ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1740, 3 May 1913, Page 14

ATHLETICS.

IBs "Merccey.'M

CHANCE OF EMPIRE SPORTS.' Proposal Seriously Raised. In the current issue of the Sydney "Referee" Mr. Coombes reopens the matter of tho Festival of Empire Games, which were held in London in June and July, 1911, and at which tho Dominion was represented in tho Australasian team by W. Woodger, Ronald Opie, Guy Haskins, and Malcolm Champion, with results not too pleasing to our athletic amour propre. The president of tho Australian A.A.U. is reviving the subject on account of an existing possibility that the Games can bo made a periodical function. Mr. Coombes states that, at the conclusion of the last "meet," this aspefct of the question was discussed, and that both the English and Canadian athletio authorities expressed the. opinion that the continuation of the Games was much to be desired, and that the question of timo and place could bo raised with advantago in duo course. Where and When to Hold Them. It is evidently Mr. Coombes's opinion that this timo has now arrived. In his remarks upon tho subject lie'writes:— "Now, as the Dominion of Canada holds the premiership, it is to be presumed that, if there be a renewal of tho Game 3, they will tako place, should tho Canadians so desire, in Canada. The Lonsdale Cup, a huge nnd costly trophy, was won right out by tho wearers of the red maple- leaf badge, but if I read tho Dominion sportsmen aright, tliev would bo sure to put up tho great trophy for competition—treat it in the light of a challenge cup. "Furthermore, I am not so suro they would insist on the second Empire championship meeting taking place in Canada, should Australasia ask that, in the sport's best interests, it lie held in theso parts. I have written Mr. Merrick on tho point, and shall await liis viows with interest. Undoubtedly a meeting in Canada would best suit tho United Kingdom, whilst a meeting in Australia or New Zealand might bo mado suitable alike to Canada and South Africa. "Anyway, as the various colonies are ever sending teams to England, it would bo quite up to the British to send a team anywhere, no matter how great the distanco or how much the cost." In casting about for a. suitable year (continues Mr. Coombes), one has to remember the Panama Exposition Games at San Francisco in 1915. and the Sixth Olympiad at Berlin in 191G—two big international fixtures at which Australasia will bo represented. And is tho Transcontinental Railway Festival at Perth in 1915 to bs considered. The question arises: "Could the Empire Games be fixed for 1914, say, some time closo handy to the Australasian Track and Field Championships during February. 19H?" There is ample time to prepare plans and confer with Canada and South Africa, whilst I understand that an English team may bo in tho last-named country at the end of this year, and, if so, it could possibly extend its tour to these parts, and still be home again in time for tho English track anil swimming season of I'JU. It', however, the Canadians deem it necessary for the meeting to bo held ill their Dominion, such could not tako place before 1915 —either just prior to tho big affair in San Francisco, or just, after it. ".Mercury" thinks that this is opening up a very big question indeed, but nothing can' be done in the matter yet at tlio Australasian end until word has been received from (he Canadians ns to whether they arn prepared l<> I'nreßO their right to havo tho next lathering

i should there bo a next) in their own lominion. In any case, with rogard to tlio 1914 proposition, it should not bo forgotten Ihnt tlio Australasian and New Zealand Associations nra now in treaty with tlio Athletic Union of Amoricn regarding a visit of athletes from tlio United States for llio coming Benson. Tho A.A.U, Championships. In tho abovo extract from Mr. Coombcs's nrticlo it will bo noticcd that ho touches a noto of interest regarding tho next Australasian championships. Ho mentions— and no doubt authoritatively—February, 1914, as tho probablo dato of tho big meeting;. As far n.s is known lioro officially, no dato lias been fixed upon, but no doubt Mr. Cooinbes has "inside" information. So wo may look upon this dato as practically settled upon.

