“IN THE MR”

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12605, 16 November 1926, Page 9

“IN THE MR”

QUESTION OF ATHLETIC TOUR UNPLEASANTNESS IN AMERICA DETAILS OF VISIT NOT YET TO HAND Nothing definite has been received by the New Zealand Council of the Amateur Athletic Association relative to the proposed tour of American athletes. The latest cable advice to hand from Mr C. G. Krogness, senior New Zealand delegate in the United •States, points out that he is awaiting the decision of the United States Amateur Athletic Union on November 16th (to-day) in regard to the tour. Richardson is available, but he has not succeeded in securing Osborn, and as an alternative is endeavouring to secure the services of Kuck and Freida, two good all-round athletes. A further communication explains that it is as yet uncertain that sanction to the tour will be granted by the committee of foreign relations of the A.A.U. and the International A.A.F., jis they have experienced so much difficulty and unpleasantness resulting from tourß in the United States of Paavo Nurmi and Charles Hoff, and also the proposed round-the-world tour of L. Murchison and Charles Paddock. Sanction for American athletes to visit New Zealand, however, was under consideration, and, while the committee may bo induced to sanction it, they may, on the other hand, decide to withhold the sanction and permit because of the criticism to which they Woqld bo subjected if they granted the tour and declined the European invasion. Richardson is described as the best half-miler in America, with proper training, and with a little starting practice can beat most of the 220yds sprinters. Kuck puts the shot almost 50ft, and throws the javelin almost 220 ft, but whether he can get away or not is questionable. Harry Freida, according to Mr Ivrogness, is the next all-round man after Osborn, and for four years represented the University of Chicago in track , and field events. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs R. W. McVilly, G. H. Lusk, R. Connop, E. G. Guy, J. Heenan, and L. A. Tracey was appointed to go into the question of the tou'r with power to act.