Athletics.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 122, 1 November 1902, Page 19

Athletics.

A special meeting of the Empire City Athletic Club, on Monday night, discussed the advisability of winding the club up. The proposer of the resolution pointed out that thei club was not fulfilling the object for which it was instituted, because the running men themselves were taking no interest in it. The majority of them appeared to have no interests in common, and, therefore, were not likely to work together in harmony as members of the club. An interesting discussion followed, some of the speakers pointing out that it would be disastrous if the club was allowed at the present time to fall through, and recommending rather that a vigorous attempt should be made to get the runners to sink their petty differences, and unite in making the club of use and benefit to themselves. The motion was defeated, the mover of the resolution intimating that if the club was, in twelve months' time, only m name an association of cash runners, he w ould again move in the matter. • * * The championship meeting of the Amateur Athletic Association is likely to be held in Dunedin this year. His Excellency thei Governor has notified his acceDtance of the position of patron of the Association of Caledonian Societies. The first meeting for the season of the Executive Council of the New Zealand Association of Caledonian Societies Will be held on Tuesday nieht. Mr. W. A. Low, better known in the athletic world as "Billy" Low, the champion amateur middle distance runner, has been engaged as shipping clerk in the firm of Laery and Co. since his arrival in Wellington from Dunedin. "Billy" has, in the last few days, resi on ed that position to enter into partnership with Mr. Leonard Gill, of Sydney, as general agents. The new firm have the agencies for a number of wellknown London, New York, and S-dney houses. At the meeting of the Executive Council of the Caledonian Societies on Tuesday night, some interesting disclosures are expected in connection with the protest that was circulated against the handioapper of the association by certain running men. One of the number — he who actually circulated the document — was disqualified by the Council last year until he apologised for

his action. He has now asked that the whole matter be re-opened, and the du*qualification, removed, and is calling evidence to justify the issuing of tihe document.

TJie insapid "Chinese Honeymoon." — Sydney "Newsletter." * • • Latest Melba "gag" . "When was Madame Melba angry?" "When she spoke to Ada Orossley." * • * Dora Rignold, a relative of Handsome George of that ilk, is coming out to Australia, under engagement to Geo. Musgrove. She is said to be a beauty. » * * Madame Melba's Toorak residence is guarded by three policemen, night and day. Madame has jewels she wants to keep, and she is not trusting even the fnghtfuly select and gilded folk of the aristocratic suburb. * • ♦ Mr. George Cross, of the WoodsWilliamson Company, is aw arded the biggest type in the "Majeroni" bill Charles MoMahon, in advance of the MajeToni Company, is due in the Empire City shortly. * * * Marvellous Melba is to appear in grand onera in Australia after all. It was feared there was not scenery good enough to surround the diva with in that country, but rumour says that Mr. Musgrove has cabled for a suit for "La Boheme." * * * Miss Fitzmaurice Gill is starting another New Zealand tour in the beginning of December with a repertoire, including "The Sign of the Cross," "Harbour Lights," "The Christian," "Fedora," "Work and Wages," "Man to Man," and other strong pieces * * * Bland Holt is bound to have a horse on in all his shows, and he knows well what he is up to. The Covent Garden management, in the Kemble era of 1810-1811 bat upon the happy idea of introducing, gee-gees, and the return reached £100,000 as a consequence. * ♦ # At last the Irishmen have "bucked." You know the red-headed gentleman with the fearful brogue, who does the low comedy business in melodrama? He has been requested to leave by the Irishmen of America, who hate to have slurs cast on the denizens of the "ould sod." * * » "The Fatal Wedding" is the latest melodrama in London. A real flowing , river which is guaranteed to "go on for ever," or as long as required is only one of the attractions. An electrical snowstorm Is another and is so realistic that those in the audience instinctive!^ draw their wraps around them, and shiver in sympathy with those on the stage. * * # "Kid" Parker is a Yankee, who is at present "earning a living" at ball punching. Harry Rickards pays him wages for it, and everyone seems to like seeing a man do this kind of thing. Anyhow, after he has punched his way through Tasmania, he is due at the Gaiety. He is a comic gymnast among other things but the punchir ' business is what he is sweetest on. » ■» * It is said that "The Wrong Mr. Wright" is the only thing with thirteen, players in the cast that has ever turned up trumps. Right or wrong, the alleged unlucky number has always exercised a peculiar influence on players and others. I noticed recently , thai i a Newtown resident, who lost a child immediately after* the death changed the number on the door from 13 to 17. After all, 13 is an unlucky number, especially if it is the total of the audience. * * * One of the Wilton Brothers, at Sydney Tivoli, is drawing grist to the mill by a clever burlesque of the muscleswelling and dollar-raising Sandow act. The general opinion over on the "other side" seems to be that if Sandow v. as bluffed by a wharf-lumper, or other person who could hit hard and heavy, that he would climb right down off his pedestal. This opinion seems to have gained ground by Sandow's exceedingly feminine style and mincing gait. Also, Sandow, unlike the genial Cinquevalli, is stiff and cold, and non-humorous. He is very beautiful, and has ropes of muscles, and all that kind of thing but his personality does not appeal. * * • Tom Pollard, who, since 1895, has had an entire monopoly of the comic opera business in Maoriland, must look with no friendly eye to the invasion of Musgrove and Williamsons companies. The Tasman Sea (says the "Newsletter") has not been crossed by a comic opera company of any importance since 1895, when Nellie Stewart, Wallace Brownlow, Joseph Tapley, and the rest of the Royal Comics toured New Zealand with a brand new repertoire. Since then, all Williamsons musical pieces have been sub-let to Tom, but in November J. C. W. sends bis musical comedy company to expound "San Toy." etc., to Maorilanders, and, meanwhile, Musgrove's opera company, with an ex-Pollard favourite as chief draw, is sweeping the field. Pollard can, however, afford to lie low for a bit.