N.Z.A.A. Association’s Championships.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 134, 16 February 1893, Page 9

N.Z.A.A. Association’s Championships.

(by WIRE —FROM OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, Feb. 13. The fourth annual championship meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held on the Basin Reserve on Saturday afternoon, and was the finest gathering of its kind that has been held in Wellington. The weather was all one could desire except for the wind, which was blowing a bit stiff from the north-west. At the beginning of the sports there must have been fully 2000 persons present, which number was supplemented by 5000 at 4 o’clock, the fair sex being particularly numerous. Mr Grierson, of Christchurch, the Association’s official representative, was present, and appeared to be greatly pleased with the arrangements and management in connection with the afternoon’s proceedings ; indeed, it would have been almost a matter of impossibility for anyone to have found fault with the Association’s plans, which were characteristically attended to. A very pleasing feature of the gathering was the capital starting of the various fields by Mr E C. Batkin, who on every occasion got his men off within half a yard of each other. Mr Tringham’s duties as secretary were by no means light, but he was equal to the occasion, and several times he rendered valuable assistance to the Press. The Garrison Band played selections during the afternoon under Bandmaster Herd. The times in the different events were not anything out of the common, which is probably due to the grass track and to the strong wind which was blowing, The absence of such excellent men as Morrison, Wood and Batger no doubt tended to weaken the running. Wellington, however, produced a competitor in the person of Mr Ross Gore, who was successful in establishing a N.Z. record for the long jump, beating Mr Cuff’s performance by 2| inches. The time for the quarter-mile hurdles was smart, it only being 2-sths of a second slower than Mr Batger’s world record of 61 2-ssec. Norman Gurr’s 2min 4sec in the Halfmile was good going, taking the wind into consideration, and his success in both his races was only achieved by his persistent gameness, which undoubtedly carried him through, as he only won the Half-mile by a few inches, and finished a quarter of a yard in front of the second man in the 440yds. Appended are results of the different events:— 100yds Flat Championship (World’s amateurrecord 9 4-sth sec, J. Owens, jun , Detroit A.C., U.S.A. ; W. T. MacPherson, N.S.W., and J. H. Hempton, H.B.A.A.C.) —standard time 10 l-sth sec. First heat—Nathan, Wellington, w.o. Second heat—J. H. Hempton, Wellington, 1 ; E. A. Robinson, Canterterbury, 2 ; J. W. Hayward, Canterbury, 3. Time 11 l-sth sec. Final heat—J. H. Hempton, 1 ; P. J. Nathan, 2; E. A. Robinson, 3. Time, 10 2-sth sec. Hempton got away at the start, and finished fully 3 yards in advance of his opponents, a yard only separating the second and third man. Half a Mile Flat (World’s amateur record, Imin 54 2-sth sec, F. J. K. Cross, Oxford; New Zealand amateur record and best New Zealand Championship performance, 2min, Wood, C.A.A.C): standard, 2min 2sec.—N. L. Gurr, Wellington, 1; W. J. Burke, Dunedin, 2 ; J.

Fitzpatrick, Canterbury, 3. W. Rankin, Wanganui; A. J. Weeks, Manawatu; F. J. Leggett, Canterbury; and W. Beadel, Canterbury; also ran. Gurr led from the start, and gained considerably by the time the 440 flag was reached. Burke,however, came up well towards the straight and looked like winning, but Gurr stuck to his task and managed to shake off his opponent, whom he beat by only a few inches. The finish was the finest ever seen in Wellington. Gurr fell quite exhausted at the tape. Time, 2min 4sec.

One Mile Walk (World’s amateur record, 6min 29 3-sth sec, F. R. Murray, America; New Zealand amateur record, 7min 2 2-sth sec, R. R. Thomas, C.A.A.C.; best New Zealand performance, championship, 7min s£sec, A. F. Burton, A.A.A. and C.C.); standard, 7min ssec.—R. N. Thomas, Canterbury, 1 ; A. Findlay, Dunedin, 2; C. F. Adams, Wellington, 3. Thomas, Findlay, and Adams were the only competitors to face the starter, who effected a capital start. After going the first lap Adams found the pace too fast for him, and getting the stitch, was soon left hopelessly in the rear. Thomas and Findlay were still keeping together, but towards home Thomas opened out, and reached the tape fully five yards in front. Time, 7min 12 2-sth sec.

