AMERICA’S BEST

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12354, 26 January 1926, Page 7

AMERICA’S BEST

ATHLETES ENTERTAINED RETURN VISIT MOOTED N.Z.A.A.A. WELCOMES RUNNERS The visiting American 'athletes, Messrs Jackson V. Scholz and Lloyd Hahn, were yesterday morning entertained to morning tea at Gamble and Greed’s Kerns by the council of' the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. Mr R. W. McVilly, president of the council, presided, and there was a gathering of some fifty athletes and officials, Mr McVilly, in extending a welcome to the distinguished visitors, said that he was sure that he was only voicing the sentiments of all present when he said that he was glad to meet the visitors, and extend to them a hearty welcome to Wellington and New Zealand. The reputation of Messrs Scholz and Hahn had preceded them, and in these gentlemen it was safe to say that the fame of American athletes would ho worthily upheld. At the same time lie would like to warn them, lest they take New Zealanders too cheaply, that we had here some men who were pretty good off the mark, and they had also Mr Leslie, the official starter, who was not too slow with the pistol. (Laughter.! He hoped that the visitors would have a pleasant stay in New Zealand, and follow in the footsteps of Krogness,

Kirksey, and Merchant, who wherever they went during their visit won the esteem, not only of those who were contending against them, but also of the public who supported them. Again on behalf of the New Zealand council of the N.Z.A.A.A. he extended to the visitors a hearty welcome. ROSE v. HAHN Mr F. Wilkin, a member of the council, said that after the . months of negotiation it was more than pleasant to welcome their American guests. The people of New Zealand had very pleasant recollections of preceding American visits. It was very gratifying to have an Olympio champion amongst the visitors in the presence of Mr Scholz. (Applause.) Mr Hahn had not yet arrived at this distinction, but the speaker had no doubt that in New Zealand he would demonstrate his fitness for such an honour. (Renewed applause.) “We have in New. Zealand,” continued the speaker, “6ne man in the person of Rose, whom we consider a world beater. Should he meet Mr Hahn in Wellington on a fine day there will be a crowd to witness the meeting 6Uch as has never been seen on an athletic ground in New Zealand before, and if Mr Hahn wins on that day I can assure him that Mr Rose will, be the first to congratulate him on his victory.” (Applause.) Continuing, Mr Wilkin expressed pleasure at the fact that the Americans were already taking some of the New Zealand boys in hand, and coaching •them. Athletes in New Zealand could learn a lot from the Americans, and such action would do much to promote that feeling of mutual respect between the athletes of both countries, which was so desirable. (Applause.) TO BENEFIT ATHLETICS Mr A. C. Kitto, speaking on behalf of the Wellington centre, said that it was particularly gratifying to Wellington to have their visitors present, as it was mainly through Wellington’s activities that the visit had been arranged. No consideration of making money from the visit had' entered into the thoughts of the local centre, whose sole intention had been the promotion' of the sport. Naturally it was hoped that the visit w&uld pay its way, but mainly it had been felt that the visitors could do a lot for New Zealand athletes. He hoped that it would be possible before long to have a team from New Zealand invited to America. He appealed to the visitors to do what they could during their visit to give tuition to local athletes. Messrs A. W. Travers, ex-chairman of the Wellington centre, and T. W. Leslie, official starter, also briefly spoke. THE VISITORS REPLY Mr Scholz, who on rising to speak was greeted with prolonged applause, said that he and Mr Hahn appreciated more than words could express the welcome that had been extended to them everywhere in New Zealand. He only hoped that the impression that they would leave behind them would he half as good as the one they had formed of New Zealand. Continuing, he hoped that the athletes of New Zealand would take an interest in anything they could teach them. “I would like to put it,” said Mr Scholz, “that it will be an exchange of ideas. I am certain that the New Zealanders can teach us something, and I trust that we will become very intimate with your athletes, so that anything we can teach them or they teach ns will be freely exchanged. Anything they want to know from us they have only to come forward and ask. and we’ll be glad to oblige.” (Applause.) Mr Hahn also spoke in the same strain. If there was anything New Zealand athletes noted different in his foot action he would he glad if they would come forward and exchange ideas with them. In the States when Nurmi had visited there recently, he personally had learned quite a lot which nad helped to improve his foot action from the Finn, who had the smoothest action he had ever seen. He thanked the New Zealand council and people of New Zealand generally for their kindness, both in Wellington and elsewhere, and trusted that the visit would prove of mutual benefit to themselves and New Zealand. The singing of “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows” brought a pleasant little function to a close.