ATHLETICS
[By Pistol.]
Miscellany of Sport
TRACK AND FIELD ACTIVITIES
FIXTURES. February 16.—Taieri Club’s evening meet at Mosgiel. February 18.—Canterbury championships. . February 18.—Otago Amateur Cycling Club’s evening meet. February 22 and 25.—Appearance of Australian champion cyclists, March 10.—Taieri Club’s afternoon meet at Mosgiel, April 9.—New Zealaud University championships. PACIFIC’S SUCCESSFUL EFFORT. Time wa» wheu ou the track side cf amateur athletics the Pacific Club v as far famed, and though it has not yet reached its old-time status, the indications are that the southern duo is once again embarking upon an upward climb. Last week’s evening meet, under the auspices of the oldestablished club, was a sign ot the times, and showed that, like the majority of tho other city clubs, Pacific is realising the importance of competition in retaining tho interest of members and carrying ou the sport. The unavoidable absence of the enthusiastic president (Mr F. 0. Gibson) affected matters at the outset of the meet, but other officials rallied, and it was not long before the programme was being pushed through with celerity. The conditions were of the best, and as a result some good times were registered in the running events, in which largo fields were the order of the day. The one mile handicap served to emphasise the fact that L. Wood, of the Cavcrsham Club, whose possibilities have been commented upon in this column previously, may be looked upon as a coming , champion. I'rom the 45yds mark Wood ran a soundlyjudged race, and with a lap to go was in a handy position, though it did not appear as if ho could overhaul the limit man, Hill. However, along tho back straight Wood put in a great mu, and rounding the final turn was on terms with Hill, whom he beat by syds in 4rnin 26 3-ssec, which represented the fastest mile on the Caledonian Ground for very many years. Wood is trained by tho ex-Austra-lasia u three-mile champion, Jim Peatson, who also has charge of the runnerup in the New Zealand mile championship, J. J. Morris. Wood is a line stamp of mile runner, being well built, and in nice proportion, while he has a good, long stride and a very easy action. Ho maintains a splendid body balance, and in the race under review showed that 110 possesses undoubted racing judgment. One good judge of the game predicts that next season there will be some great miles between the Caversham representatives, Wood and Morris, and already the same enthusiast has asserted to the writer that in his opinion Wood is going to be the Rose of the next decade. He is but eighteen years of age, and is at present being carefully handled by his mentor.
Appearances are sometimes apt to be deceptive, and M. S. Hill, of the Pacific Club, is a much better distance man than would appear to be the case at first sight. From a mark of 195yds he set the pace for the greater part ot the mile handicap, but the comparatively short time he has been in serious training found him out iu the closing stages, and when Mood unloosed a strong challenge up the straight Hill was unable to respond, having to be content with second place. Hill is not a pretty runner, ami is rather heavily built, but he is powerful, has determination, and quite a fair stride, and once he gets into first-class condition ho should oe capable of some good performances over this distance. The Anglican middle and distance performer, Ij. Koss, is about cue for a win and though he has not often been placed he has been prominent on several occasions this season in middle distance and mile handicaps. At the Pacific meeting he was on the mark, and finished third, some seventeen yards behind the winner, the pace found him out at the finish, but Boss should be capable ot good time over the mile, as he is rather loosely built and has a pleasing action,. though he could lengthen his stride with adTho^scratch men, J. J- Morris and J G Barnes, failed to gam a place, and until they are a little more leniently treated by the handicapper in the way of reducing the limit mark they cannot be expected to get up. Morris is shaping quite well just now, and in view of the strenuous season he has had he is wise to tako things fairly easily until the end of the piesent season, Barnes is a real galloper, but shows little or no judgment in the running of his races. If ho used his head a little and listened to the . atlvico of competent coaches he might develop into a champion nailer, for fie has determination, a good stride, and nico action, but he takes too much out of himself in the early stages. Also, it should bo pointed out that while a warm-up before a race is to he desired, a competitor in a mile event should not canter round the track a couple of times just before his race. Though better known to fame as a hop, step, and jumper, R. 0. Johnson, who has represented New Zealand in that branch of the sport and is the Otago hop, step, and jump and polo vault champion, is by no means to be lightly passed over as a sprinter. With Gjyds start he could not complain of the treatment meted out to him in the 75yds, in the final of which he was not headed. Getting out of the holes smartly, Johnson was quickly into his stride, and won by 2yds in Bsec. ,
Ono of the most disappointing of all the local runners this season has been A. W. Duff, but of Into he has been showing signs of his best form. If he finished on as well as ho started he would pick up more races. Ho ran second in the final of the 75yds handicap from the 6yds mark, but w r as not making any impression on Johnson at the finish. Duff is not very tall, and though he gets away well he seems inclined to overstride at the start. L. C. M'Lachlan has been very consistent during the season, and has won over practically every distance from 50yds to one mile. Pacific’s meet saw' him finish a good third in the 75yds handicap from a/2Jyds mark, while in the 220yds handicap off Byds he occupied a similar berth. _ He did not get as goad a position ns in his heat, which he won in 23 1-osec.
