LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3149, 22 July 1914, Page 58

LAND AND WATER.

Members of the Southland Acclimatisation Society are emphatic (says the Times) in their opinion that the shooting of paradise ducks should bo allowed, and at the last meeting severe criticism was levelled at the Department of Internal Affairs for having placed an embargo on them. It was contended that paradise ducks were more plentiful than other varieties which were not on the protected lift,

and it was also maintained that it was a question which should bo left to acclimatisation societies to deal with, as they wore in a better position to understand the conditions prevailing. BILLIARDS. A large number of lovers of the game of billiards were treated to a pleasant exhibition in the Plaza Saloon on the 14th, when the New Zealand boy champion {Clark M'Conachy) met the Now Zealand amateur champion (Mr Valentine, of Dunedin) m a match of 750 up, the former conceding 250. M'Conachy’s biggest breaks were 181, 141, and 111, and he won comfortably when his opponent (handicap included) had reached 416, 166 of which were scored from the cue. Mr Valentino, who will proceed to Auckland to-day to defend his title, made breaks of 32 and 28. The winner, who possesses a masterly style, gave a capital display, though ho confessed that it was only fair to say that the table was strange to him. His losing hazard strokes were pretty, 177 of his break of 181 being made off the red. Mr Valentine depended, mostly on the same method of play. At_the conclusion the boy champion gave an interesting display of trick and fancy strokes. PIGEON SHOOTING^ MASTERTON, tluly 16. The Masterton Gun Club fired a 200 live pigeon match in splendid weather conditions to-day. There were 55 competitors, including some of the best shots of the dominion. H. Jenson, of Carterton, carried off first prize, shooting 17 birds in succession. Second, third, and fourth prizes were dividedamongst 12 competitors. LACROSSE TEAM TO VtSIT NEW ZEALAND. SYDNEY, July 17. A lacrosse team has been selected to visit New Zealand about the end of next month. GOLF. OTAGO LADIES’ CLUB. The following are the host scores handed in for the Junior Modal competition— Gross. Hep. Net. Mrs Oldham 118 33 Miss MTntosh 120 34 Miss Carew ... 127 36 Miss I. Rattray 118 25 Miss Ogston 135 36 Miss Macandrow ... 165 36 MISS PETRIE BEATS MISS BAYLEY. PALMERSTON N., July 17. The tie for the Coronation medal between Miss Petrie (Greymouth) and Mies Bayloy (Maungakiekie) was played off on Thursday,

and resulted in a win for Miss Petrie, who par on the Hokitika golf links, by three strokes. INVITATIONS TO THAMES WINNERS. MELBOURNE, July 14. ’The Henley ou Yarra Regatta Committee is cabling an invi tat ion to Harvard University (winners of the Grand Challenge Cup at Ilenley-on-Thames) and’ the Winnipeg Rowing Club to send crews to compete for the Grand Challenge and the Stewards’ Cups at the forthcoming regatta. NEW SOUTH WALES CHAMPIONSHIP. SYDNEY, July 15. Charlie Towns, the sculling champion of New South Wales, has accepted William Rapley’s challenge to row for the title.