PEOPLE AND PERFORMANCES

Evening Star, Issue 19142, 8 January 1926, Page 9

PEOPLE AND PERFORMANCES

[By Rambler.]

Eugene Volaire, the French boxer, is back in Now Zealand.

Announced as the champion feather and light-weight champion of South Africa, Billy Allen, at- Melbourne, knocked out Dick Congress, Victoria, in the twelfth round with a solid right cross.

It is stated that Randolph Rose, New Zealand’s great nailer, and the famous American, Lloyd Halm, probably will meet first in a mile race on Rose’s home track, at Masterton. It is certain that the races between 'these two will bo the most interesting _ events in the history of amateur athletics in New Zealand for many years. One of the biggest professional golf matches in the history of the game is likely to bo played near London this month. An English sportsman is prepared to back Arthur Havers and Archie Compston against any two professionals in the game. It is believed that Abo Mitchell will ho one of the opposition, and he probably will select George Duncan as his_ partner. “ho stake rrtll be £SOO a side. The prise money constitutes a record for a professional match. The brilliant New Zealand athlete, V. B, Powell, was in the limelight in recent; intercollegiate sports at Cambridge, when, representing Caius, he won the long jump and Tow hurdles, and was second in the 100yds. The performances recorded show _ that Powell could not have been in his best form. He jumped 20ft BJin, and won the 220yds low hurdles in 28 3-ssec. He was second in the 100yds, which was won in 10 4-ssec.

Throe holders of New Zealand amateur boxing titles have entered the professional side of the game since the last amateur title tourney (says a northern writer). They are the great little feather-weight, Tommy Griffiths, of Dunedin, one of the cleverest amateurs Now Zealand has-seen; Dick Lovoridge, of Wellington, who resigned, the light-weight title to win the welter crown; and Vince Parker, of Napier, light-heavyweight .champion, _ and brother of Eddie Parker. Griffiths should go far as a professional, and a trip to Australia probably would bo the “making of him.” Parker accompanied brother Eddie on his recent tgp over the Tasman, and figured in a few minor bouts. It looks as if New Zealand is building up a professional side of the sport that will he a credit to the dominion, both in and out of the ring. The New Zealand cricketers would probably do better in England than on fast, true Australian wickets, as shown on this tour (says a Sydney writer). In running two’miles over hurdles at Randwick in finiin 38)sec— a_ world’s record—t.here was nothing in climatic conditions that favored Mendit (says a vSydncy writer). At the time the race was ran the thermometer registered over 100 in the shade, and there was not tlio faintest suggestion of a breeze. When fhe December Nursery was run about an hour and a-half later a strong southerly wind helped the horses all the way, and had a Jot to do with enabling Minjcrookah to clip threequarters of a second off the previous Rand wick record for five furlongs. Minjcrookah put up fiOisoc, and, while there is no doubt as to her smartness,comparatively little importance atI tallies to her record owing to the exceptionally favorable conditions under which it was accomplished. “ Von can hav6 all your fancy kinds of howling, hut give me the man who I can keep a length!” So said an oldtimer at .Lancaster Park, and as ho spoke lie nodded towards R. Torrance, whose length bowling was the main asset which Otago had against the Canterbury batsmen (says the ‘Sim’)-, Torrance, who was the mainspring of the Otago attack by virtue of the fact that lie was the only howler on Christmas Day who kept a consistently good length, first appeared for his province twenty years ago. With the exception of an interval of throe years, when ho was engaged in another game in the trenches of the Western Front, he has represented his province without a break since 1905. It is a great record, made more impressive still by his present great value to his side. He may not he a great'batsman, but his fighting qualities also are present when he wields the blade, as was manifested when, at the tail-end of Otago’s second innings, lie engages! in the last-wicket stand with 11. M. Cherry which realised 105 runs. One secret of his evergreen qualities is his physical toughness. In the winter months he keeps himself fit. by tootling a whistle as a Rugby referee, and lie is an outstanding 'referee, too, controlling the last Rugby interisland game.

The news from Perth lust month of the death of Bob Rain age, rider of Carbine in the 1890 Mol bourne Cup, has recalled many interesting memories of one of Australia’s most notable jockeys. Ramagc was a native of Queen street, Melbourne, and was sixty years of age. He was a contemporary of such noted jockeys a.s Tom Halos, Tod Power, Mick O’Brien, and Mat Harris. Prior to his association with ■ Carbine Ram ago had earned fame as a successful jockey. In the spring of 3SSH ho won the Caulfield Cup and Coburg Stakes on J. C'ripps’s_horse. Bob. Ramagc also rode many winners for the late S. G. Cook. He rode Carbine from the spring of 1890 until the conclusion of the champion’s career. Ramage won several good races on Megaphone., including the V.R.C. • weight-for-age, Flying Stakes, and the Royal Park Stakes. Ramage went to West Australia over twenty years ago, and remained in that State until ho died. Writes “J.W.,” in the ‘Australasian —“ It was with a great deal of pleasure and anticipation that enthusiasts visited the Melbourne ground on December 18 to welcome a team from New Zealand on the cricket field. Previous teams from the dominion visited us in 1899 and 1914. T had the honor of leading Victoria in 1899, when we made GO2 runs, Kciv Zealand replying with 317 and 158. That match was remarkable, for the fact that the old Jolimontcr, Peter M‘A!istcr, who possessed a model style,, and who excelled in the art of cutting, made the mammoth score of 224. Tn 1914 Victoria made 439 to the visitors’ totals of 141 and 188. Thus on the opening day in this match New Zealand in making 314 were only 3 short of their highest score on the Melbourne ground. All round they created an exceedingly good impression, displaying a confidence and skill noli quite expected.”