SPORTS OF ALL KINDS

Evening Star, Issue 12848, 14 January 1908, Page 3

SPORTS OF ALL KINDS

THE TURF. rnapeka „ „ _ ... J an . 15, 16. Wellington ._ ._ ... Jan. 18,22,26. [Gossip by Old Identity.] Aefciaklian is not to be} accepted for in tlie Wellington, Cup. fhe Dunedin Jockey Club have resolved not to accept the noun nation of Curiosity if it w tendered, this home being so unmanageable at the post. There ;s precedent for uus. Ihe V.R.C. once told the owner of Brian Bum, to take a throo months’ spell and break his horse in. On the merits of the case, too, the action of the D.J.C. is jvstofiaWe, for Curiosity's circus tricks imperil other horses' chances, and may lead to all sorts of muddles at the post. I imagine that upon being assured that Curiosity has become manageable the club would take bim back. Petrovna is going to Wellington, and ought to shape well in the short race on the first day. James Cotton, the veteran, has been granted by the Dunedin Jockey Club 10a per week for six months out of the distressed jockeys’ fund that remains at the disj osal of tne metropolitan. The Committee considered Coton's circumstances, and took into account his unvarying good behaviour, and I think it a very proper act. The Jam of Nawanagar, better known as Ranjitsinhji, is going in for horse racing, and although he has ;u> yet only been represented on the turf .in a small way, he mav at some future date be found with a Vicer°y\Cup candidate. Up to tho present Ran]i e turf representation is confined to an cx-Anstralian in Metal Bny. Congratulations to the Tahuna Park Trotting Club upon having at last struck out for a course of their own. An agreement has been signed to purctase twentytwo acres of tho flat ground just across tlie road from tho old course on the A. and I’. Society 3 grounds, ami the deposit is paid. 'I here seems to be no doubt that this is a solid and genuine scheme, warranted bv the facj that so far only a yearly tenancy from the A. and P. is held. When the shift is made I hape to see the club assume their rightful and distinctive title of the Otago Metropolitan Trotting Chib. Iho stewards of the Broken Hill L.V. Racing Club bad quite a lively time of : t on Boxing Day, among the matters gene into being the alleged painting of cne horse, and the removal of the distance posts on the course. It is understood that both these hems are to receive ventilation in tho polio court. In connect ion with tlie running of ( heteeress jn the Ladies’ Bracelet, it was decided teat Mr Hughes, who is an amateur i:der, should stand down until he was able to show more ability as a horseman, and tho owner of tho horse, Mr M’Gann, was severely censured. The Brewer, who won the Juvenile Stakes at Caulfield on Boxing Day, is a I , nice chestnut colt by the YR.C. Derby from Idalia, by Cheviot, from Young Idalia. As a yearling The Brewer was purchased by his owner, C. Quinn, the Fkmington trainer, for 105 guineas. Sydney ‘ Referee ’ says that The Brewer may have won this race under any circumstances, but Boboli, . who finished second, would probably have made" the finish more interesting had he nob run so green. The recent race meeting of tho Gore Trotting dub resulted in a profit of £l2O 7s 9d. With the balance in hand and members’ subscriptions, the club will have a substantial balance on which to commence next year’s operations. A prominent Irish contributor to the London ‘ Sportsman ’ is always sounding the praises of Ms country in connection with horse-breeding, and claims that the limestone soil has nearly all to do with it. Latterly, however, several correspondents writing to the paper mentioned have disputed this contention, and one, signing himself “Stud Groom,” says that the only parts of an animal requiring lime are the bones, and that it is unnecessary for the devlopment of muscles, hearts, lungs, tendons, etc. j furthermore, that a horse with nine inches of bone has not necessarily better bone than one with only eight inches, as it is the qnality and texture and not the inches that count. It is, he