Athletics

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 395, 17 February 1898, Page 7

Athletics

|_By

VIGILANT.]

Th? Oddfellows had a glorious day on Saturday for their picnic at St. Helier’s Bay. Several athletic events were set down for decision, and were well contested. In the first race, 120yds, for Grand Masters, B. Paton was first, E. Wright second, and John Ballantyne third. For the 150yds professional race there was some excellent racing. W. Riley won the first heat; he was on the limit mark (15yds), and made the most of his advantage. P. Ness was victorious in the second heat, after a good go with O. N. Riley. The final resulted in favor of W. Riley, who was never seriously troubled. In the Representatives Race considerable interest was shown by the visiting members of the different lodges. Nine competitors toed the mark, and a good race was won by J. Reid (Rechabites, Onehunga), with M. Ewart (Foresters, Tauranga) second, and Knox (M.U.) third. Our Wellington correspondent offers an excuse for Patrick’s defeat as follows: —“ A. J. Patrick has returned from Wanganui. He is satisfied that only the wind beat him at Wanganui, and that under ordinary weather conditions he can beat Smith every day in the week. He is going up to Auckland next month to prove it.” THE CHAMPIONSHIPS AT WANGANUI. [By Cue Wanganui Cobbespondent.T For the first time in the history of Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling a Championship Meeting was held at Wanganui. The meeting of 1898 can safely be said to have been one of, if not the most successful Championship Meetings ever held, judging from all round standpoints, and most important of all, the splendid financial results. It is anticipated that a handsome credit balance of £2OO will remain after all expenses have been paid. Fortunately, the weather which was very threatening the day before the meeting, cleared, and though a high wind prevailed on the first day, yet it did not interfere with the success of the meeting. Local interest in the running events on the second day, was somewhat spoilt by the inability of A. H. Holder, owing to straining his muscles, to compete. - The 100 yards opening event on the programme, resulted in a bit of a surprise in the downfall of Patrick, last year’s champion, by the speedy little Auckland man, Geo. Smith. In the first heat Holder got home without serious opposition from Oliphant, whilst Patrick defeated Smith in his heat by a yard. When the final came on it was generally anticipated the result would be Patrick, Holder, and Smith, but after the quartette got over the first fifty yards, almost all abreast, Patrick obtained a slight advantage, but Smith came again and settled Patrick, taking the tape a clear yard ahead of the little Wellington man, who defeated Holder by half a yard. The go was a fast one, the time against a stiff breeze being 10 2-sth. The Auckland rep footballer was lustily cheered for his meritorious performance. The mile flat was a rattling and exciting go, a> d full of interest to the spectators right through. J. McKean, of Auckland, last year’s winner, was looked upon as the probable winner, but in young Pentecost, of Canterbury, he met a foeman worthy of his steel, Pentecost acted as pacemaker after the pistol went, with McKean hanging close on behind. At the end of the first half mile Pentecost and McKean were hammering away at|it with a good lead from the others, and it could been seen the issue lay between those two, although St. Hill made a bold effort to get up in the last quarter. Pentecost still led 200 yards from home, and although McKean struggled hard to make up lost ground, the determined young Canterbury boy was not to be denied winning a grandly contested race all out by three yards. St. Hill was 10 yards away from McKean. The go, considering the stiff breeze, was fast, the time being 4min 38sec. The first two heats of the 120 hurdles were interesting. In the first heat A. H. Holder just squeezing up on the tape after landing over last hurdle in the same stride with Cholmondley, of Christchurch. Martin, of Auckland and Cameron, of Wanganui, had a great set to, Cameron, like Holder, only just getting the verdict. Smith, of Auckland, however, had no difficulty.in putting down Richards, of Sydney, who fell at the first fence, and Moir, of Canterbury. The finalresplved itself into a go between Holder and Smith, Cameron not being able to foot it with these two cracks. Holder got going quicker than Smith, who got to Holder again half way, but the champion curried too many guns, winning by a couple of. yards,, in the fast record time .of 16 sec dead. A fairly strong bre.ze was, however, behind the runners.

Hugh Good, of Wanganui, annexed the High Jump with sft 5 7-Bth in., Laurie sft s|in. being nearest to him. The Three Mile Walk resolved itself into an interesting go between Wilson, the Auckland - crack, and Goodwin, of Wellington. Gordon, of Wanganui, was,out-classed. Goodwin cut out the pace, and the. two Auckland men contented themselves with having a cut at him occasionally, setting out on . the last, lap Dickey broke away, with AVilson after him, and Goodwin coming fast, both overhauled Dickey, who died away beaten, and Goodwin and Wilson let out for all they were worth. Stride for stride they came on, and excitement rose to concert pitch. The Auckland cyack, however, gradually got daylight between himself and opponent, getting to the post all out with 10yds to spare from Goodwin, Dickey 50yds away third. Time 23min 4 4 sthsec.

