SPORTING AND SPORTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14279, 30 July 1908, Page 10

SPORTING AND SPORTS

By Sentikel.

THE lUEF.

NEW ZEALAND RACING C'ONFERKXCK. The report of.tho New Zealand Conference, held in ' Wellington last week, ■was full of statistics regarding racing matters. Tho racing public generally are not great students of a long array of figures, so; I give what 1 take to he the most interesting. Lust season (1907-fi) the total permits granted throughout the Dominion were 128. For the coming season 133 have been applied, for, but an excess on the previous number is not likely to be permitted. 1 not ire, for instance, that Waikouaiti and Palmerston have each applied for permits. Otago with 27, heads the provincial lists with the number of racing clubs and permit. The other metropolitan districts' clubs follow in Ihe order below:—Canterbury, 22; Hawkc's Bay, 21; Auckland, 18; Wellington, 16; Wnngaiiui, 14; Taranaki, 8; Greymouth, 7. The district under the control of tho Dunedin Jockey Club is the largest in the Dominion, jw it includes Southland, and it is also more widely settled than other large centres. The IXJ.C, have only nine days' racing during the soaeon, while Auckland has 13, Canterbury 11, Wellington 10; so our country meetings get tho benefit of the difference. As far as totalisator investments are concerned, the D..T.C. is badly beaten along the lino as they only occupy the icixth position in the list of tho eight Metropolitan Clubs, which is as follows:—Canterbury Jockey Club, £193.849; Auckland Racing Club, £193,359; Wellington Racing Club, £174,835; Hawke's Bay Jockey Club, £64,828; Wangamii Jockey Chdi, £61,016; Dunedin Jockey Club, £60,695. Tho two greatest country clubs are Manawatu and Keilding. tho former totting up to £70,007 and the latter £58,851. Fcilding, with only four days' -acing, and Manawatu five days. There* is nothing approaching these large figures in j any of the district clubs in ihe Middle Island. _ Speculation throughout the Otago | district is al«> behind tho other largo provinces. There is not the inclination to gamble hero as in the North Island. Ofagoiles are 100 hard-headed and calculate to rush the machine with their money. IN A NUTSHELL. — The Stepniak—Royal Plumes colt has gone into Hastings stable in Southland. — Spinning Flight is reported to have been in bad condition when running at Wellington. . —An offer, of Goog3 was mode for the New Zealand pony Ealgonic. The offer was refused. — Nadador incurs a Hll> penalty for the Grand National through her win at Wellington. — The V.R.C. Grand National meeting shows, a falling off in receipts as compared vriih last year. ' •A Sydney message reports the scratchuig or King Billy ior tho Metropolitan and Mpaom Handicaps. — Loch Fyne, Sir Frisco, and Scoity have :'-neurred a penalty of 10lb for the Grand National meeting. : —Tho Ashhurtoii County Racing Club's meeting is fised for Wednesday and Thursday, September 1G and 17. •-Welcome Tiisf,.who has engagements in ihe important Spring Handicaps, has returned'work at Randwick. — Grenadier has been scratched for, the Caulfield Cup, and it is staled will bo returned to New Zealand. . — Bobadil was the only one siro to claim Jnore. than one winner at the recent V.R.C. Grand National mooting. — Silkweb is a iittle gold mine to Tommy Cotton's stable, as he won the final event it; Wellington on. Saturday. x — Homeward has qualified with the Birchwood hounds, and is a likely competitor at Chrißtchurch in hunters' events. ' — The Cromwell Jockey Club has a fixed deposit of £500. Their stake money is this 7ear to be the same us last—£42s. —.Lnpulito, Stormont, and Albury were taken to Eiccartou on Monday "morning, all in good trim and with great expectations. — According to an American correspondent, Mr James li. Kcane, during the first 10 days of the American racing season, won . £io;ooo. — The New Zealand pony, Cocky, won yet another race in Melbourne on June 24, This :s the third race won by Cocky within a month. — Nadador has gone home to Hastings from Trentham; it is a bit doubtful if she will start with her penalty in the Grand National Steeplechase. — Cardinal, the winner of the Grand National Steeplechase at Flenxingion, is nearly 10 years old. and his iron grey coat .s tecoming white with age. '" —I have received Mr J. J. Millar's very handy 'little work, " The Sporting Pamphlet," containing all particulars regarding tno big spring events in Australia. — The fotal stun allotted by tho Canterbury Jockey C l ub in next season's programme :'s £27,800, which repiosents an increase of £1020 . compared with last year. — A prominent American owner, in E. Corrigan, of Chicago, is retiring ltom the turf, and .will shortly sell all his horses. Including mare's and foals, they total 200. : — The annual report 'of tho V.R.C. shows I profit of £6235 lor the year. Tho stakes for the coming season have been increased by £3700. making the added money £40,743. , —At a sale by auction last week at Groper's Bush the gelding Eous was disposed of to Mr M'lvor, of Riverton, for JEGC, and Lofhis to Messrs Shcdan Bros., for £33. . — The Ngw Zealand'pony Hngbie, by Soult —Gold Web, was sold privately in Melbourne. He wis purchased by the Indian buyer, Mr 3. Margett, and leaves for tho East next month. • —Master Foole's win at Newcastle was his first since the Caulfield Guineas. As a yearling he was sold for IGOOg, but last autumn he was bought by his present owner for 310gs: — The V.RvC. Grand National Hurdles has always been a had race for punters, as out of 15 races since 1833, only three favourites h*ve reached home first—viz., Apslcy, Pat, ?,nd Marmont. ■ — Mr L. Anderson, of Pahiatua, has purchased, the well-known stallion Daysiar from ]\ir R. J. Matthews, of Waitara. The price paid was 300 guineas, and the iiorse will bo placed on. stud duty at Paliiatua. —When the latest mail to hand left Kng.and on June 5, F. Wootton was second in this season's winning jockeys' list, having passed Mahcr, who was out of the saddle *or nearly threo weeks owing to varicose veint'. '—Though Mahuta is at present enjoying a spell it is quite likely that he will be raced at the Marton Jockey Club's meeting in September, so that lie may be in good racing form by the lime the New Zealand Cup meeting comes Tound. — Probably the biggest horse that ever won the Derby was Jeddah, though old men speak of the wonderful proportions of Plenipotentiary. That great horse Daniel O'Rourke, was not In hands high, and Little Wonder was no taller. '—At the annua! meeting of tho Winton Jockey Club a resolution was carried that it be a recommendation to the incoming conainittee to increase the slake money for the coming season to £1000. Tho races are fixed for the 7th and 9th November. — The annual general meeting of the Tahuna Park Trotting Club will be held on the 31st of August. The following are tho members of committee-—Mr W..J, Gore (president), Mr G. Hodges (vice-presi-dent), Messrs K. Greenslade, 3. Jeffs, and J. M'Ghie. They are eligible for re-election. — When tho yearling by Multiform from Portland Light was put up at the yearling sales at Randwick, an offer of 775gs was refused by her owner. Since then she has been leased' by a patron of T. Laiuond's stable. On the score of breeding ho should be very smart. — Says a Melbourne exchange:—"lt opened the eyes of some of the New Zealauders at present on a visit to Melbourne, the amount of money to be won over a minor handicap, and it is-likely somo of them will send a hdso or two along to bo raced here in the near future." — Thero is a final payment of £8 due on August 7 in the Grand Xntiona! Hurdle Race, and I expect to see a good number fall out, as their racing at Trentham has not been indicative of any of them possessing much chance, and out of tho number of acceptors 16 of them started at the meeting. — By ihe will of Mrs A. M. Coomho she bequeathed Master Delaval to Dennis Monaghan, her trainer, a very fitting reward for long and faithful services. The other horses, Master Soult, Elysian, and Tetrazzini, have.been left to relations, and to bo raced by the trustees for a period to be determined on. . — The Australasian says Waipu, who ricked lis BhoitldcT in tho Grand National Hurdle face, and has sinoo been in the hands of Mr E. N. Wood, V.S., is improving, but will not be able to resumo racing for somo little time. Superstition, who fell in the same race, and injured his nock, is still in a, bad way. — No fewer than seven of the falls that occurred in llib V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase were, so the assistant ranger says, at tho two smallest fences in tho whole course, and wero mostly occasioned by the horses standing too far away from the obstacles, which certainly do not present a very formidable appearance. — The victory of Idealist in th? July Cup at Blemington was another ol his characteristic performances when fit. There were 13 starters, and tho son' of Birkenhead—ldeal jumped off with a lead, and was never caught, cutting out the mile in lmin 43Jscc. He started favourite, and waa very largely backed by both the aUfelo and the public,. .

