AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1150, 10 June 1911, Page 13

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

HOW FARE OUR FESTIVAL MEN? Commenting 011 our representatives for the Festival of Empire meeting, the London "Sportsman" publishes the following pen portrait of our sprinter:—"Woodger, who is 27 years of age, is Oft. high, and weighs lOst. 101b. Although he hail been travelling for six weeks, the Ncw Zealander appeared to bo in remarkably good condition. He is of the greyhound build, lias a long and determined face, and appears to be a man who would get fit with littlo training." The account goes on: "Woodger, who won the last Australasian 100 yds. championship ill lOscc. and the 220 yds. in 21 l-Sscc., missed this year's New Zealand championships, and was particularly keen upon hearing the results. In the Australasian championships ho beat Nigel Barker, and at the present time is regarded as the best sprinter in Australasia. In New Zealand the next best man to him is R. Opie. Outside the Festival of Empire games, it is AVoodger's intention to compete in the A.A.A. championships, and' a few other races, but as ho wishes to see the country his racing programme will not be an extensive one." At the present time Woodger and Hardwick are staying in a West End hotel, where they are being esquired by Mr. William Henry, but shortly they will renibvo to llighgate. The latest cabb news of our representatives is far from reassuring. AVoodger, wo are told, "is indisposed, and is not expected to compete in the events before the championship." This is most ambiguous. It may mean that lie does not intend to run at any small meetings before the Empire meeting on June 24, or it may. mean that he intends to cut out

■the Festival games altogether, and to wait for the English championships curb in July. We can only hope that his indisposition is not serious—he never was a robust subject—and that in any ease it is tho former alternative that is meant by tho cable man. Then, to cap this tho cable says the sturdy Opio has strained a tendon, so both strings to our sprinting bo«- aro temporarily out of action. Only one of the sprinters can start m each event at the Festival games, so it will bo necessary for Mr. Cooinbes to conduct trials between these two to select our final representative, unless he compromises, as the writer thinks lie will, by starting Woodger in the 100 and Opie in the 2i!oyds. Provided both are well this would be an excellent arrangement, especially for Woodger, who does not want too ranch running and who could then concentrate on tho "hundred." MEETING OP LOCAL CENTRE. A meeting of the Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held last night, Mr. It. W. M'Villy presiding. The secretary was instructed to write to the New Zealand Council pointine out the desirability of hastening tho publication of tho new rules. ' Mr. J. L. Short forwarded his resignation as hoiu treasurer to the centre on account of his early departure from Wellington.—lt v, - a6 cfecided to send Mr. Short a letter expressing regret that circumstances necessitated his resigmnfand expressing appreciation of his services to the centre. Mr. 0. W. Traver« was elected to fill the vacancy. Notification having been received that the cross-country championships were this season to bo held in Auckland, the question of financing a team to represent the centre was considered. On the secretnrvs report of the condition of the finances, it was decided tlifct the centre could not undertake the expense this season. Regarding the annually setting aside of a certain sum for financing a team of harriers to the cross-country championships, Mr. Bevan (Brooklyn Harriers) "I o™l0™ 1 ' hat 20 c?nt. of the net profits ot the .last provincial championships be set aside this season. An amendment w . as n J u ? v f d , by Mr ' Glliso t!lat th ° sum of £5 (about 12£ per cent.) bo set aside A S fi Season or the purpose mentioned. After considerable discussion on tho matter, a suggestion was made that the question be held over for a fortnight to seo if the centre's finances could be improved so that a generous offer of assistance could be made to the harriers The adjournment was agreed to.