ATHLETICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 154, 16 November 1912, Page 7

ATHLETICS.

SAMUELS PASSES OUT. Charlie Samuels, the greatest of Australia's sprinters, died at Barambahya Queensland aboriginal settlement, a few weeks ago, aged 49 years (says an Australian exchange). Samuels was born at "Jimbour," a station owned by Sir Joshua Peter Bell, on the Darling Downs, near Dalby, in 1863, and as a boy and youth worked at the station on odd jobs, such as "boundary riding, horse-breaking, etc. All his family were athletic—an elder brother, George Combo, being not only a good sprinter, but a fair distance runner. It was in the boom times of foot-running in Sydney that Samuels made his appearance. Previously he had competed in athletic gatherings on the Darling Downs, but it was not until 1885 that he competed in the third Botany Handicap, but owing to not taking kindly to training he was run out in his heat by the Botany sprinter, Tommy Geddes. On his return to Queensland one of the managers of "Jimbour," Mi'. Billy Robertson (now of Crown street, ! Sydney), took Samuels in hand, and ever afterwards prepared him for his big race?. At his second appearance in Sydney 'Samuels paralysed all opposition in 1886 Botany Handicap, off the 14yds mark, running the 13G yards in 13 l-ssec —four yards under evens. Soon after, Harry Hutchens was brought to Australia, un- • der the care of Mr. Arthur Markham, of London, for the purpose of getting a match with the Australian dusky marvel, having as backers two good sports now dead, in Messrs Billy Lees and Jack Deeble. The ]>air met on four occasions, and in three <>f the events the Australian aboriginal was successful. Even to this day there are those who aver that the opening race was "fixed" for Samuels, but those who watched the strenuous efforts made by the big English champion down the cindi>r path at the Cavrington grounds have but little' doubt that tke better man won the day, despite the fact that it is claimed for Hutchens that he was the greatest English sprinter that ever laced a shoe. Samuels put in some marvellous runs in heats at Botany, but his "nine yards under evens" for 134 . yards, in the handicap won by Jim McGarigal, was perhaps the fastest bit of striding ever s r en on a cinder path. In the final, which was run with a portion of the track covered with water, he was ] conceding his brother Queenslahder five yards, and Frank Nowland, Billy Quick and Jim Burtt long staits. The thousands who were present that afternoon will remember that Titanic struggle, with Nowland like a sure winner 20 yards i from the tapo; the great run put in by McGarrigal, and the frenzied cheering as the athletic Queenslander put in some magnificent strides at the finish, and cut down the Penrith ped. in the. last-dozen yards. Samuels looked like making good in the first 50 yards, hut the heavy going told on him, and he hardly did so ' well 'during the final tussle. Samuels i was a typical Queensland aboriginallong in leg, short in body, sft 7in high. ; and weighing about 9st. The secret of his great pace was the long, low, skimming stride, and close hip work. When fully extended his stride averaged : from Bft to 9ft, and on one occasion, at , the Cawington grounds, his last six strides measured 9ft Sin each, with the spike of the shoe almost touching the cinders, as he seemingly flew along. ', Queensland has produced great runners in McGarrigal, Posllc, Farrel. Kingsmill, and Tasker. but most of the "old hands" will undoubtedly give the palm of "champion" up to "250 yards to the lately deceased.