For the 440yds Flat Race the good field of eleven faced the starter. The event was full of interest right through. Little Patrick jumped off with the lead, and was still in front entering the straight, George Holder lying next, but both Patrick and Holder cracked up. Oliphant put in a determined claim, as also did Bridge and Smith. Bob Oliphant (who is a member of the Auckland police force, and well known on this coast a few years ago when going for hard cash) finished stronger than the others, getting to the post two yards in front of Smith (Canterbury), who had a great go with Bridge, getting second place by a few inches. Time, 53 2-ssec. A. H. Holder, who was expected to get away with this event, ran a lump below his usual form, was never dangerous. The two Auckland cracks, Skinner and O’Connor, had to play second fiddle to H. M. Good, Wanganui, in putting the weight. I doubt if three finer specimens, physically, than Skinner, Good, and O’Connor could be found in the colony, they being all men of grand physique. These were all the athletic events got through on the first day. Beautiful weather prevailed for the second day of the meeting. The 250yds Flat. Race was the first event that engaged attention. Milner, of Nelson, and Patrick, of Wellington, had a good tussle in the first heat, the Nelson man just getting there with a foot to spare. The pace was not too good, the time being 28sec. George Holder annexed the second heat, being in front all the way, J. L. Smith, of Christchurch, filling second place, a yard behind Holder. In the final heat George Holder cut out the running, but cracked up at the business end, the contest being between Patrick, Milner, and J. L. Smith, the little Wellington man just getting there, after a tough finish. The Half-mile Flat Race proved the best go of the athletic events. Eight toed the mark. Rees, of Christchurch, evidently intending to sacrifice his chance with the object of getting a record put up, carried out the first quarter in 56sec,and then

pulled out. McKean (Auckland) and Garsia (Canterbury) then went at it in real earnest, the pace being sound. McKean got a bit away from Garsia, and cries went up for the Aucklander. Turning into the straight, Garsia came at McKean and drew level with him, and the pair came on amidst tremendous excitement, both men straining every nerve. The struggle was a grand one, Garsia, by sheer grit, getting to the winning post with just daylight between him and his equally plucky opponent. The half-mile was done in the slashing good time of 2min 2-ssec, or 2sec under standard time. Both Garsia and McKean, who were terribly di-tressed, received a big ovation from the spectators for their splendid display. St. Hill got into third place. Two Auckland reps., Skinner and Madill, filled respectively the first, two places in throwing the 16ib hammer, G. Murdock, of Wellington, being the other placed man. All three beat the standard of 100 ft. Wilson, of Auckland, and Goodwin, of Wellington, again fought out the Mile Walk. The contest was similar to the three-mile event, Wilson defeating Goodwin by superior sprinting powers by seven yards, in 6min 53 2-ssec. Dickey finished a somewhat indifferent third. Seven contested the 440yds Hurdles, which was robbed of considerable interest locally owing to the absence of A. H. Holder, this distance being his pet one. When the field left the starter Smith, Oliphant, and Martin shot to the front. Smith fenced well throughout and led all the way, winning comfortably, Oliphant filling second place, the Sydney man, Richards, third. Time, 62sec. ' The Auckland Native boy, Hori Eruera, had no trouble in getting away with the Pole Jump, doing 10ft 6in. Laurie, his club mate, finished second with 10ft. Cameron, a Wanganui man, got a severe shaking at 9ft 3in, through his pole snapping, compelling his retirement. Six was the main for the Three-mile Flat. Burrell, of Wanganui, acted as pacemaker for the first mile, but retired in favor of Pentecost, of Canterbury, who gave a really good exhibition of

long-distance running, winning comfortably with ten yards to spare from McKean, of Auckland, who tried hard to reduce the gap without avail. The other Auckland man, George, filled third position. The banner was very easily appropriated by the Auckland team, the points showing the representatives of the northern city almost equal to the whole of the other teams combined. Auckland registered 74 points, whilst those scored by Wanganui (29), Canterbury (26), Wellington (17), Nelson (2), and N.S.W. (2) totalled 76, or only 2 points ahead of Auckland’s score. After the conclusion of the last event of the meeting the presentation of the banner to the Auckland team took place, Mrs Empson, the good lady of the president of the New Zealand Athletic Association, presenting it to Mr Cotter, manager of the Auckland team. Mr Empson, addressing the team, said he had been requested by his wife to express the pleasure she felt in having the honor to present the banner to such a splendid team. In Smith, he said, they possessed the best all-round athlete in New Zealand at the present, while they had shown all-round form. He was pleased with the result, as it had shown that on their new track good performances could be achieved. In conclution he expressed hope the that when next the Wanganui reps, met the northern champions at Auckland they would be more successful. Mrs Empson then handed the banner to Mr Cotter, who suitably replied, after which three hearty cheers were given for the victors, who returned the compliment with three cheers for WAnganui, one for Mrs Empson, and one for the starter. The following are the results :— 100 YARDS Flat. —Record, 9 4-ssec ; standard, ilO l-ssec-Present champion : Patrick. Wellington. First heat—Holder. 1; Oliphant, 2. Time, 10 2-ssec. Second heat—Patrick, 1; G. Smith, 2. Time, Usee. Final Heat. Smith, Auckland .. .. .. ..1 Patrick, Wellington ..2 A. H. Holder, Wanganui 3 Other starters—Richards, Sydney ; Smith, Canterbury ; Broome, Wellington; G. Holder, Wanganui; Milne, Nelson.

