THE PLAYGROUND.

Southland Times, Issue 17225, 21 December 1912, Page 10

THE PLAYGROUND.

Pedestrians are reminded that entries for the Sheffield handicap, Tiiyds handicap. 220 yds handicap, anil one mile handicap to he decided at Hie Walkaia Caledonian Society’s sports on .January Ist. close with secretary D. Sproal not later than Her. 27 th. On Wednesday hast Mr G. Dunlop forwarded from Invercargill on behalf of the AVellington Homing Society a hamper of feathered racers to Stewart Island. For some years past the Empire City fanciers have been trying to bring Off a contest from the Island, but some difficulty invariably arose and it seems that the weather is to block a successful attempt, this season. The birds are

•Mens lashions from the police court : pair ot trousers, about which there was a depute, we’e thus described at Hie Tower Fridge Police Gourt: ■’They were the new-fashioned cut, in which you must iuc -lend. Tlmy were hobble

I ronsers!” A Shropshire- sportsman, Sir Walter Hmythe, who recently celebrated bis Soth l'irthdny, declared his intention of following- tl:o hnuiKis again tills scasrtii. “I am a man of UK- fresh air." he said. 1 smoke. I m 1 my meat allowance down—■ and I lake my whisky weak." It is reported from Riverton that sea run trout are now making their way op the Aparima, and that trolling in the estuary is also likely to prove more or less successful. During ihe past week several windy, overcast days made it nossihle to fish (lie Waimatnkn and some nine fish were taken. A motorist summoned at the City Summon-- Conn for hating no means of "giving anditde warning of liis approach'.' prodnccil a "montli squealer." and Idew a terrific bias: on it. It was of the nature of the instrument used in theatres to convey (lie impression of a lerrdie whistling wind. The alderman dismissed the ease a( once. A cablegram from South Africa announces that Reg. Walker lias defeated A. Id. Post le tiv two yards over a tooyds course in Ihe gr-at time of 02, sees. f f the time is correct. Fustic is still running well and can hardly be expected in carry out his intention of retiring. The Queen-dander is on his way hack to Australia, and may he tempted to have a run at the Auckland Kxhibition meeting next year. Numerous -nfries hate been received for the Clan tng-of-war competition, which lake- place in Wellington on Coxing I iny. Teams from Christchurch. Napier. and oth--r large centres have paid in cot re fees. d lu' 1 Irish Athletic So-d-My experienced [sonic difficulty in fixing on a suitable day for Pie IOC! annual sports fixture, owing to the best dates in March having been appropriated by kindred snorts -bodies. However. Monday March IT. Ins now been decided upon as the eventful occasion and a wry attractive programme is promised. Charley Seeling, the erstwhile Auckland City forward, is pleasing the critics immensely in Kngland. as a Northern t’nion footballer. fit the match. Heigh v. Wigan, played in .October. Seeling scored remarkably tine try. and in all the sporting papers his form has been highly spoken of. Commenting on the I .cigh- Wiga n match the Wigan Observer says:—Heeling's try was (|uite a spectacular one. Por some time before he scored it he had shown form of the nl most I iri 11 ianey, positively electrifying in fact, and now lie got away and steered the hall cleverly through the Heigh hacks, heat them for speed, and finished up with a smart gather and a c-hn racterist ic dive for his try. The crowd absolutely roared with appreciation. Wigan spectators are beginning to appreciate the fact that forwards like Seeling arc scarce: Nature does not, often produce one. Another critic says:-—• As far as Seeling is concerned, he was in magnificent form, and it is questionable if lie lias ever played hotter. He got through an enormous amount of work, and seemed to tic always in that part of the field where the leather was. Is there a greater forward in the Northern Cnion to-day? I doubt it. Heeling's next try. 1 might add. will be Ids fortieth for Wigan. Tin- tours Committee of tho Automobile Cluli of New Houtli Wales are considering ihe advisability of promoting an inter-state Reliability Contest between Sydney and Melbourne. The Victorian Club will probably be asked to co-operate and make the event a Joint one. Hitch a contest would no doubt prove of great interest, especially if. say a team of 1 1 N.H.W. cars were pitted against a similar number of Victorian ones. In IDO.T-tl two very interesting motor car trials- were held over this inter-state mute by the Dunlop Rubber Co., and proved great sporting contests: in fact, the rimsi successful and popular yet held in Australia

