ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9491, 21 April 1894, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

It is very pleasing to see the hearty manner in which our athletes have taken up the suggestion that a meeting should be held for the benefit of * the widow and children of their late president. Mr. Garrett was always a great enthusiast in athletic matters, and devoted both time and money for the promotion of true sport. It is to be therefore hoped that all the members of the club will do their utmost to make the gathering a success, and show their sympathy in a substantial way with the widow and family in their deep sorrow. > It has been decided to hold the meeting on the oth May. The programme is a well-selected one, and comprises events for all classes of athletes, the footballers' interest being well considered. The programme is as follows :75yds handicap, 150 yds handicap, quarter-mile handicap, quarter-mile scratch, half-mile handicap, one mile handicap, one anda-half mile walk handicap, quarter-mile bicycle handicap, one mile bicycle combination scratch, one mile bicycle handicap, three mile bicycle haudicap, halfmile bicycle cigar and umbrella race, steeplechase handicap, 600 yds teams race, dropkicking football, throwing the cricket ball, half-mile Mongolian handicap, and quartermile dribbling. Entries will close at the British Hotel this evening. Regarding the question of prize money in connection with the meeting, it has been decided to devote the .entrance mouey for that purpose. Iu addition to this, it is also probable that a number of trophies will be offered for competition. - It was wisely suggested by several of our athletes at the meeting last week, that as the gathering next month was a special one, the limits should bo shortened, and the scratch men given an opportunity of having a better chance of securing honours. This is a question upon which I have several times written. It must have been apparent to anyone who has watched the meetings of the Auckland Amateur Club for the past few years that the scratch men have been badly treated. In fact, at the last two or three meetings our best runners have abstained from taking part in the gatherings on this account. I would suggest that in all events the handicapped should reduce the limits by a third, and in this way general satisfaction would be given. The meeting at the British Hotel on Friday last, called on the requisition of some twenty-five members of the Amateur Athletic Club, who were dissatisfied with the manage ment of the committee, ended very amicably. The members' chief grievance was in connection with the Schools Association meeting, which they contended was never sanctioned by the Club. The explanation of the committee with regard to this matter was that they were acting within their right inasmuch as one of their rules gave them power to support such meetings. The other matters of complaint brought forward by members did not at all coucern the committee, but wore rather_ matters that ought to have been discussed at a general meeting. Some of the men took exception to the small amount of prize money that they received for prizes. This matter, as well as several others introduced by the members, v+s quiet foreign to the purpose for which the special meeting was called. The only motion moved at the meetin? was one in connection with the Schools Sports Demonstration. On the motion of •Mr. Thomas 1 it was decided that in future it was inadvisable for the club to give financial support towards any meetings held by the Schools Association. The resolution was carried, and in future the Schools Association will have to run their own meetings. I think the Athletic Club have made a great mistake in this matter, and they will before long find out so. The meeting of last December was the first of the kind held in connection with the Schools Association, and there were many disadvantageous circumstances that had to be contended against. The Auckland Amateur Club took the matter expecting to make a profit out of the meeting. They made elaborate preparations for the gathering, going to a considerable amount of expense, thinking that they would have been more than recompensed by the receipts. The attendance, however, fell far short of expectations, and a loss of £100 was incurred. When the Schools Association next decide to hold a meeting, they will have to run it on more economical lines than the last meeting was run on. The Schools Association ought to be able to run a meeting not only without incurring any loss, but ; on the other haud securing a considerable profit. They can always depend on disposing of a considerable number of tickets amonpj the schools, and in this way realise a sufficient sum to meet all minor expenses. As to prize money they will have to make their value in accordance with the amount of public support accorded to the meeting. I hope that the resolution of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club will not cause the Schools Association to abandon the idea of holding future meetings. I am sure that if they ran a meeting on their own account' and held it on a suitable day, they would reap a rich harvest. The annual meeting of the All Saints' Amateur Athletic Club was held on Thursday, April 19, there being about- fifty present. Mr. T. T. Masefield (president) was in the chair. He referred at some length to the success the club had achieved duriug past years, and urged upon