THE SPORT LOCALLY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 134, 3 December 1938, Page 23

THE SPORT LOCALLY

BIG MEETING PLANNED FOR JANUARY

Entries for some of the A grade events at the first graded scratch competition meeting of the season at Hataitai Park on Saturday were disappointing, although in the other sections there was quite a good response. That the fields for the A grade events were on the small side was not altogether surprising, for many of the Wellington champions prefer to reserve themselves for the second half of the season, after Christmas. However, from among those who did appear there were some good performances, notably those of E. Phillips in the high jump and hop, step and jump, and G. Quinn in the quarter-mile. The presence of these two athletes in Wellington this season adds to the athletic strength of the province. Another graded scratch meeting was scheduled for Hataitai this afternoon, and from now on the list of meetings will provide regular competition.

The athletic sub-committee appears to have settled down well to its job. It certainly is giving every indication of keenness and enthusiasm of a practical kind, and if this policy is pursued and close co-operaton is maintained with the Wellington Centre the original purpose of the formation of this body should be well fulfilled. No time was lost in getting down to the job of preparing a list of meetings to be held before Christmas, and a schedule of the meetings to be held in the New Year It, also now to hand.

Next Saturday the annual Laykold Cup meeting is to Ne held on the Petone Oval, and on the following Saturday, December 17, there is to be a handicap meeting at Hataitai. There will be the usual meetings near Wellington over the holidays, one of which notice has been received being that to be held at Onga Onga in Hawke's Bay. Special Meeting. January 7 is booked for the appearance of the two Victorians, Gerald Backhouse and* Ted Best, at the Basin Reserve. The use of the ground has been granted" the Wellington Centre for the meeting, and, although at the time of writing no official advice has been received stating that the tour of these two Victorians has the sanction of the Australian Amateur Athletic Union, the prospects of their making the trip appear brighter than they were last week. Apparently, according to a cable received by Mr. H. MeCormick, secretary of the New Zea--1 land Amateur Athletic Union, the Aus- , tralian Union is rather concerned that] it was not consulted before the Otago Centre, which is making the arrangements for the visit, communicated with the two athletes. Mr. McCormick was asked by the Australian Union to forward further particulars of the pro-

posed tour, and he at once' communicated with the Otago Centre. During the week a member of the Otago Centre was in Wellington and he explained that the procedure followed by his centre was the same as that adopted by the Wellington Centre in negotiating for a visit from Miss Norman, J. P. Metcalfe, and J. Mumford, namely, ascertaining whether the athletes required are available before applying to the Australian authorities to sanction the tour. It is not considered likely that any obstacle will be put in the way of Best and Backhouse crossing the Tasman in accordance with the tentative arrangements made. Their passage money has been forwarded.

W. A. C. Pullar, former New Zealand one mile champion, who is now in the Wairarapa, is expected to be on hand for this meeting. He is keen to be in action on that day and is preparing his schedule of training accordingly. When he was in Wellington recently

V. P. Boot, the British Empire Games and New Zealand half-mile champion, indicated that in all probability he will be available also. With G. Quinn, C. Robinson, J. Eastwood 7, and others also taking part the meeting, given a fine day, should provide something out of the box.

Graded scratch competition will be resumed at Hataitai on January 14, and also set down for that date is the annual Wellington v. Wanganui Clubs' contest, under electric light. Other meetings scheduled are as follows:— January 21, scratch competition; January 23, meeting at Masterton; January 28, Canterbury v. Wellington; February 4, Dewar Shield meeting; February 11, triangular contest (Olympic, Petone, and Masterton Clubs); February 18, Dewar Shield meeting; February 25, provincial championships; March 10 and 11, New Zealand championships at Napier; March 18, handicap meet : ing at Hataitai; March 25, New Zealand junior and women's championship meeting at Auckland.