The furlong went to a limit man, B. G, Waller, who was on 20yds. The heat ho won in 23 2-osec,. but in the final the time was 24 1-osec. Waller finished all out, Bastings almost catching the/winner on the tape. Waller has improved since he made his first appearance in the Civil Service colors earlier in the present season, and if be continues to finish as he did in the 22l.iyds handicap he will win further ra.-os before long. A. Bastings ran a good race in tm- 220yds handicap, m which he finished second from the 9yds mark. He did not make a sustained effort until he rounded the straight, and then he put in a great burst, but just failed to get up. Chris. Olsen finished third from scratch in his heat of the 220yds handicap, but did not start in the final. He is in good form just now, and when he next takes the track in a half-mile handicap fast time may be looked for from him. Pacific were well treated in the 880 yards relay handicap, being in receipt
of 6(3yds from the scratch team, Varsity. Pacific, comprising A. Holt, 13. Drumtn, E. Fish, and J. Ralston,' were never headed* and won by 10yds in Imin 35sec. It was a popular win, and should encourage the southenders to devote a little more time to relay racing, for they have a sufficiently large membership to he able to field a team every time a relay event is decided. The javelin throwing handicap was noticeable for tho improved showings made by several of the competitors, though the local standard still falls below that of the leading northern centres. J. W. Johnson was tho winner, his actual throw being 115 ft 2in. _ Ho bad a handicap of 30ft, and considering tho fact that it was Johnson’s first throw in competition, and that he has had but little practice, he did very well.
That ho has benefited from the advice received from the Finnish crack Fine Keskinon was evident by the way P. G. Ward performed in the javelin throwing handicap. Ward’s throw was 133 ft IJin, which represented his best effort to date. Third place wont to R. G. Clarkson with an actual throw of 104 ft 7in, and a noteworthy fact is that all the places were filled by Anglican representatives.
NEXT WEEK’S ATTRACTIONS
Considerable interest is being manifested in the forthcoming visit of the Australian champion cyclists J. Standen and D. Gray, who will arrive here on Monday afternoon from Christchurch and will compete at evening meetings at the Calc, on Wednesday and Saturday of next week. It was originally intended that the New Zealand champion F. J. Grose should also be present, but no advice has been received in regard to tho invitation issued to Grose and Lead better, and in view of the accident that befell Grose during the week it seems unlikely that ho will bo seen in action either here or in Christchurch. The Australians have met with remarkable success in tho north, both on grass and banked tracks, and fast times may bo looked for when they appear in Dunedin. They will remain here a week, and a suitable entertainment programme is being drawn up for their enjoyment.
Running and field events are included on each programme, both of which will start at 7 p.m.
WELLINGTON CHAMPIONSHIPS
There were one or two surprises at the Wellington amateur championships on Saturday, the biggest being tho defeat of the New Zealand 880yds champion C. B. Allan, who could finish only third in the half-mile championship, won by a promising middlo-dis-tanco runner, R. Leech, in the fast time of liuin 58 4-ssec, the cx-cham-pian C. Campbell finishing second. Allan, without a doubt, is one of tho most inconsistent runner? in New Zealand, and since his New Zealand championship win ho seems to have struck a bad patch, as he failed to gain a place in the Australasian SSOyds championship, in which G. M. Olsen finished second.