adds, the delicate machinery wMch turns trainers’ hair grey, and not bone troubles. Ho finishes up by attributing the excellence of the Irish horse to exercise and the climate more than the soil. In tMs view he is upheld by another correspondent, a trainer, who points out that there is very little frost and snow in Ireland, and consequently the essential exercise in large paddocks need not be denied the yearlings between December and March. He also expresses the opinion that the forcing foods used by so many stud grooms who are left to themselves are the chief cause of half the bad legs and feet of to-day. Commenting on Mr Connolly’s success in the Perth Cup with Post Town, his second string, “ Mostyn ” writes -On the Friday, the day before the race, Mr Connolly said that Post Town was sore after Ms Derby win, and probably would not start for the Cup. This information was telegraphed throughout Australia, and many sportsmen who fancied the colt for the big event did not give him another thought. Mr Connolly was naturally asked for an explanation after the race, and he told an interviewer that Post Town was sore after his Derby win, and he was inclined to reserve him for the Railway Stakes, as he had the double— Bine Spec and Post Town, Cup and Stakes—going for £4,500. However, on Saturday morning he was offered £2,000 to nothing against Post Town for the Cup by the person who drew the hoise in Tattersall’s sweep, and hence the change of programme. Before Saturday he had £4OO to £SO about Post Town, and before the start he got a little money on him at sixes. An owner receives little thanks from the public for volunteering information concerning the probable non-starting of his horses in important races, and only places Mraself at the tender mercies of tho wagging tongues of all and sundry if by any chance he changes his mind and runs his horse. It would have been better if Air Connolly had volunteered no information in respect to Post Town, but no doubt he made the statement in all good faith, and did not wish the public to lose their money on a probable nonstarter. Five bookmakers paid the £l2 10s fee at Wairio, and £l,BlO went through the totalisator, or £6O more than last year. The results were :—Hurdle Race ; Manazona 1, Silvering 2; only starters. Maiden Plate : Tautapere (8.13) 1, Glengarry , (8.13) 2. Bav Lnpin (8.13) 3. Wairio Cup : Office Girl (8.12) 1, Heroism (8.5) 2, Radiator (7.2) 3. Trot : Export (18sec) 1, Circular Saw • (23sec) 2, Select (23sec) 3. Farmers’ Plate : Embrasure (8.2) 1, Maystone (9.3)' and Miss Bray (7.9) (dead heat) 2. Flying Handicap'; Royal Shell (8.10) 1, Captain Kettle (8.0) 2, Lilystone (8.3) 3. Second Trot: Circular Saw (16sec) L, Young Stanley (4sec behind) 2, Select (18sec) 3. Welter : Radiator (8.3) 1, Royal Shell (9.7) 2, Unawares (7.7) 3. Looking through the Gore handicaps as framed by Air Gibbs, it seems to mo that the adjustments are such as to puzzlo backers. Who is to choose as between Apnllodoris aad Astrakhan at level weights in the Cup? -And who is bold enough to say that Rosebloom, in view of her great race after Petrovna at Wingatui, may not beat the two? These be problems. Notes, too, must he treated with respect; ho was running well on the second day of the D.J.C. meeting. It seems to mo that there will bo good racing. [f all goes well in the meantime, New Zealand will be represented by that brilliant colt Elevation at tho Australian Jockey Club’s Easter meeting at Randwick. The colt has been entered for the two big handicaps—the Doncaster (one mile) and the Sydnev Cup (two .miles). He is also entered for the V.R.C. Newmarket Handicap, but not for tire Anstnilian Cup or Champion Stakes. A fas tor Delayal is in both Australian Cup and Champion. Zimmerman has accepted for the Wellington Cup, and stands out as a likely customer, because at Auckland he won with tho same weight at the same distance. If Lapland strips fit, he too must have a big say; and there will be fanciers of Apa, Downfall, and The Rand. Alto-. SBthec there is themakings-of-a fine-race.

