AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 784, 6 April 1910, Page 5

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

MEETING OF GOVERNING BODY. The Executive Committee of the New Zealand A.A.A. held a meeting 011 Monday evening. In reply to tho Southland Centre it was decided to state that in connection with the proposed Now Zealand cross country championship to bo held at Invercargill as little road as possible should be included in the couise. Application for a record over 220 yards, made by \V. A. "Woodger, was held over until a certificate that the measuring chain was correct, came to hand. W. ■ Grinlinton, E. Wake, W. M'lntosh, J. M'Donald, and It. Gibson were reinstated on the application of the Wellington Centre, and J. Nolan on the application of tho Auckland Centre, while applications from Richmond (Nelson) and Grierson (Mataura) were referred back for further information. In regard to the permission given to the Auckland Club to pay the expenses of Kerr to compete at Auckland, it was' resolved to make it clear that the practice was one that should not be allowed other than in exceptional cases.

In Wellington. (N.Z.)' there resides one who in his day was a famous athlete in Ireland (says "Prodigal" in the "Referee"). I allude to Justin F. Huntly 'M'Carthy, of the Wellington A.A.C. and Port Nicholson A.A.C. His best performances read somewhat as follow:—100yds., 10 l-ssec.;- 220 yds., 23sec.'; running high jump; sft. llin.'; running broad jump, 23ft.; polo vault, 10ft. 6in.; running hop, step, and jump, 45ft.; throwing 161b. hammer (9ft. circle),'ls7ft.; putting 161b. shot, •42ft.',-.and throwing the 561b. between the legs, without follow, 26ft.—a remarkable all-round record, truly. I notice that M'Carthy, after a number of years' absence from active, athletics, competed; at the combined W.A.A.C. and P.N;A.A.C. sports recently held <Jn the Basin Reserve, Wellington, hut did. not show a glimpse of old-time form. With the 161b: shot (from a 7ft.' circle) I notice that his best effort was 31ft. 6in.,.whilst 89ft. with the 161b. hammer from a 7ft: circle was his .chief contribution. Although his athletic days may be nearly gone, yet Mr. M'Cartby's advice should be invaluable in the coaching department. Still, it must be remembered that he is not as old as Australasian'champion W. O'Reilly.