As was to be expected, the New Zealand one and three mile walk champion W. Lankey, who also holds the Australasian three milo walk title, won both walks, and his time of 22min 28sec in the three milo event represented a good effort. Though not tho stylist that G. S. Cabot is, Lankey is a far from unattractive walker, and he has the ability to finish a gruelling race all out. C. H. Jenkins was the bright star in the sprint event, his win in the 220yds championship in 22 l-osec being a splendid one. The 100yds bo won in 10 3-ssec without bing extended. Jenkins, who finished second to Leadbetter in both 100yds and 220yds championships of New Zealand, has been running particularly well lately. Jenkins in form is a brilliant sprinter, and he gave a taste of his true quality when ho won the New Zealand 100yds championship at Dunedin in 1924.
The absence of R. A. Rose detracted from the interest of the distance events, but it gave a plucky and consistent runner in A. I). Priestley the opportunity of winning the mile championship in 4inin 39 2-sscc, which was not particularly impressive time considering that tho race was run under perfect conditions. The three-mile went to G. Bayne, in the fair time of 15min 36 4-osec, F. Silver, who is well known as a cross-country runner, finishing third.
The cycling championships resulted in victories for the Australian crack, J. Standen, who won the mile in 2rain 29 4-ssec, and the 880yds in 69 3-ssec. The invitation mile scratch race he won from hia team mate, D. Gray, in 2min 28scc.
R. W. Lander, Australasian 120yds hurdles champion, was in fine form, and not only did he win the 120yds hurdles championship in 15 4-ssoc, but he ran the race of his life in the 440yds hurdles championship, in which he dead-hca ted with the New Zealand and Australasian co-champion, F. S. Ramson, in 58 1-5 sec, which is probably the fastest time he has ever recorded. Lander evidently had it over Ramson over the obstacles, though the latter has the pace between the sticks. LADY RECORD BREAKER, There is not the slightest doubt that Miss Wilson, of Gisborne, New Zealand lady champion, is lit to take her place in competition with the world’s best. Coming on top of her wonderful run in Gisborne, wiien she recorded 11 1-5 sec for the 100yds on a track only a few inches short, her performances recently must surely have set the seal on her fame (says the Now Zealand ‘Referee’). When the New Zealand team ventures overseas to contest the Olympic Games, Miss Wilson should surely be among the number. In the 50yds invitation race, competing against a field of great merit, she soon had daylight between herself and the rest, winning in champion style by a clear halfyard. The time was 6 2-ssec, announced as l-ssec outside the world’s record. In the 100yds ladies’ invitation race, despite the fact that she had competed twice previously, she recorded a 3yds win over Miss Swinbourne in 11 2yssec. Competing under good conditions, in her present form, I have no hesitation in saying that she could again equal the world’s record at the first time of ingCARISBROOK MEETING. Recent rains somewhat deadened the track for the meet that was held at Carisbrook on Saturday night for the purpose of improving the Otago Cricket Association’s finances, but it made a remarkable recovery, and some good times were returned during the course of a meet which was responsible for several good performances.
Besides being a good broad jumper and also above the average in the hop, step, and jump, E. H. Thompson, of the Anglican Club, is a very fair handicap sprinter, and in capable hands should register some smart performances over the sprint distances. He
gave a taste of his quality in the 100,yds handicap on Saturday night, winning the final off in in 10 2-ssec. Thompson is a good beginner, and strides well, though he must guard against a tendency to get up in the air. He stayed bn well, and, finishing fast, won by half a yard in the race referred to.
Arthur Holt, who was on 4yds, ran one of his best races to date, and with a little more experience should be catching the judge’s eye for first place shortly. Ho won his heat in 10 4-ssec, and finished second in the final. He is rather slow into his stride, but has a fair finish, and with more practice out of the holes should do better yet..
