THE PLAYGROUND.

Southland Times, Issue 17203, 23 November 1912, Page 10

THE PLAYGROUND.

PAST AND FUTURE ATHLETICS CRICKET, BOWLING, ETC. EDITED BT “ ONLOOKER.” ,

'Arrangements arc being completed in Wellington to launch a. 1100 tug-of-war competition. Soccer player Steve Bloomer scored his B(itth goal in League football in Lngland in the match against Tottenham Dotspur. Billiardist It. VV. Stevenson is playing Xor a. short season in Kngland. prior to continuing his world's lour with Mastet

BOXING, Maorilander Dave Smith defeated Burney Williams, of South walk, before a packed house. at .lack McGuigan’s National A. F. Philadelphia Pa., on Sept. “Ist. Both boys fought like bearcats all the way. but Barney tired towards the end, and the .Vow Zealander scooted home a winner by a shade. Williams led in the early part of the contest and managed to sting Smith good and hard, but David was so strong that Barney's wallops bounced off like shells off an armour-plated bull. Immediately following his defeat by Hugliie Megehan the English boxer Matt Wells cabled to America staling that the championship was not involved. A writer in a leading American sporting Journal hinted to his readers on receipt of litis nmssagb that perhaps the result was arranged, and from his imagination let loose the following : "Megehan, by the way, received a severe thrashing from Wells up to the time (he killer was disqualified Cur knocking the Australian down after the fourteenth round had ended," Southland's crack feather weight "Tommy Thompson" is at present on a visit to Invercargill, and is anxious that the S.B.A. should arrange ;l professional match for film. The little feather is looking extremely well and lias undoubtedly benefiiod by his sojourn in Wellington. Thompson returns to the Empire City In the meantime and will pursue his usual caking until the end of December, when i-e proposes to cross over lo Sydney will; the N.S.W. boxer Billy Hannan. It is his intention to seek work in the Commonwealth and feel his way lo matches with ;«ome of the lesser lights. Thompson, hy the way is wearing a handsome gold medal as tilo result of ins contest with Lane in Dunedin when the boat was declared a draw, and in connection witli this trophy the Invercargill lad lias a grcivar.cc. it will be remembered that IBs opponent hurt his knee and was unable to continue the match, whereupon the referee promptly ruled it a draw a decision contrary to general rule. The engrav ing on •Thompson's medal denotes that he was "second" instead of "llrst" in the bout and lie reasonably asks that the 0.8.A. should remedy this. hut. so far. lias been unable lo get any satisfaction in response to bis applications. Many experts who witnessed the bout say that Thompson was well ahead on points at the time of the mishap to his opponent and should have received the decision, but. in any case, he should have been credited with a win on his medal. The Wellington B.A. have decided to match Jimmy liagerty and the clever Australian light-weight Hock Keys. The match will lake place on December 11th, when Hagorly. who lias over fifty battles lo his credit without once tasting the bitterness of defeat, will he up against the toughest proposition that has yet come IBs way. Following the Wellington match IHo Northern B.A. will find another opponent for Keys at Auckland on December IS or 20.

Oeo. Gray. The fourth race fur the O'Gorman Gup. at Brooklands ißng.). resulted in favour of Mr. F. I '. Kidncr's IT h.p. \auxhall, the car showing a speed of U-'a miles

per hour. The programme for the 2Sth annual sports of the [.unladen Galedonian Society, to be hold on Wednesday. December 25th. is available for the information ot athletes, pipers, dancers, etc. What a (Urt'erence a few years do jnake; Four or live years ago the \ letorian Facing flub refused lo admit motor ears to Flemington, and even members were not permitted to (hive their ears into the carriage reset \ es. On Gup Day there wore fully L'.ou ears in the inner and outer motor paddocks —worth over DiOO.OOO.

The intimation Boat a team of Australian ritlemen will probably visit Bliley next year is being received with a good deal of satisfaction. Never before (says a Sydney writer) lum Australia had sneii a, splendid lot of shots to choose from. The doings of the team on this occasion will he vested with the extra, responsibility of representing Australia in the L'lißcd States, and probablv

ill (Jamuia. The Auit*nit)l)i!r flub ol ! Now South Thales is 1 1 <>l-i xm -V a .'.IS miles’ sealed bonnel non-stop engine run. Keliabilitj trial on 2 Ist. 22nd, and 2,’rd of November. The route decided on is a most interesting one, vi z., first day, bydney to Orange ( over the Blue Mountains, Id2 miles); second day. Orange to Yass (167 miles); third day, Vass to Sydney miles). Points will be scored lor reliability and hill climbing over two specified hills. The event is one of the most important yet organised by the X.S.W. Automobile Club.

"If the Australasian athletes desire to achieve success at the next Olympiad, said Air Vicary Horniman, the manager of the Australasian team at Stockholm, who returned to Sydney on Nov. i lh. “they must prepare. They must got to work if they want to beat the’ world. Our swimmers must make the art of starting their study, because that prosed to be their weak point in the recent games. Our rowers will doubtless make a great effort to catch tho world’s championship at Berlin in 10 I si. Before Stockjiolm some considered lienley anti otheis the Olympiad the more important event, but voices now proclaim the Olympic race the chief. Our athletes require more encouragement and support, particularly at their sports meetings. Bxperts have generally expressed the opinion that to race on cinders a man should train on cinders, and not on grass. Our runners, too. must specialise at one paitieular distance.”

