ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7782, 30 October 1886, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FIXTURES. CRICK ItT. November 6. -Opening of cap matches. November 8—A.0.0. ▼. United, Gordon v. Holland' November 26 27, £9- Australians v. Canterbury,, December 2, 3, 4— Australians v. Wellington December 7,8, o—Australians ▼. Auckland. February.—Auckland v. All England Eleven. AQUAT CS. October— v. Wallace Rom, £600 A side, over (be Thames Championship Course. SPORTS. October SO. — A.A.A. Sports, Domain Crloket Ground. November 6. — Auckland College and Grammar Boh 1 Atbletio Sports, Domain Cricket Ground. November 9. Sports at Agricultural Show Gro nnds Green L ane. , ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 3.P.0., Mount Kd#n.—W. N. Roe's 416 not out *u th» highest score ever made ti 1 A. K. Stoddart's Innings of 488. Grafton.—You are correct; 1880 is the first year hat Grafton hare ranked as the principal club of the ■ eason. CRICKET. The weather, and the counter attractions last Saturday stopped the ge-m« on the Domain with the exception of a scratch" match, in which no very brilliant play was exhibited during the afternoon. To-day the ground will be oocupied by the A.A.A.C. sports, and on Saturday next the Cup matches will open by the A.C.C. meeting Auckland United and Gordon tackling Holland. At present there are four clubs entered for the senior cup, nine for the junior, and eleven for the second junior. The Cup Committee have arranged in regard to playing on the Onehnnga ground, that any club that chooses may play oat there, but that it must be by mutual arrangement, otherwise all matches must be played on the Domain ground. Under the present fixtures there will be 12 oup matches each Saturday, and with proper laying off of the wickets, there should not be any complaints about being crowded for grounds pace. A match was played on the Domain ground on Thursday afternoon, between Holland C.C. and Drapers' C.C. The former went to the wickets first, and when time was oalled bad run up a score of 191 for only two wickets down. D. Berry (88, not out), H. Thomas (70), G. Mills (18), and Beard (11, not out) were the scores. Berry and Thomas completely collared the bowling, and pat up 150 runs ere they were separated. The Victorian cricketer, P. McDonnell, who was reported to be dying a short time ago, played an innings of 132 for Carlton against Warbriok at Sydney on October 4. The A.C. A. junior and senior cups, won by the Gordon C C., were on view at Mr. A. Tilly's during the week. According to the latest advices the Australians will only play three matches in New Zealand—viz, at Christohuroh, Wellington, and Auckland. Dunedin will thus be left out of the tour in this colony. I presume this arrangement is necessitated by the fact that the team are fixed to meet the All England Eleven in Melbourne on December 17, and following days. W. G. Grace scored his 75th century of 170 for All England at Kennington Oval. A match between the bookmakers and jockeys and trainers of Wellington was arranged to oome off on the new ground at island Bay on Thursday last.

The senior cud matohes do not start in Christchuroh till after the match with the Australians. In the meantime association matohea will be played between picked teams of the Various senior elevens.

As the College and Midland Clubs, Wellington, were a tie last season for the senior oup, the association ordered the names of both clubs to be inscribed on the oup. During the recent English campaign the Australians scored 67 ducks eggs," while 74 were obtained by their opponents. A.C.C. v. Holland C.C.—This match will be played at Onebuoga this afternoon, commencing at half-past two p.m. A drag to convey the A.C.C. will leave the South British oorner at halfpast one p.m. Any members who would like to stand umpire or score are cordially invited. The following is the A.C.C. team : R. Atkinson, A. Atkinson, E. O. Beale, Collier, Crowe, Hankins, Martin, Mcintosh, Morey, Ranaon, and Rev. I. Richards. Holland : Thomas, G. Mills, E. Mills, Walker, Willsted, Beard, Wallace, Brighton, Cave, Waddingham, Murphy, and E. Mills.

FOOTBALL. It is not often that I have to chronicle an ebullition of feeling which should not be seen on a football ground, yet suoh an event occurred on Saturday last at the Ponaonby-Grafton match, when Whiteside so far forgot himself as to strike W. Warbriok for some rough play on the part of the latter. It seems that the Grafton half-back fended out at Caradus in rather an offensive manner, and Whiteside resented it by demanding Warbrick's reason tor Acting as he did. In addition to lifting his band at the Grafton man, he also challenged him to fight after the game, which was, however, not accepted.