— Mr E. Stevenson, who returned to Palmerslon North recently from India, brought with him his two racchorses-Lionhcart and Liquid Air—which had been in Australia for somo considerable time. While Mr Stevenson was in India Lionheart won three races in New South Wales. The latter is to get a lengthy spell lieiure being put into work again. r - Mr P. P Bigwcod. who. with the New Zealand pony Bal-onie, was successful in annexing ''Wren's Thoucaud " ol Melbourne recently, was a passenger from Sydney by the Ulimaroa last Wednesday, awl was among the spectators at the Trentham races. Balgonie is at present on offer to an Australian buyer, and there is every probability of the well-bred filly k-ing sold at a handsome IigUTC. — The New Zealand Putty lias been sold lo H. Mcrt. of Horsham, and will in future hi raced in the Victorian country district:;.' — Milroy. in the Sydney Mail, says-—"I heard incidentally on Saturday, from a northern breeder who was going across for the salo of 'the late Mr Stead's horses, that it was likely one of the steamship companieswould start a. boat from hero on August i, and return a couple of days after the sale, which takes placo on AugUEt 12. If this scheme is carried out, there will be a largo Australian contingent present. — At tho annual meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Conference the chairman said in regard lo non-tolalisator clubs whose prize money falls short of the minimum required, he considered that such clubs were detrimental to sport, and suggested that it be a recommendation to the governing body to fix minimum lunounls of no less than £150 of stakes per day, and to refuse to pass any programme that did not conform to this standard. — Tho cable advises us that Xcdiionim has at lust won a race in England in the Bridgato Plate. It is not a very valuable race, but it is hoped it is a good beginning for him. From what I can glean, the above plate is rim at Leicester, and is only a hundred sovs in value; still, it shows him in better form, and it is quite possible that tho change in his method of training will improve him. That he has been a. great colt all admit, and his poor display iu England is very hard to account for. ■•Victoria-) officisls can be smart at time?, particularly when a visitor happens to win a trifle down south The ltic'<mond Thousand waj_ won by the Now Zealand pony Butgouio last week, and on the following morning the secretary of the club found awaiting him at his office a communication from the incouio office claiming income-tax on the slake from tho owner of the winner. The letter was passed on to Balgonie's owner, who, in handing over the amount of the tax—£6—remarked that (he commissioner was "quicker off the murk than Balgonie.". — The Melbourne Critic says the Nsw Zealander, D. J. Price,' is a gentleman to he closely watched. He finds it profitable to bring horses from the Dominion. He 13 evidently a good judge, or has ono at ihe other end .to select the liokcs, for when they get to Melbourne they seem to be. able to win pretty quickly. Idealist, who ran away with the mile race at Flemington on Saturday, is one of Price's latest importations. Ho had started only twice in Melbourne, but iha touts had their eyes on him; and as soon as the stable commission was known lo bo in on Saturday there was a rush to get on the good thing. Idealist won in a canter. FOOTBALL. By Full Back. OTAGO'S~FIXTURES. August 5— Southkud, at Invercargill, August 29.—Southland, at Dunedin. Sept. 2.—North Otago, at Oarnaru: Sept. s—Canterbury, at Cbristchurch. Sept. 12.—Auckland, at Auckland. Sept. 16.—Taranaki, at New Plymouth. Sept. 19.—Wellington, at Wellington. —Country Week.— t Saturday, August 15.—South Otago plays North Otago, and Vincent plays Maniototo, on Cajisbrook, at 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 19.-Tuapeka plays Waiheino, at 1.30 p.m., on Carisbrook or Caledonian. The winners of previous Saturday's competition play off, at 8 p.m., Carisbrook or Caledonian. , Saturday, August 22.—Combined Country Team v. Metropolitan Team, at S p.m., Cale-' donian or Carisbrook. THE BRITISH TEAM. REMAINING FIXTURES. Wednerday, August s—New South Wales, at Sydney. Saturday, August B—Now South Wales, at Sydney. Wednesday, August 12—Wcolern District, at Bathurt't. Saturday, August 15—Jiotropolitan Union, at Sydn«y. Yvwluosday, August 19—Northern District, at Newcastle. Saturday, August 22—New South Wales, at Sydney. . Wednesday August 20—Queensland, at Brisbane. Saturday, August 29—Queensland, at Brisbane, -i^ Wednesday, September 2—Queensland, at Brisbane. Those supporters of tho Otago toam who are looking forward to the Blues putting up a good record on this year's northern tour wero hardly, satisfied with the local lifteen's showing in Saturday's match against Wairarapa, The Otago forwards easily held their own against their northern opponents, but their play was spasmodic, and they were not as keen on their game as no doubt they would have been had the Greens' attack been more strenuous. On the line-out the Wairarapa men showed up fairly well, but were outclassed in the solid work, their strongest, point in Saturday's game being in the loose, and at times their dribbling and following up enabled them to gain big stretches ol ground. The Green forward Henderson was generally at tho head of these rushes. There was no uncertainty about the northern forwards' collaring, but one or two of their backs wero very weak in this department of tho game, neither did they shine as rush-stoppers. Darvill and O'Leary were easily the best of tho Wairarapa rearguard. The former has a nice turn of speed, and is a splendid line kick. He suffers from the disadvantage, however, of being only able to kick •with the one foot. M'Kenzic is also a fine kick. The latter player, however, who is a brother of the famous "off-side Mac," showed an inclination on Saturday to shirk work. Brcnchlcy also, in the forwards, failed to sustain the reputation he had gained in his side's two previous fixtures. The Wairarapa men, however, have got plenty of weight and size—what they palpably stand in need of is more knowledge of the finer points of the game. On the Otago side, Kindley. at full hack, has played better games. His miseing of Darvill when this player scored his first try was inexplicable in the face of the manner in which Kindley usually downs his man. Tho Southern full back's kicking is as strong as ever, but occasionally ho does not gain as muoh ground with it as he might. O'Snllivan was the best of the three-quarters, and ended with the excellent record of four tries to his credit. Ho took his passes iu fine style, and never once failed to complete the work oi his fellowbacks. Stalker, on tho other wing, had not much to do, but was over-eager, getting 100 much out of his place. His habit of speculating, too. may one of these days get his side into difficulties;. This latter fault is evidently a relio of Stalker's soccer days. However, these faults removed, Stalker shows promise of developing into a firstclass three-quarter. Bennet had a day out, and gave us a glimpse of his old form, kicking and running splendidly. He was not on Saturday too much bothered with the attentions of the opposing pack. Eckhold, like Kindley, has given us better displays, his passes 011 Saturday king delivered with very littlo judgment. M'Leod put in any amount of work, and saved his forwards time and again with his long and accurate line kicking, Sutherland, too, behind the serum, showed good form, and stopped rushes in great style, whilst he always got tho ball quickly away from the serum. The Otago forwards, as stated above, did not play up to the form expected from them. In the line out thoir opponents at times were insufficiently watched, and as a result of this bad marking Wairarapa scored their second try. The ball, too, was not coming out of the scrum cleanly, but at times it appeared as if the Otago forwards were holding the leather in the back row and trying to.screw the scrums, and this would account for the way the ball at times hung about the back of the scrum. M'Kenzie was easily the best forward on Otago's side and on the ground. The Alhambra player when he gets away with the ball dribbles with judgment, and also docs his share in the scrum work Paton did good work on the line, but none of the rest of the forwards showed up sufficiently above his fellows to deserve special mention. Tho British team concluded their tour of New Zealand at Auckland last Saturday, and have left for Sydney io fulfil tlieir engagements there. Whilst in New Zealand the team played 17 matches, of which nine were won, (-even lost, and ono drawn, and of the matches which were won, not one was against what wo in New Zealand consider a firstclaw team, with the exception of Southland. Despite the fact that neither tlio Scottish nor Irish Union 3 allowed any of their players to take part in the tour of Australia, the statement was constantly mado from various sources that our recent visitors would extend and probably defeat

