Sports and Pastimes.

Free Lance, Volume XVI, Issue 847, 29 September 1916, Page 21

Sports and Pastimes.

By Touohline.

Cricket.

Summer is Coming. THE annual meeting of the Wellington Cricket Association is to be held on Wednesday night this week, too late for comment on it in these columns at this staged I have not heard, of many clubs having held their meetings, but I have no doubt there will be a good muster of delegates when the roll is called. .---... .*••.. 45- * *' ' The Annual Report. Last week's Free ILance was hardly out of the press when Y. B. Willis, the treasurer of the Wellington Cricket As-. sociatiori, handed me a copy of that body's annual report. At the same time he apologised for not having gent me a copy earlier—my note in this connection reminded him of the lapse. I accepted Lis apologj' and thanked him for his courtesy. There is not much in the report that calls for comment. The following are extracts:—"The past season was naturally a quiet one. The Association was thoroughly in accord with the sion of the New Zealand Cricket Council not to play any representative fixtures during the course of the war, and consequently no such " matches were arranged. "The competitions did not arouse so 'much interest as usual, but some very good games were played. The East Club, which had an unbeaten record_for the greater part of the season, succeeded in carrying off the senior championship. "The financial position of the Association has occasioned the committee much concern during the year. All the clubs have suffered from much depleted

memberships owing to enlistments, and have experienced difficulty in paying their dues.

"Cricketers have responded splendidly to the call for men, and all clubs have supplied their quota of recruits. It remains for are-necessarily left beliind to make every effort to keep the game going, and to assist both on and off the field as far as lies in their power." . ■ * * * . 45Th e Balance Sheet is, considering all things, a very healthy document, and reflects credit on the Management Committee for the way have managed', affairs during the past' twelve months. The income for the year amounted to" £281 ss, being £96 lis 9d above the expenditure, the assets being £122 6s 4d more than the liabilities, which are stated as nil. I extend ♦my congratulations to Mr. C. G. Wilson and the other members, of the Committee on the satisfactory state of the finances, with the hope that they may remain in a similar pleasing state. It is hard enough to keep sport going these times, but if the finances are on the wrong side the trouble is increased into a perpetual worry. * * 45- . # Some Club Jottings. It is -rather early yet to talk about the probable composition of the: teams during the season, but the- following note,came tome through the post early in the week : — "The. prospects of the University Cricket Club for - the coming season would appear very bright. During last season it seemed as if the club could retain its senior status very little longer, but it may safely be said that, this year's team has been excelled by none the club has ever placed in the field; probably, indeed,/it has never been equalled. "I/ast year it had in Arthur Fen ton a bowler, considered by many . the best in the city; this year he will be aided by a New Zealand . representative. - Frank Joplin, who represented Wellington two ye?rs ago, scoring 80 against Otago, will again be playing, while among the new folk will be a man from the University of Tasmania, who has been selected' as emergency for' that State against New Soxith Wales; an Otago representative; a young player from the Wairarapa who some years ago scored a century for the country school representatives against the city boys; and several other players well up to senior standard. ■'....'.

''The smile of fortune, which has so long deserted the club, seems at last about to favour it. The new c lub captain —Mr. A. George—should have a pleasant year."

. The "New Zealand representative referred to above is C.-W. Robinson, the Central player; the Ota go man is G. H. TJttley, one of- the principals at . Scots' College; and two of the others referred to are named Cane, and Fair.

. The members of the Permanent Staff of the Defence Department are desirous of entering a team for the senior championship: They used ix> have a strong team in the Wednesday competitions,, and fresh ■ men since then on the staff are H. M. McGirr (East) and L. Beard (Old Boys).

The Boys' Institute Old Boys are *very keen on having a try for the senior championship, and in my opinion should be allowed to do so.

I hear, that the Central Clubj which had a very parlous time last year, are likely to pull out ot the competition this time, mainly through lack of members.

' E. Thomas, the Old ' Boys' n wicket- . has .passed his legal examinations since last season, and has shifted v his goods'and chattels to Napier.

Rugby Football.

Owing to the inarch out of the Seventeenth Reinforcenients there were no Rugby matches- played in Wellington last Saturday. This is only in keeping with things from my viewpoint, and, although it leaves me nothing to : write about in this connection, I .applaud the decision of the Rugb}' Union. •.-'•■ * . -• * * ' - *' On Friday last the final match for the schools' Rugby championship was played at the Athletic Park, the Marist Bros, boys being successful in defeating. Terrace by the narrow margin of 5 points to 3, and winning the championship. There was a time when the authorities controlling schools football kept me in touch with happenings i"xl their sphere of Rugby football. That was in the days when W. P. Baskiville was .an assistant-master at Terrace School." But the match above referred to was played before I knew anything about it. I would have liked to have seen it, and it is through no fault of my own that I didn't. . " - . ' ' I desire to congratulate - the Marist Bros, boys ©n winning the championship in their first year under the Public Schools Rugby Union. I always considered it an injustice to the game of Rugby that the boys from these schools were not allowed to play against ..the public schoolboys, as I held that a good nursery for Rugby was being hindered from doing its-share to help the game along. . -I. am sure Brother Virgilrus, who worked hard -in this connection when he was at the Marist Bros.' School Boulcott-street, will rejoice with the present members of the fraternity on their double success in gaining an entry into the schools competition and winning the championship in their first year. By the way, Brother. Virgilius, who did a lot in his quiet way. to help along the game, is now at the Sacred Heart College in Auckland.

