AMERICAN ATHLETES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20827, 20 March 1931, Page 13

AMERICAN ATHLETES.

GOOD FORM AT TAIHAPE.

KISER DEFEATS DON EVANS. i [BY TELEGRAPH;.—OM'N correspondent.] TAIHAPE, Thursday. The American athletes concluded their New Zealand tour at Taihape last evening, when they competed in a meeting arranged in honour of their visit by the Taihape Amateur Athletic Club. The attendance exceeded 1300 and the meeting was a great success. Kiser won the mile and defeated D. Evans by 25yds. Both men started off scratch. Kiser had a lead of 3yds. over Evans at the end of the first lap, and had increased. this to 12yds. by the time half the distance had been covered. He drew further away as the race progressed and was leading by over 20yds. at the beginning of the last lap. Evans made a great effort to catch Kiser 220 yds. from the finishing post, but made little impression on the American', who, breasted the tape 10yds. ahead of D. S. Smith (Marton), with Evans third, 15yds. behind Smith. Time, 4m. 245. ■ Kiser and Evans also met in the quarter mile, and once again the American won, finishing second to P. . Markham (handicap 28yds.), with Evans a yard away third. On entering the straight Evans had a lead of 3yds. over Kiser, but Kiser finished with a great burst of speed to breast the tape iyd. ahead of the New Zealand champion. The winner's time was 58 l-ss. Rothert was in fine form, . and threw the discus 141 ft., beating the Australian and New Zealand -record by 3ft. Ho put the shot 47ft. 2£in. Rothert .also competed in the long jump, covering 20ft. 4£in. Simpson did not run on account of the injury to his leg. C. H. Jenkins (Wellington) ran well to win the 100 yds. in 9 4-ss. off Iyd., and the 220 yds. in 22 2-ss. off 2vds.

A FAREWELL GATHERING.

PRESENTATION TO VISITORS,

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Thursday.

.Prior to their departure from New Zealand to-morrow, on joule for Japan, the visiting American athletes, Harlow Rothert, George Simpson and Rufus Kiser, were bidden farewell at an official gathering this afternoon. The chairman, Mr. W. H. Bennett, said the occasion was a quite informal one. They sincerely trusted the visit of the athletes had been of some interest and enjoyment. On behalf of the Wellington Cent re ho hoped they would take away pleasant recollections of New Zealand. * . Mr A. C. Kitto, president of the centre, said the centre realised that, trips like the present one did a lot of good to amateur athletics. On future occasions the extent of the tours would have to be modified. It was impossible for men to do themselves justice, and go to so many different meetings. Mr. A. W. 0. Travers, of the New Zealand Athletic Council, agreed that future tours would have to bo less strenuous. He thanked the Americans for the advice which they had so freely given to New Zealand athletes. Mr. Travers presented ,each man with a travelling rug. Mr. Rothert was also entrusted with a gift for Mr. Ivrogness, the American representative of the association. In brief replies the three athletes thanked the association and the friends they had made in New Zealand.