THE TURF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13874, 11 April 1907, Page 5

THE TURF

By Sentinel.

■RACING- CAt/ENDAR. 1907. April 17, 20—Wellington. Autumn. April JB—North Canterbury Meeting. April 24, 25—M?-na;vatu ilceliiip Jfay-I—Christchurch Uacing >Club Autumn Meeting. May 8, B—llawke's Bay Meeting. May 8, U-rTiilnma Park "Winter. May 8.. 9—Marlborough Meeting. June 1, 3—D.J.C, "Winter. '

There wore some great displays of speed on the concluding clay of tho N.Z.M.T.C. meeting, and it is evident that a. horse lias to bo able to go to a very fast mark it he a to score nt headquarters nowadays. Sal Taskcr set the speed ball rolling when glic went 4.40 in the Champion Handicap, and the merit of tho performance was en' lianccd. by the fact that elic was raced in a stroiigo sulky, much heavier than she usually draws, but her own had to be abandoned owing to a puncture received whilst doing a preliminary. The three fastest mile and a-half races wo had up to last year were Vorax 3.35£, Fichu 3.37, and Lopp 3.30, and theso gaits were closely approached by Mollis, who won in 3.38 1-5 on Saturday. Durbar stepped 1.42 in saddle when ho won the WSkin Handicap. Vanish established a race record by going 2.16 in harness in tho following race, whilst ill a portion of her race she displayed a much faster gait. Terra Nova followed up by going 2.50 1-5 in the International Handicap,'and showed a gait ;on a pat , with that displayed by Vanish. After watching the races in which tho abovementioned times wore accomplished, the writer has come to the conclusion that the club will have to widen and improve iho turns on their ira*k if they aro to givo each of the horses a fair chance to win. The back-markers in iv handicap are the horses that suffer most, us they are generally compelled to ran wide in order to get past 11)6 horses they havo in front of them. A ..notable instance was furnished in the lihort-jimit race, where the back-mnrkevs hod.cither to run wide in order to make up their handicap or else race in the dust raised by the loading divisiqn. The success which the dub is nchioving warrants an _ expenditure in favour of owners and trainers, nnd a strong effort, should bo made to acquire sufficient land to lengthen the homo stretch, improve the turns, and widen tract as far as possible.' , Tho • sporting world of Australasia does mot require to be • told that the famous pacer liibbpnwood was <lovelor>c<l and driven ,to, his champion record by Mr D. •I. Price, who Ikb proved himself as export with tho thoroughbred ns ho has been with the light-harness ,] lors= . }[~ p r j ce ) VJ3 noiv another champion in sifjht in the clmpo of tho Rothschild filly Sal Taskcr, who won Iho Champion 'Handicap on Saturday hist, when she wont to a mark of 4.40, whilst, racing in n. licld of 11 horses. Her rocoid comparer favourably with that achieved by Kibbonwood when lie went 4.35 <!-ssec. as tho son of Wildwood was a year older than the Rothschild filly when ho mado Iris champion maik over two miles. It will be remembered that Sal Taskcr holds the record for a two-year-old, filly at 2.20, and as proof . that her trainer has confidence that tlio handsome. Rothschild filly hus extreme speed at her command tho writer ■' has lca.tnton excellent authority that sho is open to he matched agaiast anything iu tlio colonies, for 500=ovs a side. The conditions which the match will be mndo aro that the contest will bo for the best two out-of three ,in two-milo heats, or tho bc*t three out, of five in .one-mile heats. 'The light harness horso is to-day on', the highest pinnacle he has ever stood in Australasia. Men of money and sporting.'instincts are behind the sport in both Australia and New Zealand, and it is open for them to give tho trotter and pacer as high-* boost aa they did on tho day when Ribbonwood and • Fritz collected the rfiost enthusiastic,, and largest concourse of spectators that ever assembled at tho side of a track in our part of tho world.. ■,

— Vanish established a colonial harness raco lecord when blis won in Christchurch iu 2.10.

