ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9028, 5 November 1892, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FIXTURES. SENIOR.—FIRST ROUND. November 5 and 12—Auckland v. United, Gordon v. Onslow ; Parnell out. November 26 and December 3—Auckland v. Gordon, Parnell v. United Onslow out. December ID and 17— Auckland v. Onslow, Parnell v. Gordon ; United out. January 7 and 14— Parnell v. Onslow, United v. Gordon ; Auckland out. (Repeat for second round.) first junior. November 5 and 12—Parnell v. Pitt-street, North Shore v. Auckland, Onslow v. Belmont, Wanderers v. Gordon. Novoinuor 20 anil December 3— Parnell v. Belmont, North Shore v. Pitt-street, Wanderers v. Onslow, Gordon v. Auckland. December 10 and Parnell v. Wanderers, North Shore v. Belmont, Pitt-street v. Auckland, Gordon v. Onslow. January 7 and Parnell v. Gordon, North Shore v. Wanderers, Pitt-street v. Belmont, Onslow v. Auckland. January 21 and Parnell v. Onslow, North Shore v Gordon, Pitt-street v. Wanderers, Belmont v. Auckland. February i and Parnell v. Auckland, North Shore v. Onslow, Pitt-street v. Gordon, Belmont v. Wanderers. second JUNIOR. November 5 and 12—Educational Chambers v. Roller Mills, Pitt-street Mutual v. Gordon, Belmout v. Grammar School. November 28 and December 3— Educational Chambers v. Grammar School, Belmont v. Pitt-street Mutual, Gordon v. Roller Mills. December 10 and 17 — Educational Chambers v. Gordon, Pitt-street v. Grammar School, Belmont v. Roller Mills. January 7 and 14— Educational Chambers v. Belmont, Pitt-street v. Roller Mills, Gordon v. Grammar School. [Ropeat second round.]

CRICKET. Otrß cricketers were favoured with excellent weather for their contests on Saturday afternoon last, and some fine and interesting games resulted. There was a large attendance of the public, Is Parnell to carry off the cricket as well as the football cup? That club made a good start for the season by defeating the renowned Auckland Cricket Club by 7 runs on the first innings, the scores being Parnell 79, Auckland 72. With the score at 64 on the fall of the fourth wicket last season's champions seemed to have their opponents well in hand; but then an alarming collapse set in, and the remaining six wickets fell for 8 runs. No less than seven Aucklanders retired without having made a single run. Wilson distinguished himself by putting up a fine score of 40, giving his opponents a great deal of trouble. P.. Neill played a splendid game for 19 not out, obtained by an excellent display of cricket. T. Neill with 8, and J. Webster with 2, were the only other men who did any scoring at all for Auckland. In the Parnell second innings Mills and Gardner made things very lively for the field. Mills scored 32, by good cricket, and Gardner played a brilliant game for 50, not out. The result of the above match created considerable surprise, and the excitement became intense as the Auckland wickets began to fall in rapid succession. The Parnell team are to be congratulated, on their• success.