120 yd Hurdles Championship (World’s amateur record, H. L. Williams, America, and D. D. Bulger. Ireland; New Zealand amateur record, 16sec, H. W. Batger, W.A.A.0.; best New Zealand championship performance, 16 l-sth sec, H. W. Batger, W.A.A.0.); standard, 16 3-sth sec.—First heat, H. W. Postlethwaite, Canterbury, 1 ; J. Taiaroa, Dunedin, 2 ; H.W.Martin, Auckland, 3. Postlethwaite got away first, and led over the first hurdle, but was joined over the second obstacle by Taiaroa, Martin being a yard behind. In the run home, however, Postlethwaite passed Taiaroa, winning by two yards, Martin being the same distance behind Taiaroa. Second heat—W. J. Moir, Canterbury, 1 ; D. Matson, Canterbury, 2; C. Gore, Wellington, 3. Moir got away with the pistol, followed by Blair, Matson being a yard in the rear. Moir finished first, and on the run home Matson beat Gore by half-a-yard. Time, 17 l-sth sec. Final heat—W. Moir 1, J. Taiaroa 2, H.W. Postlethwaite 3. D. Matson also started. The men got away together, and remained so until the last hurdle was reached, when Moir made a big effort, and came away from the field with Taiaroa in attendance, who finished a foot behind him, Postlethwaite being about a yard in front of Matson. Pole Jump Championship (World’s amateur record 11ft gin, T. Dickson, England ; New Zealand amateur record 10ft 2in, best N.Z. championship performance 10ft, F. West, C.A.A.C.): standard 1 oft.—W. M. West, C.A.A.C., 10ft |in. West was the only competitor. One Mile Flat Championship (World’s amateur record 4mm 13 3-5 sec, W. G. George, England; N.Z. amateur record 4mm 30 3-5 sec, P. Morrison, S.C.A.A.C.; best New Zealand championship performance 4min 31 2-5 sec, D. Wood, C.A.A.C.): standard, 4mm 3osec. —0. J. Rees, Canterbury, 1 ; J. Leggett, Canterbury, 2; C. J. Cooper, Wellington, 3. C. Rider, Canterbury; W. Rankin, Wanganui; A. J. Weekes, Manawatu ; also started. Directly the pistol was fired Rees jumped off in front and was immediately followed by Cooper second, Leggett third and Weekes last. In the second lap Leggett was in advance of Cooper and trying all he knew to come up with Rees, but the latter opened out and increased his lead and running strongly won comfortably by 9yds, the second and third men being the same distance apart. Time, 4mm 41 3-5 sec. Throwing the Hammer. i6lbs, from g feet circle, length of hammer and handle 4 feet. —O. McCormack, Wellington, 88ft 7m, 1 ; J. F. Wachsmann, Canterbury, 84ft 4m, 2. The World’s amateur record for throwing the hammer is 145 feet 6f inches, which is held by Mitchell of America.

250yds Championship (World’s amateur record, 24 3~sth sec, W. T. Macpherson, New South Wales ; New Zealand amateur record, 24 3~sth sec, W. T. Macpherson, New South Wales; best New Zealand Championship performance, 24 3-sth sec, W. T. Macpherson—First heat—A. D’Arcy, Wellington, 1 ; P. J. Nathan, 2 ; W. Hayward, Canterbury, 3. A capital start was effected which slightly gave Nathan the advantage, but he was caught ten yards from home and beaten by 3 yards. Time, 28 i-sth sec. Second heat.—W. A. Lowe, Dunedin, 1 ; L. W. Harley, Wellington, 2 ; C. A. Robinson, Canterbury, 3. Harley led till 50 yards

