THE PLAYGROUND.

Southland Times, Issue 16688, 17 March 1911, Page 3

THE PLAYGROUND.

(By "Onlooker.”) The final sports meeting of the Southland season will take place on Wednesday next, when the annual gathering of the Otautau A.S. will be held on the local ground. The programme includes a Sheffield Handicap of £ls, and athletes who competed at the Irish A.S.'s games on Wednesday will be afforded a final opportunity of calling upon their carefully acquired condition to see them through. Otautau has become quite a centre of athletic ability and meetings in that, locality invaluably present liilciesting competition. The annual New Zealand Amateur Championship meeting of the N.Z. A.A.A. will be held in Christchurch to-morrow and should prove of interest to Southlanders, as this province will probably claim three representatives. !■ irst on the list comes G. P. Koddell. who claims engagements in the 100 yds. 330 yds, 130 yd-; hurdles. 4-10 yards hurdles, and long jump. The other southern competitors are F. Hazlett. pole jump, and hop, step and jump, and M. Crowe, throwing the hammer and putting the shot. Hazlett Is a fair performer in his class, but Crowe is above the average as a shot putter, but has not yet mastered tne mysteries of throwing the hammer from the nine-foot circle, consequently ho is under a disadvantage. \t the annual meeting of members or the Invercargill F.C., the other evening the treasurer had the pleasing announcement to make that there were no membership subscriptions owing the club. The I.F.C. has a very long list ot memThe local cash runner W. Baird was unable to make the journey to compete In the Blenheim Sheffield Handicap (100 yards), first £6O. second £2O. in which he had 13 yards start (limit 14 yards), ■with W. F. Trembath on 1 yard. In the 100 yards handicap Baird had a star of 9 vards, and the race was advertised as worth £l3. Judging of his running at the I.A.S.'s Sports. Baird would have proved a very dangerous man in the two events referred to. His friends claim that G. P. Keddel Is in better form at present than at an) previous stage of his career, and this can be understood when it is mentioned that he has been able to devote more attention to training of late than when he was studying hard to pass his law and other examinations. The crack amateur is a very popular athlete, and his performances at the N. Z. Championship meeting will be eagerly followed by a very wide circle of enthusiasts. The winner of ' last year’s I. A. b. Sheffield Handicap. H. S. Strang, ran remarkably well to get into the final of Wednesday’s big event from the 2 yards mark, and the performance takes higher merit when it is explained that he had only had seven w r eeks’ preparation, a verv short course of training for a man of his build and weight. Meanwhile Strang has to be credited with the best performances yet accomplished in connection with this race, as he won from the S yards’ mark and this week was placed fourth with a handicap of only two yards. There was an attendance of 40,000 at the international Rugby football match between England and Wales, won by the latter by 15 points,to 11 points. The match was brilliant, and England was little inferior on the run of the play to the Welshman. J. L. Williams and R. A. Gibb, of the last British team in New Zealand, played in the Welsh three-quar-er line: while R, Dibble, also a member of Hartnett’s team out here, led the English pack. Now that it is definitely settled that the English cricket eleven cannot come to New Zealand next season, why should not a New Zealand eleven visit Australia earlv in the season? (says a Christchurch writer). If the New Zealanders arrived a few weeks ahead of the Englishmen. keen intere-t w 1 uld be taken, as Australian players would be keen to play against New Zealand in view of the other big matches to follow. It is 10 years since tfm last team went to Australia. and as there is a revival here of public interest in the game, there should be no difficulty in sending the team acrots. Judging by the play against the Australian team last season in Now Zealand, our prospects are bright indeed to make a decent game with the various States. A team which would be picked from Reese. Lusk. Hemus. Sale, Sims, Brooke - Smith, Sandman. Bennett. Findlay, Midlane. Macfarlane. Boxsho.il, Anthony, Hadden, Cliff. Blacklock. Sie-' deherg. Torrance. Fckhold and Hamilton would be a fairly strong team even for Australia. The speedy Horiot runner. J. Curry, iad a had time the night before the f. A. S.’s- sports, as he was unable to leep owing to a very bad attack of leuralgia. Medicinal treatment af'orded him some relief prior to engaging n the Sheffield Handicap and he ran vith great dash in two heats, but subsequently want of sleep and pain affected him badly. After starting in the final of the big handicap lie was too ill to continue, and reluctantly scratched for several other engagements in which he had bright prospects of getting into the money.