W. Mills, judging from his form on Saturday, promises to be one of our leading bowlers, his average being 3 wickets for 16 runs, delivering 65 balls. Lawson also did a considerable amount of execution, his average being 200 balls, 25 runs, 5 wickets. The United-Onslow match _ was also an interesting one. The first innings was very even, closing with five runs to the good of United. As things concluded on the previous Saturday the teams were a tie, United having their last man at the wickets. Walton, with 12, was the only man to reach double figures in the Onslow second innings, and United only required 42 to win. This was secured with the loss of only five wickets, MoPherson (11) and Miller (13) being the principal scorers. The bowling of Miller and Hay for United, and Walton for Onslow, was very effective. ' The Parnell second, following in the steps of their seniors, registered a victory over North Shore. Colbeck's score of 20, not out, stands out like a monumeut, when compared with the other North Shore scorers in the second iuniugs. Leahy made 6, Coupland 7, and Charles 8, Wheatley played a fine game for Parnell 11. in the second innings, scoring 17 runs. The Educational Chambers C.C. scored a victory over the Pitt-street Mutual. Briefly, for the Educationalists, took five wickets for five runs, and this in spite of the fact that he was suffering from a sprained ankle. Auckland 11. lost their match with the Wanderers by 2 runs. This is very close indeed. The result would probably have been different had not one of the Auckland men been absent. It is to be hoped that the absentee had a good excuse. If not, such conduct shows a great want of interest in his club and in the game. A. Seccornbe, with 30 not out, was the only man to make anything like a respectable stand in the Auckland 2nd innings. The Gordon 111. have fallen out of the contests, and in order to convenience the Grammar School Club, the members of which want to get away for the holidays, the second junior programme has been altered. The fixtures for November 5 and 12, and for January 7 and 14, have been transposed. Cricketers in Christchurch were not favoured with the best of weather on Saturday, the 22nd October, as although it was fine enough at the start of the play, an easterly mist came up from the sea soon after four 0 clock, and the rest of the afternoon was cold and cheerless, added to which a sharpish shower of fine rain fell. Midland defeated United by five wickets, Palmer making 17 and Fen wick 19 for the latter, and Barry 14, Wheatley 25, Treweek 25 (not out), and Richards 13 for the former. Addington scored a victory over Ashley County by 68 runs, In the match between Lancaster Park and the Warehousemen, the former won by 28 runs on the first innings. For the winners H. C. Ridley made 32, Marshall 11, De Maus 30, Wilding 10, and A. Ridley 12. whilst in the second innings C. Ridley and Marshall were not out for 14 and 27 respectively. For the Warehousemen Labattput up 64. early all these men were included 111 the team which visited Auckland last season. In the Referee " Dark Blue" says :—The Saturday half-holiday movement should be the means of considerably adding to thc # membership of the various cricket clubs in Christchurch, and in future I shall expect to see a larger attendance at the cup matches than hitherto. The Christchurch Veterans played the first of their handicap matches at Hagley Park on Monday, October 24, when sides of thirteen each were chosen by Messrs. Goring and Mcrrin, the hitter's winning by 37 runs, scoring 120 to 83. The players were handicapped by Mr. Willmer, the club's president, and the handicaps ranged from 6 to 22. Horner scored 66, not out, for the winners, while Merriu made 20, Blake 12, not out, and Owen 10. Dickenson 23 and Longdin 15, not out, were top scorers for the losers. The 120 runs scored by Mr. Merrill's side in the above match formed quite a curiosity, as no more than a single was scored for a hit. The cricket writer in a Canterbury contemporary says :—Mr. Willmer, president of the Veterans Cricket Club, has received a letter from Auckland, asking for the rules of his club, as it is proposed to start a Veterans' Club there. _ I hope that will eventuate, as interprovincial veterans' matches would be a novelty, and would doubtless draw well. Iu Tuesday's issue attention was called to a meeting of " Veteran Cricketers," to be held at the British Hotel this Saturday night, November 5, at eight p.m. There are over 70 . cricket clubs in the provincial district of Auckland (i.e., outside the city), therefore the Veterans' Cricket Club should muster a good roll. The old cricketers in Christchurch, Wellington, and Sydney, have very strong clubs, aud enjoy their cricket matches and practice as much as if in the hey-day of their early manhood. Auckland has a good number of " old reps.," and therefore the veterans of the Auckland province and city should be able to put a very strong team iu the field. THE ENGLISH CRICKET SEASON. A writer on cricket in Land and Water thus refers to the English season just concluded —" Although the weather broke up a week too soon, and caused several of the last few fixtures on the programmes of the firstclass counties to be left drawn, cricketers may be very thankful for the many fine days which they have enjoyed during tins summer of 1892. The famous season of 1887 was probably drier, but with this exception 1 cannot