the committee to work together and make the coming season even more successful than the past. The hon. sec., Mr. J. H. Gittos, read the report on last year's work, which was very satisfactory. The balance-sheet was then read by Mr. R. Adams. It showed a credit balance of £12. as against £8 8s 7d for season 1892. The election of officers then took place. Patron, His Worship the Mayor : president, Mr. T. T. Masefield; vice-presidents, Rev. W. Calder, Inspector Hickson, Dr. Moir, Messrs. W. Taylor, C. J. Parr, A. S. Russell, W. Courtney, and J. Kirker. The resignations of Messrs. Gittos and Adams as secretary and treasurer having been received with regret, Messrs. S. H. Harris aud A. M. Paterson were elected to till their places. The ■ following committee were elected :— Messrs. Adams, Leighton, Cooke, Whelan, and Oswald. Messrs. Adams and Peacock were elected auditors. Some ten new members were then nominated and submitted to the committee for approval. FOOTBALL. ' Last Saturday saw the close of the senior cricket contests for the season, and the attention of the athletic world will now be 'directed

to football. All our district clubs have held J their annual meetings, and judging by the enthusiastic manner in which the members discussed matters pertaining to the game, a most successful season is assured. It is a well-known fact that in the colonies football is the king of games among the young men. There are many reasons tor this. It is played in the winter, and is the only outdoor pastime that a yoyng man can go in for. It is also a game in which everyone can shine. The chief topic during the week has been the changes and chances of the various teams'. As in previous years. Parnell is well spoken of as likely to come very near cup honours. They have a very strong team, and although they have lost two or three of their old . men: they are more than recompensed by new comers. Ponsonby are very well satisfied with their chance for first honours, and are determined to go for it from the start. Grafton first fifteen will be much different this year. In the first place they have loajt the crack three-quarter, Gaudin, who has' removed into' the suburbs. It is Gaudin's intention not to don the jersey this season. Another good man that Grafton will miss is Teddy. Binuey, who has thrown in his lot with the Cityites. It may well be said that Grafton's loss will be City's gain. Grafton will also lose their crack place-kicker, C. Penualligan, who has also thrown up the sponge. T. Whiteside and M. McMillan will also be absent from the Grafton ranks. This district will have the services of several new men, and have also a number of their young players coining on. The Suburbs intend to have their men under better discipline this year, and are going to make a big fight from the outset. The other clubs are getting into form, and have strong teams. At the fourth annual meeting of the Takapuna football Club, held at the Flagstaff Hotel, last Monday evening, the annual report showed that the club had a very prosperous season. The club entered in the comEetition for the third Junior Association Cup, ut only got third in the contest. In all, counting outside matches, they played 16 matches, winning II and losing five, scoring 165 points for, 62 against; 51 tries for, 17 against; 19 goals for, and six against. The following members scored the tries : —S. Mays, six; W. Clark, A. Mann, VV. Nicholson, four; T. Grattan, VV. King, Blandford, B. Wooller, three C. Davis, W. Francis, J. Scott, VV. Walker, J. Clark, T. Beeston, A. Bartley, two; C. Frankham, W. Chamberlin, Phillips, M. Scott, A. Lankham, E. Hynes, J. Sullivan, one. Goals were got by the following VV. Francis, eight; W. Walker, W. King, three; P. Phillips, A. Cameron, R. Clark, S. Mays, A. Bartley, one. The club had 47 members. The general meeting of the Parnell and Grafton Association Football Club took place last night, when the following officers were elected Patron, His Worship the Mayor ; vice-presidents, Messrs. Thomas Henderson, Alfred Kidd, L. Ehrenfried, F. E. Baume, S. Thome George, and H. E. Partridge: captain, Thomas Cantley; deputycaptain, Fred Manton; secretary and treasurer, A. G. Holland ; delegates to Association, T. Cantley and Manton. It was decided to call the club the Grafton A.F.C., and all intending members and old Association players in the district are requested to send in their names to the Secretary, A.®. Holland," City Road. Arrangements are being made whereby practice games can be held in the Domain at an early date, which will be duly advertised. CRICKET. The contest for the Senior Championship in connection with the Auckland Cricket Association has at length been brought to a close, the Gordon Club, who secured the premiership last season, again coming out at the head of affairs after defeating Parnell last week by 68 runs. There is very little to add to the remarks upon this match published last week, as after the Gordon team had completed their first innings the rain put an ena to the match. The excellent play of KaUender has already been referred to. Next to him the most successful batsman was W. Kenderdine, who played in splendid style, putting up the fine score of 24 not out by a vigorous display of cricket. His efforts were ably seconded by F. V. Kelly, who put together 17 before he was dismissed by Stone. When these two got together the Parnell men had % very lively time. The Gordon Club are to be congratulated upon securing the