ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9503, 5 May 1894, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

THIS AFTERNOON'S CARNIVAL.

This afternoon, in the Domain Ciicket Ground, the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club will hold a meeting in aid of the widow and children of their late president, Mr. R. Garrett. The object of the meeting is one that should claim the support of the public, and will no doubt attract one of the largest crowds ever seen in the Domain. The committee have made the best arrangements for the carrying out of such a long programme, and have done all in their power to make the meeting a real success. The entries received for the various events are very large, and the handicappers have been successful in giving general satisfaction. It will be noticed that the limits in nearly all events have been reduced, and this should give the scratch men an opportunity. With fine weather the gathering should prove a very pleasant one. Following my usual custom, I will endeavour to pick out the likely winners : — 440 yds. Hurdles: This event has not as large a field as we usually have, but the men engaged are all well-known hurdlers. T. Roberts is again on the scratch, and has to concede W. H. Martin 10yds. The limit man is D. F. Stewart with 28yds, while Laurie has 22yds. Burgess also has 22, and P. Brodie 25. Roberts's brilliant performance at the March meeting causes him to be picked out as the most likely one to breast the tape first, and many are of opinion that he will go very near establishing a world's record. There are, however, & number of circumstances to be taken into account in hurdle races, and when I look back to the last meeting. I cannot but remember that Roberts had everything in his favour on that occasion. I think he will have considerable trouble to dispose of E. T. Laurie and W. H. Martin, as both these men meet him on better terms. I shall therefore give my vote against Roberts, and place them as follows—E. T. Laurie, 1 ; W. H. Martin, 2; T. Roberts, 3. i One Mile and a-half Walk: This is the only walking event on the programme, and is bound to be an exciting race. The scratch man is of course A. F. Burton, whose chance of success on this occasion is much brighter on account of the reduced limit. T. F. White has 40vds, andean, I think, be held quite safe by Burton. A. J. Pople comes next with 160 yds, and if he is in his best form should require watching. E. C. Bow and Rush has 200 yds, but I do not think either of them can win. F. Drum and C. McGill have nothing to complain of with 210 yds, nor have A. A. Creamer and H. N. Cossar with 220. The latter cannot, I think, win, but the former should go very near it, aud if he is beaten it will be by Burton. I will therefore place Creamer, 1; burton, 2: and Cossar, 3. 75yds Handicap: This event has a very large field, no less than 38 being engaged. The list includes several new men whose form is not known. J. H. Buchanan and C. Weston are on the scratch, whilst A. Jones, who won over this distance at the Shore, has half a yard. On Weston's North Shore running I must blot his name out. I do not think he will get a place. C. Hesketh is not well treated with 2iyds, and has very little show. Rogers and Bull are well in with 4yds, and will require watching. G. Warner and J. Craminond on the 4£yds mark must not be overlooked, for they both have an excellent chance. I do not think that any of the men in front of Warner will cause him trouble, and accordingly must look behind to see who is likely to trouble him. The men that seem to he the most dangerous are Bull and Jones, but I do not think I can go far wrongin giving first place to Warner, Jones 2, and Bull 3. 150 yds Handicap: Quite as many have entered for this event, and an interesting contest should take place. Buchanan and Weston are again un scratch. Of the two I prefer the chance of Buchanan, and would be very pleased to see him win, for he richly deserves it for the plucky mnnner in which he has competed at the last few meetings, when his handicap made it almost an impossibility for him to win. He has to concede starts ranging from 2£yds to 13. W. C. Rhodes is in a very good position on the 5J mark, and should run well forward if he is in anything like his old form. -A. Jones has 2§yds, and cannot be said to be out of the race, W. H. Francis figures as a sprinter on this occasion, and after his performance at the Shore is deserving of some consideration. The result will probably be: Jones, 1; Warnew, 2; Francis, 3. 440 yds Handicap: This race should be Earticularly interesting as there is a large eld. H. B. J. Bull is on scratch, and has to concede starts ranging from 3 to 22yds. The best treated in the handicap appear to be W. H. Francis, 12yds, and G. $. Frost, 14yds. J. E. Crammond ought also to run well forward. All the others Bull should have no difficulty in defeating. I will place them as follows: Frost, 1; Bull, 2; Francis, 3. Committeemen's Race: This event haa a large field, and the contest ought to be very interesting. The distance is lOOyds. Mr. B. J. Esam, the treasurer of the club, has been given the limit, 15yds, probably on account of his having so much weight to carry. If he were able to last the distance I would be prepared to support him, but I am afraid he will die away at 75 yards. The genial secretary, Mr. J. Haliday, has got on the right side of the handicappers to get 10yds, and ought to have no difficulty in breasting the tape first. Mr. G. H. Powley is put on the same mark, which is hardly fair, considering the dift'erance in years. Mr. K. L. Holle should be in fine form after the amount of training he has had on the cricket field during the past few months. He is nicely treated with 6yds, and I think I may depend upon him to get a place. The following ought not to be far out: J. Haliday, 1; A. Smith, 2; R. L. Holle, 3. Half-mile Handicap: Bull is again on the scratch, his nearest attendant being Bradburue, with 18yds. G. S. Frost is well in with 35yd8, as also is F. W. Thomas with 45yds. The latter is one of our most consistent runners, and has had very hard luck at previous meetings, securing on many occasions second and third honours. F. Atkin and F. Murphy are well treated, and will require watching. After carefully considering the chances of the different contestants, I cannot but give first place— 1, Thomas % Bradburn 3. One Mile Handicap : This event has brought out a small field, only eleven having entered. W. Farquhar is on scratch, and as he has not to concede very long starts, I do not think I need look further for the winner. The men likely to give him most trouble are G. A. Bradburn, 70yds; A. E. Parker, 80yds; and F. W. Thomas, 93yds, in the order named. The Steeplechase should be won by McLeod or Saunders, and kicking the football by Cole or Gaudin.