Tho 'following is a list of the cMefT: winning horses on the English turf during 1907; £ s. Lally (4 yrs), ‘ by Amp Mo — o Hoyden 11,555 0 Wool Winder (3 yrs), by Alartagon—St. Windeline ... ... 10,417 0 Saner (4 yrs), by Diamond Jubilee—Dame Agneta... .„ 9,204 0 Lesbia (2 yrs), St. Frnsqnin— Glare ... ... ... 8,066 10 Slieve Gallion (3 yrs), by Gain. nule—Reclusion 7,705 0 White Eagle (2 yrs), by Galliimle—Merry Gal ... * ... 7,571 10 Orby (3 yrs), by Orme—Rhoda B 6,717 0 The White Knight (4 yrs), by Desmond—Pella 6,495 0 Beppo (4 yrs), by Marco— Pitti 5,068 0 Glass Doll (3 yrs), ■ by Isin-glass—-Fota 4,950 0 Polymelus ( syrs), by Cylene— Maid Marian 4.840 0 Witch Elm (3 yrs), by Orme— Cannie Lassie 4,450 0 Bridge of Canny (4 yrs), by Love Wisely—Santa Brigida 4,244 0 Vamosa (2 yrs), by Orme—umpire ... ... ._ ... ... 4,084 10 BOWLING. * [By Leader.] —Saturday’s Alatchcs.— Balmacewen v. Otago. Caledonian v. North-east Talley. Caversham v. Kaituna. Dunedin v. Green Island. Ontram v. TaicrL, Port Chalmers v. St. Kilda, Roslyn v. St. Clair. Fairfield, a bye. A few days more and bowlers of the South Island, with a sprinkling of tho North Island fraternity, will he engaged In oompetiton for the honors of the N.Z.B.A. There is no doubt about a record entry for the rinks, and consequently in the doubles and singles the entries arc bound to be particularly heavy. Last week I gave ninety rinks as the probable total, but, when one Dunedin club has practically ten combinations on the way, there is no saying by how much my estimate may ho exceeded when entries close at 1 p.m. on Saturday next. I shall not be the least hit surprised to loam that tho last of the tournamenthazarding a look ahead—carried out on the ” free-for-all ” system constituted not only one of tho most successful, hut was actually tho most;, numerously-attended gathering of bowlers over held in one centre. It is problematical as to the number of greens that will he brought into requisition for tho rinks championship games. ..Air Fraser has arranged that five games shall lie played in ihe rinks, and that on each green during the progress of these five games there shall he two sections of six rinks each, so that in the event of a record entry of, say. 103 rinks, there would be eighteen sections occupying nine greens. Now, as to the greens. It is only natural to suppose that the Tournament Committee will make every endeavor to place before competitors the best of the greens available, and it may be taken for granted that, with the exception of Kaituna, every other green in the district, will be gladly offered for use. However, in the case of a tournament it behoves those at the head of affairs to 'study only tho comfort- of players, and this can be accomplished in the judicious selection oi greens, leaving aside ideas of a sentimental nature. If nine greens are required the Committee will probably select them as follows : Dunedin, Caledonian, St. Kilda, Caversham, Roslyn, Balmacewen, North-east YaDey, Green Island, Otago. Of the above, Green Island is, without doubt, the best plot at t’mo of writing, bnt of course when Dunedin, Caledonian, Talley, and Rcslvn get the “ finishing touches ” they will all plav perfectly, Caledonian especially so; but new greens, such as Caversham, Otago, and Balmacewen cannot be expected to pass the tost, although Balmacewen is very good. Competitors! in the rinks may confidently expect that m the case of the greens last noted nothing will be left undone in the meantime to bring them up to concert pitch. Coming to the doubles and singles, we may wrth every confidence .anticipate the occupation of the whole of the greens, thereby including Taieri, Fairfield, St. Clair, Kaituna (with every consideration and under fine-weather conditions), and perhaps Port. I have endeavored to give bowlers an idea of what has been mapped out. but it does not necessarily follow that, with the mass of details yet to be undertaken, other arrangements may