ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10347, 23 January 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

CRICKET. The championships will be continued this afternoon at the Domain ground, when the senior teams wilPeommence the second last cup match of the season. Auckland play Gordon, and United play Parnell, though in neither case has the result any importance as far as Gordon and Parnell are concerned, both of these clubs being practically out of the running. The cricket championships were continued at the Domain Ground on Saturday afternoon, the senior fixtures resulting in wius for Auckland and United over Parnell and Gordon respectively. The first-mentioned contest was of course looked upon as a foregone conclusion, and though the Parnellites played up well, they were uot capable of carrying out the task set them by their opponents. Their (Parnell's) first innings, it will be remembered, realised 167, to which the Auckland eleven responded with the fine total of 324. With two wickets down for half-a-dozen runs, the Parnellites contiuued their uphill battle on Saturday, the not out men, Kilgour and Woods, resuming with the willow. The former succumbed after reaching a dozen, hut his partner continued on in fine style, not giving way until 46 had been placed to his credit, figures that were ouly topped by the 77 put together by I. Mills, the innings eventually closing for 203. This left Auckland with 47 to get, which that club succeeded in doing for the loss of three wickets. The United v. Gordon match, which was, to use a sporting phrase, won on the post by the first-mentioned team, created considerable interest and speculation amongst the spectators. Gordon's first innings had totalled 123, and United had followed on with 177, and the former on resumiup: their second esaay on Saturday were 133 to the good and two wickets yet to fall. They succeeded in carrying the total to 195, thus leaving United to get 142 to win. This the latter team managed to do, though matters looked very hazy for them when the sixth wicket had fallen

for 44 runs. Stemson and MacCormick, however, became associated, and the torrent was stemmed, the pair putting an entirely different aspect on tho game, and with tho assistance of C. Hay, they may be practically said to have pulled the contest out of the fire, the last three runs required being got in the tenth wicket, thus terminating one of the closest games ever witnessed on the Domain.

The result of these matches practically hrow Gordon and Parnell out of the cham-

pionship, us they have only one wiu and three losees each recorded to them, while the Auckland and United teams have each won

three matches and lost only one. There are only two more matches each to go, aud one of these is between Auckland and United. The following are the averages of most of the players who have taken part in the senior matches up to and including last Saturday's play :— Batting Averages.

Name. In'ga, N.O. Bus, U.S. Avrs, Gordon])r. J. C. Pabsfe „ 6 2 178 66* «'fi J. A. Kallelliicr _ 7 1 Kill M 2S-C8 T.D. Bull „ ..7 2 131 3S 26-2 C. Kissling „ .„ 2 0 42 85 21-00 J. B. Heed .. „ 4 1 611 30 18.M C. J. Homery ... 7 0 81 2(1 HW H. G. Nicoll.. _ 7 0 JO 38 1000 ■T, Steel .. ..10 10 m vm K J. Cotterill ..5 0 41 )7 5.2 E. T.Gould.. ..6 1 38 U n A. Edwuils.. „ 6 1 19 8 4-76 N. T. Williams ..6 0 20 30 4'3 A. Williamson „ 3 I) 9 9 300 J. J. Hunie .. _ S 0 7 5 -J'33 Auckland—