premier position for the season 1893-4. The contest has been throughout an interesting one, though no very remarkable performances have been recorded, and has been conducted in the most friendly and courteous manner. Parnell 11. gained an easy victory over Auckland 11. on Saturday. Brown played a brilliant innings for 62 (not out), and Thorpe made 17 by good cricket. These were the only two to reach double figures. In the second juniors Belmont succeeded in disposing of All Saints', winning by 22 runs on the first innings. The principal feature in the play of the All Saints' club was the destructive bowling of Langsford, who secured no less than 8 wickets for the small total of 20 runs. Mackie got the other wicket. Belmont and Roller Mills will now have to meet, and a close match is anticipated. Should Roller Mills win All Saints' will be once more in the running, and the three clubs mentioned will have to fight it out. In the Wanderers 11. v. St. Andrew's match the former won 'an uphill game, in remarkably fine style. In their first innings they only made 17, as against 43 to the credit of their opponents. In the second innings St. Andrew's made 30, but when Wanderers got in again they showed that they meant business, and put up the fine total of 119, winning by 63 runs. The following arc the fixtures for the second junior competition to-day Belmont A v. Northern Roller Mills, Grammar School v. Parnell. St. John's v. All Saints', Gordon v. North Shore, St. Andrew's v.'Belmont 8., Selwyn v. Wanderers. A PROMINENT CRICKETER. Dunlin, Friday.—-J. C. Lawton, professional cricketer, leaves for England, via Sydney, on Wednesday. His loss will be greatly felt. CYCLING. At the Racing Board meeting held on the 4th inst., the careless riding at Bendigo Easter Fair was reported. The general opinion was that something must be done to minimise the danger of track riding, for it is becoming rather serious of late. The reckless riding at Bendigo was quite alarming. In almost every race there was a fall of three to five riders, chiefly owing to erratic riding. No fewer than eight competitors were brought up before the stewards and cautioned, and in the case of one his conduct was so bad the stewards referred it to the League officials to have it dealt with by the Board. The consequence' is that the rider has been suspended, pending an inquiry. It is not only the smashing up of £30 machines, but it is the lives and limbs of other riders that must be considered, and the only way to put a stop to it is by giving a reckless rider a few months' holiday from the path to allow him sufficient time to learn the art of steeriug. Mdlle. Dutrieux, who is described as the pretty French cycle record-breaker, of Hamilton, Canada, knocked a man down whilst she was cycling recently, and was arrested. The judge sentenced her to six days' imprisonment, a ten dollar fine, and made her pay fifty dollars damages to the party she collided with. Mdlle. thereat wept, and so far moved the judge that he remitted the fine, but not the six days in durance, nor the damages. The sentence, to English eyes, reads very severe, but if it serves to remind ladies, that if they ride like racing men, they must take the responsibility as well as the glory, some will not regret it. LAWN TENNIS. This afternoon the Auckland and Onehunga clubs will finish their inter-club matches, which were postponed from March 17. West End and Parnell will play the matches postponed from last Saturday. The Eden and Epsom Club have decided to abandon the attempt to finish their interclub matches, so none will be played off there. No doubt the opportunity will be taken to finish off as many of the club matches as possible. The ground will be closed for the season on Saturday next, when the trophies and prizes won during the season will be presented. I understand that the club has arranged to purchase the grandstand erected for the tournament last Christmas, and the amount paid will bring the accounts of the tournament committee about square. The Parnell Club grounds will not be closed before the first Saturday in May. During the winter, the ground will be raised along the outer edges of the courts, so as to make it perfectly level all over, and thus do away with the peculiar slope along the outer courts, which makes them rather trying to visitors, when playing on them for the first time. At one end the ground will require to be raised nearly a foot, to bring it to the proper height. The ground has been carefully surveyed, and pegs inserted to show the levels. If the work is properly carried out, it will be as good as any lawn in Auckland, next season. If it can be arranged, it is probable that the use of the asphalt courts of the Newmarket Club will be obtained for the ladies, on the same conditions as it was last year. This was not taken advantage of to any great extent last year, owing to the wet season, and from the fact that the winter was' nearly over, before the club were in a position to make any definite arrangements. GOLF. It may be of interest to lovers of this game to know that a golf ciub is now an established fact in Auckland. His Excellency the Governor has consented to become patron of the club. The office-bearers of the club are Mr. D. L. Murdoch, president; Mr. Seymour George, vice-president; Messrs. McArt'nur, Carr, and Burton, committee ; Mr. C. E. S. Gillies, hon. sec., who will be pleased to give any information about the club to persons desirous of joining.

