SPORTING AND SPORTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13209, 16 February 1905, Page 4

SPORTING AND SPORTS

. . By Sentinel, •" RACING CALENDAR, 1905, Feb. 15 and IG—Egtoiont R.C. Summer. Feb, 16 aiiS 17—Poverty Bay I\C. Annual. Feb. 22, 24, and 25--Dunediu J.C. A.utumn. Feb. 23 and March I—Talmuiv Park Trots. March 2 and 3—Wanganui J.C. Autumn. March 3 and 4—Westport J.O. Autumn. I March 7—Akaroa. County H.C. Annual. Maroh 11—Waiki J.C. Annual,' ; March 18—Northern Wairea li.C. Autumn. April. 22, 24, 2p, and 29—Australian Jockey Club's Autumn (Doncaster Handicap and Sydney Cup). April 21 and 26—Canterbury J.C. Autumn. The proximity'of the Dunedin Oup meeting of 1905 is brought jinto prominence by tho appearance of tho' handicaps for .tho first day of the. gathering, and in looking through the list of those engaged in the Dunedin Oup, it ia somewhat remarkable to notp that thero are only two proved 6taycrs engaged in a race' which was once ono of the prinoipal long-journey handicaps of tho colony. This honour belongs to Kelburn, who .won tho Welington St. Lcger of 1903, in which lie defeated Porirua (who started favourite), Lavalette, Golden Vein, and Dordona, and Ghoorka (tho winner of tho Wanganui Cup. Two others in Cannie OLiel and De la Roy have scored over 12 furlongs, but their stauncheat 'admirers have never had much reason to bo enamoured with the stay|iig powers of either of these horses. Pallas and Vladimir are placed on tho same mark; albeit, the.formor is awarded th post 0/ honour, which is a distinction without haying a material difference. Both these horses have failed when asked to undertake a 12 furlong journey, but Pallas has performed brilliantly over 10 furlongs, whilst tho longest distance Vladimir has successfully negotiated is eight furlongs. Vladimir and General Symons, it will bo remembered, le<l into the straight in Orloff's Dunedin Gup, but subsequently failed over a mile in the D.J.O. Handicap (won by Pallas), and in the Anniversary Handicap, li milee, won by Terrapin. This w.'w in the son of Mist's' three-year-old season, and since then there is every reason to believe that his staying powers have improved with age. Coming down to tho latest form, how Pallas scored brilliantly in his two last efforts under sillc will be fresh in the memories of mosj people. Ho won tho Federal with 9.2 in lmin 30 2-ssec, and inado a track record for tho distance, ' and with 9.6 he won the St. Andrew's Handicap in lmin U 2-sseo in ii manner which suggested that he-could have travelled on a bit, although he was not the fittest horse that carried silk in .the race. Tho most formidable opponont he had in the race was Red Gauntlet', who was conceding his victor 111b. Red Gauntlet has started three times over a 12-furlong couiso, and his best effort was made when he chased Bulawayo home last year when attempting to give tho Orcsl gelding 201b. At present tho son of Russet is a trifle off . colour, and both 011 tho score of condition ana weight tho pair who figure abovo him in the handicap are preferred to the Messrs Ellis's horse, although it should not be overlooked that be has a fairly good performance to his credit in capturing the D.J.C.,Handicap with 9.2 in 2min 11 4-ssec. Cannio Chiol, who follows Rod Gauntlet in tho handicaps, at first blush looks woll in at a drop of 61b on what 110 captured the Midsummer Handicap last week; and, although ho had but moderate opposition to contend against in that rape, still 110 has provionsly performed fairly creditably over 12 furlong* without actually winning, and it may ho remarked in parenthesis that a horso in many eases disp.ays his best form in races in which ho has failed to catch the judge's cyo as a winner. The son of Clanranald, for instance, ran a good second to Lady. Lillian in her Great Autumn Handicap, when no was carrying 8,1 to tho Phaeton mare's 8.12. Pailas went out a hot favourite with 8.12 .on his back, but after making' great haste oyer the first 10 furlongsj ho collapsed and finished outside tho places. Lack of condition probably bad a good deal to do with that inglorious finish of tho eou of Nellie. Cannie Cliiel aleo ran a creditable sceond with 3.5 to Orloff in tho Dunedin Cup, and as his very latest form indicates that ho is at least not out of form, 110 is entitled to a - chance. Savoury, after his form last November, was generally regarded as a ehanipion of champions over a middle distance, and went to Auckland with such . a flourish of newspaper trumpets that the northerners, and 1 tho majority of southerners ] who saw tho colt, race at Riccarton, could ■ not understand how he was to lose tho . Handicap. But 110 did, and , did it easily, and the son , of Melodia was promptly penned J and voiced off the pedestal to whioh tho undoubted merit of his form had elevated j him. No excuses wore made, and it was generally believed the colt was overrated; j but ho is not the first horse who has j "proved incapable of noting with equal ( facility over right-handed and left-handed courses. It is quite possible that. Savoury ( was not at his best when ho raced at Auek- | land, and as that contention was never r put, forward it is move than probable that , tho different lay of the tracks had more { than 'a little to do with his indifferent form, . which to anyono who noted his running at { "Riccarton was undoubtedly loo' bad to be ( true. Savoury, at least. 011 tho dam's side, ( comes from a staying family, and Simmer, a son of St. Simon, out of a granddaughter j of Flying Dutchman, from a granddaughter , of StorkweJl., reads sufficiently solid on tho j paternal side of the bouse. Dutch Oven, » the dam of Simmer, was a St. Legcr winner, and Simmer himself, whoso pedigree is ( founded, on yivandiore, a sister to Vedette, j the'grandsiro of St. Simon, is bred on par- c ticularlv attractive lines, which suggest, that r it would he a trifle astonishing if lie does ( not. stay. As a matter of fact he was travel- t ling on in his raccs at- Riccari-on, both when ( 110 dead-heated with Rod Gauntlet, and ( registered a record over seven furlongs. t ICelburei 011 his best form . (and ho has v recently been demonstrating that ho has j not forgotten how to gallon) looks well in [j at 7.13. The 6on of Ilotchlciss won. tho St. Legcr in good stylo, and probably the best c race he ran was in. Terrapin's Birthday 0 Handicap, when, after slipping and sliding j, about 011 a heavy track, ho was defeated, by j, a short head with 011 his back. Terra- a pin carried 8.6; and Lady Lillian, who n finished a short head away third, was carry- v ing 9.9. .Thero was no doubt in iho writer's s mind at that time that if Kelburn bad boon 0 nblc to aot in tho loose going he would have 'j won comfortably, , instead of having a -y narrow defeat marked against him. Eel- ], .burn subsequently carried 8.10, and won „ over a mile at Ashlnirton; and his form y that season mndc somo of tho wiseacres nibblo at him for the next N.Z. Cup (won f, bv Canteen, with 7.12),. in which he was allotted 7.1.3, but unfortunately (for his i backers) ho went amiss, and never reached tj tho post. If Kelburn should be landod at tj

the post for the Dunndin Cup lio should provn a dangerous contender, us our American friends would say: and there is nothing following in the 'handicap which tho writ-er would lie prepared to match. against him. Lady Wayward, 011 tho authority of those who. saw her race it Riccarton last week, would liavo a change if "hn is not ovortlone

in I,lm meantime. Quaegn looks to ho takon n liit of care of at 7.2, but lie lias been 'loins nil that has been asked in public laiely, nntl tlio handicapper evidently lias twno in mind how his half-brother galloped off with lust year's race. Rtp.odancer a popular fancy fnr tlio Midsummer, but foiWto realise. .Do In Key won last year's Midsummer in Kmin fflsec. with 7.1 ou his hack; now ho has 6.7. Ghoorka won the Wnnsanui Cup with 7.2; now he has 7lh more; and. takinor the handicap nil round, the probable winner appears to'be pretty well concealed. 'At the present stage those whose elianpp.s appeal most to the writer arc Pallas, Savourv. Felbnrn, am) Oannie niiio.l. whilst in the Pu!ili,v,ji S '' Handicap Matter A 1 iv. Tetrovna, and TlTanjes? may prove a dangerous trio. A later sejeetion will he made after the appearance of the acceptances.

Tt was an ideal morping at Wingatui on Saturday, and after M'Donald's toam. had got (li rough useful tiislcs, R°d gauntlet, who is looking comewhat light and apparently has not fully recovered from life attack of influenza; was sent, a mile and a-quarter. He was assisted bv'Blackstone. and accomplished liis task in 2.14, Judging appearance, however, the gallop is hot likely to imnmve him. Brighton was assisted over six furloncs by fled and after shaping attractively in his gallon, ran out the distance comfo'rtahlv. in Imin 17 2-s?ce. Grand Opera and A«trjd:an ran over half a mile in 52sec. both finishing fairly weir in'hand. Pallas was assisted over tli« latter portion of 10 furlongs l<r Px;cl.-T Scaton. Tim former went his first six fiironjjs in Imin 18 Msec, the seven in J mm 3?. sec, and the last half in 545»0. Both finished together (Hie filly' going the -lost, five), and Pall,as looked as ' if ho cnuld Jtavf! travelled on if required. Vladimir hv .liiipeeK was cmin o»f over a circuit, which he loft behind in 2min Isco, or just a shade worse pace than Pallas: but. it. mii'st, te 'ftated 'that," the Stepip'ak' horse lacked assistance';' which | probably would have uiade material difference in the time rrenlt of tho ralfop.; ' Stepe'nfeldt was picked up. by Sarchedon after going a counle of furlongs. and oyer i) seyen-furlong ta?k_ in Imin M=ec.' Tlkj eliesifiut, \vlV is looking big and lusty, shaped in'a promising* manner. Tramont&na and Riviera (the

Positano—Waiting Maid filly) comfortably negotiated half a mile, in 53see, aud Flower o' Olutha and a few others got through useful work during the morning. ... " Tho success whioh has attended tho past efforts of the Forbury Park Racing Club to oater for tho racing 'public may be said to have easily justified that body's existence, and it is pleasing to note that thoy.nro out with a programme , for . a (lay's sport, which is set down to take place,, on Saturday, March 4, A bill of fare, consisting of 6cven items, has boon drawn out, and tho chief prize is the Forbury Handicap, ono mile, which isiondowed to the extent of 40sovs. A five-furlong .'Hying Handicap, of 3Qsovs, and a 30sovs; Trot, onb mile and a-half, fol)ow the prinoipal race in'-monetary importance; whilst three stakes of £25 npiedo oonstituto tho remainder'of Iho bill. Tho nominations fall due on February 21; and as the meeting always proved 'popular with owners, 4 liberal response may bo safely anticipated., ' What-mny be said to be the keel of on® of tho groatost, if not tho greatest, benefits that has ever been conferred upon owners of trotting stook in this colony was laid when tho New Zealand Trotting Association decided at a recent, meeting to authorise' the compilation of a New.Zealand Stud Book for trotters, as although tho distribution of,a largo amount- of prize money may confer an immediate benefit 011 owners, a stud book' is ilie genuine method of showing how to produco horses capable of capturing tho prizo monoy, ond consequently tho only means cf conferring a permanent benefit to ownors. There is no questioning tho 'fact that tho time is ripe for such a book; and if racing is to ultimately benefit tho breed of horses, then it is absolutely imperative that some authenticated method or source of tracing pedigrees should ho within reach of all who require it. Large numbers of our present-day trotting stock, possess excellent conformation, pneo, and stylo, but beyond knowing tho sires' names, many of tho horse owners haven't the faintest notion of how their horses are bred; and if that is so, how is it possible to improve tho stock if one .is not acquainted with tho value of tho various linos of blood, and consequently able to form some idea as to how the different, matings are likelv to result? Until there is a stud Iwok created nearly all breeding, as far as, trotting stock- is concerned, is haphazard in its nrobable effect, consequently forming no guidance to breeders; and prohably the sole reason why our trotting stock has reached its present standard is because those who have imported stallions have Iwon sen'pible enough to keep their tabulated p4di-, grees before the public, and thus it is known with some degree of certainty (in too few cases) how some of our trotting stock is bred. It is ve»v questionable if the thoroughbred would have ever reached its present standard, and, having reached it. maintained it, were it hot for'the fact thatits lineage has been religiously guarded in the general stud boot. In England to-day,' there is a cry being raised that Ylio thoroughbred is in danger of deteriorating in stamina because there is too much inbreeding to particular lines of blood, notably the Blacklock strain, as it exists and is fashionable through St. Simon. If. the Stud Rook, with its ready means of ascertaining how one strain of blood is becoming too predominant in some of our present-day horses, our thoroughbreds would rapidly deteriorate, without anyone, or at least- very fort", being aware of what was the* probablo cause of tho decadence. In like manner, the American trotter would not have been raised to its present pitch of excellence had not a faithful reco.rd been kept of what' strain to acquire and what to avoid. And to create a better order of things in this colony what' is now wanted is the hearty co-opeation of owners and breeders of trotting stock with those gentlemen who have undertaken to compile, at what appears to ho .1 comparatively small cost, a Stud Book for the Now Zealand Trotting Association. This tliev cin do by promptly responding to a request which is being "sent out by tho compilers to. send in particulars -of their stock to Mr F. 0. Thomas, of the Roferee, Ohristohurch, who'will, 011 application, send, forms sotting out in a simple manner a guidance to the information required ; and when this , information is gathered in and issued from the press, the Now Zealand Trotting Association will have accomplished something of which they can bo justly proud, having earned the thanks of breeders by enhancing tho valuer of their stock, and, ijA tho same time, been , responsible for the most important thing'' that has yet been done in this colony to : improvo the quality of our light harness horse.

