A SPORTSMAN’S NOTEBOOK

Dunstan Times, Issue 3518, 20 April 1931, Page 6

A SPORTSMAN’S NOTEBOOK

Then* are many Rugby enthusiasts v. ho will agree with the remarks of Mr Dan M‘Keiizie concerning the interpretations of the rules of the game in connection with the tour of the British team. Mr M'lvenzie is one of the keenest judges ol Rugby in the dominion, and as president of the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association for many years lie has rendered great service to the game. Mi; M‘Kenzie would he voicing the opinions of all who have the best interests of the game at heart when lie asserted that a golden opportunity was lost during the tour of the British learn by not arranging a conference to discuss rules and interpretations with Mr Baxter, manager of the British team. As he stated, the conference would have brought nearer the day when the same Rugby would be placed the world over. Although it appears that Now Zealand will now fall into line with the rules of the International Board, it is just a matter of opinion as to whether the interpretations given hy the New Zealand rules are not better in the spirit of the laws than those in vogue in England, and uniformity can lie reached only when the legislators of the, game are able to meet in a round-table conference. For that reason, therefore, no opportunity should be lost by the New Zealand Rugby Union in the future oi seeing to it that when overseas tours are being arranged some effort should be made for responsible men from both sides to get together with a view to discussing interpretations of the rules. ft will probably he generally agreed that the rules of Rugby do not need to he tinkered with. The game is attractive as it is, but that is not to say that interpretations do not vary, and hy holding conferences among the Rugby-playing countries from time to time nothing but good could be achieved.

There is no organised boxing in Otago Central, bat that is not to say that the sportsmen of that area do not love a mill all the same. A Dunedin boxing man lias just returned from Central with a story that is worth re peating. The locale was Miller’s Flat. A certain ex-Dunedin amateur, member of Archie Leckie’s school, was working on a farm in the district, and, being a quiet, unassuming lad, made little mention of his boxing prowess, which is pretty fair, to say the least. In the course of conversation, however, ho happened to mention that he had been in Archie Leckie’s school, and it was not long before tlie news travelled across the bill to an adjoining farm It happened that employed on this farm was a husky young fellow who had considerable faith in his ability as a boxer, and, making for the neighbouring farm, he threw out an invitation for the Dunedin lad to do a little sparring the following week. Still as quiet as ever, the ex-amateur declared that be was not in form, and that he bad done but little for some time. However, so insistent was the local man that the Dunedin boy agreed to have a spar on a day that was arranged. When the date arrived the Dunedin boxer was surprised to find that quite a crowd had assembled in the wool shed belonging to the farm on which be worked. He was more surprised when his rival walked in and said: “I think this had better he a fight to a finish.” Naturally enough he demurred a little, but finally he again deferred to the wishes of the confident one, and the pair stripped to the waist. It was a fight to a finish! The Dunedin boy fought ns well as ever lie did. and when it was over the local man perhaps was wishing he had not been so insistent. The story caused not a little amusement in the district, and it only goes to show after all that appearances are inclined to he deceptive.

Broadsiding had a lingering finish so far as the present season was concerned, imt New Zealand is not the only place in which the speedways have found that it is essential to introduce variety in order to hold tin* crowds. An English pa pen - gives particulars of an attempt to introduce variety into the sport, though it is ol the freak class, ft is a new speedway wheel, which consists of hard rubber balls—the size ol tennis halls—studded round the rim, and which will enable the machine, it is calculated, to bo turned in the minimum ol space According to the inventor it will actually enable riders to turn ‘‘square corners” without swinging out ' Efforts are being made to hi-ing a team of New Zealanders to (treat Britain this summer (according to an English writer). It is probable that they will tour as a team, in which case their clash with the best British League sides will provide variety to the programme.