ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1125, 2 November 1911, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

11'-f r.itL. . s-" • •sv.Hr «... j...'- v.G* i.TheJ jSacited Heaft College .held 5 theft annual sports on Saturday, ,ihe eringj which) Was largely attended, bhing 1 productive of ..mhny keen and exciting athletic contests? In'/addir tion to the events -for the Sacred Heart College pupils, 220yds Invitation, race Was placed, on the programme, teains from Sacred Heart, King’s College, and St; John’s Collegiate School competing the winner turning up in Pittar, the crack King’s athlete, who ran a fine race. Blundell (Grammar School) finished second, while Bailey (St. John’s) filled third position. An innovation was the use of the metric system of measurement in connection with the sports, but’such is not likely to prove popular/- as outside of standard distances little interest is taken in running events. The Sacred Heart College will cro well to revert to the old system of measurement, as though the use of metres, kilometres, and centimetres may sound - progressive, it only leads to confusion among athletic enthusiasts,; who, may well be pardoned for failing to appreciate its adoption. (Excellent music was supplied throughout the afternoon by the Newton Brass Band, while nothing was left undone by* t-he(; ; energetic officials to make' the gathering thoroughly enjoyable, and that they succeeded in their efforts in this direction was acknowledged on all sides. Those largely responsible for the excellence of the arrangements were: — President, Rev. Bro. Clement; judges, Messrs D. Flynn, O. F. Pilling, M. J. Sheehan, T. Foley, J. J. O’Brien and J. Pagni; starter, Rev. Bro. George; referee, Mr. H. Frost; timekeepers, Messrs. F. Burns and E. J. Mahony; committee, Rev. Bro. Walter, Messrs.

W Cody, E. F. Burns, G. M; Colgan, R. H. Hanson, D. T. Keane, J. Foley, J. Russell, C. Brownlie, G. A. Coakley, E. Earlly, ,W. F. Swift; handicappers, Messrs. G. M. Colgan, G. Coakley, and E. F. Burns; ground stewards, Rev. Bro. Leo, Mr. V.' R. Delaney; Dress stewards, Rev. Bro. Augustine, Mr. J. C Carroll, and Mr W. Dervan; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. R. Hanson.

D. F. Keane, who won the senior cup at the Sacred Heart College, was in rare form, winning the 50-metre Handicap, 5 00-metre Handicap, and throwing the hammer competition. In the High Jump, which was won by Howe, a good performance was registered by Brownlie, the scratch competitor, who cleared sft 4in. The Old Boys’ Handicap (75 metres) was won by A. Moverley, with D'. Keannealy, and D. Beehan in the places.

Rex Keddell, a likely-looking brother of the New Zealand champion hurdler, is going in for furlong running, in which he promises to develop into a really good performer. Gerald Keddell is also coaching his brother over the sticks, so that it may be we shall herald another hurdle champion in the near future.

The Victorian Marathon on October 21 was won by J. Lewis, formerly of Sydney, in 2 hours 59 minutes 30 seconds; A. C. Ryan, of East Melbourne, time 3 hours 9 . minutes 41 Seconds, was second; and W. Murray, of Melbourne, time 3 hours 10 minutes 28 seconds, third. There were 3 4 competitors.

It may be too early to make a straight out selection of the New Zealand team (says o southern writer) but

op last season’s/form —and that must guide- one vastly in this matter—the following Witt beimy choice: — 100yds, 2 20yds, -And 440ydis„ Qpie (Canterbury).; , half-milei, > JJarding (Wellington); mile and three mile flat', A Hill ) (Auckland); walks, Kerr (Wellington); 120 and 440yds hurdles, Keddell; broaci jump, Millard (Otago); pole-vault', M’Kay (Wellington); high jump, Orbell (Canterbury) ; shot, Reid (Otago) or De Thidr (Canterbury); hammer, Bissett •.i.ii’i i - *

