Athletics

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 409, 26 May 1898, Page 6

Athletics

LBv

Vigilant. ]

It has been suggested that the sports committee of the Auckland Industrial Exhibition should make an effort to get Roseingrave, the' noted hurdler, across from Sydney during the Exhibition, in order that he and George Smith, the Auckland crack, might measure strides over the sticks. It would be a great draw. In the centre of the new bicycle track at the Metropolitan Ground, during Exhibition time, there will be laid three straightaway cinder tracks and one oval track for pedestrians, the first three being about 130yds, and the last mentioned about six laps to the mile. W. T. McPherson, the well-known ex-amateur of Australasia and a vice-president of the New South Wales A. A. A., was married to a Miss Carter in Sydney recently. McPherson shares the world’s record for 100yds in 9 4-ssec. G. Jordan’s record for 200yds in 19 4-ssec at Worcester College Sports, Oxford, on March 16, has been passed. This from The Pink ’ Un is rather rough on Peter Jackson: —Without wishing for an instant to detract from the glory of the victor, Peter Jackson ought never to have been licked in three rounds by a boxer of Jeffries’ class. It is London life that beats all those blacks; it’s too rich for their blood. They come from a country where white men refuse to sit or eat or travel ’ with them, and once here, are taken on and even made much of by sporting gentlemen ; then they lose their heads. Anybody who has seen poor Peter in lavender pants, primrose gloves, and blue neckties knocking about the music halls and the bars of the Strand must have concluded that he was only putting off the ignominious end. We shall always remember him for his exhibition against Smith at the Pelican Club. A. L. Baird, who sailed for England a week or bo ago, has been asked by the president of the N.S.W.A.A.A. to get all the information possible about the Olympian Game in Paris during 1900, and to consult the officials of the English A.A. A. about the proposed Australian team for England. The pedestrian section of .the Wanganui Amateur and Athletic Club, which body recently joined the League of Wheelmen, have seceded and formed a new club under the N.Z. Amateur Athletic Association. A Melbourne exchange states that G. J. Johnson, a prominent member of the Manchester Harriers, England, who is at present on a tour of the world, turned out vrith East Melbourne on April 23rd. He wore toe uniform of his own

club, and ran as well as any of the Melburnians, though he had only landed forty-eight hours i before, and had taken no exercise for a long time previously. He has the “ high-step ” action. It is probable Johnson will make Melbourne his headquarters for some time. The New South Wales Amateur Athletic Association opened the cross country season at Manly, near Sydney, on April 30, when over sixty athletes took part and after a run of over six miles Holden, Wilson, York, Gee, and Swindley were the first batch to reach home - In the evening a dinner was held and Mr R. Coombes, president of the Amateur Athletic Association, presided. The St. George team having the largest muster at the meet, won a handsome silver bugle, presented by Mr R. A. Stennet. Mr Thomas, on behalf of his club, received and acknowledged the trophy. The chairman then announced that he had received news of the death of Mr Jas. Martin, president of the Cyclist’s Union, and for many years a vicepresident of the Amateur Athletic Association. He spoke of the deceased gentleman’s interest in athletics, and support of all the amateur bodies, As a token of respect, he asked the meeting to adjourn, and abandon their smoke concert. Aiderman Passau and Messrs Stennett and F. Corti (of the Suburban 8.C.) also spoke of Mr Martin’s services in the cause of sport. The gathering then broke up. A big thing in quoiting matches came off at I Bridgeton in the beginning of April (writes an j English correspondent), and created great interest among lovers of the game in Scotland and on the Borders, Rirkwood, of Banknoek, playing Clarkson Rae, of Carronshire, 61 shots up, for a stake of £lOO a side. Kirkwood, who is the present 16-yard and 21-yard champion, had to play at 21 yards as against his opponent’s 18 yards, but, nevertheless, betting was as nearly as possible level. Rae went away at the start with a strong lead, but Kirkwood gradually overhauled him, and reached 21 to bis 18. Rae was far from ! beaten, however, and several times drew nearly i level, but in the final ends the champion went j away again and finally won by 61 to 52. I

The Ten Miles Amateur Championship of England was decided at Stamford Bridge on April 2, when the weather was fine and the track in capital order. A record field of twenty-three went to the post, the chief absentee being A. E. Tysoe, who won last year. As a race nothing better has been seen for many a long day (says the London Sportsman). True, the issue after a third of the distance had been covered was confined to five runners, but for the last five miles, at least until the bell rang for the final lap, the boldest speculator would have hesitated to lay 5 to 4he named the winner. For four miles a sheet would have covered Sid Robinson, C. Bennett, E. Barlow, and H. Harrison, and seldom has excitement been sustained as was the case in the event under notice. Bennett flagged towards the close, but he came again in a remarkable manner. Robinson, however, contrary to expectation, showed better speed than either Bennett or Barlow, and with the race in hand he sprinted away in the last lap, and won easily in the good time of 53min 12sec. Robinson also won the National Cross country Race this year, and he was also first man home in the interrational race between England and France, decided in March.