I. R. Muiirn. tiie Victorian lad. who bolds tiie record for the fastest time yet established in connection with tiie Dunlop Company’s big AVarrnamboolMel bourne road race (viz. Tin’s 12 mins. 5t secs, for ITT miles), has returned home after a most interesting seven months’ motor cycling tour through Barone and America. Mu tiro* was greatly Impressed with the Bnglish system of running unpaced road time trials and would like to see them introduced into Australia. Ho saw the Bnglish road cracks —■ Moss. Grubb, .Meredith and Cook- —racing, but apart from me few top-notcliers, he ’thinks flic average Australian road racing cyclist is bolter than the rank ami file of the Bnglish road riders. Munro may return to Branco for the big road race next year, as tie is negotiating with on of the leading French linns which employs a team of road riders. One tiling that surprised Munro was Unit the a\eiage Bnglish road rulers use a lower gear despite'their line roads, Hum do the Australian riders. .Another thing that impressed him was the neatness of the Bnglish eyelisls in their costumes. Practically every cyclist wears a. Norfolk suit, and die unsightly Australian habit of tucking the trousers inside one’s socks Is conscious by its absence. A Melbourne message of Nov 11 to Sydney reads: —Tiie worlds record toi endurance rolle-’ skating held by Promssor Behan, with lis'j hours on end. has been beaten by Alfred Taylor, an aniaieur boxer of some repute, 2t) years of age, and Tsl Mb in weigh I. at the Bide Slaking Bink, St. Hilda. The rules provide that die record-breaker may be oil the rink for to minutes per day. but Tavlor was abs.ml for only seven minute's during his long run. After 71 vi hours’ skating they led him off the rink. During it is long-sustained effort Taylor covered sr.O miles, at an average of near- ] lit miles an hour. In tho early part, of his record-breaking effort Taylor was accompanied by .Miss .Ada AA allace, of South A'arra, who essayed to beat tho Australian record of 21 hours’ continuous skating created by Miss Muriel J-'un-Ston. of Sidney. Miss Wallace is only 17 wars of age, and she beat the record fiy eM hours. She collapsed, however, am! was. carried in a helpless condition to lire Village Belle Hotel, and put to bed. She slept for 1 I hours, and woke to fmd that her record was ’Jit 1 i hours. The military value of the cycle and cyclist is now fully recognised by .tiie British War Office and the Bnglish Army ’is numerically stronger in this branch of the service titan any of tiie great Continental powers. But their superiority does not lie only in numbers, efficiency counts for something in the serious brrKiness of modern warfare, and the English cyclist soldiers are second to mono in t this respect. .During the recent English manoeuvres over rain sodden couretry tiie cyclist battalions greatly added, tn the reputation they gained hist year.. Their mobility has horn a revelation tend their general knowledge of road craft; their skill in scouting, and their adaptabilLty to all kinds of service and all cprwiifnons of transport, have shown In a. convincing manner that no defensive •iorco-of the future can be contemplated HKith-ont Us quota of trained cyclists. .Miss P’anny Dnrack, the noted girl jrwiinimer, of Australia, is back from her European tour. in an interview with the ‘“Catholic Press,” she is reported as sayrtujc, “Over there in London the water is all fresh, and excepting at Stockholm. fW'herp'is tuu only cold water, tiie baths are heated. 1 didn't like that at all. The half-hot stuff’ used to make me feel horribly ill. At, Stockholm, though, Urn rwxiter-was like ice; and the Bnglish girls camo-out as blue as the suits they wore, I broke the 300 metre record there at tho flames.” "'No,’* she said, questioned as ito the stroke of the Knglish contestants, "I thou girt it extremely ungraceful, and most of the Bnglish swimmers, though It seems ungenerous to say so, are round shouldered. I was very disappointed in them all round and, really, one doesn’t find the hospitality amongst them of a very striking quality. They seemed to resent an Australian's success, and I ti-i.'ik they could' have better home to tie beaten by a foreigner titan by a colon iai.” One of the biggest schemes for making a good trans-Continental road is being engineered from Indianapolis—the idea being to raise £3/00,000 amongst motorists and allied trades for the pur- ,. i. of road metal* for const me ling a f. sv.t class highway from New York to San i’ranscksco. Tho road is tn be 3300 m'ies long, but only 2200 miles of new road would need constructing, ms them are many patches of good roads spread along fne suggested overland route. It Is proposed that tho road metal shall be •j-divered to the various county and State authorities along tho route, who will budd the rood under the supervision of tiie engineers of the United States War Department An effort will be made to have tho road finished in 1015, in time tor tho opening of tiie Panama-I’acilic Exhibition at San Francisco. Should this hope be fulfilled, it is expected that many thousands of motorists would use jho-rocte and visit tho Exhibition.

An American expert writes:—"The falling off in tiie form displayed by Joe Jeannette recently, the probability that .Sam Bangford. who is continually postponing his return to this country, is also feeling his years ; the uncertainty as to whether Sam AleVca is really as formidable as lie lias been painted, and the retirement of Jack Johnson, all raise tiie hope that it will not be so long before the heavy-weight championship is again in the possession of the while race. Jeannette lias undoubtedly gone bade since lie fought Bangford a year ago, although In- lias not encountered an opponent formidable enough to defeat him decisively, The men he lias met lacked class. He lias scored a large number of knockouts, but most of his victims were merely "set-ups.” Recently he struck a snag on mure than one occasion. Just how good Bangford and AlcVea are at this date it is difficult to judge. Bangford was beginning to show signs of retrogression before lie left fur Australia. He lias certainly not improved in the interval. As for AtcVea. lie is tin- weakest member of the big four —Johnson, Bangford, Jeannette. AlcVea. Bangford and Jeannette, however, will put the matter to the lest on Boxing Day in Sydney. The news that Joe Alandot recently fought champion Ad. Wolgast to a draw creates interest in tiie life story of tiie latest star in the United States pugilistic world. Alandol’s rise lias been little short of phenomenal. In May of Hill lie fought a semi-windup to a negro fight at Alemphis, in which the ordinary men were the principals in the feature event. And now in 1!)12 lie lias shown well with tiie leading ligli t-weight in the world. As a feather lie defeated Boyo Driscoll, U. While, and others, and commenced his liglit-weighi career in August, BUI. His best performances in the latter class are as follows:—Obtained a twenty-round decision over drover Hayes, held Alatty Baldwin to tin eight-round draw, defeated Owen- Aloran by a decision in eight rounds. I’al Alooro by a decision in ten rounds, Jake Abel in eight rounds, lost to Raj- Temple in eight rounds, boxed a ten-round no decision against Willie Ritchie, defeated Ray Temple in eight rounds, and then went to Galifurnia, where lie defeated Joe Rivers and won the right to meet Ad, Wolgast. Matulol's father is a wealthy banker, as wealtli is estimated in New Orleans. His fattier has always opposed boxing. He has never seen any professional match, refusing to go near tho arena wln-ii Joe tights.

Speaking of Ids recent contest with Bids in Wellington. T. Thompson says that Ids opponent dazed him with a blow in Hie second round ami for the best part of the following eight sessions his splendid condition kept him going. He admits that he was badly beaten on points, but denies that lie was punished so severely as northern critics make out, Thompson, by Hie way. is carrying a handsome gold watch, suitably engraved, tiie fruits of his defeat of Havil! HUH. of f’almerslon North, in five rounds, Thompson, who punished his opponent severely, battled at list.

Although many accounts have filtered through to Australia concerning the remarks made by Jim Harry on Ids return to America. the following should tie awarded a tdg cake in fable competition:—"One of the most ridiculous statements ever handed to Hie press alum I American boxers and their treatment in Australia was given publicity Hie other day in a statement emanating from Jim Harry, the heavy-weight, who recently returned to this country after having had several bouts in Australia. Harry slated that Sam Langford and Sam McVea were held prisoners in that country, and that they could not leave until Hugh Mclntosh was good and ready to let them go, citing an Australian law regarding* coloured men as a basis for Hie article. lie said the promoter had to put up a t'HitMi bond that the coloured niui would slay six months and if he renewed the bond tiie men could not leave until lie said the word. Imagine Joe ‘Woodman, manager of Sam i.ang- ( ford, hanging around Sydney Jnsi for fun with Sam doing nothing! Why. Joe j would iiuve the ITiited States authorities at work before twenty-four hours had ! passed should Mr Mclntosh attempt any ; sucli move, and Joseph Would raise smile fuss. The story is so ridiculous that Hie , wonder is people give it any credence at ! all. As for the story thru Hugh Mein-' tosh had slated that tie would keep Jack I Johnson there as long as lie pleased j should Jack go over to meet Langford, there is not one iota of truth in it. The ' reports are a gross injustice to the pro- i muter in Australia, and the best proof j that it is ridiculous is Hie statements i from Jimmy I'lahhy, Cyclone Thompson. I and Hay Hrouson. all of whom were .there for many battles, amt who all want to go hack again. Jimmy flabby said lie was never treated belter in his life, and Johnny said the same tiling, while Hronsou is ready to go at a mo- j merit’s notice. According to C. L'. foveli, 1 of Sydney, Mr Harry was given every ! consideration over there, and Heated as a gentleman." DAVK SMITH IX AMHHICA. WINS THIII'T FIGHTS Very little has filtered through to Australia conccuiiag Ok -if 7 '

Smith, the. Australian boxer, in America. Since he was beaten by McGoorty there has been one message to tell of his win over Fred Hicks at Detroit.