— Korsns -trained' in tho samo stable were noiiplcd on fho totnlisstor at tho N.Z.M.T.C. meeting. — Goliai. who was amongst the starters at the: N.Z:JI.T.C, is a brother of tho crack pacer Ribbonwood. . , — Tho betting on the Derby 19 as follows :— i to 1 npinst Sliive and Gallion, 100 to 6 Bonzoman, 20 to 1 Orby. — Dividend was the heto .if the A.,T.C. meetins, and his victories over Poreido.i were tho subject.'of much comment in ireing circles. — Ono of tlio winners on tbo lost day of tho N.Z.M.T.C. meeting was hold by somo of the Riwclatorfl to have left the mark beforo his time.

—It i.* : rumoured that during the racing which took p'laoa last week in Christchurch dividends were fraudulently obtained ifoni the totnlmtor. .

— Begonia showed a fine turn/of speed when racing in lite Speedwell Handicap on Saturday last, but spoilt her chance by breaking Boveial limes.

— Red Gauntlet's) win in Uio Teinplctra Handicap,marked his second win in the race, iu it will bo remembered ho scored in tho same event as a thrco-yc&r-old,

— The Austraiian-bred trotting colt 0.Y.M., by Owyheo (imp.)— Mystery, was sold under tho hiiiumc-r in Ohristchurch on Saturday last, tad fell to the bid- of Mi It Hall at 33'Ogs. — Attor' being in existence for many years, tho famous Collingwood' tote is reported to have closed down. This was brought about, by Hie police "quarantining" the promises.

— Tho blood stallion Sir Footc returned homo on. Thursctny from tho Sydney show, uhero he took tho champion prize for tho best horse exhibited, and died on Saturday.

— The Duncdinites present at Riccarton were pleased, to see J. Mi'Guincss scoro a win with Jtoso Koblo, ai ho has noli had a. smile fiom Dame Fortune for Home considerable time.

' — Duchess of Rothschild wim made a strong favourite'for tho Hijrh-class Handicap which w,is docidotl on Saturday,' but put hersolf out when she looked -a . winner by breaking up bidly. .

— Pink 'Un has given amplo proof that he can travel fast over short courses, but judging by his display in tho Great Autumn he wa3 nut of his distance when racing over lorig journey. , .-r-Tho Soult pony Frederick won a elxfurlong handicap at the llawkcsbury mooting held on Miircli 23. lie won comfortably, after being solidly supported at even money in a il?'.d o! nine.

— Tho Vanclcvo mare Vanish showed a jfreat gait when ?he scored in 2.1C in tho Speedwell Handicap. In racing along the hack sho appeared to be stepping much faster than her winning mark. " — Although Firciron w6s ono of tho most pleasing and Bucclcuch one of tho most disappointing hojsoa seen at Riccarton last week, it is'becoming moro evident that Benzoin, tho cite of both, is a horse that should havediefi hereafter. . •

— San Francisco was responsible for the winners of the'two principal events decided ok 'the day of tho lticcarton 'meeting, and the form'of his stock suggests that tho son of St. Simon :uadc au all too brief stay in this country. — Lnndweni struck himself when racing in the. Great, Easter, nnd as .a consequence was not produced for the Groat Autumn. Tiio colt was kept back at Ricarton for two or thre days before being a-sked to undertake the home journey.

— Tho Medallion—Salutation maro Salaam, who has shown great pace on the training track, was sold Inst week at 32 guineas. If nhe would display in public what sho has su-scouiplisheil in private tho maro wonld be a bargain nt the price.

— Achilles is stil la champion, but nevertheless a defeated champion, although in getting defeated last wook ho was not disgraced. It .was good to hear the crowd do honiago to a grand horse as the handsome son of Medallion canteml down for his preliminary. ■'

— The yearlings purchased by Mr Hazlott at the Kandwick yearling sales should make % valuable- addition-to our list of blooiVstcck. Ayr Laddie, the sire of tho Lady Giaftc-n colt; was also the sire of tlio n'oll-known performer Ayrdale, who was sold to go to India.

— Sicpdiincer, a dual winner of the Diincdm Gup, is to desert tliq post for the- paddock.. The daughter of Stepiiial: was a fairly useful performer tutfcr silk, but her merit as a racer was a!u'ny3 overshadowed by tho brilliant deeds of her famous brother, lienschikoff.

