ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1629, 21 December 1912, Page 18

ATHLETICS.

IBT "Mercohy."] TWO LETTERS FROM MR. UNMACK. Boxing Day.—Wairarapa A.A.C. Gathering, Masterton. January 18.—W.A.A.C. Summer Carnival, Basin lteservo. January '22.—Seatoun A.A.C, Meeting (Seatoun Park). January 22.—Caledonian •. Society's Gala, Wanganui. Fine Letters, but Melancholy. During the week tho council of the N.ii.A.A.A. has received from Mr. W. Unmack two letters regarding the sinceabundoned lour of tho Dominion by an American athletic team. The letters are dated .November 1C and November 21, and when they wero written the prospects of getting tho team away wero apparently of the rosiest. Tho contents now liavo a inelanoholy interest, as showing us exactly what wo havo missed, and from tho information which they contain as to tho all-round calibre of the American athlete. Will thoso to whom their success at tho Olympic Games is set down to "somi-profes-sioJial specialisation"- kindly malto particular' note of this same all-round ability ? Unfortunately, there is not spaco for tho whole ol' Air. Unmack's very interesting epistles, but a few extracts dealing with tho porsonuol of the team and his plans as to its working will bo of interest as showing how theso things are done abroad. Thus tho then-prospective mam ager writes!—

Letter No. 1: A Manager Who Meant Business. '.'I know full well tho limits you good pople go to in Australia and Now Zoaland to make strangers feel a£ home, and the great entertainment you give visiting athletes, but i am going to ask, as a upecial favour, that certain lines bo followed in this respect. I would respectfully suggest that you allow my men liberty—tnat is, freedom from entertainment of any kind, the wholo day bflforo a meet and tho day of the meet. Tho 1 night after wo.will be pleased to fall in with anything you may plun for us. I would also like tho men to work at least one hour after the first week in the morhings, and probably tlie same time in tho afternoon. They must get in solid work on this tour, as I do not intend to let them think it is a picnic. You will be ablo to find plenty of timo for entertainment, but I ask you as a favour to us to give us as much time as possiblo for work, not only that we may' dp ourselves justice, but to give you good people the very best wo can. Training is the only thing that can do this. "The men I bring over your union can rest assured will be gentlemen in every sense of the* word —both on and off the track—and sportsmen who will, lam sure, worthily uphold the reputation of 'Uncle Sam" along their various lines of endeavour.

"George Horine I have spoken to, and am inclined to think he viill bo along. He is, as you know, the world's record bolder in the high jump, can pole vault about lift. 4 to 6 inches (the Australasian record is lift, li in.—"Mercury"), does, three standing broad jumps, and throws the javelin, which last I think is new in your land. He is no world-beater at this, but he won the Pacific Coast championship with a 'putt' of about 137 feet. It ib a beautiful event, and his work will give you an idea of th» vport. "I am doing my level best to get Trod.' Kelly tor the hurdles. He is a great allround boy, though he may confine himself strictly to hurdling. I will, however, probably be able to get him to put the shot, which he can get to about 40 feet. He might also enter for broad jump, but, on this, I can not definitely state until we are on the ground. The trouble is that he does not leave his 'Varsity until December 23, and then their track season opens . again the first week in March. However, if he cannot sot away, I have another man you will cflieht to see, namely, Forest Smithson, the worid's record holder.. To my mind, he can beat Kelly to-day, and I would rather brins him* from a competitive standpoint than the latter, but I realise you ail would like to see the latest stars on the athletic horizon. You can depend ou him sivin<r Keddell a great big race, and I fuliv expect to see him do 15 l-ssec. after a couple of wsoks in New Zealand. I can also use him in the 100 yards dash and broad jump. "