A. C. Stewart _. 2 0 121 110 6!>-5 ■I. Ameil .. -40 Ml 89 4O'(!O D. Clayton .. ..6 0 158 77 31 '6 H. Thomas .. ..2 1 31 1!)« 3100 A. G. Holland „ 3 0 02 78 30-66 K.Lambert.. „ 2 1 87 10* WOO C. Stone .. ..6 1 80 02» 21-5 T.Neill .. » 0 1 81 29 VVS M. .St. Paul'.. ..4 1 39 15 13-ftl 1, Queutory.. '-S0 37 21 12-33 ,T. 11. Colwill ..2 0 '25 211 12-5 n. Neil! ....4 0 4(i 18 11'5 W T. Wynyanl ..0 1 45 22 900 .1. It Lundon _ 3 1 15 7 7'5 UNITBDJ Watts _ - 0 3 85 Bf)» 28-H3 0, Hay .. « 6 I) Ml 9') '" 282 A. M, 1/ablltt -CO )4il 53 2CS3 -IrArCufl .. ..5 0 119 47 23'8 ■ )) Hay .. .. l> 0 133 03 2216 N Lu'sk .. - (I 0 113 83 18-83 C McCormick .. 0 3 64 36 IS-00 W. Stemsoli.. .. 7 0 121 44 17-71 A. Brown .. - 0 2 01 20 , 15-25 It. McPheraun ..2 0 31 24 15T. W. Hawkins ..7 2 37 23 7'4 P. Marshall.. - 6 0 26 15 6'2 PAUSEIX1. Mills _'«.S1 127 77 31-76 K. Woods .. ..7 2 149 33 29-8 J. F.Uhbon.. ..BO 114 66 228 H.W.La\v3on - 6 2 84 31 2100 0.8. King ....8 4 61 25 15-25 11. Holla ....7 2 66 21 13 W. Gardiner.. „ 6 0 74 26 12-32 3 Seagal .. ..0 0 CI) 35 11-1 W. Mills ... 0 30 23 10-00 Baker ~..10 8 8 800 ]!. Wriullt „ ..3 0 20 10 COS Kilgouc _ ..2 0 12 12 11-00 •Signifies not out. BOWLIXG AVERAGES. Name. Kuns, Wickets. Average. Gordon - A. Kdwaraes « 303 23 13-17 A. Williamson .. 20 2 14*5 J.J.Hume.. .. 15 * 1 15.00 N. T. Williams .. 209 13 10-07 J. A. Kallemler ... 311 14 22-21 C. Kissling .. _ 24 1 24.00 AucklandM. St. Paul- .. 30.1 25 12'2 R. Neill. .. -188 12 15-6 J). Clayton .. .. 132 7 18-S6 C. Stone .. .. 234 12 195 J. Arneil „ _ 71 3 23-60 United--1) llay .. „ 242 24 10-08 A. M. Matt _ 109 10 111-56 W.Hawkins „ 100 8 20-76 W. Stoinson.. .. 144 6 24-00 11. McPherson - 67 1 67-00 PaunbllR. Woods „ . 91 6 13-3 L Mills .. „ 2iH» 11 18-13 It, Holle .. .. 65 3 18-33 W. Mills „ „ 122 0 20-33 Lawson „ .. 329 12 27-41 Edmonds .. 91 2 3u-5 K. Wright .. ... 91 3 3033 Kllgour .. ..CO 1 00-00 There is some reason to believe (says an Australian exchange) that the member* of the late Australian Eleven will kick over the Cricket Council traces, and are contemplating a tour of England on their own account at a. future opportunity. It is considered that such an attempt at what can hardly be | regarded as any thin},' short of professionalism will meet with its own reward at the hands of English cricketing authorities, and will have the good effect of galvanising the a Australian Cricket Council into healthy activity, and so prevent anything like organised professionalism in Australian cricketing ranks. A tresh single innings record for first-clans senior cricket was put up in Wellington last Saturday by the Midland team, in their match against the Rivals. They put together 553 for a, loss' of nine wickets, beating the previous best (their own) of 510 by 43 runs. Although the Australian Eleven, declare that froma financial point of view the visit to America was not a success, it seems that it was uot quite profitless, as they have been picking up some Yankee wrinkles in the matter of bowling. An American writer says:—" Captain Trott has taken much interest in curve-pitching. One morning, before play began, Tommy Stokes, of Pennsylvania, showed Trott, Jones, and M'Kibbin some of the twists and gyrations which puzzle the stare of the diamond. Jones developed a remarkable ' in-shoot,' of which he had gained a passing knowledge the previous week, and declared that he would do all sorts of things with Australian wickets on his return home. He says that he took the wickets of Noble and Clarke with this patented process, and that baseball tricks have power for great results on a cricket crease. The Australians practised and watched curve-pitching for two hours, and seemed mightily impressed. Captain Trott cannot yet curve a ball round a oatsman's neck, but he is persevering, and expects great results." E. Jones, the fast bowler of the Australian Eleven, claims to have invented, jointly with Harry Trott, a new position in the field known to the Australian team as " fly"— a man deep back to the riuk in the slips to look out for miss-hits off the fast stuff, and save fours, from which in one English match the Australians lost 100 runs before the gap was filled. •• young cricketers need not be disheartened if failure overtake them at the outset of their cricket career. ~. George Giffen thus confesses to his early experiences: " I got seven ducks when I, first played' in, senior cricket, and every time I came home I couldn eat.' I took only a glass of water, and then went out on the park, and did not show up till all were in bed, for fear they would chaff me. . i ; T. ; W. ? Garrets - the New South Wales •captain,", has played \- in 32 iintercolonial matches— record. .~..' ; ;.; ;'.'■ v-'*' ".,C>-' .:"A capital portrait of . three generations of Trotts is given in . a recent issue of. the Australasian. There is the skipper's father, the genial,skipper himself-holdin^in his right hand the atu'mp : of the cigar given him by the Prince, of Wales.-and his own little lad of some eight or nine summers.' : '■ ••■'•'' '■"—'? : The Glebe'Clttb , have presented an illuminated address to T. R. M'Kibbin,- in,recognition of his fine bowling performance with

