Mr. T. W. (“Dorrie”) Leslie.

A tribute to a world-renowned athletics official, Mr. T. W. (“Dorrie”) Leslie, was paid by the Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association when it appointed him manager of its team to compete at the New Zealand track and field championships at Napier early in March.

Formerly one of New Zealand's greatest track walkers—he once set a world record for one mile at Napier—“Dorrie” Leslie has been official starter in Wellington since 1905, following on the sensational incident when Mr. G. Watson sent Duffey, the American sprinter, off the track for “breaking.” For many years Mr. Leslie provided his own ammunition while carrying out his duties as honorary starter, but the increasing popularity of track sport in Wellington made it necessary for the centre to relieve him of that responsibility. In a season it is estimated he uses 3,000 rounds of ammunition.

In 1932, Mr. Leslie was a starter at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, earning the highest praise for his efficient starting. He fired the first shot at the Games—I have the engraved cartridge case—and also the last shot.

Mr. J. Sigfurd Edstrom, of the International Amateur Athletic Federation, the world controlling body in amateur athletics, assured me, when he passed through Wellington in 1937, that Mr. Leslie would have been appointed Olympic starter at Berlin but for the decision to place Germany on an honour test, in view of the racial feeling that had been introduced, the Germans being asked to supply all key officials. He was definite, however, that Mr. Leslie would receive an invitation to be starter at the Games in Tokyo.

Since then the Games have been transferred to Helsinki—on the other side of the world—and it is more than likely that the distance to be travelled will prove a bar to an invitation being sent to Mr. Leslie. Under the circumstances it is almost certain that European officials will be appointed.

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