ATHLETIC TEAMS' VISITS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 182, 3 August 1926, Page 12

ATHLETIC TEAMS' VISITS.

ARE THEY OVERDONE? ROSE BELOW FORM. (By Telegraph.— Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. At the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association Council, the chairman (Mr. Wilton) said that Rose was evidently a long way behind his best form time, for his time for the 1500 metres race as Oslo represented about 4m 30s for the mile.

Mr. Tracy remarked that Mr. McHolm, in his latest notes, had stated that the well-known trainer Bines had considered the climatic conditions were beating Rose.

Competing at a sports meeting in Hawera on February 3, the American runner, Lloyd Hahn, ran 880 yds in 1.56 1-5. The council passed this as a New Zealand record. The secretary was instructed to forward the time for recognition as an Australasian record also.

The Wellington Centre asked the council to consider asking for a visit from a team of athletes from Britain.

The Canterbury secretary advised that he had been instructed to press for the commencement of negotiations for a risit from a team of American athletes on the lines of last season. His centre suggested that Kitola be approached, together with a well-known sprinter or middle-distance man, such as Barber, Locke, or Helfferich, or a prominent jumper, such as Osborne. For several reasons Mr. Wilton considered that the council should give its attention to local matters for at least one season. Mr. Tracy considered that, unless, a team was invited this year, when the public was behind amateur athletics, and when the council had some money, it might be difficult to get athletes " out later. .Mr. Wilton said that no other amateur association had attempted to secure visits from overseas annually, and the opinion was being expressed in some quarters that the sport was being overdone. Ihe matter was held over pending the return of Mr. Guy from Australia.

MEETING AT DOMAIN. SUCCESSFUL STEEPLECHASE. It was unfortunate that many of the prominent athletes, among whom are tSrown, Leikis, and Savadan, were unable to attend the meeting held by the Auckland Amateur and Athletic Cycle Club at the Domain on Saturday. Nevertheless there was a good attendance of enthusiasts and the various events were run off without a hitch.

X. M. Wilson showed up some of his old form by winning the steeplechase, which proved to be the big race of the day and Swatton who followed him closely to fall into second place, ran well tor his first time out this season. Wilson won the race mainly owing to his better jumping; clearing nearly every hurdle, while many of the other competitors, especially so in the last round, were vaulting. This, no doubt, was due to lack of training, for the season has just started, but the next series of winter competitions which are to be held next Saturday should, on the form displayed at this meeting, present some good times.

In the seventy-five yards handicap "speedy" Gorden gained a first place from McCoy who was only inchca behind. The winner got away well and headed the field in a good position, coming in to win in very credible time.

Other events, including the throw of the discus, putting the shot, throwing the javelin and the broad jump, had competition from good athletes, all the winning distances being of a good standard.

The seventh programme will be decided next Saturday, when it is expected a large number will take the field for the steeplechase, thus making competition still more keener than on previous occasions.