Out Door Sports.

By ' Harrier.'

CItIOKET FIXTUKES. Senior. November 2. — Auckland v. United ; Parnell v. Gordon. First Juniok. November 2.— Pousonby v. Belmont; Onehunga v. Pitt-street Mutual ; North Shore v. Gordon ; Parnell v. United ; Auckland stand out. Second Junioe. November 2. — Clarence v. Auckland; Belmont Ay. North Shore B ; North Shore A V. Surrey; Grammar School v. Gordon; United v. Ponsonby ; Parnell v. Belmont B.

Ffton recent advices it appears that Rugby footballers in the North of England have taken the bull by the horns with a vengeance. At a meeting of representatives of 22 Yorkshire and Lancashire clubs held at Huddersfield on August 29th, it was decided to form a new Northern Union on the basis of payment for broken time. This action is evidently the outcome of the formulation by the English Union of a fresh set of laws relating to professionalism with the avowed object of destroying the ' veiled professionalism ' suspected to exist in the north of England. For several years past, the Yorkshire clubs have been endeavouring to secure a sufficient relaxation of the laws to permit of the payment to players of actual out of pocket expenses (including loss of wages) incurred whilst playing for their clubs, but every proposition to that effect has been successfully combatted by the Southern clubs, who object to the innovation as being the introduction of the thin end of professionalism pure and simple. Aud this is really the gist of the whole matter. On the face of it, it is highly improbable that players will long be satisfied with payment for broken time only. If the principle of payment is once recognised, m however modified a form, out-and-out professionalism is sure to follow with all its attendant evils, of which betting is otic of the least, and from which Rugby football has, so far, been remarkably free. For these and other reasons I should be glad to hear of the collapse of the new movement, but have very little hope of such a result, seeing that the working men, who comprise the bulk of Northern players, will naturally cling to a system which provides their sport free of cost, and if on trial it is found that the various clubs' finances can bear the strain, professionalism will be an accomplished fact. Then, as the London Sportsvian puts it, ' The Rugby game will consist of two classes : amateurs and professionals.'

J. Kilgour, the Parnell junior crack bowler, will not play this season, by doctor's orders. F. M. Jervis, who has for some time been stationed at Dargaville, has been transferred back to Auckland. The Parnell Cricket Club will lose the services of a promising bat in B. Totman, who leaves for New Plymonth this month. It is quite probable that one or two of the best cash riders in Australia will visit New Zealand about the beginning of next year. N.Q. cricket match. Bowler appealing: 'How's that?' Umpire: 'How many is he? Bowler-: 'Ten.' Umpire (decidedlyj : Hout.' Judging by present appearances, another week or so will see all the yachts in the harbour out in all the glory of new paint and canvas. An offer was lately made by a Wellington man to Mr H. Haines for the purchase of the yacht Ngaire, but at latest advices they had not come to terms. J. Megson, the Australian champion cyclist, in responding to the principal toast at a spread, given in honour of his 22nd birthday, said he hoped to be able to lower Zimmerman's coloars. Let us boast. Yachting is becoming more popular in Auckland every year, and although the harbour already boasts a large mosquito fleet, there is still room for more, aa is evidenced by the fact that all the boats available for hiring purposes are taken up long before the season commences.

Mr J. Scott, an experienced oarsman from Is'ew South Wales, has been elected honorary coach to the WaitemataCity Boating Club. On account of the Domain being otherwise engaged on Saturday, the Championship Cricket matches will not commence until the 2nd November. The Waitemata-^ity Boating Club did a very graceful thing at their annual meeting in making George Rloore, a very old member of the clnb, and formerly its vice captaiu, a life member thereof . ' - The handicap race for cruisers included in the programme of the Ponsonby Regatta should attract a large number of competitors of a class which are not fast enough to compete with the racing machines now being built. The new 5-rater built by Mr Watts in Cook-street is having the lead put on her keel and will shortly be launched. She is a very roomy boat, but having been started some two or three years ago she is not on quite up to date lines. Dame Rumour hath it that Henry Donald is full up of senior cricket and intends to throw in his lot with Belmont, the crack junior team of last season. But there is no dependence to be placed on the old dame, she is such an awful liar. There is some talk of the cricket matches being continued on the 9th November. Should the Association so decide, I am afraid many of the teams will be but poorly represented; as the majority of players have already made other arrangements for that day. Staubury states he is fully prepared to accept Harding's challenge as soon as he has completed arrangements, and will cable his acceptance. He would prefer the Parramatta to the Thames, but will let nothing stand in the way of the match. If he cannot beat Harding he had better knock off rowing altogether. If all the items included in the programme of the Ponsonby Regatta attract good entries, an enjoyable afternoon's sport should result. There is little doubt that the sailing events, of which there are five different classes, will fill well, seeing that such a lot of new boats have been built with a view to racing. The inclemency of the weather on Saturday last meant a good deal of disappointment to a great many people, the Cricket and Rowing Associations and the Cycliug and Bowling Clubs having all fixed upon that day for the opening of the respective seasons. In this climate, when man proposes, it is always necessary to introduce as a saving clause, ' if the weather disposes.' While playing for Lancashire against Leicestershire, Paul, who visited the colony witn the team of English footballers, was etruck on the left breast, just above the heart, by a fast ball from Woodcock. He was removed to the hospital, and examination showed that the blow had been of such severity as to injure the lung. When the mail left Paul was recovering, but had not been able to leave the hospital. G. W. Burston, the well-known tourist, and president of the Melbourne Bicycle Club, who is at present in New Zealand on a tour round the world, informed 'Rover,' of the Canterbury Times, that Zimmerman was the best rider he had ever seen. Megson, he said, was the fastest rider in Australia when he left Melbourne a month ago, and Zimmerman was as much ahead of Megson as the latter was superior to the other riders in Australia. The foolish practice of looking round when racing on the path cannot be too strongly condemned. On the principal tracks of the world a severe punishment is inflicted on racing men who look round, especially if it is done in the last lap of a race. Otto Ziegler, the American crack, recently had his arm broken in two places throngh this cause. He was riding at full speed, when one of the leading riders looked back, causing a racer to swerve and fall in front of Ziegler, who also fell over him and turned a couple of somersaults.