ATHLETICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1923, Page 4

ATHLETICS.

AMERICANS WIN. [by tklegkai’H— pbr press association-■ WELLINGTON, February 24. Eight thousand people watched the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Championships at Athletic Bark to-day. Most were there to see the international sprint cents, wherein TCirks.v lAmrieaf, Carr (Australia), and Davidson and Wilson ( New Zealand) competed. These events will be long remembered as classic struggles, in both of which American knowledge and pace won the day. The weather was cold. The track was a bit heavy, through overnight rain, hut a fairly stiff breeze blew behind the runners. tn the 100 yards. Carr won his heat easily from Morgan (Otago), with Davidson of Auckland (who looked unwell) third. In the second heat, Kirksey and Wilson battled for SO yards. Then tile American went ahead at the finish, l’orritt (Wanganui! sported into second place. The time for both heats was lllsee. In the limil, Kirksey was slightly the quickest' to start. At off yard* he was nine inches ahead of Can, who then drew ahead slightly. Then, with a thrilling hurst for the tape. Kirksey triumphed by three inches, Carr vainly diving at the last moment. The time was 21 4-bsces. this again equalling the Australasian record. The American’s victories were very popular. He received an ovation each time. Krogness. ol America, captured the 129 yards hurdles. He was too late for flic beat, but lie was allowed to start in the filial, in which the others were : Wilson (Wellington). Shirley (Auckland), liuckhurst (Canterbury). Borriti (W'"-l Coast) Lander (Wellington). .Morgan (Otago). Krogness, beat Wilson away when the pistol went, and hurdling beautifully, he got- home by iluve indie*. Wilson was slightly below form. The time was Li 2-nscc. B'lriili ran third. Wellington with a strong Wairarapa contingent, won the iiiter-Brovineial Sliidd with 99 points. Canterbury scoring 17. Auckland 19. West Coast of the Nnrlli Island 9. Otago I. Results: Bole Vault Harvey (Wellington) 10ft 7in. I. Batstmie fCanlei-biiiy). and Mac Keiizie (Wairarapa) dead heat 10ft -fin.

Putting the Shot. Merchant (America) -loft 2in I. Munro (Wellington) l.'d't tin 2. Brown (Wellington) 40ft 9Jin 4. Mile Cycle Race. 11. Oakley (Wellington) 1. Cooksey (\\ ellnigteul Bateiiiaii (Wellington) 9. ’lime Mile Flat Race. Grilfen (Wellingt,,u) 1, Rose (Wellington) 2. McCormid, ( Welloigion I Won I a '. mil Time 1.91 I •’> Hop, Step, and .lump. Plummer ( A tiekland) 48ft. Sin 1. McKenzie (Waiini'npa) 42l't tin 2. Thom-on (Wellington) 19ft. —in 9. Mile Walk V. ffielding (Wellington) 1. G. 1 fielding 2. Ale]'.wen (W cilia ,r t on) 9. A\ on bv 1 (*9 yards. lime

Javelin Thru" ing.- Merchant (Arne v jon) 155 ft. lin 1: Alutiro (Wellington

151 ft. Sin 2. Louis (Wellington) 121 ft .Tin 3.

Half Mile Cycling Race. J. Cooksey 1. 0. Cooksey 2, Bateman 3. Won by four yards. Time 1.1-1 2-5. Half M'ilc Run.—Griffon (Wellington) 1. Rowe (Wellington) 2. Nalder (('anterlmry) 3. Won by 15 yards. Time 2.1 2-5.

Hammer Throw. ---Merchant (Ame-li.-at inoft min 1. AleTßTtn (Canterbury) 128 ft lOin 2. Harvey (Wellington) 125 ft. Sin 3. Merchant broke Moholm’s Australasian record by 2211 11 in.

Three Aide Cycling Race. H. Oakley (Wellington) 1. T. Oakley (Mel lington) 2, ITaminoii (Auckland) 3 UL.i, l.v inches Time 8.3-1 2-5.

Discus Throw.—Munro 127 ft. 3in 1, Merchant 122 ft. ljin 2. Brown 101 ft. llin. 3.

High Jump.—Shirley (Auckland) sft Bin 1, Buckluirst (Canterbury) oft Gin 2. McKenzie (Wairarapa) oft oin 3. Three Mile AValk.-F. Hickling 1. Hickling 2. Only starters. Time 25 min 1 3-osecs.

•140yds Hurdles.—Wilson 1, Malfroy Wellington) 2. Harrington (Otago) 3. (Yon by 15 yards. Time 0] 2-5 sees. Three Mile Run.—Ruse (Wellington) 1. Nalder (Canterbury) 2. Barclay Wellington) 3. Won by 120yds, Time 15min. 10 see. Long Juniv. Buekhurst (Canterbury) 21ft. Sin 1. Atenhaiit 20ft 10m 2. Poritt 20ft 4-Jin 3. Merchant retired hurt.

Quarter Mile Race.— -Gandy (Wairarnpa) 1, Rowe (Wellington) 2. Gully (Wellington) 3. AVon liv two yards. Taylor (Canterbury), the previous champion. was outclassed. Time 52 2-5.

Provincial Relay Race.—Wellington 1. Canterbury 2. The only starters. Ladies Relay Race. AYellitigton-AVai-.rarapa—Miss Dnwsoit (AYellington) won both ladies’ events in good time.