| Encouraged by tho success that has' at- ; tended its latest .efforts to cater for the wante of horsemen and the patrons of the sport, the North Otago Jockcy CIul? lias decided to show that it appreciates tho patronage bestowed on it by launching out in the matter of prize-money, and also in making several important improvements' to its course. , At a committee meeting held last week, Uit which the president (Mr 0. W. Raid) presided, it was agreed to appoint a permanent carctnker, in order that the grass and plough gallons may be kept in good order throughout tho year. This step was considered necessary in view of the larger number of horses which will shortly be using the tracks for training purposes. A special committee was set up to make the appointment, and carry out all necessary details at once. It was also decided to top-dress some portions of the grass track at once. The Programme Committee . was instructed to prepare a programme of seven events for each day, the amount voted for the gathering being £700Tliis exceeds the last w inter card by £K5. Tho progress made by the turf in Western (Australia during tho last decade has been truly wonderful, and out as an object lesson to those who control tho national spo>;f. in the other States of tlio Commonwealth. Tho records of the. annual reunions of tho Western Australian Turf Club, held at Perth 10 years ago, show (hat tho added money for three days' racing totalled £1635, while for the foccting which' was brought to a close at New- Year time (the sum of £7200 was distributed among horse owners. Such material progress can, in a measure (says tho Sydney Mail), bo accounted for by the general advancement of the State, owing to the gold discoveries, but tho mainstay of the turf in that country is the revenue derived from the totalisator and tho members of the betting'ring—legitimate sources of revenue, inasmuch as thoso who utiliso horse-racing as a medium of speculation are, very properly, made to contribute towards the necessary expenses. Tho popularity of the totalisator in the West may be judged by tho fact that no less than £71,073 was tho amount of investments passed through the 'inachino; during' tho four days' currency of tho recent meeting, and of that, at a. rough cfitimato, tho funds of the club were "enriched to the. tune' of £-7000. In tho West the turf authorities allow bookmakers to ply their vocation alongside the totalisator, and charge them a heavy fee for the privilege—a fee compared with which the amount paid by the ringmen for .the right of wagering at Randwick or Flcmington is insignificant. Independent of tho revenue derived by the club from both sources mentioned, the speculative public find the benefit of (lie competition, as the ringmeii's prices are kept up to the mark by the odds dictated by tho totalisator. Speaking of this dua[. system of wagering, Mr T. Barnficld, a member of the Adelaide Racing Club,-who was on a. visit to Perth during tho annual reunion of the premier racing institution, in an interview- with' a South Australian pressman, said: "As is well known, the ringmen bet in opposition to the totalisator on the Perth course, arid there can bo no doubt they work Well together. The totalisator is a good thing for the public, and the bookmakers are good for tho. owners. I noticed that all the big wagers made on the course \vent to the Iraokmakcrs j despite all this tho totalisator did not sufi'cr, but,' on the contrary, there iras mi increase iii the rccipts of over £20,000 compared with tho previous year. There'are about 40 or 50 liookm.ikers licensed to bet on the course, and for the four days alone • they paid the W.A.T.C. over £78 10s per man, and for other days they b<>t on the Perth course they pay the club £10 each pc-r day; whilst a sipiilar sum is charged- by other clubs.' Tho. individual ringman who bets in 'the' West pays" during the year £500 to tlio clubs for the right to wager. Personally, 1 tlunk there would be 'I material improve l ment in racing in, South Australia if the ringmen could'be licensed by the "clubs to bet openly on the course in opposition to the totalisator. ' What a good source of reven'uo the bookmakers are ' in ' Wcstdrn Australia to the W.A'.T.O. is shown by the fact that at' the rcceut club's meeting thoy .

ibly paid £3500, in fces fqr days, whi wer tho/sum of ov«r £71,000 .passed throuuse- thq inachino during {lie jsqmo period." ' „ Nominations'qlosp for, thq 'Waigate mei last i«g on February 20. ''' V'. ijub -^TiWitrottiug- stallion. Young: Bcr(in w: aid found his box'laat week. ' ♦' ibe, —A payment is duo for the D.J.C. Chat out pigiie- Stakes on February 17.' lich — North -Otago Jockey Club will ho | ft their winter iiiegtijjg on ilnj'; 21' and 25!' veil • ~ Nominations for tho Forbury Park' lia L;„f ing Oi\)b races close on Tuesday, February 2 lile — If i> s«id ihat the V.R.C. will in futu ivs' employ- stewards' instead rif' — Stronghold's victory in'-'tho C.J.O. Midd ?"i Park Plate mark Sir Gcorgo Clifford's fir mi- victory in l tHe race. > c<6 _ Casket had three winning representative Iho at . Lawrence last week who'• captured foi md rapes between them.' liar — It is probable that Moccasin and Talui ely will find their my to Austraifi in time fi the winter meetings thore. sn® — It.# .M'Donald has worked a markt fits improvement ia Aiding# since, the daughti ers Rebellion has joined hia stablo. aid ' -Grand lipids hps been sold by 1 ;ia- »yrcn to a South. African sportsman, and : ho- shortly to be sent to country. ind Hawthorne pulled .tip lfvmo after mi lis- nm ? ln 'he President's Handicap at Lav lev renc s;, an d did not start on tho second da' >rs ■, , E n ßlwh-brea inure Pliiyaway is f n i ""J 1 ' 0 'or tho Newmarket Handicap, w bi; " fstmker is nominal favourite for the Aw »]>• tralian Cup. • . V !I 5 f t.7') 1 a recent M'ondale Park meetwi -nc Katafia won a ,race, but weighed-in 4oz shori ing and his owner lost a £75 stake and £100 c a his own money. ; ; :fit —Tho A.J.C. has decided not to rcgiste ely an assumed name for any woman, also not't ,Qtl .register the lease of a horse to any woman fo bo racing purposes.: 'go ' —Tho well-known rider,, B.- Turner, hai ick another application boforo tli'o Y.K.C. Cornnii; nd tee recently for a' riding license. The itnpli CSi cation was not entertained. ho —Tbrce Dunedin Cup candidates in Kel ire burn, Vladimir, and Pallas have cacb beei ,| e registering good work on"tlio trucks at Win ji>. S a 'ni during the past few days, log — Ejackstone is looking bright and wel r„i "fer his spell at the stud. Tho sou o i<rs ~ lo . n fi " c d out a bit, and is nov ~.i galloping fairly well in bis work. ' . — Metford, who landed r doifble on tlii rrf le Tucpeka meeting, is j ™ half-brother, by Buby, to Siepenfeldt, tin 'n winner of the recently-decided Gore Cup. 1)0 .— In a recent contribution to the Badmin'oi as Magazine, Mr Leopold de Kothscliiki ex iso pressed tho opinion that in England "racing is & "business nowadays with one and all." ° 7, 18 Aprcmont maro Bealey lias pro vn bp,b:y run her last race. She is thoroughly >w sound, but her new ownor Mias deoided (< is give the mare a spell prior to. putting lie] | 10 to tho stud. its —In great Britain last year there were 45? races for two-year-olds. Of these 400 wore run at loss than six furlongs, 50 at six furjn longs or upwards, but less than ft mile, and , eight at a mile. > lio 7 Mastcr Alix wna Purchased by Mr St John Buckley for £700, and if Dame Ruinoui e is correct the Stcpniak gelding returned more than his purchase money the first time ll j lie raced in his new ownership. „ — J. M'Comb rode four winners at Tuapeko ™ last week, and the up-country rider .T. Grey ■ r was the only other rider who scored more 'g than a single .win. . T. Tilson rode tho winty ners of a couple of the trotting events. c " —As soon as the weights for the Newmarnet 7 i,, l ' wcro mn ' lc known backers Ve!e;:tetl lo Playaway as tho most ; likely to supply the r. winner. Mr F.Toy's imported mare is now the •n ruling favourito for tho great V.R.C. sprint id' race. . , ' . . nt' ' — Amongst the. started at- Tnapeka was an d. aged chestnut gelding named Bolline (by of Fiske, son of Nordenfeldt), who. is a, halflv brother to Westerly, the $jew Zealander who D f played a prominent part in the last Vic- ,]; torian .-Grand National campaign, r- , As Wairi-ki's off foreleg is shorter, ccnJG sequent upon the accident to his shoulder, )k / 00 ' has been fitted up with an alumiiiiu.'n n dovice, which' greatly assists comfortable rest- ' ing. Tho date ' of departure of the horse • for New Zealand has .not yet been fixed. •f —Pegasus wa3 boasting to the other homos "I have ■ darried the great poets," he said, "while you draw the waggons and carriages of everyone." "I suppose," sneered Bucephalo his, as he laughed horsely, "you draw uoue ?• but literary hacks?" which showed conis siderablo horse cense at that.—Detroit Trite buno. . -, 'O —Tho Duneclin Cup winper Orloff is ren ported • to t be in work lit Waimate. Tho ;s Stepniak gelding should mako a likely.winnor of a district race, as there is n-.possi-,n , bility there is not enoiigh lead that part ig-1 of tho world to weight him out" of such a o race, • , ' is — TI'O consistent Flower o' Clutha is. in work again, after a spell necessitated''by slightly,wrenching' oiie of, her joints bt' the recent Gore meeting. . The daughter of c Trump CRrd is apparently quite sound again, ' and got through a useful sort of a task on Saturday morning without displaying any traco of kraeiiess. . ... n ~. '•" 180 ™' 10 are desirious of having their. trotting-bred brood marcs included in tho o Trotting Stud Book which is fo be' issued I'J the Ne\v Zealand Trotting Association r should at once communicate with Mr F. C. o of the Chrißtclmvch iieferee, \v)io T wi!l dunnly form.i iriWng a guidance to tho e information required. — Jewel' Case, the winper of tho Maiden ,v- Plpte at Tuaneka, is a brother to Hoirlpom, U but does not resemble him either in colour or .. conformation. Tho first-named is a brown p find much stoutcr-bnilt than Heirloom, but ij the difForonce in abearance does not mean 0 a change of quality, as the newcomer appears 0 to possess a fair amount of pace.- , — Stronghold, who is regarded as a quitter by somo who. saw liim-racing ot 'Wellington, ' gave, a glimpse of his two-vear-olc. form last f wesk, whon ho captiircd' the Middle Pork Plntc.- The colt, the writer bas been informed, did noi. finish top generously, and '- there was not an' ounce of pressure on his s reins when ho was reported to have sailed a home an 1 easy winner. 0 -r-After soveral inquiries, at which a con--9 siderablo amount of evidence was heard, the 1 V.R.C. Committee has meted out punishment f to Frank Fielder over the W.P. case. The i comhiittoc hold another meeting, and deci'lod t that_Fieldor's license should be cancelled r.td V withdrawn. , It is probable that others ron--3 nected, with 'tho case will also conie under the T ban. . 1 • ' —How is this for superstition?- While Ful- ' initiator was doing his preliminary at a recent £ Adelaide meeting he struck, a sparrow, and. the bird fell dead close to the stewards' stand. ' Two or three persons (sava an exchange) wi.o noticed this, took it as an oinon that Fulmiuatorwasa"dead bird" for the race, clubbed together, and backed the horse, who won, end ! paid £20 13s. > — Tho Southland and South Canterbury 1 Jocltcy Clubs have selected dates which clash with, each other' for their autumn iueetinga. 1 Both clubs would be studying their best > interests if they made a fresh selection, as, •_ with facilites for doing so, several horses ; would no doubt. at each meeting; but • if the present dales aro adhered to, either s one or the other would prove a loser. i —The latest innovation to come into vogue . in America is an electrical apparatus which . displays, immediately after tho finish, the , numbers of,the placed horses in three or four , different parts of a course. Tho judge has • merely to touch electric buttons corresponiinK ; to the card number of the horses in races, p.nd tho most outlying parts o! {he track are in- , stantly informed as to the rosult of the races. — Tho jockey A, Williamsm has been suspended for three months by the V.R.C. Committee for "cheeking" the Mooneo Valley stewards. Quito right (says an exchange, in referring to tho matter). Snue •' jockeys aro so spoilt by flatterers that tboy rhavo an idea tliat they are little tin gods. The committee at the same meeting cautioned F. W. Clifton for betting, contrary to ;l:e rules. — An annountement has been made that during 1003-4 i 1,357,283, or £31,450 more than in 101)1-2, had -passed through the totalisator in New Zealand. The percentage paid to tho Treasury amounted to the substantial sum of £20,480. During the 18 years 232G totaiisator licenses - have been issued; have been invested by the public) and tho Treasury has benefited to tho extent of £ISG|OSS. . . — A'Windsor (Enp.) working man has invented a recall apparatus for adjustment to the' starting gate, which, it is claimed, is rcrtfi'in to prevent/horses from running the course in a false start. /V • light framework is stretchcd across the coiirse some distance in fropt of tho gate, and tho starter can, by pressing a lever, instantaneously rejease a flag, which flics to tho centre of the framewcrk. . The mechanism is simple,' and iiio apparatus certainly merits a trial. — Tugela sjppears to jiave struck . form again, and at Lawrence' last _week galloped in her best style, although she bad to register two defeats out of. three raco3. Sho appeared to.be made a bit top mpch nso of in the early part of tho T.J.C, Handicap", witli the result that sho could not respond to her rider's call at the business end of the journay, but prbbably nothing\but bad luck prevented the daughter of Manawanui capturing the Farewell Handicap." ' — A considerable period hod elapsed prior to the recent C -T.C. meeting eince theweterran horseman R. Derrett donned Mr O. G. ■ Stead's yellow and black, and it is pleasing to noto that tjie one'timo premier horseman of tjie stable aignali>ed his wearing pf tho colours by steering a winner at the first tjmo . of asking. Depret's former association jnd success in the Yaldhurst stable wero.evidently not forgotten by the racegoers present at. Ric'carton, .as he was accorded an ovation before and after the race... , . — The'Positdno—'Waiting'.-Maid filly named .Riviera, in . W.-M'Donald's stable, is a sbapoly filly, whom it is' hoped in due courso .will inake amend' fpr the d'sappointinfr. dis- | nlay of and the much-boomcd Crich- , :ton, whd, on' account nf.catching Petroyna' I'whau.she was a bit of! colour,,and beating ! I her oyer Rix furlopgs at.a difference of abflut • 3st, was assessed very highly by some critics.- i

