ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9711, 5 January 1895, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

CRICKET.

The Association fixtures will be continued at the Domain this afternoon when some interesting matches should result. The Par-nell-United contest looks very well for United, who have a total of 160 for their first innings. Parnell have sofar lost one wicketfor 43. The Gordon-Auckland contest may also be expected to furnish an exciting finish. Last Saturday was an off day with the cricketers, the Association fixtures being suspended for the day. The only match of any importance played was that between Thames and Parnell, which resulted in an easy win for the local men by an innings and 35 runs, Ihames were the first to take to the wickets, and they were "disposed of for the small total of 50. A. Billing" was the highest contributor with 16. He played a very careful innings, and displayed good form. R. McGregor is another promising player, who succeeded iu reaching double figures. For Parnell, F. Edmonds bowled with telling effect, as the bowling analysis shows. He had 11.3 overs, and secured 9 wickets for the small cost of 23 runs. Parnell in their first innings ran up the respectable total of 158, E. Wright (run out) 56 and I. Mills 47 being the chief contributors. Both men hit freely while at the wickets, and kept the visitors going at a very warm pace. Krone 12, H. Donald 15, Patterson (not out) 20, also got into double figures. Thames in their second innings did little better than in their first, only making 73, of which number A. Lang obtained 29, playing in first-class style. G. Clark 14 was the only other player to reach double fignres. No less than six Thames players tried their band with the ball. The bowling analysis reads as follows : —A. Lang, 19 over», 3 maidens, 35 runs, 3 wickets; O. Inglis, 4 overs, IS runs, 1 wicket: S. Kelly, 6 overs, 26 runs, owickets: R. McGregor, 7 overs, 2 maidens, 12 runs, 0 wickets ; J. Lang, 5 overs, 24 runs, 0 wickets; G. Paul, 13 overs, 39 runs, 4 wickets. The visitors were captained by Mr. G. Clark, an old Thames player. The Fijian cricketers leave Suva by the s.s. Taviutii for Auckland on January 12. The following are the names of the team — Whites : Hon. J. S. Udal (captain), Hon. D. L. Allardyce, R. Caldwell, J. C. Collins, W. O. Groom, A. B. Joske, J. McOwen, H. vV. Scott. Natives : Ratu Epeli, Rat.ll Kadavu Leon, Ratu Mailooloo, Ratu Tetnesia, Ratu Tui Lawau, and Ratu.Tdi Varena Von. The Taviuni will be due in Auckland about January 18. The Auckland Cricket Club played a friendly match with theManukau County Association on Wednesday last, and succeeded in defeating them by 56 runs. For Auckland Gilfillan, Stoinson, Wlielan, Lundon, Sclby, and Clayton were the most successful with Hie willow. Messrs. Froude and Wright performed the duties of umpires with every satisfaction to the players. The following tables show the positions of the various clubs in the championship competitions in the three grades

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. Club. Played. Won, Drawn. Lost. Gordon .. .. .. 4 3 0 1 I'arnell .. .. ..4 2 1 1 Auckland 4 2 0 2 United 4 0 1 3 MUST JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. Club.' " Played. Won. Drawn. Xn ;t. Wanderers .. *. .. 3 3 o 0 Belmont .. .. .. 4 " . 0 1 l'arnell .4 3 0 1 Pitt-street Mutual .. 4 2 0 2 North .Shore .... 3 2 0 1 United .. .... 4 2 0 2 Auckland 11. .■ 4 0 0 4 Gordon II 4 0 0 4 SECOND JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. Club. Played. Won. Drawn. Lost, Belmont A... «. » 4 4 0 0 l'arnell - 4 4 0 0 Clarence .. .. — 3 3 0 0 United 4 3 0 1 All Saints .. .. ..4 2 (I 2 Auckland ...... 4 2 0 2 Selwyn .. .. ..3 1 1 1 North Shore .... 3 1 0 2 Cousin and Atkin.. .. 3 0 o 3 Belmont B. .. ..4 it l 3 Gordon • 4 0 0 4 A late number of the Athletic News has the following article regarding the match between the Englishmen and Victoria " English lovers of cricket- had scarcely got over the uupleasant intelligence from Adelaide when news arrived per cable of the wonderful batting performance of A. C. MacLai en, who scored 22S against Victoria. Many good judges on this side predicted that the young Lancashire captain (who will celebrate his twenty-second birthday on the Ist of next month) would score heavily on the hard and true wickets at the Antipodes, but no one cxpected to hear of his compiling such a mammoth total in his first big match on Australian soil. Judging from the cablegrams it would appear that the old Harrow boy's hitting was brilliancy itself, and it is pretty certain to assume he has never played so fine an innings before. It is not the highest score hit off Australian bowling by an Englishman, for the distinction belongs to Shrewsbury, who made '2."2 against Victoria at Melbourne in 1887. The two last players invited to join A. E. Stoddart'a cricketing party were A.C. MacLarcu and J. T. Brown. For some reason or other MacLaren did not play in the first representative match, but he made his mark very legibly in the second, whilst the Yorkshireman also scored his century at the first time of asking."

