SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2757, 16 January 1907, Page 60

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Bi Hobi Fozni. MELBOURNE. December 38. THE TURF. Just at the present time the Commonwealth of Australia is what Adam Lindsay Gordon described as " galloping mad." no less than 47 race meetings taking place in Victoria alone last Wednesday (Boxing Day). The most important gathering in this State was, of course, the Victoria. Amateur Turf Cub meeting at Oaulfield, and as the weather was sTmply delightful, there was a large gathering on the heath. Bookmaker W Murray's, four-year-old Lochiel— Crossfire gelding Prestonpans 10.3 won the Shoobra Hurdle Race very easily from Eucambene 9.3, -who only managed to keep Brilliance 9.7 out of second money by a head. Prestonpans covered the two mites 64 yards in Smin 53sec, and is evidently a cut above the ordinary run of hurdlers. They made Verenice 8.5 a 7 to 4 favourite for the Juvenile Stake* (five furlongs in lmin 3Jsec), but she finished a poor third to Lady Orzil (Orzil— Lady Grafton) 7.5 and Sleepy Jack 7.9. Ringlet (by Menschikoff) 7.7 started in this event but albeit she divided second favouriteship with Sleepy Jack, she wag unfortunate enough -to get interfered with just after the start, so that the probabilities axe that ehe will justify her backing some other day.

Although she had no recent form to warrant the assumption that she could make " ducks and drakes ' of her half-score opponents in the Hopetoun Cup, the pa»ties behind* the Wallace— Elsie mare Red Streak 8.5 backed her down to 7 to 4 therefor, and proved wise in their generation, as the Oaks wmner of 1904 displayed her old-time brilliancy by running home an easy winner from. Chaimant 7.9, with Albazeno 7.1 third, the eleven furlongs being traversed in 2min 24j8ec. Red Streak can not only " etreak," but can stay on occasions.

There were a dozen starters for the Oberon Steeplechase, of two miles, Eldorado 10.13 being favourite at 5 to 2. Mr W. S. Cox's Gay Deceiver gelding Sultana 10.11 was at 10 to 1, but going to the front at the start. he remained there thioughout, winning " anyhow " by five lengths from the unquoted Martinique 9.9, the favourite finishing third, time, 3min 56sec.

Mr A. Miller's four-year-old Bundook — Reversion horse Two Step made a fearfnl hash of the Koornang Welter Handicap, as be started at 5 to 2 cgainct 15 others, darted out of the banier first, and although steadied shortly afterwards, dashed to the front again, coming down the railway side, and ultimately romped home four lengths in advance of Murska 8.3, who beat Staple 8.13 by threequarters of a length for second place, the seven furlongs being covered in lmin SOsec. Originally handicapped at 8.5 — a- most ludicroua adjusiment for such a perform-er in ft welter event— Two Step claimed a Bib allowance on the apprentice racket. The Harmonist — Grand Canary six-year-old Corroboree made light of his 9.13 in the Malvern Handicap, for which Splash 8.3 started favourite at 5 to 2, Corroboree and Northwood (at 4 to 1 each) being most in demand among the other starters, numbering a. dozen, including the 1901 Melbourne Cup winner Revenue, who was handicapped at 97. and didn't finish last, albeit the five furlongs and a-half were cut out in lmin BJsec. It was a ratl'mg good finish, but Mr J. C Roberts's horse stayed it out from the halfdistance, and euchred Simmerel'e 7.9 by half a length, Miss Bobby 7.9 being only h*!f ft head away third

The summer meeting of the Australian Jockey Club was inpuguiated at Randwick on Saturday and continued on Wednesday, the weather being seasonable on both occasions. T J. Henclnck's Veronique (Grafton — Silverhair) 7 4 got away with the Trial Handicap, cantering home two lengths and ahalf in advance of Ike Earnshaw s Ranmore. whilst skipping over the seven furlongs in lniin 28sec.