hl l° S lvie m a 8 Waiting Maid is by Goro fro ugh lea aray. by Bandmaster from Maori Quce by Musket—Rangi, - ieet- f— I" referring to the horse-breeding' indu try and iho grcpt iiiorket that 'offers in tl was East, the, Sydney', Mail says:-In order breed , good stock the best mare's roust'l am, retained in the stud, and, as it is necessa; at times to protect a man against himse; lold sp the should step in and pr vrat the exportation of good mares, ar .{n C . should back up that action by a stallion ta 21. which would be fatal to tho cheap, weec turo specimens of horseflesh that, at best on of roproduce their kind. ' f? "•« custom 'down under' to rii Idle corat« a classic horse ivith six yards of brH first blue ribbon, a . piece of tomfoolery wlile causod Sy]vanite, tho recent Melbourno Ue:!: ives winner, to stampede, and tramplo on am: [our shrieking femininity in the . paddock. * b" yond recording tho event wo deem tho mun uno n [ lcr J' too idiotic to commcnt upon." go sayst for tno London Sporting Times; but when raisin for decorations and trophies was. tho ardf kod P' tho .'day, the sport was cloancr, and ha ltor- J lo ' degenerated into'tho business which it lit bocome to-day., Mr "7 The death is reported of the Aprcmoi I is horso Strathbraan. who wo the Wellington Clip of 1607. Strathbraan wt nn- W. by Mr P, Camnbell, and his dam : aw- B ' ster to Martini-Henri, winner of tli lay. Melbourne Cup V.R.C. Derby, 1883, and S f„ v . Leger of 1884. En Garde, by St. Simon Oi; bile Engagement, who was sont to Englan .us- J" 1832 i .is regarded as one of tho be«tJ>re horses m the world. Sandhurst, who wa Jig, rc " by the crack performer Bendigo, nn Drt, Engagement a first foal in England prove pf a rank failure us a racehorso after ho wa sent out bore a 9 a yearling. ;ter _It w ? 3 anticipated" that the totaliaato ■to turnover in Froncc last year would be mud for greater thaii previously, hut tho returns fo tho first nine .months of 1901 showed a tall in] iad °® °' -£IGO,OOO, as compared with tho previou lir- J' ool '- When tho mattor was being discujie: ill- »' Parliament it was stated that in 1902 th machine turned over £10,000,000, in J!)0; !el- whi|e up to tho end of last .Voreni :en "Or the figures for 1901 wero ouly £0,703,610 j n . Oiie of the members asserted that one reaaoi for the falling-off was that the superiority u ell St. Blanc's stable had prevented tho events o of tho turf being as speculative as usual, ow e New Zealand-bred mare Lady Avoi Btood out as champion among tho ponies a ilie ? r . ecollt Calcutta meeting, With 3.11 sin „ easily won tho International Pony Plnti he (14.2), of 3300r5, soven furlongs. She ran th< distance in Imin 31 sec, .and was follo\yec on nome by Matalgia, 9.7, and Natalina, 9,3, tin :x- pn'y other runner being Chippy Norton, wlic ng did not show any form. As Lady Avbr ' started at ito 1 on, her supporters did nol ro- much by her success. A feyr days later, lly with 10.7, alio ran away wit'\ tho Stand Plate fo (14.1). of 1200rs, six furlongs, tho timo rerer corded being lmin 1G l-ssec. — The disqualification of Mr Barney Allen 53 and his jockoy, Murphy, was brought about iro by the unsatisfactory running of the ex-Sycl ,r- ney*gelding Camira in the Holly Plate nt the nd Calcutta meeting on December 31. ■ Camira opened favourito for tho race named, hut siul3t, denly rccodcd in price, and ran nowhere, while i)r Kingston, who came into tho market with S oil rattlo at tho last moment, and touched !2 tc no L won after a good tussle with Run Metali Tho stewards were of opinion that the casa kii called for an inquiry, and after thoroughly ey rgoing into it, notified that Allen, Murphy, no and Camira wore warned off tho Calcuttl n- courso and other places wliero the Calcutta rules were in force. et —Mr Stead has expressed the opinion (saj ed the Melbourne Loader) that. Nightfall is the lie best (illy he has over owned. This writer !i e has been always under tho impression that .It Bluefire's real capabilities as a raccr wore nover fully ascertained, although sho won in tho Challcngo Stakes, Champagne Stakes, by C.J.C. Derby, and Oaks. Besides Cruciform If., and Blue Ore, Mr Stead's coionrs have never io been associated with many mares of note, and i c . few can be named except Marion, Ich Dien, Beljicent, Rose Argent, and latterly Munjeet. n. Cruciform, it will be remembered, won q few races, and her dethronement so oarly in m tho day is a bit of a surprise. It is to be >t- hoped that it is not a casp of tho Queen 3 C is dead—long. live tho Queen, . — Since the secretarial reins of the North s. O'ago Jockey Club havo been placed- in tho d, .bands of Mr G, M. Proctor,' that body haa 0 f 'aken a fresh lease of life, and, encouraged a- K pleasing success which attended their le latest meetings, tho club, has decided to a- m . a ®| a . ' llr 'ber increase in the prize money which is to be hung up in connection with their forthcoming winter meeting. ' Tho e- amount of prize money to ho given, awav j 0 is £700, or close on £200 ovsr what ivas given „. away at tho last winter meeting, and also ; j„ a considerable mcreasc on what was given rt "way at this season's spring meeting. Tho „ club has also appointed a permanent carotftker, winch is suro to bo appreciated by il? aD -, the mdv J n g s P iri ts of the )y ii.u.j.o. are. deserving of congratulation in 16 "JI!? - to e "banco tho prestige of D f tno white City as a racing centre, a. —Iho new order to the police that tho llt owners of properties are to be summoned for ,y allowing betting to bo carried on in their premises is causing some' trouble amongst if the silver shop men. One or two havo al--10 ready retired, and (says a Sydney writer) ono hoars of others who intend shutting up shoo m for, a time. One man who docs a very x heavy trade, will have to seek fresh quarters, 10 as the landlord will not renew his lease. i 0 ifo doubt there will be a test case fo decide whether tho bookmakers cai, beat tho latest :n move of tho authorities. Betting lately has a, not been very brisk, and results bad, bo that )r thero is by no moans tho money in it that n there was. Then, tho shops have increased it at such a rate, both in tlie city and suburbs, n that it is a wonder some can find any pa'.rons :b at all. — 'J.he results of some interesting experiir ments which have been made at the Utah j, Experimental Station are reported in the it' Breeders' Gazette. Among these is one k which referred to the watering of horses— i- whether before or after feeding, the i-onclu-d sion arrived at being that thoso watered bes fore showed the better appetite and retained d their weight better than -the others. .The food, however, .appeared to be digested equally i* well in both cases, and, in tho opinion of a the station, it is advisable, to water both before and after feeding. Experiments wcro 5 °' 8 o made in feeding horses upon cut hay J or chaff and grain mixed, and the same feeds J separately, but threo exhaustive trials failed to show that any advantage was gained by 6 cutting the hay and mixing it with ths grain. " —The N.S.W. stewards acting on the , pony courses, have the power, and exercisa it, of examining a horse's feet beforo ho • starts in a race, to seo whether he is r.prrying plates, aluminium, or ordinary shoes.* " It would bo well, perhaps, if tlioy went a j little further, and inquired whether it was altogether necessary to run a horse in boots. A short timo ago a pony, who went out with hoots on, was badly beaten by the favourite, but subsequently, without the cncumbranco j. took charge of a,big field and won. The longer distance of the previous race may havo J been responsible for the defeat, but (says j an exchange) the fact cannot bo denied that somo-who noticed the boots on at the timo were particularly sanguine about the favou- , rite's chance, and did not hesitate to lay | extravagant odds on. —No trainer in England has made graatct ; strides towards the front during tho past | year than the Australian trainer J. E. Brewer. , Last season he commenced with a moderato j lot of horses, owned by Mr R. H. Hcnning, but he did so well with them that this year (say? an exchange), in addition to the gentleman ( named, his paltons include Lord Clonm c .ll, , and Messrs E. Croker, W. Clark, and L. Ro- | binson. . 110 has 42 horses in hia stable, and as these will probably be added to, lie will t have his hands full. So far as quality is con- , corned, ho will lmve tho best of material to ■ work upon, as, in addition to the Derby candidatc, Rouge Croix, he will be strong in two- ' year-olds, his team including three of tho highest-priced yearlings sold in England la3t year. These aro the property of Mr R. Croker. ■ Altogether, Brewer's prospects are very bright, and he must be decidedly pleased that ho gave the Old Country a second trial. - —An American exchango reckons that tho trotting enthusiast, Mr C. K. G. Billings, has more than £60,009 invested in fine horseflesh. Tho post of maintaining these horses is placed at £20.000 a year. He owns, among others, Lou Dillon, 2min Isoc, queen of tho trotting turf; Major Delmar, 2min ljscc, world's champion gelding; Tho Monk and Equity, world's trotting record to pole, 2mip 73seo; Charlie Mac, 2niin 143 sec, world's record to saddle; Prince Biroct aud Hontas Crook, lmin O'sec,, world's pacing record ha]f-milo to pole; Morning Star and Princo Direct, 2min Cscc, world's aniateur pacing record'to nolo; Prince of Orange, 2min Louise Jefferson, 2min 9}sec; Fred. 8. Wcdgewood, 2mjn ss.ee; Mazetto, 2min 4)seo; and Angus Pointer, 2min 4Jscc. Mr Billings is the sola owner of the mile track at MeipnhiSi whore ho also owns the entire street railway system. Ilis great fprtunc, left by his' father, was made in the Chicago gas companies consolidation. — The Asian, in dealing with tho race for the Viceroy Cup, liad the following to say concerning Great Scot's victpry:—"lt wbb a marvellous and staggering performance,, and the npt reault pf it all is that there can bo no - possible interest in any future Viceroy's Cup so loifg as this horse can be brought to th<> post even a quarter fit. There is nothing in India, in our opinion, within 2st of him when ho is really well, and this being bo, it .means that ha lias fjot a njortgago for some years to. come upon tho ono big wcjgbt-for-ago race in India. It has' been said of. Great Scot by those who know him beat t|mt in order to get him right to run ho. must be galloped to death, and that unless ho is strung up like a greyhound he can never bo relied upon to win races. This assertion is most conclusively disnrqved, for the !>,!>rse,hqs npt ( 'with the exception of two gallops in public, been out of i>. captcr for close upon a month. "It is said that thrro are piany people anxious to buy Great Scot, for England, and that, it is in contemplation fo mako Mr Apear an offer of a .substantial figure." .... ,'

CRICKET. By "Loxg Sup."

