GENERAL NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23266, 8 February 1939, Page 21

GENERAL NEWS

ALL BLACK TRANSFERS RECEIPTS AT WIMBLEDON LONG SERVICE TO. ROWING J. L. Griffiths, the well-known Wellington and New Zealand representative Rugby player, who was transferred from Wellington to last year, has again been transferred, this time to Tokomaru Bay.

The late P. C. Bryne, who died in the Masterton Hospital recently, was a prominent figure in Rugby circles a few years ago. He played for the North Island as a Nelson representative in 1919 and three years later he was drawn from the King Country to gain a place in the North Island team.

Although S. J. McCabe, vice-captain of the Australian cricket team in England last year, is having a spell from tho game, on the advice of his doctor, the ban does not apply to golf. His health is improving as the result of less strenuous exercise. McCabo plays almost par golf and at tho end of last nionth he and his partner won an invitation four-ball best-ball competition at Manly against par.

William Pollock, the English journalist, touring with the English cricketers in South Africa, writes:—"South African players tell me that the manners of cricket crowds here have deteriorated recently. They blame the spread of baseball. Baseball is getting a big hold in South Africa. 'Rooting,' part of the game from the spectators' viewpoint, is coining into cricket. It certainly makes cricket lively, but not in the pleasnntest way."

It is known that the receipts at Wimbledon were down last summer, and fears have been expressed that with no stars, such as Donald Budge and Helen Wills Moody, next summer's Wimbledon tournament will suffer even more. But the English Lawn Tennis Association has little to worry about. At the moment, reckoning its securities at cost, they aro worth £69,576. British Government securities alone amount to £58,023.

An exhibition wrestling contest between A. Newton, New Zealand professional welter-weight champion, aud F. Hubbard, New Zealand amateur middle-weight champion, staged on a barge moored in the Waikato River at the Hamilton regatta on Saturday, ended abruptly when Newton was hurled over the ropes and landed in the river. The unexpected interlude caused much amusement and some ambarrassment to the wrestler, who soon scrambled out and was none the worse for his experience.

The "hat-trick" was accomplished by G. H. Stewart, of the City team, when playing at Gisborne on Saturday afternoon against High School Old Boys, and he took eight wickets for the exceptionally low cost of 17 runs. In the provincial tournament at Auckland during the Christmas holidays Stewart had tho best bowling average for the Poverty Bay team, his 17 "wickets averaging 22.06 runs. Conditions suited him admirably on Saturday against a strong batting side.

The president of the Waitemata Bowling and Croquet Club, Mr. C. Sampson, referred on Saturday afternoon to the 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday of Mr. and Mrs. D. R. Davies, of Northcote. He said Mr. Da vies had been elected a life member for his valuable work for the club. For two years ho was president, in 1930 and 1931, and prior to that served four years as secretary and treasurer. Congratulations were telegraphed from the members to Mr. and Mrs. Davies.

When Mr. A. D. Bayfield, of Wellington, resigned recently after 32 years as secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association, oarsmen throughout the Dominion decided that they could not allow a man who had laboured so long in the interests of the sport in this country to vacate office without expressing their appreciation in some tangible way. Their acknowledgement took the form of a handsome cocktail cabinet, toward which all rowers in New Zealand contributed.

Driving from the ninth tee of the Port Colborne Country Club golf course in Ontario, Canada, Mr, 0. P. Seeman, who is the Canadian National Railways stationmaster at Port Colborne, sliced a ball out of bounds and into an open waggon of a passing goods train. A few days later lie received a package from Walkerville, three hundred miles distant, and in it was the lost golf ball. Initials which Mr. Seeman had imprinted on the ball had been recognised by the railway employee who found it in the waggon. A 300 miles slice —surely a record!

Following the week's rain, the wickets suited the slow bowlers in Gisborne senior cricket last Saturday. T. M. Sharp, Marist, who has had Plunket Shield experience, was at his best club match form of the season, and during the day took ten of the Old Boys' wickets for 65 runs in nine and a-half overs. Seven of these wickets were gained in the first innings, while the other three were the only ones down in the second at stumps. His was the best all-round performance in the grade on the day, and his 35 was top score, none of the other batsmen exceeding 21.

Sir .Julian Cahn's cricket team will commence its tour of Now Zealand with a match against an Auckland secondary schools side at Eden Park on Monday. Sir Julien wishes to avenge the defeat of his team at Nottingham by New Zealand in 1937. The authority for this statement is J. G. Lush, former New South Wales fast bowler, and a member of Sir Julien's side. Lush, who, with V. Jackson, J. Walsh and H. Mudge, has arrived in advance of tho main body of the team, is reported to have said in Sydney, "Sir Julien has specially strengthened the side for the express purpose of beating New Zealand in a test."

A new champion has arisen in the Gisborne Swimming Club in D. Lange, a young competitor who has already broken the club's 100 yds. record. When he defeated the previous champion and record-holder, S. Dodgshun, in the 50vds, event by 2ft. in l-5s outside the club record of 265, it was thought that Dodgshun had lost form sinco last season, but in the 100 yds. championship event a fortnight later Dodgshun broke his own record of lm 1 l-5s by 1 1-os in dead-heating with Lange, indicating that if he ever lost form hp has more than completely regained it. ft appears, however, that he will have to do even better to hold his own against the fast-improving Lange.

No club affiliated to the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association can claim to be more enthusiastic and progressive than the Whangarei Club. Members of the Mount Eden Club were guosts of the northern club last week-end, engaging it in various competitions at a carnival which was attended'by a large crowd. The Whangarei Club performed an accomplishment that has been beyond the ability of Auckland clubs. It defeated Mount Eden, Auckland's champion club for the last three seasons, in a relay race. Mount Eden was certainly without R. B. Frankham, but nevertheless was defeated decisively, Much commendable activity is being shown by the Whangarei Club in connection with the "learn-to-swim" campaign.