CASH ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 58

CASH ATHLETICS.

By Spoht.

March 13.— Athletic Sports, Matakanui. March 17.— Athletic Sports, St. Bathana. March 17.— Athletic Sports, Ophir. J March 18. — Athletic Sports, Invercargill. News comes from South Africa to the effect that A. B. Pottle. Australia's chu'npion sprint runner, who left West Australia for South Africa a month or two ago, bad no sooner arrived in that country than he made a match with one Arnold over T5 yards and 120 yards at Johannesburg, and was -successful. Arnold is the recognised champion, of Johannesburg, judging by the position he is placed in big handicap avtente. Jim Greddan, of Queensland, the Australian jumping record-holder, who was such a good friend to Peter Jackson during the latter's illness at Roma, was one of the unsuccessful candidates at the recent Queensland elections. Apropos of the death of one-time famous walker, Joe Scott. Scott's greatest f«at was. perhaps, accomplished at the Agricultural Hall, London, when he covered 363 miles 1510 yards in 72 hours (12 hours a Tiay), and created a world's record, which mill remains in the book. The achievement veferred to saw two other rtcordii mad»-5

viz., 57 miles 100 yards on tEe fifth day, and 60 miles 500 yards on the sixth day. In an interesting letter the Westralian sports promoter. Mr Naylor, who brought B. R. J)ay to Australia, and. has returned with -him to England, eaye: "I recently visited London ana made arrangements for Day and W. Qroworott to run at Stamford Bridge grounds provided they were matched. When I returned, however, 1 found tliat Day was still 'off colour' and not disposed to race, for a time. Groworott's backers have challenged any man in the world for £500 u» to £1000, over IQO aiwi up to 440 yards, Poetle or Day preferred. I have offered Growcrott a £100 purse and £120 expenses and guaranteed him a side wager of £500 to race over 100 yards, the contest to take place at Sydney at abo>ut Easier time. Growcrott accepted the offer, and arrangements are to be made for him and hi« backer, T. Moran, to leave England on 10th January. ' Growcrott is considered to be the beat 100 yards man who ever put on a shoe in England, and after seeing him run I came to the conclusion that he was undeniably fact, and could be cafely depended upon to cut lOsec for the 100 yards lour times out of #ye. Mr Moran has offered to post £500 with the Referee on arrival in Sydney. I think Fostle could win £2000 if he beat Growcrott in England. Day would have no chance with Growcrott up to 220 yards, but over that distance and up to the quarter-mile I think Day the best man in the world. I saw him recently, on a loose traok in Seattle, America, leave the 300 yards behind in 30 4-sseo;' a wonderful- performance." Mr Nay lor was evidently iiofc aware that ?ostle had left for England via South Africa. With reference to the paragraph appearing in our last issue concerning A. Bird.the old-time English crack of the sixtie* and seventies, veteran champion Frank Skiittv Hewitt writes to Sydney Beferee that Bird has a daughter living in Hobart who some time ago informed him that she was willing to provide her father with a comfortable home in which to tpend his lest days. Frank Hewitt tells me (Referee) that it was on December 16. 1869, that Bird. Topley, and he came to Australia under engagement to a Melbourne syndicate. The syndicate Messrs Geo. Coppin, Wardell, Pickersgill, and Bennett, sent a Mr Shoesmith to England to bring out the .best man from 100 yds to half a mile, and the best, man from a mile to 10 miles. On the advice of sporting authorities in London Mr Shoesmith went to Sheffield, where both Hewitt and Bird were living, and engaged them. Hewitt had then just beaten Jim Nuttall, of Manchester, over 440 yds and 500yde, and had a challenge standing - unanswered, offering any man in the world flve yards in 440, or eight yards in 880 yards. Bird's style was splendid, and he also easily defeated Nuttall. a He was, says Frank, a "ready-made champion, who could run all day."