“ Lacliie ” M'Lachlan again collected points lor tho sprints’ cup, filling third place From scratch in the 100yds, and being second in the 300yds handicap, lie ran a splendid race in the 300yds from the 4yds mark, though Bastings had just a little too much in reserve, M’Lachlan is a great finisher, and next season should see him registering some sterling performances over 440yds and 880yds. In his second season of running M’Lachlan has more than fulfilled his earlier promise. Caversham registered a good win. in tho one-mile relay handicap from a 25yd mark in the fair time of 3min 48 2-s<sc, ’Varsity being second off 50yds. Caversham’s win was clue in a large measure to a splendid half-mile by L. Wood and a good quarter by J. J. .Morris; while S. F. Duncan ran a useful last furlong. “Ted” Bastings has led the field home in several handicaps during tho present season, and from the 12yd marie ho went a good race in the 300yds handicap on Saturday night, the distance suiting him admirably. Bastings is a stylish runner, with a good stride, and were he sound ho would take a lot of beating over distances up to 440yds. He was in a good position at tho entrance to the straight in the 300yds handicap, and finished strongly after getting a good run, the time being 33 l-ssec.
R. A. Malone finished third in a field of fifteen in the 300yds handicap from off 16yds, and with a bit more in hand would have been still closer up. Malone derives considerable enjoyment from his running, and if ho had more time to devote to training he would bo capable of registering very fair performances up to 440yds. It is in the last bit that lack of training tells.
M. S. Hill has. gradually run himself into form, and his effort in the mile handicap on Saturday night was his best this season. Starting with 175yds in advance of tho scratch man, he set a solid pace throughout, and was in sufficiently good condition to hang on to his lead to the finish, winning by 20yds in 4min 31scc. Hill will win races off poorer marks than 175yds if he maintains his present rate of improvement. Following up his success at the Pacific Club’s meeting L. Wood, though only syds ahead of the scratch man at the start, ran like a champion, finishing in second place after being ir sixth berth with a lap to go. Wood’s time from the scratch mark would work out at round about 4min 35sec. wbich was a sterling performance under- the circumstances.
Though he finished nearly 30yds behind the leader, C. W. Frye’s mile represented a good run. With a handicap of 55yds the Caversham veteran maintained an even pace all the way, and put in a well-timed run over the last furlong to beat Holt for third place, Frye is a great stayer, and can well be reckoned among Otago’s best distance men. OLYMPIC NOMINATIONS. The athletes recommended for inclusion in the New Zealand Olympic team are all well-known performers, and in view of the agitation made by this writer last season it is pleasing to see the name of R. W. Lander, the exOtago champion, among the nominees for the 100 metres hurdles. F. S. Ramson, tho young Wellington hurdler, has also been nominated, and in view of his youth he should stand a good chance of being sent to the Games. S. Lay, the javelin throwing recordbreaker, will be the first man picked, and in view of her recent fine performances the New Zealand 100yds ladies’ champion, Miss N. Wilson, stands a big chance of getting away. Some doubts are expresesd as to R. A. Rose’s ability to get away, but he seems certain to go if he is available. F. J. Grose, the cycling champion, is young and full of promise, and his selection would be a popular one. M. Loadbetter has been nominated for the sprint events and tho New Zealand 100yds and 220yds champion is just the type of man who gives of his best in good company. Seven nominations have been made, and it seems likely that at least four athletes will be sent to represent New Zealand at the Olmpiad providing the public responds to the appeal for funds during the next few weeks.
SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ CHAMPIONSHIPS.
The secondary schools’ championship meeting of Otago has been definitely fixed for March 10, and will be conducted by the Invercargill Amateur Athletic Chib, Southland Boys’ High School, and Southland Technical College. The championship programme is the same as was the case last season, when the meeting was held in November, 1926. The senior championship events are : —looyds, 220yds, 440yds, 880yds, ono mile, 120yds hurdles, ’high jump, broad jump, and one-mile relay (880yds,_ 440vds, 220yds, and 220yds). The junior cnampionship events are:— 100 yds, 220yds, 440yds, high jump, and broad jump. Three amateur events are included on the programme, these being 100yds, 440yds, and one-mile handicaps, while three ladies’ championship events are included, these being 100yds Southland championship, 75yds championship (under fifteen), high jump championship, and 400yds relay. It is a. pity more open handicaps w r ere not included, but probably the poor support accorded recent meetings in Invercargill has led to the present decision being arrived at.