The following clipping will show that Smith has been busy making a name for himself: —

“Dave Smith, holder of the heavy and middle-weight titles of Australia, will tight Kid Wagner to-night, talcing tin* place of Leo Houck, who has postponed Ills trip here tor two weeks, because of another match. Smith is probable' the best boxer that has been matched hunt in years, and an evidence of his condition is hud in the fact that in the past eleven days he beat Kid Ashe and Barney M illiams in Philadelphia, and Freddie Hicks in Boston.

“It look (illicit work and hundreds of miles of iraiu travel for Fred Douglas to get Smith here. Houck s telegram calling off tile bout with Wagner came Saturday. Douglas took the first train to Philadelphia, and after a hard clays work signed up with Smith, paying hint more money than Houck was to receive, and. what's belter, bringing Smith and his manager. Bichard C. Klegin, back to this city with him. Klegin and Smith have agreed to come here again in two weeks to tight Houck, who lias agreed to take on the winner of to-night's bout on that dale, provided, of course, that Smith bests Wagner, which will be a hard job. ■'Smith is the man who surprised the world in March, mi. when he bested Billy Papke, then in his prime." 'l'iie result of that tight lias not come to hand. Smith beat both Ashe and \S illiams in six rounds —evidently Philadelphia's limited contest.

BOWING. (Hy "Blazer.”) COMING EVENTS. Doc. Ifi—Aharon. Begatta. Dec. 2G.— Riverton Eegatta. Jan, I —Lyttelton Regatta. Jan. 2—Bluff Regatta. Mar. 22 N.Z. Championships at Wellington.

Conditions for training on the estuary have nor been by tiny means uniformly favourable this week, hut oarsmen have nevertheless had one or two ideal opportunities. On Thursday evening in particular the course was comparatively smooth and in sheltered stretches it presented a face like glass. With the Riverton regatta only a few weeks away crows arc now availing themselves of all opportunities to strike condition. In both sheds the junior and maiden crews seem to l.e paying more assiduous attention to their boat work than are the seniors. The Invercargill senior crew have, howover. been at work for about a week and their movements in training are fairly precise. On light work they move prettily, hut the stroke might be a, little smarter with advantage. At present the catch appears to be somewhat laboured as a result of the easy time at which it m taken. The majority of the crews, it is pleasing lo note, have been doing boat work botli morning and evening and in nearly every case improvement is manifest. The evening walks are still being followed by certain crews and, strange as it may seem, dt is rumoured that there is lo be a change of route on to the East road in quite a few instances.

It is stated that the dates of the Championship and Queenstown regattas will clash and that it is therefore unlikely that local clubs will be as fully represented as they might have been at the championships. Whether or not this will be so of course remains fo be seen, but it is only reasonable that crews considered lo have tiny chance of annexing championship honours should make their aim tit in with their capabilities irrespective of the allurements offered by a smaller regatta nearer home.

One of tiie most interesting events of the week from the oarsman’s point of view was the annual meeting of tiie Southland Bowing Association. There was an excellent attendance of delegates, and for upwards of two hours matters of very groat Interest to those engaged in tiie pastime were discussed. Congratulations are due to Mr P. J. Tipping on his election to the honourable position of President. Air Tipping is well-fitted for the office, and the rowing men of tiie district will be glad to see at the head of Hie Association one who represents the Awarua Boating Club. A Bluff’ representative is now president of tiie Association for tiie first time, and the honour lias been well earned by tiie Awarua Club, whose crews have been conspicuous in Southland and Otago regattas for many seasons past. Mr Tipping at once showed Ins appreciation of the position by announcing that he intended to remain in town whenever necessary to attend meetings of the Association. As Mr Tipping lives at Bluff this resolve entails some sacrifice of Pis leisure. Mr Tipping's decision recalls the practice of Air Willett of Riverton. During the term of his presidency Air Willett never missed a meeting of the Association, and it is apparently Air Tipping's intention to emulate so good an example. The annual meeting wa•; much behind the usual lime, hut the business of preparing Uie annual report was delayed by Ihe unfortunate illness of Air B. A. .McKenzie. The references made to Air AlcKenzie by speakers at tiie meeting would gratify the oarsmen of the district. Air Johnston voiced the sincere opinion of all rowing men when he said that "Boh is one of tiie whitest ofj white men". By the retirement of Air AlcKenzie from the secretaryship the Association loses an exemplary officer, but in Uio circumstances there was no help for it. AVo can only hope that Bob will soon be out of tho hospital and once again able to take a prominent pant in tiie sport which he loves so well and for which he lias done as much as anyone in Southland.

No better .successor to Hr McKenzie could have been round than .Mr S. Mast wood. Himself an oarsman with a creditable record. Mr Hast wood has experience on the practical side which will stand him in good stead as secretary. He also carries into whatever work he lakes up enthusiasm and thoroughness, and \vc may ho sure' that he would not have accepted the position had he not intended to throw himself into (he work. As secretary of Hie Association and deputy captain of the Invercargill Club. Mr Hast wood will have a good deal of work on his hands during the season, but he has the industry ami method necessary to oilrry it through, and the Association is to lie congratulated on having enlisted it is co-operation.

It was an interesting decision which was read tu the meeting with regard to the permissibility of four-on red boats hi pair-oar races. Sometimes when a crew anxious to take the water finds Use'll without a pair-oar boat it will take out a four-oared skiff rather than miss the race. Tin- decision of tiie ruling body shows that this practice is nol in accordance with the rules, and that boats used in pair-oar races must comply with the specifications for the class. Tiie decision will he a guide to oflicials at regattas during the coming season. The little discussion tm the question of Hie dale f-.r receiving regatta entries was instructive, and there is no. doubt but that tiie resolution to enforce the rule which requires all entries to lie in time clear days before the regatta was sound. Three days before regatta clubs should know what entries they propose to make for each race on the programme, and they can have no grievance if late entries are refused. The programme for a, tegatta should he complete in its printed form, and it is nol desirable that clubs should he encouraged to enter crews at the last moment, Mr McCredie put the position very fairly, and experienced regatta men who were present at the meeting heartily concurred in tiie decision arrived at.

