ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 793, 18 May 1905, Page 13

ATHLETICS.

Before he sailed, I asked Alfred Shrubb, the unapproachable and incomparable long-distance runner, who was the best man he had met during his Australasian trip over the long courses (writes the well-known Sydney authority “Prodigal.”) The reply was “George Blake.” From what I could gather from Shrubb and Duffey, and their unanimity of opinion was really remarkable, their views as to the respective merits of the men they met during the tour were as follows:—Sprinters: Nigel Barker 1, Stanley Rowley 2, G. A. Widmer 3. F. C. Mueller, P. H. Hartland, and G. W. Smith all received ‘ good words,” but, unless I misunderstood the trend of their views, the N.S.W. bunch of sprinters seemed to be rated most highly. There is no doubt, at any rate, about Barker being the best, in their opinion. In the middle-distance department, say, from 880yds to a mile, AV. J. Burk and G. A. AVheatley stood above all others in the opinions of our visitors. Shrubb quite agreed with the views I have expressed for some time to the effect that Burk and AVheatley were really middle-distance runners, who could go to a mile, but all the same were at their best over four furlongs. Shrubb holds a very high opinion of both over the “ half”—in fact, considers them real champion half-milers—-and thinks it will be a great mistake if either attempts anything beyond a mile, at most. Himself a long-distance runner pure and simple, notwithstanding he can run a solid mile, Shrubb knows the distance runner when he sees one—and the best long-distance runner he met he considers to have been George Blake.

Just prior to the last mail leaving, the annual British cross-country championship was held. Three annual International Cross-Country Championships have now been held, and England has won them all (says the “ I.S. and D. News”). Next year the contest will come off in Wales. Baldoyle Racecourse, near Dublin, was the scene of the encounter on March 25. Nominally the distance was eight miles. Actually, it was not very much more than seven. But any shortage which there may have been was well compensated for by the numerous and stiff nature- of the jumps. It was in depressing weather conditions that the 48 runners, consisting of twelve representatives from each of the four competing countries (England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) were sent on their way. For five furlongs the pace was very fast. Then came the jumps. They soon lengthened the field. A. Aldridge,

of the Highgate Harriers, England, cleared the impedimenta in much better fashion than had been expected. He gradually opened up a useful gap, and when the belt rang for the final circuit he led the next man, T. Hynes, of the Galway Harriers, Ireland, by about seventy yards. It was by about, eighty yards, in 40niin. 20sec., that Aldridge ultimately won. He and the Irishman, J. J. Daly, of the Galway Harriers, were the best jumpers. Daly’s recent indisposition prevented his doing himself justice, and he could not finish. J. E. Deakin, of the Herne Hill Harriers, England; AV. Pickup, of the Salford Harriers, England; and W. G. Dunkley, of the Northampton Harriers, England, by finishing third, fourth, and fifth respectively, confirmed the form shown by them in their district championships, and Scotland’s first , -presentative, S. Stevenson, who finisned sixth, and the first representative of Wales, E. Francis, who was ninth, like the Irish contingent, will have to go unrewarded unless their respective clubs present them with souvenirs. Medals are officially given only to the first six men in the winning team. At a Board meeting, on the morning of the race, it was seriously suggested to do awav with the medals altogether, so that, if the men run at all, they will have to run for honour alone. The suggestion was not adopted, nor is it likely to be, for, in an International event the chosen ones who win like to possess some memento of their success.

In the litte churchyard of St. Matthew’s, Hatchford, near Cobham, a peaceful enc’osuie, quite miniature in ~ size, was laid to rest yesterday afternoon (says the London “ Sportsman’’ of April 3) all that remained of the late Mr. Walter Moresby Chinnery. Born August 19, 1843, Mr. Chinnery passed away on Wedn ?sday last in his 62nd year, after an illness which terminated somewhat suddenly. A prosperous member of the Stock Exchange, deceased, in his early days, was an athlete of high rank; indeed, at one time he was the finest amateur runner on the path. One of the founders of the Mincing Lane Club, which subsequently became known as the London Athletic Club, Mr. Chinnery has followed all to quickly to the unknown land prominent athletes and colleagues like C. H. Mason, P. M. Evans, P. J.

Burt, and H. W. Hill. The late Mr. W. M. Chinnorv was High Sheriff for Surrey. Born on August 19, 1843, he commenced his athletic career long before the organisation of foot-racing as an amateur pastime; but on the institution of championships by the Amateur Athletic Club he proved his excellence by winning, in 1868 and 1869, both the mile and four miles races (reports a London writer). In 1871 he again secured the mile. Previously, he had competed with success at meetings of the Mincing Lane Athletic Club, now known as the London A.C. In 1868 he won the open mile at the Civil Service Sports in 4min. 28sec. —a. performance which for some time ranked as a best on record for amateurs in England.