ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10079, 14 March 1896, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

CRICKET.

The Domain ground being engaged this afternoon and on Saturday next for athletic purposes the championship cricket fixtures will not be continued until the 28th inst., when Auckland try conclusions with Gordon and Parnell meet Ignited. As matters stand at present it would seem safe to anticipate Gordon as the champions in the senior grade with Parnell as runners-up, and I should certainly be somewhat surprised at any other ending to the fixtures, Belmont's victory over Auckland 11. last Saturday makes matters very interesting amongst the first juniors, and all eyes will be ou the result of the meeting of Parnell IT. and North Shore, which is the final fixture in this grade. ith George Mills in his century scoring form the Parneliites will have a very anxious time before them, as a defeat at the hands of the club from the marine suburb,

would probably result in a loss of the cup to the Parneliites, as it would place Belmont, Auckland, North Shore, ana Parnell on terms, and finals would have to be played off

between the quartette. Last Saturday's cricket was somewhat tamer than usual from a spectator's point of view, as both senior fixtures had been practically settled on the previous Saturday's play; at least, unless something very unexpected happened, and suoh was not the case. Gordon's victory over United was a most decisive one, their first innings' score being within six runs of the dual essay of their opponents, this being considered an argument sufficiently conclusive to save Gordon the necessity of compiling the necessary half-a-dozeu. Lawson put in some very fast work on behalf of Parnell, and the required runs were obtained before he was cleanly " yorked " by Trapp. Thin bowler also beat Mills with a beauty. Thorpe rattled up 29 in a more effective than elegant style. Auckland made a forlorn hope struggle in the second innings, and put on the runs quickly, but these are not the days of Joshua, and Father Time apparently had no sympathy. Clayton 30, and Trapp 27, did good work, both making some splendid drives. 1). Hay as usual gave a good exhibition of fast cricket, getting 39 runs. Lusk obtained 24, but none of the others succeeded in reaching double figures. Kallender had his revenge this week by clean bowling Stemsou, but it was the only wicket obtained by the Gordon giant. Williams, who used to be a fast bowler, has slowed down considerably, and now bowls below medium pace. His length and accuracy of delivery are very good, hence his

success. The match Belmont v. Auckland 11. was at one stage becoming very interesting, but the good batting of Paterson and Morrison saved their side. I like the style of St. Paul as a bowler; he appears a most promising player, has a nice easy delivery, and puts considerable " break 1 ' on the ball. With judicious coaching he should prove very useful to the Auckland Club. We have no really good left-arm bowler here now.

Congratulations to Mr. A. M. Labatt on Ilia entry into the matrimonial state; and may the future, of both for himself and his bride be a bright and prosperous one. This litele affair of " orange blossoms" explains his small batting totals, as no man could be expected to have a steady eye and a firm hand, with wedding bells continually ringing in his ear.

lb. R. Walford, the Cumberland captain (says the Sydney Referee), has not taken his place in the team since returning from Mew Zealand. He lias the sympathy of every cricketer in the bereavement sustained through the loss of his father, the late Mr. VV. Walford. The latter's brother, in the old days, was for many years an active member of the Association, and occupied the position of hon. treasurer for a considerable

A report seems to have rot abroad (says Cricket, dated December 26) that the number of test matches with the Australian team is likely to be increased. Considering that the counties, unanimously or practically so, decided to have only three instead of five representative matches as suggested by the Australian Cricket Council, it is difficult to see how much a rumour could have got into circulation. Anyhow, the few dates left vacant to the Australian programme at the meeting of county secretaries have brought plenty of app'icants, so that the programme is certain to be filled up.

FOOTBALL. A Southern writer says D. Gage is likely to play for a Duuedin club during the ensuing season. This is not so, though it is quite understood that he will go back to Wellington. E. P. Pookes, an ex-Tarauaki High School boy. represented Yorkshire in the county football matches against Durham, Lancaster, and Northumberland. He also played for the North of England in the great, Rugby fixture North versus South, and represented England against Wales. He plays threequarter back. CYCLING.

Helming had a day out at the North Shore Carnival of Saturday last, lie winning the one and two mile events rather comfortably, in addition to running second in the Fivemile Handicap. Dade, who accounted for the latter event, also rode well, and a promising wheelman was disclosed in young Aulsebrook, a recent arrival, who pedals in a taking manner, and should give a good account of himself later on. Reynolds' victory in the Novel Threequarter Mile event was a foregone conclusion, as everyone who has anything to do with sport knows the champion in addition to his ability on the wheel is no mean opponent over a distance on foot.