the Ninth Australian Eleven. The address accorded him a hearty welcome home upon his return, express the satisfaction of the i club at one of their number having secured _ the bowling average, and welcomed him as | ' the premier bowler of Australia." , ATHLETICS. , In a private letter received by the Alameda yesterday, it was stated M. Roseingrave, the : Irish champiou athlete, who in the majority ( of the events at the New South \\ ales and Victorian Championship Meetings, is likely to visit Auckland for the New Zealaud Amateur Athletic Championship Meeting, to be held here on February 10th and loth. Mr. Frank W. Coombes, cf tho bydney Referee staff, who was here on a holiday tour a few days asp, writing across to Mr. P. M. Thomson, of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club, says there is verv little probability of Mr. R. Coombes ("Prodigal" of that journal) or the athlete Richards coming across to the Now Zealaud championship meeting. He asks to be remembered to his many friends in Auckland. Several Auckland athletes will go up the line on Friday next, Regatta Day, to take part in the Waikato Club's meeting. Athletes might be reminded that entries for all events at the forthcoming championships close with the secretary of the Auckand Club on February Ist. The next Australasian Championship Sports Meeting will be held at Sydney on October 2 and 4. Mr. T. B. O'Connor has gone to Gisborne, but will be back in Auckland to compete in the weight putting and hammer throwing competitions at the championship meeting. A3 far as can be seen at preseut, his opponents will be Kallender (Auckland) and Jhodes (Wellington), the latter being a wellknown ex ■ Aucklander. The champion, McCormack, of Dunedin, will not, as elsewhere stated, make the visit. The Boston Police News intends to make .a big effort to bring off the American championship 100 yds race this year. Last year the event fell through, only one entry being received. Entries for the pedestrian events at tha Cycling Club's Carnival, on February 6th, promise to be large and representative. The committee are already in receipt of entries from many parts of the Auckland province, and from Stratford, New Plymouth, and Eltham. It has been anticipated that Roseingrave, the world's broad jump champion, would come across from Australia to the New Zealand Championship to compete in this and other events, including the hurdles, but so far I have seen nothing in the Australian press to support this belief. The annual sports under the auspices of the Paeroa Druids will he held on the Paeroa racecourse on Friday, January 29th. The programme contains in all eighteen events including pedestrian handicaps, both amateur and professional, bicycle races, hack races, aud several novelties. The following from the Otago Witness holds out very little prospect of a team from that province for our Championship Meeting: —" So far as Dunediu is concerned there is, I am sorry to say, not likely to be any practical response to this notice. The three holders of New Zealand championships who are in the ranks of the D.A.A.C.-these being W. A. Low, W, F. Bennett, and W. V. Kingston—will not visit Auckland for the purpose of defending their titles, the main reason being that the distance between Auckland and Dunedin will preclude them from going. E, Martin, the present holder of the Australasian chamkionship for ham-mer-throwing, and 0. McCormick, the holder of the New Zealaud record for tho same event, will also be unable to go to Auckland for the meeting next month. T. R. Mackay is fit to win at a championship meeting but is also unable to travel so far north, while F. H. Harley is still limping from the effects of his accident at the club's sports. A. Findlay, the walker, is, I believe, the only Dunedin athlete who has at the present time any thoughts of attending the meeting at Auckland, but I am firmly of opinion that he is not now class enough for a championship. While I say that neariy all the abovementioned athletes are unable to visit Auckland it is necessary for me to say, in order that a false impression should not get abroad, that some of them have other fish to fry. It happens that the Australasian Championship Meeting is to be held this year in Sydney in the. month of October, and. Low and Bennett are strongly desirous of defending their titles as Australasian champions, while Kingston is very anxious also to, i possible, attend the meeting, and so also is McCormaok, but it would uot be possible for any of them to obtain leave to attend both meeting. Sydney is the more attractive and therefore Auckland is not to see them. That is why Duupdin is not likely to be represented at the New Zealand chambionships. The D.A.A.C. docs not wish to send competitoss who i»re not likely to bring back championships, and the champions are ambitious enough to prefer Australasian before New Zealand medals." Referriue to the above par it would not be out of place to remind our Dunedin friends that it is hardly keeping faith with Auckland, by not sending at least a representative or two to this championship meeting. The Auckland' Club has always sent men to Dunedin, although they were not certain of returning with championships. I hope to see the Dunedin club make an effort to he represented next month. Dunedin would be disappointed if Auckland was not represented at Dunedin next year. No doubt the men meutioned above know their own business best, and may not be able to obtain leave for two meetings in one year, but they should bear in mind that the form displayed at the New Zealand Championship Meeting will go a long way towards securing a man his place in the r next New Zealand team for Australia. The Dunedin men can hardly expect to have the performances of this year's New Zealand ehampions overlooked, unless, of course, inferior to their own, and they would be doubtless disappointed if they were not chosen. Bennett, I think, is safe, but Low and Kingston canuot look upon themselves ae certainties. Low is a honest and consistent little runner, but not quite a phenomenon, while Kingston, although capable of considerable improvement on his Christchurch form, showed us nothing out oi the common. McCormack is not the only weight-putter and hammer-thrower in New Zealand. Of course any of these men cau visit Sydney and compete at their own expense if not selected, but the honour of being selected to represent New Zealand is something after all. At the last Championship Meeting held in Auckland, in February, 1891, Dnnedin was the only club not represented. POLO. The contest for Dr. Sharmau's cup will be resumed to-dav at Potter's Paddock, commencing at 3.15 p.m. sharp. Great interest is being taken in these matches, and no doubt a eood many people will wend their way to Potter's Paddock tn witness the struggle. The team meeting to-day are composed as follows: —A team: Messrs. Williamson, O'Rorke, J. Wynyard, and Bloomfield; C team: Messrs. Hanna, Eiiott, J. Wynyard, and Gordon. It will be remembered that the. latter team are already one point to the good, as they defeated B team last Saturday week by one goal after a splendid

