AMATEUR ATHLETES TOLD OF RECORDS MADE DURING BYGONE YEARS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18419, 22 March 1928, Page 7

AMATEUR ATHLETES TOLD OF RECORDS MADE DURING BYGONE YEARS.

__._—...__.. . The Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club held a social evening last night. the function taking the form of a presentation social Addresses were given by Messrs C. S. Thomas and C. H. Taylor. jun. Mr \Y. C. Flewellyn, president of the club, presided over a. large attendance. ' E. Adams, F. Gallagher, A. L. Tideman, W. Good. J. C. Quane and R. F.i Anderson werepresented with badgesw and were given the junior membership“ of the club. - ‘ Mr Thomasisaidv that he would. speak of the tradition of the club a’nr‘l‘l of the sport. The speaker dwelt on! some of the champions of the old days, mentioning in particular Dave Matson. who was the only member of the club who had held a world’s record. Mat~ son had broken the world’s record for the “Oyds hurdles. About that time the club was very rich in athletic talent. The greatest of them all was‘ the Australasian champion distance runner, “ Billy " Simpson, who heldi

many New Zealand and Australian records for long distances. He was one of the best sportsmen in the game. W. F. Flewellyn, the present president of the club, was another of the oldtime champions. His third to Burke and Shrubb in that historic mile, when the famous Englishman was defeated, was a fine performance. R. Opie, who, in the speaker’s opinion, was the greatest sprinter ever seen in New Zealand, was one of the later-dav runners who stamped himself as a wonderful athlete. Although lacking in finish, he won his races through sheer speed. To come to present-day athletes, J. W. M’Holm was a splendid example, of what athletics could do for a man. After twenty-five years he was still able to compete at Australasian championships. W. A. Ford (of football fame) and C. H. Taylor were others of the champions of recent years. Taylor was the greatest runner produced in New Zealand during the past few years. He had won New Zealand and Australasian championships, and had won in the New Zealand-South Africa test. The traditions of the club were magnificent.

Mr Thomas touched on the question of professionalism. lie had nothing against professionals, many of whom were first-class sportsmen, he said. There was no doubt, however, that amateurism gave the runners the best sport. Nearly all professionals when they retired wished they had kept to the amateur ranks. A successful ama-

N,” ~ teur received many inducements to turn professional, but he (lid better for himself by retaining his amateur status. Mr Taylor delivered an interesting and instructive address in which he gave several useful coaching hints. Mr E. Lawrence and party c'ontri—buted musical items. A vote of thanks was accorded Messrs Thomas and Taylor.