ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 508, 15 May 1909, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

CBi Mercbbt.) . FIXTITRE. ; August 18 and 21. —Australasian Championships, Brisbane. ■ In view of the increasing popularity of long distance running, the following notes on the doings of the local Harrier Club will bo of interest. The harriers do not loom largely in the public eye. Like Gray's rose, they are "born to blush unseen." The exciting finish, up. tho straight in front of the crowded, applauding grandstand, and all the pomp and circumstance of other branches of amateur athlotics have no place in the harrier's scheme of'things. He work's out his destiny on the hill-tops : and the fields, but no: <me can deny the good he does both to himself and to the sport. Says my correspondent, whom, by the way, I shall be glad to hearfrom of tenor: — "The Wellington . harriers, have. commenced their soason under exceedingly favourable conditions, arid as most of the old members (to say nothing of now men) continue to put in an appearanco at the weekl.v runs, a successful year should result. This year's captain, W. Press, has been a consistent performor for a number of seasons past, and is at present the club champion; He has already, had attendances which have boon almost up to the record, and as the season gnrtvs older he can anticipate having as many as forty men under his charge per week. "The sport of cross-country running has languished in Wellington in the past, but it now bids fair to become a popular pastime. What .is!, wanted now is the formation of other clubs, so as to induce that rivalry without which no sport can flourish. "A varied programme of racing for this season has boon drawn tip by tho club committco, tho first event—a novico handicap over a course of a mile and a half —being set down for decision on Juno 5 at the Hutt Park. Other events are tho Palmer Clip, sealed handicap, of three miles,-in July; a two-and-a-half-miles stooplcchaso at Trout-

bam; a ten-mflea handicap, over cross country, at Lower Hufct, in August; and the club championship in September. "Interest is lent to each week's proceedings by a fast ran-in at tho conclusion, for which a trophy is'donated to the member scoring tho highest aggregate points at tho end of the season. H. J. Pollock is at present leading for this trophy, but ho will need to extend himself fully to kcop up with the other fast men of the pack as tho season grows older, and they striko their best form.

"To those young fellows of this city who are not following up any branch of sport, cross-country running can be recommended as a beneficial and inexpensive exercise, all that is needed being a stout pair of shoos, running shorts, and a singlet or sweater. The pace of the pack is regulated by tho club captain in ,order that the slowest man may keep to the fore, and, when members muster strongly, tho runners have the option of running either with a fast or a slow pack. New, members are welcomed at any of tho weekly club runs."

The last rites in connection with the demise of the one-time Council of the N.Z. A.A.A. were solemnised in Christchurch on Tuesday night, and nothing remains now except the winding-up of tho estate, and the handing over of the effects to the successor. "The King is dead, long live the King," and may the new government profit by tno exemplary- fate of its predecessor. Its first important business, after tho formal matters of setting up a revised constitution, amended rules, etc., will be tho dispatch of a team to Brisbane to defend the Dominion's Australasian championship titlo. Tho choice of such a team will now devolve upon tho centres through their appointees on tho Selection Committee, but, of course, the number sent will be decided upon by the council according as funds will permit. Coming to the actual selection, tno preliminaries of which should be under way almost immediately, the first six men suggest themselves at onco, provided always that they are" available and in form. - They are:—Miles, Dickson, Woodger, Orbell, Haskins, Kerr, and Murray. Then we have M'Kay, Keddoll,' and Wallace to round off a very hot combination, if the "sinews of war" are available for this numbor. In addition to the selected team there is every likelihood that M'Knight, the Otago three-mxlor, and our "Paddy" Fitzgerald will also make the trip. ■ M'Knight's friends in Diinedin : are arranging to send him, and Fitzgerald has expressed a desiro to challenge Kerr, if the latter, is selected, and, in any case, he hopes to be able to get over on his own account if necessary. The writer hears that it is problematical whether M'Kay can get away if wanted, but .that is a matter that, perhaps, only wants arranging. ..Woodger is commencing light work again with particular attention to starts. Nothing has been heard locally regarding Haskins's intentions as to the Brisbane trip, but it was rumoured that he' had done a trial.over a mile since the championship meeting, and had covered it in 4min. 24scc., which, if correct,, is decidedly, encouraging.' . A Marathon forms part of ,the attractions at the big Brisbano meeting on August 21, .with prizes as under:—£2o;open, order and gold medal first, £7 open order and silver medal second, . £3. open order and bronze medal third, with a bronze medal for all who finish tho course. At the Transvaal A.A.A. championships at Driehook on March 27, R. E.' Walker won the 220 yds., with E. J. Duffy second. Walker trotted in an easy winner in 23 2-ssec: Apropos of Walker, the following appears in tho "Referee""Reg. Walker is very keen on visiting Australia and New Zealand," says Mr. J. T. Wallace, the well-lmown Durban athletio enthusiast, in a letter to Mr. It. Coombes, "and if the Australasian A.A. Union desires such a visit ho can make the trip your way at tho end of his American tour. It must, be understood, however, that the Australasian :Union must handle all the arrangements. I can arrange for Walker to leave Vancouver for Sydney if you notify . me. \ Walker, after visiting England, goes across to America, whore the A.A. Union of the United States will handle, his tour. Ho will be accompanied bv his trainer, Fa m ,Wisdom, who prepared him for the Olympic meeting, and who was with Hutchens in Australia. If you desiro to see Walker perhaps you could arrange with Mr. W. W. Naughton, the special, commissioner of 'The lieforce' in America, to complete plans. Please advise mo eirly. Hero is a chance,to see Walker in action. What say tho. various' ',as'sociations, in the States and'in the Dominions?