ON THE TRACK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19049, 28 June 1924, Page 3

ON THE TRACK

LETTER FROM NEW ZEALANDER. In the course of a letter to a friend in Wellington, G. G. Aitken, the New Zealand Rhodes scholar, now at Oxford, touches upon the subject of amateur athletics and doings of New Zealanders on the track. He writes: —“I am pleased, to see that Jenkins did so well in the New Zealand championships. What a pity we did not carry off the honours in Australia, and w r hat bad luck for Harry Wilson! He seems to be degged by misfortune. Athletics arc certainly in the boom in New Zea land now,, and I think this is largelj due to the energetic manner in which the Wellington Centre has fostered the sport since the war. Who are coming over for the Olympic Games? I understand Arthur Porritt is starting in the 100 yards. I do not suppose he will win, but at least he will be a worthy representative. He had bad luck in the ’Varsity sports. While playing Rugby he was hurt badly on two occasions, the last time breaking his collar-bone, which was not properly right when he ran second string against Cambridge. He got a bad start, and finished second by inches, even then beating our first string. He should do better next season, and I think will keep off Rugger this time.” George Aitken adds that he is going to Paris for the Olympic Games, and is looking forward to the athletics with keen pleasure. The refet nee to Porritt is of particular interest, in view of the fine performance put up by the New Zealander in the amateur athletic championships at Stamford Bridge last week. Porrit is the only runner representing New Zealand at the Olympic Gamps.