ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10515, 7 August 1897, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FOOTBALL..,, " ,

The mutch of this afternoon between the New Zealand team and the Auckland representatives is being, looked forward to with the keenest interest by followers of tho winter game, and given a fine afternoon the attendance at Potter's Paddock should present a record for the season. It is not for a moment to be inferred that the local lit teen will hold their own against their doughty opponents, but I take it that they will do credit to their selection, and make matters sufficiently interesting to give onlookers an idea of the strength of the selected of the colony, and this is exactly what followers are looking forward to. The game should be a

lesson in up-to-date football, and should show us what combination can do for a team, and further it may be expected to impress upon the Auckland Rugby Union the necessity of selecting representative teams earlier in the season, instead of letting matters stand over until the very last moment, and then placing a fifteen in the field who have practically had no work together.: If this is accomplished, then so much the better for Auckland football of future years. On tho whole Mr Arueil appears to havemade a careful 'selection ; yet it appears that the team might have been even a trifle stronger than is the case. On last Saturday's play there is pot the slightest doubt but that R. McKenzie is deserving of a place, though 1 hardly agree with Mr. Arneil'a action in placing him on the wing in the face of the game played by U. Marshall in that position last week, To my way of thinking tho Utter should have been played on the wing and McKenzie should have gone to strengthen the pack; while Gordon's claim to inclusion in front rank seems much stronger than at least two men whose names appear amongst the forwards. The Parnellite has shown great form this season, and certainly should have had a place. Aβ for solid, useful, and consistent work there are few better men to be found in Auckland. Cardno's display as fullback last Saturday pleased me very much, more especially with regard to his fine kicking powers, and I quite believe that with time and experience he will become the best back in Auckland; but with a match in front of us like that of this afternoon, I confess that 1 should feel safer had such an old and experienced general as K, Masefield occupied the position. The teams are as under :— Auckland: Fullback, Cardno; three* quarters, Harrison, Riley, Absolum; fiveeights, Phekn; half, Braund; wings, Brady, R. McKenzie; forward*, Gillett, C. Speight, Gallagher, Olarkiu, Anderson, Marray, and Dacre. New Zealand: Fullback, S. Orchard; threequarters, A. Armit, Roberts, G. Smith; halfbacks, L. Allen, A. Humphries, J. Duncan; forwards, Murray, Harris, Wells, Calnan, Wilson, Glennie, Mills, Blair. The opinion expressed in my notes of hit week when I said that the Veterans would make matters very interesting for the Representative team, was more than borne out; in fact it might be said that spectators were both astonished and delighted at what may be called the brilliant display made by the old hands. In the forward division they outclassed their opponents, Marshall and McKenzie standing out prominently, and had there been a little better combination they would have beaten the Representatives badly, indeed, as it was, they more than _ held their own, When 1 say that combination was needed I do not forget that they had never played together preparatory to the match, and under these circumstances consider they did remarkably well in this respect, Breen read the present day players a rare lesson in dropping goals from the beld, and I hope they will profit by it. The Auckland Rugby Union have arranged to play a match against Faeroa. This will be played at Potter's Paddock on a date to bo arranged .by the managing committee. All outside football matches have been postponed to-day, but will be resumed on Saturday next. T. Pauling, the well-known Wellington forward, and a member of the New Zealand fifteen, has decided to take up hit, residence on the other side, and did not return yesterday. _ _ Such » sterling player will be a great acquisition to Australian football and a severe loss to his old province. The Canterbury Rugby Union, at a recent meeting, decided to write to the New Zealand Union, asking whether the Selection Committee had been consulted as to sending Roberts, of Wellington, over to Australia. One member thought that the time had arrived for proposing the removal of the headquarters of the New Zetland Union from Wellington. . At the next meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union's Managing Committee the question of sending the Auckland representative team to Wellington will be discussed and decided upon, The trip to Taranaki has, I understand, already been definitely decided upon, and it is to be hoped that the proposal of going on to Wellington will be brought to a successful issue. THE NEW ZEAIiAKD TEAM IN AUSTRALIA. Tho Now Zealand football representatives brought their Australian tour to a close on Saturday last with the " rubber" against the selected of New South Wales, when they oarried the day by 26 points to 3. Upon the result of this match depended in a great measure the success of the tour, as it is to the cornstalks that the Maorilanders always look for the strongest opposition, while had they placed two of the three matches to their credit, the distinction of premier Rugby-play-ing colony of Australasia for season' 1897 would have crossed tho Tasman Sea, Bat this was not to be, and our lads recognising what defeat meant fairly rosejto tho occasion, inflicting upon their opponents n whipping' that goes to show that New Zealand still holds sway as tho stronghold of the Rugby game. Thus have our representatives played ten matches, winning nine and losing one— that being the second match against New South Wales—the following boiiij; a complete table of tho matches and results :— July 3.-Against New South Wales, won by 13 to July 6.-Againit Western Union, won bj Iβ to 15 July B.—Against Central Western Union, won by 27 to 3. ' July 10,-Apinst New Smith Wales, lost by 22 to ' July 14.—Against Northern Districts, won by 16 Jiily 1 7.—Against Queensland, won by 16 to 5. July 21. -Asainst Queensland (Next Sixteen). won by 2!) to 5. July 24,—ARainst Queensland, won by 24 to 6 July 27.—Against New England, won hv 53 to 6. July Sl.-Afiaiiist New South Wales, won by a , to 3. ' New Soutli Wales and New Zealand have now met on ten occasions since 1881, with a result that seven of the matches have gono » New Zealand and three to New South itfcles; while tho Maorilauders have scored 137 points as against the 76 of their opponents, a majority of 61 points. I The team on their arrival were received by Messrs. T. Henderson, Geo. Dixon, and several other officials of the Auckland Rugby Union, whilo the Queen-street Wharf was crowded with footballers and enthusiasts to wolcome home the heroes. As the Mariposa berthed three ringing cheers were sent up for •the New Zealandere, and were heartily responded to by the "reps." who followed with the native war cry and a series of other ■howls and shrieks—presumably Australian aboriginal war crys—that wonld have puzzled a Philadelphia lawyer or the most expert linguist; in fact if they had been asked exactly what they meant, I hardly think they would have known. On landing they were driven to the Metropolitan Hotel, where they will quarter during their brief stay in towu; and no sooner had the luggage been stowed away than I seized upon Mr. J. Hyams, tho manager, with a view to obtaining a few particulars of the triumphal tour.

