ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1449, 25 May 1912, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

— « „- [By "Mebcubt."] HERE, THERE, EVERYWHERE. July 6 to I&—Athletic Section, Olympi* Gamea, Stockholm. August 10.-Ncw Zealand Cross.Ceuntty Championship, Wciliiigton. Harriers—More Good Newt. There is still good news to report r» KPT'i LaSl * Mk ' B ,lotes MUta * ue ' affili , rm 'fl'J' l <* a strong club. lidu-arda; vice-presidents, Uev A T Thompson, Messrs. G. 11. Sykes I) J Cameron, F. Hood, IVL, nWn ? s, and K. way; secretary and treasurer, Mr. W l>. JJrutumouo:; management committee Messrs. J. Bradbury, t>. J. Kingston, is" i. iianajan, J. W. Nicholson, J. Georgo. son, and E. E, Fisher; captain, Mr. S. B Kingston; vioe-captam, Mr. 3. Bradbury. This directorate contains several names weil known in Wellington—enthusiasts in tho good cause—so that the affairs of the new club should be in safe and capable hands. Tb«ro should be a warm reception for the invader when the settlement of the New Zealand cross-country championship comes along, if tho rants of the harrier fraternities go on swelling as they have begun to do this season. The latest acquisition has decided to a.aliate rigM away with tho N.Z.A.A.A., and tho club has adopted the colours made familiar to local sport's follower* by our Wairarapa visitors of tho past two seasons—purple and white.

Club Doings. The weather made things rather unpleasant for the harriers last Saturday, and this, added to tho fact that several members missed the Hutt train, was responsible for an alteration in tho Wellington's Club programme. It was intended to have held a novice handicap, but, under the circumstances, this event woe postponed for a'fortnight, and a scratch race over two laps of the Eutt Parktwo and a quarter miles—was substituted. Tho placed men turned up in Salek first, Rowborry second, and Donaldson third. the rendezvous ia the Karori Tea Gardens.

The Brooklyn Club, as scheduled, disposed of its annual maiden handicap. Out of on entry of seventeen, fifteen sat> died up, and were dispatched over a course of, roughly, two miles. The fastest time was cut out by P, Burrell, who covered the journey m 12min, 40scc, \rhicji, however, was not fast eaough to secure him a place, the first three home being F. Warrington (110 seconds), A, Oli-' ver (97 seconds), and K. Ballantyne (97 seconds). The balance were close up. To-day'e run mil start from the Kelburn* Kiosk. Tk) Intornatiorsal C.C. Last week "Mercurv" published en aocount of the recent International Crosscountry Race, hold at Edinburgh, and won by J. Bouin, the Frenchman, and, in so doing, omitted to give the distaneo of the event. A. cwresixmdent writes, pointing out this defect, and stating that if it was the usual ben miles, the time recorded (JUrnin, iGseo.) was esceptioually smart. "Mercury" hastens to supply the desired information. The distance was 9J miles, the first mile being on the track, and the rest in the country, with the exception of a three-quar(<?r-kp finish. It is worthy of not©, also, that the raw was run in three circuits for tha benefit of the spectators, who were thus afforded an opportunity of seeing the race at three different stagos, instead of only witnessing the 6tart'.j»idyflni«h, as is usually the case with c'roes-eountry eventa. It might ue worth while for the local centre to consider some similar plan when laying out the course for the forthcoming Now Zealand ohampionsliip cross-country event.

The Red Man as an Athlete. American flies to hand by the mail thie week show that the Olympic fund campaign ie being vigorously carried out in the States. Trial "moets ore wing held at tho various headquarters of the associations, and much talent is being brought to light. Of one of the claimants for-inclusjon in the American team the San Francisco "Chroniclo"'6ays:— In James Thorpe of the Oarliele Indian School Anieriim vrill have a settuine representative as an aspirant for honours in the pentathlon, and decathlon events at the Olympio Games at Stockholm. TJiorpe, who ie a member of the Sflo aud Fox tribe, now centralised in Oklahoma, is expected to prove an excellent teammate for Martin Sheridan, heretofore acknowledged tho frreatest all-round athlete in the world. Of the two Sheridan is tho more experienced, but it is a question if he is more capable Mum the Indian athlete. Thorpe is six feet tall, weigh* 1781b. and ie 23 years of a*e. Hβ is a member of the football," baseball, basket-ball, hockey, lacrosso and tennis teams at Carlisle,' and ' 1M repeatedly .performed on the track and field with wonderful results. Thorpe's record tuns:—loo Tefds Dash, 101-Sscc. i Broad Jump, 22ft. lOin.; Hijrh Jump, Gft.; Shot-put, 43ft.; High Hurdles, 15 3-oseo.; Low Hurdles, 26sec. In these six events ho has a combination of speed, strength and skill which no man in America is known to equal. Hβ is a good polo vaultor and is a student with tho discus.and javelin.

Forty Canadians for the front, The Canadian too are up and doinp Mr. R. Cooinbes, president of tho A.A.U. •of Australasia, ha; received a letter from Mr. C. J, Merrick, who fills a similar position in Canada. Mr. Merrick eays:~ "I am glad to report that tho Canadiaa Government have made a grant of 15,000 dollars rs the of a fund for the represents tion of Canada at the Gatnce. As far as I can estimate now, wo will bavo a- team of about forty as a result of selections. In addition, there will Rβ over a eortnin number of independents, who will pay their own expenses, but who will bo counted in tho personnel of the team. VTo estimate at this time that our (earn will bo composed of an eightoared crew, a four and a single, ten atk- , l«tes, four 'Marathon' runners, two ewimmers, three trap-shooters, and two ey.clisU. In addition, the Winnipoß Rowing Club have intimated that they will send their own eight-oared crow direct. We expect that there will be another 'Marathon' runner bo as well as ecvoral trap-shooters, who will go on their own expenses. The bicycle representation, as well as tho swimming department may be better represented by certain other volunteers. You am seo that we will have a fairly representative team. Tha Visit from Canada. i On another matter of great local in' torest, Mr. Morrick writes:— "In oonnc'ctioo with your proposal to take a Canadian team to Australia and New Zealand, this will have to bo deferred until after tho Olympic Games. This will be a very difficult matter to arrange on account of the long time the men will require to be absent from their occupations. Jt might possible to select a very representative number of athletes, but it would be difficult to guarantee the an* pearance of tho men in tho froist rank, as they have ouly arrived at that p^?, , .. lion by means of numerous snenioes. Thev could hardly be exp«ctod ia rei .vt leavo of fibsonce of euißcient length to lake such a long journey. However, tho matter can be discussed with the winners after tha Olympic Grimes." •' ' Goulding at his Best. By the American mail comes news of a ipai walk by iitovgo Gonidir.g. tho Canadian Olympic representative. ' On April 8, at. loi'onto, walking in a skating rink, he defeated a relay of three men, good walkers all, ench doing' a mile, by" 15 yards, mill, in jo doing, established new iiifloor figures for the distance, putting it away in SOniin. 30 3-ssec. H'n covered tha first milo iu (irain. 4!;« c, and the two miles m 13min. IVsec, this latter being only Hmc. behind his own indoer record for two'miles which he has hel4 for two yoars. The present performance, however, cannot, count for record, as it was nob mado in a competition, "