Won by a good yard. Holder being half a yard behind Patrick. Time, 10 2-ssec.

Half-milk Bicycle Handicap.—Record, imin 4sec ; standard. Imln 6sec. Present champion: Dexter, Auckland Three preliminary heats were run, the winners being Thomson and >-rant, Jones and Hall, and Dexter and Davidson. Other starters—McCabe, Nelson ; Pollock, Castle, Plunkett, and Chalmers, Wellington ; McKnight, Christchurch. None of the times were fast. Final Heat. Thomson, Wanganui 1 Davidson, Wanganui .. .. .. ..2 Jones, Christchurch .. ... .. 3 Won by five yards. Time, Imin 22sec. Putting the Weight.—New Zealand record. 39ft 4in 5 standard, 37ft. Pi esent, champion: O’Con i.or. Auckland.' H. Good, Wanganui. 37ft 3£in .. .. 1 Madill, Auckland, 37ft .. .. ..2 Skinner, Auckland, 36ft 6jin.. .. .. 3 O’Connor, Auckland, also competed. Good tried to beat the record afterwards, but only succeeded in increasing his distance to 38ft 9Jiu. ONE Mile Flat.—Record, 4min 28 2 ssec ; standard, 4min 30sec. Present champion : Benn tt, Dunedin. Pentecost, Christchurch .. .. .. I McKean, Auckland .. .. . .. .. 2 St Hill, Wanganui .. .. .. ..3 Other starters—Garsia and Rpes, Canterbury ; George, Auckland. Pentecost won bt about a yard and a half, thoroughly exhausted. Time, 4min 38sec. 120 Yards Hurdles. —Record, 16sec: standard, 16 ;-ssec. Present champion : Holder. Nine started in three heats, the winner of each alone qualifying for the final. They were—Holder, Cameron, and Good, Wanganui; Martin and Smith, Auckland; Ctiolmiondely and Moir, Christchurch; Meredith, Wellington; Richards, Sydney (fell). Final Heat. Holder ... .. .. ... .. 1 Smith .. .-. .i • .. .. .. 2 Cameron .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Won by two yards. Holder leading from the start. Time, 16sec. This does not count on the records, as the race was run with the wind. FIVE Mile Bicycle.—Record, llmin 7sec; standard, 12min 20sec. Present champion: Reynolds, Auckland. Thomson. Wanganui .. . .... 1 Dexter, Auckland .. ... .. ... 2 Jones. Christchurch .. .. .. .. 3 Other starters—E.'Davidson and F. Davidson,Wanganui; Pooock, Napier ; McCabe, Nelson ; Amos, Grant, and McKnight, Christchurch; Pollock, Plunkett, Castle, and Chalmers, Wellington ; Hall, Timaru. Won by four yatds, Jones five yards behind Dexter. Time, 13min 58sec.