recall a more favourable summer for the pursuit of the national pastime than that which is just drawing to a close. Not only because of the good weather, but from the interest which the many matches aroused, the season might very well be termed the most successful on record. For the first time in the history of the game a complete list of fixtures was arranged between the leading counties, and thus every one of the most famous elevens had the same amount of opportunity as their opponents. Some years ago there were first-class counties who entered into ten important contests, and others into sixteen, causing naturally considerable difficulty in weighing up the respective merits of the various teams. This state of things has been gradually improving for several years, and last December at Lord's the fixtures were 80' arranged that every one of the leading counties played home and home matches with all their great rivals. Of late the conviction has been growing that cricket does not need the extra stimulus given by a visit of players from the colonies, and surely tho season through which we have just passed has proved this contention beyond all dispute. At times the patronage extended to some of the matches by the general public was rather disappointing, but whenever two closely-matched teams were engaged, the people assembled in their thousands, and the climax was reached in the great struggle at Kennington Oval between Surrey and Notts, when, although play only lasted a little while into the third day, between 70,000 and 80,000 people visited the Surrey ground to witness the contest. This attendance beat the record which had been established on the previous Bank Holiday match at the Oval, and quite eclipsed the gatherings on the occasions of the memorable struggles between England and Australia." ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL. The annual general meeting of the Auckland Association Football League was held at the Imperial Hotel, last night, Mr. S. Rees George in the chair. The hon. secretary, Mr. C. C. Dacre, read the balancesheet, which showed the association to be in a fairly prosperous state, having a balance of £9 6s to the good, which would have been considerably increased had the tournament at Christchurch proved a financial success. On the motion of Mr. T. Thomas the report was adopted. It being the intention of the association to institute a competition between the public schools next season, in order to stimulate interest in the game, the secretary was instructed to arrange de tails. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs. George and Dacre for their untiring exertions on behalf of the association. They having been instrumental in raising the sum of £30 towards the expenses of the Auckland team at the tournament. The Alliance Club, the winners of the local competition, were then presented with caps by the chairman, who congratulated them upon their successful season, having only met with defeat once. Mr. H. Gould, who had given every satisfaction as referee during the season, was the recipient of a vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. Dacre. Correspondence from the Scottish Union, with reference to a visit from an international team, was placed before the meeting, the. feeling at home being that the expense (£2ooo),'ana the risk of the players losing their amateur status, would prevent for the present a team being sent. Mr. Holland, who won the goal-kicking prize at the Domain upon the occasion of the opening of the cricket season, was complimented by the chairman, it being very creditable for a young Association player to beat the Rugby kickists. Mr. George, in summing up the season's work, concluded by praising the Auckland team for the good fight they had made in the interprovincial competition, to which Mr. Grey briefly replied. CYCLING. Amateurism (says Cycling) is every day becoming more and more tainted. What is the best cure for this latter-day sham An English contemporary suggests that a force of policemen trained in the art of lassoing be established to pursue and stop roadracers. H. O. Duncan, who was a frequent competitor when professional cycling was at its height in England, took up his abode in Paris some considerable time before the- sport reached its present low position. He did a great deal towards encouraging Frenchmen to take to wheeling, and to-day is universally respectedßby 'French cyclers, who place , thorough reliance upon his opinions. To his

enterprise the Parisians are indebted for their grand track, and to his forethought all the admirable arrangements at the, grounds are due, •' • \ ' ,' v ' " An English cycler I .recently'sued a van proprietor for damages sustained through his being run down by a-van driven on the wrong side of the road. The wheelman was awarded £22 with costs. The Springfield Union states that on September 9 indie broke the flying half-mile record, doing the distance* in lm. 0 l-55., while a little later Zimmerman covered a mile from a standing start in 2m. 6 4-55., his last quarter being done in 275. In Vienna there are only 1800 wheelmen. The stringency of the by-laws in that city is said to lie responsible for that. The city of Christchurch can boast of over 1200 men-of-the-wheel, to say nothing of wheel-ladies. I have received a copy ot the first issue of the New Zealand Wheelman, a fortnightly paper, devoted exclusively to cycling. It deals with