BY "VICTOR."

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12582, 1 October 1908, Page 5

BY "VICTOR."

I read with deep regret the other evening of the death of Mr Jack Cavanagh, who a few years ago was a well-known and popular figure in athletic circles on this coast. Jack was a very fine walker, and competed with a fair amount of success at various meetings in the district, making a lot of friends' in his travels, who will be sorry to hear that he has crossed the Great Divide. May the turf rest lightly o'er his grave. I am sure all who had the pleasure of Jack Cavanagh's acquaintance will do what they can to assist the widow and four young children, who have been left in very straitened circumstances, and on whose behalf the benefit concert is being arranged. H. St. Aubyn Murray was a competitor at the Blackley C.C. Sports on August 3rd. He was on the 38yds mark in an :180yds handicap, and finished second to W. J. Hatch, 46yds, of the Salford Harriersbeaten ljyd in lmin 52 l-4sec. Writing to his father, the New Zealand hurdle champion stated that he was only t'Ltn getting into form.. T - Edition to his Lalf mile performance^ he ran. a quarter off scratch in 49sec and then only got third in his heat. Murray will not return to New Zealand until about Christmas time, and at latest advices was travelling in

Scotland.

At the welcome home the other week to the Australian athletes who took part in the Olympic games, astonishing statements were made about the straits for money to which one or two of the men were put in London. Mr B. J. Parkinson said that the case of Beaurepaire, who had done so well in Great Britain, was remarkable. In London his resources were so small that, although the cost of a training swim in a public bath was only fourpence, he could not afford it, but had to walk two miles from his lodgings every day to an open pond, and do his work there in the icy ■water of an. early Engflisli spring day. (Shame!) Mr George Blake, in responding, said they felt they had done their best, under the circumstances, but they were handicapped by want of support. Representatives of other ccuntries could go everywhere, and had eitiy facility. Their allowance had _ )>een so small that when, after his accident, he kad been carried back to the Stadium in an ambulance, and was carried from it to his dressing room by two policemen, he had had to borrow a shilling from Beaurepaire to give to the policemen. (Shame !)