Growing Popularity Of Angling In Otago

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27210, 13 October 1949, Page 4

Growing Popularity Of Angling In Otago

Sports Commentary

By the Sports Editor

All sport is largely dependent upon the weather for its enjoyment, but for the angler the weather is perhaps all-important, as it not only affects the sportsman himself but the stream in which he may wish to exercise his skill. During the last three years all streams have shown considerable promise just prior to the opening, and the angler has had to restrain his patience awaiting the fateful day—October 1. But Old Man Weather has his vagaries and on the opening day most cf the fishing rivers were rolling down bank high and discoloured. This, of course, has had its compensations for the bait fisherman as the trout are more easily taken on the worm under these conditions.

The 1949-50 season opened in similar conditions to those experienced in the past few years, but the results should gladden the hearts of all followers of the sport, as they indicate that the streams are carrying plenty of fish. Many anglers do not start their season until Labour Day week-end, especially those among the farming community, who because of unfavourable weather are often required to be close at hand to their stock. Otago has no fewer than 13 angling clubs, most of which are very active. These clubs play an important part in the sport, as they not only create the fellowship that is an integral part of angling, but they also materially assist in the preservation of the sport. Their competitions add zest to angling and are usually held at monthly , intervals during the season, provision being made both for the novice and the experienced angler.

Organised Supervision Of Cricket Practices

Angling is a difficult sport in which to acquire proficiency, and anglers joining clubs will find a helpful hand extended to them by their fellowmembers. Most of the clubs nominate two of their members as honorary rangers, and it is then the duty of all other club members to assist them' in preserving fishing waters not only from the depredations of prowling poachers but to ensure the transfer of thousands of young fish to more permanent waters when many of the streams reach dangerously low levels during the summer months. The popularity of angling is shown by the fact that during the last three years the number of licences issued has increased progressively, and reports which have been received by the Otago Acclimatisation Society to date indicate that this year’s figures will be on a par with those of recent seasons in spite of the fact that the licence fee has been increased by 5s a year. University Recreation

The astonishing fact that fewer than 30 per cent, of the 2000 odd students at the University of Otago take part in any form of physical recreation is discussed in the last issue for the year of the student paper, Critic. The paper denies that this state of affairs is the result of student apathy.. It claims that many students other than those who take part in the traditional and well-organised sports require some form of recreation in which they have an interest. But facilities to allow the students to indulge in their chosen but less traditional sports just do not exist. The responsibility for remedying this lack, it suggests, is that of the Council of the University. The suggestion is supported by the claim that physical education is now universally accepted as a part of total education.

Facilities for gymnastics, fencing, and other indoor sports such as squash, basketball and swimming are needed, the paper states. A staff is required to run a gymnasium where every type of physical recreation could be enjoyed. A place with a dozen activities in progress in a main gymnasium, similar to the Greek gymnasium, is envisaged, but not formal exercises or German apparatus work —rather the modern ball games and rhythmic exercises with opportunities even for the devotees of folk dancing. There should be something available for every type of' physique, Critic maintains, and the programmme should last all day and evening. As a consequence, students would find something to do whenever they visited the building. The scheme would no doubt require an expert staff of four or five, but, on a voluntax-y basis. It would possibly cope with the 70 per cent, of the students who must feel the need foxphysical recreation. The paper maintains that it is the duty of the educatoi's to fulfil this need. It asks what temporally measures can be taken to solve the problem as there is little prospect of the new students’ union building being erected within the next few years. Cricket League’s Increased Entry An increase of seven teams is shown in the entry for the six sections which will comprise the Otago Cricket League’s competitions this season. There will be 53 teams compared with the 46 fielded last season. There will be three sections of eight teams, two of ten teams, and one of nine teams. The competitions are likely to begin on October 29.

The new teams are from the Pirates Football Club, Alhambra Football Club, Laurenson’s Bakery, Mitchell Bros., Dunedin Engineering Company, Shell Oil Company, and an additional entry from the Hillside Workshops, which already field one team.

