ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10425, 24 April 1897, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

REVIEW OF THE PAST SEASON. [by SHORT STOrl. With tlio victory of United over Parnell last Saturday week the club contests were brought to a close, and the season has ended with the United Club returned champions. The United well deserve their position. For many seasons they have struggled along manfully though rarely tasting the sweets of victory. It cannot be doubted that the change of front shown by United during the past season has been due to the copiouf infusion of new blood into the team. That uew blood, represented by the Canterbury contingent, has acted in two ways. Not only did Messrs. Cuff, Labatt, and Marshall strengthen the team in the various departments of the game, but they also infected the whole team with their enthusiasm, and to this last factor United undoubtedly chiefly owe their proud position to-day. In making this last statement, it must not be thought-that I underrate the value of the work done in the field by the Southern recruits, for in CulF they found an excellent captain, nu essentially busy batsman, a brilliant field, and a fair change bowler; in Labatt an excellent all-round man; and in Marshall a good but rather unlucky batsman. Still, it must be admitted that this trio did not play up to their great reputatiou, and next season, when they have become thoroughly acclimatised, I, for one, fully expect them to do even better than in the past. In looking back over the past, one cannot help thinking that although the season has been probably the most successful in the history of Auckland cricket it has not wennd up so satisfactorily as the enthusiasm shown at the early part of the season would have led us to expect. The falling off has been in the interest taken iu club cricket. Two causes may bo assigned. First, the various representative contests in many ways led to lack of interest in club matches; and secondly, the numerous Saturdays on which the ground was occupied by athletic meetings to the exclusion of the cricketers, thereby causing the matches to be so spun out that when they were resumed it required quite an effort to recall any incidents of the previous play. This second condition ,of affairs is a most

vital one to the interests of cricket in Auckland. A repetition next season would almost be sufficient, to exterminate the game. Athletics, 'cycling, and cricket ought to be able to co-exist ; many cricketers are 'cyclists, aud not a few are athletes, and it ought not to be difficult to arrange nutters so that the question of the survival of the fittest should not even be mooted. No doubt this matter will receive the consideration of the Cricket. Association before next October.

The Representative eleven was the strongest that has been put into tile field for some time past. Never had the selection committee such a number of good players to choose from, and on the whole the selections were such that little fault could be found. The committee evidently intend to pursue a conservative policy, aud rightly so in my opinion, for a good young player will lose nothing by an extra season in club contests, whilst in representative matches experience is a factor that cannot be overlooked. A local " Clem. Hill" does not appear every season, and when he does appear, there is little fear of his being overlooked, The general average strength of the Auckland province may be better grasped when it is remembered that on the return of

the victorious eleven from Wellington, the following eleven could have been pitted against them Labatt, Holland, Kallender, Lawson, St. Paul, Marshall, Wright, Ohlsen, Ford, Arneil, and Gardiner, and although I believe that Cuff's team would have won, I would have been in no hurry to emphasise that opinion in the way commonly known as " backing your fancy." Although the possession of twenty-two such good players points to great average strength, it also tells us that we have no eleven players that stand out prominently from all others. No eleven could be ohosen that would utterly outclass the next best eleven. If this is so with regard to the eleven as a whole, it becomes more apparent, and is in reality explained, when we take the various departments of the noble game into consideration. To begin with bowling i Nearly every man in the twenty-two bowls, at least for his club, and in the three representative matches Neill was the only bowler that was uniformly successful; he is the only bowler that can be placed apart from the rest, most of whom are likely to get a wicket or two if only given a trial. We. have no two bowlers that stand out prominently as do Fisher and Downes for Otago. I). Hay, who may be considered the most successful next to Neill, would give us as a pair Neill and Hay, whom we da not expect to dismiss a representative team, practically without a change, as the Otago cracks have done more

