ATHLETICS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 17 February 1925, Page 2

ATHLETICS.

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS

COMING OF THE KANGAROOS

The first amateur championship athletic meeting held on the west coast of the North Island'for the past quai--ter of a century eventuates on Cook’s Gardens' Wanganui, on February 27 and 28. The visit of the famous Australian is arousing widespread interest, and thousands will doubtless greet these doughty athletes and their opponents when they meet at the championship meeting in Wanganui. The kangaroos will comprise some sprinters whose track work in Australia and elsewhere has electrified the spectators. They include: Norman Grehan (Queensland), holder of the Australasian record for the 220 yards of 21 3-5 sec, run at Brisbane on August 18, 1924, and present 220 yards Australasian champion; Parker (Queensland), present 100 yards Australasian champion ; Whyte (Victoria), 880 yards Australasian champion; Hyde (Victoria), who ran second to Sandal Sose (New Zealand) at last Australasian championships in one and three-mile events; Burness (N.S.W.), crack cyclist, probably better than any amateur rider in New Zealand. In addition to the above-mentioned performers the following New Zealanders, who are at present Australasian champions, will also be competing: Tracy, 440 yards; Rose, one mile and three miles; Peter • Munro, shot and discus, also Australasian record holder of both events; J. McHolm, throwing the hammer. New Zealanders will he well represented in many of the events. The Australian sprintere Grehan and Parker will have for opposition Jenkins, Paris and Leadbeater (Wellington) and Brownlie (Canterbury). The cycling races also should provide some real thrills- with such exponents of the wheel, competing as Burness (Australia), Oakley brothers (Wellington), Fleet (Wellington), and Morris and Gray (West. Coast Centre). The various tracks on Cook’s Gardens, Wanganui, where this year’s championship meeting will be held, are in capital order, and very fast times should be recorded.

Fverything points to a most successful athletic gathering, and crowds will/ doubtless be present to witness this most unique programme of events, I he advertisement on page one gives full details of closing of all entries for the fixture and complete train arrangements.