most of the teams met with in New Zealand, though it is only fair to state that this all-conquering view was not'prescribed to by one or two Knglish authorities on the game. How far tlial statement was from being correct k illustrated by ' the record or the liritisJi' lour. That the manage: of 'he team, -Mr ' Harnett, realised that his team was not such a strong one an had currently been reported war, demonstrated by his statement shortly after tlio team's arrival in New Zealand that they had not come to the colonies with the idea of teaching our footballers hnv; to play the game, and in tlio after light of events it is soon that the genial manager of ihe visitor.? was wire when he, mado this statement. That the visit of the Englishmen to the colonies will tetni to combat the undoubted growth of ])iolessionalism in New Zealand football must also be regarded as doubtful, and it is n0 use blinking the fact that during the present football season we have heard more of the probability of the introduction of professionalism into colonial football than ever before. Of couiee, I do not wish to suggest for one moment that the visit of the Englishmen has in the slightest degrco any direct bearing on tlio professional question, but it cannot bo doubted that the visit of tlio All Blacks to England opened the eyes of certain of the .memhere of that combination to . the great money-making possibilities of the liugby game at Home, and there can be no gainsaying the fact that the recent visit to ifinjlacid of the New Zealand professional team was Hie direct outcomo of the New Zealand amateur team's lour of England and Wales. And this opens up the big question of whether visits for tlio purpose of playing football should be encouraged between teams from New Zealand and the iiome Country. One of the strongest arguments brought forward by the Scottish Rugby Union against tiny of their players taking part in the recent visit of the Englishmen was that it had been proved, as a result of the All Blacks' trip Jiome, that professionalism, instead of being checked, had received an impetus by such visit. And who, in the light of present-day developments, ia prepared to say that the Scottish Union have taken a wrong view of this important question. However, this opens a very big question, and it is early in the day to prophesy what will bo the ultimate outcome of the professional movement, which has crept, and is creeping, into our Hugby game. I for one would hesitate to hazard an opinion as to the ultimate oak-ow;; of the present agitation for payment io players, and am inclined to let the matter rest for the 'present, confident in the assurance tk'fc the laws of evolution will work s out their own end. To gvt back, however, to the recent visit of our British friends, it can at once bo assorted that tho only membor of tho back division of that tram who upheld his reputation in the bij matches played hare—and that is the correct test in which to judge the Britishers—-was the full back Jackott, who worthily. upheld, and added to, his high reputation as a footballer. Of the other backs, Chapman, the Jones Brothers, Yassail, Uibbs, I-axon, Morgan, and Co., it cannot be raid that they in any way fulfilled the high expectations formed oi their prowess on the footbali field, and though their lack 01 (system and their weak half back play may have hsi; something to do \y.th the absence o ! . that 'brilliance which wc were justified in iooi:iii£ ior. One at least of the above players should have had enough individuality mi the 7>ocball fillet to go out on his own and show .'orai which would prove ho was endowed with footbali ability above the ordinary. On the ; .'collective form shown by tho English .backs ■ through New Zealand one has no difficulty in coming to the conclusion that Bedell Sivright's backs wore 'fa.? suoermr to those of the 1908 team. Coming to the forwards, it will be at onoe conceded that tho ' British had many line players in this department of the name ar.d in dribbling and. serum-work they fairly held their own' in most of their Now Zealand fixtures, tho first and third teste, the Auckland match, and perhaps one other contest excepted. In one department of forward plav whore it can honestly bo allowed that tho visiting forwards prevailed was in the securing of the bill in the scrum, but doubt is thrown on the legitimacy of their tactics in the way the ball was hooked.. However, most of our,referees passed their play, so it must perhaps be conceded their hcoking was in sccordanco _ with the Tides of the frame. Allowing the visiting pack to have 'been superior in their ho;>kinjr of tho hall, wo pet back to the fact that even with this advantage the bacis were'unable on most occasions to handle it with sufficient accuracy to enable them to cros.l their opponents' line. In line-out play and passing amongst the forwards our visitors were quit", outclassed by the opposing vanguards, but aotwiths'capdinjr these . weaknesses it will generally be allowed that ihe English twek had in it, material quite- as £°od M J 1 ' 10 Bodpll-Siv-richt's vangiw '. Whether, however, our late visitors tco.; the gamo as seriously a3 the 1801 team or played as hard to win is very much open to doubt. , Taking the results of the British team's recent tour of. New Zealand, tho conclusion is forced on one that tho form shown hiuj been rather disappointing. Ar.d I am not forget I ing the fact that a large number of the (visiting team wore at times placed hors de combat by injuries received on the football field. 1 notice from the telegraphic report of t.ne Maiiawatu-Waiiganui match that the old Otago representative J. Stalker was playing for .the former team. Stalker represented Otago and New Zealand in 1902-3. Mr Claude Young, secretarv of the Alhnmbra Club, lias been appointed sole representative for Otago and Southland of the Wallace Testimonial Fund, and contributions to the fund forwarded to him will bo font on (o Wellington. Wallace, it will be remembered, some years back was a member of tho Albambra Club. When the names of the "British" team to tour in New Zealand were first announced, we (Athletic News), without beattug about the bush, pointed out that the players were not fit for tho task that had been set them, and declared that proof of their weakness would be provided in tho very first match they played with an All New Zealand team. In many places our remarks were objected to. it being argued that they were not very encouraging to tho men who wero to make the journey. What good would thero have been in saying the reverse- of what was apparent to any man who knows form or who is able to contrast high morit and mediocrity? ihe New Zealauders arc artists skilled in every wile of Rugby football; not one of the "British" team would a place in a fifteen really representative of the Motherland At Dunedin, on Saturday, A. F. Harding and his men met a New Zealand team, which did not include Wallace, the full back, and Deans, that splendid three-quarter back, who, now that he has gained in experience, must be a grand player. Not many details of the match are available, hut the "British" team wero simply outclassed from beginning to end, ami were beaten by 32 points to' 5. lluifc makes the strength of the visitors something liko that of a county fifteen, judged by the form of the New Zealauders on their last tour in this country. But apart from that point of coutrast, that is just at what we should estimate the power of,tho team. They are a poor lot. Ihe South Canterbury team left for the north on Monday. Palmereton North is tho first stopping place, and ila.uav.atu will bo played there to-day (Wednesday). Auckland will then be visited, the match there being set down for Saturday next. According to tho Athletic News 'the work of the English Rugby Union's Commission on 1 rofessionalism has not ended. It has merely begun. After a lapse of many years a first-clase Rugby match is to bo played in Melbourne on August 10, it having been arranged to play a match there. \ Messenger has a world-wide reputation as a Rugby goal-kickcr. A few weeks ago lie managed six. On Saturday, July 11, he had a list of eight. •The New Zealand University team has eft for home bcatcin in all three matches, but the Sydney football nublic Is indebted to them for three most enU'i'lainmg games (says Sydney Referee). Their jforwards nlayed rood, hard football in every match but while superior in getting tho ball out from tho ruck and the loose to the. backs, they were up against otherwise stronger sets of forwards in all throe games. Tho biggest footballer who ever donned a jersey in N.S.W. was O. E. Silk, who scaled 22R and could keep on the ball with the beet of them. j BEDELL-SIVRIGHT'S TEAM. | The following table shows the results of Ihe _ matched played by the above learn during ll,e,r\ tour of New Zealand in JHO4:— Against Canterbury, Westland, and South Canterbury (at Chrisftclrarch)-Won by 5 to 3. Against Otago and Southland (at Dunedin) —Won by 11 to 8. ' Against New Zealand (at Wellington)— Lost by 0 to 8. j • Against Taranaki, Wangamii, and Maiiawatu (at Now Blymouth)—Drawn, no score. | Against Auckland-Lost by 13 to nil,