The Second Letter—Mr. Unmack Still in Real Earnast, In the sceoml letter Mr. Unmack reports further progress as under;— "It has been impossible for me to get Kellv or Ira Courtney, the sprinter. Botli these lads are at the University of Southern California, and, (o make this trip, would mean that they would lose a vear's tuition, as they could not get back in time to register at their 'Varsity for tbo new term next year. In his stead I have definitely got lor rest Smithson. "Horino has been mmblo to give me a definite answer at tho present time. He is now iu business, and to mnko the trip would mean tho loss of n lot of time and money, which the lad can hardly afford, lie is', however, still considering tho trip, and 1 havo ft place open for him. If ho does not go 1 havo got a man you will be delighted to see in action, iu tho person of Alinn Hichards, of Salt Lake, who bout Horino and won the world's chain* pionstiiy at Stockholm. This lad can also do several other field events, and will bo a valuable member, as well as a big drawing-card for you. "Walter At'CUmi, of Oregon University, will make tho trip, and ho is tho host milor on this Coast.' Tlo was at the Olympiad, and took second in his heat in tho 1500 metro race. }Io has a record of iniiii. 2i 2-5 seconds for tho miio, can do tho half-milo better' than 2 minutes, and has do»o tho two miles in 9mm. 54 or 55 soe. Ho is a first-class distanco man. and with him I hope to seo one of tho'greatest miloa with your man Hill that has over taken place in New Zenland. ' "By tho way, I forgot to tell you about tho sprinter I am uudeavouring to get, Walda Throop or Lnwrcuco Gilette. llio fanner is n 10 1-5 man, and has dono 22 1-5 for tho 220. Gilotto is more of a ■l ift man, I hough ho can riin a good hundred, and a better 220. He does tho .140 in Msec, flat—rather, ho has dono it twice in this litiic-nnd is consistent at the distanco in 50 2-sseo and 50 3-Ascc. I also havo another sprinter in view in Irvino llest. of Santa Clara University. He is a 10 l-Sseo. man, and does tho 220 in 22 3-Ji, and is also a broad jumper of ability. , . . "1 will havo a fairly good sprinter, though.whether ho will beat Opio in the hundred remains lo be socu, but lam in hopes of giving your man a great run in tho 220."

But Alas! Tho Fateful Paraornph. Mow wo hftvo couio to tho fateful partvprnnh in Mi". Unmack's etorv, and doubt this contains tho reason for' uio eleventh-hour cancellation: "Now, hero is just ono thing: Amoricnn athletes aro sort of fickle, nml some of thorn you cannot depend on in somo ways. For instance, I . will not boliovo I have pot omithsoii , until I clear llio howls with him on tho stonnier. If he docidos not to go, nml 1 cannot get Hawkins instead, tho tour will lmvo to fall through. I am living in hopes that they will all do as they have said—and I think thoy will." [Apparently they did not. In fact, wo havo since learnt that Sniithson pulled, out at the last moment.—Mercury.] In conclusion, 51 r. Unmade writes:—"l now nwnit vciir final reply. Tho tour is, up to von. 1 havo got yon a quartet of lads Hint will i?ivo you u good showing. Every man is an amateur, and everyono is mi Olympiad performer, except the sprinter,'and ho will ho as Rood as I can get. Thoy nro all lino lads, and gentler men, nml represent' the best that America enn produce in their lines. Both on and oil tno track 1 am siiro von will bo satisfied with tho conduct of these boys. If we oflino to yon ive nro coming to do our best to win thoil'sh I warn j-ou beforehand that tho lads will not I>e.in their; top condition for a meet or two, so. that, if we should net beaten once or'twice at tho start, make full allowance. We will, however, givo your boys a good, honest tussle—and may the best man win." Well, Why Let the Whole Tiling Drop? Thus Mr. Unmack's letters—letters with a true spor'tins rinjj that accontuntes tho

rogrot we all feel that we are not to have the pleasure of meeting him and bis riii a °*' athletic heroes this season. Iho local executive is not going to allow the matter to drop entirely now that the ico has been broken,' and, between t'ls and next year, every effort will be.'mii'i to get things afoot again, should it bo found possiulo to entertain the propesition for next season. The Right Sort of Outing for Dec. 26. The next meeting open to local athlel ;s is the Wairarapa A.A.C. carnival, tit Masterton, on lloxiug Day, and, to thaa of our performers who have already maii:i an athletic raid on the Wairarapa men on their nativo heath, there is nq need to remark ujxm the reception both 'as regards class of competition and hospital)'l v that awaits the visitor from Wellington" Secretary 'IV. Dieksun and his cornui -• tee have arranged a very comprehensive' programme, and Bradbury, Alcsseng' M'Konzie, and Co., the local cracks, c.v ail saddling up to give the proceediEja "class" from an athletic standpoint. "Mercury" learns that some of tin. 1 members of the council, and quite a tew;.i of Wellington runners are making t.ic. trip, and he can, from experience, confidently recommend the njeetiug as v» excellent day's sporting oufahgi Splendid Little Seatoun, The little park at Seatoun present -i what the reporter sometimes describes "an animated gceno" on Wednesday evt.... ing, tho occasion being tno first : even] ;. meeting of llie Seatoun A.A.C. The lot . iiorougn Council had been vo some pai > to prepare tho arena for the little gathi. ing, and a good track of six/laps to t..c rniie was discovered by the town runn< who took part. l'our events were down for discussion. ■» relay race of a mile for residents rep;s> sentiug the various whares that abouivj, in tho suburb, and three, open handict.cs. over 75 yards, 220 yards, and one mris, Good entries were the order all and the racing was interesting, althoui'i the shortness of the circular-track •!. tho consequent frequency of turns auii;»i the northerly breezo in keeping down i.-< times recorded.

