ATHLETICS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 376, 7 October 1897, Page 7

ATHLETICS

[By

Vigilant.]

THE ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING.

The Athletic Championship Meeting was started in Sydney on October 2nd, the weather being boisterous and unfavourable to the efforts of the pedestrians.

Holder (New Zealand) was very slow in getting off the mark in his heat for the 100yds Championship, and only qualified for the final by a dead heat for second place. He, however, decided not to start in the final, which was won by Rowley (New South Wales) in lOsec. In the Mile Walking Championship Greig was first away, and at the end of the first lap was joined by Wilson, of New Zealand, but Barrett, of Victoria, walking splendidly, went to the front and led to within 100yds of the finish, when Wilson, with a brilliant spurt, cut down the Victorian, who made a desperate but unavailing effort to catch the New Zealander, Wilson winning by about a yard. Time, 6min 41|sec. In the 120yds Hurdles Championship Martin (New Zealand) easily defeated his opponents in the first heat, and Holder tied Laidlaw, a promising young Sydney colt, in the second heat. In the final struggle Laidlaw and Holder, jumping splendidly, raced together until two hurdles from the winning post, where Laidlaw gained a slight advantage, and eventually won by about a foot. Time, 16 l-ssec. The Two Mile Invitation Bicycle Race was won by New, of Sydney. Cashbolt, New Zealand, was nowhere. The other New Zealanders who had entered did not start. The One Mile Running Championship resulted in a hollow win for Cummings, of Victoria. McKean, of New Zealand, ran well for tbreequarters of a mile, and was lying third, but gave up one hundred yards from home. Hawthorne, another New Zealand rep. cried enough after' running almost last for three laps. Time, 4min 36|sec. The 440yds Running Championship was won by Campbell (Queensland), Holder (New Zealand) second. Campbell wo i from start to finish. Holder made his effort, when half the distance was covered, but the Queensland rep. was too fleet for him, and won as he liked in 52secs. McKean and Herbert, of New Zealand, did not start.

The Running High Jump was won by English, of New South Wales, with 5 feet 7 5-8 inches. Eruera, New Zealand, was entered for this event, bnt it was a mistake, and he did not take part in it.

The Putting-the-Weight Championship was won bv English, of New South Wales, with a put of 37 feet 9 inches. Rhodes, the New Zealander, nowhere.

On the second day the meeting was continue! with the following results : — The Half-Mile Championship, for which McKean (New Zealand) was fancied, fell to Campbell, of Queensland, who defeated Wettenhall, of Victoria, by a couple of yards. McKean, who is a somewhat ungainly runner, led to about 200yds from home, when he completely died away. Time, 2min 2 4-ssec. Throwing the Hammer was a gift to Millward, of New South Wales. He covered 96ft 6in. Rhodes’ (New Zealand) best throw was 73ft 9in. The Pole Jump elicited great interest, due to the splendid and graceful jumping of Hori Eruera, the New Zealander. The only other competitor was Mcßae, of Victoria, but he gave the Maori no trouble, failing to negotiate anything over 10ft. Later in the afternoon, Eruera gave an exhibition of jumping, with a view to making a record, but only succeeded in putting up 10ft 10iin. The Long Jump fell to Bevan, of Victoria, with 21ft 41-in. Cuff’s best effort was 18ft 101-in, and Overton’s 18ft 9|in.

220yds Flat Championship : Rowley, New South Wales, 1 ; Campbell, Queensland, 2. The Sydney man maintained the lead from start to finish, and won by four yards. Time, 22 2-ssec, tieing the Australasian record. None of the New Zealand cyclists ran prominently in any of the handicap events. In the Three Mile Walk Championship, Greig, of N.S.W. led for the first half mile, with Wilson (New Zealand) close up; but at the second mile Wilson was leading, with Carrigan (Queensland) second. Then Wilson improved his position, and in the last lap went away from Greig, who had displaced the Queenslander at every stride, eventually winning by 100 yards. Time, 22min 37 l-ssec. 440yds Hurdle Championship. —At the half-di-tance Laidlaw (New South Wales) was slightly ahead of Holder, the New Zealander, both jumping almost together. The last two hurdles they knocked over, letting Burton through ; the latter raced home fast, and jumping in between Holder and Laidlaw, jostled them on to the tape. A dead-heat was awarded, disqualified Time, 60 4 ssec. In the run off at the close of the meeting Holder jumped with great coolness, while Laidlaw seemed to get flurried at the half distance, and the New Zealander ran home an easy winner. Time, 62sec. In the Three Miles Running Championship, out of a large field only three finished. McKean (New Zealand) cried off after traversing half a mile, while Hawthorne gave in at a mile and a half. Cummins, of Victoria, was first; Lynas (Victoria) second; Cook (New South Wales) third. Time, 15min 40 2-ssec.

Intercolonial Team Relay Race, one mile.— New South Wales 1, Victoria 2, Queensland 3, New Zealand last. Time, 3min 39sec.

The points for the Championship are as follows :— New South Wales ... ... ... 6 New Zealand... ... ... ... 4 Victoria ... ... ... ... 3 Queensland ... ... ... ... 2

Athletes, amateur and professional, have settled down in earnest to training for the Amateur Club’s meeting in November and the Cycling Club’s gathering of October 30. Much regret has been expressed on this side at the unfortunate accident which prevented Roseingrave from competing at the Australasian championships. It is thought that he may come across to the New Zealand championships next year (February). The Secondary School boys are taking a lively interest in the championship provided for them on the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club’s Spring programme. Professional athletes are reminded that entries for the pedestrian events in connection with the Auckland Cycling Club’s meeting close on Saturday evening at the Metropolitan Hotel. Frank P. Slavin, the well-known Australian pugilist, is said to have died recently on the Klondyke goldfields. James H. Maybury, according to a recent American despatch from St. Paul, Minn., dated July 24, is credited with having carved out 150 yards in I4Ssec —a brilliant performance if true. Jim Murphy, a brother to Billy of that ilk, is said to have lost one of his eyes. A benefit is to be arranged at Johannesburg to send him back to Auckland. There was some talk recently of Billy coming home again, but I have heard nothing of it of late. The question of sending an Australasian team of athletes to England was to have been discussed at the conference of athletic associations at Sydney in order that the various delegates might express themselves on the desirability or otherwise of the proposal, and also deal with the estimated cost.