ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1794, 5 July 1913, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

1 * (By Mercury.)

FEARS FOR AMERICAN TRIP. Australia not Whole-hearted, Advices from Australia regarding tho proposed visit of an American team are far from reassuring.. Diffidence, indifference, suspicion, caution—deem it what you will—seem to hinge the whole Australian consideration of tue scheme. That Queensland wouild not bo in a position to give any guarantee was expected. That Tasmania would await the had of the larger ■States was equally exported, but that New South Wales should, in face of all that has been made public, demand further particulars, and that Victoria would, at the moment when expedition is a matter of stren necessity, start to bicker over the question of dates, indicate that our prospects of ever seeing an American team in these parts aro becoming remote. Now South Wales evidently feels that thero will be some difficulty in furnishing the financial guarantee, but this aspect cannot fairly bo put forward by the Victorian body, since attendances at athletic meetings in Melbourne aro invariably larger than in New Zealand. .Further, as the Australasian championships will be decided in that edty next season, it has not this heavy item of expenditure to faco for another two years. New Zealand's Dilemma. Tho New Zealand Association has had to bear tho brunt of all tho negotiations with t'lio American authorities, and, relying on the support of' the two principal associations in Australia, has proceeded to almost the final step. It is impossible for us to boar the whole expenso, and, if nothing pore favourable comes to hand from the Commonwealth within the next week or so, it is practically certain that tho tour will have to fall through. From every point of view this will be regrottablo. The sending of athletes to tlio Olympic Games is always more or less a dead expenditure of money from an educational point of view. A tour such as this would put new life into the sport in these parts. It would show us tljo true calibre of our own champions, since thoy would be in a position to show their form, and it would give everyone connected with the sport an opportunity of studying American methods at first hand, thus enabling us the better to make use of them.

Bad Business if Trip Falls. If the tour falls through it is bound to create an unfavourable impression in America regarding amateur athletics in these parts, an impression that would in all probability tell against the favourable reception of an Australasian, team at the Panama Exhibition in 1915. . / Berlin Three Years Hence, It is still a far cry to tho Olympic Games at Berlin in 1016, but everywhere in the older lands the proliminnry work of organisation is .well under way. .Even the United Kingdom is for onoe in. a while abrepst of her rivals in this matter. The Games will be especially notable in that thoy will be tho first gathering at which the programme will be truly international. This programme will be drawn up at the meeting of the International Committee, to bs held in Paris next year. One condition for tho placing of any sport on tho programme will ba that it shall be indulged in by at least , half a dozen nations. The country controlling tho Gaines will not in future be in a position to impose on other nations sports which have a purely local vogue. Germany is willing tnat the sot programme bo introduced a.t the next Games—a hopeful- sign for unanimity, which is furthered by the fact that the draft programme submitted by our Teutonic friends finds much favour from its truly international character. Harriers and Their Doings. To-day week the second harrier ovent on the' Athletic Park will take place. On thiß occasion the' race will bo a two-mile handicap, to be run during tho football speli. This event should draw an exceptionally good field, especially in view of tho extensive training arrangements for the Provincial C.C. Championship on July 26. All enthusiastic harriers should endeavour to make this event eclipse the previous one, as it will greatly increase the public interest in the sport. The Cook Cup. Last Saturday the Brooklyn Club held their annual competition tor the Cook Cup. This event, combined with tho excellent weather, induced 36 to face the starter. Byrne was tho scratch man, tho limit man in the entrances being conceded the phenomenal start of limin, SOsec. The course is described as a' measured five miles, and it is reported that the measuring was undertaken with thoroughness. Fastest time is recorded at 32min. 22sec., and was gained by G. Hutton, who had lmin. 30sec. start (and even then did not get a place). ]?." Byrne and C. Murray are not mentioned,among the placed men. They must have' been decidedly "off colour," especially Byrne, when he was not tho recorder of the fastest time. The race was anything but fast at 32min. 22sec. W. H. Cook, Gmin., finished first, P. H. Oliver, 3min.. second, and G. Bristow, 3min. IDsec., third..

