SPORTS OF ALL KINDS.

Evening Star, Issue 12761, 14 March 1906, Page 3

SPORTS OF ALL KINDS.

THE TURF.March 14 and 15. Stratford..,., ....March 14 and 16. [Gossip By Old Identity .) The Forbury Hoeing Club's nominations for tho race? to l>o held on tho 24th inst. are decidedly satisfactory, and a good meeting is assmed. The. Dunedin Jockey Club have taken a definite step in tho direction of providing for the comfort, of •• outside " ' patrons! Plans are invited for the erection of a stan<l that will give scats aaxl. slieher to the crowd. Whether, when the plans come in. they will do—whether the club eau afford to carry on the work just- now—ate quot ions for eonsideration. But it ifi an earne&t of sincerity that the plans are. called for. W. Baumber 3,3 now P.adium at Forbury. This big yon of Kuroclydon ins suddenly coxni' to'the fore, and should bo useful in handicaps. St. Denis his made; a wonderful recovery under the M Kays' eareful tiealineiit, a.r:<i though it, is too much to exijecu the little chestnut to equal hk Ikthl-. teats, he may under rease.ruibl' weights g«ilk>p well in jMibiic. I>io Grande and The Happaree, inmates of J. Rutlcdtfe';; sUibio. Imvo been "adtled to the- list." " R. Kllis is wiilinjj to Tr,imo.nro.ii-:. fhrot-hn' to Vladimir), havir.-' pjtrtktNy made up hi-5 mind to shift to the North Island. An oxchnnp.-e states i.haf several of the Victorian conn Try eluHs s-c-:ni to be iisrier the. impression t'haf they can hold race meetings by givi'ijj; trophies, thus avoiding the soi!:;nv'h:it stringent conditions Avhich die V.i;,.C. r.-teni.ly'adopted with the object of sa:iafaeioriiy managing eoimt-rj-racing. T'b? V.R.C. GaiumitW have, however, dctiled that, application must in ai! caries be ramie to tlie Committee before meetings are ii.-Al at which it is intended to take adva.uUs.gr. of the favoiable conditkms moiiticarejd." A letter reKsiv--d from BitUarai, staU's that. James Scobie, tho well-known hm&> tnuzm, of Miners' H»r,t. Balkr.n, intejKl.s giving up active imnvst in ntci.ng, and devoting atteution to his farm, situated a, few mihs from Balk-rat. It is ab.> stated that I!, Lewis, the well-kn-own. light-weight joekey. ifitewk to giyo r ,j> ridint:, ami take-'charge of Scobde's :taivh.:-,. (.UU-hermo Gonio-i ha? changed hands, her ypv enrner being' Currie,\»f Wanganiii. The price paid i.=. s.;i,id to be 250 guirseaK. A post-mo!k«i. fficuniination ""made on llopa after the Wanganui Gun failed to r.how_ the cshkc of the- 'horses death. It is Mumised that he may hav ; ' broke.n a Wood vessel intennsijlv during the niw. » i; k«ne a ; ;\> it" will b;> remembered (lie questran of laving ;«i Australian Derby and St. Lege- was raised in Vietoria. One Id-esi ]mi- wu'ward was that the Y.R.C. shock! have the Australian Derby and Oaks, while the A..J.C. should take the St. Legnr. and in place of its Derbv run in Soptenbt-r an ecpiiyaient to the J-highsh 'iVo Thotus-und Guineas over a mile. The fact, however, that QueerslaJid, South Australia, iw.-d Vvtsteru Avei.ra!ia aj.-o run chrssic races was overlooked, P.nd nothing about consuliing them on. the matter was ■said. Another idea, put for>.vard bv Mr Miller, the chairman; of tho V.B-.C*. was that the DoTby shoukl b.? 11m one year at Pumdwick, :m<\ at Fkmingtoii the* next. Some refer-PHioe w;..s made "to the stibjeet at tlie litst tu:riu:.-.l g-.'nensl nwetiit;: of the Australian Jockey Club, but. says the ' Sydney Mail.* the opinic-a-; then <n:pr?fis«l were agju'nst the change. But the Y.R.C. recently revived tbe question, arid a.commimication dealing with it vraa CGiE-idered bv the A.J.C. Committee. The governing body in Sydney, ' however, in the absence of any speciho proposal, and in view of otht-r dimcnlties surromxlhig the question, decided that it wa,-- unde.srmble to alter present arrangements. A vein- of gentle .-atire runs through a letter reoeivfd by Mr Benr, Premier of Victoria:—"With a view of removino- tlie tofcaßsator from it,--, uijde.sirsbv ■'!■ vironmenta, and pbeiner its working jji a healthy and clean and to en- i sure that the people as'a' wlinie shall get a j fair share of tbe profits of the machine, is my apology for making the following suggestions." The 'Australasian' rays that the writer intimates his willingnesß to pay for the sole right, to tbe use of the totalizator in the State an annual liceiise fee. of £35,000 in advance. less than- 90 peT cent, of tbe amount invested in themachine will be returned to investors; and a special paragraph is devoted to an undertakuig that no earp : <vr t >e>-h:d! be a convicted thief, or have " wen stood his trial" for a criminal offence. A. guarantee will be yiven that at least- 25 per cent, of the net annual profits of the nwhine aud the " gross receipts of at least five Saturday nieetm-gs" each year shall I;<= devote<l to charities. In conciusioii, the writer gives his word that he is a representative of a syndicate comprising MelboTrrTu p 's "mosi woithv citizens." The documfint, which k.neatly typeWTitten. will be attached to a memorandum received by Mr Bnnt from a totalfeator proprietor laßt week, offering to take a lease of the Hemingtoti raceeou-ree. Both letters will, it is believed, come up for further considerat-on wiien ife h-rr.•».-« of the Flemington racecourse by the V.R.C ••expires in 1972. The Wangatmi Cup raoe would have, been n>or© exciting, writes "Advance," had Boomerang not been in charge all the way. The black colb had previously demonstrated at Wajngaoui in the spring" that be could get to the «nd nS a. mile, and at the Manawatu meeting at Christmas he won over ten furlongs. With who has always been regarded as ilr Walt';; Cup horse, in the race, h'tckers did not :00k for Boomerang as the winner. Had the latter onlv been started he would probably have paid 11 nKueh better price than coupted wifcli his stable mate. Judging by tbe so-lkl pace set throughont it was' gensrjillr aoticrpatwl that the figures put up by Mars, who won in similar style to BconWmg two rears a.co. _wotdd_ have to go. The lirrt mile" wna rum in lmin 43sec, and eeveral private watches made the full distance Smin Isec, a,nd a shade better. In some places the rorrectnesK of tho official i.m» was tpuesttoned, but it will all the same appear on tho records. Boonieramg is bv Merriwec. w*»ose jiiircha.