ATHLETIC NOTES.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 488, 31 December 1879, Page 2

ATHLETIC NOTES.

(By Nimblei'oot.) To-moruow — New Year’s Day — will be fraught with interest for athletes and the general public both in Carlyle and Hawera, that is, should the weather prove propitious. That such will be the. case, indications at the time of writing arc not wanting—if one’s weather-glass is to he relied on. It is to be hoped the Committees of these Clubs will have luck favoring them on the day, for the interest in athletic gatherings shows no sign of diminishing on the coast, but, on the contrary, appears to be increasing every }’ear ; and it would be a matter for regret if the proceedings were marred by a wet day. Speaking more particularly of Carlyle, the entries for the handicaps are more numerous than has been the case on any previous occasion, and the competitors, taken all round, are of a better class. The task of handicapping, which was left to Messrs R. C. Tennent and R. E. Mcßae, has been performed to the satisfaction of a few, but the majority appear to he discontented, some of them being quite “ down in the month” at the way they have been treated. One growls because he has got such a poor start, and another growls because he is classed with the hoys, or lias been considered about the worst runner of the lot, by being placed almost in front of every one else. lam not going to condemn the handicaps, hut shall endeavour to pick out the men who 1 consider best treated, feeling certain at the same time that my selections will include a fair proportion of the “hard to please” division. I would not advise any of the dissatisfied athletes nominated to withdraw, because it is only by their performances that a line for future fixtures of the kind can be taken. I shall not further preface my remarks about the events. For the 100 Yards, I strike out the name of W. Williams (scratch), as he is likely to be absent, and from the men getting the same starts, I

select D. Williams 2 yards, \V. Dixon 3 yards, J. Chadwick 5 yards, 0. Haase 6 3 r ards, Jas. Smith 7 yards, J. Adamson 9 yards, and J. Hill 10 yards. Having reduced the twenty-five to seven, I select from these in order—W. Dixon, D. Williams, and J. Hill ; Haase being (though very' unfit) the most likely to upset this tip. For the 200 Yards, the beat men on the different marks are— Broughton scratch, D. Williams 3 yards, W. Dixon 6 yards, H. Chadwick 8 yards, J. Smith ll yards, J. Adamson 15 yards, J. Hill 18 yards. Of these I shall select W. Dixon, D. Williams, and J. Hill. For the Quarter- Mile, the best, men from the different “ starts ” are—A. Bollock scratch, D. Williams, 10 yards, Jas. Smith and W. Dixon 15 yards, 0. Dasent, 18 yards, H. Chadwick, 23 yards, J. Hill, 30 yards. From the seven, I select H. Chadwick, J. Smith, and W. Dixon. For the H u R D L B s, the winner should come from the three long start men* which are J. Adamson, J. Chadwick, and H. Chadwick, but where, there are so many sublunary contingencies, it is not an easy task to “ spot” the winners. The other events are all open, audit would be prophetic indeed to name the winners. However, Old Probability points to Gray as the most likely aspirant for walking honors, and a little bird whispers that a West Coast Champion will show up in the Champion Mile. If these men appear on the scene, local men will have to play second fiddle. A. Rellick and E. Jones probably meet in the mile, and I think if those who pretend to know everything about the capabilities of one of these men, will try and sink thair prejudices, a good race may be looked for between the pair. I have been requested to state that the sports will commence punctually at 11 o’clock. The course pegged out by the ground committee in Mr Davis’ paddock, the locale of the sports, is, I understand, 352 yards, oval shape, with a straight run in of about 60 yards, the ground being fairish going. In the mile and two miles the competitors will start and finish at the same place, five laps being required for the mile, andten for the walking. Thestraight 100, 150, and 200 courses are not very good, being slightly down hill., but taken altogether, the couise could hardly be improved in the vicinity of the town. The privileges of the course realised over £25,

the gate being purchased by Mr of Kakaratuea. Mr Beamish will cater fob the public, as the refreshment booth Has been placed under Ida charge. An enjoyable day is anticipated.