ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 852, 25 June 1910, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

{, SOME DOMINION TRACK FEATS. RECOUNTED BY A VETERAN. (By "Mercury.") Palmer Cup in Bleak Weather. Of last Saturday's cross-country run for the Palmer Cup—one of the chief events on the local Harrier programme— my correspondent sends the following particulars :— The weather conditions on Saturday, the occasion of the fourth race for the trophy by the Wellington Harriers, were almost a repetition of those which prevailed two years ago when Dement scored an unexpected win. -That is to say,"they were execrable. However, despite these adverse circumstances, a big assemblage of members and club supporters (including quite a number of ladies) gathered at Miramar, either to participate in or to witness this popular event. Seven of the twenty-five entrants decided not to face the starter, which, to put it playfully,- was rather ungallant on their part, seeing that the committee had, on this occasion, departed from the beaten track, and had obtained the services of a lady to fill that important position. From an even start, effected by Mrs. W. H. Bennett, tbe first competitor to show out was L. 'Snick, who ran in determined fashion up the first incline, with C. Rowberry and B. Curry next in order. Going down the long stretch against the wind there 'were a good many changes of position amongst tho ruck, but tho pacing was left to Rowberry, Curry, Wilton, and Lamberg, this quartette remaining bunched after tho first ' half-uiile until within half a milo of the tape. It was not till tho third part of the triangular course had been entered on, however, that the leaders were able to open up a gap. This v;as brought about through the efforts of Curry, who,' with tho gale behind, applied extra pressure, and presently tested tho pace of those who were battling in his wake. Row? berry, however, was not found wanting, and those two fought it out over the final stages in determined fashion—a hard finish resulting in, a victory for the youngster (Rowberry) over the Welshman. W. Press was next man home, and, to the surprise of the spectators, was immediately followed by C. Lamberg, who lost third place only by a few yards. Altogether sixteen finished the race, which was remaikablt) mainly .foi tue reversal of form shown by the majority of the runners. After the adjustment of handicaps, it was found that places had been gained by 0. Lamberg first, J. linn second,. while 0. Rowberry and L. Salek tied for third place. Lamberg, who will be remembered for his gallant finish in last November's Marathon race, takes the cup for the ensuing twelve mouths, an honour to which he is fully entitled after his marked improvement this 9?ason. The unfortunate man on tho day was Rowberry, who was only able to reach third place in the handicap after upsetting all anticipations by annexing the special trophy donated for fastest time. Should, he maintain his present form, Rowberry ought to hold the club championship very sale when it comes up for decision in August. Curry showed flashes of the form which he displayed in tho New Zealand- championship event at Timaru last year, but he was a little too bulky to v see tho race out in a stiff and trying" finish.

The management of tho race was in the hands of Messrs. W; H. Bennett, C. W. Palmer, and W. 11. Pollock, who w>£ro ablv assisted ■ by the following band ol willing workers:—Messrs. J. Jl'Nie, H. J. Pollock, W. F. Watt, and C. S. Johnson. Mr. W. H. Philp, an energetic vicepresident of tho Brooklyn Harriers, was a keenly-interested spectator. To-day's run takes place at Brooklyn. Brooklyn Club Run. Members of this club ran from their own headquarters nn Saturday last, l]i\ A. H. Fullford having placed his hall at the disposal of members for tho afternoon. Orders for tire day called for a puck run, the direction taken being duo south until Happy Valley beach was reached, whence a return was made along lire ridg-es—ivith the assistance of the following southerly gale. The usual Tunin took the form of a handicap, and resulted in a win for P. Delaney. E. Shaw finished second, and the captain (P. A. AVilton) third. . The attendance was below the average, but those present wera somewhat recompensed for their toilsome plug across country in boisterous weather by the hospitable treatment accorded them bv Mr. and Mrs. Fullford. Thornton Baths is to 1.-0 venue for to-day's operations. Old-time Walking Feats: A Letter. In response to the paragraph published last week anont tho best 24 hours' walk dono ill the Dominion, an interesting letter is to hand from ill*. J. A. Nicholas, of Woodville, to whom thanks be. Mr. Nicholas prefaces his information by stating that, as the performances which lie quotes were done between the years 187(i and 18S0, he will not certify to the distances as being exactly correct, but, as far as he call remember, they arc there or thereabouts, and ho.thinks that if Mr. A. Walker, of Pongaroa (my original correspondent) requires verification, it cau be obtained from the "Otago Daily Times." "They Were Giants in Those Days." To tho best of Mr. Nicholas's memory the greatest distance walked in 24 hours was 114 miles, by "Sam" Brookes, when

lie defeated Charles Swan in the Drill Shed, Dowling Street, Dunedin. Later, "Jack" Druinmond covered 108 miles in the same hall. Then conies an astounding performance on the part of "Joe" Scott, who, at the tender age of 12 years, beat one Edwards at the old Drill Shed, Moray Place, Dunedin, getting over 108 miles in the time. My informant states that ho has photographs of this infant prodigy, and also of the above-mentioned Brookes, and kindly offers to send thorn down if of any interest to "Mercury's** readers. Unfortunately, however, they could not be reproduced here, the kind, offer must be regretfully declined, but truly .they were giants in those days. Of 12-Jiour performances, Mr. Nicholas reminiscences thus:—

"The best was the -result of a racs between 'Joe' Scott and Arthur Hancock at the Dowlinj* Street Drill Shed, the distance, I think, being 72 miles OUO yards—won by a yard. William Drummond then won a 12-hour 'go? its-you-please' (distance forgotten), and threw out an open challenge for a similar contest 'or run. • This was accepted by A. Wanfield, and was run off on the Caledonian ground, and won by the acceptor—Drummond giving up at 63 miles. My correspondent should know whereofl he writes, as he owns up to having trained Brookes, Swan, Drummond, and Wanfield. Mr. Harry Henderson, ex-champion sprinter of the Dominion, and a present member of the council of the N.Z.A.AX, returned a holiday trip to Austraha by the TJlimaroa on Wednesday. World's Pole Record Lowered. A recent message from San Francisce states that Lee Scott (University of Cali* fornia), at the Berkeley Athletic Carnival ou April 30, broke the world's record in pole vaulting by clearing the bar at 12ft 10 3-16 in. The American record, held by W. R. Dray, of Yale, was 12ft. 9Jin. Tho Australasian rccord is lift, liin.f standing to the credit of L. M. MlCay, tha local champion. . 'Varsity Events Across the Tasman* On Monday last a "meet" between members of the visiting American University footballers aad representatives of the Sydney University was set down for settlement in Sydney, As the visitors have, of necessity, had no opportunities of track training, no distance races were ' to have been Held, the programme mutually agreed upon being 100 yards, 440 yards, 1208 hurdles, high and broad jumps, polo vault, hammer throwing, shot and BSO yards relay race. Some' disappointment was felt, both in athletic and football circles in Sydney, at the discovery, on the arrival of the' Americans, that their big sprinter and held game exponent, "Babe" Crawford (tho "Babe" stands Gft. 2in., and weighs over 15 stone), had withdrawn at the last moment. Crawford was the -team's "show" athlete. He has been credited with "evens" .for the hundred, and hurls the 161b. shot 44 feet. Advantage was to have been taken at this meeting to get off'the 120 yards hurdle championship of New South Wales, for which two of the Americans and sis from the Sydney 'Varsity had entered, W. C. Woodger. W. C. Woodger, a younger brother of our Australasian amateur sprint champion, and a runner of no email merit in ' the cash ranks, has gone to Sydney, where he intends to settle if opportunity offers from • a business standpoint..