AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 45, 22 February 1923, Page 8

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS,

With regard to training for the New Zealand A.A., championships, yesterday was an off day for the Americans and Ciirr, but they had a full afternoon at the Athletic Park coaching selected bands of young athletes from the secondary schools of Wellington.

Carr is in fine fettle, and Kirksey, apart from a slight cold, is in better form than at any previous time on the tour. Krogness is making every endeavour to get his injured ankle fit to stand the strain of racing on Saturday, but even if ho appears he will not have much chance under the circumstances, and if he appears it will simply be to keep faith with the public. Merchant will be a certain competitor. J. W. M'Holm, now a Canterbury, representative, is training with Merchant, and yesterday showed a glimpse of his old form. In a practice throw he hurled the hammer 142 feet— within 5 feet of his Australasian record, which stood for many years until Merchant arrived on the scene.

George Davidson . arrived from Auckland yesterday. The rest of the northern team reached Wellington this afternoon. Davidson unfortunately severely strained a leg at a country meeting some weeks ago, and will not be in his best form. He was training yesterday, and appeared to he fairly fit. He should run well in the 100 yards. The Wanganui-West Coast team \.i!i probably arrive to-night, and most c:f the Canterbury team are expected to-riiirow morning,

There has been a big demand for seats in the stand, and tlie attention of country patrons is directed to the booking arrangements, of which details appear elsewhere.

A civic reception will be tendered the visitors, including E. W. Carr, the Australian sprinter, at noon to-morrow in the Council Chamber