-.e by Mt Watt'htis proved an .excellent car:, ths son of Bill of Porthmd having got two good om?s in his first season. S*ane good hacks were s-en out at the meeting. The best of tbem is Seie-irce (Somn-ns —Element), a brother to Black Squall and half-brother to Fakir a/od Shrapnel. He is btwlt en more solid lines than any of his relations, nmd Should iind. no difficulty in negotiating obf-tacks. The I/irk, who fiied to concede Seienee weight over a mile on the fmt day, is a. three-year-old brother to Poly cast©,' and lialf-brother to Loch Em.?. Bowroan, ?;nd Inniskillen. On the second day he failed to concede Truce 10lb over six furlongs. Douche and Ba.rca had a big following for the DiiraDETirlce Cup, says "Lochiel." who i* owned by Mr G. Hunter, preskknt of the Danaevirlce Club, upset the calculatic.us by winning in a very resolute maraer. The tihfEtont son of A premont, who wnß seem out .m public a ded last- season with only fan- results, .'■•hc-nld have a better record to his credit this year. "Mirror" writas::—Once,upon a time a vkro- lsegiraier was mot looked upon with favor for a NewTnarket Handicap, and that was one of hbo wasons why the public did not send Oranbrook out a'red-bet- favorite for the race of 1888. At thiß period Tom I*ayten wa:-' all-conquering, and anything in hi? stable possossmg a possible ehsmce in the opinion of the trainer was rushed W the plungers of the day—and the public. Paytesi began that autumn meeting bv warning the Rswmlou Stakes. .Ascot""Vale Stakes, ami St. T.egor right off th ( i reel, with Carhyon, Volie.v, and Abereorii, ,ui<i his wrpporters wiere just wallring over each other -with joy. After such a run of luck Craohrook should have been a very shortpriced' Newmarket favorite, but- fearing that be wotdd get tangled up in tho earlier part of the race, and never see the finjah, Bteadied Paytcn's f-ollowcrs, and for once they,reckoned without Tom, Hales, who allowed ihe big horse to jump off in his own way, and held him together till be got into off a long Tray from'the" leader?,! Hales took things very coolly till they reached tl» half-dif>-taao&j -then-he gradually worked: his g^ant

| mount intu full speed, and near the post he ran past the loaders as. if they were so many hacks. To. ride a waiting race in the Newmarket was then considered an act of lunacy, but I have often thought since that had Loehielahd Carbine l?een reserved for a run, instead of cutting at each other like two selling platers, Sedi&iort would not have won seventeen yeans, ago; and Churchill, i who followed Sedition on the list of w'rnI ners, was compelled to wait" till the last j hundresd yards of the race through being (.effectually blocked by a. thick bunch, bei hind which lie had to <<tey till an opening I presented itself. Bung-i-bak won from jump j to judge, but Wihl Rose, a, sister to Ch arch - J ill. who won iliki following }-ear, did not I put in an appearance till the finish. This i wa& tho last Lscwmarket Handicap at which j I_ iw--«jitt;d, and cannot speak with thoauthoi rity of au cyo-witness of any that have been ; ran since; but 1 am of opinion that the ! best policy to adopt with a fast finjfihe-r i-; ; to wait a.-; if it were ten instead of a six gallop, in-place of rushing through : irom cud to e-nd. 'Phis rushing policy lus lre'i'.t-n mar.y a, good hone, even thousii. ; the disiajice be rally six furlongs. j That is one tb.coYy, ar*l well worth : of. tint on the sumo date there ! ap|.-vured in Melbourne an account of the. | Futurity Stakes, in which " Terlinga" ; Mama* Mac.htiv i .'hut's rider for steadying i at the star;.. This ** what, the Avriber mon'- : tioned has to say about the CaulfieM. race: ; —Tt witt a grand performance by Gladsome : to carry the full jx-mlty and put down : such a snnri field. I mitWt confess I never i ianciwl Gladsome at her. best could give j a.way the wdsrht, and. after her defect bv ; I-idy Wallace, it looked as though she j niisht be a little past her best. Evidently • f;h(!himie allows to most advantage when ; her cue. short burst of speed is reserved I for the end. There, were five better favoj r'tr-s than. Gladsome for theFuttnity Stakes. j the absolute favorite being the New Z'eaj lander .Via chine Gun.. Kvideratly his party i thought he would sec the journey out. An | attempt, ww made to ma.fcci him stay by j w-aitbg. but this policy seldom acts" well | with brilliant sprinters. Machine Gim ! j jumped out of the barrier fired:., but was I immediately steadied. It would, I fancy. ; bive 1-eon much better to have let him ran i along. He would surely have doubled up j some of the slower beginueis. Machine j (Inn's hackers probably had hopes of him | Tip to the entrance to tbe straight, but he ; Ivtrdly lasted six furlong. Pompous, the | Newmarket favorite, went right hack in \ the betting, and his performance was dis- ; aprK-inting. He tos tbird. ami footing well j up to the Then litv traded out, and ; left L.-irbrlan to chiise Pen.da.nt, who held j htr own eaaijy for sit furlongs. After that i she and both Gladsome and Ihike | of Melton heat her. Lnehlan. was so efo.-o I thfif many thought he was plnwd. i Tltc K\i.le se.nra.tion i<; the subject of a I ]>aragiuph .in old-time racing. Exil'> v,-.k a. 5 to 2 on chance for the P,allarat C?up. He won, but dropped dead on the way back to scale. ! At first the stewards puzzled to know | what to do. ■ Finally, they deckled to weigh I in Exile's joekey (Waterman). and awarded I Exile the r;iee., in. of tho ]>rotest of j WaltCT Craig, the- owner of the second. • It was at first taken for granted that Exile j had been poisoned,. and Mr Keighran, his j owner, offered £SOO reward for the conviction of the poisoner. For a time the interest was kept alive through a man, who I v.-;us arrested for " kicking up a row" while j drunk, telling the police that he was the poisoner of Exile. When he came to liimI s.if th.B man did not even remember having | told the police anything about Exile, and a? there was not a tittle of evidence against him lie was let ;ro bis way. It is very doubtful if Exile was poisoned at all. Mr Sydney Gibbons analysed the contents of Exiles stomach, and'reported : "There is no reason to doubt that arsenic was the eausff of the horse's death.'' l)r Bleasdale, a Irigh a-uthority on such matters, took a different view." Pie Arrote>:— ,r That the horse shoukl have rim and won the race, and th.