PROPOSED NEW ZEALAND TOUR OF AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN. Wellington „ 'Wellington „ 17, ]S, 20 Canterbury „ Christchurch „ 24, 25,27 Otago „ Duncdin Itch. 3, 4, 6 N.Z. „ Christchurch „ 10,11,13 O. Wellington „ 15,10,17 leave Auckland March 20. Tho following lablo shows the positions of the First Grade teams in'the Cup Competition : — Matches Champ. Team. Playe'd. Won. Lost. Points. Carisbrook B .... 7 G 1 7 Duncdin .. .. .. 7 4 3 5 Carisbrook A .... - 7 4 3 6 Grange 7 4 3 4 ilbion 7 2 5 8 Opoho 7 1 01 Tho • Southland Cricket Association has written tho Otago Association suggesting that the two extra men against the Australians should bo ekes™ Irom Southland. The only players in the smith whom tho writer knows as being fit for inclusion aro Wilson and Katie. It was thought interesting enough to telegraph 111 is from the north: "A point about ono of Trumpcrs bats is that about ton fromjho lwteom a .pcrfect hollow, which has been made by the continual striking of tho ball, is to be seen on it." Press and scorers will be provided for in a special moaner at Carisbrook during the Australian ma»;h. It is intended to erect for their use n-pcrmanentwoather-proof structure close to the public pavilion. ' This edifice, while probably not being very "imposing," will certainly meet requirements, and should prove a boon to both press and scorors. Tho pity is that a. more favourable site was not chosen for the structure.

The claims of Johnston, the Grange batsman, have been, apparently overlooked by tho Selection Committee in choosing the 'players to practise for the match against the Australians. Jolnaton has been batting most consistently this season. He is the type of batsman badly wanted on the Otago side.

Two gates at tho railway end ol Carisbrook arc to be opened during the Australian match. This arrangement should prove of great convenience to the public making for Carisbrook by the elcctrio cars, .which now run past the ground. The Dunedin Amateur Ground Company, rnth the assistance of the Otago Cricket Association and tho Otago ltugby Union, is having Carisbrook connected by telephone. The instrument should lie found of great conveniejico to tenants of tho ground. A resident in Sydney has received a letter irorn Spotfortb, who states that unless new blood of exceptional quality is included in the Australian ariokot team it will have no chance whatever against tho present strength of England. Playing fox the Eoslvn Fourth Grade team on Saturday, Bnrt bagged four wickets in consccutivo balls, and iiit up 52 runs out of a total of 150.

An Auckland appreciation of an ox-Caris-brook cricketer: Air Ohlson, the solo selector of the team to meet tlio Australians, lias deleted the name of Hussoy from the list of 16 originally chosen. This seems rather hard luck, as the North Shore player has shown much nioro consistent form this fceason than some of tiiose actually selected. Mr 1\ C. ltapbael, hon. secretary of the New Zealand Cricket Council, sent the following telegram to Mr Frank Eaver, manager of the Australian Eleven, on their arrival:—"New Zealand Cricket Council and cricketers of New Zealand heartily wel-. tome you and the members of your team to this colbny, and-tmsb that you mil all thoroughly enjoy your visit." Local cricketers wore treated to ideal ■weather on Saturday. Wickets were true and fast. Nothing sensational happened during the afternoon, and the cricket was for the most part of the tame order. Ditncdin gave a. weak exhibition of batting against Carisbrook A, Howdon and Fisher going through the whole, side for 57 runs. Albion made a good staad in their second strike against Grange, aad had time not been so "pressing," would possibly have uiado matters very interesting. As events turned out, Grange won cat the first innings. Both Carisbrook teams secured two points on Saturday. The A Eleven, which claims three or four rep. cricketers, added 3t run? to their scoro from tho previous Saturday, ivhich stood at five for 104. The regaining Jive batsmen made a poor stand against the bowling of lteardon and Torrance. ' As previously stated, Dunedin's batting was very feeblo. Trying to force tho pace, Shaddock and Keardon wero both run out. Mackersey shaped well Cor his runs, but Howden's slows appeared to trouble him a bit.

Tho A Eleven obtained the runs required to give them a two-point victory with the loss of a wicket, I'he unfortunate was Howden, who batted so well in tho firstinnings of the A. The batsman was caught behind the wickets by Watkins. Harry Graham batted well for the few runs he bad to get.

Will rthe ex-international strike form before meeting the Australians? is the question that is agitating tho minds of local cricketers. Appears as if he was getting on that way. It was whispered nie that Graham did not field as brilliantly as usual on Saturday. Well, I "suppose even a cricketer who has fielded at Lord's ana Eiado his hundred in a test mateh has his "off days. Some cricketers I could name without distressing myself never have "on" days in tho field. Would it were otheriviso, especially in view of the coming big engagement. Writing qf fielding recalls the fact that the hint thrown out in these columns a couplo of weeks ago in respect to tho presentation of a bat to the gentleman who secures the most' catches against the Australians has not yet been given effect to. I notice ono enthusiast (more/power to him!) lias offered a bat to the best bowler and most successful batsman against cur redoubtable opponents. I should like to see some such recognition made of tho most successful fieldsman. It would be the most "ractical method of preaching a sermon on the merit of acccptcd chances.

Carisbrook B bowlers and fieldsmen disposed of Opoho twice in tho afternoon. Tho feature of the hill team's first innings was the splendid batting of ICilgour. The little cricketer gave a really first class exhi-, bit-ion of batting for 33. Several of Ills off strokes wore particularly good. Other batsmen who assisted towards tho 123 total w-c-re Drake, M'Gavin, Chad'wick, and M'Lean. To bo honest, I did not see these men batting, and they may have obtained their runs with the grace of a 'l'rumper. Even if tlioy did not, of this I am sure, that their runs, when summing up the total, arc quite equal in value to those obtained by the most correct cricket, and after all, in defeat or victory, it's the score that counts.

An eye witness of Saturday's game informs me that Carisbrook B trundlers ■were howling short. He thinks that if Maitland and Austin wero to pitch them up a bit moro they would meet with much better success. I think so too, on' the score that the bowler who keops a good length is rhe 0110 most likely Jo meet with success. He certainly is the 0110 most deserving of it. After ail absence of many years, P. H. Campbell appeared in a senior match 011 Saturday, playing for Carisbrook B against Opoho. Campbell is not quite so active os lie was when ho first played for Dunodin, I quite forget how many years ago, but that bowling arm has lost little of its sting, and with practice there is 110 telling what it might bring fortii. The High School man bowled exceedingly well 011 Saturday. Included in his three wickets, for 27 runs •were those, of M'Gavin and Eckhoff, who wero the top scorers in Opoho's second innings. "

The epidemic at- Carisbrook on Saturdaywas not "catching." This is not my owft One more worthy perpetrated it many years ago; nevertheless it applies with equal forcc to-day. A sermon" on the evil of dropped catches might, have been preached with good result.? in both senior matches played oil Saturday on the ground which is shortly to be the scene of a struggle for cricket supremacy between Australia and Ot-ago. Before this contest comes off, might I suggest that the local men picked for practice be given in_addition to bowlin? and batting a straight out course of field practice. Ot ago cannot afford to concedea single "life" to the men who are after the mythical ashes. Somo fast scoring was witnessed in the Second match at Carisbrook on Saturday between Roslyn and Carisbrook D. The former side were left with 120 to get to win and 40 . minutes in which to get the required runs. V. Anderson and S. Goyen' scored rapidly, hitting up 90 before time. The two hill batsmen were very aggressive, and gave a really good exhibition of "champagne" cricket. A little more of this vigorous style would see increased attendances'at local matches.

There 'was a good deal of unnecessary apDealinz in the foregoing match, Roslyn being the principal sinner in .'this respect, several members. of that side appealing almost every time the ball hit the batsman's leg or the wicketkeeper made a catch. It is absurd for a man, say, at square leg appealing for Ibiv. . t A anintry pressman on the "odds on game: The approaching visit of the Australian cricketers is making local knights of % tte dewy pjorfi aad tue

dusky twilight at the nets, smiting imaginary "boundaries"' at- the expense of,.the howling talent, while the latter is assiduously cultivating length of spin from tho "on" or the "off," as the case-may be, in the hone of getting past the bats of tho men who aro going Home to England for., tho "ashes" of international cricket,' While the prospective team is getting , its eye in, a controversy has sprung up whether Otago shall play 11 or 13 men against the "Commonwelters." If, is rccogniscd that defeat is inevitable in cither case, but supporters of a 13 team evidently hope to minimise it with the two extra men. On the other hand, there is an objection that tho compilers, of-cricket record for the benefit of posterity look on-matches played with extra mon as a mongrel fort of game, and "give thorn scant recognition in crickct annals. Most people seem to think that the Otago match should be played with an exact-team, even if it is only to give us the measure of our inferiority, and with them. I am inclined to agree. The lxmlcr and'the wicketkeeper, by virtue of their positions, have the most right to call to tho umpire. Players in oilier than the positions named should nit appeal for lb\v.

The present will l>e the fifth occasion on which an Australian team has visited New Zealand, though in the majority of instances the tour was made on the return of the plqyerfi from England. The first- team to visit New Zealand was the pioneer combination in 1878, which defeated 22 of Invereargill, Oaitiarn. Wellington, Napier, and Auckland, played a drawn same with 22 of Otago, and were beaten by 15 of Canterbury. Tho 1880 colonial team carried out a more extensive programme in No.w Zealand, when it beat 22 of Invercargill, Duncdin, South iCanterbiiry, Wellington, Napier, and Auckland, and 15 of Canterbury; but il; was beaten by 22 of Wangajiui by 10 wickets, while .of Nelson played a draw. Six years later the Australians again visited the colony, and they Ijoat 22 of Ofago and Hawke's May, but the games with 18 of Canterbury anc 22 of Wellington and Auckland resulted .in draws. The next visit from the Australians was paid in 1896, when the team was captained by 6. 11. S. Troit. Drawn matchcs were played with 18 in Auckland and Wellington, but 18 of Southland were beaten by an innings, and 15 of Otago by 17 runs. The fifth match of t.hc tour was against. 15 of New -Zealand, this being the first occasion that a combined New Zealand team met" tho* Australians. The match was played at Christchurch, and the .finish proved most exciting, the visitors winning by five wickctG just oil the call of time.

Victor Trumper has sbown to tho public by his cricket, ,both for his club and his State, that he is physically fit to enter any contest of the cricket field. In England in 1902 he was classed by the critics as the leading batsman of the world. Barring accidents (says Syduey Referee), one believes he will this year prove that ho had not attained his zenith when in England last, his wonderful and. unprecedented performances notwithstanding. Mr F. Lavcr lias issued a novel souvenir programme of matches and itinerary of the Australian team. It is in the shape of a folding card, on the insido of which is a small photograph of each, of the 15 players who comprise the party, with their autographs on an adjoining page. It is worth noting that the leading Cricket Associations of Australia offered to advince sufficient monoy to cover tho preliminary expenses of the Australian Eleven to England, it was decided at a meeting of tho players (from which two or three prominent members, including the manager, were absent) fo ask the Melbourne C.C. to make the advance.