— The victory of Elevation in tho Challengo Stakes was n sourco of gratification to those who have always maintained the son of .San Francisco was ft good colt. He generally hangs fire a bit at'the rise of the barrier, but when ho gets going tfwre is no reason for doubting his pace. — The follow-in},' figures show tho prices about Fireiron and the field whiclj, went out ior the Groat Autumn Handicap:—Marguerite, JEEG 163; Submarine, £61 Is; Truce, £23 6s Gd: - £30 10s Gd; Siepdanoer, £170. 8s; Seal Keck, fiS 2s; Landwcrn, £17G Ss; Lapland, £103 lGs Gd; and Field Gun, £165 15s.

— Tho Australian Jockey Club's spring meeting and the Caultield Clip fixture will clash nest season, and no doubt both clubs will !o?e by the change. Tlio closeness of tho liandwiclt sprint' mwting and tho New Zealand Cup meeting will probably be tho cause •if keeping some of our horses away from the other side.

—'i'orra Nova, who showed a 2.10 gait when winning the. International Handicap vn Saturday, is rich iu ihorouglibicd blood, us his dam

was got by tho C.J.C. Derby winner Stonyhurst, and lie also receives threo strains through hi* sire. He v/as nowhere in the Champions' Handicap, won earlier in lie. day by Sal Taskcr. — Thcro :s ample room for .improvement ,in the working of ibe totalifators at liiccarion. The method of handling the money is very sfdw, and the paying-out facilities are Iratily in ae><l of extension. Only about half the window, available were opened up, and (ho club missed a- good deal of money by their false economy. — When Apollodoria ran into a place in tho Great Enslw ho displayed the best form he has exhibited up to date. lie looked particularly well when he went out for tho fray, and a few of the. hard heads supported him for the race lxicause his attractiveness was made up by gcocl racing condition and not mere beauty of outline. ! — Messrs Price and J\ett!efold havo" fiold their Stcpmak—Tnrlnlla colt to Mr J. Prosser, the vrcll-luiov/n Foriiua ownertrainer. The price paid is believed to have been in iho neighbourhood of SOOeovs, and no doubt tho gallant service accomplished by Torfuila for the stable made her purchaser anxious to acquire her son.'

— At. the Sydney yearling sales Mr Treiv chard, of Victoria, pnkl £1300 for Dividend's half-brother. New Zealand buyers secured' the following lots:—Mt D. O'Brien, G ration— 'Collp colt. £130; Mr L. C. Ilazlott, Ayr Laddie—Lady Gratton colt. £80, and a Simmer—Toque colt, £140; Mr Palmer. Ayr Laddie-jMmc3'ie colt, £120. — Wcouburn Chief, tho sire of Woodthorpe Maid, the" winner of the Juvenile Stakes which was decided in ChriHc'mvrcb last weak, ia a son of EoiihscliiM and tho Jay Gc-uld mare Sis Woodlurn. Puella, the second dam of Woodlmrn Ohief, also produce Alinont, Belmont ![., and Picnic Falm.'Eo that Woodthorp; Moid is bred to go fast. ' —'Red Gauntlet's'win in the T-chvplofon Handicap was sv popular victory with southerners who wore present at Riccarton. The son .of Loohiol is one of the'most consistent,runners we have, nnd when he fails it is gwierally through luck of racing condition. He generally returns n fair price, and that tends to mako his wiii3 doubly pleasing to', his followers. — Tho sum of £117,722 was put through the totalisalor in work at the four principal nieetums held during tho Easter vacation. Tho figures nnd a comparison with last year's total's are as follows:— ■ 1306. ,1907. C.J.C. (two days) .. 7. ..£25.027 £35,957 A.R.C. (three- days) ~. .. 41,410 45,185 Ch'ch Trots (tlirto clays) .. 23,575 35.144 Fcilding (two days)' .-. .. 29,056 ' 31,430 — The Dunedin pony Yv'ilkie made a great pffoit in the AVilkin Handicap, birtjstopped in tho last three furiongs and faded'uway in the run •home. Durbar put up 4min 42 4-oecc, and was conceding.Wilkie-13 seconds, so that the latter would havo to have made a good mark in order to have registered a win in tho race. Wilkie kept fairly clear of his field, mid was acting well for » mile arid n-hal'; but that appears to be tho length of his tether at present. —Mr It. Butherford lids generally managed to own a fast ricer or two, nnd in iho past G. Grant was generally associated with them jn their rnces. Latterly M. Al?iui lias l>jon- successful with horses racing iu' the same, interest, nnd bus managed to bring some grist to the mill. Back in the past Allan was a fairly successful rider "acrc?e the flit," imd the knowledge he Rained in those days helps to lighten his handicap when on tko back of a trotter.

