ATHLETIC NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12071, 15 September 1902, Page 7

ATHLETIC NOTES.

PING-PONG. TOUR OP AUCKLAND REPRESENTATIVES. TitK Auckland ping-pong representatives returned to town on Saturday after a very successful and enjoyable tour. It was never anticipated that the team would have much difficulty in beating its opponents, as it was probably one of the strongest combinations obtainable in Auckland. The brilliant driving and hard hitting of the team km a revelation to the country players, the majority of whom played a defensive game, and were unable, owing to the want of a "killing-" stroke, to take advantage of many opportunities of scoring.

Leaving Auckland by the express on. Thursday morning, the team played Hamilton that evening, defeating tho local team by eight games to iove. Each game consisted of three sets of thirties up, and out of the 24 sets Auckland succeeded in winning 21. Miss Browning (Hamilton), who met Miss Brabant (Auckland), succeeded in winning her first set, but was defeated somewhat easily in the second and third, Miss Brabant's deadly drive proving too much for her. Mr. Davidson (Hamilton), who has a nice style —a fast tutting serve—-and has the additional advantage of being left-handed, played a very uphill game against Mr. Hemus, but her© again the visitor's hard hitting proved too much for his'opponent. In the other games the Auckland players had >'Ot much difficulty in defeating the local players, in each case the want of sting and dash by the lattei being fatal to them.

Leaving Hamilton tho following afternoon the team went to Te Aroha, playing the local team in tho evening, and defeating them—B—o. As in Hamilton, the want of a " killing" stroke, and the weakness of the attack, made most of the home players somewhat easy victims for tho visitors. After tho match, Miss Brabant and Miss De Coehe' and Messrs. Hernus and Wlutaker played a couple of exhibition games, which were much appreciated by the onlookers, and the club then entertained the visitors to supper at the Grand Hotel, and to a very enjoyable dance afterwards.

The team returned via the Thames—Captain Farquhar having kindly delayed the Wakatere until after the arrival of the train —after having had a most enjoyable trip. The thanks of the association are clue to Mrs. J. Preston Stevenson, and Mrs. Dr. Cairns, for having chaperoned the ladies of the team at Hamilton and To Aretha respectively. The following are the scores in the two matches played: — AUCKLAND V. HAMILTON*. Miss Brabant beat Miss Browning, 2630, 30—10, 30-13; Miss Coolie beat Miss Crabtree, 30—17, 25—30. 30—14 ; Miss Scherff beat Mrs. Brewis. 30—17, 30—16: Miss Ireland beat Miss O'Neill, 30—14. 30—29; Mr. Hemus beat Mr. Davidson. 30—14-, 30—26: Mr. Whitaker beat Mr. Ilolloway, 30—14, 30—7; Mr. Hill beat Mr. Jolly. 30—10, 30—16; Mr. Tunis beat Mr. Cole, 30—18. 23—30, 50-13. AUCKLAND V. TE AROHA. Miss Brabant beat Mrs. Edward*, 30—11, 30—6 : Miss Coohe beat Miss Lipsey, 30—14, 30—19; Miss Scherff beat Miss Mainstay, 30—10, 30—12; Miss Ireland beat Mrs. Cairns, 30—18. 30—23; Mr. Hemua beat Mr. Maingay, 30—17, 30—; Mr. Whitaker beat Mr. Horrell, 30—22. 30-12: Mr. Hill beat Mr. Bull. 30—16, 30—12; Mr. Innis beat Mr. Brown. 30—12, 50—20. CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING IN THE SOUTH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] (jHIUSTCiItJRCH, Saturday. The annual three-mile cross-country steeplechase of the Amateur Athletic Club was run to-day, and was won by W. C. Flewellvn (505.). C. S. H. Rich (455.) was second, and L. W. Davis (1405.) third. The winner's time was 19m. 255. W. F. Simpson (scratch) started, but did not finish.

HOCKEY MATCH AT NELSON. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION-.] Nelson, Saturday. The hockey match. Wellington v. Nelson, was played "here to-day in perfect weather. The visitors won by three goals to nil. WELCOME TO MR. GEORGE SMITH. A very cordial welcome homo was extended on Saturday evening at the Federal Clubrooms by the members of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle. Club to Mr. George Smith, who journeyed to England to represent the colony at the English championship meeting, and in addition to other victories succeeded in winning the 120 yds hurdle championship of England. Mr. C. E. MacCurmiek presided, and His Worship the Mayor (Mr. A. Kidd) was amongst those present. The chairman apologised for the absence of Mr. John Marshall (vice-presi-dent), and read a telegram from Mr. W. J. Napier. M.H.R., regretting his inability j to be present to welcome one who bad so creditably upheld Auckland in the athletic field of Great Britain. After tho toast of "The King" had been duly honoured, the chairman proposed " The Guest, of the Evening." In the course of a. congratulatory speech, he said Mr. Smith had year after year distinguished himself at the New Zealand championship gatherings, and had eventually won a championship of Australasia. It was after this victory, achieved in Auckland last year, when the championship meeting was held, that it was felt by supporters of athletics in Auckland that Smith had not got a superior in the colonies, and that it was time to send him further afield. It was a matter of history how well he had fulfilled the mission on which he was sent. That mission was to win the 120vda hurdle championship of England, and he had done bo. (Applause.) He might, have done more, but for certain contretemps on his arrival there, and many had thought to beat him in his events, but, had their own colours lowered. They had seen many great athletes, but he (the chairman) had known none with so long a career of continued success as Smith had experienced. On rising to respond, the champion athlete received an ovation. After expressing his gratitude for the kindness shown him, he. gave an interesting resume of the various events in which he and his fellow athlete, Simpson, competed, am! victories which (hey had placed to their credit in Great Britain. Their first experience of England was landing in a fog, and there being no one to meet them, they had to wander about for three days looking for lodgings. Consequently, after a long sea voyage, they had only 14" days to train foi the meeting at which they made their first appearance on English soil. Some thought that in the race which he- had gone to represent the colony in, he might have put up a better time than I';-., but he had not been sent to put up a record, but to win the race, and he hail done so. His companion, Simpson, had not succeeded in winning a championship, but, had since distinguished himself by breaking records in the Mother Country. During the evening refreshments were handed round, and a liberal supply of the fragrant weed helped materially to promote enjoyable social intercourse. A musical programme was submitted, and much enjoyed, many of the items being doubly encored. Songs wore given by Messrs. A. Rowe. tho Coronation Quartette (Messrs. G. M. Reid. A. Rowe, A. Rogerson, and O. H. Young), H. Absolum. G. M. Reid, P. Dufaur, W. George, and recitations by Messrs. W. Eyre and J. Koenan. RAILWAY* CRICKET CLUB. The Auckland railway employees have formed a cricket club, to be called the Railway Cricket Chili. The following officers have been elected: —President, Mr. C. Holm Hiss: vice-presidents, Messrs. I'. Luwry, M.H.R.. .1. M. Sliera, Moss Davis, E. Davis, D. M. Jervis, and the several heads of the Railway Department. Mr. Joseph Parkes has been elected secretary and treasurer pro tern.