An Ajhlotic Lock-out. , At a recent mooting of tho control of tlio Victorian A.A.A., tho lxisilion of South Australia with regard to tlio Australasian Union was considered, and a motion wns tabled nnd carried enacting that until such timo as a properly constituted association comes- into activo existonco in South Australia no athletes purporting to bo amateurs from that Stnto shall bo allowed to compote as amateurs in tho other Stales of tho Union. Should this motion bo upheld by tho A.A.U., it will havo tho effect of debarring tlio South Australian representatives from tho annual inter-Varsity contests with Sydney and Melbourne. Thoso aro important occasions in Australian athletics, and ara really tho only occasions upon which representatives from South Australia nieasuro their paces with amnlcurs outsido their own bordera. Mr. Basil Parkinson is rosponsiblo for this pieco of "strong-arm" legislation, and in moving it lie mado somo trenchant remarks on tlio matter. Ho reported that since October last lie had threatened to movo in the present direction, but at tho request of South Australians had postponed doing so. Apparently nothing but the action now adopted would liavo any effect. It was not really desired to exclude South Australia, but it was grossly unfair to permit their athletes to enjoy all the privileges of interstate cqmpetition Without any of the responsibilities. Little Tasmania had loyally encouraged tho sport nnd supported tlio union for years, and South Australians should _ bo ashamed of tho position they occupied. Lan l'ender (Adelaide) is possibly tho best hurdler in Australasia to-day, albeit J. L. Davis and G. IV Keddell are still te bo reckoned ill. Adolaido has also furnished fino athletes in Jloyes, Murray, Campbell, Angas, and others, and tlicro is no doubt that, properly organised, they might become as strong athletically as any other State, but they arc cursca with absolute inertia. The next inovo will como l from tho union, which has been asked to submit tho recommendation of the Victorians to tiie affiliated associations for confirmation. ' Should tho motion be upheld by tho mail vote, as there is no doubt it will, the South Australians will have to cither get busy and put their affairs in order or ."play in their own backyard" until such timo as thoy do. An Innovation for Harriers. Through tho courtesy of a prominent harrier enthusiast, "Mercury" has been enabled to arrango 'for a weekly resumo of tho doings and aspirations of tlioso addicted to tho winter branch of tho sport, and lie now submits tho first budget from his correspondent, who writes:— "A proposal of interest and importance to harriers has been submitted to tlio city, clubs by tlio Rugby Union, regarding tho practicability of holding club runs in conjunction with tho matches in the Athletic Park. It is proposed, provided that suitablo conditions to'botlr parties can bo settled upon, to start certain races during tho season during tho "spells." Tho first part of tho distances to bo. covered' would bo run 'round tho park, and tlio runners would sot forth on tho rest of their journey over tho surrounding country whoa the interval was up. .Delegates liavo been appointee! to discuss details with tho union officials, and 6hould satisfactory arrangements bo como to the first of tho series will tako placo under thoso conditions at any early date.

If is to be hoped that the' negotiations prova successful, as there is no doubt such a project would prove beneficial to the harriers if only from the fact that it would give the sport a degreo of publicity that is at present ontirely lacking, and which would so a long way towards stimulating the intorest of club members. Ilarrierism in common with most sports was not bom to blush unseen. Any blush to bo effective must have an audience; every member of a ladies' hockey team knows that.

Forward, tho Novices. Next weclt two clubs, the . Wellington and Brooklyn, are holding their annual novico handicaps, the former at _ Lower Hutt and the younger club at Miramar. The Wellington Club will have nt least fifteen starters, and there promises to bo keen competition among tile backmarkers. Tho scratch man will probably bo W. Donaldson, who through ill-health did not pass out of the novico class last season. He is at present showing excellent form, but will need to bo at his best if tho handioappers are in any way liberal to some of tho new season's members. T. J. ICerr has beon making a mark for himself so far, arid has been conspicuous by winning every "run-in" this season. His performance, however, is somewhat marred by a tendency to "loaf" during the run. tactics which, besides depriving himself of any advantage derivable from running with tho fast pack, are questionable as being apt to give him an undue advantage of the harder "tryers" _ when tho final scurry comes up for decision. Ono Pack or Two? The New Zealand cross-country championships have , proved amply that local harriers err on the slow sido in' their work. As a corrective to this failing, I would suggest that whenever possible the pack should be divided into fast and slow. squads, so that the speedier members could indulgo in work that would extend them and not, as is now the practice, havo to run with the brake on so as to wait for tho. stragglers. I noticed that tho Brooklyn Club last week had difficulty in holding in the fast men. It is quite right that on certain occasions the pack should hunt together for tho benefit of the younger members, but there aro occasions, too, when the speedier men should bo given a clianco to develop their full powers. There should bo plenty of theso occasions should our men wisli to fignro prominently in interprovincial competition. To-day the Brooklyn Club meets at tho Hutt, and tho Wellington men will run at Miramar.