Including tho New South Wales matches, the team played 19 games, and won 10, lost 3, and drew 1. Points for, 257; against, 84. ASSOCIATION Bv Left Winc. Tlie 0.R.F.1* having kindly granted the use of tho Caledonian (irouncl on tho usual terms for September 5, every olfort will ho made to draw a largo crowd to witness the final,match for the cup. it is apparently assume,! that tho tinal issue, will lie between Mornington A and Northern, although Wakari have yet to be seriously reekoned with, and other things are possible. Acting: upon this us:>uin-pliou, it is probable, that. Wakari will.be pitted against, Mornington A on August 3 and against Northern on tho following Saturday, leaving Ilie Mornington A-No-ribem fixture to bo played on September 5. H this all comes to pass as Sligges'.ril the maloli on the Caledonian Ground will bo ono that, should not be rnit'sed by any desirous of seeing a gcod, keen exhibition of Association football. Wakari arc setting themselves earnestly lo the task of defeating one at least, if not both, of the leading teams. Having a bye this week, they arc arranging to hold a practice with the Maori Hill &cond Grade Eleven, who also have a bye. Out of 43 goals to date, Mornington A have scored 23 in their two games a.gainst Mornington B. On Saturday the A team gained for themselves 14- goals and had their debit increased by one—a score which recalls Northern's inglorious defeat of the late Battalion team upon its first appearance. The following notes upon the WakariSouthern match are contributed: — The Wakari-Southcrn match proved a very interesting one, and some exceptionally good play was shown by both sides. From the start Wakari made it a fast game, and kept it up right through, being thus rewarded with a win to the Itmeof 3—o. The Wakari forwards showed good combination, and ehoul-cl they he able to maintain this they will give both Northern and Mornington A a great game in tho final'round. Ussher is ono of thc\ beet forwards playing this year, and on {Saturday lie was prominent during tho whole of tho game. He seldom made a mistake, and his passing was very nice, while the goal he scored was a beauty. ivt'Millan also played very well, as also did Greonslado on tho wing. Tho last-named makes a great mistake of not making more of his opportunities to score, and on Saturday it was especially noticeable that he centred tho ball iiistoatl of shooting for goal, when he had practically oidy Brady lo try to beat. Wakari are fairly strong in their tack division, and Knowles (in goal) saved beautifully on numerous occasions. In fact, had it not been for his solid play Southern would have scored at loa6t on two occasions, lor the Southern team Griffin again played a remarkably good game on tho loft wing, and is probably the best in Dunedin., at the present time. Maedonald (as centre). also played a fair game, but tho fortnight's rest did not seem to liavc done him any good. Milton was very prominent, and did a lot of good work, its also did Ashton and M'Hutchon. During the first spell Brady stopped several hard shots from Ussher and M'Millan. He had a tremendous amount of work Jo do, and acquitted himself creditably. Unfortunately during the second spell he got a nasly knock which told on him towards the end of the game, and Wakari managed to get two goals past him in ti\a last 10 minutes of the game. There was quite a fair crowd and a considerable noise at tho Gardens Reserve, where Roslyn and 'Northern strove for two cup points. The play was not smart, but tho uncertainty of the result until nearly ihe close of the day lent interest and excitement to the contest. Roslyn not only defended stoutly against the more or less incoherent onslaughts of the Northern vanguard, but also invaded tho Black-and-white stronghold persistently, mostly by vray of the Ritchie Brothers' wing. Roslyn's litand was the more creditable by reason of the fact that they were practically a .'.O-iiiep team, the new centre forward, Robertson, who was tried as an experiment, proving hopelessly impotent, and of less /jlue than a /"ourth-grade lad. The other newcomer of the same name, playing on the .right wing, was also a weak quantity. It was largely because of the weaklies! in tho centre that Hoslyn's attacks i-.vre, for the most part, repelled without great difficulty. 'She Ritehies did the bulk of tho aggrcssiyo work for Roslyn, Bradley ako contributing some useful work and considerable eloquence. Line work, however, wa6 ineffective, when there waa none in the centre to receive and finish tho effort. Robinson, playing centre half, worked liko a hero, and must have covered many miles before time was Bounded. Time after time bis head or his toe interposed at a critical moment, but his placing was not judicious, and in consequence opportunities for turnig defence into successful attack were lost. Uow pave a fine, steady.display, ljia nicelyjudged and splondidly-placed 'kicks being of immense value to his side,, and at tho same time pleasant to watch. His partner ••-Gilmour—dashed into his work 'with a vigour: that often meant the scattering of his iocs, but fximetimes meant the ovor-running of the ball. Booklass had a number of trying shots to defend, and tight corners from which to ertricate his side, and must bo held to have sustained with credit the onerous duties of his position. His defence would bo stronger if in clearing he would send the ball farther from hie citadel. The game straggled along uneventfully in the first spell, and it was not until Roslyn had retaliated with a penalty goal, drawing even, that excitement was aroused. It was then that Northern forwards rushed the ball to the centre, and kicked off with, determination writ ruggedly across their countenances, and Roslyn rolled them back with equal earnestness of purpose, while the spectators increased their encouragement, and trespassed over the touchline in their anxiety to see something happen. The major share of the attack Northern were responsible for, and eventually they managed to score the goal which gave them a victory which was not secured a 6 the result of meritorious or interesting play. Northern will require to make better showing if they are going to vanquish Wakari and Mornington A. As before suggested, these tliroe teams will have to go in for diligent and thoughtful training for the remainder of t'n* season. Shepherd, &3 the outcome of a collision with Harrison, was again lamed, and I once more have hie authority to state that ho t?:11 not play again this season. After several changes he settled down to complete the time in goal. Jack showed up forcefully while in goal, although he was outwitted by Dow's penalty kick, which struck the bar, and, fortunately for Ros lyn, dropped in behind Jack. The Northern halves are a formidable circumstance, not the least worthy being Lcckie, who is developing rare dash and judgment, and should, when the impetuosity of youth gives place to the more subtle wisdom gained from experience, attain a high foot-' ball eminence. The simple rule of giving impetus to the ball with both hands in. stead of one hand when throwing in demands his immediate attention. The for wards were not conspicuous for combined play, and tho only individual really noticeable upon the day's form was James Timlin, who has been consistently good throughout the season. Sims I taw for tho first time, and while his work was of a fair average standard, nothing better could be said of it at the conclusion of the game. That a goal may not be scored direct from aicorner kick without the bail lir.st touching a- second player is not generally known, and I am informed that during ihe season goals have been awarded from corner kickc when the ball has gone through without 'touching a. second player. Law 11 leads: "A goal may bo" scored from a free kick which is awarded because of any infringement of law 9, but: riot from any other free k'ek." .The Dual incident in tho Roslyn-Norrhern match was a. beautiful corner kick from Simpson, and when the bill curved in past all heads and, c-triking the foot o? the outside upright, rebounded through the goal, spectators and all concerned were in doubt as lo whether it was a score—which, of course, it war, not, ?o."S and Telegraph A (2 goals) v. Southern B (nil).—Harvey, in goal for Southern, was very 6afe and cool. Guthrie, Jail back, played brilliantly, heading and kicking with judgment, The halve*: were lamentably weak. , Sutherland wants to put more " boot "into his kicks. Of the forwards, J. Bolting, on the wing, was very X'ood, his running and kicking being a. treat to witness. Chorric and Nightingale worked nicely together. Telegraph showed :i great improvement on the form of the previous week. The full backs put more power into their kicking. O'Connor and Larabio proved two very reliable players.in the half hack line. Among the forwards, Smith, as usual, showed come tricky play, and was in his right place—viz., on the wing. Campbell was decidedly off, and his fart sprints up the line were low. M'JCitterick. inside right, has a had "• ■. of wandering, and should learn to keep his place. He i-= a solid worker of the aggressive type. Ted Goodmanson, insido" left, was sound, and what ho lacks in weight is counterbalanced by his neat heading. f.aidlaw and Gray (1 goal) v.' United Tramways (1 gad).—Tramways did not have their full loum, nevertheless they put up, a good fight against It-id 1

