WITH THE OLYMPIANS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 172, 23 July 1928, Page 3

WITH THE OLYMPIANS.

N.Z. TEAM IN LONDON. SIGHTS-SEEING AND TRAINING. I The following are extracts, from a let - j ter received- by friends of Miss Ena j Stoekley, the Auckland swimmer, a j member of the New Zealand Olympic j team. Writing from London on June 14 Miss Stocklev says: — "Although we could not have wished for a better voyage, we were all glad to get ashore again when the Reniuera reached Southampton on June 3. The steamer berthed early in the morning, and by ten o'clock we were on a train speeding towards London. We travelled third-class, but this is equally as comfortable as the first-class of our NewZealand railways. The run from Southampton to London is most enjoyable, for the countryside of Hants and Surrey, through which wo passed, is very beautiful. We little wondered that London is so smoky, for on approaching the city we could see hundreds of chimneys in every direction. "At Waterloo station we were welcomed by the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Sir James Parr, his daughter, Miss Betty Parr, the Hon. G. J. Anderson, of the New Zealand Government, and a large number of New Zealanders in London. After being photographed, we were motored to the Onslow Court Hotel, South Kensington. "During tlie voyage from New Zealand we kept fit by doing physical exercises, while Norma Wilson arid Ted Morgan did plenty of skipping. We swimmers. Kath. Miller, Dave Lindsay and I, were fortunate enough to have the use of u canvas bath whieli the captain kinllv had erected for us on the first-class dccK. The bath was twelve feet long, and six feet wide, with a depth of four feet, avd although it was small, we were able to practice our leg and arm actions quite well. '"The members of the team met with much success in the deck games arrange! by the passengers, Ted Morgan discovered that he stands a good chance of becoming a quoits champion if ever lie fails as a boxer, Dave Lindsay proved a second Ilobbs at cricket while Kath. Miller and Norma Wilson are budding deck tennis champion*. Plenty of Sight-Seeing. '•In the afternoon of the day of our arrival we went sight-seeing in the city. Dr. Porritt, the captain of the New Zealand team, acting as guide. \\c drove to the St. Paul's Cathedral, and then along Fleet Street, through Whitehall to Westminster Abbey and the Houses 01 Parliament. On the way fo Ilyde Park we passed St. James' and Buckingham Palaces. Our blazers attracted a gojd deal of attention in the Park, while we have frequently heard people call us 'All Blacks.' Before returning fo our hotel we visited Kew Gardens, which are oiu brilliant mass of bloom. We have already been guests of honour at sever,'.! functions arranged by New Zcalanders in London. On the afternoon of June 4 we were entertained to tea by Sir James and Lady Parr. Mr. and Mrs. J. 1!. McKenzie, of Wellington, entertained us at dinner at the Hotel Cecil. Lady llcath. who recently flew to South Africa, e.itertaiued the lady members of the team fo lunch to-day. Miss Betty Parr regularly takes u . out 011 sight-seeing trips. Yesterday she accompanied 11s ti, Madame Tu.-saud's waxworks, where we saw figures ot the Royal Families, Ne'son. Napoleon, our Prime Minister, Mr. Coatcs. and a host of others. Training in London. •'Since its arrival the team ha.- been training strenuously. Norma Wilson trains ;il Stamford Bridge. She is as-si-ted by Ted Morgan and All". Cleverly, who are keeping lit by running and -hadow boxing. Stall Lay i- training at Battcr.-ea Park, for javcliu throwing is not allowed at Stamford Bridge. We -whinners. Kathleen Miller. Dave Lindsay and I. have i.iadc Ila niiiier-iuith Baths our training headqtta it or-. "The team trains at present twice aj day for three days of the week and once on the other four. We gained a good deal of weight on the steamer, hut are confident that we will be at our best when the time comes. Personalities. "Last week I saw Miss Betty Xnthall, the tennis star, at Hammersmith Baths. The tennis champion, who is tall, well built and attractive-looking, was with her mother and two younger sisters. I believe she is resting thi- season. I was introduced to Mr. E. 11. Tcmme. who swam the F.nglish Channel last. year. He told me that he hopes to swim it. again this season, this time from the English side. I also, met Miss M. Hamblen, who won the 100 yds English ladies' championship in OS 3-5 in fresh water. All the baths here are freshwater, but 1 think it just as fast as the water of the Auckland Tepid Baths. |

'"Miss Joyce Cooper, who was second to Miss Hamblen, is said to be a splendid swimmer and lias swum lOOyd.s in "4s and 440 yds in (im ">s. However, she is of a very nervous disposition and does not do herself justice in competition.

"I saw the Kiigli.di water jiolo team playing in a trial match on Tuesdav. file players were all over .six feet in height, one of them being lift. Sin. 1 think the Canterbury team with J. Knwrighi and J. Meikle included would extend the English team."'