Hendricks. who has been basking in For-

tune's emiles with his horses for some months past, withdrew Banzai from the Villiers Stakes in favour of a half-sister to Veronique (by Lochiel— Silverhair) yclept Sweetness, and this left 21 runners for the great mile dash of the summer campaign. Mr J. J Macken'p Luuana (Lochiel— Duniose) 76, who \\a<s metalled favourite when the weights were declaied, stood her ground to the finish, starting at 5 to 2, Jim Dorset 7 12 being at 5 to 1. Aragain 8.7 at B's, and The Loch 7 6 and Hospodar 8 6 e.t 10's. Port Arthur 8 2 w made play from the start, setting an extremely sound pace till the distance, when he retired, leaving The Loch in command from Pompous 7 10 and Dantzic 7.0, whilst the favourite, who had been badly posit'oned, was seen to be threading "her way forward. A tremendous finish evenUiated, the issue being in doubt until the judge announced Luciana. who wa.s held to have got up m time to defeat the unlucky Pompous by a head, with Dantzic. the same distance away third. a length in advance of The Loch and Hopspodar, the eight furlongs only occupying lmin 41sec There was a good deal of diesatiefaction at the judge's decision, but of course in a finish of that description he is the only person in a position to know anything definitely about the matter. Dunrose, the dam of Luciana, is by the 1887 Cup winner Dunlop (Neckersgat— Etta) fiom a si6ter to Stockroee (by Tom King from Rosexnarv, by Stockwell) Luciana is Warroo bred, and was pucrhased by the owner of Tartan at the disposal of that stud for 125 guineas. At the same tale Dunrose was disposed of for 16 guineas, and is now at the fctud farm of Mr C S. M'Phillamy, NS W , having produced a filly (Dunedin) to Lochiel in 1902 and a colt (Dunbar) to Escutcheon in 1904. The Nursery Handicap, of five furlongi, proved that fee successful N. S. Wales trainei,

J Allsop, must have several useful two-year-olds under his care at the present time. On the previous Saturday, at Warwick Farm, he had scored with Quadratic (Medallion — Meditation), who was thereupon withdrawn from the event under notice. Natheless he had another nominated quite capable of doing the triek — to wit, Mr Hunter White's Skopo, who with 7.6 won by a head from W. T. Nowland's Malsterdelle 8.12, Lunar Light 7.5, and 16 others in lmin 4sec. Here, again, there was a difference of opinion between the general and the judge, the former contending that Skopo failed to get up in time._ A curious part of the occurrence is that it was about the fifth occasion on which horses trained by W. Brennan have appeared to win. and yet the verdict has been given against them.

Skopo was bred at Havilah, and is by the Liverpool Cup winner Skopos (St. SerfStethoscope) from that magnificent mare Fulminate, who in turn is by Gossoon from Percussion (by Musket from Sister Agnes, by Rosiecrucian). Skopo displayed the family characteristic (on the dam's side) of finishing fast and determinedly.

