AMERICAN ATHLETES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 149, 20 March 1931, Page 11

AMERICAN ATHLETES

Benefit from Tour OFFICIAL FAREWELL Prior to their departure from New Zealand to-day, en route to Japan, the visiting American athletes, Harlow Rothert, George Simpson and Rufus Kiser, were farewelled at an official gathering yesterday afternoon. Mr. W. H. Bennett was in the chair, Messrs. A. W. O. Travers and L. A. Traey represented the Council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, Messrs. A. C. Kitto and S. Philpott the Wellington Centre of the same body, and there were about 30 others connected with the sport present. The chairman said that the occasion was quite an informal one and had been arranged in order to bid farewell to their friends from across the water. They sincerely trusted that the athletes’ visit had been of some interest to them and some enjoyment. It had been another link, said Mr. Bennett, in the chain that joined them to their cousins in other parts of the world. On behalf of the Wellington Centre he hoped that they would take away with them pleasant recollections of New Zealaud. Mr. A. C. Kitto, president of the Centre, said that the Centre realised that trips like the present one did a lot of good to amateur athletics, but that on future occasions the extent of the tours would have to be modified. It was impossible for the. men to do themselves justice and go to so many different meetings. The tour had been a success, however, and athletes in. New Zealand appreciated what the visitors had done for them. , A Mr. Travers agreed that future tours would have to be less strenuous. He thanked the Americans for the advice, which they had so freely given to New Zealand athletes. It was trips such as these and the advice given by such experts as they were entertaining that afternoon that kept the sport in a flourishing state. Mr. Travers farewelled the visitors officially on behalf of the association, and presented each with a travelling rug as a parting gift. Rothert was also entrusted with a gift for Mr. Krogness,- American representative ot the association. In brief replies the three athletes thanked the association and the friends they had made in New Zealand for .the hospitality which had been extended to them. They agreed that the trip would be one of their pleasantest recollections’. LAST APPEARANCE Americans at Taihape Dominion Special Service. Wanganui, March 19. Beating the Australian and New Zealand record by 3 feet, Harlow Rothert threw the discus 141 feet at the Taihape sports meeting last night. Evans, the Taihape runner, was beaten by Kiser in both the 440 and mile. George Simpson did not compete owing to his injured leg. In the mile Kiser took the lead from the gun as usual, and at the end or the first lap led by 3 yards. He increased this to 12 yards at halfway, and with a quarter-mile to go was 20 yards ahead of Don Evans, with D. S. Smith in close attendance. Evans s usual runaway finish failed him, and he finished in third place with Smith 15 yards ahead. Smith was ten yards behind the American. In the 440 Evans again failed to finish well and took third place,. with Kiser second and Markham first. Evans and Kiser were off scratch 1n both races. Results were as follow: — 410 Yards. /Handicap.—P. Markham (28 yds.), 1; fl- Kiser (scr.) f 2; D. Evans 7 ser.'), 3. Time, 5.1. 2-ssee. _ One Mile Handicap.—R. Kiser (ser.). .1, D. S. Smith (80yds.). 2; D. Evans (ser.), 3. Time. 4min. 24sec. 100 Yards Handicap.—l’ »nal: t. H. Jenkins, 1; D. Oliver, 2; E. Sheath, 3. Time, 9 4-ssec. i J 220 Yards Handicap.— L’inal: C. H. .Jenkins, 1; D. Oliver, 2; L. Sisson, v. lime, *”880 Yards Handicap.—.l. Stephenson. 1: J. Goodwin, 2; .T. Nicholson, 3. lime. - min. 3 4-ssec. , 220 Yards Junior Handicap.—J. Nicholson, 1; A. Bourgeois, 2; N. Woodhead, o. Time, 20 3-ssec. Field Events. Puttlng-the-Shot.—H. Kothert (ser.), 47 ft 2in.. 1: VVhui Pine (12ft.). 44ft. 51in., -. Discus Throw.—ll. Kothert. 141 ft.. 1. Lona Jump.—D. Oliver (ISln.), 21ft. .1) in., 1; D. Scott (301 n. 2; H. Kothert (ser.), 20ft., 4Jin., 3. Women’s Events. Women’s 75 Yards Handicap.—Miss D. Abbott (syds.), 1; Miss M. Atwell (51yds.), 2. Time. Ssee. Women’s 300 Yards Handicap.—Miss .1. Greagor (Iyd.). 1: Miss 10. Bishop (3yds), 2: Miss O. Ward (-11yds.), 3. Time, 11 3-ssec.