Wells, William John Parker Biography 1971

WELLS, William John Parker
Farmer, Taranaki
Born: Auckland, 16 May 1916, son of JF Wells; married 1939 Barbara, daughter of IM Leonard; 4 daughters
Education: Ratapiko, New Plymouth Boys High School
Dairy farming since; professional athletics since 1932; Taranaki mile ½ mile 1935, mile 1936, 1937, mile 1938, ½ mile 1939 (and NZ mile champ); ½ mile 1 mile Taranaki champ 1939; ½ mile, NZ Cent mile champ (4m 23 s) Wellington 1940; coached Stratford to 1945 when reinstated amateur; won WC (North Island) 3m champ, 2nd NZ 3m champ; WC & Wellington 3 & 1m champ, 3m NZ champ (Wanganui), reduced Auckland-Onehunga road race 7m to 35m 55s 1946; 6m track record New Plymouth (30m 45s) 1947 broke Napier-Hastings 13m, Waitara-New Plymouth 10m, Whangaehu-Wanganui 8½ m, Rotorua 6½ m; when training Olympic Games broke NZ track records 10, 15 miles; excluded Games as ex-professional; NZ harrier champs 1948; to Australia 1949 YMCA [Young Men’s Christian Association] team, winning 880 yards, 1 m Australian & NZ tournament; broke own 6 m record 1950; vice-president Taranaki Tennis Association 1961-
Recreation: athletics, tennis, swimming, workshop enthusiast
Private address: 131 Mangorei Rd, New Plymouth