By pulling together as a team, the 1805 band of Australians will probably meet with plenty of success. They aro a very powerful batting side on good wickets, and very fair all-round on bad ones. Tho weak point of tho team, compared with a majority of Australian Elevens of the past, is'bowling, especially on slow wickots. Of course, some of the men who first visited England in 1902 have improved, notably Hopkins, and Armstrong. This pair, together with Cotter, will probably have any amount of "work to do. As the bowling is the side's weak spot, one \rould like to sec 11.. A.' Noble's bowling as far as possible reserved for tho tot matohes, for ho is not a man ; who can keep on bowling match after match, and two matches a _ week, for a lengthy term without losing hissting. Cotter will, I bolicve (writes "Not Out," in Sydney Referee), he tho side's strongest bowler— that is, his bowling will probably he of greater assistance to the side than tliat of anyone else, though ho might not bead tho averages. One would like to feel that Howell and M'Lcod are likely to succeed as Australian Eleven bowlers should. But one does not feel justified in expecting marked success by cithor of the pair, 'lucy have everyone's best wishes, and I sincerely liopo that they will achieve far greater things than their Australian form indicates as likely. C. 13.- Fry lias an article on the personnel of the Australian cricket team in tho Daily Express. Criticism of tho selectors' choice'may, he thinks, bo very well left to the Australian newspapers. _ The English point of view should be that in all probability three good judges—all of them actively connected with current first-class cricket in Australia, and acquainted by cxpsrionco with the conditions of cricket over here—have chosen the best available 13 men. If they havo chosen old bands, wo may take it that no new hands as. good aro available. The Australians are wise enough to perceive that change for tho sake of change has nothing to recommend it. Of the batting strength Mr Fry says:—'Tt is a soundish kind of batting side, containing a strong wedgo "of real danger. ]f tho likelihood of their scoring heavily resides in four batsmen, the rest aro of a sort that precludes the likelihood of cheap dismissal. They do not lcok a. team which even- our best bowlers will get out for totals that would make the task of our batsmen quite easy. Tlioy may—and I think thoy willprove 1 a very difficult team to defeat. But bowling," he adds, "is the chief point. Is this team up to tho best Australian standard in bowling? Much, of course, depends on Cotter. Tho members of Warner's team thought he would do well on English wickets. He is quite different in style from E. Jones, being, I am told, more like Wilson, of and doea not possess Jones's tromendous east-iron physique and sheer 'cart-horse' strength. But he is a bowler who, if carefully use.!; shows a fine spice of pace and a-lively whip from the pitch. Ho comes in really instead of Saunders, while M'Lcod takes. Hugh Trumblo's. place. Saunders was a variable and peculiar bowler—sometimes poor, sometimes very difficult.' If we have a wet'year Saunders v.'ill be missed, and Cotter will not adequately replace him. But on dry wickets I should say Cotter is the more valuable bowler." Callings of vonio members of present Australian team: M. A. Noble is a <tentist, Victor Trumper is a partner in a sports depot, Phil Newlands is 'a lawyer, Gehrs is an associate of the School of Mines, Darling runs a sports depot in Adelaide and has a sheep farm in Tasmania, Gregory is connected with a sports depot in Sydney, Duff is a clerk, likewise Armstrong and Hopkins, Hill is a stock and share broker, Howell a. bee farmer, while M'ljeod is connected with his father's business in the shipping line. AUSTRALIAN CRICKET CHATTEL (FEOU OOR OWX COKP.ESrOXDENT.) The Melbourne Cricket Club is .up. in arms against the resolution carried at (he conference of the different State associations, recently held in Sydney, with reference' to the joint associations, having the control of international cricket for tho future.. It happens that onoe upon a time tho Melbourne Cricket Club lost some £3000 over an English team they imported, aiid they have been using this fact as a sort of ad misericordiam appeal to bo allowed, to retain their former monopoly. .The whirligig of time has brought in its revenges, however, and the M.C.C. will he compelled to acknowledge that, so far as they arc individually concerned, "the jig is up:". And quite time, too. Tho "certainties," who first selected the Australian team, and subsequently generously allowed the so-called "selectors" of the various ■ associations to endorse their judgment, are stil keeping up the game , of sham and make-believe. At a meeting of the team, held in Sydney on Saturday night, to take into consideration'the offer of the people of Tasmania to pay Windsor's expenses to England, and a similar proposal from tho Carlton Cricket Club (Victoria) with reference to Saunders, the following resolution was adopted:—"ln view of'the fact that tho Australian cricket team of 1905 has been selected by properly-constituted selectors, only in. case of 'any member of the team being incapacitated would Windsor uiid Saunders be asfied to play." On the face of it, that resolution is so murh "flapdoodle," seeing that, as (lie selected Australian team numbers 15 available cricketers, there would have to be no'less than five of tlicm (not '"any member" alone) "incapacitated" ere the services : of eitln»r Windsor or Saunders, could' lie availed of. It is more than probable, however, tTiat, Sawders will 1« sent Ilomo to try and qualify for an English county, if for naught-, else, as'lfe appears to be. clamnet] beyond hope of : redemption liv some of the Victorian cricketincr posvGrs that be, arid tHis, .despite;.Major,B. J,'-Wardill's,highly.eulo-

gistic lotter (in tho possession of the'Carlton C.C.) as to Saunders's behaviour and deportment on his previous visit to England.

ATHLETICS. Br Amatebb.

FIXTURES. March 17 and 18—New Zealaud championship meeting, at Cliristchurcli.. . N.Z. TOUR OF WORLD'S CHAMPIOMS. At Duncdin—Saturday, March 11. At Christchurch—Friday and Saturday, March 17 andi 18. i ■ At 'Welliugton—Saturday, March 25. At Auckland—Saturday, April 1. Tho Duncdin loiig-distancp' runner, Hector Burk, has by his recent performances, set the enthusiasts thinking. _ Auckland athletes, we are told by wire, are anxiously watching tho . carc-er of the. Duncdin distance man.

Tho following programme, submitted by a eub-coinmitteo of the Wellington Centre in connection with the ShrubbOJuli'ey meeting, has been approved7s, 100, 120, and BSU yards. handicap, one-mile and threomile handicap's, steeplechase, two-mile walk, half-mile walk, 120 yds hurdles, high jump, long jumpj putting 161b weight, intcreollege 100 yds and 440 yds, inter-public schools 100 yds and 220 yds, one-mile bicyclo handicap, two-mile ' and three-mile wheel raco, and amateur wrestling competition. The suspension of B. .1. Blunden, the ex-amateur half-mile champion of England, has been removed by tho A.A.A. Commenting on the co'.ouial tour of tlm world's champion athletes, Athletic News asks: "Is this hippodroming healthy in amateur athletics';"

Amateur athletics connot be. thriving in Edinburgh, for from a Homo file I learn that the Edinburgh University Athletic Club is in debt to the,tune of £163 7s 3d.

The two Australian athlc-tes selected to tour the colony, competing at meetings a'.on'g with Shrubb and Dutfey, aro G. A. Whcatley, a noted distance runner of "Victoria, and G. A. Widmer, the 100 yds and 4Myds champion of New South Wales. is quite apparent that generosity is nof one of tho virtues of our Christchurch brethren, who are.evidently of the opinion, judging by press comments, that all that is best in athletics moves, lives, and has itfi being in tho city which is called Cathedral. The foregoing is occasioned by the following .ungenerous remarks by "Sprinter" in last week's Canterbury Times:—"Some Dunedinitcs are apparently trying to persuade young Burk that he has a good chance of beating Shrubb over the mile 'course. 1 do not b'.ame Burk, but rather applaud him tor his pluck in trying, but for those who would infect this fine young sport with 'swelled head,' I would say tlmt there are still a few in this colony whom tho Dunedinilo must beat before lie can seriously look upon Alfred Shrubb as a rival- Remember,' Shrubb's time for a mile is close to tmin 20see," It is not claimed that Burk will defeat Shrubb over a mile course, but that lit and well lie will put up a good performance against the English distance champion. For "Sprinter's" information I may mention that Burk ran a half mile off scratch on Saturday last in 2min 3seo against a gale of wind, coriiing out half an hour later and winning the mile off scratch.in 4niin 35 2-ssce. It might be noted that this makes Burk's time under unfavourable conditions only. 13 2-ssec worse than the redoubtable -English champion's 'best performance at tho distance of 4niin 22scc ("Sprinter"' states "close to train 20sec"), established at the English Amateur Championship meeting in Ju.y last. It is possible, bu| very improbable, that Shrubb will run up to his best form in the colonies, and as his best for the mile is 4min 22scc, and Burk's tirao under adverse conditions for tho same distance is 4niiu 35 2-sscc, is it not reasonable to suppose that flic' young Dunedin distance runucr will, fit and woll, put up a good performance against the redoubtable English champion? The Ohristchurch writer will probably allow that those on the spot are in a much better position for judging what this young athlete is capablo of doing and the method than those who sit in judgment over 200 miles away. The big wrestling match between Button Singh, the Indian, who claims to bo champion of Australasia, his partner, Gunga Brahm, and George Ilackunschmidt, the "Russian Lion," was fixed to take placc at tho Exhibition Buildings, Melbourne, on ■ Saturday last, ' No report of the result has yet reached us. Ilackenschmidt hits taken on a big contract, for he was to wrestle the two Hindoos in tho same

On the arrival of Slirubb and Duffey in Melbourne the other day tlicy were welcomed. on behalf of the New Zealand Association by Mr David Mills, while at tho conference tho N.Z.A.A.A. was represented by Mr Parkinson, of the Victorian Athletic Council.

All good sportsmen will approve of the action taken by the _ Amateur Athletic Association, at its speciai general committee meeting (says an English paper) with reference to the N.Z. Amateur Athletic Association's invitation to Alfred Slirubb to take part in various colonial championships. The New Zealand authorities have undertaken to pay all expenses in connection . with the trip. Inasmuch as the English governing body, despite its fat profits on championships, big balances at the bank, and lucrative investments in Government stock, do?s not see its way clear to incur that big outlay, it would have been a dog-in-the-manger policy to placo any obstacle in the way of the champion going out to meet—and doubtless to beat—the best ..that the colonies can produce, especially as lie is as keen on going as is. the . New Zealand Association on receiving him. Tho following records were passed at the last meeting of the English Amateur Athletic Association:— J. AV. Morton's 120 yds in 114-fisec at the London Athletic Ciub's ineetnig at Stamford Bridge, on September 24, 190-i. _ J. Butler's walking records, from 25 miles (in 3hr -4Gmin 34sec) to 30 mites (in dlir SSmin 40sec), inclusive, in the Blackheath Harriers' Fifty Miles Open Race, at the Crystal Palace, ■ on October' 1) 1901.

F.'B. Thompson's walking records, from 31 miles (iii 4hr oOmin lOsec) to 50 miles (in 7hr 57min 33sec), and 50 miles *137 yards (in 8 hours), inclusive", on the same occasion.

A. Shrubb's two miies running record of 9min 9 3-ssec, at Ibrcx Park, Govan, Glasgow, on .Tune "11, 1004, and his four miles (in 19nrin -23 2-otec) on tho 13th of the same month, on the some track. < G. E. Larnor's one mile walk (in 4mm 2Gsec) and two miles wa.!k (in 13min 11 2-ssce), at the Manchester City Police sports, on July 13, 1001, were referred back to the Records Commiltee for further consideration.

At the samo meeting it was decided to sanction the visit of A. Slirubb'to New Zealand, on the invitation of tho New Zealand A.A.A., as the representative of England, in tho New ZealanU and pther colonial championships. A London correspondent has-something interesting to say about Slirubb and Duffey. lie writes:—Tho fact that A. F. Duffey is undertaking a trip to Australia, chiefly it is said in order to put Stanley Rowley through his paces, suggests that vou ought to be reminded that Duffey is.not quite tho sprinter lie was when he won the English 100 yds championship from 1900 to 1903. In those days the American could be safely liaekd to do ovens or better every time he put on his racing gear, providing of course the track was in fair'order, and tho weather not too bad. To-day, Duffey can on occasion touch lOsec "dead," but more often ho is a. couple of yards outside that timo. He is, however, as quick off tho mark as ever; indeed, no man I havo seen run can give him any points in this part ofthe game.

