TOPICAL TATTLE

Evening Star, Issue 21934, 22 January 1935, Page 4

TOPICAL TATTLE

C. F. Walters, the England test cricketer, is engaged to Miss Margaret Mary Pitt, only daughter of the late Mr and Mrs James Pitt, of Hagley, Stourbridge, England. They first met in July. * * * * The remarkable distinction of securing seven wins from as many starts in yacht races at the centenary regatta was attained recently by Commodore “ Bertie ” Crick, of the Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Melbourne. * ♦ * • Great Britain is included in the thirty-eight countries to be represented at the second Jewish Olympiad, to bo held at Tel Aviv, Palestine, from April 2 to 7. Others entered are America, Australia, Canada, China, Egj'pt, India, South Africa, Mexico, and Peru. * » .» • S. A. 11. Badeley, brother of two All Blacks, made 227 for Hamilton East against Claudelands. He kept wickets for Auckland against M.C.C. in 1930, and together with llanji Finlayson, former New Zealand and Wellington fast bowler (now playing in suburban cricket in Auckland), made a great stand for the last wicket. # * # * Evidence of the growing popularity of water polo in Wanganui is furnished by the fact that, in addition to four teams taking part in the current senior championship competition, several junior teams are in the process of formation. There is even a suggestion that two or more ladies’ polo teams could bo formed. It is understood that the AVanganui Swimming Centre intends sending a polo team to Auckland for the New Zealand, championship tournament next month, * * * * “ Burnt ” heads among the bowlers are quite the thing, especially when the head counts against • you, but on one of the greens during the dominion bowling championship an almost un-heard-of happening took place. In the first match of the day the first jack sent down w r as “ burnt ”by the very first bowl sent away by the lead. This, of course, was unintentional, but the green was so unexpectedly fast and keen that the bowl travelled much faster than was intended and trailed “ kitty ” out of bounds, * * * * It has been estimated by a noted sporting authority that in the two-hour match between Perry and Shields in the last Davis Cup challenge round each player covered nine and ninotenth miles during 38min 43sec of actual play. The estimate seems rather high, the rate of 75yds per lOsec has been allowed, but while this may be occasionally attained the average is certain to be somewhat slower. However, there is no doubt that the distance covered in a prolonged match is considerable, though the actual playing time of the above contest makes surprising reading. * The Olympic Games without American participation would be a poor affair indeed, and while at the moment that country’s acceptance of the invitation to compete at Berlin in 1936 seems certain there is considerable division of opinion on the question. The cause of the controversy, of course, is Germany’s attitude toward possible Jewish competitors. For, although the German authorities have given every assurance that no discrimination whatever will be made against athletes of Jewish strain, there is still a feeling that, while perhaps nothing is to be done actively to prevent Jews from competing for places in the German Olympic team, very definite passive measures will be made to ensure that the chances of a Jew representing Germany are very slight. * * * * The Australian Board of Cricket Control, which had previously distributed among the various States £20,800, being profits of the English tour, recently allocated a further sum of £5,200, lining the remainder of the profits with the exception of an amount set aside for working expenses. The total amount of £26,000 was distributed among the States in accordance with their representation on the board. New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia each received £6,000, Queensland £4,000, and Tasmania and Western Australia each £2,000. Messrs Oxlado (N.S.W.), Hutcheon (Q.), Hodgetts (S.A.), and Kelly (Vic.) have been appointed a sub-committee to arrange the programme for the English team’s visit to Australia in 1936-37.

Ellsworth Vines has recently been regaling English readers with stories of things they did in America when he was an amateur. Vinos is credited by the London ‘ News-Chronicle ’ with having said that “ the first-class amateur is frequently approached by organisers of exhibition matches and offered substantial sums to take part in the competitions. On one occasion 1 was presented with a very good leather suit case. I had one already, so I sent the new one back. The next move was the appearance of someone I had never seen before, who offered me £lO for the case. It is quite a common thing to meet several ‘ scouts ’ at a big tournament —men who are looking for players for smaller tournaments where, under ordinary circumstances, the first-class player would never be seen. These ‘ scouts ’ are prepared to pay cash or to give valuable presents to those players who accept invitations to play at their tournaments. I must say, though. that I. have never been approached with any such offer in this country (England), nor do I know any other American who has.” * * * * The Grange Cricket Club held its weekly euchre in the pavilion last Wednesday night, the winners being Mrs O’Brien and Robertson and Messrs Bills and Harbournc. Mr G. Knowles won the lucky door ticket competition.