The old question on the amateur definition was again in I lie fore, anil the Assn, saw no reason to alter the decision it had previously arrived at. The Xew Zealand dellnition permits a man to engage in rowing so long as he is purely an amateur oarsman, oven though lie should have won a money prize in some other branch of sport. '1 lie Australia.!! dellnition is much narrower, and a man who litis won a money prize, say at a fool race at a country meeting', is debarred from rowing in Australia as tin amateur. If this definition were brought into force in Xew Zealand man\ excellent oarsinen would he lost without any compensating gain to the sport. Mr Walker said that the Ilrdlway t’lnb would lose a large percentage of its membership. and Mr P.asstiatt made the same statement with regard to the Invercargill t'lub. Xo doubt 1)01 li the Ifivertop ; 7nd the Mluff (.'lull would he affected with eipiul severity. There would ho till this loss with no gain, for at the present lime rowing i s as purely and strictly amateur as any sport could be. and to adopt the Australian definition merely in or-der that on occasional Xew Zealand " r W*3 >H» cte at Australian rc-

gattas would be to exchange the substance for the shadow. The New Zealand Association is now making inquiries from club secretaries lo ascertain exactly how they would be affected by the proposed change, and it is to be hoped that the local secretaries will make it clear that any alteration would deal a severe blow lo rowing in this district. The ruling body must not act harshly in this matter a.s a great deal is at slake, and doubtless the local Association will make strong representations on the question in accordance with the views expressed at the annual mooting. Another question of the very greatest importance was raised by Mr. Basstiau, who urged the restoration of a reasonable weight for clinker boats. This matter is of the most vital importance to clubs. •Since the weight restriction for clinker boats was removed boats of this class have become lighter and lighter, until they are now almost as fragile as best-and-best boats. Consequently their life is very short, and clubs are confronted will) serious difficulty in keeping their plant in good order. Indeed, Hie heavy expenditure threatens to he a rock on which' some of them may split. Clubs with a strong membership and strong public backing can perhaps raise the money for new boats when they require it, but smaller clubs certainly cannot, and members naturally feel that they are at such a disadvantage in regard to clinker boats that it is not worth their while to prepare for regattas. Home of the clinker boats arc now actually lighter than boats of the hest-and-best class, they are just as difficult to sit. and for the ordinary work of a rowing shed they arc just as unsuitable. Mr Basstlan and Mr Johnston have botli been club captains, and they know what they are talking about. The weight restriction should he re-imposed so ns to provide for a good strong clinker boat which will stand the wear and tear of ordinary work, and. as Mr Johnston pointed out, if the Association wishes to encourage stylish and finished oarsmanship it can provide that senior and junior events arc to be rowed in best-and-bost boats. Because the question is of less importance lo the big clubs in the centres than to the smaller clubs, the New Zealand Association may ho disposed to treat it somewhat lightly, but it is of such vital importance to such clubs as those in .Southland that it must be pressed upon the attention of. the authorities. The removal of the weight restriction was a mistake, and the sooner it is retored the better.

The Association this year is well officered, and the oarsmen of the district will extend to it the fullest confidence. The Awarua Boating Club’s season was opened on Friday evening, last week when about thirty members and supporters wore present. In the course of his speech the Mayor (Mr. \V. Hinchey). said Uiat he regretted that the inclemency of the weather militated against the old time ceremony of opening with a procession of boats but they were not masters of the situation. He desired to compliment the club upon the excellent manner in which they had taken up the work of replacing their severe loss of a year ago. They were under a deep debt of gratitude to the public for the manner in which it had come to the club's assistance in time of adversity. But the members had worked loyally and the new shed which they were in now had for the most part been built hy the members themselves—thus ensuring a smaller cost. He believed that the club had every chance of performing well this year. They had several members who under the improved conditions would do well and lie hud every reason to believe that they would keep the flag flying. He asked members to train assiduously and keen themselves fit. If they did that, the club could not go back. It was up to the club to do its very best as a return to the public who had subscribed so liberally to replace the club on a firm footing. A new boat (and perhaps two) would be soon available and with the bone and muscle that was available he had no doubt as to the success of the incoming season. AXEXT PROFESSION* ALS.

Dick Arnst was in his element on Thursday. He was taken out on a por-poise-hunting trip by the Xowton Brothers, of Watson’s Bay, and not only proved a good sailor, but that he had been porpoise-hunting before. Of course, lie had his gun with him, and sea birds and porpoises alike, fell victims to his deadly aim. Dick put in an extra happy day at sea altogether, and never even thought of lunch. A cup valued at £IOO has, at the suggestion of George Towns, been given by the “Referee’’ for Australian sculling championship races, and is to be won on similar lines to the London “Sportsman" cup.

Miss Alma. Larsen, of the Richmond River, has challenged Miss Fern Kemp to pull for the ladies’ championship of Australia and £SO a-side. The challenger wants £lO expenses if the race is to be rowed on the Parramatta river.

The following interesting paragraph occurs in a recent letter from Harry Floyd to the Sydney Sun; —"I will give you one very strong reason why Pearce’s backers should say to him, ‘Row here before you go to England.’ It will be remembered that after Pearce defeated Webb. Fogwell challenged him, and could have been backed up to £3OO a-side by Mr Seifert, the man that put up Pearce’s money against Webb, but Pearce would not meet Fogwell. as he was anvious to pull Arnst in preference. From what Mr Seifert saw of Fogwell and Pearce, he thought it good enough to give the former a chance against Barry. Well, here we are, Pearce would not row Fogwell, who was beaten by Barry. Pearce has twice been defeated by Arnst, and Arnst has been beaten by Barry. So much for Pearce’s chance against Barry. Yet because we are trying to find the best man amongst all of them to send after Barry some people put it down to jealousy, and that Pearce is being done an injury; but I am quite satisfied to leave it to all those who have the prestige of Australia at'heart that that should be put before personal interest.”

There is a possibility of Arnst being accommodated by Charlie Towns before long. Towns is keen on trying his strength against his brother’s old pupil, and if the difficulty which has arisen- in regard to the 10 seconds start can bo bridged over, as it probably will be, there should be something doing. Arnst stipulates that the start he is prepared to allow, he calculated at the finish of the race, so that they would both start off the mark, but Towns wants the start at the beginning, and so far says he will nor row under any other conditions. As Towns’s objection shows, there is a big difference between the two things, although to the layman it might seem as though it is a question of splitting straws. With the two men starting off the mark Arnst would have every hope of taking the lead early in the race, and so have the other man behind him to judge by and push him along. He would know exactly bow things were going. If he allowed Towns the 10 seconds at the start, he would be behind, and in addition to getting the other' man's wash, would have, very little to work on without continually turning round to sec what progress lie was making. Tit is is clearly a matter for the scullers themselves to arrange, and it is hoped that the difficulty will be overcome.

