“A MAN NAMED ROSE”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 12 June 1926, Page 5

“A MAN NAMED ROSE”

PRAISE FOR. NEW ZEALAND MILER, v JACKSON SCHOLZ REPORTS TO AMERICA New Zealand’s track prowess, with special reference to the champion distance runner, R, A. Rose, who is now in search of a. meeting with Paavo Nurmi, is praised by Jackson S'cholz in a report to Mr F. W. Rubien, secre-tary-treasurer of the A.A.U., of America. Scliolz, in company with Lloyd Hahn, made a tour of the Dominion recently and it was during the tour that a glowing account of New Zealand sportsmanship and material was forwarded to American headquarters by the noted sprint champion. Sdl.olz’s letter, published in America, is interesting. No doubt it has been supplemented by this time with further information which would serve to make New Zealand better known. In publishing the letter from Scliolz, a New York paper states: “Scliolz believes that several of the athletes whom Hahn and himself have met will furnish first-class material for the next Olympic Games. Interest, in athletics in New Zealand is far greater than in the United States, according to Scliolz, and organisations are able to make a financial success of their meets despite the fact that admission is limited to a shilling, or about 25 cents. Evidently Scliolz was in splendid condition, as nearly all of his races have been won under evens for the century. The Americans had four more meets to compete in following The date of Scliolz’s letter, R. A. Rose, who has been invited here For the National A.A.U. championships, defeated Hahn twice in three starts, and Scholl/, classes him as one of the world's best at a mile or over.” Jackson Scliolz wrote as follows from Christchurch on February 25: “I suppose Lloyd Halm and myself have practically dropped out of sight for the last several months, as far as the athletic world is concerned, because I don’t suppose that a great deal of news finds its way from New Zealand (o New York. I can assure you, however, that as far as the New Zealand athletic world is concerned we have been more than active, and athletics fqr the last couple of months have revolved around us like a whirlpool. “Our itinerary calls for fourteen meets altogether. We have completed 10 of these, and can truthfully say that the high standard of New Zealand sportsmanship has never for an instant been in doubt. We have been received on all occasions with a sincere hospitality that has made us proud to be athletic representatives of the United States. < In every town and city we have been accorded a civic reception presided over by the Mayor, and on several occasions we have been met at the station by the Mayor as we got off the train. J mention this to illustrate the import-' mice attached to amateur athletics by the New Zealand people, and it serves also, I bpliev.e, as an indirect expression of gratitude for your kindness in allowing us to make the trip.

"The Amateur Athletic Association here seems to be attaching a great deal of significance to our visit. We have been told, on more than one occasion, that we are serving as a much needed stimulus to the athletes and the potential athletes of the country. To all ap •pearances this seems to be true, because the boys here are all extremely keen to learn all wo ran tell them concerning our methods of training a I home, and they take every opportunity of meeting us and .exchanging ideas. “The athletic material here is excellent, arid we have met, several men who, I am convinced, with proper training, will be first-class material for the next Olympic Games. This in it- ■ self is remarkable, considering the coinparative y bit fill of this country and the population—about crne-fiT7h that of New ; York City alone —from which it has to draw, ii tends to i I hint rale dearly. I : think, the high standard of living and j physical fitness in .New Zealand. I "The atlemlanee at all (lie moots has ! been unusually good. judging even I from our standards at home, and keep- ' ing in mind the population interested in amateur athletics is far greater here than at home. You will perhaps he surprised to learn that admission here is limited to one shilling, and yet the entire tour was entirely financed through the gate receipts before our itinerary was half completed. '‘Our competition has been rather strenuous, particularly so because of all the travelling we have had to do. I was fortunate in striking form before Lloyd, which is not surprising considering the differences in our distances. Thev have no first-class sprinters here, witli the result that 1 have _ conceded handicaps as high as 14 yards in the 100 and in Gisborne the limit man on 14 yards beat me bv a couple of inches in 9 3-5. 1 have had to do 22 or better in every race to win the 220, which is fair average, considering that all the tracks arc grass and all run on turns. "Lloyd, on the oilier hand, has been up against a stilTcr proposition. There is a man Imre by the name of Hose, who is Hie best dislanee runner that New Zealand lias ever produced. I lose s real dislanee is three miles nr over, lull lie has recently been I raining for the mile, and has I unit'd out some' mighty last limes. They have only met twice, Lloyd winning the first lime in 18 3-5 and Hose winning the the second race in 26 4-ssec. There was a heavy wind blowing on the second occasion, which was all in Rose’s favour, inasmuch as lie is a big, powerful runner. They meet again to-morrow, but if the conditions are fair Lloyd won’t have the least trouble in winning. I'll hold the letter open till to-morrow. February 26. "T gave away It yards in the 100 yesterday and won in 9 4-5. I also won the 220 in 22 fiat around a curve. Rose turned out lo be better than I expected, and won from Llovd in a great race. Llovd is very evidently not in shape yet, but Rose, nevertheless, is a great runner, and I am convinced is one - of the world’s besfut a mile or over. T believe his future performances will justify a visit to the United States.”