ATHLETICS

Otago Witness, Issue 3757, 16 March 1926, Page 65

ATHLETICS

ROSE’S GREAT PERFORMANCES. (From Our Own Correspond!'".) WELLINGTON, March 8. Since R. A. Rose has definitely established himself as one of the world’s best mile runners it is possible that he may be given the opportunity of instituting a claim to a first place among the champions, and this chance mav be offering in the near future. Already it is ac cepted as practically certain that Rose will be sent to the next Olympic Games, but this means waiting for another two years.

The Americans Jackson Scholz and Lloyd Hahn have both expressed their intention of endeavouring to arrange for Rose to make a trip to America next year, and this would no doubt serve as a further stepping stone to the place to which many New Zealand enthusiasts consider Rose is capable of rising. The one great desire is that Rose should meet Nurmi, and negotiations with a view to bringing this about are already in train, but at present the prospect is not particularly bright. -It is possible, however, that Nurmi may visit England for the English amateur athletic championship meeting at Stamford Bridge in July this year. Other than that the future intentions of the “Flying Finn” are not known. The English^meeting is, of course, one of the most important in the world, and with Rose now heading for the world’s honours it is suggested that the New Zealander should be sent to compete at this meeting. Mr F. Wilton, of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Council, mentioned the matter at a social function on Saturday evening and made a further suggestion that the Wellington Centre might consider the question of staging another sports meeting towards the end of the month with a view to raising funds to send Rose to England. Immediate action is required if effect is to be given to the proposal, and -it is expected that the New Zealand Council will move without delay. If Rose is sent to England he will leave within the next few weeks in order that he may become acclimatised before competing at the English championships. In the event of Nurmi not being in England arrangements might be made for Rose to visit the Continent and meet Nurmi there.

As far as can be ascertained the time registered by Rose at Masterton on Thursday evening constitutes a world’s record for a grass track. Times better than that made by Rose have been put up on cinder tracks or boards. Rose’s time at Masterton was 4min 13 3-ssec. Hahn says of Rose: “Rose is undoubtedly one of the greatest mile and distance runners seen for many years. The improvement that he has shown already would indicate that he has not yet reached the top of his form and if he adopts a proper system of training he will, I should say, be one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen. Scholz and I, with the assistance of others in the United States with whom New Zealanders are acquainted, intend to make a special effort to get this great runner to visit us next year. I know that some of the big colleges are already intereste-d and willing to combine in making an offer to which Rose would probablv give serious consideration. I am sure that it would be to the benefit of athletics in America, as well as in New Zealand, to have this visit realised. I am keen on it and would like to see him measure his prowess with the best in America. That he will more than hold his own I am already convinced, and who knows that he might not develop into a world record breaker ?” *

ROSE WILLING TO TRAVEL. WELLINGTON, March 9. The Council of the New Zealand Amateur Atheletic Association decided to ask Rose if in the event of arrangements being made he would bo willing to represent New Zealand abroad. Rose, who returned to Wellington this morning, states he is eager to fall in with the proposal and would rather go to England than to America in order to avoid the possibility of being called upon to race on boards. His intention was to confine his racing to the open track, for a little time to come at any rate, and he was fully confident that by so doing he would

he able to improve upon the record time registered at Masterton last week. Referring to the race 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 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 my farm in Wairarapa, cooking my ow’n food, and this I felt affected my circulatory system, but with three weeks training and 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 13 seconds, and I am not yet at my best. It docs not distress me in the least to run out a mile in 4min 18sec. In fact I was hardly breathing at the end of the mile at Masterton in 4min 13 3-ssec. Physically T am in sound condition, the doctor’s examination yesterday showing that I am ‘as good as gold,’ without any effects of the operations which I had a couple of years ago. The doctor informed me that I could go on stronger than ever on the track.”

