ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 885, 21 February 1907, Page 11

ATHLETICS.

I have seen it stated (writes “ Harrier” in the “ Australasian”) that the South African A.A.A. cleared £207 over its last championship meeting, and is a very strong institution athletically and financially. Seeing how ill England treats the colonies in the matter of reciprocation in sport, I feel it is very questionable how far she is worth cultivating in future. If arrangements could be made for half a dozen South Africans to come over and tour all the Australasian States in turn, starting with Western Australia. I should think far more good to the sport would accrue than by despatching our men to England, at great expense. The public dearly like a match, and these contests should, I think, be man to man. For example, their best sprinter would meet only the best man in each State, at, say, 75, 100, and 220 yards, or 100, 220, and 440 yards. Similarly the other men might each meet a rival in two or three events. The details would, of course, need some working out, and would vary in different States, but if only athletics can be put on a “ match” basis, which will not

involve numerically strong teams (being received or sent away, there are big possibilities ahead of it in an international way. Has anyone any suggestions to offer ?

The appeal of Arthur F. Duffy, the American sprinter, who visited Sydney in 1905, in the suit which he brought against the Amateur Athletic Union of America, to restore his times to the record books, has failed. On his last return to America the Georgetown University sprinter was suspended by the A.A.U. for infringing the amateur definition, and the records which he set up when running as an amateur were deleted from the record books. In a suit which Duffy brought to compel the A.A.U. to reinstate his times, it was held that he had no right of action, and this decision has now been confirmed by the Appellate Division.

Mr. R. Coombes, president of the Amateur Athletic Association of Australasia, arrived in Wellington yesterday by the Monowai. He has come over to attend the Conference at Christchurch, and will also assist at the Championship games, which commence to-day.

The N.Z. amateur athletic championships commence to-day at Christchurch. There are no less than 453 entries for all events. These include 136 for championships and 317 for handicaps. The competitions number 152 all told. The following are the entries for each event: —Championship 100yds, 11; 220yds, 14; 440yds, 16; half-mile, 10; one mile, 9; ■three mile, 10; one mile walk, 4; three mile walk, 4; 120yds hurdles, 10; 440yds hurdles, 9; high jump, 8; long jump, 8; pole vault, 8; hammer, 8; weight, 7; centre relay race, 4 teams; club relay race, 5 teams; harrier steeplechase, 3 teams. Handicap events —50yds, 26; 75yds, 30; 120yds, 36; 220yds, 34; 440yds bracelet 33; half mile, 23; mile, 23; 120yds hurdles, 8; 440yds hurdles, 9; high Jump, 14; hop, step and jump, 14; schools races, 16.

The conference of N.Z.A.A.A. centres takes place to-morrow, February 22, at the Pioneer Clubrooms. Among the subjects to be discussed are the reciprocal agreement with the New Zealand Athletic Union, and the reinstatement rules of the Australasian Union.

There is a further matter which, although not strictly confined to the N.Z.AA.A., has still a strong bearing on sports government (writes “ Sprinter” in the Canterbury “ Times.”) I refer to the extension

of the principle of reciprocity agreements to all the recognised sports (bodies in the colony. These include football, rowing, cricket, lawn tennis, swimming, hockey, golf, athletics and cycling. The foundation of an agreement (between each and all of the above bodies should be a full recognition of the principle that a disqualified person in one body should be disqualified in all. At present it is a common sight to see a disqualified swimmer or runner competing freely with footballers or cricketers. Hence the pains and penalties that should follow corrupt practices in sport are, to a certain extent, shorn of their terror to evil-doers. As soon as a man is convicted and outlawed in one sport, he can immediately pass on to another, and perhaps perpetrate further breaches of rules and bring more than one sport into bad odour. This should not be tolerated one day longer than necessary, and I feel sure that every sports governing body in the colony will readily fall in w’th any scheme of general disqualification, such as I have outlined, if the matter is brought officially before them by a recognised organisation such as the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. A huge confederation of sports bodies must necessarily be for the benefit of all concerned, and could be made powerful enough to secure the passage of legislation in the direction of giving each organisation a legal status, which none but boxing now possesses. The time is ripe for reform in this direction, and I trust that steps will be ■taken forthwith to test the feeling of other sports organisations on the matter.