NORTH OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23705, 12 January 1939, Page 15

NORTH OTAGO

THE OAMARU DISTRICT

AMATEUR ATHLETIC NOTES By "Sprint" Fixtures January 19.—Evening meeting at Enfield. February 25.—Otago Championships, at Dunedin. March 4.—Otago Junior and Women's Championships at Dunedin. March 18.—North Otago Championships at the Show Grounds. Club Notes Although the holidays were responsible for a break in training for many members, and quite a number had not returned, the evening meeting at Enfield on Thursday last was marked by several fine performances. Fields in the senior events were smaller than usual, but the finishes kept the judges on their mettle, and were a tribute to the work of the handicapper. The gem of the evening was the Half Mile, won by Andy Aikenhead, who displayed more sparkle than usual, and, running freely and easily,- produced a fine SDrint at the finish. Brian Nixon, who has a long season ahead of him, will not produce his best for some time, but gave a really fine performance from scratch, to be beaten on the tape. Les McPhee and Ray Coffey, finishing close up in third and fourth positions respectively, ran remarkably well and. are making good progress. The Senior 100 Yards saw two determined runners in Nixon and Paton fighting out a desperate finish, Nixon's superior knowledge giving him the decision by inches on the tape. Harry Turvey. running his best race to date, accounted for the Junior 100 Yards, with lan Finlay a close second. Turvey is making steady progress, and before the season ends should win from tighter marks. Finlay has great possibilities,

but must be content, at this stage, to train steadily and conistently without pushing himself too much. Bill Anderson, who was out of action with an ankle injury in the earlier part of the ' season, is now beginning to show his real form with the javelin, and *will improve a good deal yet. Norman Cox has developed a reputation as a "dark horse," through his ability to appear in an event for the first time and return a winning performance; but in the Long Jump he was decidedly lucky to receive such a handicap. V. Bain and J. Fallon were the most promising competitors in this event. In the women's sprint, Mary Perkins gave a fine exhibition and shows steady improvement each week, whilst Joan Diver gives every promise of developing into a first class performer. For a first season performer, Audrey Craig throws remarkably well, and would be advised to give a <*ood deal of her attention to this event. The study of technique and plenty of slow and rhythmic practice of the correct movements will soon result in greatly increased distances. The Show Grounds The track at the show grounds is now in first class condition, and the North Otago Amateur Athletic Association is to be highly commended for the state in which they have kept the oval. Several of the members are enereetic workers and can be relied upon to do whatever is required; but there are some who have not absorbed the spirit of mutual assistance which was so noticeable in the club last season. The president (Mr R. E. Dimick) sets a fine example to all, and it is a pity that some members do not realise just how much time and energy be expends in order that they may indulge in their sport under proper conditions. The preparation for a meeting involves numerous .tasks, and if these are spread out over a number of workers, no one will be likely to have more to do than he can reasonably manage. It is up to all members to look around to see what is to be done, without waiting to be asked, and there is always time to do this after the evening's training is finished. Car Badly Damaged A car driven by Mr T. H. Hendra was overturned and badly damaged in a collision which occurred at the intersection of Tees and lichen streets at about" 10.15 p.m. on Tuesday. Mr Hendra was travelling from east to west along Itchen street when the collision occurred with a car driven by Mr William R. Park, which was proceeding down Tees street. Both drivers escaped with minor injuries.

NEWS OF THE DAY

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)

KINEMA ENTERTAINMENTS MAJESTIC THEATRE " The Adventures of Marco Polo " Lavishly conceived and brilliantly executed. "The Adventures of Marco Polo," which shows to-night finally, nrovides entertainment which should have a strong general appeal. The story of Marco Polo is, in sober fact, remarkable enough, but the adaptors have woven an exciting story, and the directors have made full use of the scope provided them in the Oriental backgrounds of several centuries ago. It only remained for a cast to be chosen which would be worthy of the vehicle, and in this direction nothing was spared. Gary Cooper was cast for the principal role and given the support of such players as Basil Rathbone. George Barbier. Alan Hale, H. B. Warner, and Ernest Truex, and for the chief feminine role Samuel Goldwyn decided to launch his latest protegee, the much-publicised Sigrid Gurie. The result is fully worthy of the effort which has been expended upon it. The story features Gary Cooper, whose acting is excellent, but equally good are the performances of Sigrid Gurie as the princess and Basil Rathbone as the schemer. George Barbier strikes the right note in his characterisation as the Khan, and Alan Hale is excellent as the tribal chief. As Marco's unfortunate secretary and book-keeper. Ernest Truex adds some amusing moments to the film. The supoorting programme is shor.t. but includes several interesting features, such as newsreels. topical items, and another of the series of popular scientific films. "Submarine D-l" " Submarine D-l." a melodrama dealing with the exploits of undersea boats and the gallant lads who man them, will be screened to-morrow at the