game. The Auckland Polo Club are already hard at work making preparations for the Savile Uup Tournament here in March, and are getting the grouuds in good order. Last Tuesday a game was got up for Mr. Freeman Thomas and Captain Slaone Stanley, A.D.C. to Lpi'd JJrassey, and Vicount Hampden, and both the Auckland Polo Club and their gueste thoroughly enjoyed the game as both visitors were good players. There will be other games today as well as the Cup matches,_ and afternoon tea will as usual be given. Players are requested to be ou the ground at 3 o'clock sharp, LAWN TENNIS. By advertisement in another column our readers will sec that the entries for the Championships— ladiea' and gentlemen's— close this day week. It is to be hoped that there will be a good number of entries for these events, and some good matches will take place. The.proposal of letting Mr. Hooper stand out till the final round of tne Championship seems to be findiug a good deal of favour with■■ players, but unless the various clubs ihove their delegates or the members of the match committee promptly in the matter it will be too late to make any alteration. The West End Club play oft the Combined Handicap Doubles to-aay. The entries have been large, and a s»ood day's play is expected, and the competition will be very keen. The handicaps of Mr. C. fl. Jones have given every satisfaction. BOWLING.

The' members of- the Devonporfc Bowling Club assemble! on the green in Devonport this afternoon, to play off the Handicap Tournament for a handsome silver cup, presented to the club for competition by Messrs. Mr.R. Cameron has been the'fortunate holder'of the cup during the past .year. The_ conditions are that it is to, be won twice in succession, or three times at intervals, by one member bafore he can be declared the winner. Keen competition is expected for so interesting a trophy. Mr. H. Koh'n, jeweller, of QueenStreet, Auckland, has presented the club with a gold-medal for competition by handicap singles.

