ATHLETICS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 375, 30 September 1897, Page 5

ATHLETICS

[By

Vigilant.]

The “ close season” is, I am pleased to say, drawing to a close, and already the Auckland Cycling Club and Auckland Amateur Athletic Club are out with their programmes of forthcoming carnivals, and tne Domain Cricket Ground presents an animated appearance with its pedestrians and cycle riders in training. Last week I touched on the programme of the Auckland Cycling Club, both as regards pedestrian and cycling events, but in this former connection I now learn from one of the most prominent officials of the club that large entries are assured, and that amongst the attractions to be provided will be lhe re-appearance of the ex-amateur one mile walking champion of Australasia, Alf. Brady. A prettier heel and toe exponent has never been seen in these parts, and all who take an interest in sport will be pleased to welcome Brady back to Auckland. It is also said that several Taranaki men will be attracted by the liberal money prizes

ottered. 1 would again remind all concerned that general entries close at the Metropolitan Hotel on the 9th October—next Saturday week. At a meeting of the managing committee of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club, held on Friday evening last, the following programme was mapped out for the November carnival of that body :—lsoyds Maiden, 100yds Handicap, 250 yds Handicap, 440yds Handicap, Half-mile Handicap, One Mile Handicap, 120yds Hurdle Handicap, 410yds Hurdle Handicap, One Mile Walk Handicap, Three Miles Walk Handicap, High Jump Handicap, Putting 161 b Weight Handicap, One Mile Novice Bicycle Handicap, Half-mile, One Mile, Two Miles, Three Miles, and Five Miles Bicycle Handicaps. Mr W. C. Speight has received an intimation from the Wanganui Amateur Athletic Club, inviting Auckland athletes to run down and take part in the spring gathering, to be held by that body on November 9th. No doubt some of our men will avail themselves of the opportunity of so doing. The trophy sent out from England by Mr J. F. Logan, late president of the local Amateur Club, is amongst the attractions to be competed for at the November carnival. It goes to the scorer of most points, and must be won twice in succession or three times at intervals to become the absolute property of the holder. The tail of the New Zealand contingent to compete at the Australasian championships, which opens in Sydney on Saturday next (October 2), and concludes on Monday (October 4), left for the other side from Wellington last Friday. Campbell, the Brisbane runner, who, it will be remembered, ran second to Low, of Dunedin, in the quarter-mile event at the New Zealand Championship Meeting of 1896 at Christchurch, is said to have wonderfully improved of late, and to be able to compass the half-mile now in 2min, and the quarter in a fraction over 50sec. If this pi’oves true he will be a foeman worthy of Holder in the Quarter and of McKean in the

Half-mile. The visitors will have to look to their laurels when they rub shoulders with talent o£ such high order. A correspondent, writing across to a southern paper, says Roseingrave is all that the Cornstalks claim for him, and in the I2oyds Hurdles may be expected to reach the end of the journey inside 16sec. In this case again the Wanganui champion (Holder) will have to be on his best behaviour. From the tenor of the remarks of a Sydney writer the hammer throwers and weight putters of the Other Side must be a mediocre lot. The writer in question says that, with Milward laid up, the New Zealand representative in this division must make matters very interesting, and as Rhodes is to do battle for us it is evident they are not a strong lot. Mr W. T. McPherson, the one-time phenomenal sprinter, is to act as referee at the Australasian championships, and Mr R. Combes (“ Prodigal,” of the Sydney Referee} will be the starter. Mr L. A. Cuff will be one of the judges. It is understood that the N.Z representatives to the Australasian Conference of Athletic Association—Messrs Cuff and Selig —have not been invested with voting powers, but will just bring back recommendations and opinions arrived at to be submitted to the N.Z.A.A.A.

At a recent meeting of the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club the secretary was instructed to write to the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, representing that the 1898 Championship Meeting should be held in the South Island, in accordance with the rule. There is evidently trouble brewing in this respect. I have been watching the Southern papers very closely of late in order to find out why A. J. Patrick was not included in the New Zealand team for Australia, but evidently no information on this point has leaked out. It would surely be more satisfactory to all concerned if the selectionists would give a reason for the non-inclusion of the champion 100yds sprinter. The English long distance runner, Hurst, who recently defeated H. Watkins, is anxious to meet Bacon in a twenty-mile match. Hurst is about 26 years of age, stands sft 9in, and weighs 9.8. At the sports meeting of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, held at Albany, New York, on 3rd August, J. Flanagan gave an exhibition of hammer throwing, and hurled the lump of iron a distance of 157 ft 4in, surpassing any mark ever before accomplished anywhere, and at the second trial distanced his own competition world’s record. As the feat was an exhibition trial he is denied a record credit for his throws. Two days later, at Brooklyn, Flannagan won the hammer-throwing with 142 ft He was on scratch, the onceinvincible J. S. Mitchell having a handicap of 4ft 6in. Several English writers throw doubt on the fairness of W. J Sturgess’s (the English Amateur Champion) walking. They don’t actually say so in words, but hint that he “ mixes” somewhat. Football and Cricket items will be found on page 15.