During the season Grafton have bad only two points scored against them, being the try secured by Ponsonby in the first match between these olubs. Their viotory on Saturday was a very popular one. he amount of "off aide" play indulged in by several of the Grafton men on Saturday was so great that the Pobsonby backs were repeatedly calling on Leoky and Stewart to get "on-side." Players of this stamp should not place themselves in the position to be singled out before a orowd of 2000 spectators for breaohes of the rules. The Junior Football Association the other evening assembled at the Imperial Hotel and presented the Victoria F.C. with the association cup. It seems that a very grots and reprehensible piece of horseplay was indulged in during the evening, and whioh was not discovered till the men had left. I am informed that a large quantity of edibles and liquor were consumed in a very mean way, and for whioh Mr. M. Gallagher is out of pocket. It seems that supper was stored in the lift for a number of the boarders, and the footballers devoured it along with several bottles of wine. I only record this because suoh mean trioks deserve censure and odium. AQUATICS.

The new yacht Mar a tea has been oat several times since ber launch about a fortnight ago. Her plucky owners are well satisfied with her in every respect, but they do not anticipate her being able to " sail rings around" the Rita, or even the Mnritai. It is not intended at present to enter her for the anniversary regatta.

The City Rowing Club, I understand, have secured the services of Barron to act as a coach. Already this young club are showing great signs of improvement since their debut on the Waitemata. Constant practice seems to be their motto.

Tbe yacht Rita has been lying at the Wynyard Pier daring the week undergoing painting and cleaning. She will in future, I understand, retain her coating of white paint. The Tawera was alio alongside the pier having a new rudder shipped. The American yaoht Mayflower, which defeated the British yaoht Galatea, was beaten by the Puritan in June last in a series of contests among the fastest sloops in U.S. The annual meeting of the Auokland Rob Roy Canoe Club was held at Mr. JJlomfield's pharmacy on Tuesday last, when there was ■a good attendance of members. The report, which was read and adopted, showed the club to be in a most satisfactory condition, and a credit balance of £3 in hand. The election of officers for the season resulted as follows :Captain, Mr. Blomfield ; secretary and treasurer, Mr. H. Hinton; committee, Messrs. Houghton and J. Shaw. A vote of banks was accorded to the retiring' secretary. Several new members were proposed. As the Dumber is limited early application fo the secretary is requisite. The annual subscription is fixed at 10«, and the number of canoes in the clab is 20, with room for a few more. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to Mr. Blomfield.g The secretary (Mr. Robins) of the Auck-, land Rowing Association has sent in his resignation, on account, I understand, of ill* health.

The 'yaoht Winona has been undergoing cleaning and overhauling for the coming season, and has been lying at the Wynyard Pier for the past couple of days.

'CYCLING. Joe Fitton, of the A. 8.C., is at present in Adelaide. He intends to do an overland journey from the. South Australian capital to Newcastle, via Melbourne and Sydney. He will ride the Rudge machine which carried him on his journey from Auckland to Wellington and back some two years ago. i Thomas Stevens, according to the latest news, was in Armenia, and making good progress with his bicycle ride round the globe. "Outing," an American reoord of outdoor sports, continues to receive a budget

of hia exploits in what are at present lit Ole known territories in Central Asia.

Bicyo'.es and trioyeles were used in England id the., collection of the late general election returns,. ■ ; < < - Boston is the home of ■ the oldest bicycle organisation in the United States, and that is the Boston Bicyole Club. * ; The bieyole excited great wonder in Asia Minor,t and - Stevens has received a letter from a missionary, who details the wonder and surprise it exßited among the inhabitants. Langdown, the New Zealand representative at the Springfield tournament, wrote as follows to a friend in Christcburoh •— "The voyage across broke me all up, and 1 oould not stand the necessary training. I am worse now than I was a week after I got here, then I did a mile in 2.39, and two miles in 5.23. I can stick to any of them for any distance, but when it comes to the apart, that is when I get left. The traok is too fast for me, and the olimate I find rather trying." He finished fifth in the Five Mile Amateur Race, amongst ten competitors. Time, 15.02 1-dth see. MISCELLANEOUS. Notwithstanding the comments made in this column re the uniform worn by intending competitors for the A. C. sports when training on the Domain, several may be seen of an evening attired in anything but the uniform provided for by the club rules. ■ Abqos. TENNIS. The weather will likely cause a postponement of the opening of some of our clubs. Parnell propose commencing on the 6th and Anokland and Government House Clubs on the Ist and 2nd November, weather and ground permitting. The Napier Tournament is already being talked about, and I understand Messrs. Barton, Carr and Hudson are looked to, to do duty for Auckland. Hitherto these gentlemen, when playing in outside tournaments, have paid their own expenses, and may be willing, for aught 1 know to the oontrary, to pay again, but it seems to me that some time or another this precedent of gratuitous services will have to be broken through, for we cannot always expeot to be represented for nothing, and the year will doubtless arrive when some of our best players will have to decline to play, on account of the expenses involved. The present time seems opportune for dealing financially with the tournament question outside of Auckland, and possibly the Tennis Aasooiation may take the matter in hand. If any members or others care to make any suggestions, I shall be pleased to publish them. Anent our representation this season, it would look well if we could send down a strong team. Mr. Ridings, I should have thought, if he were willing, would oertalnly make one for the singles.