The weight-for-age Grand Stand Stakes wa3 captured by the Irue Blue— Marvelette mare Noreen. who displayed improved! form to that she had exhibited during the Victorian spring campaign by carrying a 101b penalty to vieI tory over Banzai, Tatterdemalion. Simoda, Putty, Rosemead, and E.P.C., whilst carving j out the nine furlongs in lmin 56sec. Banzai was a 6 to 4 favourite, but nevertheless T. F. Scully's partisans accepted 2 to 1 about .Noreen. As the latter swerved right across the course towards the finish there was yet one more " demonstration " on the part *of the hoi polloi On Boxing Day Rose Bay (Ruenalf— Tea Rose) 7.2 started proceedings by winning the Christma3 Handicap, of a mile, from J. C. "Williamson's Roosevelt 7.4 by a couple of lengths in lmin 41Jsec, after which Ike Earnshaw's Arlington (Grafton — St. Catherine) 5.4 put up lmin 13Jsec for six furlongs in the Flying Handicap, defeating The Loch 8.6, Barrenjoey 6.7. and ten more, by two lengths, after being supported down to 5 to 2. There were five two-year-olds contested the December Stakes, five furlongs, w.f.a,, in which Vaporize carried 8.10 (including % slb penalty) in the person of L. H. Hewitt. The ! closing quotations were as follows: — 5 to 4 on The Owl, 4's Malsterdelle. 11 to 2 Vaporize, B's Sun Gem. 12's Skopo, 20's each Quadratic and Duma. The Owl was first away, and led to the distance, where Malsterdelle <Maltster , — Hirondelle) joined issue, a ding-dong tussle ending in favour of the latter, who won by • head in lmin 22see, Quadratic being a length away third. Notwithstanding that »he had to put up a 71b penalty (uplifting her to 7.9) in the Summer Cup, of a mile and five furlongs, and that there were 14 opposers, the supporters of Luciana sent her out at 5 to 2, Rosemead 8.3 being at 4 to 1. H. Roarty's aged Lochiel— Tatters gelding Tatterdemalion (a 10 to 1 chance) waa in rare buckle though, and after getting first away be was steadied by J. Barden, who kept him in fourth position — behind Vanadium 8.7, Chaperon 7.2, and Delcore 7.4— until the distance, when he ran to the front, accompanied by Deutscher, who, however, ran out wide, allowing Tatterdemalion to defeat Rosemead by half a length, Aragain 8.4 (who was coming fast towards the finish) being & length away third, then coming Noreen 9.5, Deutscher 7.13, and Vanadium, the time, 2min 49Jsec, being extremely good. The five-furlong Nursery Handicap (five furlongs in lmin 3sec) fell to another Skopos colt — J. Burton's son of Alga, named Barbican, who was considered so favourably handicapped at 7.0 that in a field of 13 » better pnoe than 6 to 4 was not to be obtained towards the close of pencilling operations. The supposed good thing came off right enough, but Clayton as near as a toucher threw the race away by over-confidence, and 1 only managed to get sufficient way on again to win by a head from Peru 7 3, " Woodside 7.0 being half a length away third. The A.J.C. Handicap, of a mil* and a quarter, rang down the curtain on the two day*' meeting, and of the eight starter* therefor Banstai (Grafton— Helene) 9.4 and Hospodar 9.6 were equal favourites at 3 to 1 each. A good finish between the pair (Banzai coming with a late run) resulted in S. J. Hendricks'a colt securing the victory by a head, Sevee 8.7 being a length astern of Hospodar; time, 2min 9Jsec. MISCELLANEOUS. Kooringa (Bobadil — Lady Augusta) won the Christmas Handicap »t fort Adel»lde on Wednesday (a mile and a-quarter in, 2m in llsec), whilst Lord (Jarlyon (Carlyon — Thora) secured the Juvenile Handicap with 9.4, covering the five furlongs in lmin 2}sec. An estimated attendance of 10,000 assemb'ed at the opening of the Western Australian Perth Cup meeting on Wednesday. No less than 30 bookmakers paid the 70 guineas fee for " inside " the four days. And against the totahsator too ! As many more paid 35 guineas for the " flat." "What a paying game it must be over in West ! The Phoebus Apollo — ChrysalHe gelding Wheelara 8.7 won the W.A.I. C. Purse (six furlongs in lmin 18eec) by a head from Yerla 79, Bete Noir 7.10. and 19 others. Tabasco was at 7 to 4 and the winner at 7 to 2. Theie were nine starters for the Perth Stakes, a mile and a-quarter event, w.f a , May King being an even money favourite. Man-o'-war (The Admiral — Corvette) was allowed to get a tremendous break, and managed to last long enough to defeat the favouriteby a head, returning a £26 15s divvy for every half-sovereign invested on him. The time was returned at 2m in lOJsec. Mr E E D. Clarke's Benbow (Grafton— Sequel) started at 6 to 4 against half a dozen others in the Western Australian Derby, Nicholas and Bolger's Baerarm being second in demand at 6 to 1. The pace was clapped on the last mile, Bobby Lewis having to ride the favourite hard to get on terms with fhe leader from the start (Baerami). Benbow struggled on wi*h gieat gameness though, and secured the rich stake by a long head in 2min 38Jsec. Lady Bedford 1 decorated the winner with the "blue riband" amidst enthusiastic cheering. Mr R A. Sholl (late postmaster-general) sprang a big surprise in the Karrakatta Plate w.f b . five fnHongs, his Mural— Sylv.a colt lionmlus defeating Similia, Bundorrie, and nine others by a head (same between *econd and third) in lmin ssec. The tote divvy (for 10b) was £'22 Is. Munchauten was an even-money favourite.

