HOPES OF SUCCESS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 21, 25 January 1924, Page 8

HOPES OF SUCCESS

ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

NEW ZEALAND TEAM FAREWELLED.

' A feeling of confidence that New Zealand would gain high honours in' the Australasian track and meldrneld championships, to be held at Hobart. from the 6th to the 9th February, prevailed at a send-off function to/ the members of the New Zealand team before leaving by the Marama for Sydney to-day^ Mr A- T. Davies, chairman of the New Zealand Council, in -wishing success to the team, salt that the members had won their spurs in New Zealand. Most of them had represented.the Dominion pre-' I viously, and had brought "back honours, and he felt confident that they would do so again. The team was practically the best available, and it had a good manager in Mr. J. M'Holm. During the period of the championships at Hobart a conference was to be held', and at that conferences Messrs. M'Holm and H. E. Wilson would act as New Zealand s delegates.' "We know," said Mr. Davies, "that every member of the team is going to do his best to win. If he cannot win we know that he will congratulate the other fellow. We hope that they will bring back the shield, but if i they do not we will know that it was through no fault of theirs." ; "We have been fortunate in the past in having men who have upheld the honour of the country both on and off the field," said Mr. R. W. M'Villy, president of the Wellington Centre, N.Z.- I A.A.A:, in addressing the members of the team. "Whether-you are successful or not we know that the honour of the I country will be safe in your hands." He wished the members a good time both going across to Hobart and while they were there,, success c* the field, and a safe return: The best wishes of athlete!1 throughout the Wellington district were conveyed by Mr. A. C. Kitto (Wellington Centre). ,In Mr. M'Holm, the team had a manager who thoroughly understood the duties required of him. The selectors had. picked the best available team, and there was every prospect of the champion banner being brought, back to New Zealand. > In reply, Mr. J. M'Holm, manager, expressed thanks for the good wishes, and gave it as his opinion, after a careful analysis, that the team would be found to be a really good one by the time the championships 'had been decided. j "We will' run first for New Zealand and then for self," said Mr. H. E. Wilson. The national spirit, he felt, was one that should be cultivated., Every member of the team felt very sincerely the honour which- had been conferred upon him, and if they - did not win it would not be for the want of trying. . . The function concluded with cheers for the team. . .. . ■ . * The team consists of : J. M'Holm (nianager). and A. L. Lewis, of Canterbury ; J. A. C. M'Kenzie, of Otago; G. Harvey, of Wairarapa; and P. Munroj H. 'B. Wilson, L.* A. Tracy, and R. A. Rose, of Wellington. ,;-<"" At a meeting of the Wellington Centre this week it was' decided to contribute '£T0 towards the expenses oi the New Zealand team. ■ „ EVENTS AT HOBART. The following^, the programme for the Australasian Championship Meetins:— First day, 6th February.—looyds, heats and final; 440 yds, heats; 120 yds Hurdles, heats and final; High Jump; 161b Shot; Long Jump ; 440 yds Hurdles, heats if necessary; 100 yds Handicap; One Mile Handicap. - ' : Second day, 7th February.—Decathlon Events; Three Mile Championship; 161b Hammer; Medley Race, flag; Relay Championship. , ■ . ' Third day, Bth February.;— Decathlon events ;. Three-mile Walk; School Races; Cycle Race. Final Day, 9th February.-i_22oyds, heats and final; 440 yds, final; 440 yds Hurdles (final); ' 880 yds ; One Mile ; Mile Walk; Throwing Javelin ; Discus ; Pole Vault; 440 yds Handicap; BBoyds Handicap ; One Mile, Cycle Handicap; Championship events. j