ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1384, 9 March 1912, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

THOUGHTS ON STOCKHOLM. [Bi "Meicdst."] To-day—Karori A.A. Club'a Sports, Karori Recreation Ground. March IG—Athletic Football Sports Club anil Victoria College A.A.C. Challengo Meeting. March 18—Levin A.A. Club's Sports. March 18—Marton Athletic Club's Sports' 1 (running events nmateur). v April 8 (Easter Monday)—Wairarapa A.A. Club s Annual Sports Meeting, Masterton. Our Only Man to Gol Now that the Dominion championships have been disposed of the athletic event of the moment is tho dispatch of the small squad of New Zealand representatives to Stockholm for the Olympic Games. The squad conld not well be much smaller, consisting as it does of one man, G. N. Hill, of Auckland. The only other selection is Anthony Wilding, the tennis player, who will be sont from England. Various causes have contributed to this falling-off. Gerald Keddell, tho hurdler, one of the most promising of the original selection, was prevented from accepting by business ties. R. Opie, sprinter, was unablo to give a definite reply as to whether he could go in time for him to catch the steamer from Sydney. W. G. Harding has definitely retired from the track. M. Champion, the swimmer, could not make satisfactory arrangements owing to family ties, and Harry Kerr, our champion walker, is .reported not to havo replied to tho letter asking whether he was available. But Kerr? Why Not Send Him? Kerr's non-acceptance came as a surprise to "Mercury," as, at tho recent championships at Invercargill, he informed the writer that he would be available if wanted. That ho is well worth the sending is beyond doubt. As far as can bo gathered there is only ono walker at present putting up times that seem to bo luL'yond Kerr's reach, provided he were properly trained up. The athlete in question is Goulding, tho Canadian. (The performances of W. Murray at the recent Victorian championships are not to be taken too seriously and are dealt with later.) At the last Games in London Kerr boat Goulding, and while admitting that tho latter has improved, as he must have done, since then, the fact remnins that Iverr is as good now os ho was at that time, and with a proper preparation could be made a good deal better. , To thosowho know the disabilities ~unJμ which Kerr . trains, tho wonder is that he can strike racing form at all. He has absolutely no chance of doing track work at home. He never gets any racing except on the rare occasions on which he comes to town. "Rubbing down and the other necessities of a thorough preparation are things quite unknown to him, and generally, lie has no opportunity of showing at his best. With tho scientific training, and tho chancos to develop that would naturally be part and parcel of the Olympic trip, there is no knowing what Kerr is capable of. The Stuff Heroes Are Mado Of. . Ono thing, however, is certain, and that is that he would bo among the world's best. He proved that on the last occasion that he was sent to England. He was sent then by private enterprise, and even, then sent 'some weeks too late. He landed in England more than two stone over-weight after the tea trip, with only a short three iweeks in which to befit himself for the Games, and moreover, with ins feet all sore find blistered from endeavouring to train on the iron deck ofj the steamer in which ho travelled. In the face of this ho finished third in the final of the 2000 metres, against the pick of the world's walkers, and in the ten milo event he won his heat; and was prevented from starting in the final owing to tho state of his feet. In the ten-mile heat tho blood-blisters that hampered him all through his training burst, and ho finished in great pain. Since his return ho has improved his gait irom the academic viewpoint, and his stylo is-now unquestionable, while the tact that his paco and stamina havo not deteriorated was amply proved by his Australasian championship performances