The Value of Coaching.

Wellington athletes have been slow to show appreciation of the coaching being given by Mr. A. L. Fitch, American athletic coach under engagement to the Wellington and Canterbury Centres of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, but the athletes of Canterbury, where training facilities are much better, have been taking a keen interest. D. Herman, who won the national shot-putting title last season with an effort of 40ft. 9 3/4in., has been exceeding 43ft. in competition this season. The only other New Zealand competitor to reach this distance in competition was Peter Munro, who won the title on thirteen occasions. Other athletes to show improvement under Fitch's coaching include Eric Phillips, who has beaten the New Zealand broad jump record in training and gone close to the best performance by a New Zealander in a high jump.