ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1019, 7 January 1911, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

(By Mercury.)

January. 14.—Provincial Championships (Basin Reserve).. January -23.—Wanganui Caledonian ingJanuary 25.—Karori Evening Meeting. Our Provincial Championships. ' Next Saturday at the Basin Reserve the Wellington provincial championships aro down for settlement. A high standard of performanco is always attained at this meeting, and on'this occasion thero should bo no divergence from this rule. The big attraction will be the meeting of W. A. Woodger and R. Opie, of Christo church, in tho sprint events. Opie has definitely stated that ho will be present, and the clash of- these two champions should cause something phenomenal in, the matter of times. Those who saw Opie run at the Basin Reserve last season after tho New Zealand championship meeting will require no reminder of his merits as a sprinter. Since then 110 is reported, to have improved considerably—as is only! natural considering that 110 is now only in his 20th year—and tho fact that ho has twice this season been timed to run 200 yards under New Zealand record time would appear to bear. Out this assertion. Another sprinter of noto who has entered is Berry, of Masterton, a very spec-dy individual—as 110 proved on Boxing Day. On this occasion he won the 100 yards," off 5 yards, while Hubbard/ off tho same mark, ran unplaced. ■ Tho time was returned as 9 ;l-ssec., which is obviously flattering to tho Mastorton sprinter, but which shows that, he is something quite out of (ho ordinary; Another Wairarapa competitor is to bo-H. A. Hodge, a good sprinter, and more particularly a candidate for high jumping honours. 011 Boxing Day 110 cloarod sft. Gin., and on occasion has done considerably better. All interesting clash will bo that of A. Evensen, tho present chamjiion, and Hubbard, the champion broad jumper, in tho hurdle events, and also the meeting of Fitzgerald and Georgo Turner in the walks. It was hoped that Harry Kerr and "Dave" Wilson could have been procured for these events, but Mr. W. L. Dunn, tho centre's secretary, has received word that nfithcr of them can make tho trip. Wilson wrote' to the effect that lie was not doing any track work at all this season,-which rather looks as though ho does not intend to turn out and defend his. titlo at tho New Zealand championship meeting in Christchurch.

Picking the Shield Defenders, , The Wellington team , to defend the holding of the championship shield will be picked from Saturday's form. F. J. .Wilson and "Jimmy" Wilson will bo after places in the quarter-mile division, with Guy Harding's performances to spur them, on, F. J; ■Wilson will 110 doubt put in a claim for recognition over the "half," while 'Baxter lias a big claim on a lot of things. He has run half-mile in just over 2min. lsec., at Maiterton on Boxing Day,' lie .can get dangerously near to ■lmm. 30sec. over tho mile, while his twomilo performance at Wairarapa goes 'to show that he is the thrce-miler that Wellington has been looking for sindo Sliarne left the track;

' Harrier,' in the "Australasian," has an interesting nolo 011 tho subject of the Festival of Empire, which was described in these columns when Sir. Henry was in Wellington. "Harrior" writes: "With reference to tho Empiro Festival noxt July; Mr...William-,Henry saw several members of tile association, and the council decided to ask G. A. Wheatloy and J. X.-Davis whother they would bo ■available for selection if tho matter is proceeded with. Wheatley has since answered in tho affirmative. Unless, however, Government support is forthcoming, it is unlikely -that anything will bo-(lone. In view of tho fact that representatives should go to Stockholm in 1912 for the regular Olympic games, and that public' support will bo asked for that. But it should not be overlooked that in the more limited contest, next July, limited as it is to' Great Britain and lier colonies, Australasia has very high prospects of success. Out of tho 10 events proposed, Brookes and, Healy (or Beaurcpaire) may be-classed as practically, certain ..winners of two, or perhaps three; and Woodger, Wheatley, and Davis have at least equal chances with their rivals in all fivo athletic events. Should they win but two of > these, it would probablv suffice. to secure tho Empire Trophy for Australasia." The 100 yards match between Reggio Walker, of Natal, and Jack Donaldson, of Victoria, run at Johannesburg on Boxing Day, was won by the Australian in 9 5-Bsec., Walker falling beforo ho .covered tho distance.

Our American Visitor, Holway.' C. E. Holway, the American professional runner now in New Zealand, who is being boomed as the sprint champion of tho world,- does not appear to 'be bothering himself to live up to his title in tho Dominion. On Boxing Bay ho competed at Riverton and in the 100 yards ran second, being beaten by a yard in 101-ssec. 11l 'a 220vds. handicap ho ran unplaced—the final being won by ■ the ox-amnteur, W. F. Trembatb, off 4yds., with old-timer "Lockib" M'Lachlan third, off Byds. - The Karori Club gives notice of an evening meeting on January 25. The events scheduled are:—Half Mile - Walk (club members only); Half Mile Flat (open); 100 yds. (open);, and 220 Hurdles (open).