-ni have dropped dead, seems something more than can bo ascribed to arsenic, even were it present in quantity far mere than Mifncirnt to kill." He went on to ?sy tbat " hon?es often die. quite suddenlv i after violent exercise, both from spssm of j j the h,eart and from effusion, of bksod upon ! the brain, and that unless there is the ' j cloarert evidence of the perfectly healthv j condition of these orga.ns after death, tlie owner of the horse will not be justified in spending one shilling in' rnauiring further nito the matter." Further "evidence said I ,I)r Blewdale. should be forthcoming ?s to i the state of the horse's heart and head. j Arsenic, it was pointed out, is often, given I horses jn condition powdeTs. Tt acts as a j tonic and brightens the coat, but in the j hands of n, careless groom might easilv lead tomischief. Nothing came of file reward, and in the end it seems to have been treneratly aereed that Exiles death was boI. fl . t all events, due to wilful poisoning. CRICKET*'. A notable instance of fortitude on the part of a cricketer was displayed recently m a, match between Carlton and East Melboaroc. Gerber and Wane were Vt. the wickets. < nd before the former had I scored a fct ball struck the handle of his bat. and was phyed with full force on his face. tTorber's nose was smashed and his lips cut in a ghastly manner, and one of h'i teeth was broken off. On being taken from the ground be was conveyed to tlie Melbourne Hospital, whereln> injuTieswere tierited. It was generaDv supposed bv those wvitthbg the match that Gerber had returned to his homo, but later in tho afternoon everybody was astounded when he i-ushed into the cricket ground, with his head swathed in bandages, to ask if Carlton were all out. As L-is team were still batting. Gcrter insisted on playing out his interoipted innings. He was at the wickets for half an hour, and made 18 before he was caught. Tom Warne, one of the sturdiest Victorian batsmen, who was nor.e too well treated by bis own Association, has left Victoria for the United States, where, he has accepted an engagement as coach to the Belmont- Club, of Philadelphia. Warner's team had a Jiard fight in, their first engagement ai Natal. In their second venture they required 176 to win tu r ioswspiciously. Four wickets *e!l tor 02, and two nvare were lost, but Fane and Haigh established a partnership that setUod the game. The former made 11 and Haigh 6u. For Natal Nourse ?in and ca P* ured ninc for 110. in tho return ga.na tli« visitors won by four wickets. Natal scored 117 fihempson 43) and 173 (Thompson 471 MaryJebone rephed with 191 (Fano 59 and Denton and six ■ for 100 (Warner 26 and Fane not out 24). There was some anxiety towards the. close, for two men were, run out. Kaigh's record for the match was eight for 61, but Hime bamred five of tho M.C.C. wickets for 18. Apropos of the late Mr V. E. Walker a capital story is told in 'Cricket' by Mr Lcttesworth. All England were playing a twenty-two on a small ground in an Eng-ii-n mining town. On the outskirts of txie playing ground, and, indeed, not very izv irom the pitch, cocoannts had been set up for visitors to amuse themselves with Old Aunt Sally Evening V!iS approaching ; it was commencing to rain; and :t to< k<xl as if tho last two men of the twenty-two won hi minage to play out time. One of them hit a. ball past Julius at cover-point. Julius ran after it with tremendous "Nov/, .Julie.''cried «dd Tom Lcckrer at the wicket, "let us have it." ",Julie" picked up a cocoamit, thre/.v it to wlio, whipphig off the bails, pocket'e-d the nut. and ran off to the pavilion; and the match was won. —About Umpires and Screens.— As-, showing what tho Australians have to put up wrth in Ehgiaiid, the followin" remarks by Frank La.ver in his interesting book are worthy of consideration : "The appointment of umpires for international matches has always been unsatisfaetory in England. Previous Australian, cricket learns have had no voice whatever in the choir/.- of umpires, but gradually a little more '•' consideration is being shown. This tiine Darling and T, in test matches only, were permitted to reduce a small and incomplete list of umpires' submitted to us to the number of six. Knowing that Phillips, is generally admitted to be the best umpire, in Fmglacd, and holding that opinion of lum ourselves, we asked that he be allowed to stand as one of the umpires in ail test matches. At. first our

request was. refused, but eventually we succeeded in having him appointed for four of the games. A ballot was then taken of the remainder, and in this -way tho other umpires were', .'selected. Wo contend that when both parties aro agreed that (i, certain unipit© is the- best obtainable he should, m test matches at least, be appointed without hesitation; Wo do iiot consider it proper that men should stand as umpires in test matches unless both sides have full confidence in them, ft is most uncomfortable -when batting or even "bowling to have a feeling of suspicion or mistrust with regard to the umpire, who has so many chances of tho game at his mercy. This should be avoided whatever possible. Tt is particularly noticeable- at critical stages, when everybody is keen. A decision ooe> way oi* the other may completely change the entire aspect of the game. We speak feelingly in this matter, for we wire 'dissatisfied with docisJoos when they meant a great deal m two or threfi of the test matches this season. Wo should not have cared so much if at- tho outset we were satisfied with the umpires appointed. But when there are other umpires in England in "-"hem we have every confidence, and these are not available simply because they had bten chosen for some minor match, I "think it is time to complain. Wo contend that every first-class umpire should be on the list submitted to us for approval. Test matches should surely be considered in preference to other matches.' I may mention thai on the whole we were pleased and satisfied -with the umpires for our matches, though we had no voice in their appointment. Still there were serious mistakes made of a kind that ought not to be possible in an international contest." II r Lr.vcr also writes :—" A cause of considerable discussion was the, absence of screens in test matches. Why they are not used it is hard to say. The only roaKon I can assign is the convenience of a few spectators—chiefly members of the club to whom tba ground belongs. lam afraid this handful of people has its comfort studied far more, than the players, and far more than the circumstances of the game warrant. A test match should be a proper test of strength and skill, and not it question of luck. 