BICYCLE EVENTS. The following handicaps have been declared for the bicycle events : — On-j-inile Novice: P. A. Smith, scratch; G. H. Dryland, 50 yards; W. W. Phipps, 80; J. B. Beecroft, 90; G. Wilkinson, 100 ; W. J. Evers, 100; W. H. Allen, 120. One-mile Bicycle Handicap : H. Surman, scratch; W. VV. Pilkington, scratch; G. Henniag, 40 yards ; G.Warner, 40; J.Warner, 40; A. J. Siuimelhag, 60; A. Coubrough. 50; C. H. Dryland, 60; P. Smith, 60; A. E. Smith, 90; J. Seiby, 120; W. W. Phipps, 130; T. A. Patterson, 130; L. Mens, 140; G. Wilkinson, 160; W. H. Allen, 180. Three-mile Bicycle: H. Surman, scratch; W. W. Pilkington, 20 yards ; Henning, 100 ; Dryland, 110; P. Smith, 160; A. IS. Smith, 210; J. Selby, 300; W. W. Phipps, 320• S. Mens, 400; W.J. Evers, 400; W. H. Allen, 420.

The One-mile Novice should be a keen contest between P. A Smith and W. VV. Phipps, and I expect to see the latter about win. G. Wilkinson ought to get third place. The One-mile Bicycle Handicap has a very large field, no less than 16 having entered. H. Surman and W. W. Pilkington are the scratch men, and as the limit has been considerably reduced, I think they will fight out the finish, and I will give my vote- to the former. Conbrough and Henning ought' to be well up. The Three-mile Bicycle Race has eleven contestants, and a good go may be anticiSated. I expect to see the scratch man, urman, again get home first, Pilkington and Smith being his nearest attendants. The first race is timed to start at 1.30 sharp.

FOOTBALL. There was a large attendance at Potter's Paddock last Saturday, and a considerable amount of practice was obtained. The boys are entering into the game this year with considerable enthusiasm, and from the present aspect ef things this season seems likely to eclipse all previous ones in every way. The chief topic of conversation in . football circles is the question,. as to who is going to win the championship. The chances of Parnell and Graf*->n appear to be highly spoken of, although the other clubs are equally sanguine. The Ponsonbyites had a splendid practice match last Saturday, and although some of their' players were a little green, yet they showed good form, and only require practice to bring them into a well-organised team. The Graftonites mustered in strong force, and had a good time. This club has a splendid set of forwards, and will make things hum during the season. The play of Kallender, Williams, Macgill, and Broberg was very noticeable, the quartette being always to the fore. C. Hay showed up well as half back, and never seemed to tire. Young gives promise of being one of our best three-quarters, and will no doubt make a name for himself before the season ends. Clayton also put in an amount of good work. The Parnell Club had a scratch match at Potter's. There is very little change in the team of last year, and all the players showed excellent form. Suburbs, North Shore, City, and Newton also had practice matches last Saturday. There will be no football, this afternoon on account of the gathering in the Domain. On Saturday next the championship matches will commence, and operations will assume a more important aspect.

