WILL HE MEET NURMI?

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12391, 10 March 1926, Page 11

WILL HE MEET NURMI?

ROSE TO BE SENT TO ENGLAND fUBLIC SUBSCRIPTIONS SOUGHT COUNCIL’S DECISION “That this council establish a fund to secure the representation of Randolph A. Rose at the English Amateur Athletic Association’s championship meeting this year, and if a sufficient sum be forthcoming, that Mr Rose’s tour be extended to the Continent of Europe and America.” This resolution, moved by Mr J. W. Heenan, and seconded by Mr F. Wilton, was carried unanimously at a special meeting of the council of the N.Z.A.A.A., held last evening. Mr R. W. Mcvilly presided, there being also present Messrs L. A. Tracy, R. Oonnop, J. W. Heenan, F. Wilton, H. Ansted, and E. C. Guy. Rose and his father, Mr H. Rose, also attended. TO ENGLAND OR AMERICA? In opening the meeting, the chairman stated that its purpose was to decide whether Rose should be sent abroad. The tirct. question to be decided, provided Mr Rose was willing to travel, was whether he should be sent to the United Kingdom, or whether they should wait to see what tlib result of the suggestions made by the visiting American athletes, Scholz and Hrthn, that he should be invited to the United States. Personally, the speaker was in favour of sending him to England, which was the place for athletes from the Dominion to compete. He though that in Rose, New Zealand had a man who would db as much for the reputation of local athletics rts the All Blacks did for football. They would first ask Mr Rose if he were prepared to go, and if he Were, then it devolved on the council to take steps to raise a fund sufficient to cover expenses. WILLING TO LEAVE AT ONCE Mr R. A, Rose, amid applause, said that he was quite prepared to take the trip. He suggested that the present year would suit him better than the following one, and he would be prepaied to leave immediately on the conclusion of the New Zealand championship meeting. In view of possible competition in the Olympic Games, the experience he Would gain in England would be valuable. He thought he should have a clear month in England before the meeting, in order to get acclimatised. WORTHY OPPONENTS Mr Heenan pointed out that the English championships were held in July. This year the date would probably be about July Bth. Rose’s two events would be the one mile and fourmile championships. There wqs not the slightest doubt that in England Rose would meet foemen worthy of his mettle. Two particularly fine men' were Ellis and McDonald. McDonald last year won the English mile championship in 4min 18sec, the third time only within the present century When it had bebn done-inside 4min 20sec. In 1902, J. Hinks had done the distance in 4min I6sec, an English record, and in 1921, A. G. Hill had created a further record by doing 4min 14 4-ssec. In supporting the chairman’s suggestion that Rose should be sent to England rather than America, Mr Heenan drew attention to the fact that (Jew Zealand had at present a representative in England in the person of Porritt, who,_ as president of the Unirersity Association at Oxford, heW an important position. He suggested that the club should set up a committee to deal with the matter, and invite thie co-operation of other centres. Mr Wilton said that they should go further, and pencil a berth for the beginning of April. MUST MEET NURMI Mr E. G. Guy held that it was important that Rose should be sent where he would meet Nurmi. A contest between the two was what the people of New Zealand really desired. The chairman said the council desired to send Rose to the Old Country. There he was almost certain to meet Nurmi. The first 'thing to do was to raise the necessary funds to send him there. Mr Heenan agreed with this. It was not certain that Nurmi was going to America. Mr Wilton suggested that, in addition to circularising the centres, the principal newspapers be asked to open subscription lists. It was certain that money would flow in freely. Mr Heenan here moved, Mr Wilton seconding, that Rose be sent to compete in the English championships, this being carried unanimously. The following committees were set up:— Fund committee: Messrs McVilly, Guy, Ansted, and Heenan. Itinerary committee: Messrs Wilton, Lusk, Connop, and Heenan. GOVER—'ENT ASSISTANCE 'Mr Ansted stated that a deputation had some time before, when it was found that Nurmi could not come to New Zealand, waited on the Government asking that a contribution should be given for the purpose of sending Rose to Europe to meet him. So far no reply had been received. In view of the unparalleled advertisement Rose would be for New Zealand in Europe, he considered that they might again be approached in this direction, to the extent of subsidising funds raised £1 for £l. Mr McVilly this. He disapproved of the principle of going to the Government for assistance for athletics. If the people of New Zealand were sincere in their desire to send Rose to Europe, then they would put their hands in their pockets for the purpose. If it were found that the funds raised were insufficient, then it would become the business of the council to consider what other steps should be taken. At present he did not see any reason in the world why they should .go to the Government cap in hand and ask for assistance. “SELF-RELIANCE” Mr Heenan agreed with this. The £IOOO given for the purpose of bringing the All Blacks home through America had been a free gift from the Government. The only time he was fn favour of approaching the Government was if they wero sending an Olympic team abroad, where it was a case of not one branch of sport, but all being represented. Mr AnstedThe £100(1 that was

given to bring the All Blacks through America was not charity. Mr McVilly; It is not a question of charity. As long as I have a voice on this council, 1 will stand for the principle of self-reliance amongst sports bodies. Mr Heenan: Personally, I think that We Will have a protest from the Wairarapa against anyone else being asked to contribute to this fund. They will want to do it all themselves. (Laughter,) The committees then met to consider Ways and means. WANTS EXPERIFNCE NOW WHAT ROSE SAYS. Rose returned to Wellington yesterday, and it is-stated that ne is eager to go abroad now, preferably to England, as he wishes to-run on grass tracks, not on hoards. “You cannot have experience too soon, and it may serve me even better later on,” he added. “I am able to go abroad almost right away, as I have a brother on the farm who can manage affairs there during mv absence. I would- like to have at least a month in England before taking part in races.” Roth Rose and his father thought it would mean a great deal if arrangements could he made to send a trainer“l’M NOT YET AT MY BEST.” Referring to the race at Masterton, in which the record time was made, Rose remarked: “I was absolutely as ‘fit as a fiddle’ at the end. The pace over the first half was a ‘cracker,’ but I did not seem to be extended. Had Hahn made the pace even faster over the third lap I am sure that better time would have been registered.” Of his general experience during the past few weeks he said: ‘‘For many months prior to the races With Hahn I had been ‘baching’ on the farm in the Wairarapa, cooking my own food, and this, I felt, affected my circulatory , system. But with three Weeks’ training ahd better food I have been able to improve my condition considerably, and bring down my times. In this short period I succeeded' in reducing my time for the mile by about thirteen seconds, and I am not yet at my best. “It does not distress me in the least to run out a mile in fmin 18sec; in fact, 1 Was hardly breathing at the end of the mile at Masterton in 4min 13 3-osec. Physically, I am in sound edndition, a doctor’s examination yesterday showing that I am- ‘as good Us gold,’ without any effects of the Operations which I had a couple of rears ago. The doctor informed me that I coitld go on stronger than ever mi the track.' 1