A glance over the list of officials acting at the I. A. S.’s sports on Wednesday discloses the fact that many athletes at one time famous in Southland sporting annals as active participants in pastimes now devote their energies to assisting ’n the control of a very successful institution. Among these may be suggested at a venture; —Messrs H. Crawford (ped.). C. W. Matheson (Rugby), J. Bell (ped.), R. Wilson (field games), Geo. .double (cycling), Jos. Brey (crack vrestler). Jas. Tobin (bushcraft and leld games), M. Maley (runner), T. Amirose (jumping and running). J. Kir,ran (dancer). K. Cameron (long distance ped.). B. Bain (Sheffield winner), C. Kane (ped). and A. McGavock (ped). A number of other athletes of past days vere also deeply interested in Wednesday's proceedings, and of these, none were more prominent ,than Wallace Murdoch (ex-crack jumper and ped.), who ■ad a fatherly eye on men trained at the Queen’s Park, notably X. W. Aldred. F. W. Dingwall. H. S. Strang, and R. Pedlar, and his manifest pleasure when three of these men gained places in the Sheffield Handicap was a delight to those who understand the situation. A select band from Lumsden followed the fortunes of the day keenly and of these M. Maley, A. Small (Sheffield winner of 1S06), and T. A. Henry (ped.) were easily noticeable. In the crowd surrounding the arena were many men who helped to make Southland athletic history, but pressure of business prevented the writer from coming in contact wilt them. It is also a source of satisfaction to be able to point out that the bulk f the competitors claim descent from families well-known in local sporting circles at one time or another, and thus the great game goes on. In his training work for the Parramatta Hundred, the first boats of which will be decided to-morrow, champion sculler K. Arnst is said to select a new form of pacing. He waits out on the waters of Sydney's celebrated rowing stream for a ferry steamer, and uses it is a pacer by chasing it down the river, do finds it an excellent form of training. and very good for reducing weight. Mo less than 4 1 scullers have entered for the “Hundred” and the field includes the world’s champion, the champion of Australia, and the champions of many districts where wager-boat rowing is loved and encouraged. A special sports meeting is to be provided in Dunedin to-morrow by the Otago Caledonian Society in order to afford the public an opportunity of seeing the world’s champion sprinter C. E. Hoi way in action prior to his departure fur America and England.

A unique feature of the Parramatta Hundred rowing carnival will be a match with a stake of £3O attached, for the ladies’ championship of Australia. The contestants will be Miss Gertie Lewis and Miss "Kitty" Ryan. It was some time before the parties could be brought together, owing to Miss Ryan favouring gliding seats, wnile Miss Lewis desired fixed seats, but eventually it was decided that both should row in the fixed article. When the Dunlop Rubber Co. made their offer of £2O to the first Australasian cyclists who bettered L. .Meredith' world’s paced out and home 100 miles road record of 4 hours 52min 51 •l-usecs, they little thought that an Australian rider would make an attempt ou the record in far-away California. Word to hand from Los Angeles states that J. F. Keefe, a Tasmanian road rider, now on a racing trip to the United Slates, made an attempt to capture the record, and at the first attempt recorded 5 hours :i minutes, which is 16 minutes 22 seconds faster than the previous American 100 miles unpaced record. Only for hreo bad punctures Keefe is confident he would have gut close to .Meredith’s which were established on the

pick of English roads. He intends making a further attempt. The still atmospheric conditions that exist in California are said to lend themselves to performances of this class. In 1908 Keefe received a special gold medal for riding IGS miles in the Warrnambool to Melbourne road race in the fast time of S hours Omins 30«ecs. It is stated that the Wanganui Caledonian Society contemplate affiliation with the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union, which would moan the whole of the leading cash sports’ bodies of New Zealand being governed by the one ruling body, a very desirable happening. That plucky pedestrian Alfred Shrubb ran Tom Longboat off his feet in the 15mile race at Duquesne Garden, Pittsburg, on Jan. 11. Longboat ran a race which would have beaten almost any other man in the world, as he was only a trille more than two laps behind Shrubb at the end, and Shrubb finished the 15th mile in the wonderful time of Ihr i’Omin 0 3-ssees. There was never a time when Shrubb did not have the race well in hand. If everything was in order. Ihr 30min 0 3-3sccs would he a world’s record for 15 miles. In noting tlie fact that a cross head wind and slippery track were, against G. P. Keddel! in this 120 yds hurdles performance at Rugby Park on Wednesday last, it was neglected to mention that the track has a hump near the centre, which must also have been against the runner. Therefore, when all is said and done, to cover the course in 16secs was a very fine performance. Keddell’s jumping was a revelation to the majority of the public. Writes the American correspondent of the London Sportsman:—“We are thoroughly enjoying the discomfiture of Frank Gotch, the self-styled champion wrestler of the world, and the manner in which he crawled out of the match with Hackenschmidt. A short time ago. with a view to a vaudeville tour, Gotch announced that before retiring he would defend the championship, but it should be for £4OOO aside and all the gate receipts. The “Russian Lion” promptly called this bluff, and, posting £IOOO, agreed to the conditions. whereupon Gotch, declaring that his intended wife did not wish him to re-enter the game, called off proceedings and withdrew his challenge. This did not help the prospective tour, and he next issued a card stating that Hackenschmidt should first show some form by defeating good men and he would then give him a match. In fact, ho insisted upon Hac defeating Mahmout. but meanwhile Gotch himself signed up to wrestle for the world’s title with a comparatively unknown named Oberfeld. Of course, he is only typical of his class, but his actions make one wonder at the unadulterated nerve of wrestlers in general and the American article in particular. It is reported from Wellington that arrangements have been made for Guy Haskins, who is to represent New Zealand in the mile and half-mile events at. the Festival of Empire Sports in London. to leave Wellington this week for Auckland, there to connect with the steamer which leaves for Suva. At Suva he will join the Makura for Vancouver. proceeding thence to Philadelphia (U.S.A.), where he is to train for two or three weeks under his old mentor, “Mike” Murphy, who is regarded as one of the best men to> direct the preparation of a runner. Haskins was under Murphy’s care when he did his best time in America, and fully anticipates that he will be able to get into his best form again under his old trainer.

