ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 847, 31 May 1906, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

The Australian runners who went to compete at Athens were hob-nob-bing with Royalty there. Here is what Nigel Barker says about it in a letter to the “Referee”: —The Director of the British School came round and told me the King was to visit the school that afternoon, and would like to have the colonials and British there. We trooped round, about ten of us or so, and lounged about the library. Presently in came the King with the Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales, the King of Greece, and the Crown Prince, and other members of the Royal House. At first it seemed likely to develop into a problem for us as to what to do. However, the King of Greece and the Prince of Wales made themselves agreeable to one or two of us, while King Edward took it in turns to shake hands with us and have a little chat about the weather, the Stadion, and our prospects of success. He at once put us at our ease, and naturally we endorse all the good things said about him. The Prince of Wales seemed very interested, too. He had heard at Sued that Healy could do 3500 at skipping offhand, and asked me to point the prodigy out. “ Lord Jersey wrote to me and enclosed his card for us to present to Lord Desgoriugh, the head of the English team. We also had a letter from Lord Fitzmaurice, of the Foreign Office, at the instance of Lord Jersey, enclosing a letter of introduction to His Majesty’s Minister, Sir Francis Elliot, K.C.8.” It is evident that the runners were well treated, but the training facilities were sadly deficient.

For the thirteenth successive year Mr. R. Coombes has been elected president of the N.S.W. Amateur Athletic Association. The other officers elected were: — Vice-presidents, Messrs. D. Thomson, M.P., H. E. McIntosh. W. T. Kerr. W. E. Wood, and W. Alexander; hon. secretary. Mr. C. D. Jones; hon. treasurer. Mr. R. S. Northcote. The annual report adopted referred to Barker’s performances at the Olympian Games, and said: “ Considering all the circumstances. his performances were not devoid of merit. Although the results were somewhat disappointing to the followers of amateur sport, there is every reason to believe that adverse conditions were to a degree responsible for pur representative’s failures.” The balance-sheet showed a credit of £ 55.

Mr. Coombes suggested at the annual meeting of the N.S.W. Associa-

tion that a race should be held in Sydney on the lines of the Marathon contest. The idea was warmly supported, and it may be adopted.

The Council of the New Zealand Boxing Association has issued a circular to the local associations asking for an expression of opinion upon the Australasian championship agreement. The circular says:—“The ex isting agreement which terminates this year, was entered into in 1903, and while the competitions have been of undoubted value from the point of view of the amateur side of the sport, the financial side is distinctly unfavourable to New Zealand, which has to send long journeys twice in three years. For various reasons New South Wales has an immense advantage over other subscribing parties to the agreement, particularly in the matter Of financing its teams, occupying, as it does, the .intermediate geographical .position. The Queensland Association is of opinion that the profits arising from the championships should be pooled and equally divided, and in this, the NeW Zealand Council concurs. As all the affiliated bodies aye ifiterekted ih the financing of tfip New Zealand teaffis the council is, desttpus bf. hearing, jas early as possible, their views 'on the subject of the agreement.” The council also asks the association to state whether they are tin favour of the adoption of a uniform class of glove.

The content between Reeder and Griffen (of New Zealand) at the N.S.W. National Sporting Club was very short (says the “ Town and Country Journal.”) Both sparred for some seconds without attempting to go in, but Griffen was the first to force the game. Reeder managed to evade one or two blows aimed at him, but he had no idea of hitting back, and grabbed his adversary round the body to evade punishment. When a little more than half way through the first round, Griffen again went in, and bringing his right up with considerable force, landed fair on the point, and Reeder lay full length on the floor to be counted out. The winner was favourite at the start, 2 to 1 being laid on. Gricen is matched to fight Soldier Jack Thompson on July 3 for a substantial stake.

Mr. Martin Taylor, while in Masterton, secured, I am told, a clinking youngster to represent him in the next Oamaru Maiden.

The only complaint I hear in reference to the opening programme of the North New Zealand Coursing Club is in the long interval between the first and second days. It is certainly unprecedented in the history of the sport, and perhaps is not likely to encourage outside visitors. At the same time the Committee had a very strong reason for acting as they have done, this being that the services of the judge were not available bn Wednesday. As I believe the absence of the Wednesday half-holiday folk would make very little difference to the gate receipts perhaps Friday aiid Saturday 6r Thursday and Saturday might prove a better arrangement. The committee can be depended updh to do the right and if cohse-

cutive Saturdays do not suit then an alteration will be made.

If the support promised to the committee of the North New Zealand Coursing Club does not end with promises alone, I predict that this club will become the leading club in the colony, and that the season of 1907 will be a red-letter one in the annals of coursing.

I have often been asked by coursers if there is no regulation or law framed preventing a bitch suffering from sexual ailment going to the slips. Well, there is no such law in force, and there are cases in point where bitches in the above condition have run the best courses of their career, notably Rhodanthe, when she scored her second Waterloo. Also amongst pur own local dogs was Lavender Water, who got to the end of a big stake while iff her troublesome time.