'Uie light on some of the grounds towards evening becomes very bad, and it is almost impossible to judge the flight or pace of a bail. So why should a team that happens to oecupy the wickets at that particular period of tlie day be handicapped in this way? Again, why should a batsman have his attention withdrawn from the ball, just as the bowler is about to deliver, because people are in search of a seat, or desire to catch a train ? Two or three times this season in test matches newspapers were turned over immediately behind the bowler's arm. I ask whether "this is right or fair? Would it not be better to avoid all possibility of such 'regrettable incidents' happening by having screens behind the wickets?"

[By Taatt.ee.] The eighth round of interclnb to be played en SiKtirrday next is as follows: Ontram v. Kaitama, Dunedin v. Taieri, Ht. Kilda v. Caverelram, N.E. Valley v. tit. Clair, Green Island v. Port Cbalineis, and Caledonian v. Roslyn. There can be no question as to the success of Safer day's aixteen-rrnk game between Kaituna, and Dunedin, antrthe couKeasus of opinion soetns to be that such a fixture should be held at least annually. The worthy president of the Association, from whom, I beilev-e, the suggestion originally emanated, will no doubt keep tliis steadily in view. As far as the weather was concerned, a better day could not possibly have been, selected, and as both greens —Dunedin in particular—v/era in splendid condition a most enjoyable game resulted. My prediction in a former note came true, for their was little disparity in the scores, the parent club winning by 5 points—an almost incredible majority in a contest, hi which so many rinks were engaiged. One could not but bs> struck not only with the admirable spirit in which the game was played, but also with the way in which. the" defeat was accepted by the losing team. The contests on; the Dunedic; Green were remarkably even, the majority in no single case running into double figures. On the Kaituna, however, W. DaH (Dmsedin), A. Baillio (Kaitnna.), and W. Watson (Kaituna) gained the verdict by. majorities of 15, 21, and 10 respectrrely. •The issue of the match was in doubt right up to the last, the final head between T. Sneddon and SI. Sindair, who were tie last to finish, being watched with, no little interest. At this stage the Dunedin skip was well supported by his men, and Sneddon bad to be content with a single. President Payne and J. G. Bcnliey had an in-and-out game, the latter going off at a great rate and notching 6 on the first three heads. Payne and his team then got to work, the score on the tenth head reading Kaitun 18, Dunedin 7. In the 18 were included t-wo 4's and a 5. By the thirteenth head Bent-ley had almost equalised matters, scoring a 6 on the eleventh head and «. single on each of the two succeeding heads. Karfcuna, however, were not to be denied, and added a single and a 5, making them 2" to Burtediii's 16. The latter again got possession of the mat, and still another quintette* was recorded, this time in favor of Bentlov'j who was only 2 down on the eighteenth bead. Kaituna were too consistent, however, and on the remaining three head's added 6, a- most remarkable game ending in Payntfs favor by 8 points. A. at tlie head of a. strong contingent, was responsible for lowering the colors of T. Banders, who finished 9 down. F. Peake put up a good performance against W. Slllwriek, the vetoran A- Frascr (Dnnedin) saving the situation with his '' cart-wheels'' on more than one occasion. J. Gifmour, third for Secretary Wheeler, was decidedly oil color, but the latter was equal to the occasion, and was only beaten on the las* head. A fairly even game between C, T. Paterson and W. M'Lareu resulted in favor of the latter by 5 points, E. F. Black (the Dnnedin third) being particularly effective, especially in the earlier stages of the game. Mention should be made of the splendid form displayed by the Kaituna, lead, T. Lambourne. H. Smeaton (Kaitnna) stuck manfully to the veteran J. Hunter on his own nnk, and on the nineteenth head had established a lead of 3. The next two heads resulted in favor of the home teant, who brushed 2 up. It was a case of " Greek meeting Greek " in the game G. B. I>all versus D. Russell, and the Dunedin team are to be complimented upon their meritorious win. Better things were expected from R.H.C. The Kaituna skip, however, was rather unfortunate in being pitted against a particularly strong combination, captained by W. DaJl. 'Kaitnna Forrester, a most consistent player, is reported to have played at his best, and with tie able assistance of J. Melville easily accounted! for W. A. Scott. " J-C" was 1 up on the last head against P. G. Corliss, and was lying 4 when the Kaituna third, S. Martin, went to play Lis last bowl. One can imagine "3jC" scratching his he-ad when Martin negotiated a rather difficult. porfejaid took "kitty'' to the ditch, with the result that Kaituna scored a single, thus making a tie. Afternoon tea proved too much for Fred. Smith and his team, who, up to the eleventh head. were, running neck and neck with I he Dunedin quartet skipped by Vice-pre-sident 'L\, G. Young, the score at t-hiy stage being 9 all. Oil the remaining heads Kaituna added only 4 to their opponents' 11, Dunedin tints finishing with 7 of a. majority. ' I The " F»merald Isle" representatives who ' purpose visiting Oamaru at Kaster are as follow: —B. Sfcott, J. Lindsav, Lindsay [Miller, D. Waters (s); W. 0. "Smellie, D. I Waters, jim., D. Buchanan, W. McDonald is). If my memory serves me right, it is some time sinee D. Waters has taken an active part in a tournament, and I am sure that bowlers generally will be pleased to see him puce more in the thick of the The final game for the club rrnks on the Gale Green resulted in an overwhelming majority for D. Murchison, who had associated with him W. SPLeod, L. Warsaw, and J. Scott. Tbe"opposing rink was constituted as follows:—D. Corinaek, A. McDonald, F. Carter, and J. Cowie (s). "Louis," • though only a "colt," proved a tower of sfcren/db to.lus skin, who was.

