ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1044, 10 March 1910, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. NOTES ON THE MEETING. Owing to the want of space last week it was impossible :o give mere than the bare results of the New Zea-

land Athletic Championships, and the following comment upon the events may prove interesting. Never has such wretched weather prevailed at a sports meeting as was the case on Saturday week, and it seemed little short of madness to proceed with the meeting undep such conditions. Shortly before two o’clock rain came down in torrents and continued without a break throughout the afternoon.

Owing to several of the visiting athletes being unable to remain in Auckland till the Monday, it was found impossible to postpone the gathering, and when the first event started the attendance numbered about 1000. As was anticipated the sprint events were benefits for the Wellington representative, Woodger. He only appeared twice and both the 100 yards and 220 yards fell to him. In the firstmentioned race he was slow to move, but at 80 yards he had Opie, who had been in front, well gone, and won comfortably in 10 l-ssec —a great go considering the state of the track. However, Woodger went one better in the 220 yards and covered the distance (a straight run) in 21 4-ssec. When the time was hoisted on the board the majority of those present poohpoohed the idea of Woodger doing such time, contending that it was not possible on a day like Saturday, and also that Opie (second) was too close up to Woodger at the finish. However, it must not be forgotten that Woodger is a champion and also that he had a strong wind behind him, which makes the feat quite possible. Concerning Opie being close up at the finish this runner may be a lot better than he is given credit for, and perhaps before long we may hear of him doing some great things on the. track. R. Opie (Canterbury) proved himself to be all his admirers claimed for

him, but he had the bad luck to meet his superior in Woodger. Opie made a creditab.e showing in the quarter mile when he again had to put up with second place. A club-mate of Woodger, in F. C. Hubbard, ran well, and occupied third position in -both the short races. The disappointment was M. B. Ward, who would, we were told, make the best of his opponents put their best foot forward. However, he failed to come up to expectations, and although he started three times he never once looked dangerous, and was never sighted near the leaders when it came to racing.

The Auckland sprinters were simply outclassed, and all the chance they possessed was before the gun went—they had none afterwards. Amongst the hurdlers pride of place must, I suppose, be given to H. St. A. Murray, who made no race of the quarter-mile, while in the 120 yards he clouted the fifth hurdle —he was then in front —and lost his position. But for this mishap both events would probably have gone to Canterbury. Evenson (Wellington) won the 120 yards hurdles, but it was a close go and his performance does not make him out to be a champion. Evenson did not contest the quarter-mile. J. Walker (Auckland) made a very creditable showing and he appears to be a certainty to improve. His fencing was good—this cannot be said of several of his opponents—and in the 120 yards he was only beaten a breast. In the quarter-mile he had no chance whatever. Both the quarter and half mile championships fell to W. G. Harding

(Wellington), who was responsible for two very attractive performances, rl though he had his work cut out to shake off his clubmate in the halfmile. His times, 53 l-ssec and 2min 4 4-ssec, were good considering the track, and on a fine day he would give the New Zealand record of Imin 58 l-ssec for half-mile a big shaking. J. F. Wilson, also of Wellington, was the best of Harding’s opponents, and better things may be looked for from him.

In the -long distance events G*. N. Hill was responsible for a great performance in the mile, in which event he stayed better than Heffer and won in 4min 35 2-ssec. Heffer ran a sterling race and on a fine day may have turned the tables upon Hill. Nevertheless, Hill is a great runner for a lad, and it is to be hoped that he will take care of himself as the future looks most promising for him. In the three miles J. Beaston (Otago) had an easy win and never gave Hill a chance. Of course Hill had already won the mile, but, in any case, he had no chance with Beaston, whose running was greatly admired. The walking contests must be touched upon with difference. It will be admitted that 50 per cent, of those present held the view that Wilson was not walking, hut, of course, the opinion of spectators cannot be considered when such a well-known judge as Mr. J. Mahon was officiating. Wilson may or may not have been walking fair, but one thing is certain, and that is, that he does not give satisfaction. Now to look at the performances closely, the time in the three miles 20min 4-ssec—this I understand is the correct time, not 21min 3 2-ssec as hoisted on the board —at once suggests that both Kerr and Wilson ran. Take the state of the track into consideration, also the fact that Wilson

has been off the scene for years, and last, but not least, that each miie in the three miles was covered in less time than the mile championship, one cannot help doubting the accuracy of the performance. All present at the Cricket Ground know that Kerr was walked to a standstill in the mile and yet we are asked to believe that he walked three miles, each mile faster than the one mile. The field events do not call for any comment, the conditions prevailing being all against these competitions.