has Beale and Seccombe in hand for the walk, but I have not seen them out yet. Creamer, the winner of the walk at last sports is in very good nick, and is walking in a very taking manner, as also, are Peace and Edmonds. Fenton, of Fire Brigade fame, is an aspirant for the. walk and will take a lot of beating. Christie, under the charge of Johnston, is a much improved man, and is shaping very prettily indeed, and is worthy of imitation by many of our amateurs. Another man that is coming on is Mowbray, who moves, in a nice free style. 1 Crocker is putting in slow, work, and seems strong and well. Johnson is shaping wonderfully well for a beginner. Collins, Brigham, Hutchison, Whiteside. Barton, Lajrd, and several others, are all training op satisfactorily. Owen has been an absentee from the track fqr some days. Clarke, the: winner of the mile at last sports, is ; the only long distance runner I have seen opt yet. Next week will see all the men moving along a bjt smarter,, and I will be better able to judge of their merits. DEMONSTRATION SPORTS. Owing to. the heavy rains little work has been done on the Domain, but on Saturday a good, few took advantage of the fine and some good work was put in. Purdie, Howie, and Cummins seem to be in. good fettle, and the latter I think will: have a good look in for the sprints. McDermott and Wilson have the. Obstacle race ip. their eye, and it will be a good go between them-. The. former has somewhat of a reputation as a negotiator of obstacles, while the latter is. known.as ; a gymnast of some repute. Gpodm.au,. Holt, Smith, Beasley, and others are getting into. form, for the walk, and: an interesfipg eyppt is expected. -i

A special cablegram to the Sydney Nepuy states that Lord Randolph, Churchill offered Mr. Cooper 2,700 guineas for the colt Wentworth, recently purchased by Mr. Cooper at the sale of the late Hon, Jas. White’s horses for 1,700 guineas, and 3,000, guineas, for. the filly Mons Meg, purchased fpr 2,600. guineas. Mr. Cooper. declined, bpth

VOLUNTEER NEWS. [Volunteers and others are invited to contribute to this column. All communications should be addressed to “Carbine,” and left at the office of this paper not later than Wednesday in each week. ] RANGE TIME-TABLE. November 1—“ O ” Battery, Engineers, [_By Carbine.J The final stage of the “O ” Battery Challenge Cup takes place this afternoon at the Mount Eden Range, when an interesting finish may be expected between Sergts. McCallum and Fairs. The Victoria Rifles fire for the Schapp Belt this afternoon at the Onehunga range, the distances being 200, 300, and 500 yards. The highest aggregates for the Wellington Navals’ Belt at present are: —P.O. Williams, 386; Seaman France, 357; Seaman Stitt, 350; Seaman F. France, 344; C.P.O. Armstrong, 341. The seventh match (final stage) has yet to be fired, and judging from the aggregate of P.O. Williams he should have an easy win. It is improbable that any change will be made in the volunteer system until after next session, except in uniforms, and this will only apply to the undress, it being probable that “ Garkie ” will be substituted for the present blue, but this will not be definitely decided until the Defence Minister has inspected a uniform at present being made up.

This week we give our subscribers the portrait of Ist P.O. F. Smith, of the Auckland, Navals, whose record as a carbine shot has been very fair. P.O. Smith has been for the last sixteen years a member of the Auckland Navals, and: has always come in for a fair share of prizes,. He at present holds the Company’s Champion. Belt, which he has won five times, the last three years in succession. He has won Dr. Walker’s Cup four times, thus becoming his own property ; also the Insurance Co/s medal and Hon. Member Norrie’s two medals right out. He represents the Company each year at the New Zealand Rifle Association meetings.

The competition between the “ O ” Battery and Ponsonby Navals in 64-pounder gun drill took place on Saturday last at Fort Resolution. The maximum, number of points to be obtained for general duties, preparing for action, and laying were 115. In this the Navals came out best, scoring 107 points against the Battery’s 106, but in the firing they were much behind, taking 7 minutes to fire the three rounds against their rivals’ 4 min. 49 sec.; the “O ” Battery team were therefore declared the winners Capt. Morrison and Sergt.-Major Bush, of the Permanent Force, acted as judges, and gave entire satisfaction.

Thu monthly competition of the Auckland Martini-Henri Rifle Club was held at Onehunga on. Saturday last. The ranges were 300, 500 and 600 yards, seven shots at each. The shooting was rather below. the average; although two or three good scores-were made.

The following are quarterly prizewinners, decided hy the best two scores during the

quarter: — Taylor, “ A ” Battery ...... Tobin, Royal Irish . 83 84 — I . 81 80 161 -r 2 Spinley, Ponsonby Navals .. Haultain, “ A ” Battery .... Webster, “ A ” Battery .... . 75 84 159 — 3 72 83 15S — 4 . 74 79 153 5