Majestic Theatre. The picture is authentic as well as stirring, for it was made with the complete co-operation of the navy. There are scores of battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and aeroDlanes taking part, and many hundreds of sailors and marines are seen going through their peace-time and I war-game duties. Pat O'Brien and George Brent*are co-starred, and in a oart that seems to be quite as important is young Wayne Morris. Then, too, in the cast are such well-known troupers as Frank McHugh. Doris Weston, Regis Toomey, and Henry O'Neill. But after all it is the "D-l" itself — a new navy submarine which also bears the title of "Dolphin." that is the hero of the piece. The plot has largely to do with certain devices developed by Pat O'Brien and George Brent—one for sending imprisoned men in a sunken submarine to the surface safely by means of "air lungs." another for raising the vessel itself. Miss Weston sustains what feminine love interest there is in the story, while Frank McHugh provides his usual brand of humour. Heading the supporting programme will be " The Long. Bright Land," a Warner Bros, traveltalk dealing with New Zealand. Filmed throughout in technicolour. this featurette offers an interesting pictorial description of the Dominion. The musical accompaniment is said to be outstanding. A special "submarine" matinee is to be held on Saturday. OPERA HOUSE " Bar 20 Justice " Quest " Clarence E. Mulford's latest "Hopalong" Cassidy success will have its final screening to-night at the Opera House. "Bar 20 Justice" is admirably suited in story for the acting of William Boyd, assisted by George Hayes as " Windy " and Russel Hayden as "Lucky." The second feature on this programme, "Timothy's Quest," is a real family attraction, with Elanore Whitney, Tom Keene, Virginia Weidler, and Dickie Moore in the leading parts. "Kid Galahad" With three famous stars heading its cast—Bette Davis, Edward G. Robinson, and Humphrey Bogart—a drama called " Kid Galahad" will. have its first local showing at the Opera House on Friday and Saturday. Eddie Robinson (staunchly backed by his girl friend. "Fluff," played by Miss Davis) has one contender for a boxing championship. Humphrey Bogart also a fight promoter, has another. There is an 11-round fight for the championship, a duel to the death between the two managers after the fight, some scenes of the vast Madison

Square Garden—and yet withal a tender romance between Eddie's fighter and Eddie's sister. " Melody for Two " A new musical extravaganza, featuring James Melton and Patricia Ellis, and called "Melody for Two," comes to the Opera House on Friday and Saturday. The theme song, "Melody for Two," and " September in the Rain," were written by Harry Warren and Al Dubbin for Melton to sing in the picture. The two stars sing and dance several new hits, such as "Jose O'Neill, the Cuban Heel," a swing rumba, and "An Excuse for Dancing," a swing song. The Warner music department, under the direction of Leo Forbstein, composed atmosphere and special music for the dance numbers, which Bobby Connolly and Robert Vreeland staged. SHIPPING ACTIVITIES PORT OF OAMARU Notes Arrival.—Kaimai (1435 tons, Gakin), at 6.30 a.m. yesterday, from Dunedin. Departure.—Kaimai. at 1 p.m. yesterday, for Wellington, Napier and Gisborne. The Wainui will load on Wednesday, January 25. for Wellington, Gisborne and Napier, via ports. The Waipahi will load at Oamaru about January 13 for Wellington, Nelson and New Plymouth. The Waipiata, from Auckland on January 13, is due to load at Oamaru on January 21 for Wellington and Auckland, via ports. The New Zealand Shipping Company advises that the Tongariro has been allotted to load refrigerated and general cargo at Oamaru for London about January 19. The Waikouaiti, from Newcastle, Port Stephens and Sydney, for Bluff, Dunedin, Timaru, Lyttelton and Bluff, is expected here about Wednesday, January 18. THE GREAT NICOLA OAMARU PERFORMANCE "The only white man to beat the fakirs of the Far East at their own game" is the description given the Great Nicola, world-travelled wonderworker, who brings his new company to the Opera House on Monday and Tuesday of next week. In the.traditional headquarters of world magic, where Nicola, illusionist and magician, first learned Oriental mysteries 25 years ago from Hassan Bux, dean of Hindu deceivers, he was hailed by both British and native press as being able to teach new ideas to the men long regarded as the peers of their profession. Hassan Bux himself, now a bent old man, but still a great magician, called at Nicola's hotel in Delhi recently to renew the friendship they had established a quarter of a century ago. In Bombay the city's guild of native magicians gave Nicola a gorgeously inscribed document hailing him as the dean of their profession, and presented him with a goldmounted wand set with semi-precious stones.