ATHLETICS, Etc.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 275, 31 October 1895, Page 5

ATHLETICS, Etc.

It is. anticipated that it will take Placke fully three months to recover his recent :gruelling. Training matters were very quiet on the Domain track last Monday evening, quite a day off, in fact. I could not .count more than fifteen or eighteen men out, though I noted that fast work was being put in by several of those present. Mr “ Secretary ” Speight reports that several entries reached him by post for the November Carnival from the outlaying districts on Tuesday last They are early in the field. From Wellington I learn that the wellknown sprinters W. F. Larkin (an old - Auckland boy) and A. J. Patrick are in training, and will probably compete at the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club’s Carnival on November 9th.

I have to thank Mr A. W. Creamer, late of the Auckland A.A C. and now secretary to the Cambridge Club,for a copy of that body’s annual report and balancesheet. The figures show the receipt for the past season to have been £3B 15s 9d, and the expenditure £49 16s 1 Od, but when the large amount outstanding for members’ subscriptions comes in the club will be an the sunny side of the ledger. Several matters of detail concerning the welfare of the club (which is now entering upon its second year) were dealt with, and it was decided to hold the next sports gathering on Wednesday, November 27th, and from present appearances it is anticipated that the club will have a highly satisfactory meeting, as entries are promised from all parts of the district. In an accompanying letter Mr Creamer says : —“ I should like to see some of the Auckland boys up here, and can promise them (should any come) a good time and good sport. There is every probability of two or three men going down to compete at your November gathering.” While engaged in superintending the loading of one of Craig’s drays on Saturday last Mr M. Keefe, so well known in rowing circles, fell over on to the wharf and broke his arm. The injuries were attended to at the Hospital, and I am pleased to hear that Keefe is getting along as well as could be expected. The committee of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club meet to - morrow (Friday) evening. A very fair sprinkling of new men will be found amongst the entries for the forthcoming amateur sports gathering.

F. Gaudin will probably contest the long jump event at the Amateur Carnival, though I fear he will meet with poor opposition, if any. Mick O’Connor, the well - known distance runner, does not appear to be in training, and ’tis said he will not figure amongst the entries for the November gathering of the local athletic club. Entries for the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club’s November Carnival close at 9 p.m. on Saturday evening next, November 2nd, at the Metropolitan Hotel. It is anticipated that large fields will contest the various events. Hurdler Laurie’s knee still causes trouble, and I notice that he was an absentee from the training track for several days last week. However, he turned out again on Monday evening last, and to see him moving round with his sweater on one might easily mistake Laurie for a member of the Referees’ Association.

Tenders for the gates of the Amateur Athletic Club’s Spring Carnival close with the Secretary. Mr. W. Speight, tomorrow (Friday) at noon. Rumour says that nothing short of the figure given for the March Meeting (£200) will be entertained, and failing such offer the club will retain the gates. I hear that C. G. Rees will compete at the Championship gathering at Christchurch as a member of the Canterbury Club.

I should like to see G. B. Beere go South with the championship team this year, though I fear he—being a railway employee—would experience the same difficulty in obtaining the necessary leave of absence, which in previous years has

prevented him representing this province at the Southern Championship gatherings. It will be remembered that J. Ryan, of the Hawkes Bay Amateur Athletic Club, who annexed the long jump at the recent Championship Meeting at Napier with 20ft 4in, expressed an intention of joining the Auckland Club when up here. Should he decide to do so Ryan would prove a valuable addition to the ranks of our championship contingent, though I would not care to see him forsake the old love,, simply to assist Auckland, more particularly if the H.B. A.A.C. intend sendind him to Christchurch. At the recent meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association the Secretary and Treasurer were instructed to issue copies of the programme of the Australasian Championship Meeting to be held in Christchurch on January 2nd and 4th, 1896. The entrance fee for each of the New Zealand and Australasian Championship events has been fixed at 2s 6d, though holders of New Zealand Championships will be entered free. Christchurch will be particularly well catered for as regards athletic gatherings this year. On December sth and 7th the C.A.A.C. Spring Meeting eventuates, on December 28th the New Zealand Championship Meeting takes place, and on January 2nd and 4th the Australasian Championship Sports come up for decision. Mr. W. Rudman has been elected secretary of the Hawkes Bay Amateur Athletic Club vide Mr Norman L. Gurr, resigned. Mr. Rudman should make an excellent officer. P. Brown, the high jumper, has started training already (says a Southern exchange), and the shot and hammer competition will receive good support from this athlete, who has been doing some good performances with the weights lately.