HARRIERS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2433, 12 April 1915, Page 9

HARRIERS

OPENING/OF THE SEASON. The combined opening meeting for the 1915 season of the Wellington Harrier Clubs took place at the Cliff House, Island Bay, on Saturday afternoon, the season being declared open by tlie Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke). There was an attendance of about fifty of the public, including Councillors G. Frost ?? d ih A - w "f*t, M.P., and Mr. J. H. Pollock, president of the N.Z.A.A.A., who has just recovered from a bout of illness. There were about 45 harriers represented, the clubs taking part being the Brooklyn, Wellington, Olympic, and Scottish.

In declaring the season open the Mayor expressed' pleasureat the, presence of Mr. Pollock, and wished him a speedy recovery to his former health. They were there, he continued, to start the season for another year and he had pleasure in officiating for, for some considerable time, the harriers in Wellington had proved themselves very worthy in connection -with the athletic ufo of the City. It had been said recently that British people had devoted too much time to sport and pleasure, but_ the answer to that had been given during the last, few months. Not only in Great Britain, but throughout the whole British Empire, there had been a run to the colours which fully slewed the- people appreciated their responsibilities. Notwithstanding that Britam did not hold with a system of conscription, there had been a rallying to the call more than would have iieen the case under any system of conniption, and each man who volunteered had been a unit to bring about a universal peace, and a glorious time for the world at large. The young men before him that day were preparing to take up the work of those older than themselves, and he said that long training in athletics brought to bear. upon social life a well-balanced mind ani a healthy body. He hoped that ihey would have a pleasant and successful season, and he remarked in conclusion that if ever he had to take a body of l! le ij "i to - a dan R erous position '■<> Uphold the traditions of the country'ha would take such men as those before him, and then they would all succeed. (Applause.)

Three cheers were then given for the Mayor, and the season opened with a run over the hills and back to the Cliff House.

lhe judges were Messrs. Frost, ii ng i', and Jt C 1133 0!", presidents of the clubs, and the winners were F Byrne (Olympic), 1; G. Hunter (Brooklyn , 2; E. Shaw (Olympic), 3; H. J.' Pollock (Wellington), 4. At the conclusion of the run one hundred sat down to afternoon tea.