N.Z. OLYMPIC TEAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 133, 7 June 1932, Page 13

N.Z. OLYMPIC TEAM.

THE LOVELOCK SELECTION. FUNDS OK COUNCIL LOW. WELLINGTON, this day. The Otajro Centre's attitude toward the i proposal of the Administration Committee, of the Xpw Zealand Amateur Athletic and Cycling Union in regard to the amount required to send Lovelock to the i Olympic Games was strongly criticised by ' the chairman. Mr. McVilly, at a meeting of the council of the Athletic and Cycling Union. In a letter from the Otago Centre (written before the amount, which is now fully guaranteed, was raised) the centre expressed surprise at being ns."<ed to find £50 by June 4, and said there was no hope of getting the money in so short a time. Lovelock's inclusion in the team was felt to be ft national matter, and the centre thought that under the circumstances the O7ymp!C Council should tind the money. Mr. McVilly said the Athletic Council had gone so far as to anticipate revenue t'or 12 months in raising about £73 towards the expenses, and had then asked the Otago Centre to find £50. "Knowing Otago as 1 do. i would venture the opinion, notwithstanding the bad times, that it would be possible inside two hours for anybody who knew Dunedin to have got round among the people and raised that amount. Apparently nothing was done by the Otago Centre except to tell us it was a national business, until the Timaru High School boys announced they would give. £25'. Then Otago got busy. "I think their attitude shows a very great lack of appreciation of a very fine opportunity to keep the Otago Centre in the forefront, and enable New Zealand to send a really clinking mile runner to Los Angeles. If the money had not been raised Lovelock would have competed apparently for the British Isles, and would not in future have been able to compete for New Zealand." On Mr. McVilly's motion a vote of thanks was passed to the Timaru High School Boys and old boys, as well as those in Dunedin who contributed towards the required amount. The council decided that it was unable to contribute towards the funds being raised in connection with sending Mr. T. W. Leslie (starter) and Miss Kench to the games. Mr. McVilly said 'the position was that the council had no money. It had mortgaged everything up to the hilt. Mr. J. W. Heenan,vwho is going to the games, was present at the meeting, and agreed to act as official coach to the athletic team.