I however, materially assisted by bis team as j a whole, and, taking no risks, finished up j with the substantial majority of 22 points. I Although Cowie got quickly off the mark, ; his opponents gradually forged ahead from • the seventh end, and "from that point the I issue was never in doubt, Murehison eventu vj j ally scoring 31 to Cowrie's 9, no fewer than I 5 of which were scored on the lirst three j head?. As may be imagined, the win was I a most popular one, the Fame " Dan Murchi- i .1 son'' being a bowler in every sense of the i term, - | In this.connection, I may state that in a certain round of the Doubles on the same i green, D. Morcbison and the veteran John j Blauey were pitted against D. Smith and L. Warsaw. The latter, with two heads to go, were 6 up, and the result was looked upon as a- foregone conclusion. Smith, however, was not at home in the failing light; Murchison, on the .other .hand, '-picking out" with phenomenal accuracy, and scoring the requisite 7 points on the two heads. A very eurious thing happened on the Queenstown Bowling Green the other day during the progress of a game. One of the players having thrown the "jack." a sparrow hawk espied the white article, and, swooping down at lightning speed, stopped its progress. The bird soon found out, j however, that "kitty" was not. a very palatable object, and made off at once. T. Sneddon, who has not been too well for some few weeks, made his reappearance on Saturday, and. was welcomed by one and all. M. Sinclair can testify to the veteran still being very much alive. The club ties on tbeSt. Clair Green were finished List week. Some fine games were witnessed in the Champion Singles in which every player met every other player, the winner turning up in J. H. Hancock, who beat all his competitors. The junior prize was won by T. Butts, who beat W. P.. Piddington in the final by a point after a really good game. Ear the vice-president's prizes L. Joel and S. Y. Sherwood (5 points) played off wiih Gillespie and Pope (scratch). The colis both gave a good display, and lw.T.ing all th-a luck besides, ran out winners by 21 to 13. As is generally known, pennant matches are still in vogue in the Canterbury trict. The A pennant has been secured by the ChiistchuTch Chrb, who have won all their matches, their respective opponents being Canterbury, the newly-formed United, Sydenham, and Ashburton. The B pennant is still undecided. The Christehureh and United representatives have each lost one match of the series, the former to Kaiapoi and the latter to Christchurch. The United, however, have still to play St. Albans,- and a win to the former will put them on an equal fooling with Ghristclmrch, in which case a deciding game will have to be played. Bunedin is evidently not the only place in which the game of bowls is booming. In the course of an interesting epistle, our esteemed friend, Dr Thomas, of Christchurch, informs me that a new club has been formed at Akaroa, Banks Peninsula, which, be presumes, will shortly become affiliated to the Association. The Canterbury district at present comprise the following clubs:—Christchurch, Canterbury, Ashburton, Sydenham, United, St. Albans, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Leeston, and Southbridge. I am indebted to Secretary H. F. Gibson for the following particulars :—The Executive of the Oamaru Easter tournament- have decided that terms of ballot shall be as follow :—Rink matches to be limited to fortyeight. In the event of the total entry exceeding that number, the club having the highest entries to be subject to ballotf No more than on e rink is to be balloted out j of each club. Entries close at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, 10th prox., and should the number of entries exceed forty-eight rinks, a ballot j will be taken the same evening, and those balloted out will be advised by wire not later than Wednesday morning. The Committee do not anticipate a higher entry than forty-eight, but provision - has been made to prevent any confusion in the event, of entries exceeding that number. The name of the skip of each rink should be given in full, with telegraphic address and name of club lie represents. News of Mr B. Mollisorfs death will be received with deep regret by bowlers generally. "Ben," as he was familiarly called, was riot only a first-class player, * but one of the best of sports, and his genial presence will bo sadly missed by those who ha-ve been in t-he-4uibit of taking part in the annual gathering at Oamaru. YACHTING. [By Boom.] The Ravensbourne Sailing Club held the last of their scries of laces last Saturday. The light wind that prevailed suited the Tucana, which won easily. Waimana finished second, but had to give way to Lennox Lass on handicap. Irex was the other competitor. Tucana and Lennox Lass have scored equal points for first place, and will probably "have to sail off for first prize. The Port Chalmers Sailing Club also finished their races on Saturday under favorable weather conditions. Bronzewing, in the 20ffc class, has lately been showing splendid form in light weather, and won her event -very easily from her two competitors. In the 16ft class Vision has maintained her superiority right through the season, and scored in her class by a good margin of points. Taking the season right through, the sailing' has 'been very although only small fields competed. The race at Ravensbourne last Saturday oonchided the yacht racing in the Upper Harbor for the present season (with the exception of the ties in the O.Y.C. andßavensbourne series, which may have to be sailed off), and it is interesting to record the performances of the various boats. The First Class Yacht Race proved tlie most interesting event. Tucana stands out prominently in this class. After two indifferent performances in ciub racing, she struck farm, and finished the season with the following record: —Championship, Mofier cup, first at Port Chalmers/ third at Ravensboarne and Broad Bay, and level with Lennox Lass for the Ravenslxrame B.C. series of races. Waimana has not been as successful as in the previous