FEILDING SPORTS HANDICAPS.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 198, 22 December 1893, Page 2

FEILDING SPORTS HANDICAPS.

TO THE EDI TO H OF THE STAR. Siß^Thongh having no great knowledge of sports, I am much interested, as a Feilding resident, in the programme for Boxing Day. The subject I particularly wish to draw attention to is the handicapping, which seems very unfair to several of the numerous competitora. For instance, the case of A Hall has been freely commented on. All persons entering must gentl in performances for two previous years, as advertised by the committee. Hall has no performances for three years, yet is put scratch in both mile and half-mile events, giving starts 'of fiftjr ana sixty yards to old runners who have won races up to date. Deering, who has won mile races at Marton and Wellington in fast time, receives fifty yards start. Peatson, who won the same race in Feilding last year, has thirty-five yards; Woon, after winning the mile and half-mile events at the Druids' Sports and the Friendly Societies' Sports on the 9th of November this year, also receives a start. This "is one of those things that no fellow can understand." Looking at the short events,' J. H. King concedes fifteen yards in a one hundred and twenty yards sprint, an extraordinary start for such a short race, under the circumstances. Verily the way of transgressors —beg pardon— handicappers is uncertain and devious. If we want competitors at our sports from all parts of the colony, and most certainly we do, then I ask, Will treatment like this prove efficient in bringing them here ? With all due respect to the Sports Committee allow me to liken them to the Chapter of St. Paul's. The Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's were in solemn conclave assembled. The matter before them was the paving of an aisle with wooden blocks. The question Bung fire. Then said Dean Smith "We've but to put our heads together and the thing is done." Thanking you in advance for inserting the above. I believe in Faie Play.