The club links are at present in the Auckland Domain, but it is hoped very shortly to obtain a ground which will form a really good course. As an effort is now being made to establish the game in Auckland, it is hoped that all who take an interest in it will support the effort. There is no need to fear that the game will not become popular, for Dunedin and Christchurch have already felt the fascination of the game, and there are strong clubs in both cities. One cannot look at any of. the English sporting papers and fail to be convinced of the enormous strides tht game has been making in popular favour. In Scotland it is preeminently the national game. For those who do not play football there is no game that can compare with it as a winter game, especially in Auckland. It is a game that can be played by all, from boyhood to old age, but it is a game which also has among its devotees some of the leading athletes of England and Scotland. Stoddart, Grace, Lawford, the Renshaws, Jackson, MacGregor, MacLaggan, Woods, and hosts of other well-known names are keen golfers. It is not a game which appeals to the general public, and its charms are known only to its followers. AQUATICS. The annual picnic of tht Auckland Yacnfc Club took place on Saturday afternoon last, at the Lake Beach. There was a large number of yachts present, and the Ferry Company's steamer Eagle took a largo number of visitors down to the beach. Unfortunately, just after the rendezvous was reached, ram set in, and continued all the afternoon, so that the programme of sports which had been arranged had to be dispensed with. The third heat in the third round of the A.R. Club's Handicap Sculls was roved off on Thursday evening, the competitors being Gibbons, Wallace, Bettis, and Cashel. After a closely-contested race, Bettis won by a length from Wallace, Cashel being third. The winning of this heat by Bettis practically gives him the medal for this season. The Intercolonial University Eight-oar Race will be rowed over the championship course on the Parramatta River on Saturday next. The New South Wales eight are doing good work, and shape well under the directions of Mr. McDermott, the crew at present being seated as followßow, Mr. M. .C. Chubb; 2, Mr. C. H. ham; 'a, Mr. C. T. Russell; 4, Mr. H. B. Rowlands; 5, Mr. B. Sawyer; 6, Mr. N. F. White; 7, Mr. G. A. Vivers; stroke, Mr. P. R. de B. Lopez. The Melbourne 'Varsity men are under the care of Mr. Upwards, which means that they are receiving the very best attention. This year Adelaide University will not be represented. Racing boats by Lain, a Frenchman, for several years amateur champion of France, have lately attracted a considerable amount of attention amongst the rowing men of "perfidious Albion;" and, in order to test the qualities of the foreign article, the Cambridge University authorities gave Lein an order tor an eight-oared shell for the use of the Cambridge crew. The boat, on being handed over, was given a trial against the 1893 Clasper, and while found. a trifle faster was harder to sit. According to the Field, the craft proved but the Sporting Life says it has been discar ded tor the Clasper. • The first race in outriggers, which was rowed on Sydney Harbour, took place on April 9,1855, and was won by Isaac Howard. One of the competitors was James Edwards, now the well-known boat-builder ou the Yarra. The regatta was held on Darling Harbour. The St. Ignatius College regatta will not be held May 19, as previously fixed, but will be arranged for some time in October noct. The Lane Cove Challenge Eights will then be put on the programme, with one or two other open races. Several crews had already been formed for the maiden fours and junior eights, and some disappointment will be felt that St. Ignatius should have abandoned the fixture for next month. The proposed Intercolonial Press Fouroared Race, which it was intended should be rowed on the Parramatta River on the 12th May, has been postponed indefinitely. As the Melbourne crew has been disbanded, there is some talk of a four being got together to represent the Government Printing Office in. the Public Service Cup race. THE WELLINGTON REGATTA DISPUTE. Several letters have appeared in the Wellington Post having reference to the Single Sculls, decided at the Wellington Regatta. One writer says " Two things are clear, however. Firstly, that the umpire's boat was used as a guide for Hume to steer by ; and, secondly, that Hume was to win at all hazards, even at the risk of Young hstang his life." Another correspondent writes:—"l think it a mistake to exalt Hume into the position of the victorious competitor at the fate regatta. Why not fasten the 'glory' on to one or the other of those on board the Ellen Ballance? I am not & rowing man myself, but I will undertake to win the Champion Sculls in & coal barge if I can get the Ballance to make herself sufficiently obnoxious to all other competitors. Can you give me any information on these points, it so you will greatly oblige :—l. Who were the eye-witnesses examined at the late inquiry ? 