ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1770, 7 June 1913, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

(By Mercury.)

CAN OLD ENGLAND WAKE UP? Signs of a Change at Home. . Nearly a year has elapsed now since tho last Olympic Gaines at Stockholm, and the athiotio writers in tho moro progressive of tho English sporting papers aro drawing attention to this flight of time, and aro beginning to ask what the English Olympic and athletio authorities are doing about sending fitting representation lor England at tlio next Games at Berlin, . It will be romomberod how tho lamentable failure of the English athletes at tho last meeting produoed an outcry against tlio general inefficiency,. slovenly equipment, and lack of organisation thut was so marked a feature of the whole English' representation on that occasion, and how feeling ran so high on tlio question that it was actually proposed, in some authoritative quarters, that England should withdraw altogether from future participation in tho Games. 'Fortunately time has eased the smarts caused by that acrid discussion, and it really looks now as though something may at last bo done as a result of tho persistence of those who wish to see England take her proper place in the world s athletics. An article on this subject published last woek in tho "London Times' —no less —and (by arrangoment) appearing simultaneously in the Sydney "Sun," says: With a view of discovering British talent for the next Olympic Games, a scheme has been approved, and funds provided, for a series of novice trials under the direction of tho British Amateur Athletio Association. The events will bo open to any entrants over tho ago of 17 who- have hot won a prize in open competition, wins in school sports not being counted. Entries will be taken free, and tho prizes will be .gold, silver, and bronze medals of a special design, and not exceeding £2 each in value. It is suggested that 150 events shall, bo run oil' in England and 50 each in Scotland and Ireland during 1913-14, aud the names of tho novices showing promise will bo carefully registered and their performanocs closely watched. Every endeavour will be made to .•■•give entrants special training facilities, and a report on tho trials will eventually bo submitted to a special Olympio committee. Hi will be soon that there i! nothing really tangible in this—merely that certain schemes have been approved aud suggestions thrown out. At tho Bamo time it shows that something nt least is boing done—that the "powers that be" have been seized with a sonso of their responsibilities, and, mavbe, from this beginning will be evolved a plan of campaign. Again lho All-Conquering Foreigner. While on niattorß English a cablegram that arrivod during the week calls tor attention. It ran :— London, June 1. Tho Polytechnic Marathon race, from Windsor Castle to Stamford Bridge, was won by Anelgren, of Sweaen, in 2hr. 36min. 0' 3-ssec.—a j record for tho course. Kolehtnainon was second and Christenson third.

Tills race was promoted some years ago by "Sportmg J J no/ J which paper has donated n XaOD cup for tho event. This trophy was won last year by J. Corvery, a Canadian! wlio was (at latest advices trow Home) to deleiid tho honour, together with unother Canadian to be selected from trials. Sweden also held "try outs" with the intention of sending three representatives, two of. whom, by tho ifiiy, got iuto tiiu first three, Finland was represented by Tatu holehmainen (brother of tho world-famous Haimes of that ilk), who, as stated, ran second, and South Africa was to havo been represented by C. W. Gitshnin, who ran second in both this raco and in tho big Stockholm Marathon last year. I'ho long raco starta from tho grounds of Windsor Castle, and ■ finishes on the Stamford Bridge tracks, two laps of which aro run at tho finish, making up tho classic distance of 20 miles 385 yards. Tho cablegram shows that tho foreign* ers made a clean sweep of tho thnx) pluces, and, moreover, that Anelgren, tho Swedish winner, added to the glory of the occasion by breaking the previous record, established in October, 1908, by Henri Siret, a Frenchman, tho figures being 2 hours 37 minutes 23 seconds. It is interesting for purposes of comparison to note that, at tho Olympio U ames of 1908, when Dorando achieved his dramatic finish, and disqualification, tho time of "Johnny" Hayes, the socond mail to finish, and winner, was 2 hours 5b minutes 2 4-ssec. Men That We Saw at tho Basin. On Siay 23 an athletic meeting of somo importance wns held in Sydney. 1 his was the Inter-University Athletic Championships, at which four of tho State •Varsities were represented—Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Queensland. Iho honours of the day fell to the Victorian institution, after a very closo contest with Sydney, with Adelaide third—tho scores being 13j, ll}, and 5 points respectively. Unfortunately tho weather was showery, and tho ground holding, so that tho true merit of the performances is not evidenced by tho times and distances recorded. Many of tho successful athletes are known on this side through compoting hero at the last Australasian Barnes at the Basin Keserve, notably L. H. Kelly, of Melbourne, who scored a treble win. He annexed tho 220 yds. and 110 yds. in 23 3-risec. and 53sec. respectively, and won the high jump at sft. l)Jin. K. A, Southeo fXmv South Wales), who won the broad jump at 22ft. Gin., A. 1). Ellis (Victoria) the 100 yds. championship (time llscc.), T. Francis, of Brisbane, and W. i. Pattmson, of Sydney, will all bo remembered as appearing here, and no doubt our representatives will meet most of them again lit Melbourne at tho big meeting in February next. None of iho other events, for reasons already mentioned, call for special mention in point of merit. . Tho States Doliberatfl. With the excoption of Harrier affairs, matters athletic are slack locally, pending receipt from Australia of tho intentions of the various State associations with regard to the projected American visit. • Judging from tho remarks of the various snorting writers tho project is being well received, and the general aspect of the scheme is acceptable, but, with the associations, the financial aspect must decide the question. Alt the goodwill in tho world will be of little avail if (he financial outlook of the proposition is not favourable, and it is an aspect that demands the weightiest consideration. Meanwhile we in Mew Zealand must await tho results of tho Australian deliberation, as, although wo are practically committed to tho 6cliemo if

