ROSE'S TRIP.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1926, Page 4

ROSE'S TRIP.

[BY TEJ.KOIIAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, March 24. The Athletic Council has cancelled Rose’s departure next week-end, and has postponed it till April 13. The principal reason is that the lime has been too short to raise the necessary funds. Nearly £GO,') has been .subscribed, but several places have not taken action yet, or have only just begun, and the main efforts in Wellington and Wairarapa will he on March 30th and 31 st, so that the result lannol he known in time for Rose to leave on the latter day. His proposed stay in America will he cut out, so that there will be no delay i:i the time of hi.» arrival in England. in answer to a question, the Chairman. Mr AicVilly. said that if sufficient money were not collected to send two men. the trip must he called off altogether. It would never do to let Rose go by himself. They must recognise that the money had not come in so quickly as expected and special effort was needed to assure the full amount. The Council debated the question of a companion for Rose. With special reference lo Ihe remarks to Uni in Dunedin, lie inadi' the following statement to the Council : “AA'itli reference to the statements attributed to me by the press at Dunedin, l desire to state that reporters earner to me and asked me if I know who was going as my cmnpja.nion. 1 told them f had nothing to do with it. and I had no word from the New Zealand Council—not even about a companion or myself going definitely. I emphatically say that I expressed no preference at all. I mentioned nohud v.”

It is also sluted that Itoso had tiemied making any reference to *'topIliltS.” There was a record attendance at the amateur athletic sports to-day. Rose made his last appearance before leaving on his tour, but, having travelled right through from Christchurch, he was not in his best form. Neither did he meet a high enough standard to extend him. He competed and won (lie mile in 4.38. and the -hall mile from the ten yards mark in 2.3 3-5. In the mile he was never extended, and won oomfortaMy by fifteen yards. In the half-mile, which was not his distance, lie passed the second and third men in a great spurt and won right on the tape. A sale of roses in aid of the fund for his tour realised £27 Is. These were sold out early in the afternoon. Then subscription lists were opened.