The Sports Roll of Honour. The fact that our New Zealand • boys have added to their lustre as fighting men in the great offensive on the Western front has caused many thrills to the patriots in the Dominion this week. And it is only in the nature of things that, there should be big lists coming through as the result of" the fighting, the names of sporting men of every sort figuring amongst them. A short reference to some of these is within my province. Second lieutenant R. G. Hickmott N (died of wounds) is the- well-known Canterbury representative cricketer, and a member-of-the-New Zealand team that visited Australia; in 1913. From his early schooldays he gave promise of being above the average as a cricketer, and in one match for the Heathcote. WilliamsT Challenge Shield he helped considerably to the Canterbury College's win by a three-figure score against the Grammar School on the Auckland Domain. "Hicky," as he was familiarly known, justified all the good things that .were said about him when lie became a ■ senior cricketer in Christchurch, and his subsequent selection- as a Canterbury and a New Zealand representative were only to be expected of -a player of his.; capabilities. R. G. Hickmott has played many times in Wellington, and last season, with D. M. Sandmanh —a fellow Canterbury and New Zealand representa-tive-7-gave some excellent displays on the Basin Reserve. A nice unassuming lad, and one for whom I had a huge respect, his passing is to me one of the saddest things of the war.

Rifleman A. M. Stuart (died of wounds) was a native of Wellington, and educated at Wellington College, where he laid the foundation of a notable athletic • career. Meliss Stuart, who was 46 years of age, was a fine athlete about 20 year's ago. For some time he was Wellington's best quarter and half-mile" runner,' and had won" cham-

pionship events over these distances. He was a member of the Wellington Football Club, and was also a member of the Management Committee of the Wellington Boxing Association.

In the government of. amateur athletics he took a keen interest, acting as secretary of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club in the days, when things did not run too smoothly, and he was one of those mainly responsible for the bringing into existence of the Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. Although he was at the limit as far as age was concerned, A. M. Stuart responded to the call of Empire quicker than many' younger men, and in sacrificing his life in the war has proved himself a sport right to the end. Out of respect to his memory the memebrs of the Wellington Stock Exchange adjourned their morning call on Tuesday last. Commander Hancock, of H.M. Navy- (and formerly of H.M.S. Penguin on the New Zealand coast), who was recently awarded the D.S.O. for carrying out an important survey of the enemy coast under heavy gun-fire, is a son-in-law of Mr. D. T. Stuart (father of the late A. M. Stuart).

Lieutenant C. S. Geddis, reported to have been wounded, is the younger sonof Mr. W T . J. Geddis, editor of the "New Zealand Times." He is a NapierHigh School old boy, and is one of the lads whom J. H. Board, the Gloucester professional, was wont to declare to be one of the coming cricketers of the Dominion. Clifton was a member of the last Hawke's Bay team that against Wellington on the Basin Reserve, and shaped like one who had a future as a batsman; He received a bullet wound in the leg in the "push forward" on the 16th inst., and is now in hospital at Oxford, whence he cheerfully cables home, "Well and happy."

Lieut. J. B. Cuthill, wounded, was a great Rugby player, attaining to the dignity of a New Zealand representative—and a good one, at that. He was a wing three-quarter and full-back in the team that tripped to California in 1913, and was one of the finest players in that party. Jock Cuthill belongs to Otago. and ranks with. the great Rugby players from the south.

Lieni tenant J..-B. Struthers (reported wounded) was prior to his enlistment assistant-master at the Southland Boys'

High School. He was well known in the south as an Association football player and as a vocalist.

Captain Lancelot S. Jennings (killed in action) was'a first-class cricketer, and played for Nelson College' and Canterury University College. He was a good tennis player, being . runner-up to OUivier in the singles championship of New Zealand the year it was decided at Hawera. Captain Jennings was a 'cousin, of. the late Lieut. T. M,. Grace, the '.'JHami" of -Wellington cricket and football representative teams. ■ Captain K. Strang (killed in action) had been a member of the Gladstone Football Club, representing Wairarapa on the football field/ Lieut. Henare Jiohere, who was well known rn the Gisborne district, has been killed in action: He was 37 years_ of age, and came from a- great fighting stock, " being a grandson of -'. the late Major, Morgan Kola ere, one of the greatest warriors of the Ngatiporau Tribe; who fought with Majo.- Ropata. Lieut. ELohere was educated at Te Ante College, and was a prominent athlete. He was a man of fine physique, and a member of the Maori' Contingent that went Home to King Edward's Coronation. Lieut. Kohere sonie years ago received the Royal Humane Society's medal for bravery for rescuing two or ( three members of the crew of a sailing vessel wrecked near the East Cape. Temporary l Major W. G. Wray (reported wounded) was educated in Christchurch, and. was for many years a prominent member of the : Canterbury Rowing Club. Lieut. J. H. Barr (died of wounds) was born in Dunedin. He was officer in charge of the Waikari Cadets, and went away as a first lieutenant. He was a leading member of, the Dunedin Angli l can Harriers.