ATHLETICS.. The Caledonian sports held in the Domain on New Year's Day were very largely attended, and proved a very interesting gathering. The racing was of a very interesting character, and some very fast times were recorded. "The New York Spirit of the Times says that S. Chase is the American Amateur Champion, and the fastest hurdler that over lived. Chase has a record of 15 3-sth s. for 120 yds hurdles on a cinder track. At a meeting of the New South Wales A,A. A., held in Sydney on December 6th, it was decided that a recommendation be made to the Council to the following effect;: —"That a new rule be drawn up by which any affiliated amateur entering for a novice or a professional handicap of any kind whatsoever be liable to disqualification, even if he does not start." An application was received from Mr. H. Goodwin to have his two-mile walking record of 15m 4 4-sths. made at North Shore recognised. It was decided to refer the same to the council, as Mr. Goodwin had received a caution daring the race. The following is a list of the winners of the English Championships during the past season : —looyds, Bradley, 10 l-sth s.; 440 yds, liredin, 50 s.; 880 yds, Bredin, 1 m. 56 4 sth s. : 1 mile, Bacon, 4 m. 25 4 sth a.; 4 miles, Bacon, 19 m. 48 4-sth s.; hurdles, Shaw. 16 3-sth s.; walk (4 miles), Curtis, 30 m. 5 4-sth 8.; steeplechase ('2 miles), A. B. George ; high jump, Williams, sft. siin. : long jump, Donovan, 20ft. Bin.; weight, Hogan, 42ft. 4in.; hammer, Barry, 126 ft. BJin. LAWN TENNIS. It is expected that Mr. J. H. Hooper, winner of the New Zealand Championship at the late tournament will be in attendance at the Eden and Epsom lawns this afternoon. Iu view of the successes that he has achieved at the meeting, Mr. Hooper should be warmly welcomed home. GOLF. Members of the Golf Club are reminded that the third handicap competition for the president's trophy 'will be played on the Links, Green Lane, on Saturday* the 12th January. POLO. As is usual at this time of the year the attendance of active members of the Auckland Polo Club has been very limited, and consequently it has been difficult to keep the ball rolling. However, as members are now

returning, it is hoped that they will soon get to work in real earnest, and. work into condition for the coming tournament in March. With that object in view a match has been arranged for to-day, Light-weights v. Heavyweights- The., teams will be as follow:— Light-weights: Messrs. O'Rorke, Buddie, Forbes, and Tonks. . Heavy-weights : Messrs. Wynvard, Sharman, TPrince, and' Colegrove. Members are expected to be on the ground punctually at three p.m., to enable an early start being made, so that other matches can be arranged during the afternoon. Unfortunately the Taurauga team will not visit Auckland this season, but they hope to meet tut Auckland team in Kihikihi some time this month.