LAWN TENNIS. ( By ■Deuce."J THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. November 27—First series of B grade Association matches. Davis Cup, Challenge Round, British v. Australasia. Melbourne, November 28. 23. ami 30, 1012. December 1 First .series of A grade As social ion matches. New Zealand Championships.—Hastings. December 26, 27, 2S, 1012. Australasian Championships —1 hustings. December 30 and 31, 1012; January 1. 10)3. H listings Club Championships and Handicaps. To follow Australasian meeting. Although there is plenty of actHity on local courts there is very little offering opportunity for comment. Club members are for the most part making preparation for the Association fixtures. The B grade clubs will he in action for the first time on Wednesday next anil the A grade tennis will try conclusions ai various points on the following Wednesday. Although the handicaps have now been out for nearly a fortnight only one of the men's matches in connection with the liu crcargill Club’s fixtures for the season has been played. This match was in the men's handicap doubles and the outcome of it was that Hudson and Goldsmith (owe 10) beat Anderson and Field (owe 3) 70—fi'.c The match was a good one and was played under very favour-

able conditions. All four players did themselves credit and played with a commendable degree of precision. The Invercargill Club's ladder competition is advancing steadily and the latest match played was between Purchas and Henderson wherein, after a very interesting series of games the former took the victory on Thursday evening to the tune of y—7. Henderson was at limes serving rattier wildly and he lost ground on that account whereas Ins opponent played a steady, safe game and. while many of IBs shots could have been better placed, he made steady progress and wa.s able to claim the victory on the last service.

The work of laying down the new court at Winton is proceeding very slowly, and it appears likely that the summer will he over before it is ready for play. The presence of some of our A grade ladies has been missed, notable absentees being Mesdames VV. D. and J. B. Cowie, Gow, Tilley and Martin. Says the Record: Mrs Hutchinson and Miss Gilmour made their reappearance on Wednesday afternoon, and judging hy their play should very quickly strike match form. Bert. Cowie plays a very strenuous game, and appears to be in good form at present. his net play being of a high standard. G. Lindsay still suffers from his football complaint. "Squeak." but otherwise lie plays well for a beginner. Miss Wilson Is rapidly regaining form, and doubtless will be an entrant at the forthcoming Christmas tournaments at Invercargill. Miss Horner is gradually improving, and is playing good tennis at the present time. Miss McLeod is practising assiduously. Her play has improved greatly since last season. The busy B.'s are looking forward with interest to their match with Y.M.C.A. on Saturday. "Austral" has some interesting remarks on the form shown by the Davis Cup competitors. “For some weeks,” he says, Brookes and Alf. Dunlop have been in splendid form, the latter superlatively so, and more than occasional were the sets he captured from the champion. Then came a practice match, with Norman out to win the best of five sets, and lie got his three straight away. Alf. having to be content with as many games, although Dunlop lias probably never before been in such good trim. Australasia need not worry about the singles form of those two players. Their double combination of late is beyond criticism. Up to the end of last week the form and condition of Rod Heatli was such as to cause headquarters some uneasiness. But on Wednesday last, in rather sultry heat, he pushed Brookes to ’vantage sets. On Thursday, against A. Campbell, who always extends him, after losing a ’vantage set, he played with confidence and ease, and won the next two sets G—4. 6—2, finishing up the afternoon by beating Lycett 6 —o. Heath has got his drive "well oiled," and good off the ground as Lycett is, he had no hope of success. The same afternoon Brookes and Dunlop finished up two sets all, after a strenuous game. On Friday Heath played Campbell once more, and though the latter led at 4 —o and s—l5 —1 in the first set, and in no wise slacked up, Heath settled down to cross-court cor-ner-driving, varied with accurate block volleying on his back hand, and had his opponent counted out S—G, 6—2, 6—2, G—2. These items are most encouraging. The Englishmen, though apparently not doing any strenuous practice play so far, are so unobtrusively excellent that “even money chance" is the current phrase among tennis folk, and the return to form and condition of Rod Heath is very welcome. Playing against Brookes, Campbell’s average is two games in a set, and that for an Inter-State champion. • ■The visiting Englishmen have been made honorary life members of the N.S.W.- Association.

The younger players will get an opportunity to justify their selection, says a writer on the prospects of the X.S.W. inter-State team. There has been a frequent cry from a few for the introduction of young blood- into our Inter-State teams, but this must surely not be done until the "new blood" has shown itself worthy. Young players cannot expect to be pitchforked into a representative team. In tennis, probably more so than in any sport, "an old dog for a hard road is a true maxim. So much generalship and headwork are required to battle successfully in a hard match such as an interstate fixture is likely to provide, that young players who have not had a fairly wide tournament experience are often severely handicapped when critical moments present themselves. Xew blood can only win recognition on its merits, and not by a prospective future. We have had many young players, who have given a deal of promise, but have never honoured that promise. "It is beginning to look like business now,” said C. P. Dixon, the captain of the British Davis Cup team, to an interviewer last week. “Our team has not been idle. Some very useful work has been put in, not only on association’s courts at St. Kilda, but on private courts which have been plumb and delightful for practice. We intend to devote our mental and physical energies during the next two weeks and a half to the game itself. Our advance in practice has been slow hut steady. Beamish has rapidly approached his true form. His service is full of snap, and especially destructive on the association courts, while his ground play lias been of excellent quality.” Great preparations are being made for the contests. Huge stands have been erected, and the eight players are practising hard. The British players have entered for the Victorian championships commencing on Monday, Beamish and Parke being their double pair.