Entries close on March 1 with I. O. Manson. secretary of the Invercargill Club.
The Otago ' O j. ■v in oI vvill be represented a , , , v hich will he held at Hu. : o it. is also hoped that oth -t ;,-o nools, such as Waitaki Boys' ii ~h School, Redcastle College, and John M'Glashan College will be found competing. On the first occasion of the championships, tho senior shield was won by Otago Boys’ High School, and the junior shield by Southland Boys’ High School. CYCLING COMMENTS. The reinstatement as an amateur of “ Eddie ” Palmer lias lent added interest to amateur cycling events locally, and the most pleasing feature of all is the way the back-markers are getting up to fight out tho finishes. There is
no doubt about the fact that cycling has come right back into favor, and the forthcoming visit of the Australians should give the sport a further decided fillip. It is rather a pity that the spell of hot weather set in immediately after repairs were effected to the Caledonian cycling track, with the result that the new track has had little chance of hardening. Consequently, the times registered of late have been rather on the slow side, though there have been some most exciting finishes. The two-mile cycle handicap at the Pacific Club’s meeting provided one of the best races of the season, the Otago champion, S. Bremford, proving his worth in the final by beating Palmer, who was also on the scratch mark, by half a wheel. Bremford rode a splendid race, though it was not until the last lap that ho was with the leaders, Palmer then being slightly in advance of him. The pair entered, the straight together, but Bremford got down on the bars, and won by half a wheel, amid groat excitement. The time was 6min 17sec, which was much slower than might have been anticipated under the circumstances. Bremford has improved out of sight during the present season, and there is no doubt that the experience he gained at the now Zealand championships has benefited him considerably, his sprinting powers having been developed further. E, Palmer has made a very successful entry into amateur ranks, and, though, through lack of riding in competition for a long time past, ne is at a disadvantage compared with the other backmarkers, ho is showing really gqod form, and there was practically nothing between him and Bremford in the final. Palmer did more of the forcing in the earlier stages of the race, and brought the back men within striking distance by the time the last lap_was_ reached. Palmer uses judgment in riding his races, and some great races may still be looked for between the ex-profes-sional and Bremford. T. Scott won his heat of the twomile cycle handicap in 6min 18see, and then finished third in the final. _ Scott was on the 120yds mark, hut did not make sufficient use of his handicap. Ho is developing a useful sprint, and his style is improving. A race should come his way before long. P. Traill rode well off the 25yds mark in both heat and final, though he failed to stay in the latter, riding himself out in the third lap. Ho should have been capable of a better performance considering the time returned, but he will have to display more judgment in the riding of his races. G. Smith is easily one of the most promising of the new riders. He won his heat of the two-mile handicap from the 150yds mark, but the time, 6min 25sec, was slow. He failed to gain a place in the final; but again showed to advantage in the mile cycle handicap on the grass track at Carisbrook on Saturday night. He won his heat from 100yds in 2min 38 3-ssec, and in the final was just beaten out of a place by 1 one of the limit men by inches. Smith improves with every appearance, and when he gains further experience will bo a track cyclist above the average. J. Ewing is another rider who is showing up consistently well at tho present time. He qualified for the final of tho two-mile handicap at the Pacific meet and in tho mile handicap at Saturday night’s fixture, but the final sprint found him lacking. He went good races on both occasions, but in training should devote some time to sharp sprinting. Hamilton in the near future will have an up-to-date nine lap to the mile circuit cycle track, right in the centre of tho town (says the Auckland ‘Sun’). The idea is to use it for cycling, running, skating, boxing, wrestling, and any other form of winning amusement that presents itself. It will be roofed in and will be electrically lit throughout. The capacity of the house is in the vicinity of 5,000. Tho promoter is a keen Hamilton sport, and hopes with tho opening of this up-to-date sports palace to fill a long-felt want in the ( principal town of the Waikato. In the north, cycling races on grass tracks are a very frequent happening, but locally they are still a novelty, and this added to tho interest of the mile handicap at Carisbrook on Saturday night, a splendidly contested race again resulting. The track was very greasy in places, and under the circumstances S. Bremford’s winning effort from scratch in 2min 38 2-ssec was a meritorious one. Bremford again had a rare tussle with Palmer, hut once again just managed to shade his fellow buckmarker in the sprint up tho straight. The pair made up a lot of leeway in the first lap, tho remainder of the rape being ridden at a good pace, with the backmwkers handy at the bell. They came through on the outside up the straight, but Bremford’s finish once more prevailed. R. A. Johnston, son of the Cycling Club’s president, is an improving rider now that he is learning to adopt an easier seat on his machine. Following third place in his heat of the one-mile cycle handicap on Saturday night, Johnston in a strong finish beat G. Smith by inches for third position in the final. He was on tho 160yds mark.
