AMATEUR ATHLETIC CLUB ANNUAL SPORTS.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 553, 27 March 1876, Page 2

AMATEUR ATHLETIC CLUB ANNUAL SPORTS.

Patron—His Honor the Superintendent} president—Mr Wynn Williams; vice-presi-dent—Mr Harman ; judge—Mr C. C. Corfe ; handicappers Messrs Digby, Corfe, and Tosawill ; starter —Mr F. Pavitt; stewards —Messrs Wynn Williams, B. D. Thomas, Brewster, G. S. Mathias, E. Deacon, J. W. Davis, A. M. Ollivier, and H. McCardell. timekeepers—Messrs Thomasand Gundersen, hon treasurer—Mr W. Hartland ; hon secretary—Mr W, Tosswill. The annual sports of the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club took place on Saturday, on the Canterbury Cricket Ground, and considering the somewhat unfavourable weather, so far as outdoor amusements were concerned, attracted a considerable number of spectators. It is somewhat to be regretted that the committee could not have arranged the date of the sports somewhat earlier, so as to have ensured fine weather, as now it is a mere chance that a fine day can be looked for. We hope on another year that this will be considered ; another reason why it should be held earlier also is, that it is now the fag end of the boating season, and most of the men, who form also a fair proportion of those entering for the athletic sf orts, are out of training, hence the various events do not stand a chance of being so keenly contested as if the date were fixed a month earlier. The club were fortunate in being able to obtain the use of the Cricket ground for the sports, as no better piece of ground for the purpose can be found anywhere within reasonable distance of the city, and as a running course it would have been perfect had it not been for the rain we have had recently, which rendered the short turf extremely slippery, which resulted in one or two falls. Generally speaking, the arrangements made by the committee were good, but there are one or two points which on a future occasion require alteration, and with a view to the future success of the meeting, and not at all in a spirit of cavilling, we call attention to them. In the first place, with a very long programme of events to get off, and the shortness of the days at this season of the year, there was in several instances, notably in preparing for the mile race, far too long a wait. This resulted from the fact that the hurdles had to be shifted in order to allow the nmoing to take place oq

that course, which, with such a large extent of good ground to choose from, need not hare been the case, as a course might have been laid off distinct from that used for the hurdle event. The want of means to call the competitors to the post to start for the various events, was also noticeable, and a good deal of valuable time was thus lost. Another improvement which we should like to see effected on another occasion, and one which could be done at little expense, is to have the course for say, fifty yards of the run in, roped off on either side. On Saturday the competitors in the various events, despite the efforts of the stewards, were impeded just at the most critical point of the races by the anxiety of the spectators to see the finish, By the plan we have indicated the course could be kept perfectly clear with but little trouble, and the public would still be enabled to see the races ; the materials for doing this would cost but little, and would always be useful. Having said thus much as to the arrangements, we may accord a meed bf praise to the officials for the way in which they worked under many disadvantages, Mr Pavitt’s starts were exceptionally good, and the handicaps generally were well made, more especially in the Strangers’ race, though a 41 dark ’un” in the shape of Westenra, rather upset the calculations of the handicappers. The 200 Yards Handicap also was capitally made, though most of the long distance men d d not accept, but the scratch man and those having from two to five yards were all in it at the finish, and it was only won on the post by a fine spurt. We were glad to notice that the committee in framing their programme omitted many of the jumping events, which in Canterbury programmes figure so conspicuously, and only retained two. These might however on a future occasion also be omitted with advantage, as they take up a great deal of time and afford little or no amusement, besides, experience shows that the entries for these events are limited in the extreme. On Saturday only two came to the post for the long jump, and the high jump was virtually a gift. After the very hollow affair styled a walking race, wo also hope to see this eliminated from the programme, as the rule of the club bars the only good walkers we have here. Under these circumstances, it would be far better to substitute a race for which there is probable to be something like competition. To come to the various events on the programme. Taking the card, the first to be got off was the Hurdle race, 120 yards, over six flights. For this three were entered, and all came to the post. From Tosswill’s previous performances over timber this was looked upon as a certain thing for him. Ward, however, made it warmer for him than was anticipated, but ultimately Tosswill scored his first win by about two yards, For the Hundred Yards spin there were eight colored on the card, but only six faced Mr Pavitt, Knox and J. W. Davis being the absentees. This resulted in a victory for J. Fowler, after a very pretty race, in which the winner ran with pluck and judgment. The second man, Anderson, made a very good show, and with training would prove a very dangerous antagonist in sprint races. The Running High Jump was a gift to Tosawill, who jumped prettily, and cleared two inches higher than the winning jump with ease. The running long jump resolved itself into a match between McCardcll and Tosswill, and was won by the former with a pretty jump of 17ft llin ; Tosswill’s best jump being 17ft 9in, For the Mile race, one naturally expected to see Davis enter, as his performances at that distance would have given him a very good 6how of pulling it off. However, he did not, and Black, who it will be remembered tan a very plucky mile with Davis on Latimer square, won it with ease ; Goodeve, who ran second, being evidently out of form. The 200 Yards handicap had quits a large field on the card, but only five came to the post, nearly all the long-distance men, except Chapman with ten yards to the good, declining to go. This of course made it all the more interesting from a spectator’s point of view, and the result was a pretty race, J. Fowler, the scratch man, winning on the post with a magnificent spurt, Wachsmann and McCardell, who ran well, being close up. The Quarter-mile brought out a new competitor in the shape of M. Smith, who brings with him an Australian reputation. He made it very warm for Davis at one part of the race, but began to go rather too early. J, W. Davis ran well, but scarcely in his usual form, and seemed to be somewhat out of training. McCardell went for this, but his spin in the two hundred yards just before had evidently used him up, though he ran as game as a pebble. The walking race was a perfect farce, as Goodeve walked the distance by himself, Caverhill, the other competitor, contenting himself with a pace which though all very well in 41 doing the block,” was quite out of place in a race. Goodeve, though alone, made very fair time, doing the two miles under eighteen minutes. For the half mile handicap there were three entries, Davis being at scratch. The handicapper had evidently been too good to Black in giving him forty yards, as despite the scratch man doing all be could he was unable to get on anything like terms with him. Smith who had fifty yards, made a wretched bad start, and though he ran gamely, was passed by Black early in the race. The quarter mile hurdle race was again a gift to Tosswill, who was never headed, Wachsmann running second, but his fall at the last hurdle destroyed any chance he might have had of overhauling the leader on the flat at the finish. Four entered for the running between wickets, Sweet and Fowler making the pace very warm ; McCardell and Tosswill slipped several times, and thus lost their chance. At the fourth run Sweet, who held a lead, slipped, and Fowler won. The Strangers’ Handicap was a very good race, Westenra, who, being a dark horse, had got in light, winning with a long lead, despite Gibbons and Pentecost closing on him when rounding the turn for home. The Medley race created great fun, and was won by McCardell, the leader, Brewster, who had the best of it until the crawling portion of the race commenced, rolling over near the post, allowingMcCardell and Wachsmann to come in first and second. This concluded a very good day’s sport, and if the committee will only take the hints we have given them in framing their next programme, the sports of 1877 will, we predict, be a great improvement on those of Saturday, We append the details of the various racef: — 120 Yards Hurdle race, over six flights of hurdles, 3ft Sin. W. Tosswill ... 1 B. B. Ward 2 W, Chapman ... 0

