ATHLETICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 55, 24 February 1908, Page 3

ATHLETICS.

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Athletic Union is to bo held in the llorough Council Chambers on Wednesday evening. The delegates are already commencing to arrive, but the majority have intimated that they will 'reach Xew Plymouth by the night train from Wanganui after the Wcbb-Tresidder race. An executive meeting of the council is to be held on the Sports Ground prior to the commencement :■!' the sports on Wednesday.

Mr. I'lie Shannon lias declared the following rehaiidicaps for the Caledonian -ports on Wednesdav:—l2o Yards—('. Hewson 7yds. V. C.' Talc llvds. 220 W.U-W. IJ. Smith liivd<. Half-mile— W. C. Harding 10yd-. Cycling: One in He -Jones Mvds, Pulford Ullyds. One mi'e and a-lialf—.limes 20yds.' Pulford •21.mi1-. Two miles-clones' :i(lyils. I'nlford 280 yds. France, it is understood, lias al-o lieen it-handicapped, but his new marks are not available.

A large number of the competitors for the championship sports have already arrived in town, including practically the whole of the llawkes Hay, Wairarapa, ami Wanganui contingent, tampion, Wells, and .fones, scratch cyclists, arrived from Napier on Saturday night, and a number of other riders are expected to-night. One of the Christehureh riders, D. YVyatt, had the misfortune to meet with an accident while racing at Napier on Wednesday, and consequently will !>e an absentee from the cycle races. The gold medals for the three NewZealand championships to be decided .it the Caledonian sports on Wednesday afternoon, which were procured from Mr. J. Bennett, jeweller, are now on view in his shop window. Tin- medals are exceedingly handsome in appearance, ornate and massive, and much superior to the average medal given for these events. On the front of the medal the monogram of the New Zealand Athletic Union stands out in bold relief, siircrounded by an appropriate wreath of laurel leaves, also in relief, and symbolic of champion. Engraved are the words "Champion 100 Yards," etc., according to the several distance-. On the reverse is engraved the monogram of the New Plymouth Caledonian Society and "N.Z. Championship, 11)08, won liv ."'