Athletics.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 134, 3 December 1904, Page 14

Athletics.

The Wellington Amateur Athletic Club was favoured with splendid weather for its <twent3'-eighth athletic meeting, and the officials have every reason to feel pleased with the attendance. Quite a large number of ladies took a keen interest in the competitions, and it was noticeable that when the final event on the card was reached visitors seemed in no hurry to leave their seats. The officials for the day (to whom the committee entrusted the conduct of the sports) are entitled to high praise for the manner in which the events were got off. Mr. L. Oi H. Tripp, the club's President and Referee, was ably backed up by capable officials who have long been associated with the management of such gatherings. The attendance was estimated at 3000, and the receipts were exceedingly satisfactory. The club will have a substantial balance in hand. In view of the near approach of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Championship Meeting, and the visit, of the English champion athletes, Messrs. Shrubb, Duffey, and Morton, the form of our local competitors was closely watched. W. H. Pollock, the present champion middle distance amateur, ran a strong and welljudged race in the half-mile, notwithstanding that he had a strong breeze against him. Pollock has only had three weeks' training ; nevertheless he ran the 880 yards in 2min 3 l-ssec, thus beating standard time by 1 4-ssec. W. R. Carey, the winner, was on the 40 yards mark, and ran strongly from start to finish. Later on Pollock started from scratch in the mile race, but was again defeated by Burnett, 40 yards, Carey, 65 yards, being second. The scratch man got into third place half-way" through the last lap, but want of condition prevented him putting in his usual strong run at the finish, and J. H. Prende-rille finished third. „ The W.A.A.C. has for a considerable time been without the aid of a capable distance runner. J. H. Prendeville, however, by his performance in the one and three mile runs on Saturday demonstrated that Wellington has unearthed a worthy representative for championship honours. Prendeville just failed to put up standard time in the three mile run. Properly trained and coached and on a good track running standard time would be merely an exercise gallop for him. The strong finish he put in at the cud of the three

miles was most enthusiastically applauded by the onlookers, and Prendevtyle is safe to be given a place in the Welling-* ton championship team. The reappearance of M. M. Roseingrave, the Australasian and New Zealand ex-amateur champion hurdler and jumper, was a feature of the gathering. Roseingrave snapped a sinew in his left leg when in training two years ago to meet the champion hurdler George Smith in a match, which was then abandoned. Roseingrave had not done much training prior to Saturday, and. was giving his leg a trial. He competed in five events without feeling any, ill effects. His effort in the 120 yds Hurdles was most meritorious. From 10 yards behind scratch he ran. the distance (130 yards) in 17 2-ssec. T. Craig, who was runner up to George Smith at last championship meeting, was j receiving 5 yards from Roseingrave, and just defeated the Irish^runner by a couple of yards after a good race. Craig is improving with every race, and with Craig and Roseingrave as representatives Wellington should be hard to beat in the hurdle events at the championship •meeting- ._ In the unavoidable absence of the exchampion, L. B/ W-ebster, T. Stubbs was the only "back-marker" in the sprint races, and as he was in capital form it was quite expected that he would win the 100 and 220 yards events. Stubbs, who looked a ball of muscle, got quickly off the mark in the first heat of the open 100 yards, and had got within range of the limit men wher a sinew in his leg gave way, and he had to be assisted off the track. Dr. Newman examined the leg, and advised a rest. This is hard luck for Stubbs and also for his club, as it was quite expected that he would represent Wellington at Christchurch next January in the sprints. Amongst the younger runners, F. W. B. Goodbehere, the Wellington College champion, stood out in bold relief. He ran his 100 yaids, according to the club's standard timekeeper, in 10 2-ssec, thus repeating his previous performance at the College contests.. His victory in the Intercollege Champion 440 yds event was easily accomplished, and 55 4-ssec, considering the rough state of the track, was r.n excellent performance for a lad. If he takes care of himself he will in a couple of years' time gain «the highest honours in the amateur athletic field. H. J. Poilock and P. R. Pye Smith, the winner and runner-up for the Ladies' Bracelet, displayed good form, and in time will win from nearer scratch. H. H Dawson, J. J. Nagle, S. W. England, S. M. Wixey, B. A. Weybourne, and others ran we'll for novices, and can be greatly improved.