—It is understood that the Xew Zealand Metropolitan Trotting- Club is putting, by a nest egg in order to purchase ii now track in the event of its having to' shilfc from its present quarters, which nro only;.held on lease. Something like £10,000 has, bsen .sunk in improvements on tho ground, hut the track is still far from bsiiig perfect.. TJwo of the turns aro bad, and tho course is*too small and narrow for tho large fields' v/hich are octtisionally seen out at tire meetings.. — Whilst paying an early morning visit to Kiocarlon with tho object nt watching ponio nf tho work, the write had a ramble about tho tracks'and infield. There is an astonishing amount of waste land which, if put in order and protected, would'furnish a neverending supply of galloping ground. Trainers would.then bo able to work their charges all tho year round and in any sort of wea-t'her, because if a -track .cr two got chopped .about it could ba allowed plenty of time to get right again. -The efforts of the N.Z.M.T.C. to cater for juvenile racing havo not, up to tfce -present,; been rewarded with any great niccc3s. On tho contrary, the fields which have- contested tlic£o events have generally been very small, and the reason is not hard to find. The stakes given away ere far too.small for an owner to bring out "Sal Taskers," and probably find they will havo to make them go to a mark which Would do anything but help their chances in the more rahinble events of the future.

— Some of the most capable men with hor.«e3 are .frequently ■ found to havo their capability,.overbalanced with ill-luck, arid a notable instance of the point is illustrated by C. KSrr, who brings on some gdotl horses, but. generally manages to bump up against something a little better. The writer is half inolincd to join the superstitious br.nd and advise Ken to turn round three limes in order to get rid of the unlucky star with which ho has .apparently been navigating some of his past journeys.

— The field which" contested the Great Autumn Handicap was not'rich'in staying qualities, but when Seal Rock W railed upon tor a final effort in the race, he finished both fast, nnd game, and it will not ho surprising to find him at home over a longer journey! Tho Eon of San Francisco wag as fnt as ti seal when ho made his solitary appearance 03 a two-year-aid, .and. his moderate display made some of the critics mark him down as an ordinary. Last week ho stopped as' handsome a colt as ono could wish to see, and his good looks were the mow noticeable because they combined power tiud quality without showing anything effeminate. — Some of the finest racing in the colonies is witnessed on -the Addingtcn trotting'track, nnd iu one ruco on Sntmdny si large iield of horses wero. bunched at the homo turn almost in the same manner, as is common with a fioM of flat racers. A great drawback, from a spectator's point of view, is, however, frequently prominent on fi iir.o day owing. -to the strong glare from the sun, which makes tho horses look like ghosts us they race a:<mg the back stretch. The blinding light of the setting sun, coupled with the dust that is gonerally sUncd up by the horsss, makes it difficult to distinguish tho 'equities, and consequently half the pleasure of witnessing flic sport'is lost. t

— Sal Tusker's mark of .1.40 in a race compares fairly well with Ribbonwood's 4.35 4-5 under similar circumstances, as the lntter was a year oldor when ho mado his tv;c~mi'o record. In the writer's opinion the Rothschild filly, with ordinary luck, wjll prove a champion, as in looking her over before and after going 4.40, it appeared as if she were slightly nbovo herself in condition, although her wind was clear enough for tho business in hand. In coupling the names' of Ribbonwood and Sal Tfiskcr. D. J. Prico is to bo congratulated on haying developed both Ilin champion pacer and ono of tho faster pacers in sight. It really looks as if there is something in training horeca after all.