at Christmas time, for which he had only live days of track work by way of preparation. ' So Much for Kerr—Now for Goulding. So much for Kerr. Reverting to Moulding—all that we know of his performances are the bare cabled statements mat he has walked certain times. Wβ do not know under what standard of judging these performances wore made. 1 hey were mado in America, some in Canada, and some, to the best of "Mercury s" belief, in the States. In none of these lastmention'ed countries is there a hard and fast walking code as there is m Australasia-where it is admittedly the strictest in the world. Thus it is quite possible that Goulding will not pass the judges at Stockholm-a factor that need not be considered with Kerr—and, on tho other hand, if tho judging at the games is not to lie as strict as with us-that is to say, if the upright carriage of the body is not insisted on-then Kerr could adapt himself .to the conditions easily enough with corresponding gain to his pace. For what Kerr could do walking under the old heel-and-toe rule, before the present codo was introduced, one has only to recall his 6min. llsec. for a mile- in Dunedin. Finally—Kerr Should Bo Sent, "Mercury" has dealt with this matter at length; because he is firmly of opinion that Kerr should be included in our Olympic representation, if available, and lie would respectfully urge upon the Olympic Committee- the advisability of endeavouring to secure his services. Had Kerr definitely stated that ho was .not available there would have been nothing further to say, but "Mercury" understands that this is not so, and he hopes that something more will be done in tho matter before it is too late. Mr, Coombej, tho "Sydney. Referee," Australian Records, Etc. Last week the outstanding feature of the Victorian track and field championBliips, as supplied by cable, were commented upon by "Mercury's" locum tenens. In reference to W. Murray's aleged milo walk in 6min. 22 4-ssec, which by the way, is not a world's record (as stated by Mr. Coombes, in his criticism quoted below),- that honour being held by G. H., Goulding at 6min. 22 l-ssec—it was then said. "Having seen him compete here, I am somewhat dubious as to the timo recorded last Saturday. He is certainly a. very stylish walker, but ho did not etriko me as being in the world's championship class." As "Prodigal," of the "Referee," has time and again maintained that a milo cannot be walked fairly under Gmin. 40sec., it will be interesting to hear his opinion on Murray's time in Melbourne. Mr. Coombes's opinion is now to hand, and is appeaded. It is interesting—also emphatic:— W. Murray was credited with big performances in the walks—mile in Cmin. 22 4-ssec, and three miles in 20min. 50sec. Now without beating about the bush in any way let me , state that I decline to accept the milo figures (inside world's record) and also viow the three miles figures (inside tho Australasian record) with tlio gravest possible doubt. Frankly, I do not think it is humanly possible to legitimately walk a mile, under a rigid adherence to the Australasian rules of walking, in Gmin. 22 4-ssee.; and, anyway, after carefully studying Murray's fityle at Wellington, New Zealand, in tho Australasian championships (Murray was second in tho mile, his timo .approximately being Gmin. 45scc, whilst in tho three miles he was fourth —a good way back—in a race won in Slmiii. 36 3-osoc.) I nni perfectly satisfied the Victorian crack cannot approach tho figures recorded. I have a high opinion of Murray and his stylo— ho was awarded the "style prize" given by Mr. .T. K. I'owUr-Dixoii at Wellington) but it is no good thinking on« thinj and saying another. Aβ Mr. Coombojj is president nnd cbok' man of the Auetralaiiiia Uaiou, before ujiioh bodj msMcaUoju tw. Mspid niut.

go for indorsement, and as the other two members of the executive are likely to ba guided by his opinion in tho matter there appears to be but the remotest chnnco (it Murray's figures going into the record book.