EOXHTG. A Sydney cablegram announces that Billy Papke has sailed for England. Feather-weight W. Elliott Is ill in New South "Wales, and wilt not be able to box for at least four months. Maorilander W. Rudd has been matched against Joe Costa, an old opjjonent of James Griffin. At the National Sporting Club, London, on January JO, Jim Driscoll disposed of Spike Robson in the seventh round of a contest for the featherweight championship of England and the Lonsdale Belt. Driscoll led all the way on points, and thus retained the title, while the Lonsdale Belt became his own property, having been won on tv right. Robson was surprised when the referee stopped the bout and decided against him. but he is said to have had no chance at the time. At the Gaiety ' Theatre, Sydney, on March 7, a bumper,house witnessed Bill Rudd," New Zealand heavy-weight champion, dispose of Jerry Jerome, the Queensland aboriginal, in the eighth round. Jerome was counted out. Rudd demonstrated his ability to hit hard, and dealt out severe body punishment to his dusky rival. Like many other New Zealanders, the writer hoped to hear of D. Smith standing up to Billy Papke ail the way through their battle of Wednesday evening last, but this was not to he. Smith appears to have been ail at sea in the seventh round, and his seconds are reported to have thrown in the towel rather than see their man knocked out. No details are yet to hand, and it cannot therefore be said where Smith failed, but the cablegram hints that Papke was too strong for the Otago boxer. If this was so, it only goes to show that Smith was foolish to meet tiie American at anything but the middle-weight limit (11,4), whereas the men clashed at list lllbs. This was Smith’s first defeat in an extended career, and lie may yet make good with Papke, just as the latter did with the late Stanley Ketcliell. The writer has heard of quite a number of local men anxious to make their first appearance as amateurs this season. One of these novices, an ex-Rugby footballer of New Zealand repute. is likely to prove a formidable opponent as a middle or heavy-weight. He has already been fairly well tested.

Carl Morris, a claimant for world’s heavy-weight championship honours, is an American train fireman, and was on one of the trains that took the people to the Johnson-Jeffries match. He is twenty-one years of age, stands 6ft 4in in height, has a tremendous reach, and scales iMOlb—or over 17st, Marvin Hart, who once got a decision over Jack Johnson, was knocked out in four rounds by Morris recently.

Mr Woodman, manager for Sam Langford, recently gave it as his opinion that Owen Moran (Eng.) would defeat Ad Wolgasl for the world’s lightweight championship, but meanwhile a new Richmond lias appeared in the field. Tnis is Valentine Brown, better known as “Knockout’’ Brown, who is said to have defeated Wolgasl in a recent 10-round affair. The championship was, of course, not involved, and this fact would lead people to expect that Brown should bo given the first chance to acquire the world's premiership. An American writer describe.; Brown us a "holy terror,” with a record of no less than forty-one knock-outs to his credit. This is how an American describes a recent bout of interest to Southlanders;—One of the fiascos of last week was the match between Charlie Griffin, the Australian featherweight, and Beach Cross, the Ghetto champion. The Easlsider weighed close on iOst., and as he was also in good condition he whipped Griffin in the first round and knocked him cold in the second.

Denying that his tight with Jack Johnson a few years ago was “fixed," Joe Jeannette offers to bet one thousand dollars Hi fit Johnson could not knock him out with one fairly delivered blow to the body.

At the annual meet ins of the Christchurch Sports Club the balance-sheet showed that the total receipts were £632 13.- 111, ami the expenditure £SOS Is 6tl, leaving a balance in hand of £124 ils 7d. which included the balance to credit brought forward from the previous season of £2l 10s 7d. Lieut.Colonel Chaffcy was elected president.

