NEW ZEALAND ATHLETES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13745, 7 September 1908, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND ATHLETES.

THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

July 27. The New Zealand representatives at the Olympic Games— Messrs H. St. A. Murray, H. E. Kerr, and A. E. Rowlands — were not successful in getting "amongst the winners" in their respective events, the nearest approach to championship honours being Korr's effort in the final of the ,3500 metres walk, in which he finished third. Kerr got third plac© in his heat in the ten miles walk, and stood a chance of finishing third in %he> final, but did not start. It was unforunate for Kerr that he had to compete against a world's record-breaker like G. E. Lamer, who is probably the finest walker England has ever possessed, and who had no difficulty in winning both the walking championships at the Stadium. As regards Murray, I am certain that s the New Zealand hurdler did not do himself justice in either the 400 metres or the 110 metres hurdles. He lacked condition, and his legs troubled him a good deal, stiffness setting in. George Smith, the New Zealand ex-champion hurdler, who was coaching Murray, told me that if he had had his -way Murray would not have started at all in the 110 metres, as he was really not fit to stand the strain. Under the circumstances it is not surprising that Murray was beaten in his heat in the. 110 metres, or that he finished in the 400 metres behind Bacon, the American, who put up a new Olympic record for the distance. George Smith has a high opinion of Murray's hurdling powers, but he did not appear to entertain much hopes of his success this week. At the Stadium yesterday I met Mr G. W. Smith, the well-known New Zealand athlete and footballer, Who has been playing football for Oldfeam in the Northern Union since the dose of the professional All Blacks' tour last winter. His many friends in New Zealand Will be, interested to hear that he is getting married at Brighton on August 10. The bride is Miss Edith Kemble, of Auckland, who arriyed in. London by the Orbtava a fortnight ago. Whether Mr Smith will play football for Oldham again next, season is doubtful. . He hurt his left leg in the final match of the season last winter, and it is still in plaster of Paris. He -will play if he is able to,, but if not he will retire. from the'ga^ne and go back to NeW. Zealand. He Was the recipient of « handsome gold watch from the Oldham Football Club ,at the end of last season, as a token of appreciation of his services. ; By th© way, though SJmith has been doing his best to assist the New Zealanders at the Olympic Games in their, training* he is not attached to the Australasian team in any professional capacity, as stated by some of the papers. He was not a little* disgusted to find himself reported in the papers as saying that cigarettes and beer were prominent features in the training of the- Australasians under his care. All he did say was that an occasional cigarette or glass of beer, to a man accustomed to these things, would do no harm, whereas the complete stoppage of both might produce a state of irritability anil depression. — New Zealand Times correspondent. . i