ATHLETICS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 92, 15 October 1932, Page 20

ATHLETICS

■By "SPRINTEFt'i

EARLY INTEREST

-CLUBS' PREPARATIONS

LABOUR DAY GATHERING

i Preparations'for the season are now being made by most of thevloeal clubs, and there should.be quite a few athletes and cyclists on the mark at the Labour Day meeting on the Basin Reserve on 24th October... There is evidence of keen interest being displayea, and it is to bo hoped that this may be1 taken as a happy augury for earnest endeavours being made to push the sport along. .Several of the clubs have already held their annua^ meetings, and there are some athletes who have commenced training. Indications are that most, if not all, of last yea* Js champions will be seen out again,. and as some of the clubs have now members in their ranks, including athletes who have performed well in other centres, this-should make for keener interest in the competition for honours. » Both the Kiwi and Wellington Clubs had good meetings this week, a spirit of enthusiasm marking each. The annual report issued by the Kiwi Club gave a first-class' resume of the season's activities, and, incidentally, showed how this young club has progressed. In one phase of the season's activities alone, the parade competitions for the A. C. Kit to Shield, the keenness shown hy the members of the club is -worthy^ of emulation by others this sca'sou. It is' such whole-hearted enthusiasm that is required in Wellington, and if members* of all clubs will look at things in that J^ght and not be satisfied; with half-measures, the-writer is confident that good results would be obtained. ■ ■'■■ ' During the "winter the committee of the Kiwi Club was at work with a view to increasing the club's activities by the formation of a ladies' section, and present indications are that their efforts will be successful. It is hoped to have a ladies' branch of the club properly established by the time the season is under way. ■ Labour Day Meeting. As mentioned last week, the first meeting in WeUington will- be the Labour Day gathering on the Basin 'Reserve. One of the special features will be the relay challenge'race by the Hastings ladies against the Wellington ladies for the. Jeanne 'Eteveneaux Cup, which the Wellington girls Save held for several seasons. Good trophies have been provided, their total value, according to the programme, being £42 lp's. . -In the morning, as in past years, there will be children's races, the amateur 'athletic events being held in the afternoon. The programme, /which caters for ..both athletes and cyclists, should 'provide a good afternoon's sport. ■ :.', _'" . \ In the Boom Days. Figures shown to "Sprinter" this week'illustrated the popularity pf.amateur athletics and cycling in Wellington alow seasons ago,■ and. the good position' the Wellington Centre The figures related to the amounts expendeddn trophy oiders and medals over a' period from the 1926-27 season to 'the end of last season. They were as follows.: —1926-27, £421: 1927----28, £505; 1928-29, £192; , 1929-30 £231; 1930-31, £134; 1931-32, £27. The centred financial burden was considerably ' lighter last seasonf as the figures .clearly show, but nearly £80 was required to meet the expenses' of sending the Wellington team, to Auckland for the New Zealand Championship meeting, and, as was pointed out last week, the estimated loss on the season is about £120. The provincial championship meeting and another held prior to that were the only fixtures iha't showed a profit after iall expenses had been paidi* ,'"/.'.' Provision of Cinder Tracks. ■* The question of the [ provision of cinder tracks in New. Zealand, a subject touched upon in last week's notes, is referred to by a writer in the Auckland "Star.". He makes the following comment:—"Every athlete who has come back from the Games is backed up by men -who have also, travelled overseas, when_ they state that cinder tracks must be laid down. If international competitions' aie to be regularly indulged in, then let us at least be. able to meet our opponents on even terms. A cyclist finds a distinct change from the hard road to a concrete highway, and a rtmA ncr cannot go immediately from grass to cinders and feel the same." Old. Boys' Club. With the object of keeping boys interested in athletics after leaving school, an Old Boys' Athletic Club, open to old boys of the secondary schools, has been formed in Wellington..' The formation of this club has led to criticism, the point being made that, as nowadays most boys go to secondary schools, the membership of established clubs will be affected. There is no N doubt something in this contention. On the other hand, the view is presented that an Old Boys' Club Should be the means of reducing the number of boys who, after showing promise at school, are never heard of on the track.in after years. If the club would serve such a purpose, it would be,' from that point of view, a useful organisation. Most of the leading college athletes in recent years have joined up with, clubs on leaving school. The question is, then: Will the new club attract the good average performers? Offhand the question is difficult to answer, although "Sprinter" inclines to the view that boys, with their new-found freedom on leaving college, are apt to become disinterested in sports in which they were only good average performers and concentrate on that in which they did best or take up new interests altogether. The activities of the new club, which has yet,to 'bo affiliated, will be interesting to observe. General Notes. / G. C. Prosser, Wellington three-mile champion, is reported to have transferred from Athletic Club to Scottish. Tribute to the services of its lato club captain, Mir. James Taylor, who died in August, was paid in the annual report of the Kiwi Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club. "Mr. Taylor," the report stated, "was one of those responsible for founding the club, and throughout its existence rendered valuable- and devoted service.; his advice and coaching being of the greatest assistance to all members, particularly to junior athletes. His loss to the clulj is an irreparable one. The deepest j sympathy of members is extended to his relatives. The majority of the members who attended the annual meeting of the Wellington Ladies' Club this • week were in favour of changing their uniform to a singlet and shorts. Views of, the remaining members are to be | sought before any decision is made to discard the short shirt worn in previous seasons. •_ . ' i