Surgeon-Captain G. Y. "Bogle (killed in action) was' a Victoria University College student,' who played a : big part in the athletic; side of that- institution, besides reaching a high altitude in his

studies . '" He captained the '.Rugby team for several- years, arid fully earned the "place given him as r* five-eighth .in the Wellington ' representative, team. To show that he ; was a versatile lad it k only necessary to say that On the. amateur athletic ground .arid on the hockey field and'tennis court he was above the average,-and there could' have %-beennothing wrong with his scholastic record when it is mentioned that-he was the Wellington nominee for the ' Rhodes -Scholarship; in 1908. G. V. Bogle was for a wliile.a master at Wellington College, but evidently he did not find 'school-teaching congenial, for he went to Edinburgh University, - and; prosecuted his studies in another direction,

and: sonie time before he went to the V front -as an ambulance officer, lie was entitled .to write M.D. after his name, - and it is .as Dr. G. Y. Bogle'" that he appears oh;the casualty lists.- ■■'""_' Captain Edward. Harris (killed) was the third son - of" the late Archdeacon Harrisjv who at one time was liead- . of Christ's • College, Christ-

church. He- was born at the schoolhouse 46 years ago} and was educated at the College. While "there he was very successful at athletics.,/and was in the

senior teams, at-. football and cricket. The late Captain Harris was a. brother of. the.late Mr. George Harris, a wellknown Christchurch. solicitor, who was

for many, .years the -esteemed President of the iS T ew'; Zealand Amateur Swimming Association! • ; .-. " ; ;.-'.

Lieuteriant W. K. Dougall. (died \of wounds) was-the youngest son of; Mr.. J. : J. Dougaii, Grand of the/New. Zealand•• Grand -Lodge of .' Freemasons, and was. 21 years of age. He was educated at the Christchurch Boys' High School Cadets, "a'.ineinber of the first Rugby fifteen", "and a keen enthusiast in sport' generally. Always 'a keen Territorial. Lieut. .Douaall • was , one-of the first- to enlist when -."'hostilities ' conimericed. arid went away > in' the- Main. Body as. a -sergeant in.'. theNSoutli Otago Infantry. ■ He'tbok part iri the,. ]aridmg at Gallip'oli,\'and was 'promoted to second' lieutenant. . v '■-." '""-. "■•■•-'•' - ■'"'■■' .- -■.

Major Fleming Ross (died in action) was. a well-known Wellington -'accountant, in businessvon his.'- own ! account. He was a prominent ngirre in„ amaterir athletic circles a; few ; - years > 'ago : . his specialty being walking'. ' In 1902-3 he won the mile walk,. and. in 1903t-4 and. 1904-5 the three -''miles-- championship of New Zealand> i and . on occasions was successful.-vat". local , and. provincial meetings. Fleming Rtfss" gave a, lot' of his time, to the-nianagement-of. amateur athletics,' a valued member of the Wellington 'Centre : of the N'.Z. A.A.A.. \; He, was 'one. 'of;, the ■.-people mainly responsible for the- holding of the Wellington Provincial .Championship meeftWgs. :'} •... - ; ..". : ; "))':'.■■■"': '•;••

As evidence of the possibilities of "our boys" .'for.'advancement.'.whilst at the. front, the case.of Sergeant'.'.. H. v JC(Cecil) Alloo'.m'siy be cited. " Sergeant. Alloo is. the youngest m'enVber of-the well-known Bunediri ■ and v cricketing family,' and left' with the BtfV- Reinforcements. -Word, has been received that he had studied, for his certificate at the Grenade-School r'h-Erance, and. came

out with exceptional credit, having not only gained firstrclass honours, but second "top" place in the school with a record. A few days after being apprised l of .the results of the examination.' his commanding officer notified Sergeant Alloo that not only had he qualified- for the position of instructor, but that the post was in waiting for.him, and he was motored there and then from, the trenches. Sergeant Alloo is best remembered'in cricket circles in Christchurch and Dunedin for; a remarkable perform T aiice he put up in one match between the Otago High School and Christ's College. Thet former required 100 runs to win when Alloo' went in; to bat, and' he, by-careful play, knocked up therequired number of runs, and Otago High School secured a long-looked-for. win. Sergeant Alloo is a son cf Mr. Willie Alloc-, for many years 'connected with printing in Dunedin arid well known on the bowling rinks.