ATHLETICS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 92, 9 December 1931, Page 7

ATHLETICS

"False-Start.")

FORTHCOMING EVENTS AND LAST FRIDAY'S FORM

.(Notes by

Forthcoming Events Evening meeting, Rotorua, Friday, 11th December, at 6 p.m. Boxing Day earnival, Rotorua, December 26, at 1.30 p.m.

New Zealand championship, Auckland, February or March, 1932. Tuesday's Programme The events set down for competition on Tuesday evening next are: — 220 yards handicap; 100 yards ladies' handicap, 880 yards cycle race (roadster wheels only), hop-step and jump, one mile handicap, two miles cycle race (roadster wheels only) , ladies' relay race, men's relay race. Entries will definitely close with Mr. de Luen, Hinemoa Street, or Mr. A. J. Isdale, Ngongotaha, on Wednesday next, December 9, at noon. The practice of taking late entries on the field is not likely to reign long with the local club. The sooner the members are disciplined in this matter the better for all concerned. With a new club, however, the matter of securing nominations has to be tactfully handled in the early stages otherwise the membership of the club .is likely to suffer. The programme for Boxing Day is in the printer's hands and will be promulgated in a day or two. Last Friday's Form The most meritorious performance of the evening was that of R. Dawson, who compassed the mile in time which makes hina look a worthy nomination for the New Zealand championship this season. His actual time was better than 4.50 seconds, which for so early in the season is excellent. Dawson was obviously not all out at the finish and I think he is capable of eonsiderable improvement. Dryden who has been off the athletic stage for some years was not in his best form, but finished very gamely against Hinton and Dawson in the mile.

C. Randerson for his youth also ran with distinction against his older opponents in the mile. He will ihiprove with age. Archer retired from the mile owing to his shoes becoming unlaced. He was goi'ng well. The New Zealand record for a mile on grass track is that of 4 minutes 18 2-5 seconds, held by R. A. Rose, New Zealand. These figures are also better than any Australian or British Empire. record for the distance.

Versalitity Lillas, who in the previous evening meeting did well in a distance run showed versalitity by winning the 100 yards sprint in good time. The final result of the race. see'ms a little suspicious in view of the fact that both Matthews and Steele were placed ahead of Lillas in the heat but were behind in the final. Both Steele and Matthews are promising sprinters and Gainsford who dead heated for third place in the final of 100 yards is picking up speed which he will find an asset in his broad jumping essays. Amongst the ladies, B. Cottrell is a flyer and with coaching will eventually worry the best of the New Zealand lady sprinters. Her style is good. R. Steele and A. Dodson are likely to improve considerably. The club can do with a still larger membership of ladies. No sensational figures were registered in the high jump. P. Taiapa cleared 5ft. O^ins. after tiring himself in the elimination jumps. A competitor is not obliged to keep on jumping eaeh successive heig'ht providing he jumps the bar at the height at which it is first set. Taiapa would perhaps have done better had be cleared the bar at its first height of approximately 4ft. 4ins. and then waited till it was up to 4ft. 9ins or 4ft. lOins. Taiapa will improve. C. Dryden and A. Cottrell, the only starters in the quarter mile completed the journey in fair time. The cyclists, the first time out, made a very good showing and their 2.37 2-5 for the mile is a creditable performance. Newspaper Records In relay races, mueh keener ccmpetition is obtained in races contested by teams which are representing hockey, football, school and other clubs. It is hoped that very soon teams will enter with definite and permanent identities. The Cottrell _ family is already in the field and it is a very fine combination, too. I would like to remind competitors of the desirability of keeping newspaper records of their performances. Apart from the interesting reflection on one's career which theyprovide they also supply record _ of performances which are required when entering in open competition. The newspaper records are often rather humorous. False start has one which describing his race against the American Kusky some years ago says that he (False Start) after a thrilling race won by three "years" from the American, the wotd years obviously being meant for yards.