than once. When at the end of a raciug season no two-year-old is found to stand out from the rest, racing authorities do not pronounce the lot either first class or third class, but use the term moderate. This, it seems to me, is exactly the position with regard to our bowlers; let us hope that next season will produce amongst them a Multiform and a Gold Medallist. Only then shall we be able to confidently assert our supremacy over other provincial teams, for although we arecertainly stronger than Wellington, and probably stronger than' Canterbury, there is some doubt whether we are stronger than Oiago, and the cause of that doubt is summed up in Fisher and Downes. A word may be here said about St. Paul—a name rather apropos when one gets mixing up bowling and racing. _ This young left-hander is the most promising colt we have, for although young Edwards, of Gordon, has taken about the same number of wickets St. Paul's average is the better one. He bowls slow to medium, breaks from leg, and raises his pace and flight remarkably well for a youngster. He has been successful in dismissing all kinds of batsmea, heads the average for his club, and appears to have plenty of ,nerve. For all these reasons he should next season, if he retain his form, earn his representative blue. The promise of retaining his form, or put otherwise, that the batsmen do not get accustomed to him (for it amounts to the same thing) is a very necessary one. His pace is so slow that a quick-footed batsman has plenty of time to reach the pitch or even the full-toss, or if he prefer to. stay, at home the break can be easily watched. The mistake that has been made by many good batsmen is in adopting halfmeasures, neither going out to the pitch nor staying at home, or both' going out .then on second thoughts beating an ignominons retreat to the crease, a procedure that is usually followed by a. retreat to the pavilion. Still,' the young Aucklander is a most promising player, and when we remember that he is still well in his teens we can only look for improvement. Edwards, the Gordon colt, has taken 31 wickets. Each of the batsmen represented by those wickets would probably say that he can't bowl a bit. Bowlers concerning whom this opinion is expressed will be generally found to have the following characteristics, which Edwards possesses to a remarkable degree; they are— commaud of direction and length, and as a natural result ability to bowl to orders Edmonds and I. Mills, who also come within this category, can bowl straight, or off the wicket, alter the length, and bowl for the field. . I. Mills hat secured 30 wiokets, and though as a bowler he must be regarded somewhat as a colt, it has .been simply from nonrecognition of his ability in this department. . The records will show that he has almost invariably secured a wicket when put on as '» change in'representative matches. . The weakness of Parnell in bowling has been; his opportunity, and the tesult has borne out the favourable Opinion expressed

by at least one observer at the beginning of the season. So much for the uew bowling talent. With regard to R. Neill and D. Hay the former bowled iu his old style, aud Cuff acted wisely in keeping him from the bowling crease only long enough to rest, bringing him back as soon as possible. Of D. Hay, who also wins the bowling aveiage iu all club coutests, it must be said that he sacrifices length to everything else. When a player bowls in one over an off break, a leg break, a fraudulent break, a fast one (a la Jones)—the first three balls being good medium pace—is it any wonder that command of length aud direction is often wanting ? Hay would make a wonderfully good slow or medium pace bowler, for he can put on an excellent spin from both sides, the ball also making considerable pace from the pitch. It may be replied that Hay has been the most successful trundler in Auckland during the past reason, granted, but I believe that he could have been even more successful; aud had he taken Hugh Trumble as a model, we probably should not havo had to lament the lack of a Fisher or a Uowues. (To be continued.)

Roche and O'Halloran, the Melbourne professionals, left for England on March 27. They expect to obtain engagements at Lord's. Horan, whose delightful chat in the Australasian, under the nom tie plume of " Felix," is so widely read and appreciated, is still to continue his work in that direction, but it will (says an Australian Exchange) be done gratis in iuture. Much satisfaction is expressed at the fact that the visit of the Australian team to New Zealand has resulted inaclear profit of £47 per man, besides being a great gain financially to the New Zealand Council (says " Ranger," in the London Sporting and Dramatic News). That body also appears to have made a very substantial sum out of the gate money, and doubtless the local clubs had a share in the

spoil. To my mind, all this is to be regretted. By all means let the members of the team have their expenses, and if they choose to divide themselves into amateurs and professionals, then let the latter be paid a salary. But to make the game a mere means of making money, and to allow the players to keep their status as amateurs, is absurd. I fear that some English teams which have gone over to Australia have likewise erred, and I very much hope that before long a hard and fast line will be drawn between the man who takes his expenses and the man who shares in the gate. Says an English journal :-One of the most prominent writers on sport in Australia has been interviewing some of the members of the team that lately visited England, and he sums up thusly : — "The composition of Stoddart's next eleven for Australia is a popular theme. Young Mason, of Kent— as fine a fellow physically and socially as he is a cricketer, they consider a certainty. Some are of opinion that Lionel Palairet will come; others say that his domestic ties at home are too strong. A man that allexcept the bowlers—would like to see here is Captain Wyuyard, whose style, like that of Hayward, the young Surrey professional, would count for runs on our fine wickets. Haigh, of Yorkshire, the Australians consider the coming man amongst professionals, Ranjitsinhji's terror of the sea is the only thing that will keep him at home. Ivillick, the young Sussex player, is not our style and not yet ripe for such a tour.