Attitude (Bob?di'— Postutantp) 8.6 won the W.A T C Puroe by a length and a half from Betsy Burke 81, Curtain Lecture 74, and 23 more, lunning the six furlongs in lmin lftjsec. The Federal Match, fired over the Launceston ranges on Wednesday, and contested by all the States except Western Australia, resulted in a win for Queensland, who totalled 1529 points against New South Wales 1517, South Australia 1487, Tasmania 1480. and Victoria 1485. Ardill I.VS.W.) was top scorer with 168. out vi a possible 200, the distances being 300, 600, 700, and 900 yards, the Victorians, who were within two points of the leaders- New South Wales— at the conclusion of the 700 range, falling to pieces at 900 G Howitt (S.A.) was second in the aggregate, with 165, followed by J. T. Lake (S.A) with 164, Bagley and Matthews, both Queenslanders. 163 each, Edwards (N S W ) and Crease (Q.) each 161 and J. H Williams (Vie) 160. Out of the 29 Federal matches, Victoria has won 12, Now South Wal« 8, Queensland 1, and Tw£

1 mania and West Australia one each. Last year, when the match was fired over the Williams* town ranges. Victoria won with 1542 points, ' 18 better than Queensland's winning total this year. The old-time " noble art of self-defence," which our forefathers set so much store on, appears to be as extinct in the Commonwealth. of Australia at the present time as the moa bird is in your location. No man who has yet been pitted against the New South Wales hurricane fighter (he does not pretend to ba a boxer, although he is about to journey to America to tackle Jeffries for the- world's supremacy), Bill Squires, has displayed the least pretensions to self-defence: they h*T» each and all been lees able to defend themselves than the ancient bag of sand or the modern punching ball (each of which, managed to Bwing away from punishment occasionally). The latest sorry exhibition on the part of the newspa.per boomed "champion of England, Ireland, and South Africa," Mike Williams, who was " outed " in threequarters of a minute, and the fact that between 12,000 and 14,000 persona attended 1 Richmond racecourse last Saturday to witness such a demoralising spectacle as that of » practically defenceless man being imaehed into a state of insensibility, must roaka " noble Corinthians ' of the Chief Justioa Madden stamp sigh for a five minutes' exhibition of " nonpareils " of the Jaok Randall. Tom Savers, Joe Kitchen, Jem Mace, an« Charley Mitchell stamp. January 4» THE TURF. There was a rattling good attendance at Flemington on New Year's Day, including the. Governor-General and party. Fields were fair'.y large, albeit only seven contested the New Year Hurdle Race, of two miles, which was won by G-. Bailey's Froude^ — Maude five-year-old Eucambene 9.11 by half a head from another five-year-old— A. S. Chirnside's Skiba 9 10 — with Brilliance d.ll third, the time, 3min 52sec, being extremely good. Skibo is a five-year-old son of St. Blaize from jha Glorious — Georgina Frederic* mare Phoeby. He is likely to repay following. Seventeen out of the 24 coloured on- thai card started in the Standish Handicap, True Scot 8.2 being favourite at 4's, with Menschikoff 9.9 at 9 to a, and Miss Bobby 6.18 at B'g. The latter is » four-year-old mare by. Bobadil from Archeresa — Empress^, and is owned by Mr "W. R. Morgan. True Scot, Sir Richard, and Menschikoff were first away, but the last-named soon petered-out, the subsequent proceedings interesting him no more. When half the distance hud oeen traversed; Miss Bobby was taken to the front, and stalling off a determined final effort by The Amazon 6.10, she won by* a length, in lmin 16sec. for the bit furlongs, True Scot being a length and a-half away third, followed by Whirl 7.3, Riversdale 7.8, and Menschikoff. The withdrawal of Mr A. Miller's Two Step from the Standish occasioned much surprise on the course, as the Bundook — Reversion gelding was considered to stand an excellent chance of winning. Mr Miller exp*ined that Two Step had sustained * slight injury to the hoof, and could not do himself justice in a race at present. He will do so anon, though, you may rely on it. There were seven contestants in the January Steeplechase, of a mile and ahalf, Sultana 11.11 being favourite lit 6 to 2, with Poster 11.13 at 4 to 1. Eldorado 11.2 *t 9 to 2, Wazfield! 