Progress made by Kent

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32666, 23 July 1971, Page 19

Progress made by Kent

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON.

New Zealand’s leading track cyclist, H. Kent, of Trentham, has made encouraging progress since he arrived in England a week ago to prepare for the world championships in Varese, Italy, next month.

Riding off the back mark in a 500-metre handicap race in Birmingham last week-end, Kent won the event in 34 seconds. He also won the amateur points race.

"To win the 500-metre event in 34sec was about the equivalent of a Imin Bsec kilo,” said Kent. “It’s very encouraging as I’m only starting my speed build-up for the world championships. Up until now, I’ve concentrated only on building stamina,” he said.

In winning the gold medal for the 1000-metre time trial at last year’s Commonwealth Games at Edinburgh, Kent recorded the best time of his career—lmin B.69sec. Later, in the world event at Leices-

ter, Kent recorded Imin 9.21 sec to win the silver medal.

For the next fortnight or so, Kent will be training, probably with the world professional sprint champion, G. Johnson, of Australia, on the same track at Leicester. TRAINING IN PARIS

About the beginning of August, Kent plans to join the full French amateur team in Paris.

While competing in New Caledonia and Tahiti late last year, Kent was invited by the French national coach (T. Geradin) to become a member of his squad from April, Negotiations broke down in New Zealand, but Kent finally managed to secure some time with the squad before moving to Italy for his final preparations. Kent has been entered for two events, the 1000-metre time trial and the 1000-metre sprint.

Although he naturally will concentrate on the “kilo,” it will be completed on the opening day of the championships, August 25, leaving him free to devote the rest of his time to the sprint event.

Seminar on Maoris

A seminar on urbanisation and its effect on the Maori will be held in Christchurch this week-end. The seminar is organised by the University of Canterbury Maori Club. Topics to be discussed are crime, education, employment, the family, housing, and the city marae. Speakers will include a lecturer from the extension studies department of the University of Auckland, Dr R. Walker; Chief Inspector B. L. Burrowes, of the Christchurch Police; the Christchurch prison chaplain, the Rev. I. Hopkins; and representatives of psychiatric and welfare organisations.