ATHLETICS. I hope the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association will favourably consider the question of sending a team to Australia (as invited) to compete in the Australasian championships of October next. This would afford Patrick, Creamer, and Holder an opportunity of measuring strides with Rowley, Barrett, Roseingrave, aud Company. On February 22, Bredin and Downer signed articles for a match at a quarter of a mile for the world's professional, championship and £100 a side. The date for the race was not fixed, but it was agreed that it should be sometime in April, probably the Good Friday meeting at Wood Green. In the course of his comments on the Can-

terbury Amateur Athletic Club's recent carnival, a Southern (Canterbury 'limes) authority says :— regards .the .performances, I am afraid I cannot write in very complimentary terms. It is very evident that our runners— sprint and long-distance— havo slowly but surely deteriorated since the days when athletics were boomed" here. Perhaps. new that the interest in the sport is increasing, the standard of running will improve. I sincerely hope so, for there is undoubtedly plenty of room for it, and— although I admit my eyesight is not so good as it was—l failed to detect any really promising talent. E. C. Breuiu and A. R. Downer decided their 400 yds match for £100 and the World's Championship, at Bolton, England, on February 6, in the presence of quite 8000 spectators. At the cracl; of the pistol Bredin was very slow away. Downer getting quite two yards the best of the start. The non-

favourite went far all he was worth, anil I after going a hundred yards lie was quite three yards to the Rood, which he had increased to fully five yards at half-distance. With oue hundred and fifty yards to go Bredin slowly but surely gained on his opponent, and entering the straight was tunning much the faster. Downer, however, kept going in wonderfully plucky fashion, ana a desperate and exciting finish resulted in the Scotchman's favour by two yards. Time, 44 4-5 s. London Land and Water recently announced that 1). H. Kilpatrick, the American half-mile champion aud world's record holder for that distance, was likely to enter the professional ranks. The New York Spirit of the Times contradicted the report, and published a letter from Kilpatrick stating that lie had no immediate intention to become a professional. Recent files, however, state definitely that the American has made the plunge. The New York Clipper says The fact was made known in a despatch from Princeton, N J., which stated that Kilpatrick left the University on that date, ami intended leaving for England on March 7. having been quietly matched with the English ex-amateur, E. (J. Bredin, to ruu three distances, 600,880, and 1000 yards, for 500 dollars a-side each race. The first race is to take place iu England in May, the second in Ireland, and the third in Scotland. The secession of Kilpatrick from the amateur ranks is a decided loss to athletic interests in America, but the match between two such distinguished performers on the running path will awaken intense interest on both sides of the big pond, and the races should attract immense crowds.

CYCLING. I am informed that the Ada Delroy Company, most of whom are ardent devotees of cycling, will go a step further and endeavour to introduce the motor car. They purpose purchasing two cars, oue for the advance manager, and the other for the company, in which they would tour, where available, instead of travelling by steamboats and rail-

ways, as at present. The colonials, who will probably compete at tho World's Championships at Glasgow, in July, are C. H. Jones (New Zealand), W. L. Kerr (New South Wales), and B. Goodson (Queensland). An application was recently made to the Taranaki County Council for permission to run a motor car on the county roads. The Councillors were dubious about granting it, and deferred consideration.

