ATHLETICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12693, 22 October 1904, Page 5 (Supplement)

ATHLETICS

In the- hope, of increasing the" membership, the-committee of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club have reduced the annual subscription fee from 10s to 5». This should icad to a considerable increase outside the competitive members, as there should be many gentlemen who. if approached, would be quite prepared to assist the club and sport by adding their names, to the list at the figure mentioned. The , wrestling match between Harry Pearce, of Australia, and Arthur Skinuei, of Auckland, for the championship of Australasia, took place in His Majesty's Theatre on Tuesday evening last, in the presence of a large attendance. The styles were Cumberland, catch-as-c\tch-ean, and Cornish. Pearce looked rattier better than when last in Auckland some weeks ago in point of condition, though still above himself, %nd tipped the- beam at about 13sfc Bllv while 3kinner appeared somewhat drtiwn, and certainly was not in that robust health of a year or two ago, when he accomplished many fine feats in field games, and also at times indulged in wrestling at Caledonian gatherings. He weighed about list 31b. a matter of about 131b below his weight when in bis best trim, but what advantage there might have been in height was on his side. Opening with the Cumberland style, two falls straight went to the Audklanderthe first a clean fall by the aid of a right leg type, the second through breaking Fearce's hold—and after a short interval a start ..'as made with, the catch-as-catch-can bout., This proved the most attractive exhibition from a spectators' point of view!, and both men displayed much cleverness, particularly in. mat work. Three falls were registered in the course of rather over an hour and a-quarter, - twothe first and third—going to the Australian, and one to Skinner, thus leaving the local man with three falls again.' the two credited to his opponent when they entered on the deciding bout in Cornish style. For 45 minutes they fought for a fall without result, and as the hands of the clock then pointed to the hour of midnight the management announced a postponement to some future date, Pearce informing the .audience that arrangements would be made to conclude the match on the Domain Cricket Glrou'ad on a day to be fixed by mutual consent, when spectators would be admitted free of charge. At the time of closing these columns nothing definite had been-fixed as to libs date.

Writing- to Geo. Smith, of Auckland, from St. Louis (U.S.A.). the Victorian hurdler, 0. H. Gardner, gives some interesting details of the Olympian games, at which he represented the Amateur Athletic Union of Australasia. Ho describes Halm, who is.regarded "'fl Duffy's greatest rival, as a pretty sprinter, something afite* Smith's build (a bit fine, perhaps). - with a 7ffc 6ir> stride when sprinting. Speaking of himself, the Victorian, who met with no success, attributes his failures largely to want of condition, and evidently with reason, as in a 100 yds handicap he was beaten from 3yds in 10 3-55.. and failed to do better than 19ft 4in in the broad jump.

m On Monday last the Now Zealand professional heel-and-toe exponent, J. Wray, now diner sn Auckland, received a letter from 0. E. Faulkner, the Sydney walker, suggesting that the match in connection with which negotiations have boon proceeding for some time should take plaea in Sydney some time about the end of November. The local man is, however, unable to comply with the suggestion as far as the date is concerned, and has advised Faulknei that he will be prepared to fix the,, match for sortie time in February. . R. Scott, the West Coast wrestler, who came up to Auckland with H. ' Pearce. has been ts,lkin«r of endeavouring to arrange a match with Skinner, but I understand that the. Aueklander intends giving . wrestling against, professionals best after the completion of .his unfinished match ,with Pearce. W. Murphy, of Auckland, and ex-champion featherweight pugilist of the world, was tendered a complimentary benefit at the Gaiety Athletic Hall. Sydney, last night. In the event of a substantial sum oeing realised, Murphy will establish himself in business, presumably in the tailoring line, that being his trade before the* glamour of the ring caused him to seek fame in the pugilistic arena. Rumours are strain in circulation through the press to the effect that Arthur Duffy, the famous American sprinter, who has been invited to com*/ to New Zealand during the present season, intends retiring permanently from the running track at the close of his present English tour.