SCRAP BOOK JOTTINGS

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 45, 23 February 1938, Page 8

SCRAP BOOK JOTTINGS

INTERESTING NEWS ITEMS Fast Sydney Centuries. The rivalry between Sydney first grade batsmen for the fastest century of the season is providing fireworks in batting not seen for many years. J. Minter, the Balmain colt, set figure* against Manly not likely to be eclipsed. He got his century in 34 minutes and 141 in an hour and ten minutes.

Victorian High Diving. In a brilliant display, R. Masters won the Victorian high tower diving championship for the seventh successive year with a winning margin of 22 points over the veteran, T. H. Morris, who made his 17th appearance in the contest. Masters is Australia’s first choice for the diving events af the Empire Games.

"Replica” of Wodderson. Almost the image of S. C. Wooderson, England’s greatest miler and holder of the world’s mile record, is B. C. Eeles, 24 years old accountant from London with the English Games team. Eeles, like Wooderson, wears glasses and his height (‘sft. 7iin.) and weight (Bst. 131 b.) are almost identical with those of Wooderson.

Woman’s Snooker Challenge. Miss Violet Lindrum says she is ready to meet any woman player i£* the world for the snooked championship. For a long Ume Miss Lindrum has been practising, and is of the opinion that she is proficient enough at snooker to challenge any woman in the world. She is a serious and capable business woman, and would not challenge unless fairly certain of her grounds, says a Melbourne writer. Women Rifle Shots. Although worne. are not encouraged to become proficient in the use of th« rifle in Australia, those who were members of clubs before the restriction are still permitted to shoot. At Bisley in 1930 Miss M. E. Foster won the highest honour for rifle shooting in the Empire by winning the King’s Prize. Two Victorian women will be shooting through the New South Wales matches this month.

As a means of keeping a closer watch on the movements of leading amateur players, the French Lawn Tennis Federation has decided that all players must possess a record card, and the secretaries of tournaments they play in must fill in details. By this means it is hoped to avoid any possible violation of the rule permitting travelling and living expenses to be paid for a period of 42 days in one year.

Bridge is Grandstand. When the Sydney Harbour bridge was designed no thought was given to the fact that it would be used a few years later as a free grandstand to view the Empire Games swimming events. Many people were on the bridge when the swimming classics began—the Sydney Olympic pool is directly below on the north side—and every one of them so far has saved six shillings a session.

Oldfield at the W’ar. W. A. Oldflela, the former Australian wicket-keeper, is one of the very few international cricketers who first gained prominence in the game on the official side. While a very young player he became honorary secretary of the Glebe District Cricket Club. Then war broke out. He went to France, and when the Armistice was signed he became a member of the great Australian Imperial Forces’ team.

Competition in Drew. The Canadian Empire Games athletes wear gaudy shirts, which they bought at Hawaii. These garments are adorned with coloured representations of fish, fruit, snakes, surf-boards and tigers. Not to be outdone, L. Nolan, D. Heeney, J. Parker, K. Moran and J. Collins, of the New Zealand team, had their own shirts specially made. They are hideous-looking garments covered with glaring newsprint and are the envy of all the Canadians.

Amazing Bowling. Two amazing bowling performances marked games played in the East Rand Cricket Leagues last December. Bowling for Brakpan, in the first division, Magnusson took 10 Springs wickets for ten runs. Springs were put out for 20 but fared better in their second innings n which Magnusson took 3 for 73. In a second division match, Brigden for Hillman Bros, took 8 Benoni Municipals wickets for 22 runs; he captured five in one over, four of them with successive balls.

Executive Over-rules Selectors. When the Amateur Boxi g and Wrestling Union of Australia appointed selectors to choose the boxing and wrestling teams to represent Australia in the Empire Games competition they were given a free hand. When the teams were announced the executive vetoed the teams and altered them. After much discussion, threats of legal action and unpleasantness, the authority of the executive has been asserted, and the Empire Games Association has decided that the union’s team should stand.

South African Pole Vaulter. A Du Plessis, pole vaulter with the South African Empire Games team, has been a champion since he was 19 years old. Since 1933 Du Plessis has won the pole vault championship of South Africa every year. When asked how many people attended the Soutli African championships, he replied: "Often there are more athletes competing than there are spectators.” DQ Plessis, who is strongly built, particularly in the chest and arms. Is 5fU lOiin. tall and weighs 12st. 71b. H# holds the South African record of 13ft. 6in.