many topics of great interest to cyclists, and should become popular. The paper is published, in Chmtchurch. A lively and amusing discussion has been going on in the French cycling press on the subject of cycling costumes for ladies. A competition for the best design for a dress has • been held, and a lady has, of course, proved the winner. The winning design is a dress which is like an ordinary dress when walking. but by passing a lace through some eyelet holes in the hem of the skirt it is converted into a sort of Zouave nether costume for riding in. A man, a woman, and a baby— man and woman on a tricycle and the baby swung in front of the machine —were seen going through Central Park, New York, recently. Interrogated, the man stated that they were off for a fortnight's vacation. ATHLETICS. T. F. Kelly, who recently won the allround Amateur Championship of Ireland, has written from Dublin to the New York Police Gazette, that he is prepared to meet J. P. O'Sullivan (all-round champion of America), or any other man, at the following games Slinging 561b between legs and follow, standard 24 feet; running high jump, standard 5 feet 2 inches ; 100 yds, standard 11 2-sth s.; putting 281b with follow, standard 29 feet; running long jump, standard 20 feet; 120 yds hurdle, standard 18 2-sth s.; putting 161b shot, standard 35 feet; running hop, step, and jump, standard 44 feet; 440 yds, standard 565.; throwing the 161b hammer from circle, standard 90 feet; three standing jumps, standard 32 feet; one mile, standard smiu. Scoring to be six points for first and three points for second; no points where standard is not reached. Each man to select one judge, and both to select a referee. In a recent speech atChristchurch, Manager Cuff stated, that England was the home of distance runners, as the climate seemed specially adapted for that class of athlete. Peter Wood had greatly improved while in England, and he expected to see him put up a good performance when he returned. He warmly thanked the English amateur a hletic authorities and the public for the hospitable manner in which they had entertained the New Zealauders. He concluded with the following analysis of the tour : —

Members of the team had been placed 25 times out of 44 starts. LAWN TENNIS. The officials of the West End L.T.C. have been making great preparations for their opening this afternoon, this club has had a considerable increase in membership. A large number of invitations have been issued, ana everything has been done to ensure the comfort of the guests. The Devonport L.T.C. has also chosen this afternoon for the commencement of the season, and an excellent afternoon's amusement is anticipated. Other clubs, besides Parnell, and Eden, and Epsom, are determined to make a powerful effort for the championship this season. Perhaps neither Miss Spiers nor Miss Mowbray will prove the lady champion. The lawns of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Club will bo opened for play _ on Saturday, 12th November, when it is expected there will be a large gathering of members and their friends. The lawns are , looking remarkably well, and if the weather continues fine, a very pleasant afternoon may be anticipated. Already there has been a substantial increase in the membership. POLO. The Auckland Polo Club will play at Hunter and Nolan's accommodation paddock, Green Lane, this afternoon, instead of at Potter's Paddock. _ a . A team of polo players, consisting chiefly of officers in the British Army in India, are expected to visit Australia shortly, and an effort is to be made to induce them to pass through New Zealand also. SWIMMING. Referring to the proposed Pan-Britannic athletic contests in connection with the World's Fair, Mr. St. Clair, secretary of the N.Z. Amateur Swimming Association, at a recent meeting expressed the hope that these would not eventuate until the opening year of the 20th century, when colonial athletic institutions would, lie more thoroughly developed and have some chance of success in such a competition. The secretary was authorised to call for competitive designs for a die. The New Zealand Swimming Association desires to thank various gentlemen for the help accorded it, most prominent amongst whom are the secretaries of associated clubs; Archibald Sinclair, of the Swimmers' LifeSaving Society, London; G. J. C. Smart, for his assiduous services at the Canterbury consulate of the Association; and J. J. Moloney, Director of the Sydney Enterprise Swimming Club. Mr. L. A. Cuff, who took home with him letters of introduction to the officials of the English Amateur Swimming Association, was very well received, and furnished with information, which will doubtless prove of great value to the New Zealand Association, j J. B. Johnston, a noted English swimmer, is at present in Christchurch. He was one of the foremost swimmers in his time, and was one of the first of the past professional swimmers. He did much to popularise the overhand stroke. He is to startle the Christchurch people by daring high dives, undertaking to dive from a height of forty feet into three feet of water. ' The Canterbury swimming season of 1892-3 promises to be very successful. In addition to those already in existence, clubs have been formed at St. Albans and Lyttelton, and one is in course of formation at Sydenham. No _ doubt as soon as the Richmond bath is opened, steps will bo taken to form a swimming club I there. This