When the last American mail left, John S. Johnsou, the famous American racer, was lying 80 seriously ill at Minneapolis that he was not expected to live. Long-distauce racers have strange hallucinations, A competitor in a Warrnainbool-to-Melbonrne race told his trainer casually on dismounting: " A skeletou paced me all the way from Werribee." Motor cars will be used for pacing purposes in this year's race from Bordeaux to Paris. The oycle contributor to the Canterbury Times says that next season will he the busiest ever known in the annals of New Zealand cycling, so far as racing is concerned. Tho Gladiator Company, in France, has ordered 24 electric triplets for pacing purposes. Ken Lewis has temporarily retired from racing. The New Zealand Cyclists' Touring Club now claims a membership of something like 800 members. ° Efforts are, I understand, being made to arrange for the appearance of the crack Drench cyclist, Lesna, in Auckland in the course of two or three weeks. Lesna is at his best when paced, having established quite a series of fresh records during his short season m Australia, and it is expected that he will bring across triplets, and probably a quadruplet, if arrangements are made for his appearance. Tom Sullivan, the sculler, formerly of Wellington, is said to have joined the ranks of the professional 'cyclists. A peculiar kind of race has just been introduced in France, and is called a "mixed" quadruplet race, the teams being made up of two ladies and two men. One ot the latest novelties for which a patent has been applied for is & whistling bicycle handle. The full strength of the membership of the Victorian Lsague of Wheelmen is somewhere about 2737. A new punctured proof band has been patented in England. It consists of a strip of sponge, to be fixed between the air cover and the inner tube, which it is contended that when compressed by the inflation, of the air chamber, becomes practically nnpuncturable. The latest thing in motor cars is a Gospel van. in New York, which carries two ministers, an organ and its manipulator, and a choir of a down. • i ; -

At the Brussels Exposition this year a single-rail railway will be laid round an elliptical-shaped track, three miles in circuit. On this railway a motor will run at a speed of 100 miles an hour. It is stated that greater speed can be obtained " if desired. " We are just afraid," says London Wheeling of a recent date, " that the professional class out in Australia is not equal to the home talent. Payne, who did not show too well here, has won a race from a representative crowd." The English papers (remarks a Sydney writer) have ere this erred by drawing too hasty conclusions, and when the news reaches them of the crushing defeat of the English professional pair, Edwards and Green, in both paced and uupaced events by Payne and Megson, they may be convinced, provided elaborate excuses are not invented, that the Australian in his own climate is a much speedier personage than the Australian on tracks he docs not understand, and in a climate that does not suit him. An Auckland correspondent writing to the New Zealand Cyclist, says:—"Considerable controversy has been caused ill athletic circles'here with reference to a typewritten circular issued bv Mr. B. Ferguson, lion, secretary of the Wauganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, to amateur cyclists of Auckland. Ho states in the circular that the Wanganui Cash Club's meeting having been such a success, he is afraid entries for the local amateur meeting on Easter Monday will be very small. As an inducement to enter, the club offers fare, board and lodging to visitors, and does not expect them to pay any entrance fees. _ The general opinion seems to be that this is an infringement of the amateur rules, also that the club must be hard pressed when compelled to offer such concessions to outside competitors." I (New Zealand Cyclist writer) do not think the offer of the Wanganui Club, if

exactly as stated, is an infringement of the amateur rule, but it is sailing very close to the wind, and in fact, is an open question. If the executive of the Alliance were called upon to give ail impartial interpretation of section £ of the amateur rule, as appliod to this case, it is quite possible that opinions would not agree. In any case the executive should certainly take cognisance of the matter, and if it is an infringement according to their views, the secretary of the Wanganui Club should be notified forthwith. Perhaps the liberal concessions of the club account for the report that Wellington and Napier will bo strongly represented at the meeting. We have been waiting a long time to hear of the success of the electric tandem pacer. It appears likely that it has come at last, tor in a recent trial at the Catfort track it cut two miles in 3m. 29 2-5 s., easily breaking the existing record, and covered five miles in Bm. 5(n., breaking the existing record by 17 1-5 s. in splendid style. The men who rode the machine had never been on it be-1

fore, this being their maiden attempt, and it is expected that it will cover 40 miles within the hour with ease when ridden by men who are used to it, and there is a great future before the machine. It has been trier! before in Prance, and will, most likely, do away with human pacers. The machine weighs about 6001b. and is the invention of M.

