MISS MEGAN TAYLOR “SEEKING COMPLETE REST”.

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20730, 14 February 1939, Page 3

MISS MEGAN TAYLOR “SEEKING COMPLETE REST”.

(From a Correspondent) LONDON, January 19 Miss Megan Taylor, the 18-year-old world figure-skating champion, expects to reach New eZaland some time during August in the course of a world tour with her father, Mr Phil Taylor, the well-known professional skater. They leave London at the end of this month for six months in America. From there they will continue to South Africa and Australia. “Our plans at the moment are indefinite,” Miss Taylor said this week. “I do not intend to skate in New Zealand. I am looking forward to a complete rest.” Miss first attracted national attention at the age of eleven. She was chosen by the National Skating Association to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games on Lake Placid. She was women’s champion of Britain from 1932 to 193 4, when she strained & muscle in her back and announced a short retirement. Last February she won the world title from Miss Cecilia Colled ge, at Stockholm, and the girls were estranged until last

December, when they decided to be friends again. Described as temperamental, with a shrewd showmanship, dark, and rather pretty, Miss Taylor has had tempting offers from Hollywood. One was for £IO,OOO. Her reply was: "Films must wait. I want the Olympic title first.” Her name has been associated with that of Mr Joseph P. Kennedy, junr., son of Mr J. P. Kennedy, United States Ambassador in London. Miss Taylor denied an attachment. “We are definitely not engaged,” she said. “We are just good friends.” The report of her engagement to Mr G. Klausen, of Denmark, was also denied. Miss Taylor has travelled fairly extensively on the Continent with her father, who teaches skating and is renowned for his trick skating on stilts. Last March, in Vienna, while wearing a swastika badge, not from political leanings, but because she liked it, she entered a Jewish shop to make a purchase. Nazis immediately approached her and luld her she could not enter the shop wearing the swastika badge. She had to be given police protection.