R. A. ROSE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 85, 10 April 1926, Page 8

R. A. ROSE

FINAL WORDS OF FAREWELL

LEAVING WELLINGTON TO-

~ MORROW NIGHT

New Zealand's champion distance runner, R. A. Rose, and his companion, J. M'Holm, will set out "in quest of the flying Finn" to-morrow evening. They will leave for Auckland by the Limited, and from Auckland they will travel by the Aorangi to America. Rose and M'Holm are getting very little time to themselves just now, as everybody is keen on giving them a fitting send-off on a tour that should make history so far as sport in New Zealand is concerned. <

For the purpose of extending a farewell to the tourists, a special meeting of the council of the N.Z.A.A.A. was held at-noon to-day. Mr. F. Wilton presided in the absence of' Mr. R. W. M'Villy. Mr. J. W- Heenan said all arrangements had been completed, and both Rose and M'Holm were both well set up for the whole journey. Their instructions were to proceed to Vancouver and travel from there to New York, where they would meet G. Krogness, jun. They would also meet'representatives of the. American Amateur Athletic Association. From New York they would proceed to England, where they would be met by the council's representative, Mr. A. E. Porritt.'Bose would compete at the English championships on 3rd July. Mr. Wilton, in extending a farewell to Rose and M'Holm, said that the council was exceedingly proud of the two men who were going abroad. It was particularly gratifying to know that Mr. M'Holm had been selected as Rose's companion. Some people thought that he was going on a picnic, but that was quite wrong. Rose also was out on a hard task, and if he did not beat Nurmi it was hoped that at least he would come back as Nurmi's logical successor. Mr. Rose said that he greatly appreciated what had been done for him. As soon as he left New Zealand he would settle down to hard work. He would do his very best; he could do no more than that. . •

Mr. M' Holm said that he would carry out his duties to the best of his ability." He would endeavour to make use of common-sense in leaching his decisions. Rose was one of the most promising men that N.ew Zealand had ever sent abroad. He was earnest and desirous of: doing his very best.

■ Rose and M'Holm paid a brief visit tokthe Wellington Commercial Travellers'' Club this morning, and were entertained, by the members. The president of the association (Mr. E. A. Little), in introducing Rose, said that New Zealanders had always been adventurers in the wprld of sport, but he thought that Rose was -undertaking the biggest adventure of all. New Zealand was confident that Rose would return with many honours won against the best that the world could produce. In repiy, Rose said that the public of; New Zealand expected him in the first place to meet Nurmi, and then to beat him. If he failed to beat the Finn it would not be for the want of training. He was sure.that he would be well cared for by M'Holm;

Mr. M'Holm also briefly replied, and the health of the tourists was drunk with musical honours.