AMSTERDAM OLYMPIAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19932, 28 April 1928, Page 13

AMSTERDAM OLYMPIAD.

NEW ZEALAND TEAM. PRIME MINISTER'S FAREWELL I CONFIDENCE IN MEMBERS. HONOUR OF THE DOMINION. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Friday. The Dominion's best wishes for the success of its Olympic team at the Amsterdam Games were voiced by the Prime Minister at the farewell gathering tendered the New Zealand representatives by himself and Mrs. Coates to-day. Mr. Coates expressed confidence in the team selected and added: "We know you will be all out to win, that you will give of your best and that you will never let New Zealand down." Those present at the gathering included several Ministers of the Crown, representatives of sports bodies and others. Apologies for non-attendance were received from the Chief Justice, Sir Charles Skerrett, and Sir Douglas Mac Lean. A civic farewell was also held. "It is unnecessary to remind you," said the Prime Minister, addressing the members of the team, "that the task you have in front of you is a difficult and a big one. You will have the disadvantages of a long and somewhat tedious sea voyage and acclimatisation after you reach Amsterdam. It is only by contest that it is possible for us to gauge the prowess and ability of others, and with all the disadvantages with which you will be faced the Olympic Council is confident that the New Zealand representatives will give a very satisfactory account of themselves.

"We cannot expect all to win. That rrould be too much to hope for. We know, however, that you will be all out to win, and that is all we ask. Responsibilities rest on your shoulders, but. I hope they will not make you anxious. We know you will give o.f your best. I hope you will have a pleasant and enjoyable time, £is well as a successful one, while you are away. We know this—you will never let New Zealand down. This is impossible v.-hen we know the material and fibre of cur representatives.

"If by any chance you find it impossible to win, all I can say is this —no one in New Zealand will have any feeling other than admiration for those who beat you. New Zealand looks to you to uphold its honour abroad. We are proud of you as our representatives and it only remains to wish you bon voyage, every success and a pleasant and a safe return to your native land."

The New Zealand Olympic team will leave for the Games at Amsterdam by the Remuera from Wellington to-day. Although no rowing crew is to be sent, the representation, so far as New Zealand is concerned, constitutes a record. Altogether, there will be nine Dominion competitors, three in the track and field section, four in swimming events, and two in boxing.

The following are the members of the team:—Mr. H. Amos, manager; Mrs. Amos, honorary chaperone; Dr. A. E. ]'orritt (England). Miss Norma. Wilson (Gisborne), runners; Miss Ena Stockley (Auckland), Miss Kathleen Miller (Dunedin), swimmers; L. J- Moorhouse (Christchurch), D. I*. Lindsay (Christchurch), swimmers; A. Cleverley (Wellington), E. Morgan (Wellington), boxers; 8. Lay (Ilawera), javelin thrower. As far as; Moorhouse and Cleverley are concerned thev are working their passages to England, and will not become a charge on the council until they reach the Old Country, where Dr. Porritt will join the team. Dr. Porritt has been studying in England during the past few years, and on the running tracks has performed with credit.

Miss Wilson has recorded times which compare favourably with the best women runners in other parts of the world, and is expected to do well. New Zealand is well represented in the swimming section, as Misses Stockley and Miller both hold Australian and New Zealand records, while Lindsay claims several Dominion records. Moorhouse is the present New Zealand backstroke champion. A good deal is expected of Morgan, a very clever, hard-hitting left-handed boxer, who is the present New Zealand light-weight champion. Cleverley is to be complimented on his sportsmanship in •working his passage, as he will be of great assistance to Morgan in training operations. Cleverley i 3 the Dominion middle-weight champion. The member of the team looked upon as Laving the best prospects is S. Lay, who has thrown the javelin within 3ft. of the world's record, and has evidently only to show a slight improvement to be very difficult to defeat. Mr. H. Amos, manager of the team, is chairman of the New Zealand Olympic Council, and has worked very strenuously on behalf of the Olympic fund. His apJ ointment as manager is a well-earned onour. Mrs. Amos is paying her own expenses to act as honorary chaperone. At the conclusion of the Olympic Games the New Zealand team will go to Ireland to take part in the Games there, and will probatly return via South Africa.