ATHLETIC NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20096, 27 November 1930, Page 9

ATHLETIC NOTES.

APATHY IN AUCKLAND. CARLTON'S FINE RUNNING. [By Relay.] Difficulty in raising enthusiasm in athletics ia being experienced in Auckland, where the annual meeting of the Amateur Athletic Association was not fully attended by affiliated clubs, and dissatisfaction was expressed by some delegates with the manner in which the body had administered amateur sport in the past. It cannot be admitted that club interest has been lacking, says a writer, but the actual control has been confined to three or four officials, and the hope is expressed that those to be elected this week will bring back to the province the sound position it occupied f*. r< ears & %°- I* is surprising that _ e Centre which has such runners as J. W. Savidan and A. J. Elliot should be unable to keep interest alive,'but the Americans are due to compete there on February 7th, and an endeavour is being made for some of the Dominion's best men to be in Auckland at the same time. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Council assurance was given that Auckland would be given every assistance, but it is the business of the province's athletes themselves to arrange a series of meetings to boost the sport along, and any arrangements the Council could then make, either financially or by sending other competitors to their gatherings, would be of still greater value. The sport in Auckland has had a hard struggle since the war, and although the Centre has generally managed to send comparatively strong teams to the New Zealand championships, it has had neither the number of runners nor the number of meetings to bring on the sport as has been done in other centres.

J. Carlton's Fine Banning. Australia's champion sprinter, J. Carlton, has been the outstanding competitor at recent meetings in Sydney, and in a heat of the 100 yards three weeks ago he covered the distance in 9 3-ssec, just a shade over the world's record of 9isec, held by E. Tolan, of the United States. In the final, off scratch, Carlton was just beaten by a handicap man in 9 4-ssec. Three watches agreed on his times, but, as there was a following wind, no claim is to be made for the performance to be recognised as a record. A week later Carlton equalled the Australian record of 9 4-ssec, a diagonal wind giving him slight assistance. Good times were also registered by C. B. Wallace, of Sydney University, who covered the 120 yards hurdles in 15 l-ssec, and J. B. Bowe, who in the 220 yards did 23sec. A Parade of Athletes. A proposal that a parade of representatives of the various provinces should be held in conjunction with the New Zealand championship meeting at Dunedin in February has found favour with the Otago Centre, and the cooperation of other centres and the Council is being sought. Similar parades are held at the main meetings of the world, and are a spectacular feature of the gatherings. What reception the proposal will meet when it is considered by the centres is yet to be seen, and it is not unlikely that there will be some opposition; but it is difficult to see why the experiment should not be a success and become a permanent feature of the larger meetings of the future. Clear Cut Victories. Winners of events at Tuesday's evening meeting were in all cases substantially in the lead, and a certain amount of interest was lost as a consequence, though the improved performances of a number of competitors upset the calculations of the handicapper and will no doubt cnfail maximum penalties for them when they next appear. The 220 yds was a gift for G. H. Mills, mainly because only four started in the final, though eight were eligible. Of the four who stood down, three were running in the relay later in the programme, and although this was a sufficiently good reason for their not running, it was a pity that the chances of a number of other runners were thus spoiled for the sprint. If runners do not intend to start in a final, it is hardly right that they should race into the qualifying places of the heats, thus cutting out others who may have a chance in the race. If they were to stride round behind the field they would receive the advantage of the run and would leave only bona fide finalists. .

Stray Comment. Walking in Otago is increasing in popularity, states a southern writer, and there is every prospect that as many as seven or eight good men will be contesting the walks there this year. In addition" to G. S. Cabot, a New Zealand champion of a few seasons ago, and who is now showing glimpses of his best form again, D. S. Nicholson, the holder of the Otago Boys' High School half-mile walk record, is said to have great possibilities, and R. H. Cabot, R. Fraser, and C. J. Henry are all good walkers. Other than G. S. Cabot, who is in a class of his own, prospective competitors are a very even lot. R. O. Johnston, who had the misfor-j tune to suffer injuries at the Empire ' Games, made his first reappearance in Dunedin last Thursday, "when, in the hop, step, and jump, he cleared 40ft lOin. The event was held in an old pit, which militated against good jumping. W. h. Sargison (Sydenham), who was last season" one of the backmarkers in distance running in the province showing considerable promise, was on the traek for the first time this year on Tuesday, when he ran virtually from scratch in the one mile. In a slowly-run race, however, he lasted only two laps before tiring badly, obviously being out of condition. Sargison is a runner who needs a lot of work before he is in the best of form, but he is still young, and already possesses a strong stride and an easy style. Athletes who attended the Pioneer Sports Club's rooms last evening saw a number of motion pictures of athletes taken by Mr L. L. Cordery during the past few seasons. Besides pictures of local runners in action, there wer several Blow-motion films of American training centres, and competitions at Stanford University, where actions in racing, pole vaulting, and other field events were of considerable interest. A careful study of the photographs would give a great insight into the styles of some of the noted exponents of various branches of the sport. Representatives of all the City clubs attended at the invitation of the C.A.A.G., and the evening's demonstraiton was of great interest. Relay points for the Thomas baton, after Tuesday's evening meeting, now stand ae follows: _ A Grade—C.A.A.C. 20 points, 'Varsity 18 points, Sumner 16 points. B Grade—New Brighton 19 points, Sydenham 18 points, Old Boys 17 points, 'Varsity B 14 points, C.A.A.C. B 7 points, Technical 6 points. The Prebbleton Sports Club will hold an a.ma:teur meeting at the Prebbleton Domain on January 2nd, a full programme of events having been arranged. Entries close on December 6th. Fixtures. December 2—Evening Meeting Lancaster Park (Sydenham). December 6—Combined Clubs' Meeting at Papanui Domain.

December 9—Evening Meeting at Lancaster Park (Technical). December 16—Evening Meeting at Lancaster Park (Old Boys). December 26—Waimate Caledonian Society's Sports. Entries Close. Evening Meetings—Saturday before each meeting. Combined Clubs' Meeting—November 28th. _ Waimafce Sports—December 13th.