During the forthcoming Rugby football season the members of the Invercargill F.C. will train from the rooms of the Southland Boxing Association in five street. Tim new premises referred to art; well suited to this end.

Bill Turner, the Tasmanian heavyweight champion, lias been operated upon for appendicitis in Sydney, and will not be lit to take to the ring ,again for many months. Nothing has boon heard of K, Rollins (“Voting Starlight”) in Melbourne of late, and local followers of the game are wondering what has become of the ex-Soutblander.

Since he was defeated by Bill Lang, the Californian he.avy-weigh t Jack Burns has had another loss recorded against him. At Olympia, London, he rvcenlly encountered "Porky” Flynn, of Boston. The latter obtained Hie verdict easily at the close of the scheduled twenty rounds.

CRICKET NOTES. (By “Coverpoint.”) The Hawke Cup match is the cricket topic of the Southland week. That the trophy has been won by Southland is a subject for sincere congratulations to the Southland eleven and also to the Association. Should the other minor provinces be keen on wresting the Cup from Southland, their visits for the purpose will probably be of great benefit to the local Association’s funds, as Southland should be strong enough to hold its own on Southland wickets against all-comers for some years yet. The match on Hagley Park on Monday and Tuesday was punctuated with interesting incidents. Southland in the first place made a record score in Southland representative cricket, the previous highest being 197 against Otago. Then the Irwin-Fraser partnership of 50 runs was also a record for a last wicket, and the Hamillon-Kavanagh partnership produced another record. It may be here noted that the beautifully true and fast wicket had a great deal to do with the batting performance of Southland. Everything came fast and without a bump. Very little turn could be got by the bowlers so that everything was in favour of big scoring. Furthermore, the outfield was in beautiful trim and very fast, and where the hit had any weight behind it the ball was a certain traveller for the boundary unless intercepted by the fieldsman. The Southland score of 315 runs was made in 3% hours, while Rangitikei’s 351 took 6Vi hours to make. Hamilton’s century was the result of much steadier play than is usually associated with the Bluff crack’s batting efforts. After the continuous travelling he was feeling somewhat weak, and he did not get the usual power into his strokes. Yet he made no glaring error, and when he hit for the boundary he generally landed the ball there, though it did not go off the bat with the vim one expects from his strokes. He was, in common with the other batsmen, somewhat bothered by the great number of swerving balls sent down, particularly by Broad. It was a swerve ball that ultimately got him leg before. Kavanagh batted very sweetly once he had got the pace of the wicket. The first two or throe overs he swung too late to get in his pet leg hits, but later he got these in very cleanly, while his off-driving was low and crisp. The only ball he lifted was the drive 'off which he was caught. Bannerman batted well all ronud the wicket and looked like settling down for a century when he over-reached in playing forward and was stumped. Fraser played solidly and confidently from the start. He scored from straight carpet drives and late leg hits. Irwin played well on the leg side, but he could not time the off balls, almost invariably playing late at them. Gilbertson played a useful innings and looked like slaying all night, when Arkwright got a fast ball through his defence. Doig was run out without getting a hit, and A. Crockett was run out after he had started in very free style. It was very hard luck, and was not the fault of either batsman. Poole fell a victim to a swerve ball, getting leg before right away. One feature of the game remarked on by the players was that every bowler swerved considerably, which kept the batsmen constantly on the watch.

Rangitikei’s bowling was undoubtedly weak. All the work was thrown on four bowlers. These were juggled with throughout the innings, being given frequent spells and changes from end to end, but they were practically all the same pace (medium) and the changes did not affect the rate of scoring. It is said that the team has a left-hand fast bowler as well as a right-hand slow bowler, but Hussey gave neither of these a chance. As a matter of fact the left-hander was given only one ball in the whole game. This W'as the last ball of the match, which went to leg for byes, and gave Southland the runs needed to win. Rangilikei’s first innings was a procession, only E. W. Broad making a stand, and he made 43 by nice free cricket, playing good strokes all round. In Rangitikei’s first innings Bannerman bowled a-s he had never previously bowled since he went to Southland. He struck a length right away, got plenty of pace, and occasionally swerved right across the wicket. He also used judgment in ringing in his slow break-back. The result, six wickets for 20 runs, is sufficient testimony to his effectiveness.