not be resorted to. Afte<the meeting of the Centre this evening I howlers will probably be in full possession of further details. The question has been asked whether, ■'(. the -event of tlie stipulated number of heads not having been played within the time allowance, play • will cease on completion of the head. It must be distinctly l understood that players mnst be in their places when tho bell rings and commence play; 36 soon as the tune allowance has expired a fresh 'head cannot he started. The Centro recognise that Caledonian Green is second to none, and I bcliovo there is now no uncertainty as to where the finale will be played. Everything is being done to hurry on tho complftion of the pavilion, amMt goes without saying that, with Air C. 1 1 . Grecnslado at their head, Caledonian •will “ do tlie thing right up to the handle.” They are noted for this. There in a possibility that next’ Satirroay's mter-cinb fixtures will be held over. When St. Kilda Club was first formed those who “bore the heat and burden ” threw so much enthusiasm into their work that they were not long in gathering round them quite a multitude of local rersidents, who also were bubbling over with enthusiasm, and the club soon made its mark. And enthusiasm is still a characteristic feature amongst the memlK-rs—so predominant that even the fit. Kilda ladie.s have become “enthused.” On Saturday the “ Saints ” had to journey to Outnini, and. unlike several other clubs, when the hour arrived to catch tho bus ” at Alause street there were gathered sixteen good men and true ■ —■ it was quite a picnic party with their lady friends joining them, possibly going out to encourage their lords. All clubs do not play tlie game on these lines; they might, though, and—bowlers really are selfish sometimes! ■When Caversham put up a first-rate performance against Dunedin on the latter’s green a lew weeks ago, many bowlers thought “the element of luck” about the game of bowls had favored Caversham, but last Saturday’s game against Green Island dissipates the luck theory. Green Island have amongst them some ten or a dozen of tho very first grade of bowlers, and for Caversham to hang on and breast the tape with them, as they did on Saturday, is a splendid performance, and shows that they are rapidly coming to the front. It is, of course, a difficult matter for Green Island to put out more than four or five rinks, and Caversham, with a nmch larger membership, had an advantage in this respect. Still their victory is none the less creditable. I congratulate them, and from what I know of the Green Islanders they will not grudge Caversham the win. Taking advantage of tile, dry-weather spell last week, most of the clubs hurried on their tics. Alany interesting games resulted, but they are so numerous just now that I am compelled to forego particularising. It wfll be interesting to watch the performances of “ colts’ ” rinks during the tournament. From Dunedin Club A. PindLy, J. Douglas, and Ors J. M‘Donald and H. H. S. White have combined to make things hum. _ Findlay skippers. Otago also has a combination of “ young ’uns ” 0 Young, H. L, Smith, C. R. Smith, and J. Cooke (s). And therei are several others from local clnbs. By the way, Findlay took his men up to Otago the other evening, and AUoo took on the parent’s cMckens. Findlay and Co. . * 6°k. the green,” and drubbed his obliging friend—3B to 13! There has been great jubilation in the house of Findlay since then, and it _ is whispered teat he prefers to play all Ms tournament games on Otago Green. Air W. Dawson, president of Otago Club ever thoughtful for tho comfort mid convenience of players and visitors, has had a pipe laid from the spring on his property to the western end of tho pavilion, so that .the water. uoff; rimrung to waste L