Pingault, a Frenchman. Though individually (says the Melbourne Sportsman) the celestial has taken rather kindly to the bicycle, the staid and dignified leader writers of the Kwoug-yick-Yah-bo, tho Sydney Chinese paper, strongly object to the harmless necessary jigger, and exhort their compatriots not to follow in the footsteps—or wheel tracks—of the foreign devils. Opening with a few remarks about the resemblance of the Caucasians to monkeys, the Kwoug-yick asks, "Is the beauty and symmetry of the Chinese race to be distorted and reduced to beast-like ugliness by the use of the devil-like instrument of the Western

races ?' [ Not satisfied with the ordinary method of ■ propelling _ the bicycle, an American inventor claims that, if one could exert the , same leg-power as in swimming, it would be possible to cover the ground much faster than when sitting in a saddle and having only one's weight to assist the legs in pedalling. Accordingly lie has produced a machine in which the saddle has been dispensed with, and in its stead, lying along and above the top reach, is a small hammock-like cradle, on which the rider lies on his stomach; the pedals and the sprocket are behind the rear wheel instead of in front of it; the handlebars are low down and almost touching the front wheel. The rider, lying in cradle, straightens out, and his feet reach the pedals in the rear. In this way it is claimed that he c*n pedal with all his strength—none being lost. It is hardly to be thought that the inventor will find a ready market. FOOTBALL. The Grafton District Football Club will hold a practice match at Potter's Paddock this afternoon. All senior and junior players are requested to attend. At the annual general meeting of the Auckland Church Rugby Union held in the Newton Baths 011 Thursday, April 23, the following officers were elected for the coming season President, Rev. Mr. Gillam; vice-presidents, R;v. Canon Mac Murray, Rev. Mr. Beatty, Rev. Dr. Egau, Rev. W.J. Williams; secretary, W. Allen; treasurer, 11. Cleal. It was resolved, "That all but last year's senior district players be eligible lo play, and that the matches begiu on May 15. A. Mason, who played hall-back tor Otago last season has taken up his residence in Wellington. It is said he will play for the Melrose Club this season. Playing for the Cardiff (2nd) XV. against the Penarth (2nd) XV. R. M. Elliott (a younger brother of the Cardiff captain) scored eight tries. This, however, is not a record (says a London writer) as 1890 furnished a score of twelve tries from one player, who also placed three goals and dropped a fourth. In 1593 a youth named Thompson gained ten at Ripon. Wilson, late of Melbourne, has joined the Liuwood Club, Christchurch, and is said to be a really good three-quarter. Neil MoLeau, who lias represented the Auckland Rugby Union on the N.Z.R.U, and has been a hardworking committeeman, will settle down in Westport. W. Rhodes, the burly Wellington representative forward, has, as previously mentioned, also gone to the same town. LAWN TENNIS. During the Easter holidays a team from the West End Club visited Hamilton, to play & series of matches with the local club. The visitors were most cordially received, and their stay was made as pleasant as possible. Some very good games were played, but the combination of the West End players proved too much for the Hamilton Club, the former winning five out of the six matches arranged. The following are the details of the matches: —Messrs. Cooke and Goldie (West End) beat Messrs. Blackburn and W.Hume (Hamilton): 6—l, 6—1 V Messrs. Paterson and Brabant West End) beat Messrs. Edgecuinbe and von Sturmer (Hamilton), 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 • Misses Butters and Whitelaw (West End) beat Misses Newell and Sandes (Hamilton), n~i 4 i ®n 6 'n 6 T -^; r3, J- Newell and Miss Caldwell (West End) beat Misses M. Hume and A. Jolly (Hamilton), 6-3. 7-5; Miss A. Jolly and Mr. Von Stunner (Hamilton) beat Miss Caldwell and Mr. Hatton (West End), ?.« '' „ i Mrß J' well and Mr. Brabant (West End) beat Miss Hume and Mr. Edgecombe (Hamilton), 6—4, 6—l. SWIMMING. Full particulars of the Half-Mile Championship of New South Wales, won by Percy Uvill, who established a fresh world's record, have come to hand by the Sydney mail of recent date. Commenting on the event, the writer in the Referee says :—Cavill's performance, which is a remarkably good one, stands as the world's amateur record, having displaced that (13m. 203.) credited to J. H. Tyera, amateur champion of Euglaud, accomI'inM/' Harold Park > England, on July 13, 189 a No' only was the previous best eclipsed by Cavill, but Jack Regan, being hardly 12 yards away when the race ended, must have easily finished within the margin of 34 2-ss. between the old country's champion's time and Cavill a, so that the Britisher's achievement was knocked out by two men in the one race. A remarkable thing, and I think unique in the annals of swimming at any rate. There can be no doubt whatever regarding the genuineness of the time, as gentlemen who knew what they were about held the watches—four in all, Messrs. W. T. Kerr, the well-known jeweller of George-street, and Mr. R. Ooombes, president of the N.S.W.A.A.A being two of them. Messrs. T. J. and J. J. Moloney looked after the standard time and acted as judges, and Mr. A. T. Hendry was starter. Ihe race was swum at the top of high water. I could hardly credit the time, and ventured to remark that there must be some mistake, whereupon two or three A.O.A. omcials put the tape over the course again, and found it perfectly correct, hence tnere can be no room for doubt about the feat, which, as far as I could judge, might have been considerably improved had Jack Regan been able to force his man to the nnisn, AQUATICS. The Tawera visited Kawau and Waiheke during the holiday. She left on the Thurs-, day night, and a good run was made to Kawau.