Doig, too, was in excellent form, and had the batsmen guessing, but he frequently beat both bat and wicket. Though Broad scored off him he was frequently in trouble. Rangitikei’s second innings gave some real indication of the team’s real worth as a batting side, and indicated just how the players won their big uphill game against Manawatu. The batsmen never once let up in the struggle, and their game fight won the admiration of the spectators. When they left Southland 81 to make there seemed some hope that the uncertainties of cricket might lead to a collapse of the men from down South. Then the two first wickets fell before eight balls were down, and the spectators settled down for a sensation. But Poole and Hamilton made the bowling look silly, and a breezy half-hour’s play wiped out the deficit. Undoubtedly Rangitikei’s weakness lies in their bowling, though it is also quite clear on the two days’ play that Southland is also the superior batting team.

Poole's 40 was perhaps the brightest innings of the match. At no time did he appear in trouble, and his strokes were cleaned and well timed. His late cut was crisp, his square cut hard, and his swinging leg hits full of power. Don Hamilton was watchful, hut nothing loose escaped punishment. In this innings, as in the first, he straight-drove Hussey for six, and he is the only batsmen who hit a six boundary during the match. Marshall batted soundly, though without enterprise, Pie has infinite patience, but, (hough not a punisher, he is not a stonewaller. His best strokes are the late cut and a wristy drive past cover, both of which he brings off without lifting the ball at all. This player was in the Wanganui district until a few weeks ago, and in an exhibition match against Warner’s team he made 200 runs, while his brother (Dr Marshall) made 100. HUi is something of a veteran, having played cricket in England, Australia, South Africa, and XVw Zealand. Orton was the man the Rangitlkel players looked on as their best bat. He is a comparatively recent arrival from England and a young player. Notwithstanding his reputation he did not shape comfortably to Bannerman in either in-

nlngs. Mill and Orton are members of the Xgaurukehu Cricket Club. which is up-country from Marton. As a matter of fact, Xgaurukolut is a pastoral station whose proprietor takes a keen interest in cricket, and who lias had a wicket laid down at the homestead, and, natural ly, ability to play cricket is a qualification for a job on the station. Hence the Xgaurukehu Cricket Club.

At luncheon on the second day of the match, .Mr Francis, President of the Xc-w Zealand Council, congratulated Southland on the team’s success, and made some remarks on (lie competition. Speaking unofficially, he said lie thought it would he a good idea to continue the Cup competition on lines similar to those followed this year, and lie hoped to see Rangitikei and Southland fighting it out next year again at Christchurch.

It is to bn hoped that this view of the matter will not bo taken by the Southland Association. As holders of the Cup the Southland eleven should defend it on their own ground, it was for that Southland entered the competition; to bring visiting teams there, and so create local public interest in the game and at the same time by "gates" accumulate luuds to make Rugby Park a real cricket ground, it cost £7O (paid in this instance by the Southland public) Cor the team to win the Cup at Christchurch, and the South landers cannot afford to pay £TU a year for the privilege of retaining it.

As lor other provinces being admitted lo the competition, there is not much chance of Southland raising the least objection to that. Unless the province is the strongest among the. minor provinces of the Dominion the honour of holding the cup is diminished. There is some talk of the Christchurch Thursday Association applying to be admitted to the Hawke Cup competition, while several country provinces that did not enter in the first place are also applying now to complete. It is ..-Pttv certain that Southland will be

pleased to meet (at Invercargill) as many challengers as care to come forward. The N.Z. Council’s officials and Christchurch cricketers did all in their power to make the Southland and Rangitikei men comfortable during their stay in Christchuveh. Messrs Raphael and Orchard were particularly attentive to arrangements. and Mr Francis (President of the Council) and the Misses Francis, assisted by lady friends, provided afternoon tea. Then the cricketers made the visitors feel that they were amongst friends, and there will long be kindly recollections in the South of D. Reece and his co-cricketers. Not the least active was Mr N. J. Keane, who attended the team throughout and acted as official scorer for Southland. As lias already been published, the matter of a Canterbury eleven visiting Invercargill next year has been pushed along by Manager Kingsland during the visit and has secured an almost definite promise that such a trip will be made next season. Coach Carlton was greatly taken with E. Kavanagh’s all-round play. He considers, that with proper attention Kavanagh should reach "the highest rung of the ladder” in New' Zealand cricket. Don Hamilton’s batsmanship was another feature of Southland’s innings that impressed Christchurch cricketers, and an impression of the sort with players like D. Reese may bear fruit later if the Southland skipper keeps his form. The New Zealand Cricket Council arranged a tournament between the minor associations affiliated to the Council to decide the possession for the year of Lord Hawke’s Cup. The cup was presented by Lord Hawke for competition amongst the minor associations as a challenge cup for the improvement of New Zealand cricket. The following has been the result of the tournament: — First round: Manawatu beat tVairarapa by 32 runs. South Taranaki beat North Taranaki by six wickets. Second round: Rangitikei beat Manawatu by one run, Southland beat South Canterbury by five wickets. Third round: Rangitikei beat South Taranaki by an innings and 13 runs. Fourth round and final: Southland beat Rangitikei by eight wickets. In appreciation of Condliffe’s exceptional management at Invercargill last week the members of the Otago team on the return journey to Dunedin made him a small presentation. Condliffe’s fellow-players are equally enthusiastic regarding the way in which he kept wickets. Until Monday there had not been a partnership of 100 in Southland representative cricket, as the subjoined list will show; — \