J. C. Fogarty is riding well at present, and just failed to get up from the 30yds mark in the one-mile cycle handicap. Ho is developing a good sprint, and should ho seen to advantage on the Caledonian track before long.
Though J. Standen, the Australian champion is not a grass track rider, he showed to, good advantage at Napier last week when ho w r as making his second appearance on grass. In the halfmile cycle handicap Standen finished second, his time being 68 4-ssec. The winner was on the 85yds mark. In tho mile scratch cycle race, on a track to which he was not accustomed, he finished third in the mile scratch race, won in 2min 34 2-osec, this being the Australian's fourth apppearance during the evening.
JOTTINGS
first heat, did not beat the gun, and the watches were in agreement, which marks his rim as an outstanding preformance. Later in the evening Leadbetter did evens in a heat of the 100yds open handicap, having his field in hand at 70yds. but in the final ho was just beaten out of a place. The Otago Amateur Cycling Club is comprised of active enthusiasts, and with such a president as Mr J. A. Johnston it is little wonder that the newlyaffiliated club is making remarkable progress. Active cyclists have never been more numerous than is the case at the present time, and no time has been wasted by the club in staging a meet of its own, its first fixture being sot down for decision to-morrow night. In addition to a very attractive cycling programme, running events are being held, and together a splendid night’s sport should be witnessed. Ladies’ running has always been one of the most popular forms of the sports in Napier, and tho usual enthusiasm was added to recently by the first appearance in Napier of Miss Norma Wilson, of Gisborne, New Zealand ladies’ running champion and one of the probable New Zealand representatives at the Olympic Games this year (says the ‘Telegraph’). Special interest attached to the effort of the Gisborne girl to lower the New Zealand ladies’ record for 100yds of 11 3-ssec. Running into a strong breeze the attempt proved just beyond her, but she_ cut out the distance in the good time of 12 l-ssec, which, in the circumstances, was an excellent run. . . Caversham supporters were jubilant at the meeting held at Carisbrook last Saturday night, the suburbanites having their share of the wins that were going. Second and third places in the mile handicap went to Secretary Heaton’s club, which also carried off the mile relay handicap. To cap this, the Caversham schoolboys won the 440yds relay handicap. Centre Sports Secretary H. T. Emmerson, who is one of the leading lights of the Caversham Chib, would have had some excuse had he dropped his megaphone when he was announcing the relay results! Last week the Invercargill Amateur Athletic Club‘made another attempt to have a successful meeting, but failed miserably, about six competitors turning up and about as many spectators. The present state of amateur athletics in Southland is deplorable, and the finish is in sight if smoothing drastic is not done bv tho committee (says “Sprint,” in the ‘Southland Times ). Mr I. O. Manson, secretary of the club, lias left no stone unturned to reinstate the popularity of evening meetings, and letters have been sent to luenibcrs requesting them to give their unstinted support. No response has taken place, however, and it lias been left to a faithful and hard-working few to do all the work. Local amateurs should “ buck up ” and next season should show that athletics, the cleanest of sports, lias not died a natural death in Invercargill. Let us hope that Southland will be represented at the provincial championships next year, at any rate. We have the material, and Uie means can be easily supplied if a little enthusiasm and co-operation are displayed. Shall it he said in other centres that Southland can’t place a team m the field? No, a thousand times no! We have stuff in Invercargill capable of equalling the best in the dominion, ami it should not be wasted and left to stagnate. . ~, , , Though Civil Service failed to gain a place in the mile relay handicap last Saturday night it was not C. M. Olsen's fault, for the middle distance crack ran a sterling quarter for his club, and the time must have been last. It was intended to stage an invitation half-mile handicap for the purpose ot allowing Olsen to attempt to lower the New Zealand