Athletics.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 40, 6 April 1901, Page 20

Athletics.

Mr. R. Smith, secretary of the New Zoaland Association of Caledonian Societies, writes me an interesting letter re the championship meeting at Napier, and of McLachlan's performances thereat. On the time credited that runner in the 100 yds, Mr. Smith says — "I will frankly admit that I am dubious of anything that breaks lOsecs. I have

seen all the great runners of the Old Country in my time — regular professionals — who did nothing else in the summer but run at the great gatherings of England, Ireland, and Scotland, but Mr. J. H. Hempton was the first man I ever saw breast the tape in less time than lOsecs. Hutchens (when in Australia), Samuels, Malone, Watson, and several others have records of a good bit under 15secs for 150 yds. Expert timing: men are hard to find, and to be a professional at the game a lifelone apprenticeship is required, but in many cases in the colonies the gentlemen who take the time in important races only do so once in a year. In the race in question, the three starters got well away together off the mark, Somers finishing not a yard behind McLachlan, with Neagle close up. Mr. Smith says, if the record — 9 4-ssecs — given to McLachlan is a true one, we had in the champion race three professional runners on a good track who could i->ui\ down the £100-note that stood tacked up in "Bell's Life" office, in London, for over 50 years, to any man who could, on a dead level track, break even time. In appearance McLachlan looks more of the powerful distance runner than a sprinter. He labours a good deal, and lacks that beautiful low striding ma-chine-like action of such famous runners as Myers (of America), Hutchens, and our own ex-amateur champion, Jack Hempton. Still he is, in Mr. Smith's opinion, the best three-distance runner in the colony, and well deserved the championships he won at Napier, because every time he starts, no matter what handicaps he is giving away, he goes all out to win. Mr. Smith expresses the hope that at the next championship meeting he may be enabled to time the events by clock-work, as then there will be no doubt about the time. He says the timekeepers at Napier were the identical gentlemen, if his memory serves him right, who timed Jack Hempton when he did 9 4-ssecs, and, as both their watches ticked together, McLachlan's time must be accepted as correct. This is the gist of Mr. Smith's letter, and to those who take an interest in professional running it should prove good reading. Mr. Smith, in his day, was a splendid athlete, and now that he has got past the competitive stage, he is doing his level best to improve the

conditions under which the professional runners compete. I wish him still further success in his efforts, and trust that he Mill use his influence to allow the sports of Wellington to conduct the next championship meeting. The Association of Caledonian Societies has proved, by its conduct of the championship meeting at Napier, .that it is the correct body to conduct cash running;, and any proposal to shift that control to any other athletic body should be scouted by the running men themselves. Mr. Smith is giving the matter his earnest attention, and, by the time the next championship meeting comes round, everything ought to be in order.