The Central Harriers. The Central Club have been engineering well-attended runs lately. Last week in the run-in, over a distance of about two miles on the road, C. Duck (the busy secretary) tied with E. B. Smith for first place. «}. B. Smith had better bo on the prudent side or he may have his place in the team, for Masterton taken by tho secretary. In regard to their preparations, this club are going about things in a sinccro and systematic manner, even to the installation of a trainer. Thero is not a doubt that, barring accidents, their team is easily the pick of the bunch from the oity. At present the personnel is: F. J. Burrell, 13. B. Smith, F. Hodson, Hastings, Poynton, Rutledge, nnd, provided M. Mulcahey is reinstated in time, he will probably mako one of the six. J!utletlgo is stated to bo tho weakest man, but judging by club runs ho appears to bo a very able man at the game. Wellington Harriers, The Wellington Club spent a beneficial afternoon last Saturday at Lower Ilutt, where ideal harrier country abounds. The run-in was declared "off" owing to some members inadvertently not following tho right course. Iu regard to ttio provincial ohampionskip, thu club hopes to ba able to send a team to it.

LEAGUE & LEAGUERS.

TBy "Fi.ketfoot."! ENGLISH TOUR OF DOMINION. Will English Team Come? Tho New South Wales Rugby League has decided to renow its invitation to the Northern Union to organise and dispatch a representative team to Australia ami perhaps Now Zealand in 1911. In coming to this decision tho League determined not to cable tho invitation, but to communicate with tho Yorkshire-Lan-cashire authorities by mail. But in these progressive tiinos, the press cables conveyed to the Northern Union the message —without, of course, any of tho conditions or other information the League bus in mind—and within a day or two a reply, likewise through the press, was received, as follows:— "In considering the New South Wales Rugby League's invitation to the Northern Union to send a team to Australia in 1911, tho Northern Union has derided that it cannot accept the invitation unless tho Colonial League is prepared to accept a basis for safeguarding the mutual interests of the two governing bodies respecting the transfer of players. It lays this down as an essential in the terms of tho tour."

This may Lo interpreted to mean that unless the letter embodying tho official invitation contains a condition to provide for the wishes of' the English body being mot, the Northern Union will not send a team to Australia. What the Northern Union wants is an agreement by which its clubs will be safeguarded from tho loss of leading players with the team who may evince a desire to remain and play in Australia after the close of the campaign without the. formal transfer from the English club, or qualification ty residence of two years in Australia, lliis term of residence is now in force as a qualification for colonial players who may wish to play in England in the future, though it is not retrospective.

A Rattling Finish. The game between Newtown and Athletic lust Saturday was not of a very interesting character during the whole of the first half, or in the early stages of the second spell. Newtown seemed to tako their opponents too oheaply, until they found they were twelve points behind. It was at this stage, with the scoro 17 to 5 in Athletic's favour, that Newtown became galvanised into strenuous aotion, and the ranks of the Athletic'team melted liko butter before a fire to the rapid rushes of tho Newtown backs. Newtown's score kept gradually mounting. Two tries in rapid succession brought it to eleven, but in neither instance was a goal added. With six points wanted, tho side, working as one man, put in somo very effective play. Time was rapidly drawing to a close, and every advantage was taken of marks, in endeavours to add goals, but with,out success. With scarcely a couple of minutes left, Bensemann forced his way over on the corner. This left the side still three points behind. Strickland had the shot at goal from a back position, and failed to pilot the sphere across tho bars. The side did not have another chance, as the whistle sounded just at this juncture, leaving Athletic the victors. It was a great finish, but Nowtown delayed too long with their effort- They were unfortunate in missinp almost every attempt made at goal-kiokmg; and some of their chances were comparatively easy. Newtown and Athletic. A comparison of tie teams, on Saturday's play, would be in favour of Athlotic. Newtown showed little of that play which) has plaoed them at the top of the championship ladder. Russell's striking dashes wore missing; Strickland did not play his accustomed game, and the passing of many of tho backs was sadly lacking in precision. The forward division were bettor, but they were up against a good combination in the front ranks for Athletic. There is no doubt this toam has been strengthened by tho inclusion of several now men. •