made use oi The improvement, I feel sure, will be appreciated. It is to be hoped that tee green will be made full use of during tee tournament; it would be a slight compensation for the great efforts Mr Dawson has made to promote bowling in Dunedin, and particularly for his generosity to Otago Club, to eay nothing of Ms many gifts to Caledonian Club during bis quarter-af-a-century membership, and, alternately write Mr C. F. Greenslade, occupancy of the presidential chair. A game was played at St. Kilda a,week or two ago. One side had stared 13 at the thirteenth head, and appeared to have their opponents easily beaten. But they never shifted from the fatal thirteen d the other side simply came along and romped home. A coincidence. Word reaches mo that Air 0. J. Payne will not return from the Commonwealth in time to compete at the tournament. Green Islanders are proud of their green, and they have cause to be. Their caretaker has done excellent wort, and tee members fully appreciate, it. Mr Ernie Harraway has handed me copies of the 1 Lake Wakatipu Mail,’ from which extracts are taken concerning tee Christmas tournament. Chatting with Mr Harraway as to the Lakes Club, he said that the inland bowlers bad treated him most hospitably, tee green was in first-class order, and altogether he had spent a very pleasant holiday. Air King (late of Gore), one of Queenstown’s best players, was endeavoring to get a team together for the tournament, and it is quite possible that the club will be represented. Of the play, the local paper says that owing to insufficiency of entries it was decided to abandon the original programme, and in order to provide enjoyment for a number of bowling visitors a scratch pairs tourney was carried through. Ten pairs entered, including Messrs IS. Harraway and Forrest (Dunedin), Crawford (Roslyn), Sim (Napier), Cunningham (Southend), and H, Wilson (Talley). Forrest and Harraway won the four games in their section, and Pope and Crawford) did likewise in the other section. These pairs played off in the final, and at the twentyfirst head the scores wore even. In the extra head the Roslyn skipper prevailed. On January 1 a “ hurry-scurry ” pairs was played, AlTlonald and Wilson (Talley) being tho winners. Later on a match T isitors v. Queenstown was played. Harraway skipped for the visitors, who won, and King captained the local rink. The most remarkablfi feature about the last head was that Queenstown had not a bowl ou the green after Harraway played his last bowl. A visitor to Waikouaiti during the holidays says that although the green has not come up to expectations, tho Waikouaiti bowlers know how to make one feel at home. At St. Kilda TV. J. Patterson, and G. Julius mot A. Walker and J. AFCnrdy in tho doubles. Tlie latter got a lead of 11 to 1, and later on were 16-4; then Julius and Patterson drew up to within 5 of their opponents. Al’Curdy again got away, and was 20-14. Ho could not, however, get tho remaining point, and Julius scored. Hainblyn and Tickery v. Quito 11 and Hellyer: latter bad put up 16 to their opponents’ 7, but Vickery and his partner came upland after making a good game, won. _ Kilgour, who skipped one or tho winning rinks (Carlton, Auckland) in the Northern tournament tho other day, is tho player who showed such splendid form at Christchurch during the last, tournament. After watching his play I came to the conclusion that Kilgour was absolutely the very best of the Northerners; in fact, there are few in tho South who could “walk away from him.” Bo is a man who can play a driving shot or a draw in succession. It was “ Jimmy ” Nash, of • Palmerston, who put Kilgour and Co. out of tlie Championship Rinks at Christchurch and was himself afterwards beaten. Nash, I notice, captained the winning team in the Citizens’ Prize. It is said tliat Wellington, Victoria, Newtown, Thorndon, and other clubs from the North Island will be represented at the tournament. Mr F. Smith, in the absence of Afr C. J. Payne, undertakes to skip tee rink at the tournament. Mr H. Smeaton plavs as third. A full report- o< last night’s Council meeting appears elsewhere. In reference to the election