ATHLETICS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 440, 29 December 1898, Page 9

ATHLETICS

[By

Vigilant.]

The team to represent the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club at Dunedin in February is constituted as mentioned last week with the addition of R. Oliphant, who has been chosen as the club’s representative in the 440yds hurdles, the object being to relieve Geo. Smith. Of .course, ‘.‘Bob” will run in other races, but this ' will be his particular mission. ’ Why does not the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club establish an annual cross-country meeting to encourage distance running ? I am sure there would be no dearth of men once the idea was fairly launched. ' There seems to Be some doubt in the mind of local enthusiasts as to who should have been the sixth man to represent the Auckland A.A.C'.C. at the championship meeting —Oliphant or H. G. Thomson. The matter, 1 am given to understand, occupied the attention of the committee for some time, and Oliphant was eventually selected Owing to his qualification as a hurdler, it being thought that though Thomson is our crack 440yds flat runner, he would hardly stand a chance in this particular event in face of Kingston’s (Dunedin) time, in which case Oliphant would be the more valuable representative as a points scorer. • T? According to recent exchanges from the other side, it seems that the*Queensland Amateur Athz letic Association in deciding to fix the next Australian Amateur Athletic Association Championships for August, 1899, had an eye to “ gate” — as there will be an influx of people at the t me—and it is probable that, although outside tbe agreement with the sister colonies, they will be allowed to retain the date. The Auckland Caledonian Society hold high carnival on the Auckland Domain Cricket Ground on Monday next, when a capital sports programme, including foot and cycle races; also a number of National competitions will be gone through. The gathering should attract a large attendance. The Auckland United Friendly Societies are out with a monster programme of events for their annual sports gala, to be held at the Domain Ground on Saturday, January 21. Entries close on Saturday next, January 7.