— Tho fcur colts purchased at tho Randwick sales for Now Zealand on behalf of Messrs l>. O'Brien, Mr G. J. F. Palmer, iHid Mr L. C. Hazlctt—aro a quartet of stoutlybred youngsters. Jfr O'Brien's colt was got by Graf'on out ot 'Cello, by Splendour— Orchestra, by Goldsbroiigh-ltclody. Orchestra is a, sister to Melodious, the dam . o( Wallace. Mr Palmer's colt waa got by Ayr Laddie (son of tho English Derby winner Ayrshire) out of Amicslio, by Lochiel—Scandal, by Barbarian—Keepsake. , Mr Hnzlett's Ayr Laddie- colt is' out of Lady Gratton, by Grafton—Lady Roadec, by Uoodcc (broiher to Chester and St. George) from lvcopsnko. The Simmer colt is out of Toque, a daughter of the Jiordenfeldt horse Cumbria, frr.-n : lionnolto (dam of Jim Dorset), by Cheviot—MiHi-

— The hitherto unbeaten Sal Tasker had her colours lowered on .Saturday, when she formed one of the field which went out to coi'Jeat- the International Handicap. Earlier in "tho clay she lied scored meritoriously in the Champions' Handicap, when she paced 1.-10, and piloted n high-class field of horses past the post. For her victory she was penalised lscc ill the International, and was thus placed on the scratch mark. It was evidently one of her unlucky days, as in the first race her sulky collapsed , when doing a preliminary, and as a consequence she was raced in a strango "waggon." This, however,' did not stop her from winning, but in getting away in her second race she last ground owing, to » man geltine; in her way at the word "Go." This caused ',he marc to get bustled, besides losing ground, and sho went- up alior going a furlong. Another mix occurred a little later, and this practically, put her out of court, as the leaders got such a.break on that it would have required a Lou Dillon to win Milder the- circumstances. The winner. Terra Nova, went 2.50J- for the uiilo and a-quarter, and consequently put up a, 2.16 gait.

— Count Witte, the son of Monschikon* and Problem, the <3ani of Solution, is a fine, big, handsome eo'.t that sained lumps of friends us soon as iie paraded for the Champagne Sialics. Tho memory of his sire' lingers in one's mind as a small horse, and it was a trifle surprising to the writer to find his son a colt that was anytliiug but lacking in size. The- first tiling noticeable about him was a fine reaching style of walking, and that excellent point was only marred by a tendency to knuckle in the hind fetlocks. -It is■:?aid.that his knees arc also.a source of anxiety.to his trainer, but it is somewhat difficult to ntalto a close insncctioii of a horso in a liiccartou crowd, as the C.J.C. have excluded tho press rep 3. from entering the weighing enclosure except under special invitation, ajid that that has been accepted by the spoiling sctibes as an invitation to stny away is cviden/ from the fact that the writer has not noticed a working member _ of tho "gallery" on the forbidden ground since She order was posted at tho lastSew Zealand Cuy uicctiag. Theio is, how-

ever, no questioning the fact thai tlio Count can travel fast. He ehowod plenty of pace wlien ho scored in tho Champagne Stakes, and wns travelling freely until well over five furlongs, although Hie stick had to be bought out to stall oil 'Elevation at the finish.

FOOTBALL.

Bt T?um. Birr. All the senior clubs bold practice games on Saturday lasi, when tlioro wore largo attendances. Tho form displayed in the majority of instances was good considering the early stage of the season.

There is much disappointment in tho ranks of Otago University by reason of the fact that Fryer, tho clover Canterbury representative, is not now coming to Duiicdin. It was anticipated that tho Chrislchureh player would take a course at the Otago Dental School, in which 'case lie • would havo been available to play for the 'Varsity. A schools Rugby team from New South Wales is expected to leave Sydney for New Zealand on June 15. The ago limit of tho youths for this combination will be 20 years. A player named Kongoa', from To Ante College, has thrown in his football abilities with Otago University, and will play for the students this wason. Tho newcomer is a five-eighth, with a reputation, and if he plays up to -that will provo a useful man to tho 'Varsity team. Apropos of a news item in this column, a Wellington writer tlnisly: "Ryan, who was transferred from Wellington to Dunedin last, year, has again bceii moved on—this time to Lytlolton. If memory serves me right, Ryan did not play in senior matches here. Ho had just secured his place in the 'Foncko team when his marching orders came." ' E. E. Booth, whose departure from Otago is ever imminent, will continue to play for Kaikorai ss opportunity offers. . Tho Port Chalmers senior team, which possesses somo good Rugby material, threatens to put a. strong team in the Held this season, tho forwards in particular being announced as a particularly good lot. Referring to the inclusion of the Taieri Rovers as a senior olub, the Tajeri Advocate says, amongst other interesting tilings.: " Tears ago the okl Taieri Club attained a prestige that was recognised throughout the province, as well as in Dunedin, and tho club could inoro than keep its end up against tho best city clubs, whilst representatives invariably found their way into the Otago rep. team, and one or two even attained colonial honours. Names that might be cited as representatives of Taieri football in its palmy days aro the Gibson brothers, Allan brothers, Murdoch, Johnston, Kcrr, Elder, Oliver, Campbell, Stevenson, ar/J a host of others whoso uanice are not recalled just at the moment. Colin Gilray, the Otago representative footballer and 'Rhodes scholar, will be available to play for Otago University* until August, when bo leaves for ICngland to take up his studies at Oxford University. Owing to his departure in August Gilray will not be available for representative football.