from home, when Lowe came up with a great rush and won by half a yard. Time, 27 4~sth sec. Final heat.—Harley went with the pistol, Lowe being left on the mark. Towards the run home Harley increased his speed, but Lowe also came on with a great rush, and much excitement prevailed as the two men came up the straight. Harley, however, had a little in hand, and won by only half a yard. Time, 27 3-sth sec. High Jump Championship (Worlds amateur record 6ft 4£in, W\ J. Sweeney, America; best N.Z. championship performance sft sin—standard sft 7in). F. Meyrick, M.A.A.C., sft sin. f; Ross Gore, Wellington, sft sin, f ; C. Gore, Wellington, sft Sin, 2. Meyrick and Gore made several attempts to clear sft 6in, but failed, and the contest resulted in a tie. Three Mile Walking Championship (World’s amateur record 21min 9 l-sth sec, F. Murray, New York; N.Z. amateur record and best N.Z championship’s performance, 23min 16 2-sth sec. H. S. Cocks, C.A.A.C.—standard time, 23min 30sec). —G. Galloway, Dunedin, 1 ; W. Thomas, Canterbury, 2 ; R. F. Adams, Wellington. 3. Time, 24min 36sec.

Long Jump (World’s amateur record, 23ft 6|in, J. Reber, America ; best N.Z. championship performance, 20ft 9in, T. Upfill, A.A.A. and C.C.) — standard, 20ft 6in.—Ross Gore. Wellington. 21ft £in, 1 ; J. Taia oa, Dunedin, 20ft 6in, 2 ; H. W. Postlethwaite, Canterbury, 20ft 3in, 3. Ross Goi'e only occupied third place until his best jump, when he surprised the spectators with his creditable performance, which is now a New Zealand record.

Putting the Weight —from 7ft square —(World’s amateur record, 46ft 7£in, G. R. Gray, America ; N Z. amateur record and best N.Z. championship performance, 37ft Bin, E. O'Connor, A.A.A. and C.C.)—standard, 37ft. —O. McCormack, Wellington, 37ft 7|-in, 1 ; W. J. Moir, Canterbury, 34ft |in, 2. Quarter Mile Flat Championship (World’s amateur record 47fsecs, W. Baker, America; New Zealand record and New Zealand best championship performance, 50 2-sth sec, W. T. Macpherson, N.S.W.); standard, 52sec.— Norman L. Gurr, Wellington, 1 ; W. A. Low, Dunedin, 2; Fitzpatrick, Canterbury, 3. L. W. Harley, Wellington, and A. F. Rownail, Wellington, also ran. Harley jumped away at the sound of the pistol, but was quickly overhauled and passed by Gurr, who in turn was closely run by Fitzpatrick. By the time the half-distance flag was reached Fitzpatrick had forged ahead and led to within 12yds of the tape, when Gurr, inspired by the tremendous ovation of his townsfolk, made a last effort, and was successful in gaining the judge’s verdict by three inches after the finest race ever witnessed in Wellington. Time, 53 4-sth sec.

Three-mile Flat Championship (World’s amateur record, 14min 29 3-sth sec, J. Kibblewhite, England; New Zealand amateur record and best New Zealand championship performance, 15min 40 2-sthsec, D. Roon, C.A.A.C.) —standard, 15min 30sec —W. J. Burke, Dunedin, 1 ; C. J. Rees, Canterbury, 2; C. Cooper, Wellington, 3, Rankin, Wanganui, and G. Goldie, Wellington, also ran. The first mile was a very bad performance, it being run in smin 27sec. The first lap of the second mile was a decided improvement, the running being a little quicker ; the time for the two miles being 11 min 1 Isec. The first lap of the last mile saw Rees heading the field and going at a rattling stride. Gradually Burke was seen coming up well, and in the straight spurted and passed Rees, and won by 9yds, Rees 30yds in front of Cooper, Rankin being 16yds away fourth, and Goldie last. Time, 16min 15 3-sth sec.

