A STRONG TEAM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 28 March 1936, Page 13

A STRONG TEAM

WELLINGTON ATHLETES

EASTER VISIT TO NELSON LETTER FROM MANAGER Interesting informal imi concerning the team which he is bringing across from Wellington to compote at the athletic gathering at Trafalgar Park on Raster Saturday, is contained in the following letter from Mr A. C. Kitto. president of the Wellington Centre of the N.Z.A.A.A. : <- I have had no difficulty in getting the required 20 to make the trip and I feel certain that the great hospitality which has been extended to us in the past, both by the officials and the good people of Nelson, has been the main factor in making my task an easy one,” writes Mr Kitto. ‘T. was fortunate in seeming the services of A. E. Wilson, champion of Auckland in 10114, champion of Wellington 1 Odd and 103(5 and runner-up to V. P. Boot at the last National Championship. Since then Wilson defeated Boot in a mile contest hold in Wellington two weeks ago in the good time of drains 2osecs. Wilson is capable of about 4inin 20sec and should prove a great draw, as he is of a class never seen before in Kelson excepting perhaps ,E. A. Rose. “J. Phillips is a great all-rounder and yi 11 be our star sprinter. If your athletic club puts on a 220yds hurdle race at Easter I feel sure that you will see a hurdler that will astound you. Phillips is our 220yds hurdle champion and at the meeting held here between Canterbury and Wellington he defeated such good men as Nelligan and Newburgh in the great time of 2(isecs. Phillips also will do well over 20ft in the broad jump. “A. Wclply (sprinter) is no stranger to Nelson. He has been sprinting very consistently lately and is capable of doing 10 l-o for the 100 yards. R. Kidd, another sprinter of merit, is quite as good as Welply and competes off the same mark, A. Mackay is our Wellington champion threc-miler and though not in the same class as A .E. Wilson over the mile should nevertheless make a great race in this event oil' 55 yards.

“A. Badland is our most promising middle distance runner and has met With a fair amount of success this season. He should win the half mile event. Peter Wilson is a real runner, with a fair turn of speed. Always a trier lie will make A. R. Wilson and A. Mackay run all the way to catch him in the mile event. C. Brown, A. Brown A. Prairie and R. Coombs are triers every time and will help to iill up the events and make the backmarkers go all out to catch them. “L. Vcrmou (still a eoljege lad) is a promising high jumper, improving all the time. He can be depended on to do at least sft oin. “Leo and Len Sowerby will represent the cycling branch of our sport and both are good honest riders. The former is slightly the better and rides from the scratch mark in our city. “The lady runners to make the trip all come from our back markers and some good competition should result from the meeting. Miss O’Callaghan from Nelson created a good impression at our championship meeting and if she has gone on improving as she should, she will sure to he in a place. Miss Thelma lvencli represented New Zealand at the last Olympic Games and thought not running up to that form just- now r is sprinting exceedingly ivell and is the best of our lot. Miss O. Tasker is a stylish sprinter and a coming champion. Miss B. Boyes, winner of the coveted Peat pendant last season comes all the way from Eketalnuui and has never been known to run a had race. Miss Jean Sharp is the most improved lady runner in the party. She is a first-class high and long jumper and is worth seeing Miss D. Hurley can be depended on to put up a good showing and is fast regaining her last season’s form. Miss Jean Simpson is the real hurdler of the team and very spectacular to watch “From the above rather modest account of the doings of our competitors you will agree that w r e have in them, the makings of a good sports gathering on our own—so just imagine what a day it will be for the people of Nelson when the team is tried out against your competitors. The Wellington Centre is very proud of its baby club (Nelson) and is out to give them all the help and encouragement they deserve. Evidently the right men are at the head of affairs in Nelson. It only rests now for the public to attend on Easter Saturday and make the gathering a success from the financial

point of view. They certainly will get their moneys’ worth.’’