Athletic.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 37, 16 March 1901, Page 21

Athletic.

A question that is troubling sports just now is whether the Druids intend folding their annual gathering at Easter time. Easter is now only three weeks away, yet no sign of advertisements or posters is to be seen. If it is correct that the gathering is not to be held, it is only another instance of the hard work sports promoters have of it to make a success of a gathering in Wellington. First, the Caledonian Society, and now the Druids, allowing their annual gatherings to lapse through lack of support, and one has only to attend a meeting of the Amateur Athletic Club to wonder what makes that club hold running meetings. It appears to me that all the public here care about in connection with a sports gathering is the art union, for there they have a possibility of getting something valuable for a small outlay. The Hibernian Society still holds on, however, but it is rumoured that if the gathering on Saturday next is not a financial success it will be the last one. It therefore behoves those who take the slightest interest in sport in the town to extend their patronage to the Hibernians in their annual gathering. The running men have responded splendidly to the call for nominations, and the events have all filled up over and above expectations. The handicaps drawn up by Mr. Shannon should provide good racing. The presence of Somers alone, who has been performing creditably lately at meetings all through the North Island, will add interest to the sprint races. He is in town, so there is no question of his not being on the mark when the pistol fires. Fume, whom I have stated before, I regard as a champion, is standing up 3yds from Somers, and a duel between these two, if they get in the final together, will alone be worth the price of admission. My opinion is that Somers can't let Fume so far away. German, on 7yds and 13yds, is from Christchurch, and is said to have been leniently treated, and should win the 100 yds and 220 yds. Space forbids me discussing the handicaps, and for a tip I venture to namo Fume as the winner of the 100 yds and 220 yds, Payne the 440 yds, and Evans the half. Luke Ward should account for the mile, and Payne for the Empire City Athletic Club event. The Empire City Athletic Club have been talking very seriously at times of holding a sports meeting. If, as stated earlier m these notes, the Druids' gathering is falling through, a splendid opportunity presents itself of working up a small meeting. The runners w ould bo bound to patronise it, if only for the sake ot keeping good one of its acknowledged heads, and, fiom what I know of the membership of the club, there are plenty of them capable enough of running a gathering It would need prompt action, and I give the suggestion to "Dorry" Leslie for what it is worth. A special summoned meeting for Monday night could discuss the question, and arrange all details.