ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1605, 23 November 1912, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

£BT "Mbecubt."] GOOD NEWS FROM THE STATES. Last week "Mercury" was able to report progress regarding tne projected visit of the American athletes from this end of the negotiations. In the last "Referee" to hana there is published a letter received by Mr. R. Coombes from Mr. Wm; Unmack, the originator of the scheme, which shows that matters are progressing equally satisfactorily on the Pacifio slope. Mr. Unmack's letter is too lengthy for production in full, but that section that deals iiriniediately with the business in hand states:— Georgo Horine, World-boater. "George Horine will be pleased to make the top if it is a reality, so there, you are assured of one world-beater, at least. By the way, Horine jumped 6ft. 4in. in an exhibition for the Australian Rugby footballers last week, and at Stanford jumped Gft. sJin. in practice. He is keeping in splendid form, and as he is working now, has not muoh time to train. _ He, however, works out on certain mornings, and is improving in great shape. He intends to go after his own world's record next season, and don't be surprised if, next March, April, or May, you hear of him making a new mark for the running high jump. If you get him out there in Australia and New Zealand, and get a fine, hard loam take-off for him, there will be ft possibility of him -making a new record for the world in Australasia. I would not be at all surprised if ho would do this down at Sydney, as I firmly believe that the climate there—once lie gets acclimatised after mv week or so—is conducive to Horine doing well. Hurdlers and Sprinters. "As to Fred Kelly, I am doubtful whether he will be able to go at tho particular time of the year you want him; but I am sure' of another crack hurdler to take his place in Martin' Hawkins, of Portland, who was placed third to Kelly at the Fifth Olympiad. He is a crackerjack of a fine hurdler, and one who would serve your purposes to good advantage. Ralph Rose is at present on the shelf, as we say Here, but a little persuasion will, bring him round O.K. While not sure of Ira .Courtney, the sprinter, I hear there is a good prbspect"Sf getting him to go along. However, l am .not I'woftyitag' 1 about', the sprinters, as there are so many of equal ability that it will be easy to get you a first-class man. I am also informed that M'Clure has left oollege now, and if that is the case I think it will be easy to get. this lad-.for the 880 yds, 1 mile, and two miles events." Mr. Unmack states further that he has obtained the official sanction of the Pacific Athletic Association —the local branch of tho A.A.N, of America—for a team to travel. Should tho tour come of, and, provided he (Mr. Unmack) travels with it as manager, permission would be secured from the A.A'.N. in New York for . the team to wear the official American shield, and to compete as the accredited representatives of the U.S.A. , ■' Evening Sports Meetings. The first of the local evening meetings was held : last Wednesday, the W.A.A.C. promoting the little "meet." Owing to the temporary closing of the Basin Reserve, the arena was transferred to Kelburne Park,. which is in good order for lap contests, albeit 'a trifle bumpy for straightaway sprint events. The entries in the first run, the 100 yds., were satisfactory, but there were so many scratchings that , tho event was decided in one heat. The scratch man was Asliby Duncan, with J. Wilson next to him, on 3 yds. (with a. limit of 9yds.). Mr. W. H. Pollock got his field away well together, and it was very soon apparent that the backmarkers were too short of a gallop to catch the front men. The finish was a good one, G. Heley (off Byds.), getting the tape by a foot or so from J. L. M'Donald (9yds.), with A. Cunningham (7yds.), third. Tho' time given was 10 2-5 sec.—rather too fast for scratchmen thus early in the season. The mile handicap brought out nine starters, with J. F. ("Darkio") Bvrne on scratch (and a limit, of 120 yds.). The winner ' turned up in E. B. Smith (70yds.), who won comfortably, with the brake hard on from J. L. M Donald. T. J. Kerr was third from the 120 yds. mark, and Byrne fourth. Byrne had run into a good position at tho bell, and put in a good run'at tho back stretch, but his condition failed him at tho business end. Smith, a Central Harrier, ran well and with judgment, and should make a useful miler. Time, 4min. 47soc. The quarter mile saw six starters, with provincial champion Jimmy Wilton on the scratch mark. It was the scratch man's race all the way and he ran out a nice winner in 55 l-ssfec. —the slowest time that has won a quarter in Wellington for many a day. An Athletic Fillip Needed. Now that a start has been made it is to be hoped that local club officials will keep things moving. So far this season matters athletic havo plumped badly mid unless speedy steps arc taken to invigorate things tho sport will receive a serious set-back locally. It is true that the weather conditions have been all against training, and that the laying-up of the Bnsin Reserve makes a preparation more difficult for athletes from the To Aro end of tho city, but these factors simply make it imperative that every inducement possible should be offered io keep our athletes from drifting out of the sport through lack of competition. In the absence of the usual spring meetings, to keep tho men in training, arrangements should be made for plenty of evening meetings, and if possible, small club fixtures on Saturday aftcrncons. Last year it was proposed to hold an inter-club meeting between two of the local clubs, but tha event fell through. Such a contest nt, snv, Day's Bay, would be an attractive affair for club members and it is quite possible that a series could be worked up. Something of the kind is highly necessary until after the New Year, when the Basin will be available again. It behoves club officials to see that something is done, and done at once. The Sydney Jumpers. Last week "Mercury" chronicled the excellent performance registered by E. A. Southee in the bmnd jump on the first day of tho Dunn Shield inter-club contest in Sydney. Details of the second and concluding day are now to hand nod they show that Southee continued in his winning vein. Tt. will be remembered that lie cleared 23 feet twice in the broad jump and his further wins happened along in the hop-step-and-jump, and 220 yds. fiat. In the former lie registered 43ft. SSin., and he won the flat race in 213-osec. Further performances of merit were: A. H. Scott's win in the high jump at lift. (Hin,, with W. J- Rote second with sft. B}in., J. W. Frazer's (who. with Southee.- was competing at the Bnsin Reserve at Christmas time) 410 hurdles win in G.isec.. and veteran W. J. O'Reilly's winning throw of 127 ft. 7in. with the 161b. hammer. The challenge shield was won for the third wicccssivo year by tho .South' Sydney Harriers.