9.13 and Martinique 9.6 at 7's each, and Matlow 9.0 und Error 11.7 at B's. Warfield is an aged gelding by Highlander from Gulnare, end, skilfully piloted by P. Cosgrove (who had secured the Hurdlas on Eucambene earlier in the day), he met with practically no opposition, and ran horn* an eight lengths' winner from Sultana, who in turn held a five lengths' advantage orer Poster, whilst that good old slave Error acted las whipper-in, the time for the two miles and a-half being smin 232 sec. There were half a score of starters for the Bagot Handicap, albeit the wagering was practically confined to three — to wit, Tulkeroo 9.6 at 2's, Red Streak 8.11 at 3's, and Charmant 7.7 at 4's. Both Redr Streak and Delaware 7.10 had incurred a 71b penalty, the latter looking all over a winner at the distance, till Red Streak put in a claim, which she substantiated by a neck, Charmant finishing two lengths and a-hulf behind Delaware, with Moani 7.0 (including slb overweight) fourth, the mile and a-half being registered in Smin 38sec. Bed Streak is a five-year-olcl by Wallace from Elsie, and two years back won the V.R.C Op.ks in splendid style andT excellent time. She is trained by "Walter Hickenbotham, and is the property oJ Mr TV. B. Morgan, who thus secured the dcuble. Standish and Bagot. There was some spirited wagering ov ,r the Criterion Handicap, of five furlongr, for which nine two-year-olds started, Lady Orzil 8 0 being favourite at 9 to 4, Mazarin 9.3 being at 4's, and -Macpherson 7.10 and Ringlet 7.7 each at B's. The favourite ran well till jusfe below the distance, when J. G. Robertson's Wallace— Sara gelding Macpherson tackled her, and darted to the front, only in turn to experience a determined challenge on the part of E. V. Goller's Mazarin, who failed to, get on terms with the leader by half a n«ck, Verenice 8.5 being two lengths away third, and the time lmin 3*sec "Sura, the flam of Maopherson, it by the Newmarket H«ndicao winner Coronet from Tiny Lye, an imported mare by Typhoeus. A Welter Handicap, of one mi'.e, brought the afternoon's sport to a conclusion, »nd_ fot this a field of a dozen saddled up. Mailing* 10.0 was favourite at 9 to 4, but E. B. Bell's Mostyn — Blue Bag Bix-year-old horse Brief 9.11 found good backing down to 7 to 2. Ifc proved the best of good things for him, too, as he came with a wet pail in the straight, and won by three lengths and a-half from. Vanessa 8.10 in lmin 43isec, Kalnuck 813 being, a similar distance away third, with tho fa,vounte fourth. Blue Bag, the dam c£ Brief, who is evidently a pretty slippery individual, was bred by the late* Mrs James> White in 1896, and was by FitzDonovan iron* Blue and White (by Wilberforce from Whit* and Blue, by Monsignor). The Seaton Delavel — Stepfeldt horse Delaware (who is owned by Mr Harvey Pa.ttcreon> incurred his 7lb penalty in the Bagot Handicap through winning the Epeom Christmas Cup (a mile in lmin 43isec) last Saturday with 7 12 from Mamnga 8.2, Murska 7.5, and half a dozen others. He started at 7 to 1, and was ridden by A. E Comwell. P A. Connolly, the Western Australian sportsman, landed his thud Perth Cup in succession last Saturday (vilh (he Positanc — May Queen gelding May King, who carried 9 9 and defeated Spinder GlO by two lengths and a-half in 3min 33fcec for the two mi ep. Charles Stuart 8 7 being thi'd^and Hilde-brar-fl 7 2 fourth, fifteen others constituting the field Mr Connolly carried off the Perth Cup two years back " with Blue Spec, and last year with Czarovitch. On Saturday his horses won the opening three races on the card— Lothian the Metropolitan Hurdles, Lady Foote the Maiden Plate, and M«y King the Perth Cup. Up to the evening preceding the race Mr Connolly had not backed May King for the event, but on the card being called and i' 2400 to £300 being offered by three ringmen, ■while there were other offers of £1000 to £100 and £ 100 to £50, he accepted the lot and afterwards took another £700 to £100. Eventually May King and Charles Stuart disputed the favouriteship at 7 to 2 each. Mr Connolly had another horse in the race— Scorcher, at 7 13, and F. Bullock had the choice of mounts, it being only on the morning of the

