ATHLETICS

Press, Volume L, Issue 14884, 26 January 1914, Page 3

ATHLETICS

AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

BEATSON'S GREAT FINISH. (By C»bi«.—Press Association.— Copyriglit.) (Receired January 25th, 5.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE, January 25. The first day of the Australasian Athletic Championship Meeting attracted an attendance of three thousand- The weather was hot, with a dusty north wind. Th,e track was in excellent condition. The three milo championship aroused the greatest enthusiasm of tho day. It resolved itself into a great struggle between O'Neill, of Victoria, and Beatson, of New Zealand. After the first milo they ran practically abreast until a hundred yards from home, when Beatson made a wonderful finish, winning by seven yards. He dropped exhausted after he reached the tape. Power, the American athlete, ran to his assistance and applied wet towels to his head. Beatson soon recovered, and on leaving tho ground was cheered to the echo. In the high jump, Kelly, the Victorian, lowered his own record. Following are the points secured: — Victoria, 3; New Zealand, 1; New South Wales, 1; Queensland, 1. . Keddell won his heat in the 120 yds hurdles event in 15 9-lOsec. The Americans and New Zealandora wore delighted with the track, Parker, of America, stating that it was equal to many in America, and better than many of the Americans have raced on. On the whole, the competitions were superb, frequently arousing enthusiasm rarely seen in Melbourne. Tho ovation ' accorded to the New Zealanders and Americans on their appearing was one of the outstanding features of the day. In the half mile the pace was a cracker throughout. Never previously has there been such a field of stars in such an event. Five of them were capable of beating two minutes. Dormer ran rather disappointingly in that event. He admitted he had mot better mem. Keddell just qualified in tho 120 yards hurdles. He was caught napping in tho third heat, just beating Gray (Queensland) by inches. Cashman walked indifferently. Parker, the American, won his heafc in the 100 yds championship by eighteen inches. Burton (Victoria) led him to the ninety yard mark, when Parker made a remarkable sprint. Some of tho officials called for cheers for Parker, who expressed his surprise and gratification at this, and stated that such a compliment was unheard of in America. Caughey, of America, was superb in the weight-putting, breaking the Victorian record. The visitors expressed their delight at the day'e contest and the sportsmanship of the Australians whether victorious or defeated. To-morjcow the visitors will be entertained to a river picnic by the Victorian Athletic Association. Results: Mile Walking Championship: Pickard (N.S. Wales), 1; Murray (Victoria), 2; Cox (Victoria), 3. Won by seven yards. Time, 6min 45 '3-ssec. Hundred .Yards 1 Parker (America), 1; Burton (Victoria), 2; Bradley (N.S. Wales), 3. I Won by eighteen inches. Time, 10 l-sth sec. Half-Mile Championship —Watson (Victoria), 1; Thorpe (N.S. Wales), 2; Turnbull (Victoria), 3. Won by ten yards. Time, ,lmin o6Jsec.. Three Miles Championship—Beatson (New Zealand), 1; O'Neill (Victoria), 2; Hamilton (Queensland), 3. Won by seven yards. Time, lomin 52 2-osec. High Jump—Kelly (Victoria), 6ft Ggin., 1: Templeman (America), sft IHin. 2; Smith (N.S. Wales), oft llin, 3. Weight-Putting — Caughey (America), 43ft' sJin; : * 1; McGratli" (Queensland), 40ft 6in, 2; O'Reilly (N.S. Wales), 38ft 7in, 3. Keddell. of New Zealand, qualified for the finals of both hurdle events.