Asked how the; had fared throughout, Mr. Hyama said: " Wo could not have been treated better. I cannot speak too highly of the hospitality extended us from one end of the tour to the other. There were entertainments, and amusemente, and sightseeing galore, in fact more could not well have beea done foe us. When we left Sydney crowds attended to see us away, and to crown all we have had a very pleasant run across home." ' "About the New South Wales matches. Mr, Hyams?" " Well, as regards the first mutch, you will quite understand that we had little or no lime for practice, and consequently the combination was not up to the mark at the start, though it was wonderful to see how soon our boya, nicked one another's play up and settled down to their business, i can safely say. the best team won. The eecond match wae merely a repetition «■ defeat of 1893-1 wag across with 1893 team you will remember—we were beaten by the programme. The Welshmen went right away with the ball from the jump, and our men simply could not work up a (tallop, they were ju«t about as sore and stale as they well could be. One could hardly imagine that it was the same team, and on this point I would draw your atteiturn to the fact that the newipapera and officials of the New South Wales Union were '■otslow to recognise that oar : men were dead out ef form. The statement that naked currency in some quarters to the effect that the flew, /ealandera sold the second came is ridiculous; they were not equal to the occasion, a> shown in my previous remarks." ' : 'Doeithe present team compare favourably with that of 1893?" .': ■■•i "More than favourably. There might have been more individual brilliance in the back division of the '93 team, but the present lot are more solid all round-more particularly in the front rank, who played with great dasb, while the bftcka were of the wr>

