ATHLETES' ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1348, 27 January 1912, Page 3

ATHLETES' ITEMS.

[BT "Merouet."] (Continued from page 11.) The Invaders at Wanganui, There was a good deal of outside talent competing at Wanganui. Firstynid foremots among these was Ronald Opie, who ran well, but, as usual, was asked to give away handicaps that prohibited him from getting better than one second. Of Opie more anon. Tho contingent of Wellington men who wero mentioned Inst week wero fairly prominent throughout the afternoon. The Wairarapn, was represented by R. Messenger and K. K. Fisher, onco of Wellington, who ran a good "quarter," getting a second place oil' six yards in 51 seconds, but who tailed to show his old championship form in the furlong event. Another visitor of note was old-timer L. 13. u ? ebster, once New Zealand's triple sprint champion and record holder, who failed entirely to "como back, but who was a very welcome figure just the same. Rorfald Opie's Wanganui Form. Opie's running was worthy o{ more success. In the 120 yards he won the first heat in 12 seconds dead, even time, and ran even better in the final. Nevertheless, he could only get fourth, being beaten a yard in 11 4-5 seconds. The winner, W. Darby, had 10J yards. The 220 yaTds, tho Bracelet event, saw Opio again win tho first heat. Ho clocked 23 seconds. In the final he was beaten for first plaoe by J. Goss, off 14 yards, in 22 4-ssec.—a good run. In tho 75yds. he could not get up to bis field, being beaten out of a place in S seconds. Ho finished close up fourth. Tho final was won in 7 4-5 seconds by J. Stohr, off 3 yards. How Wellington Fared, The Wellington men were most prominent in the hurdle events. A Evensen signalised his return to the track by winning the 120 yards in 18 soconds. Tho "Herald's" report does not give tho handicaps for this event, but presumably Evensen would be starting behind scratch, so the time is no criterion. Campbell and Kitto, also of Wellington,' filled the places. The 220 Hurdles was quite a Wellington affair also. Lawrence, Kitto, and Evensen finished in that order. Kitto app&rently had hard luck at the fences, inasmuch as no one knocked them over and let him through, as is the usual courteous custom in the Basin Reserve. Other places—other manners. Another Wellington number was hoisted for the half-mile, L. M'Donald winning off 55 yards, with H. W. Thompson, also of ours, second, off 65 yards. This was a trood finish, inches only separating these two at tho tape, with the third man, C. Breed, only a few feet away. The time was 2min. 2 4-ssec. Bad News From Napier. During tho week "Mercury" received' a communication that contains bad news for, the Wellington Centre and. its supporters. This camo in the shape of a letter from Guy Harding, of Napier, the Australasian and Now Zealand half-mile champion, stating that for various reasons lie i 9 not to bo oounted upon as a Wellington representative at the coming New Zealand championships. This is a big blow at the local ccntre s chances of retaining tho shield. Harding has been a pillar of strength to tho Wellington team for the past thros and ho will bo particularly missed this year. It now devolves upon tho centre to find an under-study for him in case his fears are realised and the candidate for the position appears to "be V. Byrne, of the Brooklyn Harriers. The Provincial Championship meeting on February T.U will give this young runner a chanoo to show his real capabilities, and if "Mercury" is not very much mistaken they will be found to be of a high order. Canterbury Busy. Mr. H. S. Williams, the solo selector of the Canterbury championship team has chosen the following to go into training : — 100 yds and 220yds.—R. Opie. F. Cook' R. B. M'Whirter, E. Taylor. ■140yds.—R. Opie, E. H. Wright, E. Tavlor. _ flalf Mile—L. A. Dotagall, L. H. Wright, P. O'Grady, W. J. L. Smith. One Mile—M. Dickson, P. O'Gradv, W. O'Grady, L. A. Dougall, W. H. Jaine, W. F. Simpson, W. J. L.

Smith. _ , Three miles —M. Dickson, R. H. Goodall, W. F. Simpson, W. H. Jaine, W. J. L. Smith. 120 yds. and 440 yds. Hurdles— F. Cook, H. E. Hamilton, E. V. RobinS °One Mile and Throe Mile Walks— P. F. Stubberfield, A. P. Stubberfield, R. Twyneham. . Weight Putting and Hammer Throwing—W. De Thier. J. M'Holme. High Jump—E. V. Robinson, C. L. Orbell. , Long Jump and Hop, Step, and Jump—E. V. Robinson, F. Cook, A. Deans. . Polo Vault—G. Batstono. 1 Trials will bo held later on, at which athletes other than those selected, will have the Tight of competing. The Canterbury Centre has _ shown commendable enternrise in organising a sports meeting at Christcluirc.h for Sa-tur-day, February 17, at which the Wellington toam, en route to the championship meeting at Invercargill, on Icbruary 21, is to be invited to compete. A Suggestion for the Centre, It has occurred to "Mercury" that the local centre could, materially_ assist our field event performers and incidentally enhance its shield prospects by endeavouring to provide a practice jumping nit and shot-putting circle in the Basin Reserve. The enclosure in the south-western corner of the ground would be a suitable place and no doubt if representations were'made to the City Council tho necossarv permission would bo obtained at a purely nominal rental. Could not something* bo done in this direction?