WELCOME TO VISITORS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21420, 12 March 1935, Page 15

WELCOME TO VISITORS

FRENCHMEN HONOURED SPORTSMANSHIP PRAISED A "sportsmen's welcome." arranged by the Pioneer Amateur Sports Club, was held yesterday afternoon in honour of the French visitors, Jean Taris and Emile Poussard, who are concluding a tour of New Zealand. The gathering, which was held in the club's rooms at the corner of Oxford terrace and Gloucester street., was largely attended by representatives of various sports clubs in the city. The president of the Pioneer Sports Club, Mr C. 11. Taylor, jun., was in the chair. The visitors were introduced by Mr C. Bryant, who is managing the tour. The president of the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. Mr M. E. Lyons, spoke of the high place held by Taris end Poussard in swimming. He had had the pleasure of seeing them both in action, and it made one realise how they had been able to make records. Swimmers in New Zealand had much to learn, and to walch the visitors training made it obvious how important a part this took. Ordinarily the South Island was at a disadvantage in arranging tours 01" overseas swimmers, and so it was all the more fortunate that it had been possible to bring Taris and Poussard to Christchurch. French in Sport Mr C. S. Thomas, representing kindred sports ciubs, said that for a number of years sportsmen in New Zealand had looked forward to a visit from a French team, and it was expected that the first would be a Rugby team; but if a Rugby team could play football as well as the visitors could swim, it looked bad for the All Blacks. It was remarkable, he thought, how quickly the French nation had come to the fore in sports. A decade or so ago the French were practically unknown, but since then it had produced some magnificent performers, and in a few years would no doubt vie with America for Olympic honours. Mr Thomas remarked on the number of international athletic teams that had come to New Zealand, and said that as one interested in athletics, he felt it was regrettable that more benefit had not been gained from these tours by New Zealand sportsmen. Full advantage had not been taken of them. Attempts had been made to teach les- | sons from these tours, but, unfortunately, New Zealand athletes had not learnt them. There was magnificent material in this country, but never would its athletes roach international standard until they were prepared to assimilate the lessons that tours offered. ; Making Tears Worthwhile AM that lie had said about athletics applied to swimming. It was for the swimmers to 'earn from men such as Taris and Poussard, and he hoped they would do sa. If they did, tcurs such as the present would be worth arranging. The manager of the tour, Mr Bryant, replied briefly. No cue knew biter than he did how fine was the sportsmanship of the visitors, lie said. They had made everything easy and

enjoyable for him. Their one regret was that they had not been able to see more of the country and take their time. Both visitors had been most considerate and had done their utmost to meet the wishes of the public. Taris, whose English is not as good as that of his companion, replied briefly in French, expressing his thanks for the warm welcome. Poussard replied in English, mentioning the training methods of Taris and himself, -and recommending more assiduous training by New Zealand swimmers. The visit to the Dominion had been very interesting, and he and Taris were very grateful for the cordial welcome that had been given them in Christchurch. The welcome was concluded with the playing of the National Anthem and the Marseillaise. JiOUNKY AMATEUR CLL'B The rt-.-ii itof :iie races -v.um in the 11 <>i• ij I. Bath- on Sunday v. i.tc: — /.') Yanl- f'liili C!i;i m pi"ir-li i ] I---\V. Minimis I' l.l'l"I;nn (.:<| i: ai I 1. .1. Owrri-tt IS. |M, Yar.l- ( iim | .in n -1: i o—l'. OM-'h nn 1. W. liarrpit :i. Tim.\ 7'Jsrc. Yank (lui. '11 ln|>ion-• 11 i|> AV. Minarris I r. U' I'l \ii n J. CaiTct! Time, It I.V-" r.oul, f.adic- 1> i \ n —Mi 1 -.-; M. j.- l. Mi-s ii. <•'!■']> ii n Mi.-- J. Tiiuinii !'. i, il,ji iok - a n'l ii l i* t»t ion \vpi-" rarriod „, !t i,,. s .. v ..|"il Chri'-tHinreli -'.vininu'i's, in,l i ri. K'noH. ,1. .Minn I>. f'liir!;, (I. '"'o Y'\RD C '> ATE BOYS' SCRATCH RACE 11. RipipiT <E:;t Christchurch) ..1 N. Stokes (East Christclutrch> . . .. 2 K. Cutting (East Christchurch) . . 3 T'mc, 'lO :>3 ;ec. Wen by a feci. MED',FY E ! 'l. A . CMvtcliurrh-Unilrtl 'C. hew, ■!. Bruce. N. S. Batciicloi', and A. T. iiolam) -■ ..1