Canterbury Scoop the Pool

They came here with the Tournament Shield and the Tennis Cup. After a brief stay—and we hope pleasant—they left with the Tournament Sheild, the Tennis Cup, the Haslam Shield, the Boxing Shield, the Hebberley Shiled, several athletic records and an achievement never before equalled in the N.Z.U. Tournament. With possibly one exception, namely the Tennis, there was no question of luck—they won convincingly. We salute you, Canterbury.

V.U.C. again gained the insignia of the losers-but only just. We'd have missed those spoons anyway.

That Tournament was a success there can be no doubt. The competition was keen, the competitors in many cases outstanding. Perhaps the race that will be remembered will be Boot's half. To make such a time on a track never really fast says much for his quality.

Of the friendships formed and the ideas exchanged, time alone will show. In the years to follow, Tournament will always linger freshest in our memories. We of V.U.C. can only hope that our visitors enjoyed the Tournament 1936 as well as we have enjoyed theirs.

Although an improvement on Dunedin's blizzard of the 1935 nothing better than a typical Wellington summer day. Another day like Easter Saturday wouldhave seen even more records broken.

Olympic Representative.

Boot's 880 was thus a better effort than even the superb time of 1 min. 54 4-5 secs. represents. Team work, inthis race, was, as usual a feature of Canterbury's performance. The high average ability of the Canterbury men was remarkable and had its reward in the new relay record. Carmichael, previously considered just a good sprinter has now graduated into the record-breaking class. Anderson's hurdling at Tournaments has been notable for its consitently high level. This year was no exception-a very fine performance. Blake had it all his own way in the pole vault, despite a good effort by the versatile Vosailagi. Canterbury's success in field events of recent years is peculiar. Perhaps excellent facilities and the absence of an active cricket club at C.U.C. are responsible.

The palm for the gamest run of the meeting must go to Watt. Preparation: A few before-breakfast canters round the deck of the "Kitano Maru" plus a bare three weeks' training. Result: Second fastest time in the history of the race. How's that for natural ability? Well run, Jimmy.

Some Worthy Efforts.

The small Auckland team stuck to its guns manfully and deserves full marks for refusing to collect the wooden spoon. The mile walk provided an unusally exciting contest between two stylish performers. As expected, Cameron, a former national champion, proved a tough proposition, but Tom Birks was by no means disgraced since the time was the thid fastest recorded so far in this event. Currie, although fourth, must have walked about 7 min. 21 sec., good time for a novice. Our lone star, Phil Bowie, once more showed that for style he is without peer in New Zealand to-day. Abraham's record in the 220 yards hurdles was most encouraging - two years ago he was just a trier who struggled clumsily over the hurdles-an object lesson in sheer concentration and grit. Lindsay Black was disappointing in the 880 but in the mile, was another pleasant surprise. He ran a race out of the box, finishing magnificently in his fastest mile to date. McIntosh was a big disappointment. We expected more than 5 ft. 6 in. from the 1935 champion. But since Sceats, V.U.C. has never had a first-class high jumper. On the whole, the team was most uninspiring. The fault does not lie with the fellows themselves who, despite repeated failures, are wonderfully keen. At present we simply have not got the mateial. However inter-faculty sports unearthed some promising freshers and next year should see a definite improvement. We may even lose that fixture, the wooden spoon.

Anyway, we did win the tug-of-war, we did win the "hooley" and we did "pinch" Otago's stone-hearted mascot. We excel in contests for which no points are awarded.