Quarter Mile Hurdle Championship; ten flights 3ft 6in high (World’s amateur record, N.Z. amateur record and best N.Z. championship performance, 61 2-sth sec, H. W. Batger, W.A.A. and C.C.): standard, Ojsec. —JD. Matson, Canterbury, j ; W. J. Moir, Canterbury, 2 ; W. Beadle, Canterbury, 3. Alan Good, Wanganui ; F. S. Harley, Canterbury ; W. H. Martin, Auckland ; and F. Pownal), Wellington, also competed. Martin came off best at the start and led the field, but was passed at the second hurdle. Presently Alan Good came out suddenly, and soon had a lead of 6yds, Matson, Moir and Beadle keeping company. At the homeward turn Matson and Moir passed him, he evidently having run himself clean out for 15yds from home, Beadle also passed him, which had the effect of placing Canterbury first, second and third, gaining for that province the much coveted banner of the Association,

and beating Wellington’s right to it by only one point. The following is a record of the events won and points scored by the various Clubs represented : — Canterbury — first, 5 ; dead heat, o ; second, 6 ; third, 6 points ; total, 49. Wellington—first, 7 ; dead heat, 1 ; second, 1 ; third, 6 ; total, 48. Dunedin —first 2 ; dead heat, o ; second, 6 ; third, o; total, 28 Manawatu —first, o ; dead heat, 1 ; second, o ; third, o; total, 1. Wanganui and Auckland failed to score. It is stated that Mr Barney Esam intends competing in the bicycle events of the next March meeting. Colonel Goring is also a rider, and could easily be induced to ride. They would look well against Teddy Reynolds. Just prior* to the North Shore sports last Saturday Mr J. Halyday handed over a telegram which he had received in mistake from the Cyclists’ Alliance at Christchurch. This precious message forbade the cyclists to ride at the Shore without permission. lam pleased to say no notice was taken of such an arbitrary ruling. It seems we have not yet heard the last of the Auckland Regatta, as a telegram came to hand a few days back intimating that the Regatta Club had given a wrong decision in the case of the City oarsmen who won a Senior race and then scooped a Junior. This is the outcome of a protest by a disappointed Auckland crew, who converted the N.Z.R.A. to their way of thinking on an ex parte statement. Bill Speight, the well-known handicapper, has just returned from a holiday trip to Mahurangi. Should a N.Z. football team visit Australia, it is proposed to play seven matches, which will be confined to New South Wales and Queensland. Auckland cut but a sorry figure at the Championship Meeting, and Martin, her sole representative, failed to get a place. Had wp sent down Beere, Burton, O’Connor, together with Martin, the banner would have stood a good chance of coming up this way. The studied silence of the Star over the North Shore Athletic Meeting is freely commented on.

Bull surprised everyone by his brilliant running on Saturday last. He showed his hand fairly, and might have won from scratch.

Teddy Reynolds received quite an ovation by his splendid riding in the fivemile bicycle race. Stuart Emmerson was woefully out of form last Saturday, and in the mile handicap retired after running a few hundred yards. Fred Murray was the life of the Shore meeting, and simply chased his men home iu the races for which he entered. On returning to the stand he was greeted with quite an ovation. Charlie Waters ably assisted Bob Wynyard with the Shore meeting. The judges at the Shore sports seemed quite at sea as to rules for the guidance of the hop, step and jump competition. Charlie Weston did not run at Saturday’s sports. Bob McCallnm was never in the threequarter mile bicycle race, notwithstanding his immense start of 440yds. In fact, he couldn’t keep speed up to the finish. Sammy Goodman seems to be having a run of luck as a trainer, for on Saturday last he had two firsts and one second to his credit. Sammy is now getting a “stable” together for the March meeting of the A.A.C.

Colonel Goring was not a success as a judge at Saturday’s sports. Amongst the onlookers at the North Shore sports on Saturday last were Messrs. J. Halyday, B. Esam, A. Cotter, and a number of prominent men belonging to the Auckland Club. Boyd only entered for the hop, step and jump competition to make up entries. He was never in it.

The following gentlemen formed the committee for the Shore sports —Messrs. Boyd, Logan, Waters, Inglis, Burgess, Campbell, Hill, Cooke and J. Coleman. Ellerslie will shortly have a swimming club of its own, and with such men as Harry Branston and Dick Somerfield the district should have had one long ago.

