ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 821, 21 May 1910, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

(By "Heronry.") A LETTER FROM AN ANCIENT. It may be remembered by readere of this column that, at the end of last year, n discussion was conducted by "Hlorcnry" on tho merits and demerits of tho presentrday "all fours set" for sprint races as opposed to the old-timo "Shoffield" ,or standing "set." Some few weeks ago mention was again made of the.matter in chronicling a statement by Harry Hutchons, tho well-known English professional record-breaker of tho early eighties, that the old standing stylo was the best. On this occasion "Mercury" stated that ho would bo glad (if it wore possible) to get an opinion from the veteran champion Frank Skurry Hewitt, also an English runner, and one of tho best all-round runners the world ever saw. He is now resident in Sydnoy, and, through tho good offices of Mr. Rtehard Coombes, editor of the "Referee," tho great old-timer's notice has boen drawn to this later paragraph. [ Mr. Hewitt has kindly sent along a long and extremely interesting letter, from which I mako tho following oxtracts. Ho commences:— Styles In Starting. Dear "Mercury,"—Have been reading your very interesting notes. Mr. Coombes called my attention to them, for which 1 am very much obliged to him. Now about tho starting. I did not see. your paper with the original discussion, .but would be glad to givo you any littlo hints and my opinion as to what you desire to know. Harry Hutchons was like myself—it (tho new "sot") came too lato in life for him. I tried it, but could not manage it. Thus a man liko Hutchons, who only know how to start one way, would he no authority on tho "all fours" style. In my opinion, thoso who can go down havo a big advantage. A man inclined to be nervous, • if standing up, would havo no support, but, by putting his hands on the ground, he would be immediately comfortable. If lie stood up, and had not practised with the pistol, ho would shiver and shake on tho mark, and probably got badly away. It has other advantages which I could mention."

■Unfortunately, however, Mr. Hewitt does not think it worth while to mention those advantages, but ho has said enough to show that he is quite in accord with tho modern school. If a Book Wore Written. Tho veteran goes on to say:—"l hayo boon asked by many peoplo why I. do not write a book on athletes and athletics in ycnornl—as to how to train —why n man should cat certain things, and ii hundred and one other things which 1 have not seen published in any books on training which I have- beforo inc. These, do not give the common detail in plain words as to how a man should train. Every man, with a certain amount of common sense, should be iiblo to train himself, after being slimvu tho different 'tricks of the trade, 1 of course except for the rubbing down. Tho athlete should soon know what ,to do in th« main—Hint is, how far to walk or run, and when inoro or less work is necessary. If •' ixwld find anyone u-lio would outortaiu auch mi outcrmlac, I am

sure there would bo a ready sale for ,iuch a book of facts and personal experiences."

Harking Back to Colclon Days,

Mr. Howffct concludes some personal notes thus: —"I arrived in or at Sandridgo Bailway Pier, Melbourne, on December 16, 1869, and, on Sunday noit, if I am in tho flesh, I will be either 06 or 05, I am not quit* suia which. Plcaso remombcr mo to Mr. J. Doyle; a6k him if he evor saw mo play at skittles. I was the best player in all England boforo I came to this country, and I have won many hundreds of pounds in all the colonies years ago.

I never mention it unless some of the old school say to mo: 'Well, Frank, could you cut out odd and even now at skittles p' Any information I caji givo yim I shall bo happy to supply. Trusting you arc well and strong in the flesh.—Youra very truly.—Frank S. Hewitt."

"Mercury" thanks Mr. Hewitt for his letter, and, with his readers, wishes him many happy returns of the recent Sunday's birthday. Perhaps Mr. Doylo would be ablo to supply some remnisconces of the voteran's tour of New Zealand in the "skittles" era. Mr. J. H. Pollock, too, was in action at, that time, and if either of them or any other of Hewitt's track contemporaries would care to send in any notes of interest concerning his doings, "Mercury" would be glad to find space for them. Our Newest Harriers. The Brooklyn Harriers decided their Novice Handicap at Lower Hntt with a field of seven competitors over a distance of one and a half miles. The soaking rain during tho forenoon had made the course very sticky, and those runners who wore spiked shoes had a decided advantage over their comrades ahod with the ordinary cross-country leather. Groat caro had evidently been exercised in framing tho handicaps, and a close race resulted. C. Murray (scr.), who has been always well to tho foro in the weekly nins-in, just succeeded in gaining tho honour of winning tho club's first race by beating F. Delaney (3eec.), with J. Don a close third. Dolany was leading Murray by a good margin at the entrapce to the long straight, but tho hitter's sprinting powers stood him in good Btead over the last furlong. Other starters were: S. Murray, 30sec.; A. Coventry, 225e0.; E. Shaw, 18sec.; and T. Coventry, 9seo. At tho conclusion of the race tho ordinary club run was held, the country to the east of the course being covered. A fairly lengthy run-in was won by F. Hodgson, with C. Murray and F. Delany filling the places. W. Beaven was persuaded by the solid appearance of a sluggish' portion of the Waiwetu Stream to venture on a short cut. Unfortunately, however, watercress is not sufficiently firm to support a man's weight, and he finished by swimming through tho icy cold water to the bank on the far side. To-day the club run will bo held from Karori, and entries will be taken for a Boaled handicap race of three miles. Wellington Harriers. Despite tho unpropitiouß weather of last Saturday, which caused the postponement of most outdoor sports, both of the local Harrier Clubs carried out their engagements. The ■ Wellington Club, with a muster of twenty, rallied at the Thorndon Baths, and Bpent the afternoon in running ovor and about the country between that point and Khandallah. Tho run was of a "free and easy" a total distance of eight or nine miles being covered. Pacomaking was dolegated to A. P. White, while W. Press had no option but to act as "whipper in" through allowing the pack to got a ten :minutes,' break on him at the start. A big proportion of the runners.;were ,ou,t;, ; for' training purposes, in view of to-day's Novice Handicap. The , run-in along tho Esplanade opened with a flying start, of which Farrington got the best, bnt. he was rapidly overhauled and passed by S. J. Smith. The latter, running well, succeeded in staving off challenges from B. W. Curry and F. Wilton, who finished second and third after a good tussle. Tho winner is a runner who would mako his mark at the sport if he wero more consistent in attending the weekly runs. Each of tho runners on Saturday wore emblems of mourning for the late King, a mark of respect which Brooklyn also paid in a similar manner. To-day a club run and novices race will he held at Hutt Park Racecourse, members leaving town by the 2.10 p.m. train for Lower Hutt, whoro a brake will meet them to convey them to the scene of action.