At a meeting on Monday night the Otago Centre decided, in reply to a further communication from the New Zealand Council, that the centre was unable to share the expenses of the Australian runners who are to liiake a tour with. Messrs Slirubb and Duffey. In this connection it is doubtful whether either Widmor orv.Wheatley—the two selected—will be able to compete outside Christchureh. In this case tho expenses will be borne by' the New Zealand Council. On Saturday, at the Dunedi'n Cycling Club's sports, two amateur flat events will bo held—a Mile Flat, and a 220 yds Sprint. Large entries have been roceived, and good racing cau ba looked for. Messrs Lang and' Mackintosh will represent the centre at tho meeting.

. The twentieth annual meeting of the Dunediu Amateur Club took place on tho Caledonian "Ground on Saturday under perfect conditions. The day was very hot, but a breeze from the bay, while it hindered thf- runners, and militated against fast times, proved welcome to the large number of. spectators who lined the track.. A feature of the attendance was the largo number of ladies present, and it is gratifying to note the keen interest displayed in the various events by the : fair sex. The track was in splerdid order. thanks to the spell of dry weatlier immediately preceding the meeting,, . ■ ] ■Additional interest was lent the -meet 1 - ing by the fact, that the 220 yds Championship of / Otago came up for decision,' and the heats and final in that event provided some of the best amateur races ever seen in'Dun«lin.' In fact, throughout the whole afternoon the finishes were extremely close, which, fact is a high tribute to ,;the skill of the haudioapper, Mr W.' M'Donald.; ' The presence of visitors'in'the person of Fraser from Oamaru. Hartlahd, the 100 yds chf.mpion of Canterbury, Dansey from Ash-

burton, Gjinn from Timaru, and M'Lachlan from Clinton, lent . a large' amount of aftraction to the'meeting, and each of theso runners notched a win during the day. ' In the '220 yds Championship there wore thrco starters in,each of .tlie heats. In the first heat A. Hoaro rail awny.with the race, and. finished looking' round, with Fraser content to take sccond place, the time being 25 2-ssce. Tlio second. -heat witnessed one of the* best struggles ever seen on the ground. Hainaan drew, outside position, and seemed to lose ground at the start, while Hartland- went off tho mark liko a shot out .of V gun. Coming into the straight. Hamann had readied O'Kane and Hartland, and' the three fought - out every indli in st line until about 15yds from the tape,, when Hamann fell away about a foot. O'Kane and Hartland reached the tape almost together, the decision going to the latter on a matter of inches. PuMio intercat' was thoroughly aroused by the races in tho heats, and when the final came up for decision there .was much excitement. Hoare drew outside position- at the start, with O'Kane next, thou .Eraser, and Hartland on tho inside. The latter was penalised a yard by breaking, but, starting with tho pistol,. seemed to more than make up liis leeway in the first few yards. Hoare got badly away, and, running qn the outside, covered nioro ground that the other runners. Eraser showed 'the way round to the straight, closely followed by'Hartland, who got on terms halfway tin the straight, and another desperato finish ensued. Tho two fell on the tape together, and the result was given a dead .heat. O'Kano did not run with any dash in tho.final, ivhilo Hoare was the unlucky man of the field. The timo was 25sce, and, allowing a discount for the wind, there seems every likelihoodthat the Otago Centre's standard of 23sce would have been broken. The Mile Raco. was well worth witnessing, and interest wits kept at white heat all tho way. There was: a large field, and positions were continually altering, each runner in turn appearing'to have a winning cliauce. In the last lap A. Melville, who had been coming through, took the lead, and with Thomson ran to the straight a fair disanco ill front of tho field. Here Burk, wlidso run had beon. accompanied by a roar of delight from the public, caught and ran through the leaders, and the race appeared to lie at his morcy. Ciunn, however, had closely followed the' Qtago man, and came at liiin in - a most determined fashion in tho last 50yds, and another splendid finish was witnessed.- Burk struggled on to the tape and won by the narrowest of margins. The time was 4-min 35 2-ssec, and was just within the standard. In tho Half-mile Gunn had a runaway victory from tho 40yds mark, Hurl: being second. The time was 2min 1 Msec, and Burk's time was dangerously close to tho standard.

In I]lo Two-miio Raoe A. Thompson held the lead alternately with Mace for tho best part of the way, and the backniarkcrs were never able to make any. impression on the leaders. Burlc retired in the sixth lap, and Melville soon afterwards followed suit. In the last lap a sharp set-to in the straight saw Thopmsnn rcaoh tho post first, wrtli Mace second. Time, lOmin 13scc. The winner had 235 yds start—a very liberal handicap,—while Mace had 205 yds. Price seemed to have the final of the 100 yds Raco won, when Hartland -put in an undeniable claim, and scored a win in 10 4-sseo—excellent going, considering the wind. Hamann was third. Hartland running from the scratch mark, again gained ground at the start. In his heat. Hoare ran disappointingly. being third 1 , behind Hamann and M'Kewen.

There was a large field in the 440 yds Lady's Bracelet, so large indeed that, uie backmarker had to be content with a view of the race. .Taterson took the lead in the straight, but was caught and beaten by Dansey, 011 the 13yds mark. Patorson had 22yds start. The time was 54sce. The 220 yds Flat Handicap went to Price, who seemed too leniently dealt with on tlio 12yds mnric. Milroy.atul M'Corkindale made_ the finish interesting. The timo was 24- 4-sseo.

M'Lcod had no difficulty in winning the 120 yds Maiden. I'aton was the only other competitor "to show good form. The '120 yds Hurdles saw a number of tumbles, and it would bo advisable in future to give each competitor a hurdle to himself. A fall at tho second last hurdle coat ll'Lachtan • the race, Dansey just, coming through in time to secure the verdict. Tlio two Walk's provided good races. In the Mile. Rowlands, 011 the 125 yds, strode along valiantly for a groat part of the way in tiie load, "but Brown 011 scratch early made up his leeway, and, taking the lead in the last lap, won somewhat easily, with Morrison (95yds). second. In the Half-mile the pot toiled over. Brfnvn from scratch caught his field at end of the first lap, and led to the straight. Morrison, however, came with a. wet sail, and catching Brown a short distance from home, managed to beat him by the narrowest of marains. Time 3min 25sec. Tho llelay Kace - was well contested, and the Civil Service team thoroughly deserved their win. Palmer, in the University team, ran a slashing quarter, and had ho received greater assistance from the other members of his team must have finished first. Ab it was, I'arata, of the Civil Service, won by 15yds. Campbell, in tho winning team, ran well. D.A.A.C. team had a surfeit of running, and wcro unalilo to do themselves justice. Tho field events did not seem to attract much interest among tho public, and indeed •tho-Long .Tump was tho longest jump—in point of time—soon here for some timo. Titchcnor, with tho aid of his handicap, won this event; while J. M'Lachlan won tho High Jump, and P. M'Farlano tho Putting the Shot.

Tho various arrangements wero well in hand, and in this connection a word of praise is due to Mr A. Hoore, lion, secretary, and Mr L.. W. M'Curdy, bis active and obliging assistant. Mr A. Dey made an excellent superintendent, and kept his. usual hold of affairs. The judging was first class, and although close finishes wero tho rule, tho judges' decisions wero promptly and correctly given. • Mr W. M'Donald, both as handicapper and starter, covered himself with credit. Tho starting during the afternoon was first .class, while the eloso finishes witnessed leave nothing to be said as to the quality of tho lfandicapping. Ilartlanil, the Canterbury 100 yds champion, is staying in town for a few days. His running made a good impression on Saturday, and should lie come down for the Shrubh-Duffey meeting 011 Starch 11, ha will givo tho latter gentleman a solid go.^ Simpson is, I hear, in active work, while Anderson, at Ashburton, is getting fit against the championships. v Messrs Marryail and .'lackson have been appointed to net with Mr M'Donald, tho official handicappcr of tlie centre, in tho selection of a team to represent Ota go at th coining championships. Burk's fine performance over a mile on Saturday, proves that Otago's champion is in good form, and augurs' woll for his coming contest with tho mighty Shrubb. Bulk's time in both tho mile and half-mile was good, and had there been no wind, still bettor times would have boon clocked.

J. W. Morton, who boat DulFey in the 100 yds last July, and lias ou several occasions since demonstrated his superiority to the Amorican, is also looking forward to a trip to- tlio Antipodos, and with " 'lis speedy pair to test your sprinters, and Alfred Shrubb to give your distance men examples of "how to do it," athletics should boom with you in tlio very near future (says an English oxchangc). Personally all three men are what one may call "the right sort," 'and are not at Ml likely to fall victims to that distressing malady, "swelled head.'. As perhaps the most wonderful runner of this of anv other generation, Shrubb might bo excused if he did put on a few frills, but in spite of all his successes over men and time he remains "as modest as they ma'ko them."' Shrubb takes with him . a-pair of rubbsr shoes for training spins on deck. On leaving London he looked the picture of health, and appeared to bo in the bast of spirits. On his return ho will probably figuro in tlio S.L.H. team for the match with the Kacing Olub do Franco, in Paris; and, after that, will prepare himself for the A.A.A. championships, in which he will defend his titles at one milo and four miles.

Tom Burrows has arrived in England after a successful tour in the United States and Canada, where lis achieved some remarkable performances. At Montreal he excelled all rccards with tho clubs," swinging, them for 43hr Gmin at a. streteh; while''at Philadelphia ho swung the eight hours a clay'for 12 successive days. Ho has been busy 'writing a bfiok on his favourite art, and it will appeir next month. ■

The accomplished Japanese wrestler Tukio Tani, who has proved so marvellously successful in England and on tho Continent for a couple of years past, met with his superior a few days ago at the Tivoli Musio Hall, London, in a countryman named Taro Miaki. Tani had a . standing off'ir of. £100 to any maii who could stay with him for 15 minutes in tlio .Japanese style, and Miaki. who had ' como. over to this country quite unheralded, stepped oil the stage, and not only, "stayed with" Tani, but actually, in five minutes, gave .him so decided a- full/tbat he gave in. The programme fov'the meeting to be held. at .Bondigo onrFebriiary_ 22, at whbh Shrubb and -Muffey will' compote, includes the-220yds andj^brtVraile/Victorian Cham-

piouships match, Shruhb v. Wheatley, a tlag- raco .for teams of four >'men, ■ 75yds, 100 yds, and One-mile Open Handicaps, 220 yds Novieo Handicap, sack, and Siamese races! 1 : '

G. A. Moir, tho ex-Australasian champion finds himself-unable to train to meet tho Yankee flyer -Duffer,- and the only;' Vie., torians any way class oho.ugh to contest on about equal terms (says "Harrier") are thereH. H. Hunter, H. E; - Jones, and, possibly, P. C. Mueller. - Unfortunately, ilie former, lias a "leg," and is at present under Mr Pascal ■■ for electric and 'Rot-air treatment, but it is liopod ,he - may be got fit in time for the big meetings. Jones is doing good work; but. it is some years, since-ho won the Victorian championship, an'd ho.gets no younger. For all that, 1.0 may prove to be our best raau up to 75yds, unless his old smartness out of the siips /hits deserted him. *

FOOTBALL,'

By Full Back.

