Out Door Sports

Observer, Volume XV, Issue 828, 6 October 1894, Page 5

Out Door Sports

By ' Harrier.'

COMING EVEN TS. Dec. B— A.A.A. and C.C. Carnival.

ATHLETIC.

At a meeting held last week for the purpose of forming a Cash Amateur Cycling Club twenty-three ot- those present intimated their willingness to join. Cycling is no doubt considerably more expensive than any other branch of athletics, and it is therefore not surprising that a number of riders are glnd of an opportunity of making a little towards expenses; but why call themselves ' Cash Amateurs?' Why Amateurs at all ? I never heard of Cash Amateur Athletic Clubs, Cash Amateur

Rowing Clubs, or Cash Amateur anything else but Cycling Clubs. In any other branch of sport where a person competes for money prizes, he is termed a professional, and why not also in cycling ? lam not aware of any valid reason why persons so disposed .should not compete for cash prizes, rather the contrary ; but I hardly think the proposed movement would succeed in Auckland at present. A programme of cycling events alone would not be sufficient attraction to the Auckland public, with whom the Amateur Athletic and Cycling Clnb is deservedly popular, and the fear of losing their amateur status in other departments of sports will deter many young men from joining the club. Footballers will be pleased to learn that "W. Wynyard has returned to Auckland. An effort is being made in Christchurch to form a New Zealand cricket association. I am informed that C Stone has left Parnell and joined the Auckand C.C. Why is this thus ? Our yachting men are all busy scraping aW painting and otherwise preparing for the coming season. Henry Donald has decided to cast in his lot with Parnell. He will be a valuable acquisition to that club's second eleven. Bubear is stated to be still anxious for another match with Tom Sullivan. He says he is ready to row the New Zealander for £100 a side, or with W. Barry for a partner, will take lOsec start from Sullivan and Harding in a double sculling match, from Putney to Mortlake, for £200.

Mr Chatfield is having a new fourrater built by C. and W. Bailey, who have also in hand a fishing boat for Messrs Cowe and Gains, Parnell. It is expected that quite a number of foreign cricket teams will visit Auckland thiS season, but so far the only definite arrangements made is one with the Fijian players. The Wanderers Cricket Club, winnejs of the first junior championship last season, have lost several good men which will somewhat discount their chance this year. The Domain authorities made no mistake in placing the cricket ground in charge of the veteran Yate3. The tarf is in better order thnn I ever remember to have seen it at this time of year. A hint for the Aiickland Young Men's Christian Association. The Christchurch V.M.C.A. possesses a rowing club with an active membership of forty-eight. Go ye and do likewise. The Auckland Rowing Club held its 25th annual meeting last week. This club seems to be a real live institution, excellently managed, and in every way deserving of the success it appears to have ( gained. A statement made by Mr Seftou in Sydney, will be interesting reading to those pessimists who are always decrying Auckland football. Here it is : — ' Taranaki and Auckland showed far better combination than we aiterwards saw. Auckland's last two tries were real masterpieces, and could not be surpassed by anything in the world.' That was a very suitable suggestion of Mr Holle's at the meeting of the Auckland Cricket Association, viz., that the committee should endeavour to obtain the services of properly qualified gentlemen to act as umpires during this season. If an association were formed upon similar lines to the Referee's association of the Rugby Union, it would be a great boon to players, juniors especially. At the annual meeting of the Canterbury Cricket Association it was stated that in batting averages for the whole colony, in representative matches, four Canterbury players beaded the list. Mr H. De Maus, with an average of 5025 for five innings, stood first ; then followed Mr J. D. Lawrence witb an average of 47 for four innings ; Mr L. A. Cuff 42"83 for six innings; and Mr A. E. Ridley 39*5 for three innings. In bowling averages for interpiovincial matches, Canterbury men also occupied good positions, Mr W. Dru being at the head of the list, while Messrs W. Pearce and H. De Maus were among the first five. Mr Manager Sefton of the New South Wales football team has been interviewed in Sydney, and stated in reply to a question regarding the statement that some of the members had misconducted themselves. ' The reports are absolutely untrue. They were the quietest lot of footballers I have ever seen together, especially for the number, viz., 28. It was a great exception to find even one of them out after 11 p.m.' I'm glad he thinks so. All our local cricket clubs have held their annual meetings and are now only waiting for the advent of fine weather to commence active operations So far as I can learn there will be very little change in the personnel of the various Senior elevens. None of the clubs have gained any new men of any standing, but several have to regret the loss of prominent members, notably Auckland who have lost Lloyd, Quentary and Lundon. Gordon who lament the absence of Fowke and Morseby, and Parnell who lose W.Gardiner. Judging from the large attendance at the annual meeting of the Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, and the interest taken in the proceedings, its members are more fully alive <o their responsibilities than is the case in most other local athletic bodies. The Club's operations during the last season have resulted in a loss of £12 11s 3d, entirely owing to the failure of the Schools' Championship meeting, which was held at a most unfortunate time. Notwithstanding this lo3s however, the Club is able to show a satisfactory balance of assets over liabilities of £205.