Athletes Rushed By Autograph inters

Northern Advocate, 1 March 1947, Page 3

Athletes Rushed By Autograph inters

There was more hero worship at Kensington Park on Wednesday than has perhaps ever been seen in Northland before. The idols were (he visiting athletes, John Trcloar. John Fulton. Don Campbell and Al Hershey. The worshippers were chiefly school children, and 90 per cent of them were girls. They literally mobbed the tall—and handsome —Treloar. At one part of it he was surrounded by at least 150 teen-year-olds and for more than half an hour was busy scratching his name on autograph books as they were eagerly thrust at him. The first barrage struck him after tie had spoken to the crowd over the microphone. The 19-year-old Australian had already won admiration with his magnificent running, and in a few words expressed his appreciation of the enthusiasm of the spectators. “I wish,” lie added, “that we could get sucli crowds at athletic meetings in Sydney.” RAN after him As he left the microphone a few girls apprehended him with their autograph books. That was. the for a rush by at least 200 youngsters. Treloar was the main objective. Soon he realised that such a gathering on the inside enclosure would screen part of the track from the view of many spectators. Fie trotted towards the stands and the swarm of juveniles raced after him. For the next half-hour he was secluded in the midst of an excited bevy of admirers. The three Americans, too. enjoyed little freedom once the autograph hunters had fired their first shots. The children raced from Treloar to Fulton, Campbell and Hershey, and the visitors had no option but to j turn out signatures in real American j style—mass production. ANOTHER VISIT? Both Fulton and Hershey addressed the public over the microphone. The American captain hoped that he and the members of the team would be given another opportunity to visit New Zealand. He felt that if they did not, another contingent of Americas would. Hershey summed up the feelings of his team' mates: “It has been a lot of fun being here,” he said. “Thanks for everything.” Hershey and his wife flew to Sydney yesterday, but Fulton and Campbell are staying in Auckland to watch the New Zealand championships at Eden Park today and tomorrow. Neither ,will be competing. It is quite likely that Treloar will have a run in the 100 yards and 220 yards. The four overseas stars were entertained to tea by the Whangarei Amateur Athletic Club on Wednesday and left for Auckland immediately afterwards. At the dinner each was presented with an inlaid New Zealand wood ink stand by the president of the club (Mr A. R. Ryder). M r Ryder voiced the appreciation of the club for the manner in which the visitors had cooperated to make the day such an outstanding Success. / Each recipient expressed thanks for what would recall happy memories of one of many pleasant experi- j ences in this country. The president of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Centre (Mr A. Moon) also thanked the four athletes for the wonderful service they had rendered the sport in New Zealand.