FOR THE GAMES

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 91, 18 April 1928, Page 11

FOR THE GAMES

NEW ZEALAND TEAM NO ROWING CREW OFFICIALS APPOINTED A statement was maile by the New Zealand Olympic; Council today that it had been reluctantly forced to abandon its proposal to include a rowing eight in the New Zealand team for the Olympic Games at Amsterdam. The Dominion, however, would have nine representatives in other branches of sport, among them Dr. A. E. Porrit, who competed ■with distinction at the last Games. The full team will now consist of:— Miss K. Miller (swimmer), of Dunedin. Miss E. Stockley (swimmer), of Auckland. Miss N. Wilson (runner), of Gishornc. S. A. Lay (javelin- thrower), of Hawera. D. P. Lindsay (swimmer), of Christchurch. E. Morgan (boxer), of Wellington. A. Cleverley (boxer), of Wellington. L. J. Moorhouse (swimmer), of Christchurch. A. E. Porritt (runner), now in England. Regarding the inclusion of Cloverley and Moorhousc, the Olympic Council explains that the former was original'/ nominated by the New 7 Zealand Boxing Association as being up to Olympic standard, but his claims for inclusion were placed below the others at the conference of selectors in February. Moorhouse is the present New Zealand backstroke swimming champion and holder of tlio New Zealand record. Both he and Clcvorlcy have made their own arrangements for transport to England, and will not be a full charge on the expenses of the team. All except Moorhouso will leave by the Eemuora on Saturday week. The captaincy of the team has been allotted to Dr. A. E. Porritt, from whom advice has been received to the effect that lie has commenced training in view of participating at the Games. LACK OF SUPPORT The decision against sending a rowing crew was made at a special meeting of the Now Zealand Olympic Council after considering the report from the organiser as to moneys received to date and a report by Mr. H. Amos (chili* man) on a tour made by him during the Easter holidays for the purpose of raising funds. Mr. Amos visited Napier, Gisbornc, Rotorua, Paoroa, Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, and Wanganui. At each place he interviewed prominent sportsmen, and in Auckland addressed a public meeting, presided over by the Mayor. The result throughout indicated clearly that there was no possibility of raising the funds necessary to enable the rowing section to bo dispatched. Altogether Mr. Amos was able to raise about £200. The funds in hand and promised will, with economy, be sufficient to provide for New Zealand's representation by nine individuals at tho Games. CHAPEKON APPOINTED. One matter that caused the council sonic cone'ern was the question of a chaperon for the lady members of the toam. The council had contemplated making arrangements for a lady passenger on the Kemnera to act as chaperon, on the voyage Home, after which it was hoped to make arrangements through Dr. A. E. Porritt and (ho British Olympic Association, for the New Zealand ladies being chaperoned in England and at Amsterdam. However, the council was given to understand that tho prospects of at least ono lady going with tho team would bo prejudiced if a chaperon were not sent from Now Zealand. This diilieulty has fortunately been overcome by Mrs. Amos, wife of tho chairman of tho council, being appointed chaperon. Mrs. Amos, who will bo making tho trip at her own expense, will bo witli (lie team from tho time of departure until the return to New Zealand. MR. H. AMOS, MANAGER. In view of tho fact that the full number of tho team will bo nine the council unanimously decided that the appointment of a manager was necessary. In tho past, wliero tho biggest team at any time was four in number, and wliero tho journey was straight, to the Games and back, this duty was imposed upon a Member of the team. This year tho team will bo lit lenst six weeks in England beforo the Games, and both beforo and after will have important engagements. It was considered that the council could not in fairness ask any member of the team to accept the responsibility of manager. The long stay in England also precluded the practicability of asking Dr. Porritt to spare the necessary time from his practice for this purpose. Moreover, tho many official functions which tho team will bo called upon to attend and business matters at tho Games themselves in connection with tho thrco different branches of sport in which New Zealand will bo represented made it further necessary for the nppointmont of a manager. Another very important matter that will bo tho subject of discussion during the period of the Games, and one vitally affecting their future, will be the amateur question. Through tho broken timo payments to Association football, oveu this year's Games were threatened, and NeV Zealand must bo authoritatively represented at Amsterdam along with Great Britain and the other Dominions to voico the British Empire's united opposition to any lessening of tho rigour of the amateur definition. The council unanimously requested, Mr. Amos to accept tho position of manager, and has been fortunate in securing his acceptance. TIME FOR TRAINING. In making the foregoing statement to-day tho council expressed its deep regret that the response to tho appeal for funds was not sufficient to enabletho rowing section to bo included in, tho team, but expressed its satisfaction that for the iirst time on record the team would have sufficient timo in tho Northern Hemisphere, to become acclimatised, and, thus, to do themselves justice. c Adequate arrangements liavo been made through Dr. Porritt for tho training of the team in England, and with regard to tho voyage Homo tho council has been fortunate in securing in an honorary capacity tho services of Mr. 0. Dickinson, of Wellington, as masseur. Acting on advico from Dr. Porritt and the British Olympic Association tho team will not go to Amsterdam until about a week beforo tho Games. They will travel there with tho British toam, and. at tho express invitation of tho British Olympic Association will share tho British team's quarters. FURTHER CONTESTS. In addition to competition at the Games tho Now Zealand ..team will also compete as follows:—Lay, at tho English A.A. championships prior ,to tho Games, and also in the matches, British Empire v, United States and British Empire- v. Achilles Club after the Games; tho swimmers, in the British Empire championships, which are being held after the Games by tho English Amateur Swimming Association, as a direct result of a suggestion made by the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. Tho boxers and Miss Wilson will havo invitations to compote both before and after the Games, and the whole team will compote- at the Tail■tnanti Games in Dublin a fortnight after the Amsterdam contests. Tho

appearance of the New Zealandcrs at Dublin i.s being eagerly awaited by Irish sportsmen who have a vivid recollection of Purdy's success there in tho welter-weight boxing at the 1924 meet, and Miss Gwitha Shand's two victories in the lady's swimming championships at the same time. If suitable arrangements can be made it is probable that the team will return via South Africa to return the compliment paid to New Zealand through the sending of the Springbok athletic team to this country in 1922.