ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 911, 22 August 1907, Page 9

ATHLETICS.

AUCKLAND ATHLETIC CLUB.

The Auckland Athletic Club ran another Novice Handicap last Wednesday in warm weather and in the presence of a large attendance. The events were got off with a smoothness even noticeable at this well-managed gathering. One hundred and eightyfour nominations were received and 153 acceptors faced the starter. Thirtyone heats were run, exclusive of deadheats, in the first round; six heats, exclusive of dead-heats, in the second round; and two in the third round. The final placing was as follows: — C. W. Mexted, 7yds 1 J. H. Hindman, 9yds 2 R. Stevenson, .... 3 H. Davis, 10yds 4 M. Allen, 5

A good race. Mexted cutting down the field and winning by a foot, the others bunched together. Time, 7 4-ss. The stakes were impounded on Wednesday evening. Mexted, who was an odds-on favourite, signed the necessary “dec.” on Thursday morning, and the stakes were paid over to him,- The club intends to run a 100 yards handicap on the 28th inst.

There was some doubt expressed by those who saw the finish of a 75yds

race run at the gaslight sports recently, as to which of the competitors had really finished first. The judging machine turned “ crook” on the management, and that usually reliable register was not there to give a verdict. Instead, the ordinary mortals from the executive were acting as judges. There were many present who declared that Nicholson “ flew in!” Others were prepared to iswear that the runner placed third was the actual winner. As we were not present we cannot give a verdict. But it is the unconscious humour of one of the competitors that so strongly appeals to us, and brings forth this par. When the executive sent for Nicholson to receive his second money dividend, that very much disappointed competitor refused the solatium with scorn, and requested the proprietors to forward his winnings, as a donation, to some charitable institute for the blind ! Really good!