Mary King; At the entrance to the straight Spinder, a three-year-old colt. looked liKe winning, but spoiled his ebance through Tunning out wide. Besides that the youngster had displayed symptoms of lameness from the preceding Wednesday. On New Year's Day May King downed BenboW in the All Aged Stakes (seven furlongs in lmin SSJsec)*, tbe betting at the start being 2 to 1 on May King. Betsy. Burke (Le Var— Laura) 6.12 put up a very attractive performance in the Railway Stakes .by silencing the pretensions of Prophecy 7.5, Charles Stu*rt 9.4, »nd sixteeJf others, whilst d*shi»g orer the mile and aquarter in 2min 7 l-ssec. Sydney Tottersa-ll's opened their two days' meetin* at Handwick on Saturday, when Mr Agar Wynne's Pompons (by Bumptious — Mk« Marionette), a four-year-old, with. 8.3 proved victorious over Comatawah 6.10, Banzai- 9.6, and 15 more in the Carrington Stakes, the six furlongs of which were caet behind in lmin 13Jsec. Pompons, Arlington 8.9, and The Loch 7.10 were equal favourites at 4 to 1 each. Baizai is a three-year-old colt by Grafton from the Marvellous — Scandal m?.re Helene, and emphasised his sterling performance in the Carrington Stakes by coming out on Tuesday (tbe second day of the meeting), and, with 9.7 in the saddle, romping home by a length and a-half from Delcore 6 11 in the New Year's Gift, Barren joey 6.13 being third, ■whilst there were four other speedy oppoaients, and the mile was carved out in lmin 40sec. The betting was 9to 4 Banzai. 5 fo 2 J. C. Williamson's Roosevelt 7.10, who had sailed away with the Lady Rawson Stakes on the first day with 7.9 (». mile in lnun 40jsec). Roosevelt is a three-year-old by Positano from the imported mare Molly Mash am. Tattersall's Cap. of two miles (run in 3min 30Jsec). went to Mr J. A. Mayo's five-vear-o!d True Blue — Lady Robinson gelding Roseanead, who with 8.2 up, in the person of T. Clayton, managed to stall' off the Orzil — Dutch Oven four-year-old Dentscher 7.12. which included a 31b penalty, Ossian being the nearest of seven others, amongst whom were Noreen 9.5 and Tatterdemalion 9.5 (including a 101b penalty). The Mayo party must have considered they had an extra choice thing, as they sent Rosemead out at 6 to 4. B. Qu slake, who recently returned to Victoria from Austria, where he has been very successful in the saddle, ' was allowed to rid* at Flemington on Tuesday, he having the mount on Kalnuck in the Bagot Handicap. Carslake intends to return to Austria shortly, he having received a valuable retainer there to ride for one of the leading Blables. DECADENCE OP VTOTORIAX CRICKET. Of a verity our cry anent Victorian cricket 18 " Ichabod!" After suffering defeat by the (representatives of N. S. Wales by two wickets, the South Australians have run" the rule over us by _ 319 runs. The situation is causing our cricket philosophers and guides much (perturbation, that telented authority, " Midon," of the Leader, feeling it incumbent on him on Thursday to deliver his soul as follows in the columns of the Age — " My suggestion (frequently made in the past) is that at the start of the season a Victorian eleven should be chosen — on the previous season's form — and a series of, say, three matches played against the next best eleven. Several of the clubs would; I admit, be weakened for *heir club premiership matches, but what of that if Victoria's lost prestige could be restored? As a result of three such matches — in which each player would realise that he was playing for his place in Victoria's chosen eleven— the selectors, by the time they had to choose the team to represent the State in matches against South Australia and New South Wales would have actual and reliable form to go npon. Furthermore — and perhaps the greatest consideration of all — players so on their trial and under the nersonal observation of the selectors would assuredly put into their efforts such vigour and keenness as would, if reproduced in the inter-State games, go towards restoring the lost art of fielding, and save the big matches from becoming burlesques. It is much to be regretted that such a course as that proposed was not followed before the lamentable degradation of Victorian cricket took place, but on the principle of better late than never. I hope to see it considered when arrangements for next season are being made. Such practice as that which I suggest apuears to me to be the only means by which Victorian cricket may be dragged oat of the mire It may be pointed out that New South Wale? has asserted her supremacy without recourse to the method here suggested, but it must mot be forgotten -hat when the mother State adopted electoral district cricket, she had" oniv very few clubs and grounds then established Victoria, on the other hand, had to consider the positions of numerous elubo not only possessing occupancy of grounds, but saddled ■with heavy financial responsibilities and o.i that account the introduction of district cricket in this State was attended by a o verse circumstances against which the New S-om'.i Wales Association was not caKed upon to contend." Tommy Warne will co book to Philadelphia failing an engagement in Australia.