The 220 yards was won by A. Cunnifc:hamo, off 11 yards, with J. Wilton, :j yards, second. 11. Pool, the provincist ohampion sprinter, was on scratch, l i:i he was ijeyor prominent, and will ht- ii to show a decided improvement before Ua can hops to retain his provincial championship titles. The 75 yards brought to light a pronul- - performer, yclept, Hov, who won wit); ease, off 6 yards, from C.' X'. Young. 1 hi; scratch man ran second in his hi. - .;, which .was won. by G. Scott, the lc a; centre's secretary, off the 2-yard mark, mi 8 l-ssec., Hoy won the second heat ir.. tho same time, with .Aston second,; . , i the final saw Hoy run out a win;-''',., with I'oung second,, in Bseo. The mile was a good race. Fourl-"; started, with Hastings on scratch, and field stringing out to a 150 yards lir r. Alexander, on the long mark, led r •' ' of the-journey,, with the middle-niarii. displacing each other all the way, u:. the last lap, when Smith, off 40 ya:...~. put in a strong run, and moved ur ;? second place. Alexander kept, his until the homo turn, when Smith spirited again, and ran him off his feet, wui* ning by five yards in smin. 26 - with Ballantine third some yards ber.sMl Alexander. Smith ran a'heady race, #r,i judging from this • performance and piss previous win at the W.A.A.C. eve:::-]:-; meeting, in Keiburne Park, will develop into a miler of parts. . The reluy race was won by a St. Ja:r >- ; Football Club quartet, consist™,: ° i Young, Murray, Dobson, and Israe;, ; strong combination, that completely i'--paced the opposition.. The 'Seatoun Club is apparently. -■.«■ much alive, and its. doings, judging the attendance at the meeting, are \V i aed with' interest by tho residents of tr.« borough. On Anniversary Day the is arranging a picnic meeting to lat ..-t day, and the gathering should provenjoyable one for local athletes, v helping to fill that aching void car.-;.--a by the paucity of meetings so;far -J season. .'tr/iv: Wellinofon A.A.C. The Wellington ■! Amateur Athlcib Club found,itself in the unfortunate pro!, tiou of being unable to arrange its inrr scheduled for this month,, owing ■<> its inability to get the Basin Reserve, f.sa the great difficult}- of arranging a succtijful "meet" elsewhere. As a recompense for this the crab lie. • advanced the date of the usual somms gathering, and the Baiin has been engaged for January 18, when soniethiLs good in the way or meetings is promise.!.

Wellington to Lose J. Wilton. It is reported iu town that Welling is a bout to loso the services of one of ' n most able and popular inperson of "Jimmy Wilton, the quart.- - miler, who will bo moving to Aucktffcu shortly. .Wilton has been figuring >:■. championship running for years now, fit--first appearance therein beius at tho 1- < International Exhibition New, ZeaLa.l Championship ■Meeting in Chr , l f'° tur - : {:' when ho was a lad of seventeen. _ 1803 he won the Wellington Championship, which he tas since, and in 1909. atDimedm, he put i* lmll mark on his ruunwK carMr by . -ining tho quarter-milo championship New Zealand. Last war at W«f ; {!.. lie ran second to W. A. Doriuor, of An■■■■ land, in tho big New Z«a'and rne^«i < ; • and 'so far this year his perform, n -- have shown that ho has lost none or n.tV Slboalos s and a "decided gain to Aiicklanl, a 1 will carry with him to his new h. U 4 the good wishes of our local atn»K. ■ ■ public, with whom he has been de .e. • >.r popular for so . many years. Ronald Opie Retiring, and Why. pa d New Zealand sprint = that 0 the health of the Canterbury •

In Europe at present there ■ ar« ovp 7000 livinf centenarians,.: of-whon. ::■- great majority hail from the K'J roirion. Bulgaria can lay claim to v;?v ? 4000. Servia more : than l/OOt/but if land, according to recent statistics, . arc fewer than a hundred, and id mark only two.