Mf./T. W. Leslie (Wellington), a prpminent figure in the athletic world, has received an interesting letter 'from Mr. W. A. Woodger, who rhp|hs'ented New Zealand at the Festival of Empire l sports. The letter, of whi^'fi following is an extract, contain§(Vmatter previously unpublished: “I am feeling much better now, and am almost my old self again. I am still a little ' bit down in weight, though. , My most unfortunate illness robbed me of any l chance of doing anything good on the track. My first race in England was (as you are probably aware) in a mile relay, at a place called Beckenham Wheatley took the half, Skeet (a Taranaki medical student) the quarter, and Stewart (a Tasmanian) and myself a 220yds each. I ran the last and got away about the same time as my nearest opponent. I am pleased to say I landed it by a few yards. I had not had even a shoe on since my illness till this day. and naturally the race upset me a bit. I felt very sick after it, but 'soon recovered. I next went to Manchester and ran in a 100yds. invitation sprint scratch race. There were , about eighteen starters, and I finished in the final second to Ramsdell, 100yds and 22'0yds champion of England, beaten by about a yard and a-half, against a strong breeze. Ramsdell is a great big chap, and is not affected by any wind. I had only had about six runs before competing in this race, and was quite out of form In fact, I should not have been running at all. I was not quite right in health, let alone in form, so I was very, pleased at finishing where I did, I only ran twice after this, and then I had to leave it alone, as I was not feeling at all well. I got another second, and in the other was just beaten in my heat of a 120yds open handicap by a man of 12%yds. Out of my very short, spell on the track here I got a gold medal and two fine trophies. One is a lovely oak writing cabinet and the other a magnificent case of cutlery (eighty-six pieces). The two are worth twelve guineas. The prizes given in England are usually first-class. At all the good meetings the first prize is generally worth ten guineas or so. The general conduct and management of the meetings here are no better than ours. In fact, we can show a great many of them quite a number of points. As regards starting, there are some really good men oyer here. One man in Manchester I struck was excellent, but I can honestly say I have seen nothing better than yourself. I have only got about six more days in London. Then I go to Ireland for a week, and next I start on my homeward journey. I am staying with Harold Hardwick, who won the 100 yards swimming championship at the Festival of Empire sports, and also thq hejavyweight (boxing (Championship, and we return together. I met George Smith, of Auckland, the exchampion hurdler and ‘All Black,’ when I was running up north. He went to the meeting especially to see me, and very kindly looked after me and rubbed me down. A good trainer was what we all sadly needed.” ♦ * * #

Ideal weather prevailed for the annual sports held (by the Auckland Grammar Scnool at the Domain on Tuesday in the presence of a large gathering of parents and friends of the pupils. A feature of the sports was the fact that no less than six fresh records were established. G. H. Beale was a dual record breaker, winning the One Mile Bicycle race in 2mins. 6secs., and the Two Miles’ Bicycf© race in smins. 30 4-sBecs. The Half-mile (under 15) record was lowered by Lane, who covered tbe distance in 2min 21 3-ssec. Pritchard, a Samoan, put up a meritorious record in the Throwing the Cricket Ball competition, improving on his previous performance by throwing the ball 109yds. Ift. lOin. In the Long Jump, both Orr and Perry succeeded in establishing fresh records, the former jumping 17ft 6in, and the latter 17ft 4in. The One Mile Bicycle race (under 15) resulted in another new record being registered, L. Baker riding the distance in 2min. 46sec.

The 100yds. Invitation race at the Auckland Grammar School sports furnished further proof of R. Flttar’s (King’s College) consistency as a runner, as he won comfortably in 4-ssecs. A. R. Bailey (St. John’s Collegiate School finished second, and Harper (Grammar School) third. The Old Boys’ race (150yds) resulted in a victory for N. R. Jacobsen (2yds), •with the scratch man, F. Cardan, second, and C. F. Forsdick third.

The Championship events at the Grammar School sports resulted as follows: — 100yds. Championship (under 14): Harvey 1, Robinson 2, Taylor 3. Time 13 l-ssec. 100yds unampionship (under 15): Orr 1, J/orr 2, Wrack 3. Time 12 2-s Sec. 100yds.’ Championship (under 16): Miller i, Orr 2, Driver 3. Time 12sec. 100yds. Championship (under 17): Barker 1 Robinson 2, Marshall 3. Time 11 3-ssecs. 100yds Championship (open): Harper 1, Barker 2, Blundell 3. Time 11 l*ssec.

The Old Boys’ Challenge Cup (440 yards) at the Grammar School sports was won by Blundell, second place being gained by Harper, with Pratt third. The Half-mile Handicap (open) was annexed by Andrews (10yds), with Michaels (scr.) second, and Wyatt (45yds) 3. , The 220yds (open) was won by Michaels, with Lang and Pratt in the places. The 120yds Hurdles (open) was won in Jood style by McManemin, with Whitelaw second, and Marcroft third, the winner’s time being 17 3-ssec. ■