BLACK FOR CANTERBURY

Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1932, Page 8

BLACK FOR CANTERBURY

NOT APPEARING AT WELLINGTON. OLYMPIC TRIALS AT CAPITAL. S. A. Back, New 'Zealand quarter-mil© running champion, had an awkward •decision to make over sports events this week-end. Canterbury’s prior claim, however, influenced him _tq. visit the South Island. . When Black scored his sensational success at the New Zealand championships at Auckland he was asked by Canterbury centre officials to visit that district for Easter'sports meetings. This ho consent- ■ ed to do. Meanwhile arrangements were for some special races :to be included in th© University tournament sports programme at, Wellington on Easter Monday as trials for the selection of the New Zealand Olympic Games 'team The particular feature was to. be a half-mile trial with Don Evans, now .fit again, matched with Brodway (th© present champion) and others, but a special handicap quarter-mile was also .to be arranged, with such men as Evans and Fleming to run with Black, to see just how good the New Plymouth star was. Naturally Black was tempted to forego his Canterbury engagements in view of the importance of th© meeting at Wellington but he preferred to fulfil his promise. Th© Wellington centre had a formal application in for Black’s appearance actually before Canterbury, but .in view of the runner’s previous promise and after representations from the South Island this was withdrawn.

Canterbury’s anxiety to have Black appear in that district can -be well understood. The, New -Plymouth man’s rise to fame has been even mor© meteoric than that of th© greatest athlete Taranaki has yet produced, S. A. Lay, and he is probably the most talked of runner in New Zealand to-day. It would not be fair to Black if his nonrappearance at Wellington should be allowed to count against his chances of Olympia selection. His performance at Auckland placed him. in world class, and there are no other athletes whom it would be more worth while to send to Los Angeles., Black’s great improvement during th© season and his matchless style point to his worthiness to represent the Tin-mini on. . : .