High Jump.—Record, sft Bin ; standard, sft 7in. Present champion : Laurie, Auckland. Good, Wanganui, sft 5 7-Bin .. .. 1 Laurie, Auckland, sft 2 Madill, Auckland, sft 4jin .. .. .>3 Three Mile Walk.—Record, 21mm 37sec ; standard 23min 13sec. Present champion : Creamer, Auckland. Wilson. Auckland 1 Goodwin, Wellington .. .. .. ..2 Dickey, Auckland .. 3 Other starter— Gordon, Wanganui. Wilson went to the front in the straight and won bv about six yards. The time, 23min 4 4-ssec, was well within the standard for both men. Ten Mile Bicycle Race.—Record, 22min 26 2-ssec ; standard, 24min 40sec. Present champion : Reynolds, Auckland. Amos, Christchurch .. .. .. ..1 Jones, Christchurch 2 Dexter, Auckland 3 Other starters—Same as Five Mile, with the exception of Castle. A good race : won on the post by about a foot, Dexter a close third. Time, 28min 59sec. Quarter-mile Flat.—Record. 50 3-ssec ; standard, 52sec. Present champion : Holder, Wanganui. Oliphant, Auckland .. .. .. ... 1 J. smith, Canterbury .. 2 Bridge, Wellington 3 Other starters —A. Holder, G. Holder, and A. Good, Wanganui; Richards, Sydney ;] Milner, Nelson ; Garsia, Christchurch; Thomson, Auck and (Patrick, Wellington. Patrick led to ths straight, with A. Holder close up, but Oliphant sprinted at the turn and romped home. Patrick might have got second place, but he eased up ; Smith and Bridge nearly made a dead-heat for second position; Holder was fifth. Time. 53 2-ssec. 250 Yards Flat.—Record, 24 3-ssec; standard, 26 3-sseo. Present champion : A. H Holder, Wanganui. First heat—Milner, 1; Patrick, 2. Time. 28sec. Second heat—G. Holder, 1; J. smith, 2. Time, 27 2-sseo a Final Heat. A. J. Patrick, Wellington 1 Milner, Nelson .. .. .. .. ..2 J. Smith Canterbury .. .. .. .. 3 Won by a foot. Time, 27 3-ssec. THROWING the Hammer.—Record. Uoft6in; standard’ 100 ft Present champion :J. A. Kallendar. Skinner, Auckland, 103 ft lO£in .. .. 1 Madill, Auckland, 101 ft 7Jin .. .. 2 Murdock, Wellington, 101 ft 6in .. .. 3 Other starters — O’Connor, Auckland, 94ft lOin ; H. Good, Wanganui. 85ft 7in. One Mile Bicycle.—Record, 2min 11 l-ssec; s andard, 2min 26sec. Present champion : E. Reynolds, Auckland. Jones, Canterbury .. ... .. ..I Chalmers, Wellington.. .. .. .. 2 Thomson, Wanganui .. 1.3 ’Von comfortably. Time, 2min s<i=cc.

Half-Mile Flat. —Kecora, 2min ; standard, 2min 2sec. champion, McKeani': Auckland. Garsia, Christchurch J.. .. .. .. 1 McKean, Auckland .. .. .. ..2 St Hill, Wanganui .. ... .. ..3 Other starters— Beamish and Pownall. Wanganui ; -Pentecost and Rees, Canterbury ; and George. Auckland. Won by two yards. Time, 2min 2-ssec. POLE Jump.—Record, lift sin; standard, 10ft. Present champion : JHori Eruera, Auckland. Hori Eruera, Auckland, 10ft 6in ..1 C. C. Laurie, Auckland, 10ft .. .. ..2 One Mile Walk.—Record, 6min 27 2-ssec ; standard, 7min ssac. Present champion :D. Wilson, Auckland. Wilson, Auckland .. .. .. .. 1 Goodwin, Wellington.. .. .. ... 2 Dickey, Auckland .. .. .. ..3 Wilson won easily. Time, 6min 53 2-ssec.’ - Three Mile Flat.—Record, 15min 27 l-ssec; standard, 15min 30sec. Present champion : Reynolds, Auckland., Pentecost, Christchurch, .. .. . .. 1 McKean, Auckland .. .. .. ' .-. 2 George, Auckland .. .. .. '.. 3 Ocher starters — Burrell -and Hill, Wanganui ; and Garsia, Canterbury. Won by ten yards. Time, 16min 53sec. 440 Yards Hurdles. — Record, 58 4-ssec ; standard, 62 3-ssec. Present champion : A. Holder, Wanganui; Smth, Auckland.. .. .. .. ..1 Oliphant, Auckland . . .. ... . . 2 Richards, Sydney .. .. 3 Other starters —Cholinoudely, Christchurch ; H. Gotd, Wanganui; Martin. Auckland; Meredith, Wellington. Won easily ; Richards a close third. ime, 62sec. LONG JUMP.—Record, 21ft 6in ; standard, 20ft 6in. Present champion : Cuff, Auckland. A. Good, Wanganui, 19ft 9Jin .. ..1 J. Moir. Christchurch, 19ft 3in .. • 2 Overton, Christchurch, 18ft Ilin .. ... 3 • Other starters —Broome. Wellington, 18ft lOin ; Madill, Auckland, 18fr BJiti ; Beamish, Wanganui, 18ft 3in ; Laurie, Auckland, 16ft 9in. Good afterwards covered 20ft £in. Twenty-five mile bicycle Race. — Record, 59min 30sec ; standard, 63min. Present champion : Reynolds, Auckland. . Jones, Christchurch .. .. .. ... 1 Thomson. Wanganui .. .. .. ..2 Plunkett. Wellington.. .. .. ..3 Dexter, Auckland .. .. . • -■ 4 ... Other starters—E. and _F. Davidson, Wanganui; Pocook, Napier ; AmoX- Christchurch ; Hall, Timaru ; Chalmer* and Pollock, Wellington ' ' . The four swept the post together, and were placed in the above order. Time, 70 37 2-ssec.