ATHLETICS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 112, 17 November 1928, Page 22

ATHLETICS

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DEFINITELY OFF VISIT. FROM AMERICA PROVISION FOR FDTUJRE TOUKS It can bo taken for granted that tho proposed, visit of an Amoricau team to Now Zealand this season is off. Tho unfortunate position arising out of the International Federation's • stipulation with regard to tho timo to bo occupied by athletes in foreign countries has already been set out in "The Post." It remains for the Council of the Now Zealand Amateur Athletic. Association to take immediate steps to havo matters cleared up in such a way as will enable this country to engage overseas athletes under tho conditions that have prevailed iv the past. The time limit of twenty-one days for a tour imposed by the International Federation on athletes visiting a. country overseas is totally unfair to New Zealand, and this fact should be brought homo to tho controlling bodies in those countries from which New Zealand will be desirous of securing athletes in the future. Evidently the American Amateur Athletic Union has given considerable attention to the subject. Only this week the following advico was received by mail from New York: To guard against any overstepping of American or international roles by touring athletes, this winter,' tho Foreign Eolations Committee of the Amateur Athletic Union today issued a statement of policy. In effect it warns foreign as well as American athletes to obtain necessary sanctions as well as full information as to international A.A.F. and A.A.TJ. rules before accepting invitations to compete. There can bo no complaint whatever so far as the control of previous American touring teams to New. Zealand is concerned, and a full statcmentof the position in which this country is placed in regard to visits from overseas athletes should be made to the American authorities so as to clear the position for the future. » Wellington Centre's Move. In the absence of a visit from. America it is pleasing to note that the AVellington Centre, N.Z.A.A.A., is taking steps to provide a special attraction this season. A discussion on tho question of a visit from overseas athletes took place at this week's meoting of tho centre, and the idea of engaging a cyclist and a runner from Australia evidently appealed to those present. A decision was made to ascertain whether W. M. Whyte (runner) and J. Standen (cyclist) would bo able to pay a visit to Now Zealand this season. Both have previously visited this country, and another visit from .them would again be welcome, particularly as they both • competed at tho last Olympic Games.' .-■ As far as Why to is concerned, however, it' is. doubtful whether ho will be able to come across since he recently accepted an appointment in Sydney and transferred from Melbourne on that account. However, there is plenty of other good material in Australia, and if there is a chanco of getting any ;of tho leading lights from that, country to .como hero this season it should not be missed. Tor Next Season. s With regard to next.season, the question of inviting Canadian athletes has been raised, and support to it has Been given by the Canterbury Centre which favours, in the event of the Canadians not comir,|j, a visit from South Africa. '.'.-■' Electric Light Sports. It was unfortunate that the Wellington Centro's electric light gathering at tho Basin Eeserve had to be postponed on Saturday night owing to wot weather. The meeting is to be held on Wednesday night next. As mentioned in this column last week the entries are good, and all that is required to make the meeting—the first to be staged by the centre this season—a success, is suitable weather. Halm's Retirement. A message from Falls City (United States) reports that Lloyd Hahu has definitely decided to hang up his running shoes and after that he doesn't know what he will do.'"l could probably run good races for three or four years," ho said. "But what is the use? I havo aeon as much of the track as most runners and I am ready to retire." When asked if lie planned to go East in the spring, Hahn said, "I shall never go East again to run, you can count on that. I will never put on my shoos again. I'm through." Grounds Difficulty. Although the grounds question is rather a sore point with the Wellington Amatour Athletic . Centre, latest advices, from Auckland indicate that the position is worse there at tho present time. One writer states that, owing to the number of counter attractions and the difficulty in securing suitable tracks, it is almost impossible to hold sports meetings on Saturday afternoons in the city area. However, it is hoped that the difficulty will be -overcome with the completion of a. new ground at Western Springs. Under ex-isting-circumstances, he says, clubs will have to conduct evening sports meetings at the Domain on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and with the extra half-hour of summer time thore will be ample time to decide interesting programmes. Sports cannot be held on either Tuesday or Thursday evenings as these are set aside for cricket practice. The Wellington Contro is not placed in exactly the sumo position as the Auckland body. Tho majority of meetings here each season are now held under electric light, and . while cricketers havo the Basin Eeserve to .themselves of a Saturday afternoon the ;centre, is able to obtain the use pf the ground in the evening. The.ground can be secured all right, but the matter that concerns the Wellington officials is the charges for the use of it; they ( are by no means enamoured of the charges. General Notes. A new club—the Lynndalc Amateur Athletic Club—has been established in Auckland. It is said that the club will have a ground of its own at New Lynn. . With T. E. Henry, A. C. Garlick, F. Nesdale, B; M. Murray, D. Kerr-Tay-lor, and other 440 yards hurdlers available, there should bo competition over the hurdles this season reminiscent of the days when George Smith, T. Bobcrts, B: Oliphant, and others competed in big fields over this distance.—A writer Tri"the 'Auckland "Herald." H. James, the ex-Wellington rider, who is now stationed in Dunedin, toolpart in a (meeting held in tho Southern city recently. He filled second place hi the quarter-mile handicap.