SPORTING

Evening Star, Issue 14225, 26 November 1909, Page 7

SPORTING

SOUTH CANTERBURY RACES. • Tho totalisator turnover for the two days was £6.952 (as against £8,608 last year), and £164 was received by way of bookmakers’ foes. In the principal event, the Jockey Club Handicap, White Cockade (8.5) took up the running, and, racing along the back, led Gunboat (7.10) by over two lengths, with Oiyoi (8.12) a similar distance away, and Stratagem (7.10) whipping im Turning for home, Gunboat closed on White Cockade, and the others also improved their position. Gunboat had White Cockade beaten at the distance, but Stratagem came with a great run, and won by half a length after a good finish. Oiyoi was a short length away, third, just clear of White Cockade. The mile took linin 42scc. The following events were decided after our report closed yesterday:—Welter, Montreal; Hack, Captain Kidd ; Farewell, Vologda.

CRICKET CONTROVERSY. Our Invercargill correspondent wires: A great cricket controversy is raging hero over a decision given by an Umpire in a senior match on Wednesdav. A batsman had cut a ball for a couple* and the fieldsman ‘ shied ’ at the wicket, with the result that the ball eventually reached the boundary on the other side. Many spectators maintained that the batsman should have scored 6 as a result, but tho umpire ruled 4, maintaining that, according to tho s rut ruling ot the game, if a ball reaches the boundary no more than the boundary can be scored. The majority of players maintain that the umpire was* wrong, *and should have awarded 6 for the stroke. The umpire is a South African, and states that he saw the same ruling carried into force t lere w hilo 1 aulkner was batting against Warner s English team. An ox-Otago payer mentioned that Fred Harper, the old-timc Otago sk.pper, had purposely thrown the ball over the boundary in a Canterbury match when 5 runs had been run. eo that only 4 could be counted, and he produced what appears to be the only up-to-date rule book in Southland, and rule 2 (note 2) there roads; “If the batsman should run 5 or 6 runs, and the ball c\entu;il!y reaches the boundary, 4 runs only may bo added to the score." The umpires decision stands at present, and he rule quoted certainly appears to bear him out.

At Iho annual meeting of the New Zealand Swimming Council, held at Christchurch last night, it was derided to allot the championships for 1910 to the Auckland Centre.

11 l i e i^°"' ai '^ s ot fbe Timaru-Christchurch ivoad Race met last night to hear evidence concerning certain irregularities in regard to the winners of the prizes for the fastest lime, the allegation being that they had received pace from non-contestants and tiom a motor car. A considerable amount ot evidence was taken, and the inquiry was_ adjourned till Monday. Nominations for tho principal events at the Alexandra Jockey Club meeting on December 17 will be received up till Saturday next, when local nominations mav be made with the .secretary of the 1) J (' between 7 and 8 p.m.