viceable type-in fact, yon couldn't wish for anything better a«a body. The combination was first-class after we had played a game or two, and the defence perfect. We had not a weak man with us, and did not know whom to leave out when making onr selections," "Wai there anyone in either division that calls for special mention f "Well, yea; perhaps there.is, and if asked to pick out a couple, I should say that Allen stands out amongst the backs as the moetconsistentandeoundestall-round player while Pauline did wonders for his side in the forwards; it was truly a treat to see McKenzie and he on the line oat." "How about the Aucklander*;" "Every one of them played well, and if asked to pick out another of the backs I could not overlook the claims of Smith. He played brilliantly, and two or three of the tries he scored were little short of marvellous. His sobriquet of the "New Zealand Greyhound" in well earned, and 1 can assure you that he comes home one ot the beat threequarters. You did not hear of him in the third match against New South Wales, because they specially deputed a man to mark, him,' and Roberts consequently. did not send the ball along to him. He is,.the only, man who played in every match. ' Murray rendered. yeoman service and was-undoubtedly the best forward on the ground in the .first match, while both Handcock and Wilson both proved themselves well worthy of their places," ', "Did you notice.any improvement in the Rugger game in New South Wales?" " Yes, I certainly think there is a noticeable improvement in individual play, but the Welshmen still lack that necessary essential —combination—more particularly amongst the backs. In this connection they do not seem to have improved one scrap since 1893; but I feel sure I could pick you out more brilliant individual players." Chatting with some of the returned members of the ftetv Zealand team, I was informed that the colony lost the services of a sterling mau in Duncan, who, it will be remembered, was injured in the first game, and did not again enter the field until the final match. His display in the initial match showed what a good man had been laid aside, and it might also be added that his loss prevented Humphries (the halfback) getting a spell, and although the little Taranaki player frequently played brilliantly, it was at times to be seen that he sadly needed a rest. Duncan, who was unfortunately injured in the first match against New South Wales, and who, being one of the oldest playing footballers in the colony, and a close observer of the play during the various matches, may be looked upon as an authority, states that New South Wales played the best game. "In the western districts the ground was very hard, and almost every Mew Zealand player wag more or less knocked about. This, taken in conjunction with the fact that to reach the western districts the team had to travel a very long distance, accounts for onr defeat in ;lie second game apainst New South Wales. ('it and well, New Zealand could beat New south Wales every time. It was a bis: mistake to include the western districts in the tour, with only twenty men to select from. To play the nujnber of lnatphes arranged, the number of members in the team should have been increased by five at the least. The men played well together, and though, per* haps, one or two shone out at times, every man played his hardest in every game in which he played." The playing of three halfbacks evidently proved bo successful in the final test match with New South Wales that it has been decided to play three halves against Auckland to-day. The New Zealand team will keenly feel the loss of Pauling and McKenzie to-day, the former, as mentioned elsewhere, hiving stared behind, while the tatter is laid low with the influenza."

CRICK.ET. The Canterbury Cricket Association has notified the Auckland Association that the team from that province will reaeh here some time during the Christmas vacation. The continued increase of athletic gatherings and galas held on the Domain Cricket Ground during the summer months has for the past two or three seasons been viewed with growing alarm by devotees of the summer game, and the climax was reached last season when the encroachments reduced the Saturdays available for cridket to fourteen, and worst of all were frequently sandwiched in while matches were in progress. In fact one occasion h»3 been cited showing that a senior club woe prevented from completing an innings in the championship round for three Saturdays, the first and third days being devoted to sports gatherings, and the second being wet. In order to prevent the growth of the evil—for such, of course, it is naturally looked upon by the cricketers,and if possible have the number of days set apart for sports restricted, the Auckland Cricket Assooiation. have approached the Domain Ground Committee. They ask that six Saturdays shall be the limit, thus leaving 18 Saturdays clear for cricket, and as the association is admittedly the backbone of the Domain as regards revenue, the request does not appear to be an unreasonable one. H. Dβ Mans, the well-known Canterbury batsman, who, it will be remembered, recently went across to Sydney, has thrown in his lot with the Leichardt Electorate Cricket Club. Information from Sydney states that L. T. Cobcroft, who acted as captain of the last New South Wales team which visited New Zealand, intends returning to this colony with the New Zealand football team, and that he will take up his residence in Christchurch, joining the Midland Cricket Club, if this is correct the exchange of DeMaus for Cobcroft will not weaken Canterbury cricket to a great extent. Norman Druce, captain of the Cambridge University Eleven, has joined Stoddart's team for Australia.