of Air W. Waddell (Oamaru) as president of the Association, I think the appointment will meet with very general favor, as Air Waddell has been before bowlers for many years, and is so popular that it would lie superfluous to say that the N.Z.BA. will still advance under his guidance. Oamaru bowlers are sure to appreciate tho compliment paid Mr Waddell, especially Phoenix Club, the N.Z.B.A. president being also president of tho White City’s famous club. YACHTING. [By Rudder.] Tho Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Club hold the second of their series of races on Saturday next, the 18th Inst. The third will bo sailed in conjunction with the Ravens bourne Regatta on Saturday, February 1. The protests Vigilant v. Petrel and KiaOra v. Eileen will be considered at a meeting of the Otago Y. and ALB. Association, (o be held In Mr Hanlon’s office to-morfow (Wednesday) evening. Professor Scott writes to Secretary Willis thanking the O.Y.C. and M.B. Club for the kindness extended to himself and Mr Grigg during their trip to Dunedin in the Yvonne, and also for the courtesy of the club in electing them memberoduzing their stay, an honor which both Professor Scott and Air Grigg highly appreciated. The professor also thanks the dub for putting on a special race, and while he regrets being unable to capture the cup presented hopes to be more successful on some future occasion. To Mr A. C. Hanlon (president) and tho members of the Broad Bay Regatta Commifctee the professor extends his thanks for their telegram congratulating him on tho performance of tee Yvonne on New Year's Day. Ho points out that the times as reported in the papers were not correct, those given being the actual hours of finishing. Yvonne did the course in 2h 41min 45sec, wMch establishes a record. The course is sixteen miles, and as half teat distance was a dead beat to windward it works out at a mean speed of about 71 knots per hour. Yachtsmen were treated to some peculiar samples of weather last Sunday. In tee early part of the day it was blowing hard from tee nor’-east, when suddenly a buster came down from tee south-west, making the bay feather-wMte wMle it lasted- The sou’-wester did not last for long, and in the evening the boats wended their several ways home under variable weather conditions from all quarters. It was a peculiar sight to see the meeting of the two breezes. The Ravens bourne Boating Club sailed the second of their series of races last Saturday. In the first class, Waimana (scratch), Carina (6min), Bex (8«)min), Lennox Lass (B.)min), Revenge (B>)min). and Vagabond (9min) competed. A close race resulted in Irex securing first place, Carina second, and Revenge third. Tho corrected times disclosed a very good handicap, all the boats being within two minutes of each other. In the second class, Rambler (scratch), Dream (2mm 45sec), and Nell (2nun 45sec) started. Nell (under the guidance of veteran T. Harridge) crossed the line first, easily securing first place. Dream took second position. The race for the Rudder Cup across the straits from Victoria to Tasmania, was won easily by Thistle. Four yachts competed, and on tho Thursday morning cleared Port Phillip Heads in the following order:— Shamrock 6J13, Ellada 6.25, Rambler 6.27, and Thistle 6.30. M the start tee wind was favorable,. and it was expected tegt the yachts would have an easy passage. TMstle seems to be the only yacht of tho four to have had good luck, although the voyage was not all smooth sadHng for her by any means. She was the last away at the start,, hut within an hour of Rjolmg she overhauled Shamrock and Ellada. At 8.15 she was abeam of Cape Schanck, and at 5 a-m. the following day the Table Cape light was sighted after a good run across. Then she stanch trouble. From the point mentioned to Tamar Heads a violent gale, accompanied by torrents of rate -was encountered. When Thistle reached Lagoon Bay at 5.15 p.m. on Friday there was no ast;pf other Tadita._^L.j^L.