With the exception of the schoolboys' event, the entries for the wheel events on the Auckland Club's Autumn Carnival are of a highly satisfactory nature, and a glance through the names of the entrants disclose a number of new aspirants to cycle honours. The only notable absentees are Surman and Trigg, neither of whom have ridden for two or three meetings, and it would almost appear as though they had given the game best. There is evidently some probability of au asphalt or cement track being formed on the North Shore cricket ground, as one prominent official told me a day or two back that they had the matter steadily in view, and would commence operations as soon as the lease of the allotment which encroaches on the

ground is ud, as this would give them a complete ground. J. W. Parsons having decided to visit England and France, the Australians purpose helping him financially, and with this end in view the Victory Club, of which the champion is a member, will tender him a complimentary race meeting, and other steps will be taken to raise money. It is estimated that 100,000 bicycles were turned out from the Coventry factories last year. Nine thousand military cycles are to be purchased by the Bavarians, the Minister of War having authorised the purchase. J. S. Johnson, the American flier, will race in France this season. He is booked to leave America this month. The latest statistics give England 1,300,000 riders, and a capital of £6,000,000 invested in the bicycle business. Tho taxation of cycles—as taxation-(says a London paper) is dead, but under the name of registration it is coming. ATHLETICS. The several sports gatherings of late have kept our athletes hard at work for the past few weeks, and a visit to the Domain ground of an evening discloses a large number under going their preparations, some doing steady work over the distances, others sprinting, and hurdling, and a few preparing for the "heel and toe"contests. We also see the man who is training for a half-mile bicycle race, and who evidently imagines that to get thoroughly fit for an event of this nature lie must pedal round the track for at least ten or a dozen miles every afternoon, and race all new arrivals, much to the detriment of his brethrenonfoot. Although several well-known faces a,re to be seen, many are missing, which evidently means that they are undergoing their preparation on more private tracks, with a view to keeping the good thing from the eye of the wary tout. Jones, Holder, Motion, Freeman, Roberts, Martin, Poland, O'Connor, McKean, and Beuth were amongst those who are doing excellent work, and must go to the post in the pink of condition on deciding-day. A promising runner is Buchanan, a younger brother of the wellknown sprinter of that ilk, who though perhaps out of court at this meeting, will come to the front before very long. Our popular long (in a double sense) distance gunner, G. B. Beere, hardly seems himself, and is certainly not up to November form, though a little more preparation may see him in something like the old trim. J. E. Bell, of Cambridge, whose name figures amongst the entries for the Auckland club's carnival, is said to be a rising walker with a nice style, and one who should give a satisfactory account of himself in the near future. He is in the hands of W. Creamer, the ex-ohampion heel and toe exponent, and brother to the present champion, F. W. Creamer.

The putting the 161b shot competition in next Saturday's amateur programme is causing a good deal of interest ou account of the several entries received. The champion, T. B. O'Connor, who still holds a record of 37 feet 8 inches, which is half an inch better than 0. McCormack'sbest, will needs look to his laurels, as J. A. Kallender is looked upon as a very dangerous opponent, and if report speaks truly, should make matters very inforesting with to handicap of 4 feet. Xlio

