HASKINS HERE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1076, 15 March 1911, Page 9

HASKINS HERE.

A CHAMPION TREKS HOMEWARD. INTERESTING INTERVIEW. "I will leave Auckland to-morrow and make America via Vancouver. 1 will go straight to Philadelphia, and I intend to go into training there with the university team under my old trainer 'Mike' Murphy, and then—England."

Such was the summarised programme outlined to a Dominion reporter who interviewed Dr. G. Haskins, the longdistance champion runner, yesterday, prior to his departure by the' Main Trunk express. Dr. Haskins is one of the New Zealand representatives in the Australasian team of athletes which is to compete at the Festival of Empire Sports in connection with the Coronation. ,

How long will you put in at Philadelphia? asked the reporter. ''Well, 1 reckon on being there about six weeks," was the reply. "I expect to run a few races in America," added Haskins, in reply to a further question, "and," ho said, "if it is possible for me to come back to my best form in the.time I should do it. If I can't get back in the time I'll never get back. As far as I can see at present, however, there is nothing to prevent me getting right back to the best I've ever done."

As far as he knows at present, Haskins expects to cross to England with his old running mate Cartmell, who won the 220 yds. English championship last year, and who has now joined the professional ranks. What time,are you allowing yourself in England before the Festival:' —"Oh, I'll bo there in good time—a week before the trials. between -myself-, and Wheatlcy of Australia, which tria]s will decide which of us will represent Australasia at the Festival."

- "After tho championship I'm going to France and Germany, and I expect to get back hero about the beginning of- September," were the parting words of the New Zealand representative as the train bore him oft' on tlio first, stage of. the long journey to the British convincing ground.

In 1907, Haskins, when at his very best, defeated tho cream of American inter-collcgiatc runners in the half-mile and mile American University championships, his times being lmin.-57- 1-oscc, and 4min. 20sec. respectively. His best time for the half-mile is lmin. 57scc. Since lie. settled down in New Zealand, Haskins has done some running, which includes'.! record for the 1000 yds., but ho has not followed'the sp:flt\vith the seriousness which charr£teriscd his track life in America.