ATHLETIC NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20102, 4 December 1930, Page 5

ATHLETIC NOTES.

CONTROL OF CYCLING. A VEXED QUESTION. [By Relay.] Advice received from Auckland this week to tbe effect that control of amateur cycling in New Zealand had been given bv the Union Cyeliste Internationale to the New Zealand Union of Cyclists can scarcely be taken to mean that all difficulties in the control of cycling have been ended. About two years ago, in consequence of dissatisfaction among both cyclists and runners in the Auckland Centre, where the control of the sport was not all that could be desired, a section of the cyclists broke away from the Centre and set up a New Zealand Union of Cyclists, trying to gain support throughout the country for that body. Since that time the problem of cycling control has become more and more intricate until there are now two bodies applying for affiliation to the central cycling organisation of the world, the Union Cycliste Internationale, in Paris. This body controls both amateur and professional branches, and cycling bodies throughout the world are affiliated to it. In New Zealand the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union, a professional body, has always been affiliated to the Australian Cycling Board of Control, which is affiliated to the International Union. A year ago, for the purpose of obtaining a definite controlling body for both amateur and professional cyclists, a New Zealand Cycling Board of Control was set up as a result of a conference between representatives of the professional body and the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, and is still in existence. This Board comprises two representatives of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union, two representatives of the Amateur Association, and one independent chairman; and at the present time is the controlling body for cycling in the Dominion, working through tbe various centres.

After tlie trouble in Auckland the newly-formed New Zealand Union of Cyclists received a measure of support in Auckland, and in Wellington, 'where the Port Nicholson Club divided its allegiance between the two bodies. The headquarters of the new Union were transferred to Wellington, and application lias been made to the International Union for authority to control cycling in the Dominion. This, it is understood, hag been received, subject to the cancellation by the Australian Board of Control of the affiliation of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union—a procedure which is hardly likely to take place. On the other hand, the New Zealand Cycling Board of Control has had definite word from Australia that it is the recognised controlling body, and while it has that assurance it is the only body in New Zealand which can hold authority. The Board has met a number of times sines its formation in November of last year, and tue New Zealand Union of Cyclists is not recognised by the Board. Riders who change their allegiance to the latter Union are automatically debarred from competition in any races under tho jurisdiction of the generally recognised amateur or professional bodies, and, for example, would be unable to compete in New Zealand championships. Tho position therefore is that the two bodies, tho New Zealand Cycling Board of Control, recognised by both branches of the sport in tho country, and the New Zealand Union of Cyclists, composed of those who broke away from the original controlling body, have applied to the Union Cycliste Internationale for direct affiliation. The Board of Control lias received the recognition of the Australian Board of Control, and tho Union has received a conditional recognition from the international body. Until one has definitely been granted direct affiliation the New Zealand Board of Control must be the controlling body in the Dominion; but when the final decision is made known it is to bo hoped, and may be confidently expected, that tho two will combine "in the best interests of the sport and ensure an amicable settlement of the position.

Tuesday'B Evening Meeting. Crudcness in stylo on the part of distance runners especially was most noticeable at the Sydenham Club's evening meeting; at Lancaster Park on Tuesday, and although some of the sprinters showed very peculiar actions, they were models of perfection compared with half the field in the two miles event. Not only in style, but in the use of tactics was there ample room for improvement, and i<; would be a good thing if some of the older runners present at the meetings could be persuaded to give the younger competitors a few hints, which would in no time cause an appreciable difference.

There was no lack of good running, for all that, and two heats and the final of the 100 yds were won in even time. K. A. Jorgensen (New Brighton), who has been placed in all his three starts so far this season, scored a good win from G. F. Ilart (C.A.A.C.), who was two feet back after starting fast off 2£yds. Jorgensen had a handicap of but by his running could have won with half a yard less. He has yet to be shown how to u&e his arms, but covers the ground fast as it is by virtue of great strength. G. H. Mills ('Varsity), who showed promise in the earlier meetings, was not a competitor on Tuesday, as he was suffering from an injured leg, the result of the football season. Mills will probably be off the track for somo time.

Of the distance men, two who impressed most were M. B. Bobinso.il ('Varsity), the winner of the two miles event, and A. Mather (0.A.A.0.), who was placed third. Robinson, after he had caught the field, found the pace too slow, and was in front for most of the last threo laps. The time of 9min 54sec, off 100 yds, was fast, and Bobinson gave the appearance of being capable of a great deal of improvement. His best distance should be the one mile. Mather went to the lead in the seventh lap, and for a time seemed likely to be the winner, for lie was running with a free action, which distinguishes him from the rest of the field. A little moro strength and fitness will make a tremendous difference to Mathers' running, for he faded badly over the last three hundred yards. The handicapper has managed to obtain great finishes in the women's races so far, and Tuesday's event was no exception, the first girl winning by a foot, with the field well up. No very fast runners have been seen yet among the women, but the season is not far advanced, and meetings after Christmas should see larger fields for their races. Once again the relay races wore the attraction of the evening, with three teams close together all the way in the B grade, and two fighting the finish in the A grade. C.A.A.C. maintained thoir unbroken run of successes by another win over 'Varsity, but the University men are waiting until they find two sprinters before they expect to beat thoir strong rivals. Ai. acquisition to the 'Varsity C'lub is D. F. Anderson, who ran a good quarter-mile to l eai l A. Bullivant over the first of tlio relay. Bullivant took the first half of the journey slowly, and tlif ::ppe;trahoc that lie could 0 made a faster run of it all the way- As