past seven on Sateday, however, EaanUer which is an auxiliary, and which,, owing t< stress of weather, had been forced to as her engine, arrived in the river. Thi yacht wasfavorite, and report has it tha -tear gale' off Tamar Heads is responsihli for her defeat. Shamrock arrived on Sun day- afternoon,' after experiencing a ver rough time of it. ROWING. [By Royal Blok.] —Regattas, 1908. January 29.—Auckland. February 15.—Christchurch. February.—lnvercaigilL February L—Ravens bourne. . " March 23.—Napier (championship). “Tholepin”, writes;—“ The Otagi Rowing Club’s shed is again showinj signs of activity after the holidays. Thi ladies’ Challenge Cup, the big club rao of , the season, has received a large man her of entries, and crews should be se Feted and posted up this evening. It i the intention of the club to hold ; ‘kdies’ day’ shortly, to which lad] ti tends of the members will be invite* and entertained to scratch races, swiimmnj sports, and last (but not. least) aftemooi ter. The final heat of the Challenge Cuj will also probably be rowed off. TMi vuima I fixture has become very popular and given a fine day a profitable after nven should be spent. The Ravensbonrm Regaila is to be held on Saturday, Feb Miruy 1. A maiden fours, open to al clubs, is to be rowed, and in all proba bifiy this club will be entering two crewi for the event. The Ravensbourne Sail Water Fours is also to be rowed. TM: has also been a very popular event t( oarsmen daring : .past seasons and entile; from the O.R.C.' have always been mm erons. There is not tho possible doah that big entries will be to the fore thi; season. It was to have been decided las' evening (Alonday), by the Otago Rowin' Association as to the best date anc locality' of the annual regatta. In pas years this fixture has always been held a Waihola, but the last two years have beei unfortunate regarding weather conditions The O.R.A. are considering seriously o changing for a more suitable place, hear a rumor of Port- Chalmers being thi favored place. This, to my mind, shouh be the most satisfactory place, wheri there are at least some good points—a-cer tairi amount of shelter, good water, ad vantages as to ‘gate,’ and good ac commodation both to crews and boats The club are to be congratulated on tbei rowing at Port Chalmers Regatta. Ii nine starts they secured three wins, on dead heat first, and five seconds, am seeined £25 10s in prize-money. Th Senior Fours are to be especially con gratulated in their event. Their rowin was of a very high order, and reflect great credit on their coach (Mr Lough nan). The Maiden Pairs and Sculls e3s did very satisfactorily, as also the Youths Fours against their doughty opponentstee Port Chalmers youths, who, by th way, are a splendid crew, one of th finest I have seen. The Junior Four rowed a little disappointingly, and thre races were evidently too much for two o tho members. On the whole, ft was very satisfactory regatta. The racin • was of a Mgh standard, clean, and fraugl , with close and exciting finishes.” “Victor” of the Wanganui ‘Herald says that Newcastle people have a ver . Mgh opinion of Tresidder both as sculler and a man, and they have show . their confidence in Ms ability to scu by the support they have accorded Mm i . Ms past races. Tresidder had heard so much agains tee Wanganui River and the cliraat that he was very agreeably surprised On first seeing the river he expressed th opinion that it was a splendid one. H Had been led to believe that it was ver narrow, that the currents were bad, an it was always rough, but he found beautifully wide sheet of water, general! ns smooth as glass, and everythin favorable to rowing, whilst the climat has been first class. He says, therefore that it will be no fault of the river or o the climate if he cannot win. Fred Ford his been struck at the num her of likely-looking young men in th local rowing c]»abs. “ Y r ou have some o the finest material- in the world here,' he said, “and sought to turn out man champions, especially with such a grani river.” Tresidder and Bain both agree; with Ford. Tresidder is beginning to know th river and its peculiarities. Ford ra , Bud of a sandbank the other day. bu did damage to his boat. Next'week when Tresidder. will probably do som faster work than he is at present doing there will be better opportunities o studying and criticising Ms style. S far as can be judged from what has bee seen his finish is not good; in fact, say “Aictor,” it is very weak. Lost Wednesday inomhig Tresidder an Ford left the Wanganui shed and pad died down to the bridge, where the turned and went up river at a goopace. Tresidder was striking abon twenty-six to the minute, and his boa was travelling at a fast rate. They kep up tee pace to the railway bridge i being a very solid row. The challenge appeared to more advantage than he ha previously done, and though there wa st J a weakness about his finish and M boar looked to be rolling a hit, the forr s!ktwu was better than in any previou The champion came down the rive shortly after tho Australians had eon up, rowing at a steady pace against th Be sculled down to the bridge and then turned, rowing at a fair pie back to his shed at Aiamoho. He was i: his new NeOson skiff, which was numm very nicely. The champion’s free swinging style was favorably conuuentei on, and Ms clean bade work was muc. admixed. He looks particularly wel about the arms and shoulders, on wMci the muscles are standing out well. I nothing unforeseen happens, he ought t be m splendid form in a week or so.