BOWLZNG.- | (By ’’Toucher"). i The results of Wednesday’s games were awaited with more than ordinary | interest, as it was recognised tiiat in i them a good deal depended. Fresh from their defeat by Te Rang! in the fourrink game, Xorlhcnd had to "make a dead bird” of the game against Southland. it says a good deal for the North- | enders that the dead bird turned out to be a feathered songster of whose decease there could be no possible manner of doubt whatever. The stock of Northern! lias gone up again, and its fourrinkers are awaiting the day when they will wipe out the Te Rang! defeat. But to get back to the beginning of tilings. The inter-club game. Southland v. Xorthend, was all that it ought to be —a friendly and delightful contest. It says a good deal for the equal strength of tiie teams that there was only a margin of four points on the totals. The finish, hy the way, was quite exciting. Two rinks—Hain v. W. Stead, and T, Watson v, A. Miller—had started late, and finished after the others had left off. Tlic word was passed round that either side would want every point, and this made play extremely keen. Miller did his duly hy getting a three on the last head, after taking out bis opponent's shot with a line fast shot. Then I interest turned to the Hain-Slead rink, j The Xorthend skip was well up on his I own game, and ho was given the task of ] scoring six to make a draw for his own ;club. On the second last head Stead j was lying four or five when the skips i went down. 1 lain’s first howl went in ’ for third slid, and with his second, a i very fine drawing sbol. he Just trickled i in, with a rub, and lay the shot. In I the last head—a long one—Haiti was ; faced with the task of getting five to j make a draw. Ii opened badly for him, i I;. Galbraith gening the shot for Stead i with a fine draw, and the head was ■ rapidly becoming ’’ boggled." F. Joyce ; (third for Xorthend) put the kitty in the ; ditch with a fine drive, and.'ay the shot. Hain nearly drew another shot, the ball j bail getting on to n slight decline, and ; tumbling into the ditch. The result left Xorthend four down on the game, i The fatality which attaches to the j number 13 was never better illustrated : than in the game between j. Rennie i (South land i and Vales (Xorthend). The | Southland skip wont along swimmingly ; ttp to the Itth head. ■ when a two gave him 13. Vales being fi. From tins'” out Yates scored in every head, and the game finished in his favour by 22 to 13. I The Southlands!- is neither nervous nor superstitions, but he did not get past the 13, To score in the last seven heads of a game is a feat that is not accomplished every day in first-class bowling j mat dies. I S. Hunter seemed to he in for a had | doing by J. MeXntly, as the score in the | IStli head was is ■ timely six improved his total consider- ; ably, and he went down 13—ID. W. Eillicrap extended veteran R. I Erskine over the full course, the. .Southj lander getting his majority of six in the last three heads. I T. i t Kingsland beat C, Hannah comfortable’. after a very decent game. ! T.D.K. had good support, and played a I capable game, finishing 21 —l3. .1. Hain got W. Stead on short heads 1 after the sth, and had a long run of

scores. The Southland skip was not too well supported, while the Northender was at the top of his game, and generally was well backed up. j. Holloway (Northend) accounted for W. Whitaker, a promising young Southland skip, who was directing a strong rink.

A. D. Millar played a fine game against T. Watson (Northend). The Northender played good drawing sliois. and was left by his side to do a good deal of work. A. .1. Service (Northend) came to light against A. Ayling, and finished up with the very respectable lead of 23 —14. Coming to the four-rink championships. it may be said that each club had put forward what it considered its strongest combinations. Northend, after its disastrous experience against Te Rangi. reverted to the four "H’s”—Hain, Holloway, Hunter, and Hannah —and the result justified the reversion. Southland had picked strong teams, including as skips ,1. Rennie, A. K, Smith (whose performances in the club sealed rink games were excellent), W, Whitaker, and R. Krskinc. The upshot was that Northend won by the handsome margin of 17 points, being up in three rinks out of the four —a decisive basis of comparison.

The centre of interest was—for a time —tiie game between .1. Hain and A. E. Smith. It was anticipated that the Northend skip would have to put his best foot forward to beat Smith, who has been bowling with groat success lately, and who has a capacity for getting the best out of his men. The result was a woful disappointment to the wearers of the scarlet blazers. Smith, it must be confessed, got indifferent support. but he was not on his game. A 2 in the first head and a 5 iri the fourth gave him a fine start, but after this there came disaster complete and overwhelming. Hain kept on scoring, and, to make a long story short, finished 27 —15, a 3 and a 2 to Smitli in the last two, heads reducing his minority considerably. Hain, as has been said, was at the top of his game. His third,'Yates, played with an amount of luck that might have been exasperating to his opponents. Some of his running stiots were fearfully wide, taut they got “wicks” which defletced them on to the jack or shot bowl with a regularity which was as delightful to his skip as it was dismaying to the other side. W. Eeck played a solid game as second and K. Thompson was a steady and reliable lead. A. Ayling and Finlayson were not in form as lead and second for Southland, but McNatty played some useful shots. J. Holloway’s rink was drawn against J. Rennie’s, and a very tough contest resulted. The heads were close, and consequently there was a maximum of find fast shots. Scoring was fairly even until the 16th head, when the scores were 16 all. In the next four heads Holloway added 8 points (2 in each), and a 3 to Southland on the last head left them five down. This was probably the best game of the match.

AV. Whilaiker, with a strong rink, looked like winning against S. Hunter, but was beaten on the last four heads, in which the Xorthend skip added seven points, and finished two up. The only Southland rink up was R. Erskine’s, which defeated C. Hannah's. The Xorthenders made a good start, putting on seven before the Southlanders used the chalk on the board. Once Erskine got going he did some splendid drawing, and be overhauled and. passed his opponent. The last few heads were very keenly contested, and a lucky two to Hannah in the last left him just two down on the game. Two games were played simultaneously on the Te Rangl green, in that the interclub and four-rink championship were converted practically into one game. Bluff mustering five rinks for the inter-club fixture. Anticipations of a close contest were disappointed, as Te Rangi rather overwhelmed the Portites, and were victorious in every rink in the champion event. • .

J. Findlay (Te Rangi) was altogether too good for Edginton,- the Bluff rink going down by 28 to 16. The Te Rangi skip is right on his game this year, and he has the support of three very solid men in McCallum, McKenzie and Wilson. McCallum is a first-class lead, while the other two can be relied on to play the shots wanted.

.1. H. Kissell had a very good game with Cruickshank, and just got hone by two points, after being one down on the last head. Some interest was taken in the meeting between Calder and G. R. George, as the Bluffite is a player of some tonnage when on his game. However, this was an off-day for him and his rink, and Calder went out with a win of 25 to 12. Calder played a very solid game, and at one time looked as though he was going to administer a very severe defeat. At the 12th head he was up 18 to 5. In the next nine heads, however, the Bluffltes scored four times, and this made their total a more respectable one. F. Ayling got well away from Crocket, scoring in fourteen heads out of the 21, and winning by 21 to 11. The extra rink was a contest between Millar (Bluff) and Jas. Hannah. It ended with the veteran Bluffite 1 up. Club competition ■> arc proceeding apace on the various greens, and some very fair play is being seen. As the result of a challenge issued by the president (Mr Simpson) of the Gore Bowling Club on behalf of ills club’s executive to the executive of the Hokonul Club, the teams (consisting of three rinks) met on the Gore green. The green was in capital order. A close contest was anticipated, hut contrary to the expectations the Hokonui players ran out very easy winners hy 85 to 47. The losers shouted afternoon tea for the victors.

A most vexatious act of vandalism occurred at the Turanganui Bowling Club’s green. Some one entered the club's ground, and every jack, totalling' half a dozen, was deliberately smashed. Ordinarily this would have prevented the competitions from being proceeded with, and about 60 bowlers would have been prevented from enjoying a game, but the Gisborne Club arranged to provide sufficient jacks for play to proceed. The wanton mischief done by some fools is simply incomprehensible to decent folk.