High Jump is also an innovation that has not been on the club's programme for several meetings, and with its field of nine should create more than ordinary competition. The Wanganuite, Holder, has proved himself worthy of the reputation lie brought up with him as one of the " first flighters." His mission at the North Shore Carnival was evidently the 220 yards hurdle, as he did not appear to exert himself in the sprints. He is certainly as fine a cut of un athlete as one could wish to see, and of his pace nothing more need be said than that he is credited with 51s. over the 440 yds; which, tegether with his excellent performance over sticks— perhaps he jumps a trifle high—all must vote Holder an opponent who cannot be counted out in the 440 yds hurdle event at the Auckland Club's carnival of Saturday next with four yards off the champions. It is a thousand pities that P. H. Creamer ! will not be seen on the track at the Auckland Club's gathering, he being unable to compete on account of sciatica, which seems to trouble him a good deal. Had he and Brady met over the Intermediate distance the struggle would have been one worthy a pilgrimage to witness, and the pair would be very close together when all was over. The champion will in all probability be seen out at the November gathering. The entries for the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club's Autumn Carnival of Saturday next exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine, and present a record for that body, the total being considerably over 300. The 120 yds and 30()yds handicaps boast of no less than 43 entries each, and as the quality engaged is of the best, some splendid racing is to be anticipated. In fact tne whole of the fields are large, and it seems almost invidious to individualise. Another pleasing feature is the number of outside entries received, which may be expected to throw a deal of additional interest into the meeting, as some of them bring reputations with them. In our issue of Monday last it was stated that Carr was warned off in the One-mile Walk, which of course indicated that he was walking unfairly. This was an error, as Mr. Carr explains, he retiring before the second lap had been completed, and the mistake was due to the similarity in costumes worn by this walker and the man who actually was warned off. Taking a hurried glance through the handicaps for the sprint and distance _ events issued on Thursday, I find the handicappers have fairly well succeeded in concealing the winners of the different events. One pleasing feature of the handicaps is the reduction of the limits in both sprint events. It is now some considerable time since the public have had the pleasure of seeing a scratch man returned the winner of a short distance event, and, I think the action of the haudicappers will meet with the approval of all tiue supportors of this branch of sport. I havo always contended it is unreasonable because a man has become a fast sprinter through attention and training to make him give such long starts. Of course the reduction is only Iyd in the 120, and 4yds in the 300, but then it is a step in the right direction. I hope the officials will closely watch the running in the various heats, and if necessary, at the following carnival to further reduce the limits. In the Quarter Mile Hurdle race the meeting of the lo;al champions, viz., Martin and Roberts, and the Wanganui crack, Holder, should, barring accidents, bring about one of the finest finishes ever seen on the Domain oval. The GOO Yards race to which the president has given a handsome trophy, is a splendid handicap. There is every prospect of a fine field and an interesting finish. A large number of English athletes have announced their intention of taking part in the Olympian games at Athens, and an international meeting is to be held, at Innsbruck, which can be conveniently included in the trip. It seems a great pity that the colonies cannot manage to send two or three men across to the big gathering, as there are certainly men on this side of the water who would lender a good account of themselves amongst all-comers, for instance, Brady and Roberts would not disgrace us. The English Amateur Athletic Association has refused to permit George and Bacon leave to run a series of matches without the latter's amateur status being imperilled. Whether or not Bacon will quit the amateur ranks in order to meet George, as George did to meetCummings, remains to be seen. E. H. Flack, the Australasian longdistance runner, was allowed to walk over in order to retain the Short-distance Challenge Cup of the Thames Hare and Hounds, which was decided on January 11, and he was also first home in the run held by the club on that day, A. L. Rye being second, and P. G. Rye third. The report of the treasurer of the New York Athletic Club, presented at the club's annual meeting, shows that an enormous amount is spent in athletics by this, the leading amateur athletic club of the world. The club has 2524 members, who paid during the year 1895 135,704 dollars 50 cents for initiation fees and annual dues. The club's property is valued at 893,658 dollars 18 cents, and the liabilities amount to 568,159 dollars SO cents, thus leavin? the net interest of the club in its property 325,498 dollars 38 cents. There have lately been rumours of a probable international athletic competition in Loudon, next summer, and in reference thereto the following from Land and Water, which appears to regard the meeting as an assumed fact, provided the Americans accept the challenge, will prove of interest: —At last we understand that the London Athletic Club have decided to challenge the New York Athletic Club even without the support of the Irish and Oxford and Cambridge Athletic clubs. This is as it should be. The A.A.A. will have supervision over the arrangements, and it is an understood thing that the British team will probably be selected, if possible, from the winners of the A.A A. championships next summer. The match will take place in London in July, and, if properly managed, should be a big success. Programme and other details have yet to be settled. It is to be hoped that that the N.Y. A.C. will have the good sense not to include in their team any British born subjects, even if we on our side do not insist on this proviso. Things athletic are looking up in 1896.

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY'S FETE. This afternoon, on the Domain cricket ground, the above Society will hold high carnival, and with favourable weather there should be a very large attendance of spectators present. The programme to be provided is an excellent oue, comprising as it does professional and amateur races for both pedestriaus and wheelmen. In addition to a capital day's sport, every shilling ticket entitles the holder to a chance in the monster art union of 100 prizes, the most valuable prizes iu which are the piano, bicycle, gold watch, horse, and sewing machine. The racing this afternoon starts punctually at 1.30, and the following will probably give a good account of themselves Amateur events: 150 yds Handicap. Smith or Holder; ,100 yds Handicap, Smith or Williamson; Half-mile, McKean or O'Conuor, with Frost next best. Open handicaps: One Mile, W. Farquhar; St. Patrick's Handicap—Parquhar, Brierly, Smith. Lendrum, and Murphy all seem to hold chances, and the result is decidedly open. Reynolds should fare well in the amateur wheel events, and Curtis, Skeates, and Young should bo handy in the cash races. GOLF,