Apropos of tho Alhambra-lferivalo game, a, Christchurch writer passes this judgment on the Eed-and-blacks: "The gamo calls for little comment, and wae chicliy noticeable for tho large number of openings lost, especially so with the Olago backs during the second spell. Di-yden, Bcnnet, and A'l'Kciizie were conspicuous for Alhambra in the backs, and of the forwards M'Kenzio and Given strove hard."

Thus early in tlio season it is not possible to form a correct estimate of tho prospects of tho various teams taking part in the Senior Gnulo competition, but from information received I loam that Otago University will again put a strong combination in the fioltl. Last ycn.r'6 premiers will bo represented by practically tho same men as did duty last Scannell will probably be found in his old position of full back, unless Borrio mits in a claim as guardian of tho goal. Tho three-quarter lino will bo represented by Gilray, Adams, and Macpherson, and if this trio play up tolast season's form wo may\cxpcct something above the average, in Rugby- Thoro is a vacancy, I understand, at five-eighi-h, a. position which requires a sprightly man to fill. Lomas, who put up several fine games in -the season of" 1906, will ho one of the five-eighths, but who the No. 2 man will ho ha-s not ye-fc been decided. Mention ie made ol t> five-eighth from Hawkc's Bay who is likely to fill tho position. Tho newcomer arrives with tho reputation of being a Hmvko's Bay rep., a qualification which entitle him to some consideration. Damoy had given it out that ho would play five-eighth this season, which, of cour-e, would have fixed up tho. fivo-ciglillis difficulty but loft a position vacant behind the scrum. How.over, it has since transpired that Dansey will play, behind the pack, a position which ho is eo well qualified to fill. Given a very' smart half-back 1 would liko to fee Dansey at , live-eighth, for if the thveoquarter lino could livo with him in pace ho would make- for tho brilliancy of attack on his side. Tho forwards will be practically tho samo as last year.

Tho Pirato3 senior team will, I hear, ho much about the same as last year. The forwards will be a fair lot, but tho backs will not 1)0 anything sensational. Lack of training ha 3 hail a great deal lo do with tho non-success of this team in tho past. Whcrofor it is good to learn that tho members of this year's team pnq>oee going to work in earnest to get fit for the seaeon's campaign. Dr Hunter, the popular Duncdin medico and ex-Otago representative, who has cdadhed tho Otago University learn so successfully in the past, will again take tho student footballers in band this year. It is understood that Allan Adams, tho centre- throe-quarter of Otago University and last year's captain, will not see!; to skipper the Royal Blues during the coming season. As a captain Adams was something of a success. .• 'Varsity will not bo altogether without his controlling influence, for his successor—whoever he may he—will bo able to fall lack on his centre threcqtiarler for football advice when necessary. A Christchurcli scribe states that the play of the Union in tho match against Linwood at. Easter was very mediocre, and that mistakes on the part of tho Maroons iravo Limrood two of I heir tries. Smith, Simpson, and Thompson wore singled out as being tho best. oE the Union backs and M'Kcnzie and Suttoii in the forwards.

Christchurcli comments on AlbambraMerivalo match: Tho New Zealand forward Johnston was playing for Alhambra, but seemed a lot below his form when he played for the "Blacks." Given still takes an active phrt in the pastime, nnd, like Peter Mcnrics, is evidently far from being a back number vet.

Humoured that Newton, ono of Uio "All Blacks," will bo found playing for Westport this season.