THE FIXTURES. __ The Committee of the Rugby Union met last evening at the British Hotel and made the following fixtures for the coming season : — FIRST FIFTEENS. May 12: Suburbs v. Parnell, City ▼. North Shore, Ponsonby v. Grafton. M iy 19 : Suburbs v. City, Ponsonby v. North Shore, Newton v. Grafton. May 20: S'iburbs v. Ponsonby, Parnell v. City, Newton v. North Shore. June 2: Suburbs v. Newton, Parnell v. Ponsonby, Grafton r. North Shore. June 9: Suburbs v. Grafton, Parnell v. Newton, City v. Ponsonby. June 16: Suburbs v. North Shore, Parnell v. Grafton, City v. Newton. June 23 : Parnell v North Shore, City v. Grafton, Ponsonby v. Newton. SECOND FIFTEENS. Same as first. THIRD FIFTEENS. Mav 12: Parnell v. City, Grafton B T. Ponsonby, Grafton A v. Newton. May 19: Parnell v. Grafton B, City v. Newton, Grafton A v. Ponsonby. May 26: Parnell v. Grafton A, City v. Grafton K, Pons niby v. Newion. June 2 : Parnell v. Ponsonby, City v. Grafton A, Grafton B v. Newton. June 9: Parnell v. Newton, City T. Ponsonby, Grafton A v. Grafton B. Fir-t fifteen contests are liable to be terminated at the end of the first round should engagements of Union necessitate it. All matches against North Shore, > ith exception of Suburbs, are to be played on the North Shore ground. CRICKET. The Auckland Cricket Association has decided that the ties between the All Saints', Belmont, and Roller Mills teams for the second junior championship shall be played off. The first match will be played on May 12th and 19th, between Belmont and All Saints', and the winner of this game will meet the Roller Mills on Queen's Birthday, when a whole day match will be played. The following are the statistics for the Auckland United Cricket Club for the season just concluded BATTING AVERAGES. No. of Times Total Hi'esfc . In'gs. noto't. tuns. Score. ° C. E. MacCormick 6 — 78 26 13 6 W. Robinson .. 8 2 57 13 9*5 C. Hay .... 7 — 63 38 9-0 I). Hay .... 8 1 60 33 3"57 R. McPherson „ 2 — 15 12 7-5 S. McPherson ~ 9 1 54 15 6"75 \V. Hawkins ..7 — 47 14 6.71 j B. J. Yates _ 8 1 45 IS 6*42 I C. B. Harvie ..9 1 50 14 6*25 I W. Steinson ..6 0 28 10 4*86 F. Sloman .. 8 1 14 6 2*o H. Walton ..5 1 8 6 20 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Runs. Wkts. Bis. Bid. Mdns. Avg. H.Walton _ 43 6 135 7 7*16 W. Stemson .. 310 35 B.io 40 '85 W. Hawkins .. 164 17 593 22 9-64 R. Mcpherson 61 6 135 4 10-16 .0. Hay.. ..322 23 660 23 14*0 The team played six matches, won none, and lost six. The particulars of a cricket incident quite out of the ordinary comes from Kimberley, and the heroes were the representatives ot j the local club. The opposition was furnished by the Beaconsfield Club, and a long outing they had ot it. Kimberley monopolised the wickets the whole of tne first afternoon (January 27), and to some purpose, scoring 33S for the loss of only two wickets. On February 3, too, they had most of the fun to themselves, so muoh so that Beaconsfield only had time to make 35 runs for the loss of three wickets. Three scores of a hundred, moreover, are so rare that it will be of interest to reproduce the Kimberley innings in full. Kimberley. A. Walshe, c and b Berwick ». „ 192 J. Powell, b Prince 8 C. Glover, c Maxwell, b Beswick .. 140 B. Powell, not out .. 134 J. Doig, lbw, b Maxwell 8 B. Harvey, c Maxwell, b Beswick .. 10 1,. Baker, b Faulkner .. .. ... 15 lluysche, b Maxwell . .. „ 4(1 Backm inn, c Sullivan, b Harger „ 12 D. Francis, c Faulkner, b Harger .. 1 Kxtras .. ' n 17 Total 677 C. Glover is one of the fifteen selected for the South African team which is to visit England this year. This month of January, by the way, seems to have been prolific in cricket curiosities everywhere. A correspondent of Cricket, in Johannesburg, has furnished me with particulars of what he claims to be a record for South Africa. In any case the performance is another illustration of the uncertainty of cricket. The match was between the second team ot the Wanderers and eleven Juniors The latter, who were 35 runs behind on the first innings, made a very different show when they went in again, enforcing the closure after H. Malraison (109) and Trotter (69) had scored 173 without the loss of a wicket. The Wanderers, with one absentee, were all out at their second knock 20 minutes before time was up. After all, therefore, the Juniors, after being in a minority of 35 runs, won without losing a wicket in the second innings. On this latter fact my correspondent bases the claim for a South African record. The Gentlemen of Philadelphia have shown themselves to be such thoroughly good sportsmen, and made so many friends in consequence, in England, that their decision not to carry out the arrangements made .for their visit to England this year is to be regretted. No doubt, says Cricket, the difficulties chat faced the International Match Committee, which has the control of all such matte rs), were great, if not insurmountable. At the same time, it must be pointed out that they formally invited the co-operation of the county secretaries at the meeting last December, and that their withdrawal at this late hour cannot fail to cause considerable inconvenience to some, if not all, of the clubs with whom fixtures were made on their behalf. How far these considerations ought to weigh against the reasons which have influenced the committee in abandoning the tour must be a matter of opinion. In any case, I am afraid that English clubs will naturally view the possible disturbance of their progammes another time with some misgivings. 