Other Victorian Times. Apropos of tho otlier results of the \ ictoriaii "meet," "Mercury" stated recently that a comparisin of the performances with those of tho New Zealand premiership of a week previously would make interesting, reading. Unfortunately however, this is not so. Owing ( 0 (lie bad weather conditions in Invercnrgill the comparison is very onesided. In every event except the hammer-throwing anil the brond jump tho figures from over the water beat ours badly. Uus«?Il Watson's half-mile record performance of lmiii. 5C 3-lOsec. was referred to last week. It is rather a coincidence that, at the same time that New Zealand has discovered a half-miler of class, to take the placo of W. G. Harding, the retired champion, in the person of A. W. Hornier, Victoria should have done exactly the same thing with Wheatley and Watson. Both hurdle performances of J. L. Davis —121 yards. iii 15 2-ssec, and 440 yds. in 59sec, wcro very sound indeed. The rest of tho day's work calls for no comment, except, perhaps, a note that L. H. Kelly y;as evidently not competing in the high jump, which was won nt sft. 6in. Karori Up and Doing. The postponed meeting of the Karori A.A.C. is the local attraction for this afternoon, and it. promises to provide a good day's sport for patrons. The track at tho Eeoreation Ground is in good goingorder, and the entries for tho various events are excellent. The 100 yds, open is providing four heats of seven in each, and the half-mile has filled exceptionally veil, there being twenty-three likely starters. There are the same number in the 300 yds., tho bracelet event, twenty in the mile run, and so on throughout the programme. Tho first open track event—the hundred yards open—is set down for 2.45 o'clock, the first half-hour of the programme, which eta-rts at 2.15 o'clock, boing occupi3d by school and club events. Resurrection of Auckland. That amateur athletics have "come back" in Auckland was amply demonstrated last Saturday. The Auckland A.A. and C.C. carried out its autumn carnival in tho presence of 2000 people, and put on an interesting programme producing good fields and keen competition. The necessary spice was supplied to the day's work by a good half-mile by A. Dormer, the new champion at this distance. The reports show that at half-way Dormer's task appeared hopeless, as he was conceding such long handicaps, but his great finishing powers enabled him to wear down his field and win by a ynrd in lmin. 58 l-ssec. that equalling Hector Burk's Now Zealand record established in Dunedin in March, 1905. I If Hjll and Dormer Met— Some degree of interest was lost to the meeting by the absence of G. N. HilJ. One teport says that the distance champion

was weak and run down after his southern trip, and needed a rest. 'Another states that he had influenza. In any case he was apparently advised by the executive not to start, which, if he was not himself, was only wise, but, at the samo time, it is a great pity that things should have fallen this way. A meeting between Hill and Dormer was being eagerly looked for in Auckland, as there is a very decided opinion there that the latter is the better man over the distance. Personally, after seeing Dormer at Invercargill, "Mercury" cannot agree with this. He is a good runner beyond doubt —he has a good stride and plenty of stamina, and a very fair degree of pace, but has a lot to acquire yet in the way of style. Even as a quarter and hnlf-mile runner, he has a lot to learn. W. G. Harding would still beat him, which is, of course, all the better, as he will improve accordingly, but, as'a miler, ho does not strike one as up to the Hill class. However, in Auckland the feeling among athletic enthusiasts is very keen on the matter, so much so (according to private information to hand) that it is affecting the raising of the Olympic Gamos fund. Thero aro many there who want the question—as to which of the two is the better—decided before subscribing, which is a position that should be turned to account by the Auckland Olympic Committee. A trial between tho two runners, worked in with an evening meeting with a sixpenny charge at the gate, should lie productive of much revenue for tho fund, and, although Hill is definitely selected, ho could not refuse to run in such an oyent, seeing that it would practically be his own "benefit," while Dormer would be only too willing to measure his paces with tho champion. Something of the iort should be arranged, and Hill, in' his own interests, should endeavour to get tho event on. The public is proverbially fickle, and is only too ready to find reasons for a runner in Hill's position failing to turn out against a. reported "coiner," and while, in most cases, this attitude may lie treated with deserved contempt, there are cases, such as tho present, when tho public is being asked to pay tho pipcv, and when it should bo deferred to as much as is possible in the choice of tho music. At the Auckland meeting two provincial championship ovents wero disposed of— 100 yards and 440 yards. Both of these were won by L. J. Mark, a promising young runner, as is shown by his times, 10 2-ssec. and ">2lsec. As is so usual nowadays, tho handicap events wero marred by tho absurdly harsh treatment handed out to tho scratch men. Thus we havo Icurnt that Dormer hnd to equal the record to win by a yard in the "half." The luilo was worse, being won in 4min. 13 Msec, of 2">1) yards, while the mile walk was nearly as bad, the winner doing Gmiii. .'l2 2-ssec. oIV 210 yards. This sort nf thing is simrjly farcical, only that and nothing more. V. V. 13. floodbehcre, the one-time crack sprinter, is making his reappearance nfter a .spell of over threo years at Karori this afternoon. He has been threatening to turn out. all the season, and now hns Wn actually brought to the BcniUih by thn uwrnosn of the university tournament, at wblah he is competing in Uμ inUfMt oi ligtorl* .College