I. —c. G. Wilson (117 not out) and F. T. Twemlow (24), v. Otago, 1903-4 73 11. —D. C. Hamilton (50) and J. W. H. Bannerman (40), v. Rangitikei, 1910-11 70 111. —D. C. Hamilton (110) and Kavanagh (64), v. Rangitikei, 1910IV. —C. Kane (54) and W. R. Richards (18), v. Otago, 1905-6 42 V. —D. C. Hamilton (95) and T. Crockett (3), v. Otago, 1907-8 35 VI. —A. Poole (41) and A. Grindlay (4), v. Otago. 1900-01 55 VII. —J. P. O’Halloran (61) and J. Huntley (27), v. Otago, 1906-7 76 VIII. —J. McNeece (50) and J. P. O’Halloran (21), v. Victoria .. 41 XX.—J. A. Doig (30 not out) and A. Poole (22), v. South Canterbury 1910-11 49 X.—Fraser and Irwin, v. Rangitikei 1910-11 50 The record for the colony is the 306 put together by L. A. Cuff (176) and J. D. Lawrence (167) for the first Canterbury wicket against Auckland at Christchurch in 1897. GOX.F NOTES. (By “Cleek.”) The opening of the 1911 season marks the beginning of a new era in the history of the Invercargill Golf Club. (I believe that is the proper remark to make in the circumstances. Sententious orthodoxy is very much revered by readers of contemporary literature). What I mean is that the step from the old, cramped nine-hole course to the new 18-hole place is a noteworthy progression that deserves to be properly appreciated. There is just a little suspicion of regret attaching to the abandonment of the old place; it is always a wrench to part from familiar things, to leave at last well trodden paths. ’The prospect of ‘■Long Tom,” ‘'The Lawyer,’ ’“The Elbow,” and all those other potent names fading steadily away to misty memories is rather sad; but ’tis the way of things. At least we can save some of them. "Dan’s Dip”, for one must not be lost. It is perhaps the most meaningful of the old names, and the hole it stands for remains. Suggestions as to the naming of the new holes were asked for long ago, but so far none has been made. When they do come let there be no meddling with “Dan’s Dip” and “Coldstream.” I am Bombastes to all who would displace those two. Coming back to this “new era” —I want to tell all golfers who haven’t yet had a round on the new course that they ought toido so. It isn’t half as good a course as it is going to be very soon; but it is already a much better course than the old one. Drought and other difficulties have combined to retard the preparation of the greens; but from now on they ought to improve rapidly under the skilful treatment of the green keeper. Many of the new holes are admirably placed, and for that and other blessings golfers should be grateful to the old green committee and Mr Sturrock. Talking of gratefulness: a good deal of that is due to last year’s club officials. There never has been such a year of energy and progress in the club since it began to be; no officials ever had so much work to do; and no work was ever done with more cheerfulness and zeal. Many of those officials we have still with us, and, remembering that tribe of aphorisms of which "comparisons are odious” is chief, I am not going to make a lot of individual references. By mentioning specially the President and the Secretary I shall link up the head and the tail, so to speak, and thereby embrace the lot. (I know the late Secretary won’t mind being called the tail: he knows the difficulty of finding similies when one is in a.hurry; and tails have a very important place in the scheme of things, anyway). To fiog the metaphor still further, it may be pointed out that presidents as a rule are heads —figure heads. They toil not, neither do they spin, unless one reckon in the yarn they are expected to spin once a year about an annual report and a balance-sheet; and they don’t always spin that. Wheiefore in President Konaldsou the Invercargill Golf Club had quite an exceptional person. He was very nearly, if not quite, the most active official on tire list. It was so unusual that some conservative people began to ask themselves whether it was quite respectable. Conservative people always look at new things that way. The fact remain •. that for .some desirable innovations and for much zealous effort in its behalf the Invercargill Golf Club has cause gratefully to remember the year of office of President C. J. Ronaldson. Of Secretary Stables there can be no two opinions. Without the fostering of a diplomatic secretary many of last year’s undertakings might have gone to smash; by virtue of air Stables's thoughtful guidance and tactful intercession more than once, all won through. He was able to put before the annual meeting a balance-sheet such as annual meetings do not frequently see, and ho did many other things worthily and well. It may he some gratification to him to know that the special recognition of his work was the cordially unanimous wish of members.