'CYCLING. It is stated in various circles that it is the intention of Charlie Lucas, the well-known long distance rider, to make an effort to break the record between Land's End and John O'Groats. He is a plucky rider, and a .wonderful sticker, and if these qualities, combined with undoubted speed, go tor anything, he should have a good look in. A recent issue of 'cycling is illustrated by a "croup of racing men and officials taken at the Boxing Day, 1892, meeting of the Pioneer 8.C., at Christchurch, New Zealand. On that day nearly 6000 people attended the races, and 2000 on the following day. The track is a cinder one, is 3 laps 56 yards to the mile, 5 yards wide, banked at the corners, and is considered the fastest on that side of the line. Christchurch is the chief centre of the sport in New Zealand, and there the chief meetings are held, including those of the ruling body, the New Zealand 'Cyclists' Alliance." GOLF. The Auckland Golf Club has, through the kindness of Messrs. Hunter and Nolan, obtained the use of the extensive paddocks between Green Lane station and Remuera. An excellent course, which will be available for play on and after Saturday, May 5, has been laid off A convenient club-room has been obtained for the use of the members and their friends, in a house adjoining the station and fronting the first hole of the links. The club is very fortunate to have obtained suitable links within suoh a short distance of the town, and the interest which is being taken in the game augurs well for its future. LAWN TENNIS. The tennis season is now virtually over. The Parnell Club intended to close this afternoon, but as there are several handicap matches to finish yet, the closing of the lawn will probably be postponed for a week to allow of these matches being played off, as the ground will not be in the best possible condition for play after yesterday's downpour. The results of the Association Inter-Club matches, so far as thev have been played, are as follows: —Parnell, 20 wins aud 1 bye, 21; i Devonporfc, 9 wins and 10 byes, 19; Auck- [

land, 13 wins M 3 byes,- 1 18; Onehunga, 9 wins and 5 byd 14 - -Wesb End; 5 wi na and 6 byes, 11 ;.%ea and Effiom, 9 wina and Obye. I . The "feet thatge Eden aid Epsom Club after ; playing, ' tit Parnell and Auckland Clubs, gave byes t|n the others (being un . able to. play theflbff owing to ram and the early closing of th% o und) accounts for the very large number soiie of the clubs have, And those csb s which managed to play off most of theiWtchei have had to do so in most unfavoi|ble weather. The resuits of the mter-<Jb matches this season are practically wortlfa 8 f 0 determining fchg actual strength of thflifferent clubs. aqujics. The Marafcea has $ up or the winter and this example willfe followed by others now that the weathfihas broken. So tar the season has been airy pleasant one, <in ß weather being the rt« all through. The Viking will be the lasSacbtto haul up, as it is probable that she wfmake another cruise North shortly. I The new yacht built *C. Bailey for Napier parties is finished, Jverything was got ready for launching to-vy, but the break in the weather has caufa a postponement Judging by appearanceshe boat should be very fast; in fact, yacfemen who have examined her seem to b| unanimous in the opinion that she will >e the fastest boat Bailey has ever turn-out. The owners, who are in town at preset, appear to be very well satisfied with the lat. It has not yet been decided whether sftwillsail or be taken down by one of the stealers. Speaking of the lati championship regatta, the Marlborough Press says :— The Regatta Committee is to>e congratulated on the success which att«ided its exertions. Not only did the regatt prove an aquatic success, but, what is mte, a financial success. Though an exact alance-sheet could not be produced at the ast meeting, it is clear there will be a ba*nce of some £20, after paying all incidental»xpenses, and distributing prize money to he value of £140. The committee has done w, (; to place this balance in the bank as a \xed deposit, in view of the possibility of t« regatta being held here next year. The wmrse is to be permanently marked off in distances of a mile, a mile and a-half, and two miles. This was certainly desirable, and wil save the cost and trouble of a re-survey any future time. We