Initial Sports Meeting.

All things must have a beginning. The start is not always easy. To set a standard is often more difficult than to live up to one already established. It was, therefore, not without some hesitation and many misgivings as to the issue that the committee of the Athletic Club decided at the beginning of this year that it would lend additional interest to "training" for the Tournament if the Club held a sports meeting of its own a week or two before Easter. Many questions had to be answered. Would there be sufficient entries to justify the holding of a meeting? Mow could it be financed? Where was it to be held ? Should a charge be made for admission, or would it be better to make it free to the public and so obtain the use of the grounds for nothing? And so on.

Finally it was resolved that a meeting should be held on the Basin Reserve on March 31st; that admission should be free; that only one small prize should be given in each event; and that a few programmes should be typewritten for the use of officials only. It was further unanimously agreed that the Club could NOT afford

"All's well that ends well." The sports were held, and the several hundred spectators present agreed that the Club was to be congratulated on the success of its initial meeting.

True, many members of the Club had never previously competed in public, and the performances were, consequently, not up to championship form. But what did that matter when competition was keen, finishes close, and every man did his best? One thing is certain, the Club can confidently hold another meeting next season, when many of those who competed as "novices" this year may be expected to fulfil the promise of greater things then exhibited.

The following are the results of events open to students only :—

100 Yards Handicap.

First Heat—M. Burnett, 1 yds., 1; T. Seddon, scr., 2. Time, 11secs. Also started—Skinner 4 yds., E. S. Grundy 5 yds., W. Wilson 5½ yds., H. Thompson 6 yds., B. J. Jacobs 7 yds.

Second Heat—H. W. King, 2 yds., 1; G. V. Bogle, 5 yds., 2. Time, 10 3-5 secs. Also started—T. Holmden 4 yds., Hiroti 5 yds., W. Perry 7 yds., J. Mason 9 yds., S. Eichelbaum 12 yds.

Final—Burnett, 1; King, 2; Skinner, 3. Time, 10 2-5 secs.

A good race run with the wind. Almost a dead heat for second place Seddon was close up fourth.

Throwing 16 lb. Hammer.

H. W. King (15 ft.) 84 ft. 3 in., 1 : G. F. Dixon (15 ft.) 79 ft. 6 in., 2; A. Tudhope (15 feet) 74 ft. 3 in., 3. A. J. Luke (scr.) also competed.

Competitors in this event had had little opportunity for practice.

880 Yards Handicap.

H. T. Thompson, 40 yds., 1; M. H. Oram, 20 yds., 2; F. A. de la Mare, scr., 3. Time, 2 min. 6 1-5 secs. Also started—G. F. Dixon scr., W. Perry 25 yds., W. Wilson 25 yds., J. Mason 45 yds., W. C. Hewitt 60 yds., and S. Eichelbaum 60 yds.

Hewitt led for a lap and a half. Thompson, who is a promising runner, won easily.

High Jump Handicap.

F. A. de la Mare, scr., 5 ft. 2 in., 1; Hiroti, scr., 5 ft., 2. No other competitors.

Mile Walk Handicap.

A. Tudhope, scr., 1; W. Crcxton, 80 yds., 2; J. M. Hogben, 45 yds., 3. Time, 8 min. 4 secs. Also started—R. Latham 50 yds., and E. Beaglehole 80 yds.

This was the best race of the day, being in the opinion of the judge (Mr. D. Leslie) the finest walk seen on the Basin Reserve for many years. Latham was quickly disqualified for lifting. Croxton at once proved himself a most promising walker. Halfway round the third lap Hogben challenged Croxton for the lead, immediately followed by Tudhope, Beaglehole close up. About 200 yards from home Croxton, who was then last, spurted strongly and appeared to be leaving the others standing when he accidentally tripped. Thinking he was disqualified he stopped till told by the judge to continue. He again spurted and passing Beaglehole and Hogben raced down the straight neck and neck with Tudhope who just managed to win on the tape. Both Hogben and Beaglehole were within a few yards.

220 Yards Handicap.

Skinner, 10 yds., 1; H. W. King, 2; Burnett close up, 3. A fine finish. Time 24 4-5 secs.

T. E. Seddon, scr., came through about 50 yards from home but died away at the end. Several others started.

Putting 16 lb. Weight.

Hiroti (scr.) 30 ft. 7 in., 1; H. W. King (1 ft. 3 in.) 30 ft. 1 in., 2; G. F. Dixon (1 ft. 6 in.), 3. Also competed— A. Tudhope (scr.), W. Gillanders (scr.), F. A. de la Mare (6 in.), M. Burnett (1 ft.), E. Beaglehole (1 ft. 6 in.) Hiroti, who competed without training, subsequently did over 32 feet.

120 Yards Handicap.

First Heat—F. A. de la Mare, scr., 1; M. Burnett, scr., 2. Also started—T. Holmden, scr. Time, 19 secs.

Second Heat—G. V. Bogle, scr., 1; Hiroti, scr., 2. Also started—H. Thompson. Bogle won easily. Time, 20 4-5 secs.

Final Heat—M. Burnet and G. V. Bogle dead heat. Time, 19 3-5 secs.

Long Jump Handicap.

G. V. Bogle (scr.), 19 ft. 1½ in., 1; Hiroti (scr.), 17 ft. 11 in., 2. Also competed—H. W. King (scr.), W. Perry (1 ft. 6 in.), W. Gillanders (2 ft.)

Thread the Needle.

F. A. de la Mare and Miss Newman, 1:A. Tudhope and Miss R. Ziman, 2.

One Mile Handicap.

J. W. Heenan, 45 yds., 1; F. A. de la Mare, scr., 2; M. Burnett, scr., 3. Also started—W. Wilson 60 yds., E. S. Grundy 80 yds., J. Mason 80 yds., W. C. Hewitt 100 yds., and W. Gillanders 100 yds.

Hewitt led for two and a half laps. Entering the last lap Heenan was well in front, Burnett and de la Mare about 20 yards away. De la Mare spurted finely about 200 yards from home, finishing a good race about five yards behind Heenan. Time, 4 min. 54 4-5 secs.

440 Yards Handicap.

H. W. King. scr., 1; G. F. Dixon, 13 yds., 2; W. Perry, 14 yds., 3. Also started—M. H. Oram 8 yds., T. Holmden 10 yds., S. Eichelbaum 25 yds. Won by two or three yards, a few inches between second and third.

Costume Race.

W. C. Hewitt (V.C. navvy), 1; F. A. de la Mare ("Hamlet"), 2. Also started—T. E. Seddon, T. N. Holmden, and J. Mason. Mrs. (Professor) Brown awarded the prize for the best costume to "Hamlet."

Relay Race (880 Yards).

Football Club's teams 1st and 2nd, Hockey Club's team 3rd. The winning team consisted of T. N. Holmden, Hiroti, Skinner, and A. McCarthy. A good race.

Victoria College, Wellington.