ATHLETIC NOTES.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 226, 29 October 1887, Page 7

ATHLETIC NOTES.

The long-distance lunner, W. George, arrived safely in England, looking, it is said, in splendid trim. Byrd-Pagc, the Ameiican who was credited a few weeks ago in England with cleaving 6ft. 3]in. in a running high jump, purposes paying the colonies a visit. Sheffield handicappois recently issued the starts for the Oieat All England ClOO, 205 yds. Doncaster Handicap, and according'to their estimate H. Gent is a yaid factor runner tlian Hutchins, their distance being 79iyds. and 80£ yds. respectively. The Rita was out last week, and went very well, considering how long she had been without a cleaning. She has been round at the Wynyard Pier all the week being cleaned and done up. Conueff and Carter recently ran four miles at Balls' Bridge Grounds, Dublin, and so great was the interest taken in the match that the gates had to be closed after 15,000 persons were admitted. Conueff won the j match by 15yds. ; but the timetakers dif- j fared, one recording 19min. 49lsec. and the other 19min. 44 2-sbec. J The St. George* Rowing Club have ordered from Air Edwards and Sons, the well-known boatbuilders, of Melbourne, a four-oared string test gig and two pair oars from Mr Logan, of the North Shore. The string test is expected to arrive about the end otnext month, while the pair oars, which are to be provided with sliding seats, will be in use in about a month. In England recently a competitor inclosed with his entry form to the handicapper a half-sovereign, which he mentioned wafe to enable tho handicapper to drink his | health, and with a hope that the entrant might win the race. The handicapper did not seem to appreciate it, and pent it on to the secretary of the Union, with the result that the gentleman will be called upon to explain his little joke. Upwards of 2,000 persons assembled at the St. James' Hall, Plymouth, to witness a great international wrestling match in the Cornish style between J. Carkeek, champion of the world, and T. Bragg, the English cha-i pion. The latter weighed 13st 10lb. and Carkeek 9st 51b, and the latter held a record of 125 victories against one losing match. Bragg is ci edited with having won ; " hundreds" of prizes, but he met his superior in Carkeek, who secured the first , two <l backs" and won the match. Arrangements in connection with the i great sculling contest to take place on the 26 th November next are progressing better ; than was expected. Mr G. "Hill, jun., has been appointed referee, and both Beach and Hanlan are satisfied with the selection. The railway and tram car arrangements for S conveying "the public on the day have, i during the past few days, been under the consideration of the Champion Race Committee, and have been settled satisfactorily. The boat that Hanlan brought out with him was not quite finished. The work ot completing the craft has been entrusted to Dodds, of Lavender Bay. Beach has sent his Clasper built boat to Charlie Messenger to have nor put in racing trim, but it is not certain whether he will use her or the one that Donnelly is at present building. The " Bicyling News " of August 20th contains a recognisable lithographic portrait of Mr Duncan, the " New Zealand Demon," as he is styled. The " Scottish Umpire," of August 16th, says, referring to Mr Duncan :—"The New Zealander's three firsts were a record. This man wants watching, Nothing seems to bring out all he has up his sleeve." The "Scottish Athletic Journal" also says :— " George Duncan seems to be having a ' benefit,' and in the final of each race he swings round the corners in beautiful style, and goes past his men like a rocket, to the unbounded delight of the spectators." Mr Duncan has, within three months of his arrival in Scotland, won thirteen prizes amounting in value to close on £60, and haß successfully represented the Pioneer B.C. at each of tho great cycling meetings held this year in Scotland, In fact, he has been " placed " in every race for which he has started. I quote the following from the " Sydney Referee," and it will prove of interest to all who saw the athlete perform here :—: — "J. B. Buchanan, who won the champion gold medal from nineteen competitors at the Petersham Demonstration Sports for throwing the 561b weight (24ft 9in) under age of 21, has not been disqualified, as stated by the daily papers. Buchanan also wishes to inform athletes that he is not a professional weigh-tlifter. He has done no weight-lifting but for his instructor, Prosessor Carrolio, of Auckland, and for no money prize at all, and is an undoubted amateur. Ho received a gold medal from the Penvith Progress Committee tor the feat he accomplished, which is an excellent one, and has never been beaten by any amateur in Australia. Buchanan is a powerful and very youthful-looking young man. He intends to do something big in the weight-lifting here, and before long will set himself to bust all amateur record lifting. Those who noted Buchanans physical power at tho Petersham sports uuisu conclude that he is a marvellously

built lad, gifted with very large biceps. His throw only a few feet behind the professional record.