The following are the handicaps and draw for the Handicap Foursomes Burness and G. Bloomfield, bye, 1 stroke at 7 holes; Major Elliot and Foster, bye 3; Duthie and Sykes, 5, play Rev. W. Beatty and Cochrane, 4: Captain Preston and Holmes, 3, play Walker and Chambers, 7; Grimshaw and Markham, 5, play Greer and Heather, 6; Col beck and Carrick, 3, play Upfill and Ridings, 3; Earl aud McAlister, 9, play Carr and Blair, scratch; Norton and Arnold, bye, 10. The match for Mr. Heather's Bogey Cup comes off next Saturday.

POLO. Notwithstanding the departure of the representatives for Wanganui, play will take place us "usual at Potter's Paddock, commencing at 3 p.m. to-day. In addition to the usual games between picked sides, there will he a match between City and Remuera. The City team will consist of Messrs. C. Purchas, A. Purchas, Clark, and Colegrove; and the Remuera team of Messrs. Hauna, Tonka, Whewell, and Jackson. It is expected that the match will be keenly fought.

AQUATICS. The Yacht Club races for two-and-half j raters for the club trophies will be sailed this afternoon; and if the weather should prove favourable, a good contest may be anticipated. Messrs. Bloomfield Bios', yacht Viking will act as flagship, and will bo moored off the end of Queen-street Wharf, j and the race will be started from the yacht. I The Sailing Committee have given a great deal of attention to laying-off the course, which is to be from the ViKiug, round a mark-boat off the Bastion: thence round the black buoy off Rangitoto Reef, returning the same way, and finishing at the starting point, twice round. The distance is about 22 miles. Instructions have been issued to all competitors to keep all marks on the starboard hand, except the mark off the Bastion, which is to be kept on the porthandgoingdown,andon the starboard hand coming back. It may be well to mention to yachtsmen competing in this event should sign the necessary form as to , the rating of the yacht, so as to prevent another hitch occurring regarding the matter.

Mr. H. Haines leaves for Sydney, en route to England, on Wednesday next, and I feel sure that all yachtsmen will join with the Yacht Club, in wishing Mr. ana Mrs. Haines a pleasant trip. The Wailieke natives intend holding a number of suoita on Saturday next onrthe Oueroj, Beach,

On Saturday next the race for thTfvT" S"Z"" the two and >«S takes place. ' ri teri The Scow Race, ordered to be re-saiVi ■ the committee of the Auckland Rem,, , '7 place on Thursday morning, the Or&b'i? , Irene being the only competitors Th. 1,1,1 was from the end of Queen street Than round Rangitoto and ilotutapu fini.h; • the starting point. Captain Duder an iV 1 R. S. Reynolds conducted the vIZ Mr ' The Orakci finished first, the Irene mT"" - with an accident to her ce ntr ,Q Another race is likely to arise out of th. i contest. 101 delist I understand that the manager of .t Devon port Ferry Company has wri'ten . the Auckland Yacht Club, complaint" , the manner in which some yachtsmen V duct themselves by crossing the bow, of th • steamers, necessitating the latter p,i n » in speed astern in order to prevent a Mr i,. 1 accident. The practice is a most ® sible one, and I trust that the club will do II that is possible to bring yachtsmen to a , e - 4 , of their duty in the matter. ' ! On Saturday, the ffitli instant, the «, George's Rowing Club will compete for th trophies presented by Mr. Thomas, one J the vice-presidents of the club. Kntri.-, f„ the Trial Fours for Ladies' Hold Brae.'./ of the West End Rowing Club, at Uk Takapuna, on April 4th next, are comm.'if well. Already over 25 have been tiv.H These trophies have been presented i, v honorary officers of the club, ami a prize of a set of club jerseys Ims 1k.,;,, '. seated by Mr. W. Morpeth, of I'on.,Vu Road. Besides gig races there will 1,. , i; j' eventsof an amusing nature. Thecoma. 0 i th 9 club haveaccepted the tender of t| l( . \ nr ton Band for 24 performers for the occ^si.,, !0 there should be no lack of sweet st r >'.ni for the music-loving portion of the com-.i .-.i-"' The Eagle has been secured, and I .* mittee gay that their patrons will havp n j room for complaint. The club lu ■ us , issued an attractive poster from the l!tp.\;i Works, entitled, " Who," " \Vj,» r „ ■ " When," which will certainly attract attea tion.

