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Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1924, Page 2

enoirr continues to play a great part in toe world’s happenings. f i he Olympic contests are now holding great attention, the presence of overseas competitors adding <|uito a personal interest to tin* contests. The All Blacks are advertising New Zealand across the Tasman Sea, and soon on the other side of the world, will he continuing their good work. The tact that a West Coaster, who is to be honored here on. Friday night, will be a member of tlie team will of course increase, the local interest in the doings of the team in England, Wales and Frame. Our greatest ambassador, the Prince of Wales, is to visit the United States next month on a sporting tour with England’s polo team and is taking his own stable with him. This, too, will be a visit of great interest and import so far its drawing together the English-speaking people of the world is concerned. These events nil help to emphasise the part spoit plays in our lives nationally. It is sport which moves a tuition more unitedly than any other phase of public life. For thitt reason it would lie well to see to it that all branches of sport are kept straight and honorable. Last week in Wellington the racing and trotting authorities met in annual conference, and some notable addresses were delivered ail aiming at the | urity of the sport There is little occasion to doubt the sincerity of those at the head of our great sporting institutions such as rating and trotting. Year by year they are zealous in the elfort of so hedging the conduct of the sport that all will be fair and above board. Sport so conducted will retain the public support, and there is no doubt where the public patronage is in relation to the two hramhc.s of sport just referred to. It is well that it is so. Racing has been described as toe sport of Kings. In this country it is the sport of the masses and it has a reputation second to none. That achievement is due to the sincerity and purpose of those directing the sport, and aiming always at the greatest good for the greatest number enjoying their adopted pastime on the turf.

Tjif. Olympiad Games on this occasion ns previously, have disclosed that Britain has her peers in the world o 7 snort. The great international contests bring the super-men to the fore, and the present is not any exception. Finland stands out pre-eminently in athletics for winged-heeled athletes Nurmi’s feats are wonderful, and is an instance of what sport can do in the development of speed. But some one has remarked that men of Nurmi's calibre are l>orn and not made. Stall, America, in partieuJar has ■brought specialisation in athletic training to a fine art. and along those lines of development the records of the great Nurnti may yet be equalled. But for a long time Nurmi will stand on a pinnacle of fame, for he is a wonder man. and best of all there are other Finns who show marked prowess also. Athletics are a splendid field for competition anti emulation. Tho omnteurs

disporting themselves at the Olympiad striving for the laurel crown are surely the salt of the atlilotic world. Their great achievements will stimulate a more healthy and reviving spirit in the sphere of athletics, and that useful development will not do the human race any harm, whatever the nationality of the competitor.

Aritoros the subject of sport, all New Zealand to-day will bo rejoicing over the decisive win of the All Blacks in the filial match in Sydney yesterday. Tt was the third test. In tho previous games, each team had a win each, so that the game yesterday was in the nature of a conqueror. In sporting parlance flic All Blacks made no race of it. The score was of cricket dimensions. suggesting that at last the visitors were all out, determined to show whnt they could do. In the four games played in Australia, the New Zealanders have won three and lost one, putting up 111 points against their opponents, while the Xow South Wales representatives of Rugby recorded 38 points against New Zealand. The figures are impressive. They place the impress of superiority on the All Black team and will give increased confidence to the supportel's as affecting the probable results of the English tour. Tho team will be returning to New Zealand next week and will be sure to receive a fitting welcome. Nothing succeeds like success, and that adage is true, particularly in tho world of sport. The team will he augmented and reinforced for tho Home tour, sailing wards the end of the month iliy the Roniuern. It will carry with it the united good wishes of all New Zealand.