law;!, and' are gradually coming to the front. Nostcr, in goal, was very s?.'e; Law'or and Donaldson, forwards, worked well together: Cautain Lawlor and biu men' are lo be congratulated on the !o>.-m shown. For Laidlaws, J. Wallace in goal was safe; Henderson aed h'oord, full backj, are. a tower of strength, both being particularly strong kicks. Beg hie is too light for a half. He does not bustle enough and is' a >'ather poor kick. Kirknes* played well, but is inclined to get out of his p!a«\ Of the forwards, Coughlan and Galloway were the l>est, Coughian being very good with hie head and Calloway iikewioe with his feet. A. and T. Inglis (2 goals) v Post and Telegraph (nil).—Jnglin'.i men are rapidly coming to the front, no doubt due to the con.ita.ut training which Cantaiu Aitchison subjects them to. Pickard, Henderson, and Joss, backs, stood out for good play, 03 did Aitchison, Wallers, and Gear in the forwards. Aitchison is a fine general and keeps his men well in hand. For Telegraph B, Christian and W. M'Kittorick proved regular stone walls—Christian especially. This 'player, though yet a bit green,*is rapidly, making a name for him' eeir, his kicking and tackling being very deadly. Aitken and M'Leod—though on the small side—were tho best of the halves. Of the forwards. Freeman, a lad of 16. played'a particularly good game, and if taken in hr,nd should turn out a first-rater. Palmer and Deans, a.s right and loft wing forwards, were very solid At their own request, the status of Wednesday playors has been raised from Second to Fir.it Grade. The following notes on tho p-amce played on July 22 are contrived :- CRICKET. • By JjOngsmp. A meeting ot delegates of the Southland Cricket Association was held last week to consider the offer from tho Rugby Football Union, in regard to the use of tho new •ground for purposos of cricket, when the following motion was agreed to:—"That the association, having gone into the question of cost for the fivo years, estimates the cost at from £800 to £1000; and, whilst thanking the .Rugby Union for its kind offer, regrets that owing to tho heavy expense it .would be unable to carry out the proposal." A further motion by Mr Tapley, seconded by Mr Ritchie, was carried, to the effect that the Rugby Union be asked if it would be prepared to put the ground in thorough order for cricket and provide v. caretaker, and/what rental it would charge for the uoe of the ground. Everyone will regret, to hear of the accident to Haigli, who had the forefinger of his bowling hand broken by a ball from Brearley whilst batting, on Monday (says Cricket, of Juno 11). It is said that the mishap will keep him out of the game-for some weeks. Li the course of a. week Brearley has put both Wass and Haigh out of action, and it will be interesting to see who will bo the next placed hors do combat by the fast bowler.A Coincidence.—At Lord's last month both L. J. Moon and B. J. T. Bosnnquet scored 135 m the first innings of Middlesex v. Somerset. On the same ground nine years ago V: Trumpet and C. Hill made 135 each in tho first innings of Australia v. England. In English cricket on June 8 J, A. Cuffe averaged 47, F. Tarrant 39.18, A. Marshal 32.44," and L. 0. S. Poidevin 20 with the hat. Marshal had secured 27 wickets at 11.92, Tarrant 47 at 14.27, and Cuffe 22 at 19. M. A. Noble has played in 34 tests since January, 1898, and February, 1908. Batting 59 times, he has been six times not out, and has scored 1726 runs, giving him the splendid average of 32.56 on all kinds of wickets on both sides of the world. Not only so, he has delivered 6508 balls, capturing 111 wickets for 2744 runs, yielding an average of 24.72. He completed hi 6 1000 runs in Australia in 1904 and his hundred wickets in England the following year. 'No one now playing has such a magnificent record as this.' ATHLETICS. BV Amatedb. • FIXTURES. AujUfl' I—Ten-mile Cross-country Handicap (under auspices Civil Service Club). Auguat ffi--Otago Centre's Interclub Championship Beams' Rac^. September * s—Port Chalmers to Dunedin Road Race (under auspices Dunedin Harriers). Tho Civil Service Harriers held their Three-mile Railway Cup' Handicap at Forbury Park on Saturday. A good field started, and the limit men led for about two and a-half miles, ■ with the scratch men in good positions. Stephens, the scratch man, with Melville handy, ran into the lead about a quarter of a.mile from home, and was never headed, winning rather easily, with Melville second and Bond third. The following are the previous winners oi this race;—l9o3, J. J. Dickson; 1904, J. G Stephens; 1905, C. W. Turvey; 1906, A. Melville; 1907 and 1908, J. G. Stephens. Lost: The Y.M.O.A. Harriers on the Civil Service 10-mile track. In view of the Civil Sorvico 10-mile Handicap, the Y.M.C.A. started with the intention of going over the course, but. got lost on the North Taieri, and after wandering about for 6ome time eventually reached the racecoureo about 5.30 p.m., covering a distance of some 14 miles. ' An entry of 33 has been received for the Civil Service 10-mile Open Cross-country Handicap. Amongst the entrants are last year's wmner, Mr V. M'Donald, of Balclutha, but now residing in Wellington; S. W. Moore, of Ashbnrton, and all tho local cross-country' cracks. Tho race takes place next Saturday.. Competitors leavo town hy the 2.10 p.m. train. Despite the attraction of a representative football match, all the club runs were well attended on .Saturday. In view of the approaching cross-country races, most of the runs were fast. The General Committee of the art union and carnival.which is being held under the auspices of the Otago Centre and affiliated clubs met last Thursday. Reports were received from the various sub-committees. The Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club and tho Civil Service Harriers have advanced the sums of £10 and £5 respectively to defray preliminary expenses. Mr R. G. Anderson was added to tho Finance Committee, and Messrs L. Lodge and T. P. Lanrenson to the Entertainment Committee. The United States Athletic team for the Olympic Games is a large and formidable one, and should give a good account of itself in the various competitions. It con-, tains the names of a number of performerswho are well known by repute to New Zealand followers of athletics, amongst whom aro Martin Sheridan, P. Pilgrom, R Ewry, G. Bonhag, and J, D, Lightbody, all of whom were winners at tho last Olympic competitions at Athens in• 1906. Other well-known athletes are John Flanagan, world's record hammer-thrower; Dan Kelly, who lias a record of 9 3-Ssee for the "hundred": Melvin Shoppard, tho crack American middle distance runner; J. A. Recto, of Virginia University, who, with the wind, recently ran the "century" in tho world's record time of 9 2-ssec; and Ray Ewry, the American standing high and long jump specialist, who has won these evenfe at every Olympic Games at which these events have' figurd on tho programme. The American athletes have always done well at these games, and have been represented at various times by world's champions—Kraenzlien, 120 yards hurdles record holder; Maxwell Long, the world's record holder for -the quarter mile; Flanagan, Prinstein, Orton, and other gianta of the game have all helped to inafe good for the United States. Tho success oi t'ne team is looked upon as a national honour, and the departure and financing of the team is well taken up, and. grants are obtained from the Government, so that the men will not be stinted in any way. As a matter of fact, I think that, with the exception of Australian and Now Zealand teams, all the teams representing the various countries are subsidised by their respective Governments. Perhaps some day we may seo strong Australian and New Zealand teams, under capable management and subsidised by their Governmeryts, leaving theee shores with ample time and money to do credit to themselves-and to a white Australasia. A committee meeting of the North End Club was held the other evening for the purpose of drawing tip the last syllabus. Tho season docs not terminate until October 21, and this will probably be a social day, when lady friends and supporters of tho club will be requested (o attend, and the | evening will tako tho form of .a euchro party and tho presentation of prizes. Quite a number of invitations appear on the svltabus:-August 19, Jj r W. Roberts (N.B. Valley): September 2, Mr J. Helmkoy ! (Howe street); October 14, Mr J. Sparrow ' (N.E. Valley). September 30 has been left, open, and in the event of sufficient support, the committee may run a few club races. The club's Fivc-milo Championship has been set dowu for September 23. The committee favoured holding the race at Wineatui, but as the majority of the members are very young, the expense at such outings must be considered by the .committee.'

