ATHLETICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2417, 4 February 1909, Page 2

ATHLETICS.

A SOUTH AFRICAN VISIT

An arrival at Wellington from Capetown the other day was Mr. Stanley S. Dean, la to secretary of tho Grafton Football Club, Auckland, and keen supporter of amateur -athletics. Mr. Dean informed a “Dominion, reporter that he. intended to make inquiries in athletic circles in . the Dominion .as to what support won Id be afforded for a proposed visit of a team .of South African athletics. Reginald Walker, the world's champion sprinter, was very anxious to make one of such a team. He intended to visit England in September, and avou ld. go from there to America. He would like to visit Ncav Zealand and Australia on his tvay back to South Africa. The team Avould also probably include Duckeiy the long jumper, sprinter, and hurdler; Venter, the cyclist; Duffey, the sprinter; Frank Slihav, cyclist ; Stupart ,hurdler and high jumper ;and Hcffcron, the Marathon runuer. All of these men represented South Africa at the Olympic games. They would like to come to Ncav Zealand in December. Mr Dean added that on his arrival at Auckland he AA'ould place the matter before the Auckland centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, and later before the Ncav Zealand body. Mr. Coombes, of the Sydney “Referee,” had promised to open up negotiations in Australia. Great efForts had been made to induce Walker to- take to professionalism, but Mr. Dean did not think he Avas at all likely to do so. It Avas further stated by Mr. Dean that the South African footballers were very anxious to secure a' visit from a New Zealand Rugby team, and if it. could *be arranged lie thought a very interesting tour would

result. He believed there was every prospect of an Association team from this, country visiting South Africa in the near future.