ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1806, 19 July 1913, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

o (By Merctjky.) HOME NOTES AND FOREIGN. A Matter of Dates. It has already been clirouicled in this column that the dates decided upon by the Victorian A.A.A. for the coming season's Australasian championship meeting—January 31 and February 2, 1914, do not meet with the approval of the New Zealand A.A.A., and that'the local governing body has written suggesting a postponement to a later date. The Australian View. This proposition does not fall in with the views of the Victorians, and in the "Australasian," "Harrier" thus comments upon the suggested alteration of the dates :— This is .not practicable. The Australasian meeting _must .occupy two days, in fairness'to the competing teams, as well as for financial reasons. Monday, February 2, is a holiday in Melbourne, and is the only holiday between the New Year and. Easter. If January 31 and February 2 are not adhered to, it would be necessary to have two successive Saturdays, which would involve visiting teams in difficulty, owing to the extra leave of absence their men would require—especially New Zealanders and Queenslanders. If that reason does not operate and two Saturdays would suit, a postponement might, of course, be possible." The Case for the N.Z.A.A.A. This phase of the matter has not been before the council of the N.Z.A.A.A. The suitability of the original dates suggested, however, received full consideration, and the decision that they were too early in the year was arrived at only after a thorough discussion. It was pointed out that, for the purposes of selection, it was desirable that the N.Z. championship "meet" should bo held before the bigger gathering. This would mean (as tlie men chosen would require at least a fortnight's notice of their selection, in order to make arrangements for their leave, etc, and then that they would require to leave New Zealand at least ten days before the championships in Melbourne), that the local meeting Would have to bo held cither at or before Christmas time. This is far too early in our season to bo practicable. Then, again, the probable presence of tlio American team in the Dominion in December and January would complicate matters, and, altogether, the dispatch of the New Zealand representatives in' January would bo very inconvenient at this end. Moreover, as the holders of the championship shield, the N.Z.A.A.A. has a right to some say in the dates. Behoves us to Take a Firm Stand. • In any, case, tho argument advanced by "Harrier"—about the necessity of tho Australasian meeting being held either on a holiday and a Saturday, or, alternatively, on two Saturdays—is not convincing. From a "gate" viewpoint, this would, no doubt, be desirable, but that it is really necessary is not borne out by previous experience. Hitherto it has been found quite practicable to conduct the first day iu mid-week. If this is the beat reason that the Victorians can adduce for declining to study the Now Zealand Association's convenience, it will behove the local executive to take a firm stand in this matter. Putting the House in Order. Referring to the projected tour of Australasia by the Americans, a writer in the "Sydney Daily Telegraph" comes down with a good suggestion to tho N.B.W.A.A.A. Ue says:— "I would suggest that the council should consider the appointment of coaches. There aro gentlemen who have bcc'i through the mill who, on an occasion like this, would willingly place their services at tho disposal of tho governing body. Lost year's champions might bo invited to go iu for a thorough course of training under these guides. Other aspirants to championship honours could also train under tho eyes of tho men appointed. If tho idea wero adopted, and the work com-

menced at onco, steadily, of course, tho results would most certainly show themselves when tho time came. Even if it were impossible to unearth a man to boat any of the Americans, our representatives might at least put up a creditable showing." In the Mother State, where tho great majority of the athletes concerned aro members of Sydney clubs, there are g,reat possibilities for the successful working of such a scheme. Unfortunately for us. our champions are scattered broadcast throughout the land. Mike Murph)—Requiescat In Pace. ".Mike" Murphy, the world-famous American athletic trainer and coach, is dead. His loss is a serious one to amateur athletics in the States, and especially to the University of Pennsylvania, to which institution he has been attached as official athletic adviser and instructor since 1595. Murphy has had charge of three American Olympic teams, and was recognised the athletic world over as tho doyen of American trainers—which means the best there is. His death was due to tuberculosis. Harrier and Rugby Hand-in-Hand. The city harrier clubs' second appearance at tlio Athletic Park as an adjunct to the afternoon's football can bo written down as a thorough success. . The display took tho form of a two-mile handicap—tho allotments being on the time system. Tho race throughout was watched with keen interest by the spectators, and the stirring finish brought both tho "stand" and the "bank" to its collective feet with enthusiasm. Some Advice to Big Markers Of an entry of forty, sixtwn started (of which more anon), F. J. ByTne being on scratch, and conceding a limit of GO seconds. This adjustment worked out very satisfactorily on the ■ whole, but it oann'ot be said that the big markers made tbe most of their opportunities. The pace set by the front division was too slow by far. Consequently, at tho business end. the back men were well within striking distance, and, as they had attained this without undue strain, they were able to take charge ill the last stages. This experience should stand the limit-men in good stead. Not being track runners, they were naturally "shy" on racing tactics, but on future occasion?, they should remember that their policy is to put as much "strain" as possible on the energies of the track men all through the rnce, so that when, the pinch comes the last half-mile will find them somewhat the worse for wear. t Bryne Strategist. Byrne ran a good heady race throughout. He lopped off just the right proportion of tho handioap per lap, and when the bell went held a nice handy position. Entering the back stretch he lay about 30 yards behind G. Hutton, the leader, and here he showed good judgment in taking matters easily against the wind. Hutton, on tho contrary, cracked on gome pace here aiul there, and actually widened the gap a bit—a procedure which in all probability cost him the race. Coming round the top curve Byrne let himself loose, and, racing down the long straight, just beat the staggering Hutton by inches—a great finish. The Brooklyn Club was very prominent at the finish—filling the first four places. The Wellington Harriers were rather disappointing; their first olioico (W. Donaldson) not running up to his usual form, although ho beat M. Mulcahy (Central Harriers), who, with ssec. from Donaldson, was considerably "well in." This was Mulcahy's first appearance on a local track-for some three years, so perhaps too much was expected of the provincial ex-champion. Brooklyn's Poor Part. Now to the part which tho Brooklyn Club played in the affair. Although the o%'ent proved eminently satisfactory to the spectators and to the Rugby Union officials, it cannot be said that it reflects any great credit, on the esprit de corps of'local harrierism ,as far as tho Brooklynites aro concerned. For a proper understanding of tho position, it Bhoukl bo known that there were no trophies for the raoe. The whole of the financial outcome is to be devoted to the dispatch of the Wellington Centre's team to the New Zealand Cross Country Championships at Dttnedin next month. Notwithstanding this fact the Brooklyn Club, which boasts an active membership of SO members, only started four men. Moreover, it is no secret that this club is confident of securing three of tho coveted five places in the representative team for Dunedin. This being so, it would seem but natural that the Brooklyn men would havo given Saturday's event their whole-hearted support, or at the worst simply left matters alone. What actually occurred was ' tliat the club conducted a club-run at Lyall Bay as a counter-attraction for its members. Henco tho fact that out of 40 entries at the Park only 1G started. The attitude of the Brooklyn Club is hard to understand, and, from the viewpoint of the looker-on, it is one that is far from commendable.