Nineteen wickets will be in use on the Oval, an application has been made for the use of four wickets at Logan Park, and wickets will be in use at Seacliff, Waitati and Green Island. The Cricket League, which caters mainly for teams from business and manufacturing organisations, also has teams from Seacliff and Waitati and a team from Bayley, Tomkins, Hedges at Green Island. Matches are for oneday duration, the hours of play being from 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

“ Lend-lease ” Pact The fellowship that exists in sport is not restricted by the bounds of any one country, to judge from the experience of the Otago Weight Lifters’ Association. The association was unable to obtain either in New Zealand or England a chrome vanadium steel bar used for weight-lifting competitions, and the then secretary, Mr D. F. Freeman, wrote to the editor of the American publication, Strength and Health, which manufactures these bars, and told him of the difficulties. Within 17 days came a reply, stating that the bar had been forwarded to the association, free of all charge. It has now arrived in Wellington and it is hoped it will be in Dunedin in time for the New Zealand Weightlifting Championships, which will be held in the Concert Chamber on the evening of October 22. Somewhat similar was the experience of a well-known Otago basketball player who was unable to obtain a pair of basketball boots. He wrote to an American firm, inquiring about them, and almost by return main came the boots with a note saying “Your boys did a good job of work during the war and we appreciate it. Don’t worry about payment, but if you find any dollars just send them over!” Rugby Referee’s Transfer

The impending departure for Wellington of Mr E. W. G. Thorpe on transfer will be a serious loss to the Otago Rugby Referees’ Association. Mr Thorpe was formerly secretary of the Waikato Rugby Referees’ Association and a life-member, and on joining the Otago Association in 1945, he was of great assistance on the administrative side. ’ His thorough knowledge of the rules and his gift of imparting it have done much to bring forward men with a sound practical knowledge of the game. His classes for probationary referees were very beneficial to these members, and in a minute of appreciation the Otago Referees’ Association states that the sound position in which the association finds itself to-day is due in no small measure to Mr Thorpe efforts.

The cricket season is due to commence with senior matches on October 15, and clubs are now making arrangements for their practices. Organised supervision is desirable to ensure that all players are engaged in practising some branch of the game during the whole of the time they are present, as the spectacle is too common of only bowlers and batsmen taking an active part, while the remainder of the players stand around in groups and merely field the occasional ball that comes their way. The Otago representative players took part in a method of practice last year which might well be introduced to the clubs since it is one which occupies the attention and holds the interest of all those present. Where two practice nets are used, the first half of the batsmen’s period can be used primarily for his benefit, and the ball should be thrown to him (from a distance of approximately 15 yards) so that he can correctly execute the drives and then his defensive strokes. In this way it is possible to eliminate the known weaknesses of the batsmen. While this period is in progress the four bowlers who will take over from the “ throwers ” should be practising the development of length, direction and new techniques. This practice should be held adjacent to the nets, where two sets of undefended wickets (or single wickets) are set up 22 yards apart with one bowler operating from each end. It is advisable that these bowlers should wear one wicket-keep-ing glove each to eliminate the risk of injury. In the meantime, the remainder of the practice group should be employed in various phases of fielding practice. At the same time, it is necessary to have four or five fieldsmen in position in front of the nets to rteurn balls to the bowlers or “throwers.” It is important when bowlers take over from the “ throwers ” to make sure that the batsman is properly set to receive each ball, and also that those players who are not recognised as bowlers should not be asked to bowl until they are able to do justice to the batsmen. When the four bowlers take over from the “ throwers ” then four more bowlers will take over the bowling at the undefended wickets. Sufficient room should be allowed between wickets and the rear of the net to enable the wicket-keepers to improve their technique. If practice captains will take the necessary time to supervise this type of organised practice, they will find ample reward for their efforts, and the additional interest created should attract larger attendances.