A SPORTSMAN’S NOTEBOOK

Evening Star, Issue 20687, 9 January 1931, Page 6

A SPORTSMAN’S NOTEBOOK

GLEANINGS FROM SPORT

[By H.P.S.] -

A mo»t pleasing feature of the Auck-lancl-Otago cricket match at Gansbrook over New Year was the high standard of umpiring shown by Messrs tv, Butler and G. Crosbie. It is not frequently that so many Ibw decisions have had to be given in one match, and yet one did not hear tl ■ slightest complaint about any of then., which goes to show' the confidence the players had in the two officiating umpires. Umpiring is no easy task. Considerable concentration requiml, especially in a match that is in progress from 11 o’clock m the morning until 6 o’clock at night ; and all cricketers owe a debt of gratitude not only to the men who make sacrifices bv spending a part of their holidays officiating in representative games, but also to those others who Saturday after Saturday spend the afternoon on the cricket field, their only reward being the knowledge that they are helping the good old game of cricket along. Otago is fortunate in possessing some good umpires, and cricketers cannot be too strongly urged to assist in the carrying on of the good work when they give up the game. .• A * * A proposal that is likely to be given effect by the Otago Amateur Athletic Centre in connection with the New Zealand track and field championships next month, at which the American athletes will appear, is that when the parade of athletes is held past chain* | pions from the various centres should be invited to participate. The grand performances of other days are apt sometimes to be forgotten, and the inclusion of the old-timers in .this parade of athletes should be most popular. Swimming clubs in Otago and the governing body as well are doing fine work, which is illustrated by the growth in membership of the clubs and the improvement in the standard of Otago swimming that has been noticed in the last few years. Unfortunately that progress has not been marked by increased attendances at the swimming carnivals, and in view of the very' fine programmes that are arranged by the dubs and the centre and the splendid Ji.lds that face the starter it is surprising that greater public support is not forthcoming. Swimming is a sport that is almost entirely dependent upon public support to keep it going, and it is to be Imped that the two carnivals that are listed to be held during the next few weeks will receive greater patronage than those that have already been staged. The clubs do not merely provide competitive events, but amusing and exciting novelties add variety to attractive programmes which invariably mean a fine night’s entertainment for those who attend. The dubs and the centre are doing valuable work in encouraging swimming among the young people of the city, and it is a great pity that the general public does not take That aspect into consideration by lending greater support to carnivals in a practical way. - • # •' 9.' * It was certainly a novel suggestion that was put forward by_ the ‘ Star’s London correspondent in a recent article .in which the suggestion, was made that it would make lor more interesting boxing bouts if it were fully understood that the verdict would bo a draw in the event of both men staying the course. Such a proposal seriously put forward, would be sure to meet with a storm of criticism, but there is no doubt that it would find favour with not a few of the public who like plenty of action in a contest. There would be none of this eternal holding and clinching which does so much to mar professional boxing contests nowadays, and one can imagine many a puzzled referee breathing heartfelt thanks that he did not have to give a decision that possibly would bring down upon him the wrath of the majority of the fans. Talking of such a proposal brings to mind a story that was told to the writer a long time ago by an old friend who was always an advocate of the prize ring, believing that only when men faced each other with thou- bare, knuckles was tbo best seen of them. At the time of the incident referred to he was mining in Queensland, and of a Sunday morning the streets used to be lined with men from the various camps. There was one man, rather bigger than most, who had the habit of lording it over smaller men, and when a couple of young Chinese happened to pass he let out a hefty kick at_ the. smaller of the pair. The other Chinese was a well-built and powerful man, and naturally enough he remonstrated with the big miner. Before very long things bad taken such a turn that there was nothing else for it but a fight, and my friend, who was appointed chairman of proceedings, saw to ifc that everything was in order, tho conditions being that it should be a battle to a finish. For over an hour, the two hefty fellows, representatives of East and West, traded punch and punch, until from _ sheer weariness thev were merely pawing at each other. The blood bad flown freely, and finally one of tbo onlookers voted that the fight should be declared a draw, a proposal that mot with general approval. My friend, however, had other ideas. “No,” ho said firmly. “ I think you will agree by all our traditions that it was tbo duty of the white man to knock tho Chinese out — he has not done so, and I move that the Chinaman be declared the winner.” And, strangely enough, the motion was carried without a dissentient voice. And 1 am inclined to think that if the proposal previously discussed were brought into force, there would still be just the same amount of argument as there is under present conditions, for boxing fans will always bo able to find something to argue about.

It- ia to be hoped that the proposal that was put forward in these columns some time ago by the writer concerning tho staging of an interhouso swimming carnival is not lost sight of altogether. In the meantime, however, it might he well worth the while of tho Otago Centro to consider the inclusion of an interhouso relay on its programme in .February as a start to the major proposal. If some retail firm wore to take the initiative and award a shield for such a race there is but little doubt that considerable keenness and rivalry would be engendered. When one considers the number of firms encouraging their employees to take up athletic sports of one .kind or another it is surprising that more employers are ,not found who realise tho value and importance of encouraging swimming among members of their staffs.

Two of the greatest fighters in the world to-day are Fidel La Barba, logical contender for the world’s featherweight championship, and Jimmy M‘Larnin ? regarded ns tho outstanding welter-weight in America, despite his recent defeat at tho hands of buttling Lilly Petrolic. M'Larnin, for his weight, is regarded by many American critics as the hardest puncher in the jvorld. Ho' has beaten several cham-

pious, hut has never held a title. La Barba yas once fly-weight champion of the world, and it is interesting to recall that when La Barbu and M'Lnrnin were much smaller than they are today they met three times as fly-weights and hail lams. One was a four-round draw; the other two M'Larniu won.