RETURN OF H. E. KERR

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6652, 28 October 1908, Page 7

RETURN OF H. E. KERR

A WELCOME GATHERING. Members of tho Wellington Amateur Athletic Club and subscribers to the Olympic representation fund gathered in full force at the Hotel Windsor last evening, to welcome back to New Zealand the young walker, Mr Harry E. Kerr, who represented tho Dominion at th© Olympic Games held in London in July. Dr A. K. Newman, who occupied the chair, welcomed Mr Kerr, who, he said, had worthily represented the Dominion at the big meeting. It was true that Mr Kerr had. not won any of tho English championships, nor had ho come first m either of tho walking races at tho Olympic Games. Still, he had been a "trier." and had conclusively proved that Now Zealand’s ooniidonco m him had not been misplaced. Kerr had shown that ho was “by streets” tho best walker in Australasia, but to win a race at tho Olympic Games he had to be more than that—ho had to be the best in the world. Kerr had been beaten only by two Englishmen, Lamer and Webb, and had defeated the champions of Canada, Scandinavia, and other great athletic countries. When Kerr went Home it was thought that Larnor, the greatest walker the world had over known, was "dead," so far as athletics wore concerned, but that opinion had been erroneous. It was no disgrace for Kerr to have been beaten by such a man—rather was it an honour that he had been able to put up such a fight against him. Kerr was therefore good for at least two more Olympiads, and might bear the colours of Now Zealand Into first place at one of the big meetings yet to come. (Applause.) Mr C. H. Izard, M.P., also spoke. Mr Kerr, who was received with hearty applause and cheers, was too modest to make an eloquent speech. Ho spoke interestingly, however, of his visit to England, and stated that Webb, who beat him in the Olympic walks, woo tho best w-alker ho had over seen. The judges'at Homo were not nearly so strict as in Australasia, Mr Coombes (who caused something of a sensation by disqualifying Kerr at the Exhibition meeting m ChristohnToh two years ago) he considered to bo tho most proficient judge ho had over walked Wore. Lamer, he was sure, would hot satisfy Mr Coombes, although Webb would. lie urged those present, if ever they wished to send a representative to any future Olympic Games, to send him earlier than he (Kerr) had been rent, as ho had not time to get into form. Ho •was beginning to walk well only Wore he left England. Mr J. B. Speed proposed a vote of thanks to the subscribers to the fund, mentioning particularly Mrs W. R. Williams, who had granted very substantial »id,