LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3418, 19 September 1919, Page 49

LAND AND WATER.

Native pigeons are reported to be plentiful on the lower slopes of the Longwood ranges (says the Western Star). The heavy fall of snow has apparently driven the birds from the high country. The 53ft keel yacht Onelua, built by Mr O. Bailey, jun., for the late King of Tonga, has baen purchased by Mr W. P. Endean, of Auckland (states the Herald). The Onelua is at,present at Tonga, and will bo sailed to Auckland by Captain Stevenson and a crew of three.

CRICKET.

The Wellington Cricket Association decided on the 11th that eight-ball overs be adopted for club matches. NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL. CHRISTCHURCH, September 15. At a meeting of the Management Committeo of the New Zealand Cricket Council to-night a letter was read from the Marlborough Association suggesting that as it was not possible for ©very association to have a'match during the Australian team's visit, it might be desirable to group two or more in _ the South Island. A match in a district in which some of the best players from the smaller associations would be included might also b e desirable. Mr A. E. Cohen (Dunedin) wrote suggesting a visit from the A.I.F. team, which would return to Australia.—lt was decided to write to the A.I.F. team, asking it to visit New Zealand. AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS' TEAM. LONDON, September 10. At Sharborqugh C. I. Thornton's Eleven in their .first innings against the Aub-

tralians scored 187, a _ lead of 106 runs. Gregory took seven wickets for 83 runs. The Australians in their second innings made 276 (Wallis 96, Taylor 71). C. I. Thornton's Eleven made 191 for eight wickets (Hobbs 93), and won by two wickets. Reviewing the tour, Sydney Pardon, the well-known cricket writer, says: The allround form of the Australians exceeded all anticipations. At first it was thought tho tour would be nothing more than a pleasant holiday; but from the opening match it was clear the combination would havo to be taken seriously. Gregory showed exceptional pace, and was invaluable apart from his bowling. The team's strength was collective rather than individual. Every man could get runs, and the work in. the out-field was of high class, and good enough for any eleven. Cleaner picking up or finer throwing in has rarely been seen. —Batting The batting averages in the first-class matches were: Willis (Victoria), 41.30; Collins (Victoria), 38.45; Pellcw (South Australia), 38.18; Oldfield (N.S.W.). 31.13; Taylor (N.S.W.), 31.23; Gregory (N.S.W.). 29.43; Trennev (N.S.W.), 28.26; Lampard (Victoria). 25.65; Murray (Victoria). 24.03; Docker (N.S.W.), 20.40; Bull (N.S.W.), 18.80; Stirling (South Australia). 16.81; Herring (Victoria). 13.38; Long (N.S.W.), 11.00; Kolleway (N.S.W.), who played a few inning's before being indisposed, averaged 56.11. Aggregates exceeding 1000 runs:—Willis, 1652; Collins, 1615; Pellew; 1260, Taylor, 1187. —Bowling.— Collins. 16.55; Gregory, 17.19; Docker. 21.33; Stirling-,. 20.96; Herring, 22.38; Eampard, 23.57 Wickets exceeding 100: Gregory, 131; Collins, 106.

BOXING.

The Chairman of the Federation Francaise De Box has invited the international boxing associations, including Australia and New Zealand, to a conference to be held in Paris in February, 1920, for discussion of regulations for the world's professional and amateur championships. HEAVY-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. AUCKLAND, September 15 A huge crowd witnessed the heavy-weight ohaanpionahip of New Zealand between A. iPooley (too holder) and Gr. llodrich. .. The

foimer lmoc£sd Modriah out in the fifth round, having all the- best of matters.

ROWING.

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP. Felton, of Australia, has scoured tho necessary backing of £SOO for a championship match with Ernest Barry, holder of the world's ohampionship. They are expected to row on the Putney course towards the end of October, but details aro not arranged definitely. Tho hupportei-j of Barry and Felton conferred at tho Sportsman office, and doposited £SOO aside. They agreed to row on October 27. Other conditions were also settled, except the hour of start.

LAWN TENNIS.

OTAGO ASSOCIATION. Tho annual meeting of the Otago Lawn Tennis Association was held on tho Mr A. E. Harraway (president) occupied the chair. Mr Harraway expressed his pleasure at seeing such a large attendance, and welcomed members back from the war, and hoped they would enter into tennis with renewed vigour. He asked those present to stand for a few moments out of respect to those who had not come back. This having been done, Mr Harraway moved tho Speaking of the Challenge Cup, ho said there were two names there opposite which he would like to see placed the "statement that they had died at the front, with tho date of their death appended. The names were Capiain Wilding and Captain Jennings. Mr R. S. Black seconded tho motion, and after it had been briefly spoken to by Mr B. B. Couston and one or two others, it was carried. Tho following officers were appointed:—■ President, Mr A. E. Harraway; vice-presi-dents—Messrs J. H. Meek bnd R. S. Blaok; committee —Messrs R. A. Wilkie, T. Paterson, J. Manson, S. N. Brown, R. S. Brown, H. T. Tregear, H. B. Reich A. M'Millan, and J. T. Cooper; referee, Mr Harraway.; vice-president of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, Mr Harraway; New Zealand Association delegates—Messrs A. L. Berry and H. 0. Murray. The opening day of the seasoj§ was fixed for September 20. The Chairman read a letter from Mr J. C. Marshall, who generously forwarded a donation of £lO. Mr Marshall was unanimously elected a life member. Mr R. S. Blaok again assisted the funds to tho extent of £2O by paying life membership fees for his two soldier sons —Lieutenant G. I. Black and Private Rex Black. Mr Black moved that Mr J. S. 'SHnclnir be appointed an honorary life member of tho association. —Carried. The levy for the ensuing year was fixed at 2s. It was resolved to carry on the arrangaments with regard to the art union mentioned in the annual report. Mr Thomson moved that the association give its support to Mr T. K. Sidey's Daylight Saving Bill.—Carried. AUSTRALIANS IN AMERICA. At the tennis championships tournament at Ontario Brooks and Patterson and Lycetb and Thomas defeated their oponents in the Men's Open Doubles. They will fight cut the final. The Chicago correspondent of the New York Times states that Brookes and Patterson defeated the former American national doubles champions, William Johnston and 0. J. Griffin,*6—4, 6—l, 6—2, Hayes and Burdich (America) defeated Lycett and Thomas (Australia) in the pairs. Brookes (Australia) defeated Johnston (America), while Patterson defeated Davis (America) in the singles.

HOCKEY.

CANTERBURY BEATS OTAGO. CHRISTCIIURCH, September 13. . The Hockey Shield match between Canterbury (holders) and Otago (challengers) -was won by Canterbury by seven goals to nil. Beaton (2), Throp, and H. Bell (4) were" the scorers. Canterbury had all the better of the play. " . .