There; are several hundred other matters of local interest about which I could write columns if J dared. But (between ourselves) the Sub-Editor is a heartless brute. A word or two of other things. The Australian Golf Union is endeavouring to arrange for a visit by some English or possibly French professional golf players next year. -Mr Hugh .Macneil, of Sydney, who is leaving on a trip to England, will conduct the negotiations as the representative of the union, with ■lames Braid, Marry Vardon, and .1. M. Taylor, the three leading English golf professionals, and with Arnaud -Massey, tint noted 1-Tench professional. It is confidently expected that Mr fsacneil will he successful in his mission, and no financial difficulty in the matter is anticipated, Clyde and Bruce Pearce, of Tasmania, left for England by the Barharossa on February 28 to play in the world’s championships. During their week’s stay in Melbourne they practised assiduously. Playing a four-ball match at .Sandringham prior to leaving Australia, Bruce Pearce holed out a capital 71, as follows: —Out; 8, 1, 8, -1, 8, 3, 8, -I, 8, —84; home: 4, 8, 4, (1, 8, 8, 8 0, 4—lo. Sixes at the 13tli and 17th were the only blemishes

in an otherwise perfect card. In addition to taking part in the championships, it is their intention to motor through England, Scotland, and Ireland, so it is very doubtful if (hey will return in time for the Australian championships. Prom a private letter I learn that our late brother John Sturrock, since he went to Napier, has not opened the box in which he packed his and Mrs Sturrock’s clubs when they were leaving Invercargill. He has, I feel sure, the very sincere sympathy of local golfers. There is recorded of Massey, at St. Jean de Lux lately, “a thing that’s most uncommon”—doing a hole of 125 yds in one with a ball pitching right into it, and staying In it. At the same time the wonder rather is that this occurrence, which is certainly a rare one, should be so remarkable. If you look at the green close about a short hole on a moist day, you will see a number of marks where balls have pitched very nearly into the hole, so tliat it is a marvel that it escapes. No doubt the truth is, as in the case of the missed stage, that “there’s a deal of room all round ’em.” It is reminiscent of the tale of the schoolboy w'hose father showed him, for the first time, that most impressive peninsula of golf on which are laid out the many courses—the old, the new, the jubilee, the children’s, and the ladies’ —at St. Andrews, saying to him, “Now, my boy, there are 72 golf holes on that piece of land.” “By jove,” was the boy’s answer, “I suppose it isn’t very easy to hit the ball anywhere tvithout going into one of ’em.” We do manage It, however, now and then. Probably the boy’s mental vision showed him a thing something like a bagatelle board magnified. OTAGO’S ATHLETIC TEAM CURTAILED. DUNEDIN, March 16. Hector Burk, who was chosen to represent Otago in the half-mile and mile events at the N.Z. Amatetlr Championship meeting, has decided not to compete, being of opinion that he is not fit enough.

THE TUBE. The well-known local trainer W. Ratcliff, who joined the ranks of the benedicts on Wednesday last, was the recipient of some handsome presents from a large gathering of friends on the preceding Tuesday night. The crack trotting gelding Revenue, by Rothschild —Georgina, with a record of 2min llsec, is on the private sale list in Christchurch. Owing to a clerical error in reading the nomination paper, J.C.'s name appeared in the entries published yesterday morning as H. J.C. is engaged in the Southland and New River Class and Dash Trots. The excellent list of nominations received for the Southland Club’s autumn meeting next month and published yesterday morning comprises 287 entries from 130 horses. This easily constitutes a record for the club’s autumn fixtures, the next best being for last year’s meeting, when 126 horses made 278 Entries. The only drawback to the record is the poor response from owners for the county races, and it now seems possible that steeplechases in place of these events would have drawn better nominations and certainly attracted a lar-« ger attendance. The entries received for the hurdle races have fully warranted their Inclusion in the programme, and two well-contested jumping races are now assured at this popular gathering. An absentee from these two races in Ngawera was not expected, but it was known that trainer Carr was experiencing difficulty in keeping him right, and no doubt he is being reserved for Riverton ten days later. NAPIER PARK RACES. (Per United Press Association)NAPIER, March 16. Pine weather was experienced for the second day of the Napier Park autumn meeting. The course was very fast. There was a large attendance. The sum of £10,287 was put through the machine for the day. making £21,561 for the meeting, as compared with £11,333 last year. Results;— Omahu Hack Hurdles (1% miles). — Rabbiter, 9.5, 1; Burton, 9.0, 2; Merry Messenger, 9.0, 3. Also started —Eiya, Artie, Kildonian, All Trumps. Won easily by two lengths. Kildonian hit a hurdle, knocking his eye out, and was pulled up. Eiya fell. Time. 2min 47 l/ssec. Telegraph Hack 'Handicap (6 furlongs).—Birklinc, 8.13, 1; Cullinan, 9.8, 2; Perceler, 0.7, 3. Also started —Erin, Allurements, Montiform, Kathera, Bravest, Bandalero. Won by a length, Perceler two lengths further off. Time, Imin 14 4/ssec. Close Memorial Handicap (one mile and a distance). —Fort William, 9.0, 1; Woodhey, 8.0, 2; Cheddar, 7.5, 3. Also started—lney (7.7). Cheddar made the pace for a furlong, then Iney took the lead. When the half distance had been covered Iney was three lengths clear from Fort William and Cheddar. Entering the straight Fort William was in front. After a great race. Fort William won by a length. Time, Imin 55 l/ssec. Kuao Handicap (4% furlongs).—Bellah, 8.7, 1; Golden Ball, 8.2, 2; Altear, 7.10, 3. Also started —Our Queen, Blue Lake, Warscare, Flying Marshall, Divenia. Won by a length, half a length between second and third. Time, 55 4/5 sec.