2. By whose authority did the Ballance take so prominent a part in this regatta, both before and during the racing?" A third writes " When Hume capsized at Picton the Duco's engines were immediately stopped, and he was taken on board, although the starter's boat was coming along a short distance behind the steamer, and could have picked him up in a few minutes. Contrast this with the conduct of those in charge of the Ellen Ballance at the Wellington Regatta, when Young cam* out of his craft. At Picton human life was considered of more consequence than the sight of a finish in a champion race; but at Wellington it appeared those on board the Government launch must leave a man struggling in the water, with very frail support, in order that they might see the finish in a second-rate event. The public want to know why, in the interests of humanity, Young was not accorded the same treatment as Hume received at Picton. The matter calls for searching inquiry, and I trust the Minister of Defence—the Ellen Ballance, I presume, is under the control of his department—will not allow the incident to pass unnoticed." THE INTER-COLONIAL EIGHT OAR CONTEST. The eight-oar crew to represent Victoria on the Yaria, May 12, has been chosen, and seems to give satisfaction. The crew is not a heavy one, but is expected to be fast and brilliant. The names are as follows:—J. Maher, bow, lOst 4lb; C. Donald, No. 2, 10sfc 6lb; C. W. Horsburgh, No. 3, lOst 81b; W. H. Davis, No. 4, list 71b; E. Powell, No. d, j list 71b; H.-Lindgren. No. 6, list 91b; A. Chamley, No. 7, list 12lb ; J. Donald, stroke, lOst 12lb. A. B. Sloan and J. W. Begg are emergencies. The average weight is very small, being not over list. However, if the material is as good as it is reported to be, we shall have to face a crew which will row a very fast race. Last year's Victorian crew did not seem to go from the start, but previous crews had put forth their best efforts over the first half-mile. A special appeal is being made to obtain a new boat for the crew, and we must be prepared to meet the Y.R.A. team at their very best. Only once or twice has Victoria been caught on the hop, and this time they are too much in earnest to allow the slightest obstacle to stand in the way of a possible win. The New South Wales eight has at last been definitely chosen and placed in the boat. The crew is now as {follows:—W. Goulding, lOst 21b, bow; E. A. Pearson, lOst 71b, No.'2; U. Keenan, list 7lb, No. 3; A. H. Aldworth, list 91b, No. 4; A. Ramsay, 12st 4lb, No. 5; H. Waters, 12st 4lb, No. (i: G. G. Higgs, list 71b, No. 7; F. Moor, lOst Blb, stroke; N. J. McDonald, emergency. The average weight is list 41b, or a trifle over. The crew is much the same as last year, excepting for seats Nos. 2, 4, and 5, which before were occupied by Parkinson, Cadell, and Kennedy. Of the new men Ramsay has won quite a number of races during the past three years. Pearson is a pretty rower, and by his club regarded as a coming man. Aidworth has rowed before in intercolonial ! races. Under the coaching of Mr. E. S. IRobsou the crew should be equal to that of last year, which won. so very easily. For some days past the rowing has been done from the North Shore shed in a new clinker eight, built by Ward, Berry's Bay for the N.S.R.C. The boat gives entire satisfaction both to the club and the crew. McDonald has followed the example set by Cadell, and declined to act as emergency. The Queensland crew is doing well, and will probably have a new boat for the race. The selection is evidently a popular one, and this being so the crewis sure of strong and liberal support. Owing to the objection of Queensland to 8stone coxswains, the forthcoming race will be rowed under the old conditions of catchweight boys. '* Lynx. I i I