AMERICA ATHLETES

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 17, 21 January 1931, Page 11

AMERICA ATHLETES

OPENING OF NEW,ZEALAND TOUR

The three American athletes, Bothert, Simpson, and Kisor, left Wellington this morning for Mastcrton, whore they aro to commence their New Zealand tour at a sports meeting to be held on the Park Oval to-morrow, commencing at 1.30 p.m. The visitors have trained steadily since their arrival in Wellington,' and although as yet too much cannot ~bo expected of them, their appearance at the meeting injMasterton is "creating considerable interest. Tho sprinter, Simpson, and ICiser, the middlo-distaneo: and mile runner, probably will meet with sorno solid opposition in the events in which they compote, and it is hoped by tho Wellington Centre, that they will not be called upon to concede excessive starts. Bothort will also meet some of New Zealand's best athletes in the fiold events, including P. Munro, New Zealand discus and shot-putting champion, and record holder. ' Aboul; thirty or more athletes and cyclists and also a number; of athletic officials and enthusiasts will be making tho trip from Wellington to attend tho meeting. Entries from Wellington competitors include the following:—T. Pickering, W. Ogg, S. C. Fergu'sson, C. H. Jenkins, H. Le Grove, D. Oliver, N. Ball, J. Watt, S. M'Kinnon, G. Orr, P. Munro, B. G. Sutherland, F. Jones, W. Wilson, J. Gilchrist, O. J. Richardson, B. F. Wallis, B. Price, K. O'Conncll, W. H. Boberts, N. J. M'Gurk, J. Morris, J. Howe^ and Misses J. Willson and T. Kench. E. V. Wills, the exQueensland mile and distance runner, who registered a fine performance over the mile at "a meeting at Petone a few weeks ago, will also be a competitor. He arrived this morning from Motueka. The track at Masterton has the reputation of being one of the" fastest in New^ Zealand. It has been specially treat*ed for the meeting to-morrow, and is reported to bo in, first-class order, so that if weather conditions are favourable there should be some very fine performances. " After the Masterton meeting the Americans will go on to Napier, where they arc to compete at M'Lean Park on Saturday. A straight 220 yards track has been prepared, which will give Simpson, who is a co-holder with E. Locke (U.S.A.) of the world's 220 yards record, an opportunity he will not receive anywhere else in the Dominion except at Auckland. * Among the competitors at this meeting will be F." Brady, of Wellington, New Zealand high jump champion.