ATHLETICS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 39, 15 February 1930, Page 22

ATHLETICS

BY "SPRINTER"

PROVINCIAL TITLES

BIG MEETING AT PETONE

PELTZER'S FINE RUNNING

Tho indications at the.present time aro that few of last season's title-hold-ers will be absent when the "Wellington provincial championship meeting is held at Petone on Saturday afternoon next. The gathering promises to be an interesting one, with the probability of titles changing hands in several of the events. ""It is a pity that the original arrangement to split up the cycling and athlotie events and hold them on different grounds was not adhered to, for the Petone Oval, while giving the cyclists the use of the banked track, does not provide athletes with the best of tracks. The furlong track, for instance, ■is almost the shape of a horse-shoe, and competitors in tho quarter mile, particularly those drawing tho outside lanes, will bo no better off. On such tracks anything might happen, and for a championship meeting some thought should be given in this direction in fairness to all. The Poltzer Meeting. In marked contrast to tlie interest taken in previous sports meetings this season was the exceptional display of enthusiasm at the Basin Eeserve last Saturday afternoon, when some eight or nine' thousand people indicated that they 'greatly.' appreciated the opportunity of seeing a world's recordbreaker in action. The opportunity came at a time when amateur athletics in Wellington required a special attraction not only to stage a successful meeting but also to indicate to the public that in the local ranks there is talent in plenty to make tho Sports meetings attractive. It is to be hoped that as a result of last Saturday's experience there will be better support for athletic gatherings in tlie future and that. the lean period is definitely at an end. The centre should receive another good lift on the Ist March, when there will be another special attraction in the appearanco in action of Leo. Lermond, the champion runner from the United States of America. At this meeting G. A.Golding, the Australian quarter-miler, will also be a competitor.

O. Peltzer, the breaker of four world's records, registered performances which left no. doubt .in the minds of the onlookers that he is a wonder runner. When it is considered that he is almost continually on the move more as a tourist than as an athlete and that he has but little time for training, it was a wonderful achievement on his part to step out and win an 880 yds event in lmin 56 3-ssec. No faster run for the distance, has- eyer been, registered in Wellington and only one better in. New Zealand—by- another great runner, Lloyd Hahn, of America, when he established, a record for New Zealand and Australia by running 880 yds at Hawera "in lmin' 56 l-ssec. Peltzer's was a great effort; and that which ho made in the first section of the relay was possibly even .greater, as he was timed to run 430 yards in 47 seconds. That accomplishment made it appear as though Peltzer, by taking quartermile running seriously, would win the world's championship to-day. Wellington was indeed fortunate in being able to see .so great a runner in action here. Great things were expected of the Taihape runner, D. Evans, in the halfmile, but. it' was evident early in the race that they were not to be realised. Evans judged the race badly, and fell right away over the concluding stages. For all that he is a runnjer with great prospects as a half-miler. Ogg showed up well;-and that he is in fine form at present was "indicated again on Wednesday night by an exceptionally fino run over 1000 yards at Lower Hutt. A Trip Away. ■ C. H.'Jenkins returned to Wellington from a holiday trip in the North Island on Friday. While away he ran at several meetings—Masterton, Wanganui, Waipawa, and Hastings—and, although giving away big starts, he met with a fair measure of success. He followed up a second in the 100 yards handicap and a first in the 120 yards Messenger Memorial Handicap, at Masterton on Anniversary Day, with a second in the 100 yards handicap and a third in the 220 yards handicap at Wanganui three nights later. After a visit to Eotorua, Jenkins proceeded to Hawkes Bay, where he was joined by M. Gane and W. Ogg. The three competed at Waipawa on sth February, but unfortunately rain marred the success of this enterprising little club's gathering. Gane won the two-lap cycle race and Jenkins was third in the 220 yards handicap. The following night the Wellington trio competed at the Hastings Club's electric light meeting. Gane was sot a stiff task in each cycle race; in fact ho was throughout his tour. He found the handicaps too severe and was unplaced at Hastings, but nevertheless his riding in the handicap events and also in the exhibition two miles (paced) he gave at the end of the meeting pleased spectators. Ogg. secured third place in the 880 yards handicap, his time being given as 2min 2 2-ssec. Jenkins went very well, particularly in view of the fact that since leaving Wellington he had travelled about a thousand miles by ear. He was a close second in the 100 yards handicap, won in 9 4-ssec, and was third in the 220 yards handicap. There was no lack of competitors at either the Waipawa or Hastings meetings, and the Wellington representatives were made to feel very welcome. Each club has some very enthusiastic officials, who aro putting a great amount of time and energy into the furtherance of tho sport. Meeting at The Hutt. The Lower Hutt Amateur Athletic aud-Cycling Club has drawn up tho programme for its big mooting at the Hutt rocreation ground on Saturday afternoon, Bth March. The ovents are as follow:—100 yards handicap, 220 yards handicap, 440 yards handicap, 880 yards handicap, ono milo handicap, half-milo cycle, ono mile cycle, two miles cycle, 100 yards junior, 100 yards ladiea' handicap, 120 yards ladies' handicap, javelin, shot, discus, high jump, long jump, hop, stop and jump, men's relay (four 110 yards). As special attractions there will be a 100 meters ladies' invitation scratch race for a cup presented by Mr. A. C. Stevenson and a 440 yfj'ds la"dies' interelub relay contest for tho Eric Biddiford Cup. Witli the two handicap races, and tho two special contests the ladies have been excellently catered for. Entries close at 8 p.m. on Friday, 28th February, at James Smith's, Ltd., or -with Mr. [Westbury, Main street, Lower Hutt.