year, gaing first prize at Broad Bay. second at Ravensbourne, and third in the Q.Y.C. series. Matua secured a first at Ravensbourne and in the O.Y.C. series, and second at Port Chalmers. Thelma was second in the O.Y.C. series. Leader, a starter in nearly every event, only managed to get a second at Broad Bay; while Carina, Roma, and Annis.failed to score a win. In the Second Class, Lennox Lass secured first in O.Y.C. series and at Ravensbourne, second at Port Chalmecs and Broad Bay, tie with Tucana for the Ravensbourne B.C. series. Result was first at Port Chalmers, second at Ravensbourne, and tie with Winifred for second prize in the O.Y.C. series. Vagabond secured first at Broad Bay; Winifred tied with Result for second place O.Y.C. races; Rambler secured third place at Ravensbourne; and Thistle third at Broad Bay. In the Unballasted Class, Eileen won at Port Chalmers and Ravensbourne, and was second in the O.Y.C. series. Ventura secured first place in O.Y.C. club races, and second place at Broad Bay and Ravensbourne. Kia-Ora got second at Port Chalmers and third at Broad Bay. Irex was first at Broad Bay. In the Third Class, May -urns the most successful, securing firsts at Port Chalmers Ravensbourne, and in the O.Y.C. series! Tipia was first at, Broad Bay and in "the Ravensbourno Cup. Waterw-itch. was second at Ravensbourne and in the O-Y.C. series. Gem secured second place at~Port Chalmers and third at Broad Bay. Viking was second at Broad Bay. A number of the Broad Bay fleet made an early start from (be bay for the Heads on Sunday, but owing to the light winds that prevailed none of the sailing craft reached their goal. Tucana got as far as Carey's Bay before the tide turned, and then her crow gave up the attempt and headed for home. The twin Lowers (Waitiri and Result) did not require to wait for the wind,'and spent an enjoyable time Outside fishing. Carbine liad a couple of spins;—down as far a 6 Ravensbouroe on the one side and to Mac's on. th© -other—and although,running on one cylinder only showed a fair turn of speed. Carbine, transferred into a motor yacht, has quite a neat appearance, and it is surprisino; the amount of Doom there is in her.

TENNIS. [By Smasher.] The grade matches, with the exception of a few outstanding games, are now,complete. The Otago 1 team "are tho winners of the " A" grade section, with an unbeaten recorL' T-he Kaitxma 2 are runners-up with .two losses. The teams met on Saturday on the Kaituna courts. They both- played from scratch. The Otago Club were weakened, by the loss of Haartt-way and Horde, who substituted two B grade players. Th© weather was all that could - be desired. After some very inieuestLng games the hill-club were defeated by 21 games, not at all a discreditable beating, although the general opinion was that the result should have been much closer. On comparing- the teams, it must be agreed that the handicappers were quite right in making both teams play even. White was in great .form in his single against S. N. Brown, and clearly showed that he knew too much for his opponent. Brown, at the same time, used his buck-hand strokes wrth deadly effect. His fore-hand is undoubtedly where he is weakest, 'and probably it would be wise for him to try and cultivate a. drive something like his brother Bob's, w-hen, he would be one of the hardest play-, ers to beat. Marks played a brilliant gaano against P. Seelye, winning 9 to 1. His strokes were beaiutif uSy timed, ■ and were bit with wonderful precision. This player should have a big chance for the championship at Easter. Seelye could do nothing right on Saturday. Possibly he was too anxious to get his matches finished to play bowls. The same remark might apply to Braithwaite, who, in his anxiety, allowed Ramsay to beat him rather easily. It is a great piiy that two players of Seelye and Rraithwaite's. stamp should root stick to tennis seriously, as they both have ability far above the.average in this game. Miss Caanpbell, except in her first games against Miss Maries, had no difficulty in winning—6 love. The former seems to have improved since the 'Christmas tournament Her strokes are harder, and have more devil in. them than formerly. Her off-drive is very similar to Miss NimDeley's famous killing shot. Her chance of being beaten at Easter is further removed from possibility than ever. Miss Marks shines in a combine. Her fobbing ("when her day is in) is beautifully placed, being not too high, yet high enough to beat the man at the net. ( Then her short cross shots beat the net man every time. Miss Davies ie a splendid defensive player, and seems to get everything back. In her eiogle against Miss Maclean,, time and again, when she seemed like being beaten, back the ball would come wiih the same even swing. Uren had his work cut out to beat Pnrchas. The latter led almost all the set, until the last two games, and finally lost, B^—9. The play generally throughout the afternoon was very good, and at times quite brilliant. The Valley Club had a comfortable ~win against Roslyn. The Roslyn. only managed to win in five sets—viz., Mis Black's single, the two bodies' doubles, and two combineds. Roslyn really should have done better than they did. Certainly, they missed the services of R, S. Black and J. L. Salmond; stall, the North-east Valley's win should have been considerably reduced. One noticeable game during the match was the first combined between Howison and Mass CaJlender (Roslyn) and Dickson and Mass Murray (Valley). The Roslyn pair, on their experience, should have finished easily 6—2. . The result, however, turned out bo be 6 —l against them. The Kaituna 1 met the Port Chalmers on their own courts, and managed to win after a very close contest. The fanner were owing 15, and the latter scratch. I understand that same exceedingry good piay was shown on both sides. The Roslyn Club are holding a moonligiht concert to-night, to provide funds for putting another court down." This club have a very large membership, aod it being necessary thaft the playing area should be extended, I hope that tennis enthudasts and public alike wall make