Five representatives from each of the Queenstown and Arrowtown Clubs journeyed to Cromwell last .Saturday for the purpose of taking part in the opening ceremonies in connection with the Cromwell green. The inaugural ceremonies were carried out with great eclat (says the Wakatipu Mail). There were upwards of 500 people present and Cromwell has seldom presented such a lively appearance. The green is situated on the recreation ground, and it has been w«il laid down ns is testified to by experts at the game. It presented a surface which would make the heart of any seasoned howler rejoice. The usual opening match. President v. Vice-presi-dent. was played and was immensely enjoyed by all. H is said that there arc upwards of seventy members enrolled in the new club, and it is expected that the total number will reach 120. The club has 35 sots of Jacques’s bowls. The Roxburgh paper is advocating the construction of a bowling green in that town. The goldfields towns will soon have all taken on the game. CE.ICKBT NOTES. (By "Cover Point.") Xow that the games in the Mercantile Shield competition have progressed so far, the fact is perfectly obvious- to anyone who has enough interest in cricket to follow the doings of the local senior elevens, that Y..M.C.A. and Waikiwi have not earned qualifications enough to place them on the same plane as the remainder of the teams. Good men. many of them in both bowling and batting, are to be found in the rapKs of the two clubs, but on tiie average run the teams have so far failed to put forth convincing proof that they are " in the hunt." so to speak. Waikiwi have been finding trouble in raising a full eleven, a fact which is greatly to be regretted. Surely there arc enough cricketers in such a growing portion of Invercargill as to preclude any possibility uf the team turning out short-handed, and leaving the lion’s share to fall on the shoulders of the enthusiastic few. It is regrettable to have to write in this strain, hut facts cannot bo avoided. Come on, Waikiwiites, cast aside your apathetic garb, enter into the spirit of the game, and you will he assisting a pastime that matters as much in Southland as in any other province. So he up and doing. I.C.C. made the first of the season's country trips on Wednesday, when a visit was paid to Riverton, where a pleasant game resulted with the local club. The match was possessed of some incidents of note, I.C.C. registering 153 for 3 wickets, bur Riverton played out time with the loss of 5 wickets for a total of 71 runs. Hoig made the stand for the town side, going for the bowling in great style, and had just reached his century witen lie returned a ball to the bowler. Doig’s total included no fewer than ten fours and n sixer. Dougin also batted well on a wicket with plenty of tire in it, securing 38 (not out.)

The Riverton chib has got hold of a good man in Mc.Farlane, who is said to hail from Dunedin way. He is a stylish bat, a valued bowler, and particularly good in the field. Against I.C.C. on Wednesday last McFarlane carried his bat for 42 runs, and looked good enough for a lot more if time had not Intervened. Don Hamilton gave the public a taste once agalp on Wednesday last of his great scoring powers as a batsman, and to say that ne knocked 160 runs off the Waikiwi bowlers in a couple of hours' time indicated a performance full of merit. When the last wicket fell Hamilton looked good enough for a lot more runs, and to be undefeated at the close of the innings means a lot where averages count. Big hits were the predominating feature of "Don's” total, no fewer than 29 boundaries being recorded. And to encounter Hamilton when he is in such a mood spells a torrid time for the bowlers. In Reid’s last over, but one, on Wednesday Hamilton smote him past the flags on four occasions, while Wesney was also similarly treated. There was some conflict of opinion as to whether or not Hamilton was run out at one stage of his career, but the umpire is the sole judge of such questions and his decision, always given in the best of good faith, must be abided by. Hamilton Bros. (Jas. and Don), put on 90 runs for Bluff's last wicket, taking the total from 185 to 275 runs. Although Don was the main scorer Jim ran up IS runs by good play, then lifted a ball to Brandford who took the catch. Bannerman seems to be in consistent scoring mood this season, and following his 69 runs against 1.C.C., put on 42 for the Bluffites against Waikiwi. Considering that no facilities for consistent practice are available at the port, Bannerman played decidedly attractive -cricket under the circumstances, even allowing for a little mis-timing of some of the deliveries.

The authorities responsible for the selection of school teams, in many instances, overlook the fact that good goods frequently find their way into small parcels and discard altogether the qualifications of the small fry, who must stand aside for the bigger youth to find a place in the team. Let it be remembered of the cricket stars of the present day. that many of them are small men, so that they should study ability to handle bat and ball before any other consideration. Some of the lads engaged in junior seaools’ cricket just at present could run lings round many of the seniors, and should not be deterred from going ahead, as seniority in cricket doesn't’ count. It’s runs that are required and the lad most capable of securing them is the one deserving of encouragement. Waikiwi’s , batting display against Bluff was a deplorable exhibition, and there must be something amiss when a senior side can compile only 21 runs. Brandford headed the list with 7 runs, McCurdy 5, and then followed twos, ones and “blobs” in an eyesore aggregate. The bowling averages of A. Crocket and D. Hamilton were naturally good and are reprinted here ; Crockett : 7 overs, 2 maidens, 8 runs, 5 wickets. Hamilton : 6 runs, 2 maidens, 9 runs, 4 wickets.

Ward partnered that redoubtable batsman, C. Kane, for Appleby’s opening against T.M.C.A. on Wednesday, and a useful stand resulted, 58 runs being hoisted before a dissolution was effected. Kane 27, Ward 34, Irwin 37. and Poole 33, made matters look very prosperous for Appleby, but the remainder contributed but 23 runs among them and a good opening closed somewhat flat. Caretaker Battersby, who made his first public appearance in Southland, held his end up with a dozen runs to his name. Still Appleby's total of 163 was more than Y.M.C.A. co-uld look at and they fell S6 runs short on the first innings. Dayman and Archie Hamilton were the only batsmen to shape in scoring vein at all, the former securing 20 and Hamilton 32 runs. The remainder were a long way off double figures even.