R. T. Gabe. tho centre three-quarter back, who toured New Zealand with the British team under the captaincy of Bedell Sirright, captained the Welsh international side in the recent, match against Ireland._ The opening of the football season in Wellington has been set down for Saturday, April 20. It. is anticipated that 30 grounds will be required for all mutches, j Something like a trophy! Mr J. P. Bannin, a tailor of Grcytown, has offered lo supply that club's senior team with a r.et of knickers, "so as to have a uniform appearance on the noM." Needless to say. the offer (says "Touehlinc") was received with thanks by that club. The balance sheet of tho -Southland Rugby Union, presented atyhe annual meeting ot that body, showed that the expenditure amounted to £2720, which included £1342 15s 2d purchase of now grounds, £806 5s work on new (.'rounds, and £R6B 12s 3d exnenses of northern tour. Receipts included: Rugby rally profits £202, and loan from N.Z. Rugby Union at 2J per cent. £1300. The overdraft at the bank is £690 10s Bd. The balance of assets over liabilities wae sot down at £1189.

At the annual mooting of the North Otrgo Rugby Union, the secretary said he had been assured in Dunodin that an effort would 1* made to arrange a. match between the Otago First Fiffccen and North Otngo this,season. ' • There was some discussion at the annual nicotic of the Southland Rugby Union over the Selection Committee question. It was the solo selector against the three selectors over again. On a vote being taken the .three-selector system was approved' of, and Messrs Bain, Lennie, and Gedtks appointed.

Goorgo W. Smith, tho Auckland City crack three-quarter, has decided to play again this season.

\V. Mackrell, the Newton forward, and one of the "All Blacks." will play for City this season. He will b<. paired with George Tyler in the front row.

. Basil -MacLen-r, tho Irish soldier-footballer who created such a favourable impression nmomjet the "All Blacks" when that combination was on tour, put up a splendid gamo for Ireland against England in the international match, won by Ireland bv 17 points to 9 points. An Otago footballer who witnessed the match between Alhambra and Mcrivale in Christchurch at Easter, pays a high ■ tribute to Mr K. Barry, who rofereed' in that fixture. My informant 6tates thai llr Barry controlled tho game in a first-class manner. He kept the players well in hand, and there was not a point in the game which escaped his notice.

THE ASSOCIATION GAME. Br Left Wing.

A visit to tho various football roservoa on Saturday was calculated to finally dissipate any lurking doubts as to whether or ,not tho Association game is making progress. On Morningioii and Northern grounds it must have boon to many a revelation .to see the large numbers of youths, for tho most part of a line stamp and promising stature, and all thoroughly keen.

Practice was indulged in by the Southern Club at-Culling Park, eonio' 40 members being present. Teams were selected by tho captain and deputy captain, and a willing game was played. Towards the close of the day two elevens were played to give an opportunity for the -selectors to do their work. The eenior team will this year bo practically » now combination. About half of. laot year's loam remains, but plenty of enthusiastic talent is to be found in the ranks: of the juniors, and it is the intention of the- selectors to give every opportunity for these players to merit their confidence. - Tho Asylum Ground wore a busy appearance on 3atiirilay, when both Wakari and Roslyn practised in -turn. Towards both goals, thoro is a fairly good growth of grass, but in the centre the little bumps of the wet season last year remain. If iiiimberG and enthusiasm enn be taken as a criterion, Hoslyn may be said to have had the most successful practice held for tho last three -,or four seasons. About 36 members took part in the first game, which J. Edwards controlled efficiently. With 18 α-sido tho game was necessarily cramped, but the form shown by several was very gratifying, tho juniors especially playing good football. Amojig tho new members Upinkf, ' Morrison, Koiller, Murphy, and Jl'Ncill showed an aptitude for the gaino and should steadily improve. The second game, with 11 a-side, was much faeter, and resulted'in a draw, each side scoring a'goal ■'Two'.ox-members,S. Brown and J. Ussher, playing right wing and centra respectively, put in good work, and should considerably strengthen tho forward lino. Ussher is a player of the bustling type. At half hack Bannerman and Aitchison tackled well and kept their forwards supplied with the ball. Of tho full backa Alollison was very safe, while Kobinson put in good. work. Tho latter is a strong kick,,but inclined to use.the line too much.. Dow, last year's back, did not play up to form, being still a little uncertain about liis ankle. M'Lood, in goal, had little to do, but his goal kicks could do with more power behind them. Koslyn First Grade- Eleven will probably be picked from the following:—S. Brown, ,T. Ugsher, U. Booklaai, J. Clark, T. M'Gillivray, A. Mollioon, W. Harlow, E. Jiarinerman, 1 , . Aiichison,. J. Gilmbur, J. Edwarde, W, Dow, Kobinson, and M'Laod.

