Athletics.

V.U.C. Representatives.

100 yards: L. A. Tracy, H. Whitehead.

220 yards: L. A. Tracy, H. Whitehead.

440 yards: L. A. Tracy, R. C. Christie.

880 yards: G. H. Seddon, C. B. Thomas.

One mile: G. H. Seddon, K. M. Griffin.

Three miles: K. M. Griffin, H. McCormick.

One mile walk: L. Grant.

120 yards hurdles: A. Jackson, N. M. Thompson.

440 yards hurdles: A. Jackson, G. G. Aitken.

Long jump: A. Jackson, W. T. Longhurst.

High jump: B. Dickson, W. T. Longhurst.

Putting the 16 lb shot: D. R. Wood, W. T. Longhurst.

Throwing 16 lb hammer: R. Gapes, M. L. Smith.

Relay team: B. C. B. Dickson, C. B. Thomas, G. H. Seddon, and R. C. Christie.

The athletic meeting was held at Lancaster Park, Christchurch. The track was in excellent condition, being very fast; but, unfortunately, the ground is so laid out as to render it impossible to have a long "straight," all the running being done on the curve. Consequently, times that were excellent might have been bettered. The weather was ideal for running, and notwithstanding the counter-attraction of "the races," there was a large attendance of the public.

The standard shown in all events was very high, as may be gathered from the fact that no fewer than three records were broken. L. A. Tracy, our sprinter, put up a brilliant performance, page 15 which has never been bettered, and probably never equalled, in the history of the tournament. Commencing by winning the 220 yards championship and breaking by 3-5ths of a second the New Zealand University record, held jointly by himself and that great sprinter R. Opie, he followed up by winning the 100 yards in the excellent time of 10 1-5 sec. Later in the day he surprised even his most ardent supporters by doing the "hat trick," and completing his display of sprinting by annexing the 440 yards championship in the further good time of 52 sec. This day's performance conclusively proves that Tracy has now come into the very forefront of amateur athletics in the Dominion, and could he have competed in the New Zealand championships at Auckland would have come very close to annexing one or more of the championship events. This man is not at the top of his form yet, and it is anticipated that he will do even better next season.

A further competitor to put up a noteworthy performance was another V.U.C. representative, A. Jackson. In the long jump he was beaten for first place by the very narrow margin of 1 inch. In the early part of the afternoon he won the 120 yards hurdles in what seemed to be very fast time. It is most regrettable that, owing to some mistake on the part of the timekeepers, no time was taken. In the last race of the day, Jackson and Aitken, as in the last two tournaments, were again faced with the difficult task of obtaining both first and second place between them, to place V.U.C. one point in the lead. Unfortunately, Aitken became entangled in a falling hurdle early in the race, and had to retire; but Jackson, running strongly, won in the excellent time of 60 1-5 sec., which time is the best Australasian time so far put up over the newly-adopted three-foot hurdles.

As in the last two years, V.U.C. ran neck and neck with Otago for the shield, but in this instance Auckland, running up very close, were only one point behind V.U.C. and Otago, who at the end of the day finished up with 13 points each. As we were the holders of the shield, it was ruled that we did not share the honours with Otago for the year, but that, as in other shield competitions, the holders must be beaten before losing their claim to the coveted honour. Consequently, for the third year in succession, V.U.C. has its name engraved on the silver plate, and is to be congratulated on doing the "hat trick"—a feat which has been equalled only once before, in 1902-3-4, when C.U.C. were victorious on the three occasions.

In the distance events, R. M. Webber (Auckland) won the one mile and three miles in masterly style. K. Griffin (V.C.) and H. McCormick (V.C.) were second to Webber in these races, respectively. Griffin, in the mile, put in one of his sensational sprints, but could not beat Webber, who is one of the most promising long-distance runners in New Zealand.

In the half-mile, Grierson (Auckland), after a great race in which Olphert and Lockwood challenged him every inch of the way, struggled past the post a winner by three yards in the record time of 2 min. 3 sec.

The Otago representatives, as usual, annexed the hammer-throw and shot-put. Bennett's "put" of 35 ft. 6 in. was a very fine effort. Whyte, who won the mile walk for Otago, is an excellent type of walker with an unquestionable style. His performance on the day was not up to the standard of which he is capable. With a "day page 16 on" he will do very much better time, and should be heard more of in the future.

Of our representatives one is worthy of mention, although he did not obtain any points for us, and should be a very able runner next tournament. That man is Whitehead. Whitehead was only beaten by a few inches in the 220 yards by Perry, of Auckland, and must have been running very near record time himself.

To Canterbury College came the honour of "the wooden spoon" once more. At the same time they also have the honour of winning the shield for us. In the last race of the day, in which Jackson put up his fine performance, had an Otago representative gained even a second place the shield would have gone to Dunedin. An Otago man led for second place right up to the "run home," but Malfroy, of C.U.O., hurdling in great style, passed the Otago man and came in second, thus winning for the maroons their only point of the day.

The "Wikitorias,' as may be imagined, cheered themselves hoarse "barracking" for Malfroy.

Thus another memorable contest ended. The day concluded with the relay race and tug-o'-war, and last, but not least, a "free fight," in which everyone but the Dunedinites were overjoyed it the destruction of a "kewpie," which was torn limb from limb.

Next tournament will be held in Auckland, and unless V.U.C. obtains some "new blood," the chances are that the shield will go north.

The burden of winning 11 points out of 13 should not be left to Tracy and Jackson. There are athletes in the College, and we must have them on the track. Do not think, because you cannot beat Tracy or Jackson now, that you never will. It has taken three years' hard training for both to reach their present standard. The moral is: train hard and consistently, and gain all the track experience possible by competing in all the local sports meetings.