it was, he left M. Blackmore with a solid task against O. C. Harley, when if ho had put a little more effort into his run he might have given his team a useful lead. New Brighton, by another win in the B grade relay, showed that the club has fast improving runners, and after fighting a closo battle with Sydenham, was able to cross the tape with a margin of five yards. The points in the B grade relay are now:— New Brighton 29, Sydenham 27, Old Boys' 24, 'Varsity B 19, C.A.A.C. B 15, Technical 12. Points in the A grade stand at: C.A.A.C. 30, 'Varsity 27, Sumner 24. Quarter Mile Runners. When competitors in the Canterbury quarter mile championship go to their marks in February, there will be at least nine men capable of doing better than 52 seconds for the distance, and the race should be the finest for many years, for not within the memory of most athletic supporters has there been such a wealth of talent in Canterbury in that event. Five of these men have already been seen in action this season in wellfought relay races < and on Tuesday, the four quarter-milers competing for the Canterbury and 'Varsity Clubs made a good impression. They were A. Bullivant, last year's provincial champion, O. C. Harley, the holder of the New Zealand University 440 yards record, I>. JF. Anderson, a school boy record holder of two years ago, and M. Blackmore, a consistently good performer over the distance for the past season. The writer expects that the first three of these will be running under 51 seconds by the en,d of the season, with Blackmore being little behind them. In addition to these, ?' Cordery has been training for the distance, and will probably touch 51 seconds, and N. J. Suckling and G. L. Nicoll intend getting into form before the Canterbury titleß are decided. Suckling should be capable of bettering 51 seconds, and Nicoll will almost certainly run under 52 seconds. The other two men who will complete the nine are H. G. Wooller and P. A. M. Williams. The former is in Wellington at present, but will be back in Christchurch in a fortnight, and should he avoid trouble with a doubtful knee, may be classed with Bullivant, Harley, Anand Suckling. Williams should be the equal of Nicoll, Blackmore, and Cordery. Of the eight, Harley, Anderson, Wooller, and Williams run for the 'Varsity Club, the others for the Canterbury Club.

The American Tour. Advice has been received from the New Zealand Council covering ihe terms and conditions of the tour of the American athletes, Kiser, Simpson, and Rothert, and the detailed itinerary for their meetings will be available within a few days. For each programme the number of events is limited to 19, the following being suggested:—loo yards, 220 yards, 440 yards, 880 yards, one mile, 120 yards or 440 yards hurdles, shot, discus, javelin, high jump, long jump, hop, step, and jump or pole vault, one junior race, two women's events, three cycling races and one relay race. It is mentioned that the field events in which Bothert will compete are shot, discus, javelin and high jump. Centres are requested to make application for permission to invite athletes outside their own districts to compete, before December 15th. Balance-sheets for each meeting must be in the hands of the Council within 28 days from the date of the meeting, and should a loss result, such must be borne by tho centre concerned. After the financial results of the whole tour have been arrived at, repayment of guarantees will be made to the centres, the balance being divided in the proportion of 25 per cent, to the Council and 75 per cent, to the centres in proportion to tho profits made by them. The Americans leave San Francisco on December 24th, and arrive in Wellington on January 12th. Jottings. The evening meeting next Tuesday will be conducted by the Technical Club, and will comprise the following events: —75 yards open, 440 yards first class, 440 yards second class, women's 75 yards, throwing the discus, relay (880, 220, 110, 110). Saturday's Spring Meeting arranged by the combined clubs has drawn very full entries, and the 22 events, including cycling," should provide a good programme at the Papanui Domain. The first event is timed to commence at 2.30 p.m. Kelay races over four distances of 440 yards, 220 yards, 110 yards, and 110 yards will be run, points to count for the Thomas Baton.

Fixtures. December 6th —Combined Clubs' meeting at Papanui Domain. December 9th —Evening meeting at Lancaster Park (Technical). December 16th—Evening meeting at Lancaster Park (Old Boys'). December 26th —Waimate Caledonian Society's Sports. December 26th—Halswell Sports Clubs' meeting. December 27th —Springfield Athletic Club's meeting. January 2nd—Prebbleton Club's meeting. January 3rd—Methveu Caledonian Society's sports.

Entries Close. Evening Meetings—Saturday before each meeting. Waimate Sports—December 13th. Halswell Sports—December 15th. Springfield Sports—December 15th. Prebbleton Sports—December 16th.