THE INTER COLONIAL FOUR-OARED p,ie E . A meeting of delegates from the Auckland rowing clubs was called last evening 1 v it, Auckland representative of the New /.<• k ; md Amateur Rowing Association—Mr. |; \y Burgess. There was a fair attend'imy-aij the rowing clubs with one exeqiii i, i, ( i r , represented. The principal business « t J consider how funds should he raised t<, defray the expenses of a representing crew and a sculler to compete in th« Inter-colonial Fours at Sydney. Ait'; . 0!ri( discussion it was unanimously n-bu.vel "That as the Auckland Club is nut r -r».' sented no combined action be uk'-n l,y ; ae club's present respecting contributions t O . wards expenses of the New Zealand i.-|> re . sentative crew, but that each club contr;i ;tt such amount as it may think tit " i'n lt this meeting does not approve of th« |. t0 posal to send the winners of the Chun; ion Fours at Picton Regatta to represent Zealand at the forthcoming Australian m«;. ing, but suggests that a selection l,» t,, ~U dt the Picton Regatta, and the nest .umi;,}.;, crew be sent irrespective of any e:uu.' Some discussion took place as to th. i»,| means to revive interest in rowing in Ar .t----land, and also to put rowing matters < n a better footing for the coming season. Tr.f delegates present were of opinion that i' \u> too late to do much this season, but i-.-.u sidered that it was highly desirable du-iij the recess to take some steps to start th- nt-it season on a better basis. Some discuss), a took place as to whether it was pr.icti-.hie to revive the Auckland Rowing Association and it was decided, " !'!>;• a meeting of representatives of the various clubs lie convened during the mouth of April, to consult what stops should be taken to fui tn»»r the interests of rowing generally in Auckland.' A vote of thanks to Air. Burgess for |n>-si'lin; was carried, and the convening of tin pro posed meeting left in his Hands. Lynx.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL SWIMMING SP'iRTS. The annual swimming spurts of ilw Auckland College and Grammar School took phc y-trliv afternoon In the Auckland Graving li'>tk. and notwithstanding the rather unfavoured* weather they turned out one of the most succe-sful ,i.| i.itic gatherings the school baa held. The entries »-•« good in all events, and thanks to the cmnplrtr «r----raugeinents made hy Mr. J. 11. Turner, the -nittary, and the assistance of the teachers, everything went off smoothly. Appended are the re,-'.lt.- tti: contests :-5U Yards Maiden: Rees 1, l'"tiiid Eketone 3; time 355. Neat Header: >t"ii» l, H. Hesketll 2, Gorrio 2. 50 Yards Handicap, Bayly 1, Hunter 2, Donald 3; time, -ii 1 ■ 80 Yds Challenge, under l'i: Kenny 1, G. o"Tiv ;; 688. 50 Yds Challenge, under in: .Norther it 1, Arnold 2; time, 49 2-5 s. Corfu Dive: K'ttnj I, Goodwin 2. Challenge, under 15: lU>ly Ramsay 2 ; time, 72 4-5-.. Challenge, under U: Francis 1, Walker 2, Steel 3; time, Do l- ? '-"tj Dive' Burgess 1, Brown 2; distance, 4ftydt 1< vk Handicap: Buckland 1, Ueorße 2, Stone 3. I*:* race, 50yds: Kenny 1, J. Brown 2, A. C. Br »tu 60yils Handicap, under 13: Arnold 1, Northern;; ; Tibbs 3. 100 yds .School Championship : Stone ant Bees (dead heat) 1, Miller 3; time, 82 3-5 s. I'bu was a line race, and the three competitor- kejt even for about 80 yards, but un ortunately ii-et then went across Miller's water, so that it ii i.robable that the race will be swum over again. «.ii, under IB: Kenny 1, Warnock 2, George :i; uno, 73 3-5 s. 80yds, under 15 : Hall 1, Bayly '2, Rat■ say 3; time, S3s. 220 yds, open : llees" 1, Miller C, Butler 3; time, 3m. 2 4-5 s. Consolation Hue: Uor.id 1, Derviii 2; time, 46 3-6 s. Old lioy<' i: M « 100 yds: Coasar 1, Morrison 2, Dixin :t ; time, IS--1-5 8. Also started: Upton, Mahony, Dervin, at 1 Horn.