Amateur Athletics.

Free Lance, Volume VI, Issue 281, 18 November 1905, Page 20

Amateur Athletics.

Although the Weilmgtoa Aniateui Athletac Club's spring mteang hdL, ptl&&p tl && ed, the sport is mot to be aaLwed to sleep, not even for a month. An evening meeting, comprising a 220vds maiden, a 220yd=> open, half-mile, and mil© waiK is to take place thus week, although at the time of writing it would appear that the weather will have objections. The entries, are again large, and some good racing should ensue. Next week the Amateurs and Harriers are to hold a combined social evening and p,resentatio 1 of prizes. Ihe affair is to be run on a good scale, and members .of both clubs and their guests should have a good' evening. The local Centre of the New Zealand. Amateur Athletic Association held its annual meeting last week, and appears to have been a happy gathering despite the stormy meetings held throughout the past season. Much back-earatching and mutual admiration seems to have taken up most of the time. Inter alia, the cha.rinan referred to the good work done by Mr. Jas. B. Speed during the time of the ShrubbDuffey visit, and all that the sport owed to J. B. S. The genial "Jimmy, if he was present must have squirmed in his chair, for not a few know that where "graft" was wanted he did practically nothing. When the Centre was called upon to run the big meeting, Mr. Speed frankly admitted his inability to give th-> necessary time, so, under the circumstances, two other members undertook to see things through. Honour to whom honour is due. Let them hay* it by all means. Undoubtedly, the two members who stood head and shoulders above the crowdi of workers were Messrs. J. H. Pollock and Fleming Ross. Amateur athletics owe much for some three years past to the solid work of these two gentlemen. The chairman referred to the highly satisfactory (?) state of the treasury. Did he know that his committee had to appeal to a local club for funds to send a representative to the Australasian meeting? Those in the know must agree it was a wise step when the Centre promoted Mr. B. E. Bannister to the president's chair. Nothing stops in "Bob's" way. A steamer delayed and a host of obstacles that others cannot get over— "Bob" sees them through. Mr. Bannister is not one of your figure-head presidents; he is a grafter, and rolls up to the meetings. That solid sport, Mr. R. McVilly, of the Railway Department, was made i vice-president. When "Mac" is not enquiring into the troubles and trials of railway servants, he is helping along the Boxing Association and the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association by his foresight and level-headedlness. Much disappointment is felt at the defeat of Burk in the Australasian mile ohampioinship. Those who know the vanquisher of Shrubb know he, is .i shocking sailor, and the trip across must have taken many yards off his best. As it was, he was only beaten by two feet in 4min 23sec. As for the two sprinters, they should never have been sent, as could be judged bv thenrecent performances in this city. Ross walked well, but was not in form, and had no opportunity of testing has ability before leaving.