ATHLETICS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2612, 21 September 1909, Page 6

ATHLETICS

A GREAT AUSTRALIAN. There is perhajis no athlete in Australasia better known or more widely popular than Nigel Banker, the great Syoney sprinter. Barker has been rum rung now for several years, and in that time lias put up some wonderful performances. Fie was for years the “sinning light” of the Sydney University Amateur Athletic Club, aid, carrying the university colors, won many New South Wales championships. His. first Australasian championships were won tn IbOl, when the meeting was held in Melbourne. Fie then carried off the x'ZO yards championship in 22 3-lOsec., and tins 440 yards in 50£see. In 1905, he put up a wonderful performance at Sydney, winning four championships. He won the 220 in the fine time of 22 l-ssec, so that with SRowley, also of New South Wales, who cut out the distance in the same tunc, in 1809, at Brisbane, he holds the ’ecord for the meeting in this event. But Barker has done better than this. He holds the Australasian record for the ,220, which, in 1905, the year of his great triumph, he covered the distance on a curved grass course in 21 4-ssec. The other two sprint events also fell to Barker at the 1905 meeting. Ho won the 100 yards in 10 2-ssec, and the 440 in 48 £ sec, another Australasian record. His fourth championship was the long jump, which he won with a leap of 21 ft 9in, only one inch less than J. W. Smith’s record for the meeting, put up this year at Brisbane. The only other better performance at the meeting is that of P. J. English, who- jumped 2lft 9) in at Brisbane, in 1899. At the 1908 meeting at Hobart, the next championship gathering after that in 1905, Barker again won the three sprints, covering the 100 in 10 l-ssec, the 220 in 22 3-ssee ,and the 440 m year Barker has had hard luck, having left Sydney for “out back, where he is engaged in his profession of mining engineering. Fie has had practically no training, and was very doubtful whether he eould get to Brisbane at all. He did manage to go, however, and won the 440 yards in the very fine time of 50 2-sscc. This time has only been beaten* once at the meeting, m 1903, when W. T. Macpherson (N.fe.VV.) covered the distance in 50 l-ssec. Barleer aVo started in the 100 and 220 this year, but fell to “our own AVoodger.” Barker has thus won ten Australasian championships, and holds two Australasian records —which is itself still another record. Barker lias never run in New Zealand, but it is confidently hoped that he will form one of the New South Wales team to compete ,at the next Australasian meeting, which is to be held in New* Zealand—probably in Wellington. Summarised, Barker s performances, so far 'as Australasian championships in records go, are as follow: 1904 —220 yards championship, 22 3- sec; 440 yards championship, —IOO yards championship, 10 2-5 see; 220 yards championship, 22 l-ssec; 440 yards championship, 48}scc (Australasian record); long jump, championship, 21ft 9in; 220 yards record, 2> 4- , . . 1908 — 100 yards championship, 10 1- ; 220 yards championship, 22 d-o sec; 440 yards championship, 51sec; 1909 — 440 yards championship, oO 2-

WALKER AND CARTMELL. A meeting promoted by the Birclifield H. and the Rover C.C. began at Aston, Birmingham, on July 24. The -weather was gloriously fine on the opening day, and with a programme partaking of an international flavor, it was not surprising that there were quite 10,000 spectators present. Enthusiasm was raised to a high pitch by a splendid struggle between It.’ E. Walker and N. J. Cartmell in the 120yds Invitation Scratch Race. There were two preliminary hea.ts, and Walker and Cartmell won them with comparative'case; Tlvo fitfal prod need a ■ gVan’d ; ; ' iiUAvlneh Walker led for half the journey, where Cartmell overhauled him, and running on with great power won by a short yard. V. Duncker, South Africa, was one of the five competitors in the “quarter” hurdles, but jumped indifferently, and came to grief at the tenth hurdle.

120yds. Invitation Scratch Race. —N. J. Cartmell (America), 1; R. E. AValker (South Africa), 2; E. AA*. iHaley (Herne Hill IT.), 3; C. J. Oliver (Sparkhill H.), 4. AValker led for half tlie journey, when Cartmell got on terms, .and, running on with great gameness, won by a short yard, with Haley a couple of yards behind’ AValker. Time, 12 o-oroc. The meeting was concluded on July 26. Cartmell again beat AValker, as is shown.below, but Duncker was successful: '

220yds. Invitation Scratch Race. —N. J. Cnrtmell (America). I ; E. W. Halev (Herne Hill), 2; R. E. Walker (South Africa), 3; F. Warwick (Sparkhill), 4. Won by three yards. Walker casing up. Time, 22 2-sseo. 330yds. Invitation Limited Hurdle Race.—Vincent Duncker (South Africa), scr., 1; J. Young (Edgebaston), 15yds, 2; W. Allen (Godiva), 14yds. 3. IVon by five yards. Time, 39 3-ssec.