READERS' OPINION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10376, 6 April 1927, Page 4

READERS' OPINION

THAT ATHLETIC CONTROVERSY.

(To the Editor.)' Sir, —I read with much interest the reply by “Stride” in your Saturday edition to my letter re the three-mile championship notes that he wrote Nbw, Sir, in his reply he says that what he meant was “that it Brown and Ingram nad entered on the last lap together under /the existing circumstances the former’s sprint of a full lap would have defeated the previous holder.” Well, Sir, I cannot see how any reasonable thinking person could take that meaning when in his notes he stated “He (Brown) sprinted the last lap in great style, that would have made short work of the previous holder.” Now, Sir, lie asks me if it is not possible for a man to improve during tlie season, and he says that as they have not met this year, the handicapper may have changed his mind. Now, in reply to that I may say that they may improve, hut, on the times shown in the championships this year, they have “slipped” instead of improving; and, in regard to them not meeting this year, apparently he only buses his opinion on events run bv the Gisborne Club and not by others, as Ingram and Brown met in the mile hep. run at the Kaiteratahi Sports Club’s meeting on Boxing Day last, and, if my memory serves me right, the difference was 35yds in their handicaps. This was the last appearance Ingram had in Gisborne before he left to reside in Wellington, where he is running in good style at tlie present time. I still maintain that he won the three-mile championship last year with the greatest of ease, as Glanville ,was done with after they had had their sprint and Ingram then went on to win easily. Is it not possible that the same thing could have happened to Brown, as “Stride” surmises the other way? Now, S;r, in regard to Miss Wilson, I class her as the premier lady runner in New Zealand to-aav and as lie asks for reasons, I will give him mine willingly. She has defeated Miss Mantan, the New Zealand champion, twice in Gisborne and run a dead beat against her in Wellington, the only they have met, but I know ‘-Stride” ¥ will say that Miss Eastwood has beaten her on numerous occasions. But, Sir he must remember that she is only iusf starting to show the value of "the training that she is getting now, and which Miss Eastwood lias had for a long time Miss Mantan 1 place second, Miss Eastuooci thud, and Miss Swinburne fourtn. I do not think that “Stride” will agree with me here as he is, and always lias been, a strong supporter of Miss Eastwood, but I place them that way as Miss Mantan has finished m iront of her four out Oi tiie fire time., that thev have met, including the times theV met in Auckland when Miss Eastward was reported hurt but i do not think she was as pad then as has been made out. If so, v.ky did her coach (whom I will admit is good) allow her to start if she was hurt for it did her more harm bodily than it would have her reputation if she i,„d elected not to start. —I am yoiirs, m.a eiecL- TFl tje SPORT.”