ATHLETICS. Mr. T. Bimtin, of football f»me, and a Rood all-round sport, is likely to be asked to represent the Wanganui Amateur Athletic Club on the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. The Wanganui Club could not have chosen a better representative. H. H. l'ioroy, who was chosen to go into training for the long jump, in view of the Australian championships, replies to the effect that ho is unable to do so, having just taken up farming with his brother at Uawarden. Prom this it would seem very probable that his active athletic days are over. If so, it is a fact much to be regretted. Regarding the efforts recently made by »*■ c ' ,ombea » president of the N.S.W.A. A.A., and Mr. 3. J. Moloney, vice-president of the New South Wales Amateur Swimming Association, to have amateurs controlling the profession*! section of our athletes it may interest readers to know how the London Sporting Life views this particular question, which is jW now causing considerable discussion in England. "A good deal of comment has arisen in the lust few days on the decision of the A.A.A. to prohibit their clubs from holding professional meetings. Really it is open to question whether the association is sufficiently moving with the times in this respect. Its objections to mixed meetings may be well grounded but if license .were given to clubs to promote professional meetings pure and simple until such time as such meetings were plainly seen to be undesirable, we think a good deal would be done towards purifying amateur athletics, in the early days of amateurism the same .efforts were made to stunt professionalism, which naturally must exist-whether it be I cloaked or otherwise. The question is a big one; we admit, and it would appear to be desirable for the members of the association to have a chance of discussing it in genera meeting. Certainly, several good amateur sportsmen are of the same way of thiokiuz as ourselves in the matter." """"wngas Sviil htime v (writes "Prodigal" in the Sydney Referee our association began to ?ne°f n q rL thl - »>' ,8 "Presentation at the forthcoming Australasian Championship &% FT - Is much t0 bD done « New f™« desires to enter the field with any hope of success. Let me again point out SUn?" T lament weak in the dlitanM running department, also at pole-vaulting, whilst many advance strides will have toft taken before W e stand a chance with the ■ZK a ? tly, Weare 'olately without a mn3'»^l el li Xpo " and unleßa things mend we shall have to enter the contest with .two certain losses scored against us-the one nninfm > *$* **}**■ * advoCate the »P" pointment of a selector and manager toour Si JU l tlt V wer * in R to the other colonies. Something must be. done on systematic lines, and furthermore, that somethm 8 must be done at once. At Oakland, California, on May 7, T Carroll broke, two of the professional ham'. hi tbro I w ' records; He threw the 161b m "i e u ls § fee , t ' surpassing hwow* Previous co? 11$? l ?*L^ with the ah hamme scored a>3 feet, beating his own world's record, made in 1895, by 32 feet. ? ' In dealing with the candidates from whom ■he Victorian represenUtives to compete at the Ootober champwMhipa will probably be oho.en,~.- vHarrier," in, the Australasian says :-GlancinK over a few of STSSJ , grove M. hi Wettenhall the quarter-the ast threi, and E. H. Serle, A. L. Wetten'hall \V . Cumming, T. R. Preston ff Kent lilli