commend the public spirit and good taste of the honorary seantary in declining a pecuniary reward for h® services; but heartily approve the resolution to give him a permanent memento of tfe very suecessful regatta which entailed up»n him so large a share of the work. ; Recently we were surprised to learn by cable (says the Sydney Mail) that E. J. Lambert, ot the Nepean River, uad challonged Tom Sullivan, late of New Zealand, champion of England, to row on the Thames for£2Uoasideand the Sportsman's Cup, which oarries the championship of England. Lambert being still here, we were rather puzzled to understand the affair. By the last mai] we have the explanation. Bubear, defeated, and by no means a staunch supporter of the man who beat him, was anxious to bring about the downfall of the New Zealand sculler. To look to Englishmen for a man suited for the purpose Bubear knew was out of the question. Then America was not to be relied on. Lambert was the man for Bubear's purpose, and he accordingly played his .best card. Next day Sullivan notified hist willingness to row Lambert or anyone else who came td him with a distinct challenge, to row on the Thames for the championship of England. Sullivan made but one stipulation, the match could ®ot be made through Bubear. Lambert is very anxious to go to England, but the want of funds is a bar. We have no' wish to dethrone such a worthy holder of the English championship as Sullivan, but we have in Lambert the man who can do it.

Prince Henry of Battenberg, is bitten by the yacht-racing mania, and Mr. Watson, the well-known designer of the Valkyrie and the Britannia, has received orders to " create " a fast-running craft for Prince Henry, which will break the recoid of all former occasions. Hauson, who is building this coming wonder, has received orders to push forward with the work as quickly as possible. S. Emmott, a fairly fast second-rate English sculler, has been matched to row U. Bubear, the ex-champion, for £50 a-side. The date fixed is May 7. A Toronto newspaper, dated February 27, shows evidence that Hanlan is as much in front as ever. In reply to a challenge issued by Sullivan and Harding to row Hanlan and Gaudaur tor 20.000 dollars and the double sculls championship of the world, received from London, Hanlan said : " That's satisfactory to me. I will accept it and put up half the stake money if Gaudauragr'ees. I will not enter into aiiy race for less than 10,000 dollars. I will take the first train for Orillia to see Gaudaur, and lay the matter before him. No doubt he will be eager to accept. Both Jakn and I are familiar with H'thb Thames' course, and it will nob be our fault if the race falls through. .Just as soon as the preliminaries are arranged we will leave for England." The stakes are big enough for even a prize fight. Oarsmen have been content with hundreds of dollars lately. The largest stake we know of was Kemp V. Masterson, for 6500 dollars (£IOOO to £300). Twenty-two years ago (says the London Sporting Life of February 26) there was not a better known waterman than Harry Thomas. This celebrity joined the great majority on Saturday morning at four o'clock. He was then proprietor of the Cottage Inn, Cole Hill Lane, Fulham. and was also one of the Queen's watermen. In the years 1872-3-4-6 Thomas formed one of the champion crew which won the fours at the Thames Regatta. It was known as the " Hammersmith crew," and was made up of Harry Thomas, Tom Green, J. Anderson, and W. Biffeu. Jack Higgins was in the boat the last year. In conjunction with W. Biffen he won the pairr at this regatta in 1874, and with Tom Green as partner he 'won the same event in 1876. This was the year that Thomas journeyed to America and represented England at the Philadelphia (Centennial) Regatta. . The Referee (London) says—" Wag Harding has beaten Bubear pointless, as one may say, in a sculling match over the Thames championship course. He sculled capitally especially for a little man, and his victory is, for reasons not necessary to quote here, grateful to sportsmen with a taste for boat racing. But it is doubtful whether finding a light-weight to beat the presumably best English-made middle or heavy professor helps us much. The little man is no doubt a Sterling bit of stuff, but we want something bigger before we can hope to successfully tackle the colonials. Without doubt we have at home the most promising material one has seeu for many years in a colonial— Sullivan, who has only to unlearn all he knows, and learn on quite a different system, to be a tip-topper." To this "Trident"of the Sydney Mail adds :—Sullivan evidently has made a good impression, although his rowing is considered very faulty. As to his being the most promising material seen for many years, we can go one better here. Neither Croese, Lambert, nor Wray have rowed for the championship, but all these can show Sullivan the way. Stanbury also is worthy of notice. Lynx.