SPORTS TOPICS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 241, 25 July 1935, Page 8

SPORTS TOPICS

notes from here and there. CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS. (By “Sportsman.”) July 27—Fourth Cricket Test, England v. South Africa, at Manchester. August 10—South Island Crosscountry Championship, at Timaiu. August 17—Fifth Cricket Test, England v. South Africa, at Oval. - October s—Waimate - Christchurch professional cycle road race. October 16—British Women s Golf Team v. New Zealand 1 , at Miramar (Wellington). Manager of Harrier Team. Mr C. R. White, of Wanganui, who has been appointed manager of the New Zealand cross-country team to visit Australia next week, was an Ashburton boy and 22 years ago he was captain of the Ashburton Harrier Club. ' In reply to a letter of congratulation upon his appointment, Mr White has written to Mr A. A. Oliver, ot Ashburton, recalling the early days of the harrier club in Ashburton. Mr Oliver was vice-captain of the club when Mi White held the captaincy. “The standard of performances in harrier circles has improved! greatly since our active days,” concluded the letter. The Sport of Kings. Through the ages, Kings of England havo been largely instrumental in promoting horse racing and fostering its prosperity (states an English writer). . ■ This is especially true m respect ob the Stuarts, headed by Janies 1., in the 17tli century, but in those days the sport was confined mainly to the privileged few, hence the expression “the Sport of Kings,” which is frequently applied) to racing. This Sport of Kings has become, thanks to the nobility of purpose of the late King Edward VII. and the ruling monarch, the premier sport of the people. We now live in an age of domociacy in which King George, with the inherent instinct of his father, is best pleased in the field of sport when surrounded by his subjects. Classic Motor Race. The Italian classic, the Millo Miglia, the last of the great motor races held over open road's, was won by the Italian driver Pintacuda at the record speed of 70.70 miles an hour on April 13. The winner drove an Alfa-Romeo, bis time for the, 1000 miles course being 14hr 7min'. Pintacuda averaged 70.67 miles an hour. Tadini, with another Scuderia Ferrari Alfa-Romeo, was in second place. First to arrive back at Brescia was Bertocclii (Maserati), winner of the 1100c.c. class. There was one serious accident, unfortunately involving spectators, when one of 'the competing cars skidded in a village and charged the crowd, two women being killed. England Waking Up. “For an obvious reason it would ill become us to make any comment on the individual members of the selection committee, but if wo may offer a suggestion, it is that thov should pay special attention to fielding and give youth a chance,” remarks “The Cricketer.” ‘‘The Australians brought Trumpor, Headman, McCabe, Jackson and others, hero when they were almost boys—an example which the ,South Africans have followed—and one of the best and most successful of our teams in Australia, was th.at of 1911-12, which contained no fewer than

five cricketers under 2d years of flfijo. Admittedly we have done none too well lately, but there are many line cricketers in this country, and it should be possible, gradually, to build up a keen, live side which will play with energy, enthusiasm and enjoyment, and with something .akin to 1 inspiration. “Where’s Your Dog?” At a recent Gloucestershir cricket dinner the Rev. F. H. Gillingham was in splendid form, and made the speech of the evening. One of his stories which caused considerable amusement was about the late Johnny Douglas, who, as everyone knows, took his cricket very seriously. Douglas was hatting when ho was the victim of an outrageous Lb.w. decision. Unable to let* the occasion pass in complete silence, he said to the umpire, on his way hack to the pavilion: “Where’s your dog, umpire?” “Dog, sir-? Umpires don’t require a dog!” “No, but blind men do.” Swimming Championships. The dates tentatively fixed for the New Zealand national championships at Dunedin were February 22, 24, 25 (Annette Kellermau Cup race) and 26, but since these were forwarded to the council for its views, the Otago Surf 'Life Saving Association has approachtlie Otago centre with a request that the meeting be held a week earlier to enable them to conduct the New Zealand surf chimpionships immediately afterward. ' No finality has yet been reached in regard to the dates, and the centre no doubt will he only too glad to co-operate with the Surf Association and run the swimming championships on February 15, 17, 18, and 19. As soon as the New Zealand Council approves of the programme, copies are to be sent to all the centres with a request for their views and suggestions. Tennis Ground Deteriorating. Wilding Park, probably the bestequipped and most picturesque tennis ground in New Zealand, is in danger of deterioration unless a considerable sum is raised fairly soon for maintenance and improvement. This aspect is causing deep concern to officials of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association, and an appeal has been issued to all clubs to assist in raising the necessary funds.