page 10

From the Past.

If all the Athletic fixtures in which the four Universities take part, the Annual Easter Tournament is by far the most ambitious. Commenced as far back as 1902, there have now been twenty-seven such tournaments, and many famous names in New Zealand Sport figure in the programmes of past tourneys.

Take for instance the men's Tennis Titles, which have been held by such noted players as A. F. Wilding, a world's champion, J. T. Laurenson, E. L. Bartleet, I. A. Seay, A. C. Stedman, C. Malfroy, and R. McL. Perkins.

Again, in Boxing, we find such well-known names as R. R. T. Young, later a New Zealand Representative Davis Cup Tennis player, who won the featherweight title in 1922 and 1923, and also J. T. Burrows, All-Black hooker in the 1928 team to South Africa, and now the stock medium pace bowler in the Canterbury Representative Eleven, who was heavy-weight champion in 1925 and 1926—a useful man in the front row of any team.

In the Athletic Section of the Tournament many famous names crop up. In the earlier tournaments F. W. B. Goodbehere won at different times the 100, 220 and 440 yards titles, whilst among the winners of the "Blue Ribbon" sprint are R. Opie, R. L. Christie, A. E. Porritt, L. A. Tracy, N. A. J. Barker, a North Island Rugby Representative, C. H. Jenkins, and M. Leadbetter (one of the holders of the Australasian record for the distance at 9 4-5 . seconds) The University record for this is 10 seconds, and it is held by R. L. Christie and M. Leadbetter. Good-behere is not the only one who won over the three sprints. W. H. Moyes won all three the first year the tournament was held, and again later, and R. Opie did it again in 1909-10, whilst in later years L. A. Tracy has performed the feat.

Most Wellingtonians will readily recall that determined winger Albert Jackson. Playing both for Victoria College and in the Wellington and New Zealand University Representative sides, his tremendous stride, and daring hurdling on the football field made him the idol of the Wellington public. Jackson could also hurdle on the athletic field, and won both hurdles for V.U.C. in 1920-21. Other well known hurdlers who have participated are M. R. Stewart, from Auckland, F. S. Ramson, holder of the New Zealand 440 yards hurdles record, W. G. Kalaugher, later a New Zealand Olympic Games Representative and Oxford Blue, H. D. Morgan (Otago University), and G. G. Aitken, the 1921 All Black Rugby Captain and Rhodes Scholar.

In 1923, A. E. Porritt, another New Zealand Olympic Games Representative, despite the fact that he was secretary of the Tournament Committee, put up the remarkable feat of winning four events, the 100 yards, 220 yards, 120 yards hurdles, and the long jump. The 100 yards he did in 10 seconds, the time not being passed as a record; the 220 yards in 22 4-5, thus equalling Tracy's record; the Long Jump saw him put up the second best jump made in the Tournament, and in the 120 yards he was 1-5 of a second outside the existing record at the time. Ramson's performance in 1929, at Christchurch, was similar. He won the 120 and 440 yards hurdles, high and long jumps, and was a member of the Victoria College team which won the Relay. That year Victoria put up an outstanding performance by winning the Athletics Shield, with a team of seven athletes, the points being even when the last event was reached. That event was the Relay, in which Victoria was represented by R. Leech, E. K. Eastwood, F. S. Ramson, and J. N. Goodson, all of whom had run hard races during the day. However, the Victoria College Relay team made sure of it, and cinched the Shield for the year. It was in 1921, at Christchurch, that a similar position also had arisen. To gain a win for the Shield, Victoria College had to win the last event—the 440 yards hurdles—and Otago University had to fail to gain either a first or second. The race was won by A. Jackson, of V.U.C., with Malfroy. then of C.U.C., second.

In the distance events probably the greatest runner of them all was Athol Hudson, who, chosen as a Rhodes Scholar, was killed in the Great War before he could take up his scholarship. In 1914 he put up two records for the mile and three miles, one of which still stands.

In the jumps, the names of J. N. Millard and G. J. Sceats come to mind. J. N. Millard won the Long Jump in 1911, with a jump of 22 feet 8½ inches, injuring his leg in the jump, and this record still stands; whilst in 1927 G. J. Sceats won the High Jump at 5ft. 11in., and this also still stands a record.

Among the walkers who have put up really good performances are the names of A. B. Sievwright, of V.U.C., D. Jackson, also of V.U.C., and J. A. C. Mackenzie and the two Cabots, of Otago. Some great performances have been achieved at these tournaments, and among them the performances of L. S. Jennings stands out as unique. At tennis, Jennings won the Men's Singles five years in succession, 1908-1912, inclusive, the Men's Doubles with different partners for the same five years in succession, and scored four wins in the Mixed Doubles with different partners. Thus, of all the tennis events he competed in over a period of five years at this tournament he missed one event out of fifteen.

Another competitor who has won an event five years in succession was E. B. E. Taylor, who has won the three-mile run the maximum number of times, and the one-mile run four times.

There have been some sensational wins in the Boxing, too, N. C. McLean, of Auckland, in 1922, for instance, won the Heavy-weight title, knocking out both his opponents in the first round.

It was in 1923 that the Tournament Shield was instituted, points being counted for wins and placing in all events, and since that time V.U.C. has won the Shield but once, in 1929. However, V.U.C. has now won each cup or shield for the separate parts of the Tournament, save the Basketball Shield, which seems to remain firmly in Auckland's grip.

As has been said above, this year will see the twenty-eighth Tournament take place. In all those Tournaments, so far as can be gathered, only once have the students burst forth before an unseen public through the magic of broadcast. Perhaps it was just as well that television was not installed at 3 YA during the last Christchurch Tournament, but it is to be hoped that visiting members of Tournament Teams will give 2 YA the pleasure of their cheerful good spirits during this coming Tournament, and teach the announcer anew how to sign off Goooooooo-Night."—J.A.C.

Students who give their custom to advertisers in "Smad" will benefit this paper—and also themselves, for the advertisements are carefully selected.

Don't forget to say. "I saw your advertisement in 'Smad'."