WELL-KNOWN ATHLETE MISSING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 866, 18 November 1916, Page 2

WELL-KNOWN ATHLETE MISSING.

PRIVATE B. BATSTONE'S CAREER Very keen regret, combined with the hope lhal better tidings will/be received, was fell in amateur athletic circles in Canterbury last evening, when it was learned that Private Bertie Batstonc was officially reported lo be missing. Private Ratstone is very well known in New Zealand as a sprinter. The second son of Mr G. Balstone, now residing at (i() Fitgerald Avenue, j Christehureh, but formerly of Kir-; wee, Private Batstonc reached his 20th birthday in September. - He was born and educated in Kirwee, ami there worked for his father and elder brother, in Hie business of G. Batstonc and Son, bakers and storekeepers. He left New Zealand in the (ilh Reinforcement, and saw service' at Gallipoli before he went, to France. In June he was wounded j in action in France. He was a fine sprinter, and has run 100 yds in 10 l-ssee. and 220 j yds. in 22 3-ssec, but he never was! seen really al his best on the track, as he never trained sufficiently to gel the best out of himself. In the 1914-15 New Zealand championships, decided at Wellington, he scored three seconds, ami in each ease he was beaten by only a slight margin. Martis, of Wanganui, beat him in the 100 yds and 220 yds, and J. Wilton, of Wellington, beat him in the 440 yds. He appeared often in handicaps in Christehureh, from the scratch mark, bid he did not contest any of the Canterbury champion-: ships. While in camp at Trenthani; he won the 100 yds and 220 yds mili- \ tary championships. Balstone is a; young fellow of a fine, modest, (lis-1 J position, and lie is very popular in athletic <. ircles.