ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1491, 13 July 1912, Page 13

ATHLETICS.

[Bt "Mercubt,"]

COMING EVENTS. July 6 to 15—Athletic Section, Olympio Games, Stockholm. August 10.—New Zealand Cross-Country Championship, Wellington. August 2-I—Wellington Provincial Crosscountry Championship. (Falmerston North),

Startling Doings In the States, Every mail brings news of great doings in the States at Olympic trial gatherings. Tho latest , news concerns the Pacific Coast trials, at' Stanford University, on Hay 18. George Horine cleared Gft. 7in. in the high jump, which is 7-Bin. bettor than his own previous world's record of Oft. C l-Bin. Ira Courtney, of .the Seattle Athlotio Club, won the 200 metres in 21 f-ssec—within 1-SSGC. 1 of tho previous Olympic record* In the shot-putting, .Ealph Hose did 49ft. 7 1-8 in. with tho right hand, and 3Pft. lliin. with the left. .■■■■'■

Tho 110 metres hurdles was a sensational evont from tho fact that it recorded the first defeat for many a long day of Forrest Smithsbri. The event was won by F. Kelly, in 15 2-Ssec. 1 Smithson, who could only get third, was palpably out of condition, however. Ho tired at the ninth hurdle, and knocjeed the tenth down. * .

The pole vault went to S. Bellah, who cleared 12ft. 7in, Courtenay, in, addition to winning the 200 metres, carried off tho 100 metres in 10 4-ssec—equal to tho Olympic record, and W. M'Clure accounted for the 1500 metres in imin. 8 3-ssec.

At New York, on May 25,. Abel Kiviat, of the Irish-American Athletic Association, defeated . Mel via. Sheppard by 15 yards over the 1500 ' metres course, in 3min. 59 l-ssec, a world's record. J. H. Duncan, on, the'eame day, threw the discus 156 ft. ;in.; also n, new world's record.

With the best talent in America competing at them tho American inter-colle-giate championships, generally produce some startling performances, and this year's gathering held at Pennsylvania was no exception. R. A. Gardner put up one of tho, greatest athletic performances of all time by hopping 13ft. lin. in. the pole vault, C. J. Rudpath, of Syracuse,' won the 220 yds. and -140 yds. in 212-ssec.' and 48seo. respectively, and J. P. Jones showed that ho has not lost any of his form by winning the half mile in Imin, 53 4-5 sec. '. ... ':...'■

Non-Genulno Clocking. While on the subject of record performances it is; interesting to: note that the opinions expressed by "Mercury" at tho time- respecting the genuineness of the times credited to Postlo.in his match with Donaldson, at; Auckland in ■'March last, have been endorsed by Donaldson himself as the following extract from an interview with him by a representative of London. "Sporting Life" shows:— The Australian flier was by no means convinced of" the times in the New Zealand matches,.!where Bostle beat him. Donaldson said he was running ' there -under, difficulties; he had been very sick on tho sea voyage, and tho rain poured down all tho time he was in'.the island. Indeed, for 48 hours be-, fore the race, there was nothing'but rain, and the track was in poor con- : dition, although good under the cir- . cumsta'nees. : And -there was a stroug crossiwihd, almost a Rale. Said Don--1 aldson:' "If Postle did' 19 or ,200, and I'was a yard or/two out under those conditions,' what could 'wo do if fit? I am afraid you caimot take the New Zealand times .as correct. But, mind you; "Postle was running in grand, . 6tyle; right up to his best form, and you know what ttat is. But I know . I : was yards behind my proper form . when he beat me/or there would have been some racing, and what would tho time have been .then?"

A Letter from J. P. M'DaviH. . From' Mr. J.-. P. Sl'Da,vjtt, honorary secretary of the newly-formed Harrier Club in ,Palmorston North, cornea the following, under dat<s July 9. "Mercury" will bo glad to publish any notes of interest from our country cousins on club doings. ''.'■. Esar '^Mercury,"—lt may. interest . you to know that the PaJmerston North Harrier Club is now a going concern, with a total on the active list of SO. We have already had two trophies presented for competition, one from Jlr. T. Neat, an active member . of the club; and.one from ■ the local firm of Messrs. Millar and Giorgi. We held-a'scratch rua on Wednesday last, starting from the Sports Ground, and taking a course over ideal crosscountry ground, traversed about eight miles before returning to the Sports Ground. Fourteen members tui-ned out for that run, and each one finished up well: The official opening takes place to-morrow, July 10, when we hope to have most of our number out. , The sport should prosper here, as the ■ : < country, is admirably suited for it. . We hope to' enter a good team for the provincial championship on July 24, and, personally, would like to bo able to turn the rabies on my old club, Brooklyn. Will advise you results of our races, etc./ as I. knowyou N are always sincere in your efforts to foster the sport.—l am, eto, ■:,'■'!,■ J. V. M'DAVITT, ■ : : .■■ ■ , Hon. Secretary.

Dormer Going to Auckland. A. Dormer, present haflf nmd quarter mile champion of New Zealand, has resigned, the position held. by him in tho Public '.Works Department in the Bay of Plenty district, and will take up his residence in Auckland. Dormer's late occupation entailed a good deal of horse-back riding—a form of exercise not at all conducive to success on the track, and that he succeeded in running last season aa well as he did, is some-slight indication of what ho will bo capable, of next eeason with better facilities in the way of training. ' B.- E. Walker, running at Pontypridd, Wales, on May2B, proved that his recent South African times recorded in , his yds. handicap in 123-ssoc. It is stated matches against Holway were undoubtedly correct, by winning from scratch the 130 that Walker will. next season raako a tour of Australia and New Zealand, his object being malches with Postle end Donaldson. ■

The Harriers. Tho Brooklyn Harriers wero favonred with fine weather last Saturday for their annual Cook Cup race, and in consequence tho large field of 20 faced the starter. A keen race resulted, but as in many Harrier'events the limit men were more than favourably treated. The Cook Cup is one of tho only two individual races in the Wellington district that lms earned a name—the Palmer Cup is tho other—and it is a pity that indifferent handicapping should .detract somewhat from its interest, i