The Tliacker Shield. A challenge for tho Thocker Shield has been put in by North' Shore, tho winners of the League competition in Auckland. They will play tho winning team in Chri.stch.urch during the next two or three weeks. An effort is to be made by the Wellington League to have thorn play Nowtown, tho premier team 'here, on their way down. ' Tho T.hacker Shield was presented by Dr. Tlincker,' of Christchurch, and the best club team in oacli province has the right to competo for it each year. Should "the match between North Shore (Auckland) and Newtown take place here it should prove a good draw. Otto who has seen both teams play this year on Saturday gave it as his opinion that Newtown would win, in the event of such a match. Mora Recruits for the Leauue. Athlotio are getting a fair share of the new pllayers going over to the League game. On Saturday they had two Parkers out for them, and the pair proved a distinct acquisition to tho side. The Parkers are brothers, and ha ve both'eomc over from the Melrose Club. Newtown had a now man out in ■ the person of Manning, who has played in the senior Oriental team. He states he has a batch of new men coining over. The Leaguo game is certainly mnki.ni? a good deal of headway, as far as players are concerned, but the ground trouble is still a big hurdle to be surmounted before the finances of tho League can be jnit on ft proper footing. At present it is a case of all revenue going out and none coming in. Championship Table, The championship table underwent soma considerable ] change on Saturday, although teams still remain the same as regards championship points. Newtown, however, suffered their second defeat this season, while Hntt had a trifle of 66 points scored _ against them by Petone. Tho position is as follows:— Pts. Pti Ch. Played. Won. Lost. for. ng'nst. pts. Newtown ... 10 8 2 210 f8 16 Petone ... 10 C 1 221 10.5 12 Athletic ... 10 i 6 111 130 8 Hutt 10 2 8 GO 269 4 Tourists' War Cry. The war trv of the New Zealand team in New South Wales Avas one of tlio things keenlv anticipated by the large crowds which attended all the matches. The cry was as follows:— Duet: E tutuana koe. /' Choru.f: An au. Duet: E moeaim tu kuia ote po. Chorus: Eau oau ei ei ewatea. The cry may be translated thus:— We are moving on; we are moving on. We are doing good. It is light! It is light! It is day! New Zealand Team Returns, The Now Zealand team returned from Australia on Wednesday and if thoy did not bring a record of unqualified success, they at least returned with a fund of fresh knowledge which will do the game in New Zealand a great amount of good. As indicated in the press when tho team arrived the members nil spoko highly of the time they had on the other side. The gam? has made great strides in New South Wales, and Queensland, and many of the provincial teams showed excellent combination and speed. In the latter respect Newcastle were placed on a high plane. Profits for New Zealand Team. The "Sydney Daily Telegraph" gives details of the gate money received in connection with the tour of the New Zealand League- footballers in Australia.

Financially the tour, though marred by wretched weather, has been wonderfully successful. The takings in matches against I lie Stato were:— First match *£1,814 Second match 1,230 Third match 702 Fourth match 1,774 All aggregate of .£5520, paid by 110.000 spectators! Of that sum ground expenses will absorb 15 per cent., or „tS2B, and wages may be set down at JMOO. Tho balance, JMS!)2, will be divided equally between the Leagues, so that the visitors should take back with them something in tlio vicinity of ,1:2300 as their share of tlio proceeds uf these matches.

Oriental Third Class—Drag leaves Royal Oak Corner at 1.1)1) sharp for Johnfourilla-