The world's championship at tennis is at preaeat held by the Boston professional expert, Thomas Pettitt, who carried it away from George Lambert, of England.

A meeting of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association was held on Thursday afternoon at the Waverly Hotel, when the amended rules were considered and confirmed. A general meeting of all members of * the association, i.e., members of all associated clubs, will be held at the same place on Wednesday evening 'next.

The Auckland Lawn Tennis Club, at their annual meeting, held at Government House, elected Sir Frederick Whitaker president, and the following ladies and gentlemen the committee for the ensuing season:—Mesdames Lewis, Bourne, A. K. Taylor, Miss Sharland Messrs. T. Williamson, and Dr. Cobbett. The season will be opened on Monday after* noon next, weather permitting. At a meeting of the club on Thursday last a large number of new members were proposed and elected.

I understand that the Northern Club will not occupy the Government House lawn this season, so that the G.U.L.T. and A.U. and the A.L.T.C, will have the field to themselves. > Racquet.

AMATEUR ATHLETIC CLUB SPORTS.

The thirteenth meeting of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club will be held this afternoon on the Domain orioket ground. The weather at the time of writing gave eve ry promise of being fine, and iu that event there should be a large attendance, with a capital programme of .events to be competed for during the afternoon. In addition to the Athletic olub's events there are five bicyola raoes, under the auspices of the Waitemata B.C. On account of the recent rains there will not be any sensational times accomplished, but all the raoes have good entries, and the handi capping is so satisfactory that almost the whole have cried contents A feature of the afternoon's proceedings will be the presentation of the Auokland Rugby Union Senior and Junior Cups by the Presi' dent of the Union (His Worship the Mayor) to the Grafton and Nelson F.C.'s. It will, I understand, take place in the pavilion at four o'olook, The Artillery (No. 2 Garrison) Band will discourse selections throughout the afternoon. The first event will start precisely at one o'clock. As is usual on such occasions, I shall hazard a few " tips" or anticipations of those likely to win. The first event set down for decision is the 120 yards Maiden Race, for which there will be a field of a dozen, Wynyard, Stevenson, and Owen take my fancy, • and the winner will probably turn np in Owen or Wynyard. For the 100 yard Handioap there are no less than fifteen acceptors. Braand, 4j yards; Farquliar, 13 yards; and Davy (scratch) seem to have the best chanoe, and to name the winner I rely upon Braund. The quarter-mile is a difficult race to attempt to handle, but I think it lays between Wynyard, Collins, Binney, Reed, and Maude, and to piok the best man I depend upon Wynyard. The one mile handioap has also another large field. G. Smart (45 yards), J. W. Winks (scratch), and Goldwater (65 yards) are the best in, and should breast the tape in the order named. In the half-mile, Winks (scratch), Wintle (25 yards), Binney (35 yards), and Ansenne (50 yard*) are the favourites, and I think it will result in the tirstnamed pulling off the prize. The two mile walk is exciting a very large amount of interest, and I understand Mr. J. Mahon has been requested to stand as judge. A, F. Burton (scratch), W. J. Wiutie (75 yards), and Skinner (120 yards) are the best on paper. A. F. Burton is my ohoice. The 120 yards hurdles will be run up the centre of the ground, and should be a very pretty raoe, but only a small field has been left in— B. Owen, K. B. Lusk, and C. H- Gould are the best to my fancy, and I anticipate the race to result in that order. The 250 yards is a very open event to dealt with, and depends a good deal on previous running, but when all is over I fancy Maude (10 yards), Reid (6 yards), and Wynyard (5 yards) will be the first to catch the judge's eye. In the bicycle raoes there should be some good racing, as such men as J. A. Stewart, A. Buchanan, Fie welly n, W. M. Service, and A. Stewart are engaged. The mile Novice Race appears to lie between Bell (10 yards) and H. Marshall (40 yards), and fur ohoice Marshall should pass the post first. The two-mile club race promises excellent sport, and Buohansn (10 yards) and J. A. Stewart (soratoh) are the pick of th 6 bunch, with the latter to furnish the winner. For the mile club race, Hunt (10 yards), J. A. Stewart (scratch) and Bell (75 yards) should supply the placed men, The three - mile club is a very open event, but I fancy that Buchanan (5 yards) will hold the others safe. With all the best men in the city engaged 1 for the five miie open race there should be a , good contest, but whoever beats J. A. Stewart (soratoh) should win, and if an out- t aider accomplishes the trick then A. Stewart ! or Flewellyn may furnish him. On account , of the heavy ground 1 should suggest to the committee to lay ofi a half mile track at least for the cycling events.