Pretty nearly every Wednesday there is some small item that necessitate..; the members paying out. August 26 will take the for.m of a run. to WuiU-ti. commencing from the, Albany Street School. 7 understand that'the St. Andrew Club haG already made similar arrangemente, so possibly the two clubs may combino on this occasion. A pleasing function? took place last week at the Union pavilion, when Mr Kinder (vice-president of the N.E.V. Club), took the'opportunity of presenting Mr J. Helmkey with a beautifully-framed photograph of the members; of the club as a memento on tho occasion of his marriage. Tho committee ot the North End Club has decided to present a special prize to the member who attends and take 6 part in every outing of the last syllabus. Tho annual Charlton to Gore Road Race was run last, week, when the "track" condition!! were anything but Favourable. Tho road .was very muddy, and the contestants had a surfeit of the quagmire. There were 13 starters, only one of the entrants failing to turn up. ' The race went to N. Craig, who was in receipt of Jimin 20scc handicap. The race was a good one, the winner being difficulty to pick out until the final 6tagcs. The officials connected with the race went to and from Charlton by motor, and Mr W. Trembath kindly lent his drag for the conveyance of tho lady supporters of the club. The following arc the detailed results:—N. Craig, 2min 20sec (time 23min 22sec), 1; J. Ingle 6, 2min 45see (actual time, 23min 54sec), 2; H. Neave, lmin 20seo (time 23min 28sec), 3; C Turnbull 50scc (time, 23min 26sec), 4; R, E. Bust, scr (time, 23ruiu 7see), 5. R. E. Bust secured the.prize for tho fastest, unplaced time. After the race the 'office-bearers and lady supporters of the club were entertained to afternoon tea in Paterson's rooms by tho competitors. The English walker E. J. Webb, who Ims come into much prominence in walking events during' tho past few. months, has passed his thirty-sixth birthday London Sportsman lias this to say concerning A. E. M. Rowlonds's winning effort at the Cray Valley e-jiorts on Saturday, June 6: "W. Webb, the seven-mile champion walker, went well from scratch in tho Three-mile Walking Handicap, and finished a good third in 20min 59 l-ssee. Thoroughly deserved was the first prize in this event, which went to the New Zealand champion, A. 13, M. Rowlands, who has never walked better since his arrival in this country." Rowlands started off tho 150 yards mark, there were 19 starters, and tho New Zealander won a grand race by three yards. Forty-two starters turned out for the Essendon Harriers' Pour-mile Road Raco run at Melbourne on Saturday, July 13. The race was got off in pouring vain, and was won by F. Agnew, of the Cohurg Club, in 24min 7sec. A. M'Micken put up fastest time of 21min 38ficc, J; A, Stilhvell taking 22min 33scc to. complete the distance. ' The Irish championships produced nothing very remarkable, except another ! great jumper in T. J. Ahearne, who cleared 23ft ljin. The second and third men both beat 22ft. C. Leahy cleared 6ft in the high jump, and G. N. Morphy won three races, his best being to defeat FairbairnCrawford, last year's English champion j in the half-mile, in 2min 0' 3-ssec. At tho latt meeting of the Victorian A.A.A. the following motion was agreed to:—"That it i 6 desirable that a conference of all athletic bodies in Victoria be held to consider the adoption of a universal definition of an amateur." The mover said that a similar conference in New South Wales had adopted >a definition satisfactory to all parties, and such a definition and agreement yas necessary in Victoria. The anomaly of amateur cyclists being allowed to ride against professionals in the Warrnambool and other road raco«, provided they declared as amateurs, rendered some such'movement as ho proposed imperative if the' association wore to continue to protect true amateurism. In the American OlymDic trials, held at Franklin -Field (Phil.) o'n June 6, Shenpard, who is since proving successful in the Olympic Games, won the 800 metres raco in ijreat time. The following is the result :-300 Metres Run (884.4 yards). Olympic record, lmin 56sec, held by Lightbodv, America—Won bv W. W. Sheppard (Irish-American A.C.); second, Jos. Bromilow, jun. (Irish-American A.C); third. L. P. Jones (University of Pennsylvania), Time, lmin 54-scc (2seo better than tho Olympic record). CASH ATHLETICS. Br Spost. The usual monthly.meeting of tho Otago Centre N.Z. 'Athletic Union will bo' held on Tuesday next, August 4. This is the last meeting at which the present executive will attend, the annual meeting, at which a new executive will be elected, being set down for August 19. By the laet English mail came the handicaps tor Rufe Naylor's 110 Yards Handicap, of £100, run in Manchester shortly after the mail left. A. B. Postle and W. Growcott wer/| on actual scratch, with J. Eastman 1 yard and B. R. Day 2i yards. J. Todd, of Victoria, had 4J yards, and F. Coles, of Auckland (N.Z|, 4J yards. The limit was 15 yards. . • Mr A. M. Irving, starter to the Irish Athletic Society of Southland, was recently presented by the society with a handsome silver afternoon tea service, and a silver salver, all suitably inscribed, as a mark of appreciation of his services for the 14 years ho has acted in that capacity for tho most important sprint race in the Dorr : nion. It might here be mentioned that Mr Irving was loth to accept any recompense for his services, and the society had eventually to forward the present to his residenco as a'small "surprise packet." The Olympic Athletic Ciub (Melbourne) is doing things in tr.ue American fashion for Fleet Week. Some ot the chief handicaps have been styled -."Connecticut" Han- 1 "Kansas" Handicap, "Louisiana" Handicap, ''Georgia" Handicap, "Ohio" Hurdles, and "Maine" Sheffield Handicap. The total prize money is 550d01, and the programme will extend over throe nights. The following par is from the Manchester Snorting Chronicle of June 2:— "In connection with the match between A. B. Poatle, the Australian, and B. It. Day, of Dublin, who have 6igued articles to rim 440. yards, level, for £200 aside, on Saturday, August 15, we are informed by Mr Rufe Naylov that they have accepted, his offer of a £100 ilurso, £75 to go to the winner and £25 to the loser." Tho annual meeting of members of the Palmerston Caledonian Society will be held on Monday next, August 3. Writing from Epsom, England, to Sydney Referee, dated' June 4, Mr Rufe Naylor says:--"Artbur Postlo refused to leave his training to mako the trip down here. Arthur is too intent on winning his two big matches to neglect training, He meets W. Growcott on July 25, 130 yds, for £200 aside, and B. R, Day on August 15, for £200 a-side,_ at 440 yds. Public bids \vero called to give purses for the matches, but I bid the highest.'and will manage both— a £150 pnreo for the first, and £100 purse for the second match. There will be heavy betting on' both races. You know my opinion, that no roan living can rim A. B. Postlo 130 yds if ho is fit and well, and I expect him to win bv two yards. The match with Day is different, as Postlo is not at his best distance, and if tho Irishman can't run with judgment ho would win. The* Sporting Chronicle is stakeholder, and appoints referee and all officials.' Tho "heads" hero reckon Growcott. can do "4 insido" for 130 yds, but even .at that I think Postlo can win by two yards. E. Eastman would race Postle 00yds, but ho cannot got a backer for £100. I fancy the Day-Postle match will draw tho biggest gato, as 8.11. is by far the most popular runner in England, as he has always been dead straight." [Tho cable informs 'us Postle won the match by a foot hi' tho record lime of 4 yards inside 13scc—Spop.t.1 In miserable wet. weaklier the second day's sjiort in connection with the professional meeting promoted by Mr Rufo Naylor, was decided on the Broughton Rangers Football Ground (Manchester), on the evening of Juno 11. There was only one item of interest, the £15 60 Yawls Foot Handicap, which was won by tho Rochdale representative, T. Whitehead, 9Jyds start. Arthur Postlo, the Australian Sprinl Champion, scratch, finished third. GOLF. Bv Bolcer. Tito semi-final of the SI. Clair Club's championship was played on Saturday, when Forbes beat J. Lethbridgo, jun., after an interesting game. The first, round of the final (36 holes) will bo played on Saturday between J. P. Forbes and H. L. Fergusjon. Tho New Zealand amateur eliampionship and open championship :of Now Zealand meeting will commence at Balmacowaai Links, Dunedin, on Monday, 2Lst September, and conclude on September 26.' The programme consists of: (1) Amateur Championship of New Zealand. Two.qualifying rounds ot '18 holes each will lxs played and. the 32 players returning the best scores will play off y match playb. Final will bo over 36 holes. (2) The Open Championship of New Zealand will consist of four rounds medal play. Open to any professional or amateur. Prizes, £20, £10, and £5 for first, second, ajid third players; if m\

