Athletics

MANAGEMENT OF MEETINGS. 43 an idea is thought of it is popped down, it will produce good results. Never trust to memory, orto its being " all right on the day." Marking out theStarts. —Thismay be left to the ground- man, if experienced in the work, who must be provided with an early copy of the handicaps and proper materials. It will save bother if these—pegged tickets, with starts, competitors' and board numbers, etc.—are procured ready made. They aresold at reasonable pricesbyJohn Henry, 316a, Mare Street, Hackney, London, N.E. All marks must be clearly indicated, withlarge tickets, showing 300 yds. Scratch. 1 etc., at the starting and winning post (the track should always be or even ^ of a mile). The card should show the laps to the mile; if, say, 440 yards. 4 laps to mile. Scratch for— Quarter, Half, & Mile. J There ought then to be no difficulty in any man finding his mark; but in this hewill be assisted by the— Marksmen —whoseduty it is to see that every man does start from his correct mark and that penalties for false starts, etc., are properly enforced. Timetaker f or Timekeeper (the formerterm is more correct). —An experienced man must be employed. The very last man to go to is the local watchmaker. Very few watch­ makers understand timetaking for racing, and generally produce some very curious results. It seems a simple matter topush this or that part of a watch in order to take the time, but it requireslong practice tomove with the flash and smoke of the pistol, and stop as the tape is touched. If the meeting is an important one, a recognized timetaker