niwwe not onr itrong in nlti£ts££oß Sift ?w^ , '^SShhf l H would still send a ft^wW? Wfismgi Greefield, and about unearth.ng talent. Park have a likely muLudfe s^ s eon, Campbell, C.Sn^^^fl athletic team Hohu \io amateur championship meetihV P w,,*V4 some times.nce, considerable Hf. , ,,." I 1 a ? ,t? the.eligibility "tftio!*s- - the name of «£&*« lete, being mentioned amonnf otha?*!^ athetic writer of theSy<taeyßSVp§ 1 gal"), at the time, TtSf-W months' residence would *Ei|« qualification, but this view dl , pear to bo acceptable to "Ran^o 00 ,''* English journal, Illuatrated *Bn£«f *«% Dramatio News, who, in mOT? ■*$ am quite willing to admit that ttSN&! qualification is all that could hi 3S#l the case, for example, ™ V county cricket, but when ittonertoi™ t?# with America or the mother »unt?v six mouths , residence cannot be sufficient qualification. Of coirs. «• *$ m goes out to Australia as an i^n l'&fiM brought up iu the country of h;.' *" adoption, then he may fairil &• 1 called an Australian, Bj,s&£* or American to go out to months, and then to reappear a7.iT ,a tative of Australia in . Eh %& fflg country, is altogether absurd. itWiM sime ? round that I objected to kT£S tsinbji playing for England' against ha, and yet he had more than a air qualification. Perhaps for some definite rule to be draw. "" settinput under what circum!tancM»«? R-S----can be considered a representation!- & : country he may be living in' l?eine, end this rule should.be geMJ - " over the empire. In order to fix ,2j Him kindla conference of sporting SJ"' India and the colonies should beheßfe"? don, and the necessary regulation. aJtJt 1 ' < ;: with due form and ceSny 5 drWn °>?i Thus the English Field of June 12 .Jl. chief .attraction of the Polytechnic flanSltmeeting at Wembley Park on Monfe was theattempton the part of W.J, the amateur champion, to lower thS5 I walking record for two miles. He 533 * in winning the handicap from scritcHS accomplished the following timesV-aSt : & ""Iβ, 3m. 55.; onemile, 6m.371& • onSfj f: a-half mile,, 10,n. 114-53.; fill He failed in his attempt by9fi ft beat the previous best times for the' hSLjL |i tfl.T aa -'l? lf mile respectively Relf Finohley Harriers, m Br* J he half-mile handicap, etartinFfroTtfi U yards mark, and winning by aioot,™!,? I

-. _ CYCLING. 'if ? I

The New South Wales League of Wh«l men has approved of the New ZeS Leagues request tor admission to the (W tederation of Australasian Leigues The New Zealander A. J. Bodyjwifo Philibuater" in the Australasian) bai "bsa ' riding for a number of years, but it U this season he has become famous, and I fee) :ertain he is still mounting the ladder ThS Iβ no more levelheaded, carefuMirim ridu )n our tracks to-day than Body, and a f» more men of the same solid stamp woold'dn more character to the sport. • " r, ",? n >l'b«3t«r," the well-informed writer W L/ychng Notes in the Australasian tm--'•I regard R. H. Walne as the chimiS rider of Australia of the seaios CMnstenoy has marked his efforts from bed* mng to end. All his races have been nurfc ' by speed and strength of mind and 'tbdy which have earned for him many victorii' More than two-thirds of his winninniiii been gained in scratch races."' j ■■••,? A motor car will shortly be landed ii Wellington. The machine, which will arrin id threeor four weeks, will seat four; pwnli »nd a driver, and is known as the Vietni nake. ™ . >