CYCLING, The most important cycling event of the world, in point of monetary value, is the A.N.A. Wheel Race (two miles), of £ooo,to he run at the Melbourne Exhibition on January Tuesday next. For this event 151 cyclists tiro handicapped, of which number eleven start from scratch, they being-1. Ralph, Nen Lewis, W. Martin, H. Reynolds, Lesua, J. Green, Morton, J. P. Starbunk, A. Gardner, R. R. Walne, and (J. B. Kellow. Amougst others I notice Neil Matterson, of sculling fame. Entries for all events in connection with the Auckland Cycling Club's Carnival close on Saturday evening at the Metropolitan Hotel. A Simpson bicycle fitted with a Simpson lever chain, has arrived in Hobarr, Tasmania. "Ladies first "is evidently not to be the order of the day with tandem bicycles, those built in that direction evidently not having proved a success. When the Australian cycling season is over, it is said that Kellow, the winner of the recent Austral wheel race, contemplates takiug a trip to the old country. A writer in the Town and Country Journal (Sydney) says that signs are not wanting that cash cycling, like professional pedestrianism, will go to the wall if measures of no uncertain kind are not taken in regard to stiff riding. Lesna, the French champion- long distance cyclist, and Leitch, another noted French wheelman, have arrived in Melbourne, and have .entered for most of the chief forthcoming events. Says Wally Kerr, amateur champion of Australasia;—" I believe in one ride daily, one walk, one quarter-hour's dumb-bell exercise, one short swim, one sun bath on a beach, three square meals." The League of Victorian Wheelmen have decided not to sanction bicycle races either on Christmas day or Good Friday. A Melbourne paper said of Parsons before his recent match with Martin :-" There are grave doubts whether Parsons will be able to do any racing this season. He has got below his proper weight and cannot pick up again. Dr. Drew says that unless the young champion is very careful he will be in Ins grave in three months." Information from the South says that motor cars will be seen in the streets of Christclmrch before long, two members of the medical profession having sent Home orders for these vehicles. A Wanganui gentleman has also sent far a car, and I am given to understand that an enterprising Ancklander has done likewise. Our local cash wheelmen are training in large numbers for the carnival of February 6. The Club Championship will be very keenly contested, and as snch consistent riders as Messrs. Campbell, Smith, Heudry, Aulsebrook, Curtis, and Huyiauson are taking part, it is hard to predict who will annex the honour of being the club's premier rider. The competitors at the Cash Cycling Club's Carnival will have to meet a sturdy opponent in Tom Clarkson, who deservedly ranks as one of the fastest riders in New Zealand. If he succeeds in negotiating the corners of the Domain track I should not be surprised to see him carry off the plums of the open events. SWIMMING.

The Auckland Swimming Club will hold their gala at the Calliope Dock, North Shore, to-day (Saturday), and given a fine day, the attendance of the pnblic should be large, as ■ beyond the cricket fixtures, there will be no counter attraction, while the entries are large and the competitions contain several novel and amusins events in addition to the ordinary races. The programme is as follows :-Maiden Race (80yds), Cigar and Umlirella Race, Ladies' Bracelet (100 yards), Neat Header, Ladies' Race Handicap (50yds), Marshall Handicap (220 yds), Boys' Race nuder 16 (75yds), Plunge Handicap (time limit, 605.), Medley Race Handicap (120 yds), competitors to dive 10yds, swim 20yds with feet only either ou back or face, 30yds trudgeon stroke, Iftiyds breast stroke, 30yds side stroke; College and Schools Haudicap, (75yds), Greasy Boom, Calliope Handicap, (75yds), Club Championship (220 yds). The eighth swimming gala under the auspices of the Auckland Swimming Club, w'ill Uke place this afternoon at the Calliope Dock, North Shore, the first event on the programme being timed to commence at halfpiist two p.m. The preliminary preparations have been capably carried out by • the secretary, Mr. S, N. Goldwater, and an efficient management, committee, special attention having been paid to all details pertaining to the comfort and convenience of the visiting public. Amongst the several eveuts carded are ladies and novelty races, also an exhibition, for the first time in Auckland of the life saving and resucittting drill, under the direction of Mr. R. W. St. Clair. Hunter's Artillery Band will be in attendance, and the admission fee, including fare to and from the dock, will be one shilling only, while the ferry service will he run throughout the afternoon to meet the convenience of those who may wish to return to town early. The followiufj are " Lynx's " anticipations for the several races :— Maiden Handicap: W. J. Kenny or jS. H. Hughes 1, A. J. Mueller 3. Ladies' Bracelet; F. W. Burgess 1, J. Porcival 2, A. E. Burke 3. Ladies' Race: Miss A. Glover 1, Miss B. Keene 2, Miss M. Cook 3. Marshall Handicap: J. Percival 1, H. J. Bailey 2, H. N. Goldwater 3. 75yds Handicap: V. Goldwater 1, J. H. Kinnear 2 E. C. O'flare 3. Medley Race: J. McLeod. College and Schools Race : H. T. Johnston. Boys under 1C: H. R. Wynyard. AQUATICS.

