LAND AND WATER

Otago Witness, Issue 3033, 1 May 1912, Page 56

LAND AND WATER

Since lire opening of the season (our correspondent at Ilawea writes) the weather has been in favour of successful deer-stalk-ing but, largely owing to the unfavourable conditions which prevailed earlier in the year, the average of heads is not up to the usual standard. On the Fcrgusson block, Captains Sm'th and M'Doug ail were fairly successful, the former securing four royals, one a very fine head, and Captain M’Dotigall’s list consisted of one 13-pointer and three royals. Messrs Sbudholme and Wilson are reported to have secured six fair heads on the Branches block, at the head of the Hunter Valley, one being a particularly good head of 12 points. Messrs Coffin and Oliver had rather poor sport, an

] 1-pointer beinfc the best shot on their ground, but Messrs Wadsworth and Moffat, on the Green Bush Country, and Mr Mills and the Rev. Mr Oliver, on Mount Jones, are said to- have obtained their full complement Mr Butterworth scoured two very fine heads —a 10 and a royal—on the Bull Spurs, and Mr Lucas has also been very successful. Mr Ilorlich has shot a very fine royal to date, and is still out on the Sawmill country, and Mr Forbes, who is out on the Waterfall block, has so far obtained a royal and a 14-pointer, both good leads. With the exception of .Mr Faulk’s 14-pointer and a very symmetrical royal shot by the same sportsman very few heads of outstanding excellence are reported to have been accounted for in the Makarora Valley, and all through the forest the season has been a rather disappointing one. The challenge issued by the Wellington carters’ tug-of-war team to any team in the Commonwealth, has (states the Sydney correspondent of the Post, under date 17th April) been accepted by a Sydney combination headed hv a Mr Michael Fitzpatrick. Mr Fitzpatrick stated that lie had a tepm that would pull tire New Zealanders for any sum from £2OO to £SOO. It is Mr Fitzpatrick’s desire that the contest should be decided under the auspioee

of the Rugby Reague in Sydney; but if that is not possible, he is prepared to take his team to New Zealand. ARNST IN ENGLAND. LONDON, April 27. The Australian cricketers and Arnst (the champion sculler) have arrived at Plymouth. Arnst states that he had a slight attack of gastritis. He spent some time in the stokehold, hoping to reduce his weight. Barry states that he will not sign the articles unless £7OO is subcribed for his expenses fund. HOCKEY. AUCKLAND, April 24. The Auckland Hockey Association has decided to play the Wellington-Auckland match at. Victoria Park on June 1. WELLINGTON, April 24. The final for the Nordon Challenge Shield, played here to-day, resulted in the defeat of Marlborough by Manawatu by 6 goals to nothing. Crump scored four goals, and Fitt and Hammer one goal each. (From Our Own Correspondent.) NASEBY, April 27. A Hockey Club has been formed in Naseby with a membership of 35. This is the second club of its kind to be formed here recently—there being a ladies’ club already in existence. PIGEON RACE. The Dunedin Homing Pigeon Club flew off the first young bird race of the season from Oamain on Saturday. The result was as follows: —Mr P. Clark’s Bonami Lass, time Ihr 53imin, velocity 924yds Ift llin; T. Veitch's Royal Scotch, time Ihr 53imin, velocity 924yds Oft 4in; W. Niven’s Lord Fran, time Ihr 50min, velocity 915yds Oft 9in; W. Esquilant’s bird, time Ihr velocity 914yds 2ft Sin; W. Yates’s bird, time Ihr velocity 913yds Ift Tin.