A Re-elected President.

This season marks the jubilee of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, and it is pleasing to record that the President of that body, Mr. R. W. McVilly, has been returned to office once again. Mr. McVilly, for many years General Manager of the N.Z. Railways, has long been a stalwart of amateur athletics in New Zealand and, at a time when several radical changes were made in the personnel of the executive, his value was realised by the Wellington Centre when he was re-elected for a further term of office.

Sportsmanship in New Zealand.

A few weeks ago a prominent Canterbury sportsman voiced strong opinions reflecting on the sportsmanship, or lack of it, which had been evident in New Zealand this winter. To the credit of New Zealanders his views were favourably received and, no doubt, many who were carried away with excess zeal will have regretted their actions. But, somehow, the Canterbury sportsman's views came to my mind as I watched the finals of the St. Patrick's College boxing championships a few days later. Here I saw sportsmanship par excellence. The victor in a willing bout would be congratulated by the loser, patted on the shoulder as well as having his hand shaken … Then the winner would hold the ring ropes apart while the loser left the ring. Surely these lads have assimilated the difference between sport and sportsmanship! They have knowingly or unknowingly grasped the true conception of the lines:

“When the Great Recorder comes to write against your name
He'll ask not if you won or lost,
But how you played the Game!”

New Zealand's “Lofty” Blomfield.

Wrestling his way to success through the elimination tournament conducted in New Zealand this winter, Blomfield, the young New Zealand wrestler is now to be matched with the world title holder Nagurski in Los Angeles early in the New Year. The rise of Blomfield is a romance of sport and whereas he wrestled in America a few short seasons ago as one of the rank and file he will return as a logical challenger to the world crown. After fulfilling that important bout in America, Blomfield will travel to England to prove his worth in the cradle of British sporting activities.

International Boxing.

An Italian boxing team recently visited America to compete against an American amateur team. Premier Benito Mussolini's message to the Italian team was read to the members as they stripped for the fray. It read (translated): “You must be tenacious, sporty and sprightly. Remember that when you fight outside your borders, your strength, and, above all, your spirit is pledged at that moment to the sporting honour and prestige of the nation.”

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