halt-mile record, but lack of time precluded this from being done. The 1928 track athletic season in TJ.S.A. was set down for opening early last month, with a Knight of Columbus meeting in New York, at which 10. athletes had signified their intention ot competing. Relay events attracted a field of twenty-four teams (savs the New Zealand ‘ Referee ’). Among those to compete was Lloyd Hahn, who lias announced his intention ot competing in tho 800 metres and 1,500 metres events at the next Olympic Games liefore hanging up Iris shoes for all time. Locke, joint world’s record-holder with Paddock of the furlong record, is reported to be recovering Irom an operation, decided on so that he would be in shape for the outdoor pre-Olympic season. Efforts are to he made to--bring together Locke, Paddock, and Bowman at an early date. Dr Otto Peltzer, the world’s champion half-mile, is at present in America, and it is anticipated that he and Lloyd Hahn will be meeting over the 800 metros distance early in the present season. Otago is well off for rnilo runners at the present time, and next season at least two contenders for the New Zealand mile title, held by J. W. Savidan, of Auckland, should hail from the south. These are J. J. Morris, present provincial mile champion and runnerup in the Now Zealand mile championship, and L. Wood, who has come to light comparatively recently. Both are but eighteen years of age, and neither lad is being forced along by their trainer, J. Beatson. Morris has already registered under 4min 30sec, but Wood’s best time to date is 4min 26 3-ssec from a 45yds mark.' He should be capable of bettering 4.30 before long, and next season the writer confidently predicts that Otago’s colors will be well to tho fore in distance running events, for apart from this pair there are several others capable of doing 4.40 or better. . Tho death has occurred of Loren Murchison, the brilliant American sprinter, at a comparatively early age. It is reported that this noted track runner died from spinal meningitis. Murchison represented America at tho Olympic Games in 1920 and 1924. In 1920 he was expected to win the 200 metres championship of the world. In the final, after a great race, ho finished fourth, inches ahead of George Davidson (New Zealand). The finalists on that occasion were Allan Woodring (America) 1, C. W. Paddock (America) 2, H. Edwards (Great Britain) 3, L. Murchison (America) 4, G. Davidson (Now Zealand) 5, J. K. Ayres-Oosterlaak (South Africa) 6. At Stamford Bridge in 1925 Murchison won the 100yds in 9 9-lOsec and 220yds in 21 3-osec. At the conclusion of the meeting his amateur status was questioned, and it was only after an exhaustive inquiry that the English championship medals were handed qver to the American. Murchison was into visit the dominion with Jackson Scholz in 1926, but after arrangements were made the brilliant American did not accept the invitation (says the Auckland ‘Herald’ writer).
Though it did not gain a place, it was pleasing to see that the old Dunedin Club was represented in the SSOyds relay handicap at the Pacific Club’s meet. “ Billy ” Duff gathered together a scratch team for the occasion, and though it was comprised of “hasbeens” and young runners, it did not actually disgrace itself. Everyone would be pleased to see the keenness of such men as “Bob” Thomson and “Billy” Duff bearing fruit, and with the addition of one or two outstanding performers it would not be long before the onetime crack club began to return to its one-time proud position. In the first heat of the 100yds club race, C. Jenkins, starting from scratch, covered the distance in 9 4-ssec, coming through the opposition in grand style to secure victory by a yard. Allowing for a slight fall in the track and the faintest of zephyrs assisting the runners, it shows that in handicap events Jenkins is at his best, and capable of breaking evens by a shade. The final was run in artificial light, Jenkins being beaten by a yard in lOscc (writes “Marathon,” in the New Zealand ‘Referee’). Inquiring of those in a position best able to judge, “Marathon” is assured that Jenkins, in the
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Evening Star, Issue 19793, 17 February 1928, Page 13
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5,935ATHLETICS Evening Star, Issue 19793, 17 February 1928, Page 13
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