VICTORIAN ATHLETES

Evening Star, Issue 23038, 17 August 1938, Page 4

VICTORIAN ATHLETES

TOUR OF OTAGO ARRANGEMENTS IN TRAIN Authority was given by last night’s meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association for arrangements to be set in train for a tour under the centre’s auspices next summer by a team of Victorian athletes. Already Gerald Backhouse, who was so prominent in the middledistance races at the Empire Games, and was second in the record-breaking mile, and Ted Best, who represented Australia in the sprints, have signified their willingness to accept an invitation to vist New Zealand. The meeting was attended by the president (Mr C. W. Clark) in the chair, Messrs E. C. Isaacs, B. R. M'Kernan, 11. Thompson, W. H. Masters, J. W. Gerken, T. Allen, J. Shepherd, L. W. Woods, D. Dorman, R. G. Pilling, j. W. Tapp, C. K. ‘Heaton, W. N. Connell, R. Lamb, C. A. Pope, H. Sullivan, J. W. Holley. T. M. Brydone, R. N. Watson, and J. G. Barnes (lion, secretary). Advice was received from the Victorian Empire Games athletes, Gerald D. Backhouse and Ted Best, that they wore prepared to accept tile invitation of the Otago Centre to undertake a tour under its auspices in the coming track season, Mr Backhouse stating that the desirability of sponsoring meetings between Australian and New Zealand athletes had been felt in Australia for a long time. He stated that it seemed likely Fred Woodhouse would also be available. It was decided to authorise the subcommittee appointed for the purpose to go ahead with arrangements for the tour, Mr M'Kernan stating that among the country clubs agreeable to stage an appearance was the Palmerston Club.

NEW ZEAEAND CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP.

The Secretary of the Race Executive (Mr J. R. Warner) of the West Coast (North Island) Centre wrote stating that entries for the New Zealand crosscountry championship at New Plymouth on September 10 would close on September 3. Teams would be conducted over the course on Friday morning, September 9, and in the afternoon a visit would be paid to Tussell’s farm, Waitara dairy factory, and the Maori pa at Waitara. The harrier conference would be held in the evening. The race would commence on Saturday, September 10, at 3.30, a dinner would be held at 6.30, and a dance in the evening. On Sunday morning a visit would be paid to Pukekura Park and Brooklands, and in the afternoon a visit would be made to Mount Egmont.

OTAGO TEAM. Mr B. R. M'Kernan was appointed sole selector of the Otago team to compete at the New Zealand crosS-country championship. He was also appointed manager of the team. Messrs M'Kernan and L. R. M'Millan were appointed delegates to the harrier conference. SOUTHLAND TITLE RACES. The President congratulated the Southland Association on the successful conduct of the Southland cross-country championship at Invercargill last Saturday, and said ■ that the work done by Messrs W. M'lndoe, R. Smith, and W. Torrance was a credit to the association. It was decided to forward letters of congratulation to A. R. Geddes (Civil Service) and J. W. Berry (St. Paul’s) on winning the senior and junior crosscountry championships at Invercargill, and the Civil Service and Caversham Clubs on winning the respective teams race, GENERAL. The Secretary of the Forbury Park Trotting Club wrote granting the use of the track for harrier clubs’ sports meetings as follows;—August 13 and 27; September 3, 10, and 24; October 8 and 15. H. L. Armstrong was granted a transfer from Mornington to St. Paul’s (Invercargill). It was reported by Mr Clark that the interhouse girls’ sports would be held at the Caledonian Ground on October 1, and he had been promised the support of the centre in providing officials for the meeting, which was being held on the same day as the modified marathon.