amateur wins ho will receive Ironhio?. (3) Bogey Handicap. 18 holes. (4) Foursomo Bogr-y, .18 holes. 15) Medtt. Handicap, to be played concurrently with the two qualifying rounds of championship. (6) Bogey Handicap, 18 holes (7) Intcrclub Challenge Vase, presented by Mr 12. 1) O'Korke. Teams of four players will represent each club. The aggregate gross score of each team in second qualifying round of event No. 1 will decide Ihis event. Entries close on Saturday. 12th September, with Mr D. Crawford, secretary Otago Golf Club. . In the past 36 years .Tom Morris figured m many professional and championship matches, and it has been a noteworthy feature of his golfing career that even in his old age he could play a wonderful _ game. After he had reached his sixtieth year he won two professional tournaments, and he celebrated his sixty-fourth birthday by doing a round of St. Andrews links in 81, nothing above a 5 appearing on his card. It is also remarkable that after he had passed his eightythird birthday ho could return a score for the old course at St. Andrews below 90. Tom had a host of admirers scattered far and wide, and several years ago they presented,him with sum of money, which was invested as an annuity. . Owing to advancing years ho retired from the custodianship of the St Andrews links in September, 1903, but continued to take a great interest in its gradual improvement. At the club business meeting of that year it was unanimously resolved that a portrait of the veteran should be painted, and Sir Goorgo Koid was commissioned to execute it, and it now hangs on tho walls of the clubrooni; Tom met and played with all tho eminent visitors to St. Andrews, including the late Princo Leopold, while be laid out many of tho principal golf courses throughout the country. * HOCKEY. By Bully. \ Otago and Y.M.C.A. met on Saturday in the concluding game of the second round, tho former notching another win, with a couple of goals to spare, The exhibition of hockey was not an elevating one, combination being conspicuous only by its absence. There was, however, some'good' individual play on both sides. Y.M.C.A. backs all played well on defence, Rider particularly putting in good work Of the forwards, Minims and Crawford were most prominent. Mos* of Otago's forward work was done by Caldcr, Adams, and Crawford, who wero well supported by Moore, Potter, Miller, and Seolye. Both teams played short handed, which probably accounts in some measure for the disjointed nature of the game. 'Whatever may be the reason, the percentage of absentees on Saturday was too largo to bo healthy, nearly all teams being a man or two short. - There was also a good deal of slackness in getting on to the field, a matter wlrfca should bo looked to by olub captains. Players who turn up punctually to time should not' be kept waiting by dilatoriness of others, and it is poor courtesy to the referco to keep him hanging about for half an hour after the appointed time for the -bully off. , ,I'he team which visited Invercargill last week report having had a very enjoyable time during their short stay. Tho officers of the Southland Association .were extremely solicitous for tho comfort of the visiting team, and showed them every possible attention. The dinner tendered to the Otago,team, after tho match, was attended by a large number of Southland players, and representatives of kindred sports, and tho chair was occupied by Mr Watson, president of the Southland Hockey Association. The speches wore of just the kind that makes aflcr dinner oratory popular, and the musical items' were top notch. Most of tho team attended a dance given by St. John's Hockey Club in the evening, [ and reoeived every attention from the i committee and .members.' As to the game itself; the £x>uthlanders made things very willing at the outset, and though some-, what lacking in combination, they kept the Otago men.going until the call of time. Their forwards were fast and resourceful, and tho backs, particularly Liggins and Burgess, wero very solid in defence. In spito of the' sodden nature of the ground, the pace was fast throughout, and there wero no uninteresting moments during the game. . The statement so often heard with reference to hockey that it is not a spectators' game vas completely negatived by the enthusiasm displayed bv the large crowd watching tho match. "The ball'travelled rapidly up and down the field, and the onlookers showed every symptom of being highly satisfied with what was, notwithstanding tho condition of the ground, an admirable exhibition of scientific hockey by Otago, and of dogged determination by the local men. Otago's backs kept the! forwards well fed, and the latter played the passing game effectively. In the loose the forwards all played well, but tho shooting was possiblo of improvement. Three reasonably euro goals were lost for this reason, though probably the fact that it was difficult to stand securely on die slippery ground may have accounted for some of tho poor marksmanship. Southland have' the material for a first class representative team, and another year's play would do much to bring about the. necessary combination. The match against Canterbury has been fixed for.August 22, at Carisbrook Ground, and as Canterbury is probably the strongest province in the Dominion this year, spectators may be sure of a first class exhibition. Otago players will require to get into the best-of condition ior this match, and it is desirable that the tean) should Deselected, as early as possible, so that they may have ono or two games together and become accustomed to one another's play. A couplo of_ trial matches would do a lot of good in this -direction. • '■-.'. -BOWLING. Notes by Jack. Having matlo a uegiiiiiiug at altering the rules ot play, some members of the council are seemingly thirsting ior more gore. At tne last meeting of the council Mr Dali gave notice of the following motion: j "That law 11 (in Laws of the Game) bo amended to read: That under no circumstaiiees shall tho jack be deemed dead, and consequently dead heads will bo abolished--unless in the case of tho jack being broken, tho new rule being—That if tho jack bo driven beyond tho limit of tho riuU (on either side) it shall bo placed on a point oloso lo the edge of the ditcn and just inside the boundary lino of tho rink (on whichever side it is driven out). Should it bo driven over the bank at the end of the rink, it shall be placed on the corner nearest where the jack camo to rest. If driven in a lino with tho centre of the rink, it shall be placed in the centre of the rink nearest to tho ditch." If ho will •pardon me for saying so, I might point out that Mr Dull is, comparatively speaking, a young bowler. I have no recollection of his playing tho game when there was no limit to the rinks and the jack had to be played to wherever it went. Had he had that privilege I'do not think lie would now propose to revive that system in a slightly modified form. Tho idoa, I understand, is to do away with dead heads and. so minimise "driving." Before proceeding to euro a disease by a radical operation it is always wise to seo whether