AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 21, 20 January 1928, Page 5

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

(By "Olympian.")

Coining Events. Afternoon Meeting, Recreation Ground, Saturday, January 28th, 2.30 p.m. Evening Meeting, Recreation Ground, Wednesday, February 22nd. Under the managership of Mr. B. Matthews a small team of local members, consisting of B. McCarthy and J. Corliss (sprinters), Sam Forsyth and Bill Hayes (cyclists) visited Carterton recently and participated in an electric light meeting. Although no trophies were brought back all the members put up a good showing. Corliss had a comfortable win in his heat of the 100 yds., but did not get up in the final. In the quarter he set a merry pace, leading the field for 350 yards when he retired. McCarthy had hard luck in losing a shoe in both the 100 yds. and 220 yds. A runner's shoes are the most important part of his make-up, and great care should be taken to see that they are securely

fastened. Forsyth was also a heat winner, but was unplaced in the final. Bill Hayes put up a good showing considering the small amount of training he has done. "Olympian" has received a copy of the local club's poster for January 28th. There will be a full programme of. atheltic and cycling events. The Rudge-Whitworth medal goes to the cyclist gaining most points in cycle races, while the club is also giving a medal for most points in flat races. Given fine weather the meeting is sure to be a success. All the city cracks will be competing, and in view of the close proximity of the provincial championships they should just about be at top form. While at Carterton, Manager Matthews interviewed a number of competitors who promised. to visit Lower Hutt on January 28th. Included ia the number was Tom Oakley, New Zealand's champion grass track performer. It is to be hoped he keeps his promise, as his appearance will be eagerly looked forward to. It is very gratifying to see the club encouraging the small boys. There are a good number of boys' races on the programme. The main event for the boys is a 100 yds. championship, which is open to Hutt Valley boys under 14 on the day of the race. This event carries with it a special trophy donated by Mr. Hugh McGill, who hopes to make the event an annual one. The event which pleased our Australian visitors most on their recent visit was the boys' race. "Olympian" overheard a number of complimentary remarks about it. Appar-

ently they have no boys'- races in Australia. TRIANGULAR CONTESTS. In order to stimulate interest among Icoal athletes, the local club, the Petone Club and the Hutt Valley Harrier Club have inaugurated a series of meetings at which the events will be confined to locals. The first of these contesest was held at the Recreation Ground on Monday last and created great interest. At a conference of delegates from the Lower Hutt Club, Petone Club, and the Hutt Valley Harrier Club, it was decided to inaugurate triangular contests with a view to stimulating interest among local athletes. A programme of three meetings was drawn up, the first being held on the Lower Hutt Recreation Ground last Monday evening, January 16th, at 7 p.m. The events for this meeting were as follow:—100 yards, 880 yards, 100 yards junior, 75 yards ladies, half-mile cycle, two-mile cycle, boys' race, relay race (four 100's). These events were confined to registered members of the above clubs. An entrance fee of 6d. was, and is to be charged for each meeting (for any number of events^ and no trophies will be given. It is proposed to procure a cup, which will be held by the club obtaining most points at these meetings. Further meetings will be held on February Bth (controlled by the Hutt Valley Harriers) and on February 29 (by the Petone A.A.C.).

Forthcoming Fixtures. January 21—Electric light meeting at Basin Reserve. January 22 —Meeting at Masterton. January 28—Lower Hutt Recreation Ground (afternoon). February B—Lower Hutt Recreation Ground (afternoon). February 11—Wellington Provincial Championships. February 29—Lower Hutt Recreation Ground (afternoon).