TOPICAL TATTLE

Evening Star, Issue 21620, 16 January 1934, Page 4

TOPICAL TATTLE

NOTES FROM EVERYWHERE A London ‘ Daily Express ’ writer says; “1 had a telephone call from Alan Fairfax, the Australian test cricketer. . . . Ho will shortly open the largest school and club in the world, and ho has already invented a crest. . . . It lias a kangaroo on one side, a lion on the other, and in the centre there is a Latin inscription which means this: ‘ International good feeling*’ . That is neat and in the proper spirit.”

Unpaced records made by Maurice Richards, the French rider, have been recognised by the governing body in France. Richards did twenty-seven miles and 1,448yds in the hour against Oscar Egg’s mark of twenty-seven miles 853yds (says an exchange). Marcel Berthet (France), with a streamlined contrivance that completely covered the bicycle and rider, did over thirty miles nnpaced in the hour at the Parc des Princes track, Paris.

On December 31 last Ossie Nicholson, a twenty-four-year-old Victorian cyclist, concluded his twelve months’ ride 1 at Mordialloc, Victoria, having covered 43,996 J miles since January 1, 1933. Nichoslon set up a further world’s record, having ridden 363 “ centuries ” that is, at least 100 miles each day for the'twelve months. A third world’s record also goes to him because on December 30 he covered 250 miles. On October 30 Nicholson passed the previous world’s record of 36;007 miles made by A. A. Humbles, an Englishman (says an exchange). Nicholson’s performance stamps him as a champion in every sense of the word. His best effort was when he rode from Frankston to Bendigo and return to Frankston. a distance of approximately 250 miles. Humbles’s best figures for one day were 186 miles. Nicholson looked the picture of physical fitness when he finished his great ride.

When R. H. Cleave, the Auckland representative cricketer, was bowled by Elmes in the, recent Blanket Shield match against Otago at Eden Park, one of the bails performed a most unusual and peculiar trick. The ball hit the leg and middle stumps. One bail fell to the ground and the other flew into the air, trned over two- or three times, and then came to rest in the centre groove of the middle stump. The incident created much discussion, not to say amusement, among the Otago fieldsmen.

.. The. French ..Lawn Tennis Committee, recently appointed to protect the fair flower of amateurism, is considered to have done a very bold thing by its banning of Gentien, who ranks just' under the French Davis Cup men, from the international team (Maier, Lyttelton, Rogers, and Tinkler)' for South Africa. Qentien’s uncle, president of the French Lawn Tennis Federation, and Lacoste, one of his friends, are on the committee, so that it cannot be said that its action smacks of partiality. ♦ ■ *.,*,# Georges Carpentier, who had his last .fight more than seven years sgo, is to stage a “ come-back.” He is to challenge Andre Lenglet, holder, for'the heavy-weight championship of France. Carpentier says he watched Lenglet sue- 1 eessfully retain the title he had won from Maurice Grizelle. Ho decided that Lenglet’s form vVas so poor that, although he is twice his age, he would have another shot at the title ho held for.eight years. Carpentier adds: “ I think I can beat Lenglet in one or two rounds.” London ‘Daily Herald’ says: “ He-must be a supreme optimist or in need of money, for he received fearful hidings from Jack Dempsey and Battling Siki, and these sapped all his vitality.” * *, * , . * Only three, matches in the Sheffield Shield remain to be played before the Australian selectors meet to determine on the sixteen players for the English tour (says the Sydney ‘ Referee ’). The cricket in Melbourne has 'lengthened the prospects of L. O’B. FleetwoodSmitn as bowler and E. H. Bromley as all-founder. These young men at the moment look as sure of inclusion as most of. the recognised international batsmen. At this moment the positions most open..are, those of the. orthodox left-hand bowler and slow, spin bonder (or bowlers), and one batsman. .As W. M, Woodfull is not likely to make another tour to England after that of 1934, it is tolerably certain that one of the younger men in this team will become the future captain of Australia. * * * Lou Brouillard, the Canadian who recently lost the American middle-weight championship to Vince Dundee, and a former world’s welter-weight champion, stands sft 71m, and is fast growing, but not in height. He is expected to develop into a heavy-weight. He lost his welter title in his first defence, and did likewise with the middle’s crown.

Leicestershire County Cricket Club will be able to carry out their programme next season. This was doubtful until a recent committee meeting, as a loss of £1,600 last season had to be added to an already heavy overdraft. Assistance has, however, been promised by Sir Jnlien Cabn and members of the committee, and the fixtures will be fulfilled.

Dr “ Pup ” Raymond, ex-Sydney onetime star Rugby Union wing threequarter, who has been with the R.A.F. for a couple of years, who played with a Sydney University team liere nearly fourteen years • ago, , is now stationed in India, plays football, good football, with the squadron; and according to a worth-while source, he has proved so good ah officer, that his short-term commission could be extended into a permanent one, were it not for the fact that his age is against him.

