LAND & WATER.
The following challenge, the latest issued on behalf of Hanlan, is taken from the New York Spirit of the Times : — " We have received two hundred and fifty dollars (250dol) and the following letter : — " New York City, September 29.— Enclosed please find 250d0l forfeit on following challenge : — Knowing that the sporting public are eager to witness William Beach, of Australia, the champion oarsman of the world, and Edward Hanlan, of Toronto, meet in a race on American waters, and 'understanding that Beach has issued a challenge to row the American champion for 2500d0l or 5000dol, I make the following proposition: — I will match Edward Hanlan to row William Beach a single-scull race, three, four, or five miles with a turn, according to the rules of the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen, for 5000dol a-side or 10,000dol a-side and the single-scull championship of the world. The race to bo rowed in American waters six months from signing articles. The Spirit of the Times to be final stakeholder. I will also allow Beach 500dol for expenses to row the race in this country. To prove that lam in earnest, I have herewith deposited 250t10l forfeit for Mr Beach or his backer to cover. Trusting this offer will meet with an early and satisfactory reply, and that a race will be arranged, — I am, &c, Richard K. Fox." (Proprietor of the paper named.)
We hear that it is Cummings' intention to accept George's proposition to run the three matches over again on the old terms. Cummings, however, will not run before April, and will stipulate that there shall be a month's interval between each match.
Spencer, who has been walking all over the country in the task of covering 6000 miles in 110 days (Sundays excepted), completed his last part of the undertaking at Lillie Bridge Grounds, West Brompton, on October 21, in the presence of a limited attendance. At half -past 11 Spencer started on his final journey of 21 miles, the distance then left uncovered, and completed the 6000 miles at a quarter to 5.
J. Roberts, jun., the billiard champion, has again been distinguishing himself, as in his match with Fred Bennett he not only altered the record for a spot-barred break by scoring 409, and thus beating his 360— which, strange to say, was made whilst playing with the same opponent last December — but soon afterwards putting the white ball down, accumulated 156 off the red by losing hazards, an unprecedented feat at the cramped game.
The opening match of the season between the champion and Tom Taylor, spot barred, 10,000 up, Taylor with 3000 points start, terminated in a victory for Roberts by 332 points. Although Taylor was never caught until the last clay, Roberts seemed to have his opponent safe almost from the first, and never failed each evening to finish up in front of his handicap. When the pair met last February in a money match on similar terms, although Roberts won by upwards of 700 points, he only made 17 century breaks. In this match he scored no less than 21 three-figure contributions as follows :— 216, 159, 153, 143, 140, 136, 134, 129, 128 (twico), 127, 123, 121, 111 (twice), 107 (twice), 106, 105, 103, 102 ; Taylor, five— viz., 127, 125, 118, 106, 101.
There are quite a number of crews in training for the regatta to be held at Port Chalmers on Boxing Day, and the affair promises to be one of the best held in Otago Harbour.
The following cricketers have been selected to practice for the forthcoming Interprovincial match with Canterbury, on the 26th, 28th, and 2.ohh inst. : — T. Austin, S. Andrews, O. Beck, E. T. Collinson, W. Carson, G. Clark, E. L. Clayton, W. Carr, A. Dawes, W. G. Dixon, A. R. Drabble, C. Frith, A. Grieve, L. M. Harris, J. Hope, J. Hume,.A. Kitt, J. Levy, W. J. Moore, J. M'Farlaue (North Dunedin), P. Pocknall, P. Turnbull, and W. Vallange. Practice nights will be advertised.
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