an effort, to be there. They will be. assisting in a good object, at the same time receiving a splendid ndghta eaiexfcainmenfc. The secretary of the Association informs me that the pxograanme for the Easbsr touroameitt w3l bo out shortly aj)d will be posted to all clubs. Neither White nor Salmond will contest the championship this year. It will be a very open question who is to hold the cnn. as there are a good half-dozen in Otago who have a good chance. The Wellington and Auckland Provincial Lawn Tennis Associations hold theif annual tournaments at Easter. ATHLETICS. Alfred Shrubb irtarted on his career as a professional at Ohympia (London) on January 22, and met with a good reception. Forty-eight hours after the dismissal of irs appeal against his disquadification as an amateur he became an avowed *pro." The £SO forwarded to Melbourne by The Olympian Games Committee at Athens has allowed of Blake being sent as one of the Australian contestants. He has a pronrisaig;. record. Last year he won every championship except the mile and three nriles tkat were won by Shrubb. He also won the tenmile cross-country championship of Tasmania, and his time in the Victorian Championship (52min 59sec) will compare favorably with the best English performance!*, and was a record for the course in Victo.ia. Blake is possessed of excellent stamina. —lnternational Athletics,— ' On January 21, over a course at Pare de la Marche, near Vaucresson, the Highgate H. (English, National, and Southem Counties cross-country champions) beat the Societae Athktique de Montrouge (French National champions) by 11 points, with the lower score of points to points. The weather was dull and the course heavy, but there was neither wind nor rain. Last year A. Aldnidge, of the Highgate H., finished first. He was an absentee from this contest G. Ragueneau (winner of the Prix fjemonnier and holder of the French record of 11-4 miles for an hour's run) was in fine form. Ho finished an easy first, beating the first Highgate. harrier (J. G. Coughlin) by 150 yards. There was a dead heat between the Frenchman, Thomas, and the English International, Pearce, for the third place. The positions and times of the first ,six were as foSow : Pan. - xn s ' 1. G, Ragueneau. Montrouge ... 45 6 2. J. G. Coughlin, Highgate „. 45 42 t G. Thomas, Montrouge ._ ._ 46 43 + G. Pearce, Highgate ... „. 46 45 5. G. Renard, Montrouge ._ „. 46 45 6. T. Johnston, Highgate 46 4-7 Johnston is the well-known Scottish International. FOOTBALL. J. S. Purdy, M.D., F.R.G.S., Surgeoncaptain New Zealand Militia, Port "Said, writes to the 'Post'-.—Advantage should be taken of the return of the "All Blacks" to secure some permanent memorial of then* recent tour. A shining subscription list, shnilar to that organised by the London 'Daily Telegraph' for Dr W. G. Grace, or that of the ' Yorkshire Post.' for Lore j Hawke, to commemorate their services .to [ cricket, would probably be taken up by the l«iding papers in New Zealand, and rai?e a t«£?u of money sufficient to pay for a suitable memento. The mimmum subscription should he a shilling, and the maximum as many shillings as anyone likes to giye. I would suggest the purchase of a largs picture of the match against England, a re-product-ion on a large scale of the doublepage illustrations in some of the illustrated papers. • If funds allowed, and the New Zealand Rugby Union made a contnb-aifcbn from the profits of the tour, it might De possible to engage the services of some' competent artist. There is little doubt that the Government would be willing to swp-p-lv a suitable place to hang such a picture in the Parliamentary .Buildings. Such a. picture, on lines siinilar to the famous picture of Rugby Football, would lend itse.f t»> reproduction in the form of. an engravjug. It is needless to point out that many people in and out of New Zealand would welcome the opportunity of purchasing a first-class i,etching or engraving commemixrative of a , tour uoinse in-the aanals of snort. A suii-

able companion' piciuzetellingof the of the New Zea&nders in the Sooth War, the Defence of 'New'-''Zealand'Bill, \ the gallant stand of the Seventh Obiter- ' gent, or ' Never Surrender,' as illustrated by the self-sacrifice of Sergeant-major Smitn on 3rd January, 1902, would also,"I feel s.tft<?, I be eagerly sought after. Two soch picture! - ! as those suggested, recording the pfe-webs and pluck of Maorilanders on the • frekt in • peace and in war, would be an encourage-1 ment to future generations of New Zealanders to emulate the deeds of" rtieir' fathers. One of the first questions put to George Tyler on his return was: "Are yon going to don the jersey again .this season, George?" "Rather," was the reply. "I think you will see all the Auckland members of the. team in the field again. Wo want to, keep the Ranfurly shield. Nothing gave us-so much pleasure on out tour as when i we received the news that Auckland had succeeded in regaining the coveted trophy." H. D: Thompson, one of the All Black three-quarters, has been notified by the Bart- i way Department in Wellington to hold him- , self in readiness to transfer to Auckland. ] Scobie M'EeiKrie has evidently the sym- i pathies of the Auckland public, and when : he appeared, on the platform at the recep-1 tion to the returned. New Zealanders no' was given a hearty ebeer, which left no doubt aa to the opinion of Aucklanders whether he ought to have been a member of the All Blade romhdnafcioai or not. Glasgow, the Taranaki forward, who was a member of the now famous All Blacks, will be transferred to the Auckland branch of the. bank to which he-is attached. SWSR/SEUIENQ. i At Manly (Sydney) on February 21 C. i Beaky put up a world's record over the 120 ' yards course, covering the distance in losec, which is Ifsec faster than R. CarilFs best time. ' There is a reputed time of lmin 12 l-10sec by GwiH at Newcastle, but it was not passed by the N-S.W. Swimming Association. It has been decided to send Bealey to Altens to take- past in the- Olympian games there this year. Th© Greek Government granted £IOO towards meeting the expenses of