From tho appearance of the Morninglon Ground last Saturday there does not seem to bo a. falling oft' in regard to tho numerical strength of tho hill club. Over 60 members turned out, to the practices. Practically eight of last year's seniors and juniors Juvo dropped out, including H. Grcnfcll and G. Hicko'y (both halves), and .of the new blood tried in tho half back division on Saturday there will lie a- (good deal of uncertainty; Consequently tho idea of being able to run two senior teams ha.3 been shaken somewhat. Baillio, Jack, Middleman, Airey, Renfrew, and Young wcro s-Jcn in their old form, and Hutchison (a new man) performed very creditably in goal. A. llaeburn was also seen practising with tho above. A goc<l deal of : keenness was exhibited, and there will probably be a good fight fer .placee, as there is a- chance of only one Second and two Third Grades being run. Northern is undoubtedly strong this year again. Reid- is -apparently to be in goal. J. Morrison is amongst tho four of last year's eleven who nave indicated they will not bo playing this year. Bailey, M'Clclland, Irvine, and Harrison are again in evidence, other seniore on the list this year being tho Timlin brothers. Shepherd, Drake, Jones, and Sharp. The rirft and left halfback positions are evidently yet to be provided for.. A likely candidate is Irvine, a further representative of that name which lias for so long been worthily connected with the club's history. Although very young, he h of staunch build, ha,s a strong kick,, and is credited with pluck. Drake waV played as right, half back on Saturday, but was,- not unnaturally, iinablo to forgot he was not a forward. Jones worked nicely as inside to M'Clollaml, and John Timlin showed lie had not. lort his dash.

The Southern and Northern delegates are instructed to support the continuation of (lie district scheme. Ravensbourno and Battalion will, I midcrsrand, do likewise, whilst tl» Southern delegates, and possibly others, will be given a. free hand. Some of (ho other clubs are definitely opposed to the scheme, whilst some a ; ro doubtful. The club view of the question is not always characterised by breadth. Members havo been heard to condemn the scheme because it means a known loss of one. man to them. Aftor all, it is doubs fill whether the question is very largely affected by the number of players who come to the city from other parts. And yet it in a plea of this kind that is most .ftronyly urged in deprecation of the district plan. It, is tho boys we must look to for the. future of the game, and not tho fc-w and often itinerant players from other centres. A prominent Rugby official, conversing ontho point, assured me- that tho association would do a. foolish thing if it departed from the district scheme, which lie was satisfied was Iho best method of organising; and controlling tho same.

"Interested," writing from Invcrrarpill, wants definite information as to whether PaijinliMsoii really played for Oxford against Cambridge in the animal Association match. As stilted last week, ITarquhari-on did not pluy for Oxford on that occasion. The honour he has gained is that of playing lor one of the colleges in a much less important fixture.

Ravonsbourne's muster "on Saturday was 28, including frvcral" from Sawyers' Bay. Amongst, a liltely tatch of Third Graders, -Donaldson, jun.. playing inside right, attracted notice. From present indications the Second Grade tram is likely io be picked from tha-following:—Stevens, Cravley. Chisholm, Donaldson, Cairncy, J)odd, Connor brothers, Shanks, Page, Jack, Portman, and Harrison. The dressing room on the ground is now completed. When indicating last week Iho remnant of last year's committee occupying *seats this yeaJ I omitted the namo of that popular ajid conscientious representative of the Bavensbounw Club.'. Mr Crawloy.

The Battalion Club has held its annual mooting, and commenced practice in n. modest way on Saturday, jt is expected between 25 and 30 players will be available. A visit to the new ground (Corinthian Park) at Iho beginning of the week proved rather disappointing. It was understood that the work of putting the fiokl into order for playing was to be eommeiicsd immediately after the annual meeting of the 0.F.A., but there were no indications 'of anything having been done. The Maori Hill Association Club has practically Abandoned its iden of entering for tho senior competition this year.