Questioned whether he preferred to make the trip abroad now or to wait until later on, Rose remarked that he would like to go now and gain experience. “You cannot have experience too soon and it may serve me even better than later on.” He added: “I am able to go abroad almost right away as I have a brother on my farm who can manage affairs there during my absence. I would like to have at least one month in England before taking part in any races.” With regard to the question of training the opinion was held by the champion and his father that it would mean a great deal if arrangements could be made to send a trainer. This and all matters, however, rested with those who were arranging the tour. TO COMPETE IN DUNEDIN. R. A. Rose, the New Zealand champion miler, will arrive in Dunedin on Wednesday, March 17 to compete at the New Zealand championship sports to be held on the Caledonian Ground on March 19 and 20. It is Rose’s intention to attempt to break the world’s record for the one-mile flat at this meeting. ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIPS. WELLINGTON, March 9. “That the council establish a fund to secure the representation of Rose at the English amateur championships this year, and if a sufficient sum is forthcoming that Rose’s tour be extended to the Continent and America.” This resolution was carried unanimously at a special m'eeting of the New Zealand Athletic Council after Rose, who was present, had said he was prepared to leave immediately after the New Zealand championship meeting. Members were of the opinion that Rose was almost certain to meet Nurmi in England. Committees were set up to raise the funds by public subscription and to arrange Rose's itinerary. A suggestion that Government aid be sought was strongly opposed by Mr M'Villv who supported the principle of self-reliance amongst all sports bodies. RESENTMENT IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, March 10. At a meeting of the executive of the Auckland Centre A.A.A., a telegram from Wellington was read stating that Rose would not compete in Auckland next Saturday. The chairman said the Wellington Centre had not shown good faith in despatching Rose south. It was decided to notify the council of the Centres’ dissatisfaction with the arrangements made. OTAGO REPRESENTATIVES. The following have been selected to represent Otago at the New Zealand championships to le held in Dunedin on March 19 and 20, on the Caledonian Grounds:— 100yds.—H. D. Morgan, B. Geddes, J. J Brownlee. 220yds.—B. Geddes, J. J. Brownlee, H. D. Morgan. 440yds.--B. Geddes, C. Olsen, L. G. M ‘Queen. 880yds.—C. Olsen, I. Manson, F. Rolfe. One mile flat.—E. L. Brown, L. E. Jordan, L. Douglas. Three mile flat.—E. L. Brown, H. J. Pollock, R. M. Stevens. 120yds hurdles.—H. D. Morgan, R. W Lander. 440yds hurdles.—H. D. Morgan, R. W. Lander. One mile and three miles cycle.—C. M. Nicholson, A. C. Wills, 11. Ockwell. One mile and three mile walks.—G. S. Cabot, J. A. Wilson. Broad jump.—D. Stevenson, C. W. Rout, D. S. Ashby. Hop, step, and jump.—C. S. Clark, E. M. Thompson, D. Stevenson; High jump.—C. W. Rout, J. G. Leckie, l. C. Abernethy. Pole vault.—J. P. Joyce, L. Edmond. Putting shot.—ll. D. Morgan, W. Hazlott, D. Stevenson. Throwing hammer. —J. G. Leckie, G. B. Wilson, K. Matheson. Throwing javelin.—C. S. Clark, J. P. Joyce, R. W. Lander. Throwing discus.—R. W. Lander, E Bastings, J. P. Joyce. Relay.—C. Olsen, B. Geddes, J. J. Brownlee, H. D. Morgan. Ladies’ championship.—Misses S. Currie. M. Stewart, W. Clare. Ladies’ relay.—Misses Currie, Stewart, Clare, M‘Laren, Moir. MEETING OF OTAGO CENTRE. A meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held last evening. Mr E. L. Macassey presided over a large attendance*.

The principal business dealt with was in connection with the New Zealand championship meeting, to be held in Dunedin on March 19 and 20. . t NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. ' A letter was received from the secret V tary of the Canterbury Centre stating that Canterbury would be represented by; a team of at least 10 men at the New * Zealand championship meeting to be held in Dunedin. —it was decided to leave the matte.* of arranging accommodation for ’ the Wellington and Canterbury teama in the hands of the chairman. t