bath is expected to be ready by Christmas. i The committee of the East Christchurch Club have hit upon a happy idea. They have decided, in the event of the half-holiday movement becoming general, to hold the club races on Saturday afternoons. With scratch polo matches and races, there should be some pleasant afternoons in store for those interested in swimming matters. At a recent meeting of the Christchurch Swimming Club, it was decided to write to the other swimming clubs, with" the view of holding a conference to arrange for a round of water polo matches during the forthcoming season. Forty-three new members were elected. It was decided, in" response to a letter from the Volunteer Sports Committee, to hold an afternoon sports meeting, the proceeds of which will be given to the Volunteer Sports Fund. It has been decided to form an amateur swimming club at St Albans, Canterbury. AQUATICS. A meeting of the Auckland Yacht Club is to be held on Monday next when delegates are to be appointed to act on the Regatta Club. With regard to the next annual regatta an impression has gone abroad that it is to be taken over and run by the Rowing Association and Regatta Club. This, however is not the true position of affairs, for the Rowing Association and Yacht Club whilst willing to appoint delegates to act act upon the Regatta Club are not going to take any liability in the matter. The real change that is to take place is in the constitution of the Regatta Committee, the members of which will be under the control of the Rowing Association and Yacht Club in their actions. Last season the Rowing Association held two regattas, one in December and another in the Auturnu, but this year they intend, now that they will have the management of the rowing races at the annual regatta on January 29th, to make that regatta suffice for the two. The May was launched from Bailey's slip last week, and was found to be leaking so badly that she had to be taken from her moorings and placed in the intake to prevent her sinking. Subsequently she was taken back to Bailey's, and the cause of the trouble was found to be that a bolt-hole had been left open in the kelson. The omission was at once remedied, and the May will probably be out sailing this afternoon. The opening of the yachting season takes ! place on the 9th instant, and yachts are to assemble off the Queen-street Wharf at halfpast niue and to sail to some rendezvous to be chosen by the commodore on the i day in question. , , The Moana, Mizpah. and other yachts are to be out this week, whilst the Matangi will be ready for the 9bh if the weather is favourable. ' " ■■■ ' The Ngaira has had carpenters working at j her last week repairing the damage she sua- i

tamed by falling 'on ] r bilge whilst being hauled up ou.thYsli at the end of last ■ season.. .■■4sj'7y."| J'• ':{ ■■'••• The Tawhera wis cfi last week and visited Awaroa Bay..-..'•,! If,-' «■,*' Bailey hfWnowialnbst completed the hull of Wawman's newyaht, which will probably be ready in about thife weeks' time. This afternoon thl St. George's Rowine Club hold their anaul contests for trophies presented by Me»si\ James Coates and Seymour Thome Georte. There are twelve crews engaged, and be heats have been drawn as follows) -jMarriner's crew v. Duthie's; Buchanan'sV. Busby's; Melsoph's v. Anderson's ; Mclardy's v. Whyte'sv. Gordon's Ajervis' v. Hull's. In connection with tiie afcove the members of the club are holding an at home" from halfpast three to six, and h ve issued invitations to a large cumber of tlijir friends. Tea is to be laid in tua Melanepm Mission boathouse, which the trustees hape kindly placed at the disposal of ihe clubjand Hunter's band has been engagel to efliven the proceedings during the tfternom. The steam launch Dispatch willfollow he races, the first heat of which starq at half-past two. ' His Excellency th( Governor has accepted the invitation if the Yacht Club for a cruise, and notifies th<t thb 23rd instant will suit him. The matter islto be considered at the meeting of the 3achj Club, on Monday next. From the tone <j His Excellency's letter, I am inclined to t*ink that he will prefer to go on board the latangi, or one of our sailing yachts, to washing their evolutions from the steam yacht Nautilus. The captain of he West End Rowing Club (Mr. M. McLeanjias presented another set of gold medals t> be competed for by the members of the club during the coming season, the condijons being that members must use the clip's boats for practice at least three times aiyeek The competitions will extend until tfe end of February. This idea is a very good <ae, as it induces members to go in for conttjuous practice, and is worthy of being folnwed by other clubs. AUCKLAND *OWING CLUB. The above club purjose holding a series of trials this afternoon, -jonsisting of sixteen heats, as follows :—Fiv> in outrigger fours, five in pairs, and six in sculls. Considering that there are more everis to be got off than at any ordinary regatta, hese should form a very enjoyable afternoon's sport for the members and their frietds. The sculling boats lately imported by his club hive been greatly in demand by tie members since their arrival, and consid<rable interest is manifested in the trials to >ome off in these, as most of the competitors a-e tyros.

1st 2nd 3rd Unplaced. L. A. Cuff.. „ 3 3 3 ' 6 P. Wood .. ..1 3 3 5 H. W. Batger ..2 3 3 6 J. IX. Hempton ..0 1 0 1 D. Wood ... 0 0 0 1