Mr Pavitt dismissed the trio to a capital start, Tosawill forcing the running, with Ward second, and Chapman close up. In this order they ran until the third hurdle was reached, where Chapman failed to negociate the timber, and was out of the race. Ward here began to race Tosswill, but was unable to pass him, and,' the latter ultimately ran in a winner by about two yards, Time —2osecs. One Hundred Yards Flat Race. J. Fowler 1 A, H. Anderson 2 G. A. Macquarrie ... ... 3 J. W. Davis and J. Knox were scratched. On the word being given to go, Fowler, Anderson, Macquarrie, and Wachsmann went off at score, with the rest in close attendance. For the first ten yards the leading division were all together. After this distance had been gone Fowler put on a spurt, separated himself from his attendants, and took the lead, Anderson second, Macquarrie third. In this order they came for home, Fowler having a short lead, which by another fine rush he increased, finally landing a winner by about a yard and a half, Anderson a good second. Time—Usees. Running High Jump. Start at 4ft. W, Tosswill (4ft I0in) 1 B. R. Ward (4ft 7in) 2 J. Knox (4ft 6in) 0 W. H. Eyes (4ft 6in) • ... 0 W. Chapman (4ft Sin) 0 All cleared the first round. At the next rise to 4ft Sin Chapman failed to clear and was out. One out at 4ft Sin. All got over at the next height, 4ft 4in. At 4ft sin Eyes slipped twice on the wet turf, but got over on a third trial. At 4ft 6in Knox failed to clear and went out. Two out at 4ft Gin. The next rise of the bar to 4ft 7in proved fatal to Eyes’ chance, and ho went out. Three out at 4ft 7in. It now became evident that the prize was Tosswill’s, as he jumped clean each time, and well within himself. At the next rise to 4ft Bin Ward failed and was out. Four out at 4ft Sin. Tosswill was thus the winner, and afterwards cleared 4ft lOin amid applause. Running Long Jump. H. McCardell (17ft llin) ... 1 W. Tosswill (17ft 9in) 2 McCardell led off with 17ft, followed by Tosswill, with two jumps of 15ft llin and 16ft Sin respectively. In his third try Tosswill covered 17ft 9in with a pretty jump. McCardell for his second round jumped 17ft 3in, 17ft B|d, and finished with a splendid jump of 17ft llin. Tosswill in his three tries was unable to get over this, his best being 17ft Gin ; McCardell therefore took the first prize. One Mile Flat Race. H. Black 1 H. B. Goodeve 2 E. G. Hawkes 0 Mr Pavitt got the men away to a good start, Black at once assuming the lead, with Hawkes second. In this order they ran to the top of the course, when Goodeve began to close on Hawkes, and passed him near the post going into Ihe second lap, Black still holding a commanding lead. In this order the remaining laps were run without any material alteration, except that Goodeve increased his lead from Hawkes, but was unable to catch Black, who won by about ninety yards. Coming for home, Hawkes spurted up to Goodeve, but was unable to get second place, Goodeve coming in about twenty yards ahead. Time for the mile, smin GJsec; time of the winner for the four laps, Ist, Imin 2nd, 2min 23sec; 3rd, Smiu 45£ sec; 4th, smin Gjsec, Two Hundred Yards Handicap Flat Race, J. Fowler (scratch) ... ... 1 J. F. -Wachsmann (5 yds) ... 2 H, McCardell (5 yds) ... ... 0 A. H. Anderson (3 yds) 0 W. Chapman (10 yds) 0 There were thirteen entries for this event, but the above were all who put in an appearance at the start. Half way down Anderson, Wachsmann, and McCardell were all together, Fowler coming up at a splendid pace to them, and after a tough struggle, made a fine spurt, and ran in a winner by about a foot, half a yard been second and third. Time, 22£spc. Quarter Mile Flat race—lst prize, piece of plate value £4 4s, presented by Mr Sandsfcein. J. W. Davis 1 M. Smith 2 M. Lewin 0 H, McCardell 0