The Wellington Centre advised that ita party would consist of about 32 members. The centre's meeting on Match o was a. great success financially, the receipts totalling over £7OO. The gate was better than the one on Feruary 13 by about £IOO. # I The Wellington Centre notified that it' proposed to place before the conference of centres the following remits—“(a) That the entry fee for all championship events be one shilling per entry, b) That walking races be deleted from the New land championship programme.” 1 The meeting agreed to put forward a remit combating the Wellington one concerning entry fees for championship events, to the effect that the fee for the first event be 2s 6d and for events thereafter Is. The centre absolutely opposed the remit providing for the abolition of championship walking races. The following have been selected to re-* present the Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association at , the Dominion championships:— j 100 Yards and 220 Yards. —C. 11. Jea«kins, W. Kyle, M. Leadbetter. 440 Yards. —W. Kyle, K Gully. 880 Yards. —R. A. Rose, R. Gully. One and Three Miles. —R. A. Rose. } 120 Yards Hurdles, High Jump, and Long Jump.—M. G. Kalaugher. j Hop, Step, and Jump.—M. G. Kalaugher * and T. Vangioni. Pole Vault.—G. Harvey. ~ s 7' Shot and Javelin.—P. Munro. Discus.—P. Munro and W. Harvey. :1 440 Yards Hurdles. —T. Vang.om. « Hammer Throwing.—W. Haivey. ill Cycling.—T. Oakley and C. Flett. \ One and Three-mile Walking Events.—*. S. G. MTntosh. V Pole Vault, Hop, Step, and Jump, Jump, and High Jump.—R. A. M'Kenzie. \ Ladies’ Championships. —Misses Swin- 1 nerton, Manton, Porter, Stevenson, and' Collins. . J The following judges have been appointed for the walking events: —Messrs' R. Coombes (New South Wales) J.l Deaker, A. Blair, J. Ellis, and T. W#) Leslie. Messrs J. List and J. Brownlee were ap- ! pointed the Otago delegates to attend a conference of centres to be held in the Y.M.C.A. buildings on the morning of. Friday, March 19. The following aditional ladies’ teams have been entered by Otago for the ladies’ relay race at the New Zealand championship meeting:—■ \ Misses A. Fraser, H. Marks, G. Marks, M. M'Laren. H.B. team: Misses Kitto, David, Kydd f and Prattley. Mr f A. MTndoe reported that the various visiting teams to compete at the New Zealand championship meeting will arrive in Dunedin on the afternoon of March \ 17. On the following evening they will ) be the guests of the Otago Centre at the Exhibition. On Saturday evening, March' 20, all the competitors will be entertained at a social to be held at the Savoy, and 1 the prizes will be presented the same evening. On the afternoon of Sunday, March' 21, the visitors will be taken for a moto? drive round the city. The centre’s delegate to the New Zealand council wTote stating the attendance of 2000 at the American meeting must have been a big disappointment, though the. meeting seemed to have been a great sue-, cess in every other respect, and there need be no fear that Otago’s guarantee would / not be refunded in full. Already the organisations were ahead of the tour; the first' meeting in Wellington returned a profit ofi over £SOO (total takings £672) There would! be a big Wellington contingent in Dunedin for the championship meeting, and all wertj looking forward to visiting the Exhibition. He suggested that an article on previous championship meetings held in Dunedin ba written as part of the publicity of the forth- 1 coming meeting. The Keddell Memorial would be attached to the 120 yards hurdles, and it was very appropriate that the first contest for it should be in Dunedin. A* block would be made to occupy a special' page in the programme each year, and bio-! graphical details would be required. The Otago centre’s secretary had applied to the. Invercargill centre for the information required. A GENERAL ; The secretary of the Taieri Amateur Athletic Club wrote stating that the club intended to hold a sports meeting of the combined Taieri schools on the Mosgiel, recreation ground on Saturday, March 13. Members of the Otago centre were asked to be present. ' The secretary reported that the receipts, exceeded the expenditure by £lB in connection with the recent visit of the Amer-*. can athletes to Dunedin.—The report was approved, several delegates stating that th® result of the meeting was very satisfactory. , It was decided to send a letter of thanks to Mr P. W. Breen, for his kindness to the American athletes during their recent t visit to Dunedin. _ J It was reported that at a meeting of the New’ Zealand Council held at Welling- J ton on March 1, the following question;/ was asked by the Hamilton centre:—lf a, competitor breaks in a heat and is penalised one yard, ard he runs into a' niece and qualifies for tho final, should ho bo penalised in tho final or should he start' off his original mark? The council had answered to tho effect that such a compete tor would start off his original mark. It was decided to support the proposal by tho New Zealand Sports Protection League to bring in legislation to provide for what is known in the United Kingdom as “summer time” or daylight saving.