AQUATICS. This afternoon the naval cutter race between crews from the Devonport Torpedo Corps and the Auckland Naval Artillery, takes place in the harbour, and promises to be t» very exciting contest. The course arranged is from the wharf at the Calliope Dock, round the Watchman, and back to the starting point. The Torpedo men row in the cutter belonging to the Ponsonby avals, and the Naval men in their own cuttcr. Both crews have been going in for a lot of practice, and should be in good form. Mr. Alexander Alison is the starter, Mr. A. G. Johnston (of Wellington) umpire, and the Rev. Canon Mac Murray judge. The Ferry Company's steamer Eagle will follow the race, making an excursion round the harbour previously, and calling at the_ North Shore and Ponsonby, for the convenience of those who wish to sea the contest. The steam launch Despatch has been chartered by Captain Little, of the Auckland Navals, and invitations have been issued to a urge number of friends. As I have previously remarked it is to be hoped that no ill-feeling will be engendered over the race, but that whichever crew is beaten they will take the result in good spirit. . On Saturday next the annual excursion for the non - yachtowning members'and their friends, of the Auckland Yacht Club, is to take place. Yachts are to meet off the Queen-street wharf at two p.m., and will then proceed to the spot chosen, which will probably be Drunken Bay. The fine steamer Eagle is appointed to leave the Ferry Ice afe half-past three p.m. with the members anafriends, and will go down to the Bay. It is arranged that the yachts will form a haltcircle inside, the Eagle taking up a position in the centre. A concert is to take place on board the Eagle from half-past seven p.m. to half-past nine p.m., members of the Auckland Liedertafel and the Orchestral Union taking part. The Eagle is to return to the wharf at half-past ten p.m. If the weather is fine, the outing should prove a most enjoyable one. . I Entries for the following races, to take place on February 2, will be received up to half-past one p.m. on the 19th instant, by Mr. R. S. Reynolds, hon. treasurer of the Auckland Yacht Club, Queen-street wharf: —Yachts, 5 rating and uuder; first prize, £7 ; second prize, the total amount of entrance fees. Yachts, 2£ rating and under; first prize, £5; second prize, same as first race Yachts, 1 rating and under; first prize, £3; second prize, same as first race. The races for the trophies presented for competition by the commodore, vice-commo-dore, and Rear-Commodore of the Auckland Yacht Club, take place on February 9. Entries close at 1.30 p.m. on the 19th mst., at the store of Mr. R. S. Reynolds, Queenstreet Wharf. Splendid yachting weather prevailed during the New Year holidays, and was largely taken advantage of by yachtsmen, nearly all the boats going for a three days' ciuise. As usual Waiheke proved the principal rendezvous, and on New Year's Day a Regatta took place at Arran Bay, and was a most interesting affair. A handicap yacht race resulted in a win for the Daisy, with the Spray second, and Rogue third. A meeting re the proposed Native Regatta, to be held at the North Shore, is to take place at the North Shore next week, the committee appointed at the last meeting having gathered sufficient information together to enable them to lay something definite before another meeting. _ The Maoris) have taken an active interest in the affair, and it is not a question as to whether enough can be got to come to Auckland for the purpose of making the affair a success, but who will be chosen, such a large number having signified their willingness to attend. The committee of the Judges Bay Regatta, which is announced to take place 011 26th January, are working in real earnest to make this aquatic carnival an unqualified success. There is every indication that the sailing events will prove of greater interest than in former years, as it is rumoured that some of the well-known cracks in addition to the craft launched this season will compete, so that lovers of a healthy pastime and exhibitions of skill and endurance may look forward to a pleasant afternoon's sport. The result of the prize in the late Ponsonby Regatta for vachts of 2^ -rating being handed over to the Gloriana, has been the cause of a good deal of comment during the past week among the parties interested. The owners of the Zinita consider themselves hardly treated in the matter, and claim that the prize belongs to them, as they are confident that their boat is of less rating than the Gloriana. The committee, however, have decided otherwise, having had both boats re-measured, and the various calculations worked out apparently to their satisfaction. I think myself, however, that it would have been much better, and have stopped a good deal of talk, if the committee had placed the whole affair in the hands of the Yacht Club to take the necessary steps, and have the boats re-measured. The club have appointed an official measurer, and surely he should have been the proper authority to settle the dispute. The gentlemen appointed by the committee to arrange the affair, are no doubt like Cajsar's wife, above suspicion, as are all the committee, but I think they have gone the wrong way to work to effect a satisfactory settlement. However. as all yachts will have to produce a certificate from the official measurer of the Yacht Club in all future races run under the rules of the Club, the question as to whether the Gloriana is or is not of a larger rating than the Zinita should very soon be settled beyond all doubt. Lynx.

PAHIATUA SPORTS.

The Knights of Labour held sports in Pahi»,tua on Boxing Day. The entries were not so good as in former years. Probably it is owing to the fact that the prizes had been lowered this year, and nearly every little town in other districts (Manawatu and Haw Ice's Bay) held sports on Boxing Day. The attendance of spectators was not so large as usual either; it was good however, about £28 being taken at the ga|es.. The times were very slow in almost every event; like funerals some of them were. The Two-mile Bicycle Race was the best event of the day. The riders had to go eight times round the the track (which, by the way, is rather rough for 'cyclists) for the two miles ; and from the beginning of the second lap, Crewe and Cushion were so close together that three yards of calico could have covered them. This lasted nearly the whole of the race. Coming into the straight for the last time, the two were going at their utmost speed, but Crewe kept his lead, and won by about five yards. Time, 8m 355. The starter caused great dissatisfaction among both competitors and spectators. Everyone called him a " fiddlingstarter.[Own Correspondent.]