Some surjtrise is expressed at the announcement that George. Smith, the onetime Now Zealand win J three-quarter back, intends coming out again with a view to qualifying for the Now Zealand, team for Kngland noxt season. Has not the ex-Auck-lander left his run too late?, 'Mr A. C. Norris, of the Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington, secretary of the New Zealand llugby Onioli, has been transferred to Napier. The Auckland wing forward, Gallagher, who wrought such destruction in tho half back division of the British team in he memorable match last year, now signifies his intention of going to Kngland if chosen. _ The New Zealand team to visit England is announced unofficially as follows;— Full hack, Booth (Otago); 'three-quarters, Wallace, M'Grcgor (Wellington), Hunter (Taranalii), Harper (Canterbury), M'Kenzio (Auckland); five-eights, Mynott (Taranani), Deans (Canterbury), Stead' (Southland); halves, Roberts (Wellington), Ilarvey (Canterbury); forwards, Seeling. Nicholson, Tyler (Auckland), Glenn, O'Sitllivan (Taranaki), Whisker (Manawatu), Watkins, Cross (Wellington), Johnstone, Casey, D. Stuart (Otago), Corliett (Wesiland). It appears that the tipsters were not so far astray in their selection of tho New Zealand team for England after all. Some weeks ago there was published in the columns of this -paper without any display aa unofficial New Zealand team, for which was claimed a certain amount of accuracy. Exception was taken to tho list ®i a cortain quarter, and the Dnnedin correspondent of a Clmstchureh contemporary, telegraphing to his paper tho probable New Zealand, team taken from the Otago Daily Times, remarked;—"l have reason to believe that this is pure, speculation, and though, no doubt, the bulk of the above players will bo selected, many names are erroneously included in tho list." So far from, many names being erroneously included in the list, it will lie found by a comparison with what is now claimed, to be the correct liH, and which I boliove is correct, that the probable team as published in these column's some five "weeks ago is, with one exception (Whisker in place of M'Mitiu, of Manawatu), precisely the same. Three members of the British team, Morgan, Kowcllyn, and Gabe, are singled out as having played splendidly in a "big match at Cardilf recently. When tho mail left tho Wesh International Selection Committee were much purturbed over tho selection of it partner for Gabe in tho three-quarter line to represent Wales.

Dear Full Back,—ln view "ofjhe approaching tour of our boys to the Home Country I venture to offer a suggestion to the N.Z. Rugby Union —viz., to send our team away from tliis colony by the Bluff; fit least, let it be arranged in such a way that a match could be played in Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill. I think you will agreo with mo that such a course would be a very wise one, as at the present time the relations existing lietwec'i the South Island Unions and 'the N.Z. Rugby Union are somewhat strained. Such .a step niis;ht be the means of causing a better feeling to exist between the northern and southern bodies. Sneaking as an old Southland footballer, I can assert that if the above programme were carried out it would come as a boon to tlic football public of Southland, of whom only the privileged few have ever had tho good fortune to witness a New Zealand team performing. It does seem absurd (as many of your readers must admit). when speaking to visiting football enthusiasts from other countries, to confess that we have not yet had tho pleasure of observing our own team play. In conclusion, I consider it a duty whioh the N.Z. Rugby Union owes to tho people at this end to eater for them in. nn impartial spirit if they wish football to remain as the national pastime.—SouTHr.AXDiiii.

We hear a'l rumour of a Christmas /1111 c! for wounded and destitute football referees. There are stated to he hundreds of these undeserving men disabled for life, ami owing to the stale of public feeling they* will have to "■ emigrate. It is proposed to settle them in a colony in Canada,—The Glolw.

Mr Hairy C. Holdcn was on January ?A appointed secretary, or the New South Wales Rueby Union, at a salary of £250 a year. His -name was one of five 'submitted by a subcommittee appointed by the council of. the- union to deal with the applicalions, and it was not imi.il an exhaustive ballot had licen taken that he secured the position. The new secretary (says a Sydney writer) has lent; been identified with amateur sport, and has had muob experience as a secretary. _ For many years he noted in that capacity in oonneelion with the New South Wales Snorts Club, which he left towards the Initer nn<l of 1903 to go to the National" Snorting Olifb. LAWN TENNIS NOTES. Br Lob. Tho secretary of the Urago Lawn Tennis Association supplies mc with the following items of interest concerning tennis in New Zealand:—~ There arc over 3600 active playing members belonging to affiliated club's in Now Zealand. Wellington heads the list with about 1100 member*. 11. A. Parker bad a-unique record for the season 1903-4, as he held 11 championships, winch were as follows:—The Now Zealand Single, Doubles, and Combined Champion-' ships, the South Australian Single Championship, the Tasinauian Single and 'Doubles Championships, the Tarnnuki' Single and Doubles Championships,'- the VVaipawa Single and Double Chamjiionshins, and- tho Thorpclon Club's Single Championship. Miss Nunnelcy has hold the, 'Ladies' Single Championship since .1395, and up to the mooting of 1903 had not bad a single set (.cored against her in the Championship Singles. .

Ilia Wellington Association holds the record for the fsrgest number of onirics 'received at any championship and -handicap tournament held in New Zealand. The number of onirics at tho liastcr meeting in 1904 wcfc 117 for tho championship events, and 267 for the handicaps, making a grand to'al of 354.

r Probably the oldest tennis court in New Zealand is an asphalt one'- (which has a splendid surface) in Hokitika. lu-om information received it is believed that the court was put dpwn 30 years ago. ' ' The N.Z. Championship meeting has been conducted four times each by Canterbury, Kawke's Bay, and Otago, three times iii Auckland, and twice each by Nelson and Wellington, Canterbury and Wellington have each won tho banner thrco times.

I'arker has won the Singles Championship four times, and I'. C. l'Vmvieke, M. Fenwicko, and J. B. Hooper three limes each'. ' J. i\ Jardine was the first lion, secretary of the N.Z. Association, which he practically founded in the year IPE6. . Spencer Gore won the first AH England Championship in 1377. Harmun, in his firefc try for the N.Z. Champion-hip honours; reached tho final at the 1887 meeting, held in Chtistchurch, and was within one stroke of winning the championship. Ilarnran and Wilding have won the N.Z. Double:; Championship on 'five different occasions. , Some knotty points:—

1. If a player throws his racket at the ball, and so returns the ball into tho proper court, ho loses the stroke. 2. 11 a player catches the ball on his racket, walks with it to the net, and, reaching over, drops it into court, ho loses the stroke, as such a proceeding cannot be defined as an act of striking. ■ 3. If an umpire erroneously calls "fault," and at once corrects himself and cnes : "Play," and the striker-out fails to return tho ball, a "let" must bo allowed. 4. if a player, to avoid touching, tbe net, jumps over it while the ball is.in play, Le loses the stroke. .

5. If a match is' postponed on account of rain or darkiic-ss coming' on,, or for any similar reason,- and is continued! on the subsequent day, tlie match shall ho .resumed from tho point where it was discontinued on tho previous day. An entirely new commencement jnay only be made with the consent, of the referee.

6. Ipiwo players in a handicap play at the- wrong otlds, the match stands,' unless they liavo iK-eh'.OTongly instructed liy the reforte, or any poison or persons acting under his .instructions, in which case tho ldser ihay claim to have the match'replayed, unless the mistake in the odds has been in

his favour. Such claim must bo mado 'within a reasonable time. ■

7. A similar decision must lie given if two players neglect'to play advantage sets when one of the conditions of the event in'which they ore, competing is that advantage sets should'lto played. • ; Arrangements, arc progressing satisfactorily in connection with the proposed team to visit-England in Juno next to challenge tho present holders of the Davis Cup. The' Victorian champion, N. E. Brookes, has consented ito become a candidal*-, and his selection is "assured. - Tho rules of the competition provide that—"Tho players shall be chosen. in the singles, and doubles contest by their respective captains from not more than four players- nominated for each tie by tho Lawn Tennis Associations of the opposing lftitioiis. Notice of such nominations shall" be sent to tho holders of the cup lit less than 21 days previous to the date of commencement' of match. Should four players bo nominated, it shall, at the same time,'-be stated which . are to take part iii the singles and. which in tho doublo matches.' ' In tnb singles each tcarii shall consist of two players, who shall play each against'.each ot vno opposing teams,: the best of five advantage sets. In the doubles each team shall consist of two players, who 'shall play against the opposing team tho best of..'five advantage sees." The allotment of gate money is provided for on the following basis:—"One-half of the profit shall belong to the visiting nation; or, in the case of a tio being played on the neutral ground, one-third each to the visiting nations." i. .

BOWLING.

By Toucher.

Saturday last was an ideal day for bowling, tho most ardent bowler being satisfied with the greens.. It was a treat to seo' the Caledonian Green—tho sward was beautiful.

• The Kaitangata. Club had a dual victory on Saturday against tho Caledonians, winning by. 12; Green Island, 7 points. Both Hislop and Rutherford were to tho fore in both vgames, while Alexander was ivot successful in breaking his duck. A neatly-printed programme of the Invercargill Bowling Tournament and Champion Rink Contest is to hand. The fixture takes, place at Invercargill oil April 20, 21, 22, and '24. Prizes for the Southern Chamuion Rink Contest tot up to £70. and for the Kink Tournament £20. Double-handed, four bowls—first . set, four bow's each; seuoud, trouhios, £1 ■ 10s eaeli; third, trophies, £1 each. Single-handed—first, trophy, £2 10s; second, frophy, £1 10s; third, trophy, £1. Rules;— I That the contest is to commence on Thursday, April 20, .it 9 a.m.; _ that the competing rinks to be divided into four or fivo sections, and each rink playing every other ohq in its section; tho winning rinks then to play off against each other, tho time for the finals to bo fixed during the. niecting. An old West-Melbourne bowler, Mr Thomas ..May, died lost, week in his eightieth year. Ho was a member of tho first Victorian team to visit New Zealand, but had not played for some time previous to his death. His last appearance was on tho Carlton Green, in the 'capacity of unipiro in a match played by veteran bowlers-Mark,.Miss (75), I', Cooper (82), v. J. Gordon (79), W. M'Donald (74). These four players have since departed, and now the-umpire has followed suit. The Victorian Bowling Association Champion Singles have dwindled down to W. Bleach v. "A. Bastler, J. 11. Sheedy v. H. Upton, B. Dyer v. E. Slattor, and 1,. Waxman v. W. Wallace. Of thoso left in the final, two aro previous winners of tho championship—viz., Sheedy in 1900 and 1904, and Slattor in 1903.

Oamaru men aro coming to IHmedin towards the end of this month to try conclusions with Dunedin, Kaituna, and* Caledonian.

Caledonians are out with one rink to Oamaru-Murchison (skip), D. Smith, E. C, Kocking, A. M'Grcgor (St. Clair). Builders v. Iron Merchants hold a contest this week on tho Caledonian Green. This is the- manner to encourage bowling-one profession against the other will Induce fresh blood on the greens. ROWING. 13r Stroke. ' KEGATTA FIXTURES. Christchuroh.—lßth February. Invcrcargill.—22nd I'cbmary. Championship.-Wellington, nth March. Otago.-Lakc Waihola, 23ra March. Tho regatta crews chosen to ropresentn the .p.A.KC. at the Waihola UcgatUi are tramirig Very consistently, particularly the Maiden I'onr and Double Sculls. The-for-mer crew intend competing at the Invcrcargill regatta next week, and if they row with tho same combination ami dash aj> they did at Kavensbournc, it will take a good four to beat them. I notice a. change has been made in the Youths' lour. The inclusion of tho now No. 2 is making a wonderful difference. Tho Hyams Fours is now over. The race was won by Dowland, who a fow weeks ago was picked by "Stroke" to win.' Although a very warm favourite, he had his work well cut out to win, as'he met with strong opposition from tho crews ho competed against. Tho next club race 'will he the Trial Double Mculls, entries for which close on Thursday evening at 7 o'clock. As usual the ''Dabs"' are putting on their popular annual Ladies' Day, tho date being fixed for Saturday, 25th inst. Tho committee are working together to make it a success. A capital afternoon's .enjoyment is promised tho club's very numerous friends and supporters. This (unction has become so popular now that it is eagerly looked forward to, especially by the ladies, in whose honour it is held. A dance- in tho social hall in [lie evening will terminate tlie day's proceeding!!.

The Sydney liowing Club is still considering the proposal to send a crew to compete at tlio New Zealand Championship regatta. at Wellington . 011 March. 11. The death is ahuouuoed from apoplexy of Mr William Blaikie, of New York, once stroke of the Harvard boat, and who, as secretary and -treasurer-, accompanied a crew of that university to llenley sonic years ago.

Wholch, of the Akaron Club, it is said, is a certain starter for the Champion Single Sculls, and his friends make no sc-eret of their opinion that- he is a sure winner. I have not (says had the pleasure of seeing Whelch in an outrigger, so have no idea as to how 110 is shaping; but if his stylo: is tho same as he has shown- in stumps, 1 cannot see how lie is going to down such experienced scullers as Webb and M'Crath. The former has this season taken to four-oar work, which may ali'eet bis sculling; if it has not, and he is up lo tho form 110 showed when ho won the championship at and the Single Sculls at Wellington a few days later, I think 110 will win again as easily as he did 011 those two occasions. It is hardly li'kely that M'Gruth, now ;i veteran, can improve on his form of three seasons ago, and ! Webb beat him in a fair go then. Much as I should like to.sea' the Single Scull Championship come to Canterbury, which has not secured the-honour for somo years, I am afraid Whelch will not do the trick this season.