High-Weight Handicap (7 furlongs)— Toanga, 8.11, 1; San Lass, B.S, 2; Winning Post, 8.7, 3. Also started—Golden water, Moree, Ortygia, Kohupatiki. Won by a head, a length between second and third. Time, Imin 29sec.

Maiden Hack Scurry (5 furlongs).— Gold Circle, 9.0, 1; Ngakau, 9.0, 2; Wee Rose, 9.9, 3. Also started —Gpy Lawless, Mountain Shrine, Fuslleer, Arohakoa, Marton. Won by half a length, a length between second and third. Time, Imin 3 3/ssec.

St. Patrick’s Handicap (6 furlongs).— Cullinan, 7.10, 1; Faunus, 8.13, 2; Lord Possible, 7.9, 3. Also started —Lord South, Goldfinch. Won by a length, half a length between second and third. Time, Imin 14 Is sec. Stewards’ Stakes Hack Welter (7 furlongs).—Manupai, 8.13, 1; Ardfelt, S.O, 2; Icel, 7.9, 3. Also started —Composed, Falsetto, Melologue, All Blue, Ruapere, Miss Sylvia, Virtue, Stourton, Polynices, Entente, Loch Mabln. Won by a length, a head between second and third. Time, Imin 29 2-ssec. WAIMATE R.C. RACES. TIMARU, March 16. The Waimate R.C.’s annual meeting was held to-day. Results:— Studholmo Stakes, of 75 sovs (five furlongs).—Kohinoor, 9.13, 1; Stepmeter, 7.5, 2; All Guns, 9.6, 3. others ran. Trial Plate, of 45 sovs (six furlongs). —Gold Coin 1, Canterbury 2, Lady Dirk 3. Three others started. Waimate Cup, of 160 sovs (one mile and a distance). —Flambeau, 7.9, 1; True Knight, 7.7, 2; Puaka, 5.2, 3. Also started —Grand Slam (7.13). Won by a length. Time, Imin 54 l/ssec. Moi ven Handicap Trot, of 40sovs (one mile and a hall'). —Good Hope, 26sec, 1; Mias Lyons, 21 sec, 2; Chanticleer, 24sec, 3. Seven others scarted. Won all the way. Harvest Handicap, of 100 sovs (six furlongs).—Stepmeter, 7.2, 1; All Guns, 9.2, 2; Land Rose, 9.9, 3. Also ran— Seagar (7.9). Won comfortably. President’s Handicap, of 45 sovs (four furlongs).—Seaside, 8.1, 1; Darracq, 7.9, 2; Fluraline, 7.7, 3. Five others started. Time, 50sec. A protest against Seaside was upheld on the ground that he was not eligible owing to previous winnings, and Darracq received the stakes. Hook Handicap Trot, of 40 sovs (one mile). —Pinewood, scr, 1; Tornado, 6sec, 2; Bay Patchen, 9,soc, 3. Mine others started. Won by three lengths. Ti me, 2niin 24 4/ssec. Stewards’ Welter Handicap, of 100 sovs (seven furlongs).—Kohinoor, 10.0, 1; Zetland, 9.4, 2; Grand Slam, 9.9, 3. Four others started. Won by a length. Time, Imin SO 2/osec. A..1.C. HANDICAP. SYDNEY, March 16. Received March 10, 4.55 p.m. In the Doncaster Handicap FI avinius 9.T, heads the list, while New Zealand horses are weighted—Crucinella 9.0, Artilhiie 8.11, Broadsword S.B, Gold Thread 7.12, Fighting Soult 6.10. For the Sydney Cup Trafalgar, 9.10, is the 'top-weight, Bridge 8.7, Artillerie 8.2,