Butcher is proving one of the mainstavs of the Appleby howling brigade, and on Wednesday he bagged three of the Y.M.C.A. batsmen for only five runs. If he perseveres and masters a tendency to get erratic Butcher promises to meet with success this season. Ward obtained the remaining wickets (six) for a total of Da runs. Poole was on for half a dozen overs, but a split finger troubled him and he met with no success. Xo fewer than six of Y.M.C.A. bowlers had a turn at the Appleby batsmen, but the honours of the afternoon went to Dixon whose five wickets cost three and a half runs apiece. A. Hamilton. 3 for 20. was the most successful of the others. Steans and .1. Hamilton secured one each. By the way, the last mentioned Hamilton was making his first appearance of the new season and if he continues on should strengthen Y.M.C.A. in batting and bowling. The Invercargill Club will suffer a severe loss through the departure of Mr G. Hamann, who has been appointed to a responsible position in Gore. "Gus" was a* 1 wavs a popular cricketer, not alone among his club-males, but his sportsmanlike tactics, met with the appreciation of those competitively opposed to him. During last season, when he led his eleven to Mercantile Shield victory, the success, a weD-merited one let it be remembered, was one for which the primarv portion of credit must redound to Hamann whose mature judgment was the means whereby everything was worked to the best possible advantage. Dot it be hoped that his departure from Invercargill will not spell the loss of iiis services to the good old game, but that be will still be found holding his end up wherever members of the flannelled fraternity do congregate. "Cover Point" joins witli local cricketers in wishing a true sport the best of luck. A cricket story —A batsman went forward to play a ball and missed it. The wicketkeeper whipped off the bails, and yelled "How's that?" The umpire promptly responded "Dead heal!” and the batsman continued his innings. The first century of the season in Auckland was scored by Dacre, a North Shore fourth-class player. He is a pupil of Frank Sbacklock, the veteran Nolls professional, and gave a really fine display in getting his century. Sbacklock. by the way. is the only professional coach in Auckland this season —other than Sammy Jones —and he is leaching the game of cricket to the schoolboys in the I’onsonby district.—lf "Cover Point’s" memory serves him right Sbacklock was one of the applicants for the position of coach to the Southland Association. There is a rumour that a strong Australian team, including Clem Hill and Warwick Armstrong, will go on tour in Canada in 1013. But this seems very unlikely, says Cricket. It would surely lead to renewed trouble with the Board of Control, and, though there would be ■good crowds to see the Australians at such places as Toronto, Victoria, Winnipeg, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, Quebec. and Ottawa, one doubts whether there would he much money in the tour. AMONG THE JUNIORS. (By "Full Toss.") I'Yom a cricketer’s point of view the weather on Wednesday was by no means ideal, and though the impending rain kept off until after all games were finished. yet tDe biting westerly wind made things very unpleasant, especially for fieldsmen, and those whose misfortune it was to drop catches can certainly say with truth that there was some excuse for them. They were wise souls who had the foresight to don an extra sweater. The light too towards the

close of the afternoon became none 100 good, this being especially noticeable on those grounds encircled by trees. Appleby alone this week can lay claim to three points, their victims being Southern. The other winning teams. High School, Waikiwi, and Y.M.C.A. “A” were, however, in good positions, and it was probably only the lack of time that prevented them from securing the extra point. The fact that High School cannot start their games until well after three o'clock is unfortunate—sometimes for themselves, sometimes for the other team, as it rarely affords an opportunity of finishing out two innings. Waikiwi, who were decisively beaten in their first three games, have evidently pulled themselves together, and are going to make themselves something to be reckoned with. They seem to have singled out the two Y.M.C.A. teams as their first victims. A score of 151 with only three wickets down is very good going for a junior team. The partnership between Edglnton and Kaedy for the first wicket yielded 78, and that between Edginton and MeNeece 73. Edginton gave the best display of the Waikiwi men, and he was well up in the forties before he gave an actual chance. Kaedy also batted well, but McNeece, although he ran up 36, can hardly be said to have given a safe display, his batting being at times of the distinctly streaky order. Edginton and Robb, who was associated as skipper with last season’s Bluff junior team, shared the bowling honours, taking 4 wickets each. Y.M.C.A., with the exception of Adamson, who made 28, and Barlow, who totalled 15, could not do much in the batting. Adamson’s innings was forceful. while Barlow, though he made fewer runs gave a more attractive display. The Waikiwi fielding was keen, not so much the ground work, but the catching was smart. The Y r .M.C.A. bowlers, naturally, received rather severe punishment, Morrison, who took two wickets for 30 runs, meeting with the most success. High School set Wairongoa too stiff a hurdle to negotiate, and the Teviot st. team were in difficulties from the start; had there been half an hour more to go it is. more than likely that the school would have got home by an innings, as half the Wairongoa wickets had gone down with only 27 runs showing to their credit. Christophers, who ran up over sixty against Waikiwi the other week, was again top scorer for School with 61. His innings was good in places, but was marred by several chances, which the Wairongoa fieldsmen failed to take advantage of, although they certainly can plead extenuating circumstances. The partnership between Christophers and Lopdell, who made 19, was the best of the match, and they raised the score fro,m 74 to 126. In the bowling department Lopdell and Soar were the most successful, taking 4 for 10 and 3 for 7 respectively, while Macgregor also secured a couple. Soar gets a nice break on at times, but he should carefully guard against sacrificing his length. McLean hit out boldly for Wairongoa in botli innings, and he saved the situation from being worse. He was not afraid to lay,on the wood, and he took toll of one of Macgregor’s overs to'the extent of three fours. Oughton, who had hitherto been the most successful with the bat, had reached only seven when he returned on of Lopdell’s balls back to the bowler: he made amends in his bowling, and was responsible for the dismissal of seven of the other side. 36 runs coming from his trundling. The scoring in the 1.C.C.-Y.M.C.A. "A** match was not very high, neither side showing to great advantage. In I.C.C.'s first innings Chambers and Smith alone reached double figures out of a total of 41. Their second strike was somewhat better, and they registered 79, Brooke and Vincent playing forcible cricket for scores of 21 and 26 respectively. McNair, who has been doing well’with the ball of late for his team, had again the best figures, taking 5 for 31. The Y.M.C.A. batting was not of very high order, though Martin had contributed a careful 19 before a ball from Brooke found its way into his wickets.Batten and Lee came out best in thf bowling department, and the. latter appears to have been on the spot, especi- | ally in the first innings. Appleby held the upper hand throughout against Southern in a low scoring game. With the exception Of Donaldson’s 39 in Appleby's second innings the batting calls for no mention, and the I bowlers on both sides seem to have had a day out. For Appleby, Dingwall bagged 4 for 11 and Jordan 11 for 27, while in the Southern contingent Brown 7 for 15, and Dewar 6 for 10 were most successful. SOUTHLAND CRICKET ASSOCIATION’. WEEKLY MEETING. The weekly meeting of the Southland Cricket Association, held last evening, was attended by Messrs J. £. McGrath (President). J. H. Gilbertson, A. Derbie, i C. Baton, C. Gardiner, P. Dalrymple, H. j and the secretary (Mr T. j of the Sports’ League j that he had written to Department thanking if | for the courtesy it had shown in the arrangements made for cricketers, and notifying the Association that the League would be always ready and willing to assist it. Arrangements were made for a band promenade concert and picture show, the latter to he given by Mr Massey, at Rugby Park on the evening of December 18th, with the object of assisting the funds of the Association.

It was resolved to write to the Eastern District Association pointing out that the local body owed a match, and was prepared to send a team away on December tSih. failing that the Eastern District team to visit Invercargill and play at Rugby Park, where, in view of the selection of the team to meet New South Wales, a turf wicket was available. Messrs J. S. McGrath and D. Hamilton were appointed town selectors of the representative teams, the Eastern District appointee to be nominated later. Mr A. Derbie, on behalf of the Grounds Committee, reported that half-a-dozen club lockers had been provided at Rugby Park at a cost of £6. The Association, in adopting the report, resolved that clubs be charged 10s per annum for ths use of the lockers. Junior fixtures for Wednesday wera 3i*ranged as follows; —t\aikiv.i \. Southern. Waikiwi ground; Appleby v. Y.M.C.A “B,’ Teviot street; I.C.C. v. High Schooi. I.C.C. ground; Wairongoa v. Y.M.C.A, "A,” Biggar street ground.