Ileiilcy regatta again proved a financial failure, the loss on last year's event bein b ' £230, ancl on the previous year aliout £180. tSorno three or four years ago there was a balance cf over' £20b0, but owing to purchase of a boathouse, increased ex]>eiiditure, and reduced incomc this has all disappeared, and there is less than £130 in hand to carry forward. Of course there are new assets in. the way of the boathouso and materials, biit the income is ■ decreasing in j 'recent years. The total income, including sale of £1100 consols, was £3997. There was .a great falling olf in donations and subscriptions', also in the total number of entries received. Henley grow enormously in about 15 years, but has hardly held ;ts owii during the past three or four years. Perhaps the question of "foreign" entries has had something to do with the want of support, for after all the great regatta is governed by the fads of fashion, and if "going to Henley" passes out of fashion, the boat racing will not attract those outside rowing circles. Tlio Hobart annual regatta, held on February 1," was more than usually brilliant arid successful, in spite of weather at the outset. The Alexandra Handicap (sculls) attracted nine competitors, .H. Bourlce, the champion of Australia, being on scratph, Ho had to .allow liberal start to tho .other'mon,'considering the course was only a milo.in length; but lie caught them all but his fellow clubman (Tamar H.C., Launcestou), E. Jack, who, having .lOseo start," and W. Robinson, another Launceston mon. The latter waj ahead, but passed outside tha flags, and was not placed.. Jiourko was second, being only a foot behind Jack.

'The break-up of the annual camp of tho B Battery was welcomed with a sigh of relief by the O.R.C, P»acing Committee. So less tliau four regatta crcws! were affected. Tho Junior' and .Youths' Foure have lost no time in getting to work 16 acquire'tho final polish .for the Invercargill • re^sH'ft-']on .^Vednradajrriifct.' .The exceptional sye.ll; of finq weather during the past week rendered'training a pleasure/and all crc\ys'have sciiscd the opportunity to take fang'spins."

A race for D.A ; I3.C, members on tho D.A.A.O. programme Jast Saturday. attracted a laigo inimbor of entries. Though several scratchcd, a good race' was provided by tlio competitors, and resulted in a win for Hico, the popular stroke'of the Maiden Four. A party of ladies who wero overhcird to express a wish that the "old man" shoifld win waxed very enthusiastic wheir their selection led the field, all tlio way round. •

A significant feature of the progressive nature of the Invercargill clubs is the inclusion on their regatta programme of ftn event for maiden scullers. They have four N.Z.A.R.A. maiden definition scullers do<« south; hut no club in Otago Harbour can l;oa?t.the possession ol one of these craft. This mention of the Invercargill regatta reminds me that yesterday an O.K.A. official showed ino a letter lie had received from Mr Oliver Joyce, tho well-known Invercargill oarsman. Mr Joyce states that the Southland men arc looking forward with much pleasure to the visit of the Dunedin crews on Wednesday next. Every effort will be made, to give them a good lime. A large number of Invercargill oarsmion have expressed their intention of returning the compliment when the Waihola repjatta comes off on Anniversary Day. Priest and Jl'Grath have had ideal weather for training in liest boat.?. Priest, is petting very fit. and' M'Grnth is fairly revelling in his new Towns sculler. This lionf. is superior in every respect to any in which the champion has yet raced, and is worthy of its maker and of its owner, whom it' suits to a nicety. It is remarkably buoyant, the bow lifting, noticeably out of the'water at every stroke.

The O.R.C. Junior Four are rapidly acquiring good combination, but a few remarks on the individuals mav provo advantageous. Stroke is rather "slow in ratting on to the catch. lie doc? not lift his shoulders sharply enouvrh at; the beginning of the stroke. and'has a tendency to slip his slide. This may lie remedied in part bv endeavouring to touch the knees with the loom of the oar before allowii'it rte slide to licgin ,to move. No. "3 is iiremilar on his slide. He is incited to' dwell a little after getting his bin"* ewav. and then to swi'is forward with hU body held too erect. The consequence is that to pet a irood catch he his to-d'op his shoulders into the boat. The bndv swing and the slido should finish simultaneously. No 2 cocks his blade occasionally, thus missing Sin or 3in of water at the beginning of the stroke. Eou' has hardly yet rccovcretl Jiis old form, and seems to tire towards tho end of the spin. The youths' Four have developed the bad habit, of feathering too llat. This is the ni"st glarm? fault of their '"iwing. the how side especially sinning in this respect. The inevitable consequence is that the catch is not so slronsr «s it mMit be, ard t.lie boat rolls occasionally. Rich niai must, remember to dron.liis bunds'well at (lie recovery. Any'fault in the lime-is .in-, vriabiv caused by someone lonium out. of the boat. The No. 2 is inclined to be cn.ngM. napiiinr at 'he start, 'wit this occasional lapse will doubtless disappear with ad'icd exnerience.

Tlio 0.T5.C. lUa'den Four to go into bamm" for Waihola consist* nf A. Seo'on, 0. Sco'nn. Harris, and Williams 'stroke), while Wl>'f.t">ker and R. Hutfon will enter for the Maiden Paiy.

YACHTING.

The Ravensbourne local race was run off on Saturday under ideal conditions. ' There was a fresh N.E. breeze blowing that suited the back markers to perfection, and they mado good use of it, having no difficulty in saving their time. One can hardly doubt the superiority of tho Waimana over tho Eileen after Saturday, as it was undoubtedly a day that suited Eileen, to perfeotiou, she carrying full sail comfortably, while the rest were reefed, yet Waimann led the way by 3min 12see. Ventura put up one of her poorest performances this season, being led home by her old opponent Lennox Lass, but just after tho start one of her side stays carried away. They say "it never rains but it pours," and everything went wrong after that.

It was a day out for the yachting fleet at the heads on Sunday, there being between 20 and 30 boats on an inspection visit to the flagship of the squadron, anchored outside.

It was a pretty sight—the great warship anchored about two miles <Jff shore, and the little vessels,of all sorts, open boats and all, some going out and some returning.

At the 0.Y.0. shed Saturday is the official opening day and ladies' (lay combined. The Mocllcr Cup will also bo sailed off on that,day,, and should prove an interesting race, providing there is a. good breeze. Obviously tlio contributor of list: week's notes overlooked the fact that the shifting of the lower buoy made the course at Kavensbou'iie regatta longer than • ever previously, so a comparison of times was not of mi'cli value. Winifred's time at P.avcnsboirne is given as llir 40min 47scc,

SWIMMING.

B* SIDK-Strokk.

FIXTURE. • Febniary io.~D.A.S.C. Annual Carnival,

On Saturday afternoon -the Otago Club swam off two rates at their baths,' St. Clair. The afternoon wa; a perfect one, and the water in splendid condition for swimming. For the 50yds Schoolboys' Championship there were 15 entries*' hut only three faced the starter, those being Sullivan (Industrial School), Dawson (Union Street School), and Sims (Forbury ltoad School). Unfortunately Dawson swam an erratic course, and unintentionally fouled Sullivan, who, at the conclusion of the race, entered a- protest against his opponent, the judges deciding that tho race should be swum over again. In the final swim oii, Dawson, who got a. splendid start, forged steadily ahead, and 'won by 2yds from Sullivan, "in very good Cinie—36sec. Dawson holds tlie present Schoolboys' Championships, having won them last season. lie is swimming, if anything, better than last year, but can still do with more training. Sulliva.ii is a strongly-built lad, and lias a very powerful stroke. Ho is, however, rather inclined to roll, which makes him bury himself in the water too much.

It is to be honed that more of the boys will start in these championships, and not do as they did oil Saturday— entered for lie race, and wlion the time camc drew out.

The 50yds Club Handicap brought forth fivo starters, and was a very good race. Tho scratch mail was unfortunate in being blocked, so that ho could not get through his field, and was beaten by barely a yard for first place. Sibbald, who had 4scc, swam very strongly, and won in 35scc, Hall (scr) 2, .lones (3scc) 3. Training for the D.A.S.C. carnival on the 25th of this month is in full swing at the. Otago Club's Bailis. The D.A.S.C. Carnival programme is to hand. Tho club is'to be congratulated on having such a good one. There arc J5 events, comprising Tour championships, one breast-stroko handicap, two senior handicaps, two junior handicaps, otic relay race, three-aquatic events, and one springboard dive. Given a fine afternoon, this will be a most interesting programme- to sro through. I notice thai, ail the events are open to members of other swimming clubs, with the exception of one. On Monday I had an interview with our old friend George Warrington, who lias just returned from Paris, Germany, and Knglaud, through which places he. lias bi-.jn travelling for over scvjii months. It is Mr Warrington's intenticfi to settle in New Zealand. It is very probable that lie will make this city his headquarters.' I hoar that West Harbour intend holding a carnival about tho first Saturday in •March, when they hope to obtain' Ihc100yds Provincial .Championship of Otago and Southland, and also the 75yds Schoolboys': Championship. At the Richmond carnival held in Christchurch last Saturday week. .T. M. Hamilton won the Provincial' Championship of Canterbury, 100 yds, in 67 l-ss?c. •' This is' Zsco slower than his best time for this distance. The. Sydenham Club held their carnival on- Saturday, last in lieautifully fine weather, and'bpfore aOargc attendance of tin;.public. On tho whole the carnival was a'most successful one. The competition was keen, scratchiugs were few," and the racing throughout was very interesting In the Moddcr River Dash, 25yds ; , ,T. M." Hamilton secured first place, .with M: Smith 2nd, and ,A. Brunsden 3rd. Time, 18 2-s>ec. ..The first distance of t|ic7syd/5; Schoolboys' Championship was won by 11.l 1 . Clark (West Christehurch School), with, Jj. . Aiinand (Opawa) sccond, R, Kirk (Sydenham) third. Time, 66 2-ssec. ' There wero'„l4 making three heats and one final. ': Sydenham Handicap; 75yds, Was won by C. C. Bryant (East Christehurch), AV. Dodge (East Christehurch) seco;vj, ]?. Drake (East Christehurch) third. ;,T?.iic, 58sec. Bryant just beat Dodge on the touch, tlie latter' beating Drake by a few inchcs.'. * The Sydenham Club's President's Handicap, 50yds, was won easily > by AV, - Smith-j Gill just beating A. M. Kiissell for second place.- ' Time, '39.4 c. The High Dive was won by H. K. .Sherwood, and tho Spring-board Diva by D. AVcst. The Obstacle Race was an easy win for B. Miles! i j . The '100 yds Relay Racp was won in the j good- time of ; 66sec by. the: Riehmcfad'FNo! I 1' team (E. Eldridge;, B. "Miles, L. ; Dingle; \

and It. Allan). Richmond received 2seo handicap from Sydenham No. 4, who wero ■ just lx-nlon on the touch for first place. . 1 C. Ilealey, the N.S.W. swimmer who won the 100 yds Championship of Australasia, equalled the world's record by doing tho distance in 58scc. • This time was accomplished bj' Dick Cavill at Sydney in January last year, and in Mnrch-of last year 1m 'did tlio distanco in 58 l-ssec. Alick Wick- ( hftin has done the 100 yds in 59scc. > In all probability li. Koran, of Now South I Wales, who is practically the world's champion long-distance swimmer, will visit England as representative of New South Wales to compete in the English championships, which are to take place in 1906-7. Cecil Hcalv, also of New South Walos, who is recognised as the world's champion shortdistance swimmer, is likely to accompany him; ' '

My Sydney correspondent, writing of Cccil Heai.v, says; "This young swimmer is going to be our most brilliant, star for Eomo time to come, and will before long establish new world's record for 100 yds. He is absolutely the host at tho distance we have bad this side."

K. Cavill. tho champion swimmer, hits applied for tho position of caretaker of the Thames Swimming Hat lis, which arc to bo erected at an early date; At Chicago, on January 2, E. P. Swatek, ii member of a local club, swam 106yds % 2ft under water. Like many others who liavo indulged in the hazardous exploit of attempting something big in undor-water swimming, Swatek fainted at. the conclusion of.his feat, and canio near to drowning. The previous record for under-water swimming is said, to be lOtyds, by T. W. Ueilly, at Stockport, England, in 1887.