This afternoon tbe competition for the Cup presented by Mr. J. L. R. Bloomfield, excommodore of the Auckland \acht Club, will take place in the harbour. The yachts entered are: Rarere, Mahaki, Windward, and Ziuita. The second prize is £210s. The yachts will be started from the end of Queenstreet Wharf at two p.m. The course is about 18 miles, and is as follows:—From Queen-street Wharf between markboat and wharf, rouud mark off Bastion, thence round mark off Rangitoto Reef (near black buoy), return same way, rounding markboat at wharf; twice round, keeping outside all fairway marks and buoys, and Bean Rock Lighthouse. All rounding marks to be kept on tlio starboard hand, except Bastion , mark, which is to be passed on port hand on way out and starboard haud on way back. The minding marks will have blue flags, with A.y.C. in white letters thereon. Flying starts vide rule 17. A splendid chance is offered to anyone desiring a really well-found cruiser, as I hear that the well-known yacht Tawera is in the market at a reasonable figure. The Tawera is noted as being one of the most comfortable and handiest cruisers in the harbour. Mahaki hae been up on Logan Brothers' slip during the past wee!: undergoing certain alterations to her lead, etc., which it is expected will give her an increased rate of speed. She is a competitor in the race for the commodore's cup to-day, and if the wind is strong from the south-west, and_ the alterations made come up to expectations, she should win. At the same time I amnot so sure'about these alterations; because in a large number of instances instead of being an improvement they have detracted from the boat's speed. A good deal of interest centres in this race, as Mauaki has won the cup once, and shonld she prove the victor to-day she annexes the cup. Rarere is another entry for. the cup, and if there is much leading in the race she should have the best show of the lot. Ilia much to be regretted that Daisy is not a contestant, seeing that she has scored one win for the Cup. Mr. Lind, however, doee not seem to think it worth his while to have another "go" for the prize; and perhaps has good reasons for his actions, I think, though,that he should have let his good little boat have another try, because one never knows what Avill turn up in a yacht race. , . , Most of the yachts cruised in the vicinity of Waiheke on Saturday and Sunday. After visiting Waiheke, the Volunteer went round Motutapu on Sunday, and then home to her moorings. The yachts were all favoured with a fane northerly breeze on the run home on Sunday last, and some very pretty sights were presented as they all came up the harbour. The North Shore Sailing Club have postponed their races tintil February 13th, in order not to clash with the races of the Auckland Yacht Club. Ponsonby Regatta Committee had & final meeting oil Wednesday last, to settle the affairs of thoir late carnival. It is pleasing to know that all the prizes and accounts have been paid in full, and the committee have a handsome balance in band towards next year. ~ , So far the only entry for tbe Auckland Yacht Club race for 36-footera, to be sailed on Saturday next, is the Rangatira. North Shore Sailing Club are keeping well to the fore. , On Tuesday last a general meeting of the members was held, at which, it was decided to inaugurate the formation of the Club by a picnic, the arrangements for which were left in the hands of the committee. Several new members were admitted to the clab. The .commodore (Mr. Alex. Alison) has kindly offered to place a steamer at the disposal of the committee for the picnic free of charge. . Lynx. '.