There is a little story behind the four sixers which were included in Don Bradman’s score of 253 against Queensland at Sydney on January 2. It was in attempting to hit his fifth sixer that he was clean bowled by Brew. On his way to the ground Bradman and his father were discussing the prospects for the day, and Mr Bradman, sen,, happened to mention that he . had never seen his son bit a six on the Sydney Cricket Ground. “If I should happen to get 200 to-day I will either hit a six or die in the attempt,” replied Don. * • « • The New Zealand Swimming Council has decided that the holding of the Annette Keilerman race at Redcliffs. Christchurch, wcudd not comply with the rule', and that there is no" option for the centre but to hold the race in Lyttelton Harbour.

The New Zealand Swimming Council has decided that payment of the annual registration fee by clubs be again suspended for the current season.

If performances count at all, then N. Cooper, of Auckland, is going to be most difficult to dispose of in both the New Zealand mile and three-mile championships next month (says C. H. Jenkins, in the ‘ New Zealand Referee ’). Cooper has already been credited with a 4.21 mile—the fastest run in New Zealand since G. Bayne’s 4.20 at Christchurch in 1931, while recently he easily defeated J. AV. Savidan over two miles. Savidan, of course, may not yet be in form, but nevertheless Cooper, who has literally run him to inches in two national three-mile championships, is a considerably younger man and capable of improvement. while anything in this direction from ''Savidan at thirty-one years of age'is most unlikely. Cooper has never impressed me as a mile runner, but a 4.21 performance ■is certainly a class effort, and its reproduction will enhance his claims for inclusion in the dominion’s Empire Games team.

One would like to see Otago develop a track team to support adequately its field men, Cameron, Spillane, Leckie, Johnson, and Cresser (writes G. H. Jenkins, in the ‘New Zealand Referee’). If the province can place well in the track events, it already possesses J. Barnes, the national mile champion, it is not impossible that the championship shield Will ■go to Otago, ■which last won it in 1906. Certainly no one would begrudge any success that may be achieved by the province.. * ,* »•* * The Australian light-weight boxer, Jiinmv Kelso, is credited with averaging in the vicinity of £4O a week during the past twelve months. Eighteen months ago he was working in a laundry for a small wage. *** ' * R. AT. Barrcr. formerly of Canterbury University College, and for a time the Canterbury distance champion, has returned to his first athletic love, crosscountry running, at Cambridge University (says the ‘ Sun ’). He was first home in the Cambridge intercollege cross-country race, a few weeks ago, and was then awarded a blue. •

When the Canterbury cricket team was in Auckland H. X). Smith (the exOtago player) celebrated his twentyfirst birthday. Smith. had broken a wicket in bowling against Wellington. The broken wicket was taken to Auckland, mounted in silver, and presented to him by the other members of the team on his birthday (says the ‘ Sun.).

The follhwiug table (compiled by the Auckland ‘ Herald ’) shows the total runs scored by and against the various provinces in the two Plunket Shield games already played:— Average Runs, per Wicket. Auckland 1,170 29.25 Opponents ... 823 20.67 Canterbury ... 1,160 29.00 Opponents ... 1,371 34.27 Wellington .... 1,118 27.95 Opponents ... 1,181 29.52 Otago ... ... 1,076 26.90 Opponents ... 1,149 28.72 Summary: Auckland, plus 8.68 runs •per wicket; Wellington, minus 1.57 runs per wicket; Otago, minus 1.82 runs per wicket; Canterbury, minus 5.27 runs per wicket.

A break ‘of 265, the highest ever made by a woman billiards player, has been put up bv Miss Ruth Harrison, of Newcastle-on-Tyne (Eng.), the former woman English amateur champion, in a private game at Birmingham. ♦ At Mittagong recently Miss Claire Dennis, the Olympic champion, competing against other women swimmers, covered 100 metres in 1.27 3-5, thus lowering the Australian record ' for breast stroke (says the ‘ Australasian.’). An attempt will be made to have the record recognised, _ as New South Wales swimming association officials were in charge of the event. * * * * March 10 has now been confirmed by the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Ama’teur Athletic Association as the date for the Otago-Canterbury interprovincial athletic meeting, and it was decided to agree to the inclusion of a half-mile walk on the programme. •'• • W The New Zealand intermediate and junior swimming championships open at Palmerston North on Friday, and will be continued on Saturday and Monday. •'* • • Syd. Cozens, the English cycling sprint champion, evidently had to come to Australia to complete his cycling schooling (says the Sydney ‘ Referee ’). This 100 kilo race was the first time he had ever ridden the distance in competition. Partnered by Merv. Border, Cozens jumped from the field in two sprints to catch the judge’s eye, and was also placed in the final dash for the line. Proof enough that he is possessed of much stamina, apart from his remarkable ability as a sprinter.

This year’s New Zealand golf.championships. will probably be held at Miramar, according to the latest news from Wellington. The tourney was last held at Miramar in 1926, the year in which several Australian golfers also competed.