tlio States will como in with us—without them we cannot hope to go on vitli it. Tho Week and the Harriers. the usual source comes tho weekly budget of harrier notes, as under:— "Harrier proceedings for tho last wook liavo been somewhat quiet, and uiinterest-mg-a condition: due, probably, to tho reaction after tho amalgamate! teams race at the Athletic I'ark, and also to tho lull that generally precedes a coining event of any importance. A Big Entry for Brooklyn. "However, a revival will set in to-day —at least in eo far as tho Brooltljn Club is concornod. This afternoon will bo run this club's first genera! club race of any importance. It takes the shapo of & threo-inile Boaled handicap, and is to to contested at Soatoun. The club members have risen to tho occasion, and it 6ays a lot for their keenness and the zeal of tho officials that tho entry sheot contains forty-two nominations—claimed to be a record for a club race. Given favourable weather, and a roasonablo proportion of acceutancos, tho big field that will start should make tho event' an uncommonly interesting one. The Palmer Cup Etf'ent, Tlio most popular event in tho Wellington Club's oalendar —the Palmer Cup raoo —is scheduled for a fortnight hence. IVoni various quarters como rumours of keen preparation from Intending competitors, both old and new, and, judging from attendances and performances at tho weekly runs, it would appear as though tho event is duo to fait to ono of th« latter division. Unfortunately, as was also tho caso last season, on this occasion, the race will loso a degree of interest from tho fact that thero will bo no cup defender. Last year tho then holder, P. Rowbury, was tinftbl© to defend his titlo on account of illhoalth. This year absence from town Is responsible for tho position, L, Salels, tlia present holder, being in Sydney. Howevor, it is oertain that ono at least of the previous winners will endeavour to have his nam© engraved onoe more on, tho oovoted piece of plate, and if this should oomo to pass the oluh will loso a trophy, tho competition for whioh has undoubtedly excited moro interest and attracted largor fields than any other of tho olub ovonts. The Centrals Make a Miss. The King's Birthday deprived the Central Club of its usual official uiid-wookly run, but the energetic olement declined to be deprived of its outing. An informal run, in which other club members wero invited to join, was therefore organised at Lyall Bay, and a mixed party set out in charge of 11. Meyers, the captain of tho Centrals, Tho proceeding terminated as usual with a run-in over about 300 yards. This wa< a scratch affair, and resulted in a diversity of opinion as to who was tho winner. It was ono of three, the veteran M. Mulcahoy (Central), T. J. Kerr, or W. Donaldson, both W.H.C., and it was left at that. Tho two Saturday clubs last week held their runs from diflorent points in Karori. The Brooklyn men mustered strongly at an invitation event given by one of tho club's vice-presidents, and tho Wellington men indulged in a run over about seven miles of the surrounding country. T, J, Kerr, with a i handicap, was first man home, with D. M'Donald and W. Donaldson next in order. Kerr, by tho way, oould do very well with a course of training on grasß. It is apparent from his performances of th» past fortnight that ho is moro at easo ,on the road than ho is on the track, which, as cross-country running is quite a distinct art from road-racing, is not oa it should be.