AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 589, 18 August 1909, Page 6

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

OUR MEN IN AUSTRALIA, A LETTER PROM SYDNEY. (By "Oni of Them.") Your correspondent has practically nothing to report of the doings of the team on the trip aoross, except that even the small amount of training work that can be .done on ship-board did not take place owing to the combined effects of a "jobb'lv" head sea, and a lightly laden vessel. On the second day out (Saturday) a northerly gale, with rain, was experienced, which made matters extremely unpleasant, with the result that the whole team, and, indeed, practically the whole passenger list, wore "down and out," not one of the New Zealand representatives even getting out of bed, and the manager was confronted witli the unpleasant prospect of landing with ii band of • invalids. Fortunately, however, the succeeding days saw matters improve to such an extent that all hands were able to be up and doing. Some slight anxiety was, and still is, felt regarding two members of the travelling party—Dickson and Keddelt-both •of' whom had, in the course of their preparation, developed symptoms of "grdgginess," through leg .trouble. ... , ■ On arrival, the team was met by Mr. R. Coombee,. president of the A.A. Union, and, after lunch, was officially received ■ by the N.S.W.A.A.A., after which training operations were commenced in earnest at the Sydney Sports Ground. , Kerr put in some good work, and gave every-, indication that, with a few more "winding-up" spins, he will make -,i showing on the deciding day quite iup to his previous best,' but both Dickson and Kcddell were hampered in their work by their injured membsrs. .The former is suffering from a strained ■ sinew, and fears that he will 'be unable to > go through with ; .the Marathon luce, while, the Dunedin representative has been revisited by-an old enemy, in. the form of a "sprung" knee. The manager lias decided to' get medical advice, and has arranged a consultation with a specialist for both men. Nothing serious is-anticipated, but it is not at all unlikely..that the invalids will be "laid off" for a day or so. , ■ ■ . ■ .As. regards the prospects of the raiders' in retaining the championship, the news available as to the" doings of the various State teams is, from a New Zealand standpoint, de-

cidedly cheering. It is now known definitely .that neither J. L. Davis (the Victorian'hurdler and broad jumper),, nor Colin Stewart (the New South Wales "lepper") will be competing. In consequence, neither State will be -represented at all in the hurdles, which makes these event? look well within Kedddl's reacn, provided he can be brought to the scratch in good order. Woodger is looked upon here as. having an exceptionally • good chance in ' the 100 yards, but his 220 yards prospects are not so well liked. Dickson, fit.and well,-is considered to have tho three miles event at his mercy, as also is'Kerr in the two' walks. There is a likelihood 6f E. E. .Fisher, who was a member of the last New Zealand team in Hobart, and who is at present located, in Sydney, being included among the. Dominion '. -representatives. He intends making the : Brisbane. trip; and' efforts are being made to seuure his entry in the quarter-mile. ... : . ' Considerable surprise is being expressed here that the Brisbane athletic authorities- have not been, keeping the kindred 'associations. ter posted as to the .intended proceedings, iiven at this late hour 'no . programmes are available, and it is impossible to ascertain on which of the two daye the'various championship events are to be run. -.A slight alteration las : been .made in the travelling arrangements. To suit thu: wishes of the Queensland ■ associa-' tiou, the team will. not. leave .Sydney until Saturday, August M, and will voyage, in the company of the New- South Wales men, arriving in Brisbane on Sunday night. The time intervening -will.-be spent- in- assiduous training, and; by;.' Saturday's mail,' your correspondent, hopes "to .be. able to- report definitely as to" track performances of the men 1 during their: preparation. - •-...... ■ WELLINGTON CENTRE. '■ , __A meeting of the Wellington.Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was, held in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms last .-evening. There were present:—Messrs.- R. W. M'Villy (in the chair), C.Lamberg, Salek, Bridge, H. Dawson, W. Coffey, Bust, and B. Guise; hon. secretary: , . ' - . . , The Wellington Club, writing in reference to the, proposed Marathon race, agreed to have tW race run in connection with the''club's spring meeting, providing satisfactory terms can bo-arranged; as-to the. gate. It was decided to accept tho terms laid down, and a sub-commit-tee, consisting of Messrs. Lamberg, Short, Heenan, Wajsh, and Guise, was set up to work in conjunction with the Wellington Club in arranging ' details for'-'the race. ..■'■".-• . Tho .Wellington Harriers forwarded the following team, which is to-represent Wellington in the New Zealand cross-country teams' race at Timaru on September 9:— F. Wilton, F. Hodson, W. B. Bennett, C. Rowberry, and W. Press. . It was decided, to enter the team. The , harriers also wrote, in reference to the teams' race for the Whyte and Mackay Challenge Shield, pointing out that: the event usually takes; place about the first .week in October. The.harriers.stated their willingness to pay half the expenses incurred. After some discussion, it was. decided that the centre shonld pay half the cost up to ,£3. Messrs. Dawson, Bridge, and Heenan were appointed the centre's; representatives'-to -work tho race in connection.with the barriers. • . , The Petone'Club , stated that-Mr.. X Thomson had .been,.appnihtfld.its delegate-in place, of Mr. M'Gce, who has been transferred to Cross Creek. ~.-.. , .'.: . . - •• . .

The secretary !was" instructed to convey thanks to the Wellington- Cliib for a guarantee of' towards the centre's share.of thercost of the tour of the' New Zealand team for: Australia. A sub-comniitt«e,' consisting of Messrs.. J. H. Pollock' arid Quise was appointed to draw up a report : rfs to' -the. advisableness - of instituting an art union:in connection with the Wellington Provincial Championship meeting. ■'"'..