A WORLD-BEATER

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 15, 19 January 1932, Page 8

A WORLD-BEATER

AUSTRALIAN SPRINTER

LOCAL OFFICIAL'S TRIP

SYDNEY'S SPORTS CLUB

While on holiday in Sydney Mr. C. H. Parsonage, an official of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Centre, who returned by the Ulimaroa to-day, met many of Australia's leading athletes, including most of those who have visited New Zealand in the past few years. Unfortunately Air. Parsonage was unable to remain in Sydney lor the biennial track' and field games championship meeting of Australia, which opened at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday; nevertheless, before his departure he saw a number of the representatives of the various States, working out in preparation for the championships. Mr. Parsonage has been away a little over three weeks, during which time he motored about 2000 miles in New South Wales, visiting most of the places of interest. . At Mossvale he witnessed a big electrical storm. "It was a great display of lightning—chain, fork, and sheet," said Mr. Parsonage. ;

A WORLD BEATER.

"I saw Jimmy Cailton, Australia's wonilci'ful -* sprint ehaiiunon, on the day , lie equalled a .75 yards retold. But since then, of course, lie has registered further line achievements. The University Oval, where Carlton equalled the 75 yards record, would compare favourably with Athletic Park, but the Sydney Cricket Ground has practically a billiard-table surface. When Carlton goes to the Olympic Games and gets on the cindef tracks, there is a confident feeling in New South Wales that he ■will beat the world's best."

Among others whom Mr. Parsonage met was Mr. 1'". Delaney, president of the New South Wales Amateur Athletic Association and manager of the New South Wales team which was in Wellington in 1927 for the last Australian and New Zealand track and field games championships.

"I was present at ■ the .reception given by the Lord Mayor of Sydney to the visiting athletes^ for the Australian championships," said Mr. Parsonage. "It was ,the Lord Mayor's first public function. After the reception Mr. Delaney took me to the Sports Club—a wonderful institution. Every sports organisation in New South Wales has its offices and headquarters there, and it is an easy matter for a visitoi- to Sydney to get in touch with any member of ' any' amateur sports body. After that I went to the University. Oval to see the various State athletes preparing for the championships, which have since .been • held. I. met, among others, A. W. ("Nick") Winter, the Olympic hop, step, and jump champion, George Golding, A. J. Watson (Victoria), Australian hurdles champion and Olympic Games representative in 1928; Jim Watson (Queensland), and Day (Queensland). I saw Jim Watson jump 6ft in practice, but he has since done 6ft 2%in.. I met most of the boys, in fact, who have! visited our shores in .recent years, and not a few of them would be keen to.come to New Zealand if invited. Although. Carlton has .stated that he is not available, ,I am sure that a good team could be got together to visit the Dominion before the end of this season."

Among officials Mr. Parsonage met Mr. Merritt, manager of the Queensland team and an old-time athlete, Mr. Hugh Weir (Victoria), and Mr. Bichard Coombes, who has a unique record of service. Mr. Parsonage said that Mr. Coombes was getting very feeble and hard of .Hearing. Bcviewing economic conditions in Australia, Mr. Parsonage, who has a brother in the upholstery trade in Sydney, said it appeared that the. opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge would have the effect of brightening up .trade [ conditions/ On the opening day no vehicular traffic would be permitted on the bridge until 71 o'clock at night. ■■ - ;