By a Southern programme I notice that water polo is only included in the sports subject to time permitting. On Sunday last the Lulu was around to the Lake, and on the homeward journey she had a trial of speed with the Isca. She simply lost sight of her opponent, and the owners would like nothing better than to bind a match.

The question of removing the swimming headquarters to Christchurch is in abeyance.

I have been favoured with a programme of the Ashburton (Canterbury) Swimming Club’s Annual Carnival, and the first thing that struck my notice was the paltry prizes offered. Our men would simply laugh at the idea of having such petty trophies. Then, again, there is scarcely any variety to the programme, all races being straight away—not a single back race. It has been suggested that a swimming club should be formed in connection with Dr. McArthur’s school in Upper Queenstreet. There are a large number of really good swimmers, and the idea should be acted upon. Hutchinson, of Ellerslie, who was lately shot in the leg, was coming on nicely as a swimmer before the accident. It is to be hoped the City Council will see its way clear to allow our swimmers the use of the Freshwater Baths for carnivals, to be held at night. Should any members of the North Shore Athletic Club qualify to compete at a championship meeting it will be necessary for the club to change its colours of maroon and gold, Canterbury’s registered colours of claret and gold being likely to clash. The cricket match between the Wanderers and Belmont on Saturday attracted a good number of spectators, resulting in an easy win for the former by 67 runs. Playing for the Wanderers on Saturday last W. Smith, in the second innings, knocked up 42, being caught by his namesake. The United Cricket Club met with its first defeat of the season last Saturday at the hands of the Auckland men. Both of the Gordon clubs came off victorious on Saturday last, with very good scores to their credit. Belmont was soundly thrashed by the Wanderers, who have thus practically won the Junior Cup. Moresby, who put up 27 on the previous day of play, was unavoidably absent last Saturday, and Gordon thus lost his services. Kenderdine did not bat in the Onslow match on Saturday. The match between Auckland and United proved very interesting, and it was apparent to all that the result depended on the first innings. United began very badly, having the bad luck to lose five wickets for 14 runs. An improvement was made, however, when S. McPherson and W. Stemson got together, who speedily brought the score up to 45. Hay and McCormick also made a deter mined stand, the latter playing in fine style for his 40 runs. At one period it looked a foregone conclusion that Auckland’s score would be topped, but their opponents lost by 8 runs. One disadvantage they laboured under was playing with only ten men, Miller having taken his departure for Sydney during the week. Gordon won their match against Pittstreet Mutual by 171 runs on the first innings. Owing to Tommy Porter’s illness the Mercer Regatta has been indefinitely postponed. At a meeting of the Auckland Regatta Club held on Tuesday, the first business taken into consideration was the dispute relating to the Junior Gig Race (under 10 stone), which was rowed on January 30th, when the City Rowing Club’s crew came in first. The Auckland Rowing Club lodged a protest with the Regatta Committee, to the effect that two of the City Rowing Club’s crew having previously rowed in and won a senior race that afternoon, they could not be allowed to row in a junior race. The Regatta Committee, however, held that these two men being bona fide juniors at the time of entrance, they had no right to interfere, and dismissed the protest Meanwhile the Auckland Rowing Club had appealed to the Council of the N.Z.A. R.A. who took the opposite view of the matter to the Committee. A letter was now read from the secretary of the Auckland Rowing Club relinquishing all claim to the prize money should their protest be upheld, and stating that they wished to have the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association recognised as the supreme body in rowing matters in New Zealand. A letter from Mr A. M. S. Biss, hon. secretary of the N.Z.A.R.A., was also read, and the meeting resolved, after discussing the communication, “ That this letter be received, and that the secretary be instructed to reply, stating that the committee regret that the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association have thought fit to address an independent body in such terms.” The committee resolved to pay the prizes won at the regatta on Monday evening next.

The different professions, such as Law, Banks, etc , will most likely have teams shortly representing them in water polo contests.