LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 45

LAND AND WATER.

Large flocks of paradise ducks are numerous on the Waitaki just now, and may be observed camped in stubbles or on shingle bars up the Waitaki Valley. AMATEUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION. The annual' meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was held at the Y.M.O.A. rooms on the 26th ult. The president (Mr E. Rosevear) occupied the chair. The Chairman reported that the treasurer had in hand £lO 4s' 2d, and there was a liability of lis 3d. He referred to the constant toll of the war on their members, and said he did not know of any track athlete of eligible age left in Dunedin. He spoke also -of the death of-Dr Bedford, who had run with the harriers not so very long ago and was vice-president of the Y.M.C.A. Harriers at the time of his death. In hi 3 judgment the past season had been the best one since the war began. Members had been very keen, and they had run two sports meetings during the year. Perkins, Beatson, and Crimp had all been upholding the honour of Otag'o at military eports meetings in the Old Country. The following office-bearers were appointed for the ensuing year: —President, Mr E. Rosevear; vice-presidents —Me=srs L. A. Sanderson, C. Fryc, A. Melville, L. Phillips, P. Breen, S. F. Whitcombe; secretary, Mr A. Mercer; treasurer, Mr P. Breen; auditor, Mr A. G. Melville; handicapper, Mr A. Mercer. On the motion of Mr A. C. Smith, it was decided to express the deep regret of the centre at the death of Dr Bedford, and the chairman was instructed to send a letter of condolence to the bereaved relatives. It was decided to open the harrier seascl! on April 20 at the Cavcrsham School gymnasiuna, at the invitation of the president. The centre placed on record its high appreciation of the able manner in which Mr P. Breen had carried out his duties as secretary and treasurer in the past. Mr Melville reported having represented the centre at a 'meeting to organise a gymkhana in aid of the Red Triangle campaign, and it was resolved heartily to support the movement. FOOTBALL. OTAGO RUGBY UNION. The thirty-seventh annual report of the Otago Eugby Football Union congratulates clubs on the successful manner in which they have kept the game going during the past season. At the commencement of the season players over 20 were not allowed to take part in club matches, but this regulation was somewhat modified before the. close of the season. Clubs are to be congratulated on the high standard of football displayed in club matches, the. play throughout being of a high order, and quite up to the standard of pre-war days. Three competitions were provided for last season—A. B, and C grades. The standard of play in each of these grades was distinctly meritorious, the young players snowing great keenness, and by the displays given throughout the year there should be no fear for the future of Rugby foc-tball in Otago. The attendance of the public at club matches was very disappointing. The. interest in school football was well maintained throughout the season, the school boys playing the game with great keenness,

and several of til© matches provided) excellent exhibitions of Rugby. To enable the committee to keep in closer touch with school football, the Schools Committee was requested to appoint two representatives on the O.R.F.U. Committee, and Messrs A. W. Alloo and V. H. Bremner were appointed, and • their advice was very helpful to the committee in discussing school football. The committee has to thank clubs for the assistance rendered, and trusts that in the coming season all clubs will again be able to keep their flag flying. It is hoped that before the commencement of next season .footballers will have helped to bring about that victory' which all .'ire looking for. During the year Messi'3 P. Stevens and A. Low resigned from the committee, andj Professor Park was appointed to fill <?nc 'of the vacancies. Very few inquiries into cases of misconduct on the field were held during the year. .It is with pride that the committee refer to the large nmniber of footballers who are eo nobly fighting the nation's battles. At the close of the war it is proposed to compile a roll of honour, with the names of all Otago players who have served inscribed thereon. It is therefore most desirable that all clubs should keep a complete record of their members who have enlisted., so that the roll cf honour may contain the names and particulars of all who have served. "With deep regret reference is made to the number cf players who have paid, the supreme sacrifice since last annual meeting, and to their relatives the committee expresses deepest sympathy. The thanks of the union are again due to the Referees' Association for providing referees for matches; to delegates to the N.Z.R.F.U.— namely, Messrs G-. Fache, C. Eyre, and R. Abbott; to the University Club for the us 9 of their jerseys, and to the Caledonian Soqiety for the favourable terms en which they granted the use of their ground. CRICKET. FIRST GRADE. The match between the Grange and High School clubs was played at the North Ground on Saturday, and resulted in an easy win for Grange team, who scored 215 to the High School's 56. The match Mornington v. St. Kilda ■was played at the Caledonian Ground, and resulted in a draw. Holden hit up 88 in forceful style, included in his score being nine 4's. Out of respect to the death of the president's wife (Mrs D. Smyth), the Mornington team wore black bands. At Carisbrook on Saturday the match between Carisbrook and-Albion resulted in a draw. The scores were:—Carisbrook, eight for 125; Albion, eight wickets for 70. SECOND GRADE. Grange defeated. High School on the latter's wicket by 94 runs. High School, 44 (Smith 12, Sharpe 10); Grange, 138 (Wright 48, Forrester 18, Munro 16, Thomas 14, Restieaux 12, O'Brien 11). Wright (five wickets for 23) and Forrester (throe for 6) bowled well for Grange, as did Grey (six for 85) and Smith (three for 31) for High School. THIRD GRADE, The Overseas Club defeated High School B by 12 runs. The scores were:—Oveiseas 90, B.igh School 78. For Overseas, Vivian (31 not out), Ronnie (23), and Fairmaid (13) batted well; while for the losers Austin (23), Wilkinson (13), and Sutherland) (11) batted best. Stanaway (three wickets, Luscombe (two), and " Bridgman (tvoj took all the wickets for High School. Rennie (four wickets), Vivian (three), -arid, Norman (two) bowled well for Overseas. LEAGUE MATCHES.

Standard, 144 fox two wickets (Ingram 49, Oaten 57 not out, Richmond 22 not out), defeated Tramway, 59 (M'Kenzie 15, Pain© 13, Blackburn 13). For Standard, Ingram captured five wickets for 29, and Richmond three for 26; and for Tramway, Marrow one for 32, and; Jephson one for 54, Shacklock, 162 for six wickets (Thomas 69 not out, Arniit 38, M'Kinley 25, Eckhoff 19, Rice 10 not cut), beat Orokonui, 69 (M'Neil 12). Bowling for Shacklock, Eckhofi captured six wickets for 26, and Burt three for 25; and for Orokonui, Bambery ono for 2, Dodd three for 69, and M'Lennan one for 20. OTHER MATCH. Albion Third Grade defeated Albion Second Grade by an innings and 56 runs. Batting first, the Seconds made 68, and in their second strike made 70 (Duncan 27). The

Third compiled 185 (Elliot*. 62, Bolwell 2G, Brown 23). Spedding bowled well for the winners, as did Mitchell and Clarke for tho losers.