ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1812, 26 July 1913, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

(Bγ Mekcuey.) TO-DAY'S MEET AT MASTERTON. Provincial Cross-Country Event. ' Masterton will be full of cross-country runners to-day. The occasion is tho second annual contest for Wellington Provincial Championship honours, the outward visible sign of which is the Whyte and Mackay Shield. Since the inauguration of this event, the progress of harrierism in the country districts has been very marked, a result which amply repays those enthusiasts whose energy has resulted in this now popular contest. This time it is expected that from sixty to eighty championship aspirants will start, and naturally there is "considerable speculation" (in opinion—not coin of tho realm) as to the allocation of tho. individual aud inter-club honours. : Men Who Will Run. V . i ' The home team is reported as being; the strongest of tho country combinations. Veteran Jack Bradbury, tho preseut holder of the individual championship, is the Masterton "trump card," and he continues to do creditable work. In addition, it is reported hero that two of the Feikling contingent are fairly fast. Of tho local men, IT. J. Byrne seems on present form easily tho most formidable, and lie must give the Brooklyn Club a big chance in the individual, contest. The Central Club, too, has a good repre-' sentation, although its chances are minimised by the absence of the No. 1 man, E. B. Smith, who was unable to get away. These two teams should put Uμ a good struggle between themselves, quite apart from the prowess of the country contingents. , A five-mile test race was held at Miramar last week, us a "try-out" over the distance. Byrne finished first, well iu front of Hodgson. Hutton and liullantyne, two of tho team for to-day, were not competing, which rather detracted from the interest in the "test," as these two have not met Bryne off the scratch mark so far.

Not Even Hope to Cheer Them. The Wellington Club will bo represented by two teams. Unfortunately, however, for our senior club, its representatives thia year arc remarkable more for their loyalty to tho sport than for pace, so their chances cannot bo described as good. In fact, to bo quite honest, they are forlorn hopes, and they know it, but arc not one whit dismayed. Which is the right spirit, and, s-o long as it imbues the club members, so long will the club thrive even if it does not capture- the desirable (but very elusive) championship bird. The Deeds of a Miramar Wind. On Weduesday last the Central Club ran off its 2j-nnle handicap at Miramar. The winner turned up in M. Mnlcaliy, from the lOsec. mark, in 12iuin. 47sec. E. ii. Smith, the scratch man, did not start, which made tho winner and Poynton nominal scratch, with a limit of 75scc. The places were filled by 1 , . J. Burrell and jj. W. Eutlcdge. There was an element of bad hick attached to tho fate of tho limit division, Owing to the stiff northerly the "trail" was dislodged in places, and this caused the front marker, 1!. Aldridge, to diverge considerably from tho course. He was followed by C. Duck, oft the 'lOsec. mark, and so both lost their chances. This occurence was unfortunate, and it points to a lack of conrso stewards. It is worth noting, for future occasions, tliat if there is a likelihood of a shortage of these very useful oflicials, the captain of the club should endeavour at a previous run to traverse the projected course, and thus impart a certain degrco of familiarity with the going to the competitors. No News Not Good News. At the time of writing there was no further word from Australia on tho two matters of interest upon which wo are awaiting advice—the tinancial intentions of the Stato .associations regarding the American tour, and the question of the dates of the Australasian championship in Melbourne.

Thin End of the Golden Wedge. A discussion has arisen in England over a mailer which has ever been a bone of contention anion),' amateur sports bodies —the allowance of expenses by promoting clubs to travelling amateurs. Apparently tho rules of tho English U.A.A. liavo been altered to allow of this being done. A "Sporting Life" expert is opposed to tho new regulation. Ho very rightly points out that-it is in direct opposition to tho long standing idea that under no pircurustances should-a promoting-plub

bo allowed to pay the expenses of compotitors who are calculated to bo an attraction to its meetings, unless, of course, some very special circumstances ariso that aro not against tho spirit and intention of tho rule. Ho says that the thin ond of the wedge lias already been inserted,, inasmuch as a foreign club lias boon granted permission to invite and pay tho expenses of English runners. Tho "Sporting Life" critic goes on to say: "It will ]jo extremely difficult for the ■ sponsors of this alteration to raise any valid argument against tho claim of an English sports-promoting body to do precisely the samo thing, namely, pay tho expenses of desirable competitors on teams. . Personally, I do not think tho course adopted is n wiso one. It would haVo been belter for the A.A.A. alone, to enter into arrangements of tho nature implied, and r.ot leave it in tho hands of tho clubs, subject to supervision. Tho athlete should be allowed to do as ho pleases, paying his own expenses, but not to receivo expenses unless definitely selected to represent his country or club elsewhere, and tho club should be in Hie same position." Thig is exactly tho view that has been held, and acted iipon by tho N.Z.A.A.A. The principle- is a bad one, and at onco gives a loophole for the introduction of professional practices. The practico runs the usual gamut of "baro expenses," "reasonable expenses," and "out-of-pocket expenses," and from this point to "loss Gf time payments" is a very easy transition. Experience lias shown conclusively that this is the direct road to that quasiamatcurism which is far more harmful to tho individual and the sport than is open professionalism. "Inside Evens"—Applegarth Again, Wo were recently advised that W. R. Applogarth, the English amateur sprinter, had established a new English record for 220 yds., and subsequently lowered the 150 yds. record. That ho is still retaining his great form is evidenced by the following cable, published in Sydney lastMonday week:— London, Sunday, 11.25 p.m. Running- at North Durham yesterday, W. R. Applegarth won tho 220 yards event inside, evens.