GOLF. vYsiv I

Next Saturday, the usual monthly nutef mil take place. The las* handicap nutek which was played, resulted in a win for Mr, jrnmshaw, with a score of 110 lew lfl=H» Mr. Walker returned the eecond score, ifc 104; but, as his card was unsifted, iicdSd lot be accepted. Three members; Mem Plint, Caldwell, and Kissling, lentiiS ihowinglOa net, and as Mr. Walked acoft louldnotbe accepted, the second ind'tlia 3nzei were divided between the competjtm returning cards of 105. . v~~ t ;}■, ■ The opeo championship of Great BriUii ias again been won by an amateur. Mr. HI ;on, on his native green at Hoy lake, woeeedd n winning the open championship for ttk lecond time. His four rounds of 18 hole :ach averaged 78, and he defeated the prof* ■'.'■ iional, J. Braid, of Rotnford, by a unit itroke. lieutenant Tate was third, and wii ;he only Scotch competitor who wu hihoa she list. . AQUATICS. ' ■ : Messrs. C. and W. Bailey have nude • itart on the new yacht for &ir. A, B. Doeili sue is to be an out-and-out cruiser, anil will be very strongly constructed. The fitting of the yacht will'be as,nice as they cube made. She will be about SO feet overill, with a beam of about 10.6 teet, and a doubt )f 5 feet. , The smoke concert of the West End Bo?• ing Club, to wind up the season, is fixed for ihe 28th instant. •; : : ' The West End Rowing Clnb have ordered *« P M°iL Be oliuker K ' K from Ed . wards mi &">. )i Melbourne, to arrive here in time for tin wnual meeting. The committee hop* to. jrder another, to arrive here before the ormal opening of the boating seam I ' learn that these boats will be paid for out rf voluntary donations by the members, a f»c| which srjeake volumes for the membert This club certainly sols a good example to Jther clubs, and a spirit of self-reliasce creditable to all concerned. The meeting called tor Thursday last U further the interests of rowing in Auckland lid not take place, owing to the illness , ol - Mr. C. C. Dacre, who has been indisposed [or some days. The adjourned meeting will be held next Friday evening, when some ?ood results will doubtless follow as' the result of the deliberations of the leaders of the various rowing clubs. A telegram from Wellington states that the New Zealand Rowing Association »m disqualified n number of the Rowing Clubs for not paying up their subscriptions. This, L consider, is a right move to take, and I trust the Association will insist that all affiliated clubs will take their fair shared the burdens imposed upon the Association' Messrs. Henderson, of Glasgow, launched on 3rd June the racing cutter Bona.desipwd by 6. L. Watson, of Glasgow, for theltato rf Abruzzi. She is modelled like-the Val-' Ityrie, the American challeuger, and will run at 85 tons. Her sail area is 8000 feet aud her vvaterline is 76J feet. She will be manned by the Ailsa crew and captained by Sycamorti the Valkyrie. The Bona will take pwtin au the matches, making her dttut on ■ W Clyde, ffi Mr. E. A. Pearson, who has been chosen captain of the Sydney Rowing Club, in succession to Mr. J. E. H. Kennedy, who bat* tired, is a well-known oarsman, and very popular. He has rowed in several intercom uial races, and has been a success as stroke ot' elub crews. ;, The yacht Girola is now 16 days out froiß , Napier to this port, but has probably been delayed along the coast by heavy weather. fhe yacht was bnilt at Wellington about n«years ago, and comes to Auckland for sale. She is 40 feet overall, 14 feet beam, and • feet draught. She is coppered, and u thoroughly well fitted throughout. 1« yacht has a fairly good record ai Wellington, having won a number of races at the EmpiK City. Recently she has been employed in ashing at Napier; but her owners, no! making a living out of it, have decided to send the boat on to Auckland for sale. Further consideration was given by tn« committee of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club (says the Wellington Post) to the proposals for making radical changes in connection with the various races. The outcome of the discussion was that a programme ol • club and regatta races was drawn up f« , presentation at a general meeting of the club. It is proposed to allocate about £1* For prizes during the season, and to have two yacht races for each class on regatta dty and to make each Saturday afternoon* racing complete in itself. If the scheme u adopted the first-class yachts will on Rejatta Day start on sail area allowance in one raw and on handicap in another. In the secow and third classes the races-two for eaw class-will be on sail area. The adoption? the proposal to split up the amount hitherto voted to each class for Saturday afterooo' . racing will, it is confidently believed, »s»H in the contests being even more interesting than they have been. Instead of givi»K» lump sum to the boat which scores «» greatest number of Doints in her class dnrie* ■, the season, the committee proposes »»> there ihonld be a prize for each winner w» . Saturday afternoon event The commute* suggests that the races should »Ut%-f finish off Thorndon, and that if the fuojM warrant it, supporters of the club should M invited to two or three picnics durwgw' season. Ltmx..