Modern Athletics 1868

ON THE MANAGEMENT OF ATHLETIC MEETINGS. 19 and thus remain immovable, however much the spring may be pressed. This is another great advantage, asit enables the timer, if in a hurry, to leave the ground di­ rectly after the last race with the time recorded on the face of the watch, without the troubleof delaying to make a note of it. The second hand beats five tunes ineach se­ cond. Benson's so-called chronographs are useless com­ pared to the above descriptionof watch, asin caseof a false start they require the operator to take his eye off the com­ petitors, which is fatalto correct timing in a sprintrace, in order to see wherethe second hand is stopped. It is also necessary when the chronograph is stopped to per­ form a calculation ofsubtraction, a uselesswaste of time, and quiteunnecessary inthe caseof Messrs.Dent's watches, because the timing-hands canstart from no other spot on the dial except the figureXII. When it is required to time eachlap ina longrace, thebest method is towatch the second hand beating asthe first competitor passes the post. Galling the Laps. —This is a most necessary proceeding in long distance contests, especially when the laps are short and the race a time handicap. Some person tho­ roughly conversant with all the competitors by sight should be stationed at the winning post.His duty should be to inform each competitor, as he passes, the num­ ber of laps he has gone, and jot the same down against the competitor's nameo,n a programmeespecially reserved for the purpose. The timekeeper is the best official to undertake this duty. The Judge should be some distinguished amateur who knows all the competitors by sight, and is well able to adjudge the various distances between those whpoass the post. Through the incompetency of this official, most erroneous decisions as regards distances are frequently made. At the goal a small space should be enclosed which should be his sanctum sanctorum, which no one should be allowed to enter onany pretencewhatever, as he has quite enough on his hands to give just decisions, with­ out being bothered by theimportunities of bystanders. No appeal whatever must be allowed against this official's decision. Referee for Walking Matches. —As itnhe case of a judge, too much care cannot bebestowed on the selection of this official, when walking contests are included in the pro­ gramme. If possible, some gentleman who has a keen c 2