Whestheigh and other Australian athletes, but all the money was not needed, so the unnsed balance has bean heeded, over tosvards defraying Healey's- expenses. Word-comes from India that two Parsees, brothers, Framroz and Dady G. Gholwalla, recenily gave some great exhibitions of swimming. They were advertised to swim for ten. hours in Victoria baths, and to do an average of thirty strokes to the minute. Another of the self-imposed conditions was that no food or drmk should pass their lips during the ten hours they would be. in the water,- during which 18,000 strokes would be made and thirty miles covered. Before entering tho water two medical men, Drs J. K. Daji and P. J. Patel, and two members of the bath committee—viz., Mr R. B. Paymaster, the secretary, and Mr P. J. Murzban—and Mr M. C. Ratnagax, who was also present, examined the swimmers, who were not oiled or prepared hi any way. They commenced with a strong stroke, registering thirty-six to tho minute for the first five minutes, and then set-Sod down to a stroke varying from thirty-three to thirtyfive, and ma lowest ever reached during any period of the trial was 32£ strokes par minute. Largo numbers visited the baths during iho course of tho day, Sir Jamsetjoe Jeejeebhoy being amongst the visitors. At six o'clock loud cheers greeted the swinimeis, who then wit-bin eighteen minutes of the goal of their ambition, and still swimming a breast stroke of thirty-three to thirty-four; and they received a perfect oration as the bell clanged at 6JLB p.m. in. token of the feat they had set themselves being accomplished. Mr R. B. Paymaster made a speech on the subject-of swimming feats, comparing them with what had been accomplished that day, and Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, Bart-, congratulated the brothers Gholwalla, and said their surname would have to be changed to * Tarlwallah." He said it was difficult to mako comparisons between the feat that had just been, accomplished and what lite best swimmers in England had done, but he thouglit this ten hours' swim was very creditable to tho Parsees as swimmers. Some day the brothers might, he sail, be tempted to try their luck in crossing tho Channel. Sir W. Henderson, the popular slipper of the Dunedin Coursing Club, tells a true .story that in the early days, in an eightdog stake in the open, lie slipped, judged, and won the stake, and he casuallv remarked that in the end he was out of pocket; but all concerned were most satisfied, and that was ampfo compensation for him. Mr Fred Carter has a good team for the I coming season, inducting an imported big

black dog called TSKTberforce, by Gnurdus--Winter Blossom. A TPeD-known aofeitor of Dunedin has gone in for the "long-tails," and has imported a splendid-looknig greyhound, whose pedigree is bo be kept dark just at present.Mr W. Smith, of the Quarry, has had very bad lock with his Faugh?»lßallagn Lady MoUy liiaer, only one having .survived. ' ' Mr John Collins has a litter of eight-paps oat of Erin, by Lieutenant Bill. Amongst the new importations from Australia is a very fine maiden dug by Major Booth—Songbird 11. The loiter greyhound is the mother of Mr John Fuller, jnn. ; s Macgregor, and if the new importation is as fast as Macgregor and possesses better working proclivjties, Mr Jackson should be well rewarded for his conscientious training. - J. Boyle has the. training of Mr Kilmartm's Sir Michael, which lias proved itself a dog above average, merit. It was rumored amongst counshig enthusiasts thai several of the " crack " dogs were not taking part in the Otago Champion Stake, to be run on the Forbury Park on' April 20 and %L, but, such is not the case; indeed, it would show a very poor spirit towards the D.iuiedin Coursing Crab, as dates of .the various meetings haw* a fair margin of division. . INTERNATIONAL MOTOR RACING. Particulars of the 'first two days' racing at the Florida Beach meeting are to hand though when tho latest 'files left Homo nothmg was knoum about tho • marvellous performance of Marriott, who was reported -by cahte to have covered a mile in 28sec. Some sensational times were, however, recorded during the first two days. Oa tlie-opening'race at the sports a "Stanley" steam car driven by Marriott covered the full mil© in SOfsec. On tho same d:iv i the same driver, on a '"Freak" steam car, did a, mile in 3U-sec; so that, it is not yet

dear on -wlich. malou of motor he acoomplishedthe larter and better time. It is interesting tonote the description of fh© Stanley car, which, proving the taster up to the date of departure of the latest news, was the one on which Marriott probably did the mile at the rstoof 328'mUes an hour. The car had tot© suspension wheels, and a canoe-«h»ped body, with < the wholo construction kept as near the ground as possible in order to keep the centre of gravity lo\r. When the car was built the designer hoped to qovor with ifc a mile in 2osec, wmch would lx> equivalent to 158 A miles an hour. In the first day's racing, Laneia, driving a Fiat car in a are miles final, beat Mm- ■ rkitt. on his Stanley, covering the distanoa in 3min American steam car did the distance in 2min 47sec In a Sue-«dlo raoe far petrol cars only of heavy typo, Burp, on. a. Kagaer, beat Donney on a Mercedes m 2mm Sasec. The surprise of the meeting -was tie disqualificatioa of Hemery, the driver of the powerful twenty horse-power Dtarracq car, , which previous to its departure at great oxporise for America, dia at the rate of 109 miles an hour in its initial ran. The Frenchman's suspension is all the mono to be regretted, seeing that bis time for tie five miles event in which he oompeted was the fastest of any for either steam or petrol machine. It seems that Hemery's disqualification arose through, an error. He was in tbo same heat as Fletcheron a Rat, and Marriott on' 4 Stauley. Owing to a mistake, Fletcher and Hemery started, thinking the flag had dropped. Bsinery won in 2mm 34sec, but when notified that the race was not '- recognised, ho declined to start again. Be was thereupon disqnalified, so none- of tho Darracq3 competed at the meeting. A