Four were scratched out of the eight entries for this event, Mr Pavitt dismissed them on very even terms, Davis taking a strong lead after the first few yards had been gone, Smith second, Lewin third ; McCardell, who had just run in the previous race, having evidently enough of it. Going along the top of the course Smith spurted and decreased Davis’s lead to about four yards, but though he struggled gamely, he was unable to overhaul the leader, who won by about five yards, Smith 2nd, Lewin, who was evidently out of training, 3rd. Time, 58secs. Two Miles Walking Race. H. B, Goodeve 1 J. H, Caverhill 2 Wachsmann went once round and then retired. This race requires no description, as Goodeve walked the distance alone, Caverhill making only a show of walking. Goodeve walked very well indeed, with good style, and- with practice will make a capital match walker. Time—l7min 58sec. Half-mile Handicap Flat race. H. Black (40 yds) 1 M. Smith (50 yds) 2 J. W. Davis (scratch) 0 On the word being given t® go Black went away with a clipping start, Smith getting off very badly. Half-way round Black gained the ten yards between him and Smith, and got the lead, which he maintained to the finish, Davis being unable to get on terms with either of the distance men. Black won by about ten yards. . Time (adding six seconds for start of winner) — 2min 15sec. Time of laps of winner—lst, 58sec; 2nd, Imin llsec. Quarter-mile Hurdle Race; over eight hurdles, 9ft Gin—lst prize, piece of plate, value £4 4s, presented by Messrs Petersen and Co. W. Tosswill 1 J. P. W ach smann 2 B. R. Ward 0 Toss will led off at a merry pace, closely followed by Wachsmann, At the first hurdle Ward fell, and was out of the race. Tosswill still led over all the hurdles, with Wachsmann sticking close to him, but at the last hurdle the latter came to grief, and Tosswill won. Time—lmin. Running between Wickets; six runs. Ist prize, a piece of plate, presented by the President, Mr Wynn Williams. J. Fowler... ... ... ... 1 T. B, Sweet 2

Tossvvill and McOardell also went. Sweet cut out the work at a very warm pace, closely pressed by Fowler. At the fourth run Sweet slipped, and Fowler ran in a winner, Sweet second. The other two fell once or twice, owing to the slippery nature of the ground. Quarter-mile Strangers’ Handicap. G. Westenra (25yds) I M. Gibbens(lOyds) 2 W. Pentecost (scratch) 0 W. Bowley (25yds) 0 H. Smith (35yds) 0 Heathcote (35yds) 0 JPentecost, on the word being given, went off at a tremendous pace, Westenra running well within himself, and with judgment. Half way round Gibbens and Pentecost had closed to within about three yards of Westenra, when the latter put on steam, and sailed away from them at a grand pace, winning a pretty race by about ten yards, Gibbens second. No time taken.

Medley Race. 200 Yards—viz, 60 yards running, 30 yards running backwards, 70 yards walking, 40 yards all fours. H. McOardell 1 J. P. Wachsmanu 2 Brewster 8

For the first event Brewster cut out the woik directly Mr Pavitt sent the lot off, with McOardell second, and Wachsmann next, and in this order they arrived at the mark to turn to go backwards. Here Brewster still led, Wacbsmannhavingraanaged to secure second place, M'Oardell third. On dropping on to all fours the three leaders were all together, but within a short distance from home Brewster rolled over, and before he could recover -himself, M'Oardell managed to crawl in first, Wachmann second.

This closed the day’s sports. At the conclusion of the racing, Mrs Rolleston, at the request of the comnuttee, presented the various prizes, accompanied by congratulatory remarks to the various competitors, This concluded, Mr W. Tosswill thanked Mrs Rolleston for her kindness in presenting the prizes, and also those present for their attendance. Three cheers were given for Mrs Rolleston, and the proceedings terminated.