ATHLETICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2845, 12 February 1925, Page 3

ATHLETICS.

(By “Tins Been.”) Th Fox ton United Sports Club have definitely abandoned their 1925 meeting. This decision will, no doubt, be a great disappointment to the athletes, both local and outside, who have put in so much lime and care in training.

Other sports bodies have not, so far, deemed it wise to cancel altogether their 1925 meetings. The N'.Z. Amateur Athletic Association has seen fit to carry on with the tour of the Australian team (although faced with an expenditure of £50(1 in connection with same) and also the Wellington Provincial Championships on Saturday next, and New Zealand Championships at Wanganui on February 271 h and 28th. However, in view of the epidemic and the number of entries received, the Foxton body’s move may prove to have been a wise one, although the writer is of the opinion that a small meeting should have been run this year, if only to give those keen young fellows who have trained an outing and some encour-

agement. “Has Been” paid a recent visit to Victoria Park and it struck him as a great shame that the Councillors in power a few years ago, should have seen fit to allow part of the excellent track to be dug up and the clay removed. The cross track, 150 yards, is still in perfect order, and a few loads of clay and a little work would put the oval track in good order. Perhaps the new Council would consider this work and restore Victoria Park to what it once was (and is still spoken of by old runners) —as one of the ideal picnic sports grounds of the Dominion. Residents of no very long standing can recall the highly successful meetings held on Victoria Park some years ago, annually on November 9th, and New Year’s Day. From the athlete’s point of view, the racecourse is quite unsuitable for sports, the horse hoof holes being a constant source of danger to. the runner, and making it a “washing board track” for the cyclist.