tho evil is so serious as to demand amputation. It is no doubt very trying to a skip to find a head beautifully built up by his men scattered in all directions by a fast bowl and the jack possibly sent out of bounds. But will anyono enumerate the names of noted drivers who have won championships or gained extra promiuonco as players? Is it not a fact that the persistent driver soon comes to 'realise that it is a stylo of play that does not pay in the_ long run. Driving at bowls is something like ''slogging" at cricket. There are some wfio become export, at big hitting, such as Bonner, Lyons, ami Jessop of the present day. But with nine out of cloven in a cricket team slogging soon proves fatal. In my salad days 1 played a little cricket, and when 1 tried my hand at bowling I was always convinced I had tagged my man as soon »s I tempted him to slog." And so at bowls. As soon 41s my opponent took to driving I considered the game won or my side. The "lightning" driver ml tics the nerve* of some players, but instead of "funking" it he should at once take steps to outplay his opponent. "Dead heads" are a sad waste of time, no doubt, especially at tournament time; but surely Mr Dull would not advocate nltoring the. wholo system of play—and for the wow-to meet a few cases which may arise at tournament time. Rather alter lh« conditions of tho tournament and return to a mow limited number of games, so as to give timo to play each to tho end, despite all burned heads. There are occasions when burning a head is the only chance of counteracting the effects of a. bit of bud luck. Here is an instance which occurred at a recent tournament. At the seiui-titial end a rink was in an almost hopeless plight, when a, drive, intended merely to scatter the 'bowls and trust to luck, resulted in the jack rebounding from u bowl. The effect was that five bowls lying short scored. At the next end another lucky drive saw 4 scored, pttttiug tho team which had been toiling in tho rear in the lead for the la>t end.

This sudden change unnerved the othoi side, and when their skip camo to play his lust bowl the odds against his scoring 2 to win wore* so great that it was bettor, policy to try to burn the head. He did.and won at'thc next end, his men having recovered their nerve. The altering of the- rules of play of a game which is rapidly extending to.every Uritish community is 'to be deprecated. The result must be opposed to Iho best interests of tho game. There is ; enough scope for gooil players in the game of bowls to counteract "the effects of driving, and our aim should lie. to induce plnyera to improve their play and study the" best methods of outplaying ai> oponont who is apt to resort'to driving. Tlicre are points in all games which jnanv think might bo unproved upon, bin unless these matters are so serious as t<> threaten to mako the game uninteresting ami minimise the chances of the really good plavcrs coming out winners oh their play, better ,'et well alone. There are home'things in cricket which we think could bo improved upon, but wo do hot find our local cricket council altering tho laws of the game to improve them. Golf is even mora generally played throughout the British dominion, "the United Slates, and foreign countries than oven bowls, and golfers think improvements are ■ possible, but they are content to abide the decisions of the Royal and Ancient Club and strive to heconio proficient under the laws of tho game as they find them. Why, the very fact of tho captain of a rink being styled in the rules of the. International Board as the "skip or driver" proves that driving has and is recognised as an essential branch of the game of bowls. Comoany law and club wishes are sometimes apt to bo,in conflict, and clubs which have acquired their ground by-forming themselves into a company arc. apt .to chafe under the restrictions imposed ;by the articles of association. lam told a wholo 6heaf of notices suggesting alterations Jiave been given notice of for lhe\ annual meeting of the Dunedin Bowling Club Company. It is very desirable that members and shareholders'should be able to give effect / to the wishes of a decided majority at their annual meetings, but it costs-some money and involves a. good deal of troublo to get the artioles of association amended, and it is not always advisable to be chopping and changing about at even- meeting. Tho St, Kilda Bowling C|ub's annual meeting will also bo called upon to consider a host of amendments, but in its case all the suggestions appear to refer to tho by-Jaws and to involve'ho principles. I notice St. Kilda intends to a>k' the' centre to call representatives of ''Wednesday players together to arrange .a'series'of-matches for bowlere who have that day as the halfholiday. It is to be hoped that if this is done tho response will bo better than was the case last season, when the attendance of the representatives cf Wednesday players was so poor that no dolinite arrangements could be made.. „• •'. ..'V' ' ' '' Tho Secretary of the St. Kilda Club evt-. dcntly desires that there should bo a modified system of pennant' or 'championship matches. Ho has'given' notice of motion as follows:—"That there be. two'separate rink contests each 6eason. one for Saturday players and one for Wednesday players. No member to bo allowed to enter for more than one contest. In. the Wednesday contest, each rink entered to play each rink,.the winner of tho most number of games to be the winner of the contest" . .. To Rangi Club, Invercargill; appears to have been fairly successful with its car- 1 hivaJ. The art union in connection therewith was drawn last week at a vocal and instrumental concert, at which Mr Scan-' droit • (the Mayor of Invercargill) was supervisor. Tho first prize goes; to i No. . 26b. Winning slips on which were written the names of the holders of the duplicates were- as follow:—Second, 2995 (James Bowloy, Milton); fifth', 6571 (Miss Nellie Smith,. Yarrow street); sixth, 5346 (Miss'. G. J.' Crozier); tenth, 1020 (Mrs Bowes); four teenth, Wls (Mr Potter, tho well-known Phoenix bowler, Star and Garter, Oamaru); nineteenth, 292 (Mrs A. Clark, 'R'imujj twenty-first, 5682 (Mr H. J. Winter, Nith street) twenty-fourth, 9126' (Mrs Bell, Underwood);, twenty-fifth. 95.. (Miss/F. Coster, Otatara). ,It may bo of . interest • to,mention that the winning number of tho second prize, tho £25 nugget, was in tho first block of tickets returned as ; sold to the secretary of the carnival. • : It is pleasing to note that there is every prospect of tho proposed club at Mornington becoming an accomplished "fact. With the prudent management which is. assured from those who have the matter in hand, those 'who tako up shares will soon find that they have.made an investment which, if it dees not return handsonle dividends in cash, they will deem one of the best they have ever made, as. hV will bring' health and pleasure in its train, , . A now 6ccial club, pavilion, recreation rooms, and bowlinsr greens, provided at a cost of over £6000 for the workpeople of Lostock, near Northwich, England,, by the Brunner Mond "Company,' chemical manufacturers, were recently opened by Mrs Buckley, Sir John Brunner's daughter. The chemical village of. .Winninglon possesses a similar pavilion.' .There, aro quite a number .of largo concerns in Eng- , land and Scotland, which havb adopted this method of providing healthy amusement for their workers. '• — The sickly sentiment held by-some people towards pet dogs is illustrated by a bequest of Lady Mary' Ticrney, who died aged 91. Tho following are the provisions for the care of her! dog :.—" As I am anxious my loving and dearly-loved fox : terrier "Maisie" should have every, contort and attention, I bequeath an an- . nuity of £12, a year to her to bb paid for her to Sarah Pone, in addition to what I have already left her in my will, that in case of my darling "Maisie's" illness, Fone can-take her to' London to see Mr Cousens, the only doctor that must attend my sweet pet.' I also desire that sho ' is only washed with'his sham- : poo." ' '' i ', %■ ~ '...'.' "