A MIXED BAG.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19551, 6 August 1925, Page 5

A MIXED BAG.

By The Gleaner A dead or dying gladiator ‘ cuts no ice,” aa our expressively-speaking friends say in An erica, just because wo are all apt to salute the rising sun, but when an eclipse is threatened there seems to bo a natural modus bom of repulsion to cling to a tailing star. Some mouths ago a movement was started to bring tho once groat “Paddy” Slavin back from Canada to Australia, but tho response so far, as reported by tho Sydney Referee, amounts to only a few pence over £l9. In Slavin’s best days this would not provide for a couple of halts in a small village, not to speak about transport to tho next one. When tho king is dead, say some people in effect, let him stay dead. That is so, but it really seems as if the present day “sports” possess a shovel to bury the sporting spirit as well as the great gladiators who had to obey tho dictates of thumbs when Rome ruled tho world. The Australian League of Wheelmen decided to arrange a deputation of sporting bodies to urge the Government to repeal tho Act prohibiting betting at their carnivals.

George Cassells and “The Harp” are amongst the star features of the Princess. Great on the stage, but tho “double” might miss on tho turf.

Tom Webster, tho world-famous, cartoonist, in a particularly brilliant pictorial idea, suggestes that Hobbs, the great wizard of the bat, should bo handcuffed in his next match. Webster has illustrated every form of sport in always humorous but generally satirical spirit _ He apparently is minus one arrow in his quiver or ho would have suggested that Hobbs should be hobbled a la the American pacer. Wo will have to toe-weight for this sort of thing until Webster spreads his knowledge. Dempsey’s going to fight agin. He’s long been on the “nix.” _ We’re told ha’s goin’ to fight me mm. But not till twenty-six. And then perhaps. We are assured by a correspondent (says an English paper) that the following incident happened in Kensington the other day. A dear old lady halted by a Sporting Life contents bill, which road; — EPIDEMIC OF 6’s In KENT. “Dear mo!” she said, “I thought Kent was such a healthy place I” It reminds us of another incident during tho war, when one of our posters read; — PREMIER SPORTING DAILY. Tho old lady’s comment in this case was “No wonder it takes us so long to beat the Germans 1” Harris Horder, the champion Australian professional track cyclist, who won the world’s cycling Derby ■in Melbourne last year, and who defeated every imported rider who came to Australia, has added lustre to his many brilliant feats by defeating Pete Moeskops (world’s champion for tho past four years), Cecil Walker, Willie and Art Spencer, Cecil M’Beath, Alexander M'Boath, Fred Spencer, and other noted wheelmen in the American Quarter-mile Ohampionsliip last month. Border is leading in tho points contest for tho sprint title of U.S.A. Of the two championships that had been decided prior to the last American mail leaving, Horder was leading in points with seven; then came Fred Spencer, 6 points; Art Spencer, 3; Bobby Walthour. jun., 3; Cecil Walker, 2; and Pete Moeskops, 1. . . “Although the Board of Control originally favoured the team travelling via Suez, the advantages gained by players haying a .short tour through New Zealand might cause some of the members to change their minds and discuss the route via America. Experience on New Zealand wickets would bo of groat value (says Arthur Mniley), particularly to the members who have not played in England. The wickets there are almost identical with (hose in England, and the rfrnigth of a represent alive New Zealand side would provide much better practice than either Tasmania or West Australia- “Gilligan recently put his finger on a weak spot in Australia armour when bo spoke of Australia crumpling up during the fourth test on a wot wicket. That performance and another wot wicket debacle in Adelaide during the third test has _convinced the English Press that England must win the ashes if the season is on the damp side. The New Zealand tour, therefore, is well worth consideration.” Walter Sugg, the old Derbyshire player, tells nn amusing story of a sleepy umpire. Ho had made tho highest score of Ins career, when ho was given out incorrect y by an umpire who was dozing heavily owing to tho heat. Sugg turned to the umpire and exclaimed, “I wasn't ont! Why, you’re asleep!” Upon winch that official replied, “Th'art reight, lad, I was! Rut go on out, for th’as scored enough.” ' ... ._ , , “Doc” Adams, writing m a Honolulu journal, has the following pungent remarks concerning swimming in Hawaii: “Hawaii, tho home of some of the word’s greatest swimmers, is disgracefully uninterested in tho only sport in which it can truly hope to compote on a world-wido basis. Until this apathy is overcome, and until point support can be had for swimming meets, there is no chance of any invitation to Australian stars to visit hero. While Australia will gladly shoulder a 3090 dollars loss to stimulate interest in swimming, these fair isles would shudder over such a prospect. For all our vaunted love of sport for sports sake, wo are a backward community when it comes to laying our nickels and dimes on the counter. If wo should show that a visit by Australian swimmers would result in ‘valuable publicity’ for the islands, wo could undoubtedly raise a fund, but without that inducement such a project could not be put over—at this time. In tho meantime the swimming faithful had best raise their supplications for the return of a Duke Kahanamoku, or some such colourful figure who will stimulate pride in swimming and Hawaiian swimmers right hero at home. If we haven’t faith in the swimming future of the islands how can outsiders have it?” It is understood that tho Oxford Olympic boxers, “Eddie” Eagan and the Marquis of Clydesdale, contemplate a world tour, including Australia, and perhaps New Zealand. Tho number of famous champions who began by becoming unofficially attached to a light-camp ds considerable. Dempsey began as an odd-job man, a kind of labourer to a crowd of scrappers. Carpentier has often told me (says an English writer) that he learned much by going as often as possible to the training quarters of Willie Lewis when this American middle-weight was in Paris, and studying his methods. Jim Corbett, in his very human story of his life, has told us very much tl>© same. Freddie Welsh made up his mind to try his hand at fighting after hanging about this and that gymnasium. And I know more than one champion who, so as to got experience, offered his services as a sparring partner, and a general helper for his keep. Kid M‘Coy, when he ran away from home, learned the art of fighting what time ho played the role of fag to Tommy Ryan. So I do hope that would-be heavyweights, having heard that there is much money to be had, will not set out with tho notion that if they are taken in hand they will strike a life that is easy and full of plums. Aloe, Bain, who is manager of Ike Robin, the giant Maori wrestler, is a Scotsman, and has been an athlete all his life. After winning a wrestling tourney in Edinburgh he became associated with Hackensehmidt, with whom ho afterwards went to Australia. In New Zealand he won every wrestling match he took part in before he retired. One of Mr Bain’s proudest possessions is a medal given him by the late Police Commissioner Dinnie, brother of Donald Dinnie, for the best all-round athlete. This he won four years on end. The North Canterbury centre of tho New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union has decided to hold tho Timaru-Christchurch road race on Saturday, September 19. Over £IOO in cash and trophies has been promised in order to add interest to the race.