Athletics EMPIRE GAMES TRIALS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 35, 4 November 1937, Page 14

Athletics EMPIRE GAMES TRIALS

"Spike").

Local Clubs Prepared For Action HASTINGS ARRANGEMENT

* . (By 1

The Hastings and Napier athletic clubs, having disposed of their annual meetings, the way is now ciear for the Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay Centre to hold theirs, and this has been set down for • Thursday, November 11, iu Napier. At this meeting there will be many items of importance to be discussed, and athletes throughout the province will be keenly interested in the outcome of the meeting. The centre has experienced a profitable season, and the bank balance is now very close to the three-figure marb, a very desirable state of affairs, in view of the fact that the New Zealand championships will in all probability be held ih Hawke's Bay in 1938-39. The last centre championships meeting produced a profit of £44, ahd in view of the fact that the centre'-, has little scope otherwise for - obtaining finance, it appears that Napier should again be the venue of this year 's championship gathering also. The annual repoit, a brief document, comments on the fact that this, centre was again in a place for tho championship shield at the -national championships. Hawke 's Bay-Poverty Bay have now competed as a separate centre at the last four championship gatherings," and have been in a place on each occasion, altliough they have yet to enjoy the major honour — perhaps this hope will be fulfilled this year at Christchurch. Wellington Trials. ' .The decision to liold trials in Wellington on December 11 has been strongly commented on by the Otago Centre, and now Canterbury has joined forces with their southern- neighbours. Like Dunedin- there are some very caustic critics of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association in Christchurch. To be candid, there is nothing liarmful in holding the trials because had tliis not been done no Wellington representatives would have - been included in the New Zealand team for Sydney, but with a day set Jown for trials, Wellington, at least, will be well represented numerically, and the climatic conditions will suit them even if they suit nobody else. In the. year of the Melbourne Centenary, Christchurch staged a day of- trials, but other centres did not object. Being a.member of the executive of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association is not exactly a bed of roses. Auckland Marathon. The Auckland marathon , was held last Saturday, much earlier than I anticipated, - and it drew a" field of eight, five from Auckland and tkree from Wellington,- including McCalmont, the winner of the Wellington trial. The race ended in an easy win for - L. Smy the, of Auckland - - Univer-" sity, who won in • the good time of 2hrs. 56min. "fisecs, ■ and fourteen - minutes ahead of R. Fren'ch, also of .-Auckland. McCalmont collapsed ' two ■ miles from the fiiiish, when a" long way behind the winner. • / Edgar - Forne,;_at Hamilton on, Labour Pay, won a mile handicap off 30 yards in 4min. 38 2-5secs. There was noth ing startlihg about the time, but' it is good to see he is continuing with his avowed intention of staging a comelack. Hastings Proposals, ' The Hastings Club has decided for this season to conduct its meetings for points only. So far as the 'individual athletes are^concerned,,I feel sure that this arrangement will.prove quite suitable*for them, - but they in turn 'are entitled'to a ' little extra consideration from the executive. For «instance, the athletes are eiititled for the early part of the season to a meeting each week, and in view " of possible expense this could be curtailed by commencing at 6.15 ,p.m., and coneluddng at 7.15. Particulariy should this be proceeded with during this month, for the special reason that Miss R. Tong,. F. Sharpley and P. Begley have prospccts of selectiou in the New Zealand team for tho Empire Games, and they cannot be expected to produce their best form without competition. The Napier Club experienced a loss of £3. on last season 's working, • but this is of small - moment when it is noted that the club expendefl £40. towards the cost of sending athletes to country meetings as far south as Dannevirke.

Cyclists Absent. Tho surprising feature of the Napier annual meeting was the complete absence of cyclists. Generally, they are in full force, but not this year. Perhaps it is a sign that there will be few of them competing on the track. To many, road-racing has greater appeal, and to endeavour Jn compete all winter on the road and th-> all suaimer on tlie track is str.euuous, iu say the leasc. Miss "Bub" Tooman has returned t from Hainiltqtt to Napier^ and onco