ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2205, 18 July 1914, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

18l "MIIICDBT."J

A Memorial Appeal. Tlio proposal to erect a memorial to the lato W. 1 ,, . Simpson, lias taken definite sha-pG, the Canterbury Centre having put forward a proposal to erect a stoiio over hie grave. Tho appeal for subscriptions is being mado at an awkward time of the year, when club secretaries are not in touch with, members, but a shilling subscription list should set a fair sum as Wellington's tributo i.to tho memory of one of the greatest runners and truest sportsmen that have graced tho track in this part of the world. A Matter of Coaching. One of the principal ideas of the. body which is raising tho Australasian Olympic Fund is the engaging of a competent coach to discover and develop the latent athletic talent in Australia and New Zealand. So far no applications have been, invited, but the news having got abroad several famous athletes have written stating their willingness to, and, indeed, then , eagerness to, take, the position. Charles Holway, the ex-cham-pion professional sprinter, who, until lately, was coach to the famous Olympio Club of San Francisco, and who during his office there had under hie wing George Parker and others, has forwaVded his terms, stating that though he has a chance to go to Hungary he would prefer the position out here. Then, again, our old friend Alfred Shrubb, who, for the past jive years, has been in charge of athletics at Harvard University, is keen on our position, and lastly the services of the great Australian A. D. I'oetle, who knows as much alwut Tunning and jumping as any man living, aro available. Any ono of these- three would till the bill to a nicety. •'• • • A Fast Mils. • H. Hedemann, the Australian, who holds the mile professional championship, put up a .great performance at Johannesburg recently, when lie won a match against the Transvaal champion,, H. wilson. Conceding his opponent .25 6eoonds' start, Hedemanir took the lead in the last lap, winning easily in 4min. 27 4-ssec, wonderfully good time for a track of 6J laps to the mile, and 2 l-sseo. inside the previous 'Transvaal record. The rarefied air at Johannesburg and Pretoria, while lending great aid to sprinters—witness tho wonderful timos accomplished at both these places—seems to be rather a drawback to the distance men, else this 4min. 30sec. record must have gone years ago. : : .■■ A visitor to.town this week was Tom Cnug;, formerly ,120 yds- and 440 yds. hurdles champion of New Zealand. It is now some nine years since Craig last appeared!™ championship company, hut he still wears tho appearance of being in condition. At hit best Craig was a sound performer over both distances.'