Jack Lovelock, New Zealand's greatest athlete, had not been ashore more than a few hours when he delivered a piece of sage advice to those who were tendering him the welcome he richly deserved. He asked that they desist from lauding the champions and concentrate on improving the ordinary, every-day competitor.

New Zealand has not yet reached the stage where a champion competitor in any field of sport is a real national idol—using the term in the sense in which American champions are considered national figures—but the tendency to glorify the winner and pass over the losers is apt to intrude if not checked.

Lovelock is a great champion on the track, but greater off it. His attitude to sport is refreshing, and his latest contribution should be given serious consideration.

Many years ago a well-known Australian journalist penned a few lines in praise of the “Also Rans”—the men who make champions possible. Without the “also rans,” the rank and file in sport, there could not be any champions, and Lovelock's word is timely.

There have been many enthusiasts clamouring for the building of cindertracks on which New Zealand's track athletes may compete, but the great majority of competitors will not be at any disadvantage if they never see a cinder-track. Lovelock has expressed his view that a good grass track is equal to a cinder-track, but that good grass tracks are scarce.

Women's Hockey in New Zealand.

Although the cabled reports have not been very lengthy, it is apparent that the Australian Women's Hockey team which competed in the International Hockey Tournament in America has met with conspicuous success. When it is considered that a New Zealand team competed in Australia last year and, suffering only one defeat in a series of matches, subsequently defeated Australia, it is evident that the class of women's hockey in New Zealand is on a high plane. One of these days our women may be given the opportunity of showing their skill in world-wide competition at hockey and bring fresh laurels to the Dominion.

Dr. A. E. Porritt's Appointment.

One of the most pleasing items of news received in New Zealand—from a sportsman's viewpoint—for a long time was the information that Dr. A. E. Porritt, New Zealand Olympic representative in 1924, had been appointed Surgeon-in-Ordinary to the Duke of York. Captain Evan A. Hunter, who visited New Zealand as manager of the British athletic team two seasons ago, sent the writer an interesting lètter in connection with Porritt's appointment. It reads:—

“As I told you continually when I was in New Zealand, the Dominion could not be better represented—not only in sport but in any capacity—by two such men as Arthur Porritt and Jack Lovelock. They are both making great names for themselves here, and it has given great pleasure to Arthur Porritt's many friends to see his recent appointment as Surgeon-in-Ordinary to H.R.H. the Duke of York. A high honour, and one which should take him right to the top of his profession. The position is not too high for him, both on account of his high surgical skill and his splendid personality.”

Captain Hunter also added some high praise for Lovelock:—

“I am looking forward to going to Sydney, and I hope to have the pleasure of crossing over to New Zealand after the Empire Games in 1938. I do not expect that we will have a very large team, but we will do our best to get as good a team as possible. The unfortunate thing is that after a long journey one can never tell how the men will perform. My opinion is that it all depends on the man. A man who really takes his work seriously, trains carefully throughout the trip, etc., will run well on arrival. The trouble is that there are many attractions on board ship and so many temptations to over-eat. It takes a strong character, a high sense of duty, and a great desire to win, to overcome them.

“If every athlete had the ‘make-up’ of Jack Lovelock there would be no difficulty for them reproducing their best times even after a long trip to Australia. He has the infinite capacity for taking pains, and great powers of concentration. It is really these qualities that have made him the World's Champion that he is. So many athletes have the ability, but not the power of concentration. They do not page 87 realise that to be a world's champion one must be sentenced to at least two years' hard labour!”

White Ball for Cricket?

An attempt to introduce a white cricket ball into the old English game will be watched with interest. It is remarkable how few changes are made in a game over a period of years, but cricket is one sport that has seen many changes during a century of play. Whether or not a white ball will replace the present red one remains to be seen, but with polo, hockey, base-ball and other similar sports already using the white ball there does seem to be room for an improvement. From the viewpoint of the spectator, a white ball would be preferred, but the players may prefer a darker object which is more easily sighted during the time it leaves the bowlers' hand and reaches playing distance.

High Standard in New Zealand Golf.

A few years ago the decision of the New Zealand Golf Championships would not create any great deal of interest, but with the gradual—or rather, rapid—leap into popularity of the Royal and Ancient Game there cannot be many sporting fixtures in New Zealand which create more interest. For months before the actual contests take place there are columns of space devoted to the course itself as well as the doings of the likely competitors. This year saw A. J. Shaw win the Open Championship for the sixth time, but he was defeated in the Professional Championship by A. Clements. John Hornabrook retained the Amateur Championship. This fine player has received an offer from Gene Sarazen, the famous American player, who is of the opinion that the young New Zealander is only in need of big match play to reach the top rungs of the golfing ladder.

Sport in Samoa.

Although Western Samoa is territory mandated to New Zealand, it is seldom considered when sporting activities come under review. Occasional visits by New Zealand cricket and football teams—and more recently a hockey team—have been New Zealand's sole contribution to the official sporting life of the island community. But there is a colony of New Zealanders at Apia which takes an active interest in all branches of sport over there.

Well-known in this colony is Brother Bernadine, formerly of Marist Brothers at Wellington and Gisborne. Brother Bernadine was noted for his interest in school sport while in New Zealand, and he has carried that enthusiasm with him to Samoa.

In a letter received a few weeks ago from him the following appears:—

“All sorts of sport—football (Rugby and Soccer), cricket, boxing, bowls, tennis, golf and horse-racing—are well catered for here. The principal citizens of the town are very public-spirited, and give practical assistance to any deserving sport. The majority of New Zealanders who come down here give great help in all lines of sport, particularly coaching.”

A newspaper forwarded by Brother Bernadine contained the report of the annual meeting of the Apia Cricket Association in which it is noted that six teams will take part in the competition this season. A recent arrival in Apia is Mr. R. A. Malone, who is Government Treasurer and Collector of Customs. He was formerly a prominent official and ex-competitor in the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Centre. He should be a valuable recruit to the sporting community.