CATHOLIC YOUTH

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 263, 30 June 1932, Page 2

CATHOLIC YOUTH

BRILLIANT SPRINTER FORSAKES TRACK CAREER FOR PKIESTHOOD. J. A. CARLTON'S EXAMPLE. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Applause followed the reading -of a letter from J. A. Carlton, the noted Australian sprinter, at thie annual meeting last evening of the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Association and Catholic Club. Carlton was last in New Zealand in February, 1931, when he competed against and defeated the American sprinter, George Simpson, at Athletic Park. That season he was in brilliant form, and he was looked upon as a strong candidate for honours at the Olympic Games at Los Angeles this year. However, not long after he returned to Australia advice was received that he was giving up his track career to enter the Sacred Heart Apostolic School, Douglas Park, New South Wales, with a view to taking holy orders. When he was in Wellington on his last visit the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Association and Catholic Club entertained Carlton. In his letter to the cluh, read last evening, Carlton, in reply to the club's congratulations on his nomination for the Australian Olympic Games team., said he appreciated the congratulatory message, particulary as he still had very real and tender memories of the unboundad hospitality lavished upon him by the association. He was writing the letter from inside a seminary, and the association's good wishes for his Olympic prospects would have to be passed on to his successor. The association could he sure he would always have a soft spot in his heart and pi*ayers for his New Zealand co-Maristonians. "In sacrificing a brilliant athletic career to enter the church, Carlton has set a fine example to Catholic youth,' said the chairman, Mr. W. B. Gamble.