“COME TO STAY"

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12615, 27 November 1926, Page 6

“COME TO STAY"

ATHLETICS FOR WOMEN GISBORNE LADIES WELCOMED. The opinion that the sphere of athletics that embraces the fair sex has come to stay in the Dominion was expressed yesterday when a reception was tendered to the Gisborne ladies’ relay team, which is to meet the Wellington champion four on the Basin Reserve to-day. Councillor W. H. Bennett, in the unavoidable absence of the Mayor (Mr C. J. B. Norwood), presided over an attendance of about forty, and extended a cordial welcome to the visitors. He trusted that their stay in the city would be favoured with propitious weather conditions. Although the appearance of ladies on the athletic field was only a recent development they were now by no means a small attraction so far as the general publio was concerned. He had no doubt but that the visitors would give a good account of themselves, and prove their general sporting qualifications. Wellingtonians, he pointed out, appreciated the visit, and would reciprocate by paying periodical visits to Gisborne, if not annual then bi-annual. The president of the Wellington centre (Mr A. C. Kitto) trusted that the visitors’ stay in the city would be pleasant. He referred to the part that Mr Owen Paltridge, manager of the team, had played in the development of the ladies’ club in and felt sure that, although the visitors were unable to bring their strongest team, they would put up a good fight in the relay race. In the 100 yards event there was likely to be a surprise, as Miss Eastwood was capable of covering the distance under 12 seconds. He would like to see the visits fostered, and urged the Gisborne team to keep the local ladies up to their promise. Mr li. A. Tracy, on behalf of the New Zealand Council, added his tribute, and took the opportunity of thanking the Gisborne club for including a ladies’ branch in its activities. The visitors would be the means of proving to the Hastings and Napier districts—where they competed—that the ladies’ branch of athletics had come to stay. He was pleased to notice the revival of tho sport in the Hawke’s Bay district, and appreciated the assistance that the visitors had given the clubs there. Mr Owen Paltridge and Mrs Forster, who are accompanying the team, thanked the Wellington centre for tho hospitality accorded them, and pointed out that the object of the visit was to encourage visitors between the Wellington and Gisborne clubs in every branch of the sport. Subsequently the visitors were taken for a drive around the bays, and enjoyed tho outing immensely.