ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1008, 1 July 1909, Page 11

ATHLETICS.

Some remarkable performances are credited to a member of the Sacramento (CaL) High School named Vernal Rodda. Timed by three watcbholders over accurately measured distances, he is said by the “ San Francisco (Chronicle” to have run 50yds in ssec. 100yds in 10 l-ssec, and 220yds in 22 2-ssec. These are all records for the State of California, and, if correc;, phenomenal—especially the- 50yds. time which equals the world’s record.

Concerning amateur athletics in Southland, a writer at Invercargill u a Southern exchange says: “There is no such thing as a local centre, and that, as a matter of fact, it has been dead for nearly a year. The annual meeting should have been held last October, but it has not been held yet; nor has a balance-sheet of the previous year’s working been circulated amongst members. In addition, no other meeting of any description for the furtherance of amateur atheletics has been held since then. As members of the executive are only elected for twelve months, the local executive ceased to exist last October, since when there has been no ruling body in Southland. Is it any wonder then that amateurism is dead ? Under the above extraordinary circumstances it would be interesting to know upon what authority Southland has taken such a prominent part in recent years. I hold that Southland should have no legal standing in the deliberations quoted above, and that, moreover, it has no legal right to be represented on the New Zealand Executive Council, as the local centre is legally nonexistent. Even for the sake of argument, if we allow that last year’s executive may still be said to hold office. I contend that the delegates at the conference and the nominees on the executive were not appointed by the local centre, as no meeting for the purpose of appointing them was ever held. The question naturally arises, upon what authority did an individual shoulder the responsibility of acting for the centre, and as the centre, in these matters?' ’

Walker, the great sprint runner, and Duncker, South African hurdle champion, left on May 6 to compete in the English championship. A. R. Postle accompanies them to England. Before sailing he was interviewed. He was at first reluctant to give an opinion of Walker’s powers, but subsequently he expressed the belief that if Walker trained consistently he would win the 100 yards English championship, remarking, “He is a better man than Kerr, and even now I cannot say how good he really is.” Continuing, Postle said, “ The first time I saw him in England, when he essayed the record at Manchester, I thought him merely an average sprinter, capable perhaps of 10 l-sth or a little better at his best It was not till he ran in Johannesburg that I realised how good he was. He has improved out of all knowledge, and I have no hesitation in saying he is a faster sprinter than the English champion, Duffy, ever was. In England they

probably have not realised the extent of his improvement, but they will not find that this estimate over-values his powers.”

Advice has been received by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association that in connection with the Australasian championship meeting in Brisbane this year a Marathon race is to be held over a 26-mile 385-yard course. The winner is to receive a gold medal, while silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the second and third competitors. There will also be a bronze medal for every competitor who completes the distance within a time yet to be fixed. The event will not count in the Inter-State championship.

At a meeting of the executive of the N.Z. Athletic Union held in Dunedin last week, it was agreed to comply "with the request of the West Australian Coastal Athletic League for a reciprocal agreement. Other Australian Leagues are to be written to, asking for an agreement similar to the one now existing between the union and the Victorian and New South Wales leagues. The opinion of centres is to be obtained re the advisability of handing over the control of piping and dancing to an association just being formed. The question of control of cycling was discussed at considerable length and it was agreed to meet the League of Wheelmen in conference there to discuss the position. It is probable that the. next championship* will be offered to the West Coast centre, as Feilding is not prepared to take the meeting this year. Mr. W. G. Callender, Hawke’s Bay, was appointed to the executive vice R. Smith, resigned. In the course of an interview Mr. Woods (president of the union) expressed his approval of the proposal to take over control of cycling and relinquishing that of piping and dancing, and said there seemed to be a feeling amongst the societies that such a course should be followed. If the proposals were carried into effect there would be no likelihood of further friction such as had existed since the trouble commenced at the time of the Exhibition.

Chas. Hefferon and J. A. Ramos met in a fifteen miles match at Lord’s Ground, Durban, Natal, on May Ist, under the auspices of the D.A.A.C. After a fine race for about twelve miles, Hefferon got away and won by 320 yards, in hr. 28min. 44 l-ssec.