The Matanei, Rita, Moana, Spray, Ngarn, Windward, Thistle, Rogue, and Thetis or 1 8£? m company. Te Koumi, Coromandel, and Watheke were visited. I.he May, Ada, and Isca visited Con* mandel. The Moana made an excellent ran to Te R-oumi on Friday morning, beating the Maoill' Rita, and others. The Yvonne visited Waiwera and Mahurangi. • • v The yachtsmen who went on shore at CoromaiV u , on Saturday afternoon' had a stiff pull back to their yachts against the strong southerly breeze in the evening.

West End had hard luck again day, the weather being eatirelr for an excursion. There was i uu *kU ' racing, however, on the Like, and T . «°*» think any one regretted patroni,;„ ** outing. The committee workTS°J' ">• apart from the weather, ever,tU '*P done m capital style. * IIUD I . '-The meeting called to discus, improve matters in rowing circla bring out any brilliant idea* oA«*! Auckland clubs were represents Shore and Waitemata being absent K! walna sent word that they would join in an association if one were M ana Thames (by their representativ■ they would be quite willling «" boat rowing were revived, could not hope to compete in ci« water at the Thames was quite X*" l ** Mr Cox also represented* feeT^f clubs. A committee was formed i & something definite before a future »' k !M and it is to be hoped that somJ „ S arise out of the deliberations. Th! i ot the West End Rowing Club 1 fk, PUia t the nail on .he head w"heu he Tt guinea subscription yearly was not .„fs- Mi :rx*tts&iSs rowing generally. Rowing in1I!?.? think, be held at a place suitable day set apart, and then there would h.. v'« of better things. It cannot he denlJu l *' the great bulk of the memberSM Auckland clubs are not manual laZ,. 1 " 1 ' and in whaleboats there is not th? chance for them to win a race as in th **** scientific gig-rowing. Whaleboats may d?" ia fill up, but every effort should I thLu f made to encourage the highest class ing * 4 as Auckland is certainly behind i» 51 respect. la M!i»; During the holidays twelve yacht. „„j voused at Te K'mmi, proceeding than 1 ' Coromandel and Waiheke. fCV* weather was somewhat cold the «,$/*.• generally had a good trip. lacht,ll « ™ r VolUDtecr weilt to Mahurmgj „ Viking returned from a cruise to tt.ii" " and Kawau 011 Tuesday. "Mweti The Ladies' Whaleboat Race on Sat,,, j M proved a most interesting event hi I - there were only two competing' 8 ' « from VVaitara, and the other from AmiS A fine race ensued, and the AucltU? ' ? proved the victors by about a lenttWj ■ »• quarter. s ' a »M } Mr. A. Goodyear, the ex-Sydney cout. - who has the West Australian einht l' •' charge, is evidently giving them plenty S solid work (says a Sydney paper) To m' •even miles up the Swan river evert alt.! noon, camp in tents overnight, and then row back to Perth each morning, is a ayatem ! - training which does not meet with tk. unanimous approval of the crew. Hot* ever, the coach ought certainly t« be the best judge of what is required and our Victorian friends should n.'. member this. When in Sydney Mr. Good - year was always considered somewku - thorough 111 his methods, and the Coot, : - River Eight, as well as some of the Balnuii maidens, who were put to racing Parranutti steamers, have reason to remember him, i'' Powell, the ex-Victorian sculler, who iiti represent West Australia in the ChamJ, Sculls, is doing plenty of loug steady work.'' with a view of getting thoroughly fit for thi 1 race. He rows to and from Bayswater (Sw« '• River), a distance of eight miles, every morning and evening. Lynx,