probably being hold up in the meantime, but the close confinement of a hamper will not tend to assist them in the stern task before them. Athletes, dancers, and musicians are reminded that entries for the Southland Caledonian Society's sports close on Monday evening (Dec. 2:il. On a farm at Halstead. Essex. a rat has built its nest in a rat-trap and has reared a titter of young. A lanndryman in England was recently awarded tIS damages, the value ol a cow killed by Colonel Cody's monoplane In July last. Thousands of fish, including salmon, have been destroyed in the Wear, Durham (Eng.) owing to the river being poll uteri by some tarry substances. The Canterbury Homing Club held a race from Hast Cane on Dee. >h Fully 9B per cent, of the birds sent arrived home in race time, a good average lot S2O miles. in Auckland .Mr T. P . C.ilfedder is 2nisy drawing up a professional sports programme to be submitted at the Exhibition next year. The events will include:—Axemen’s, cash athletics, cycling, and tug-of-war competitions. While on a shooting expedition in Alaska recently Mr H. K. Burnham. of New York, is said to hav killed five grizzly hoars in two minutes with seven rifle shots. He had just killed one grizzly when another charged him from ono aide, and three more a|H>earcd from the opposite direction. Satisfactory entries have been recciv*ri for the Mataura A.S.'s sports on Hexing Day. The nomination lists for (lie sprint events ine'ude the names ut Hie best known Invercargill and Eastern District pods, while runners from Dunedin, Christchurch and other northern Centres also claim engagements. The English billiard crack. H. W. Stevenson, in company with tiro, (ivay. Is at present visiting India. Cray wilt subsequently give exhibitions in Australia and New Zealand, while Stevenson will return to England. Hr ay will not be seen in England again until September of next year. Judge Oil fodder, of Hie Xalive Land Court, has a soft side for the Irish Athletic Society, of which he was one of the original members, consequently It was no surprise to find Him turning up ot the annual meeting of members the other evening on the alert to engage in the discussion of the moment —a game Bt which he ruled as a past master further back than some of us care to remember. However, there was no burning question before the meeting, and tho Judge was forced to curb ids desire for wordy warfare, but lie did not leave until he had retailed some good stories, and brought an expansive smile to the face of the secretary by handing over a generous subscription to the funds.

It has been decided that H. I’earce wifjSleave for England on Eeb. 12 lo meet TO. Barry for the world's sculling chamiponship on July 21. In the meantime nothing definite as to the Australian championship situation has transpired, hut Pearce has promised to make his intentions known within a few days. The match referred to last week as about to eventuate in Australia between a trotting horse and the Maoriland long distance runner L. -I. Ornstien resulted In the defeat of tlie latter. Ornstieu was conceded 9 minutes start over a fivemile course and had covered one mile and a half when the horse set. out. The New Zealander lost by 700 yds. the trotter's time being ICmin 31sccs. while Ornstien took about "S'/jmins to negotiate the distance The supporters of the trotter are offering 12 minutes start for a return match. As a result of the recent visit, of an Australian Rugby team in America an Interchange of visits is proposed at iwo year intervals. Several Americaiu authorities have pointed out (hat New Zealand will probably wish to chip in. and they therefore propose ilia! the contests should be fixed on an American v. Australasia basis, but they can Ft their minds rest easy. There is very little likelihood of .Maoriland Ruggers sinking their individuality lo combine with Australia. either lo invade Britain or America. It seems a great pity from the writer's point of view that Ihe N.Z.R.U.

A llhongb ihe Tmn’op Co.'s prize set .•if»a”t for this record. was w;i 1 Keefe, it is ilia intention ni‘ the tyro company to suitably rt'wnr<i Ktrkliam for his great rit If. Ii will now ho interesting to hear what tin- Kn.glish oritios, who havo all along hoon somewhat sceptical of the Cast times record in the "tfn vrn;> tnboo!", nave to .sity about Kirkham. ami Keefe's ope nnpaeed efforts. Anyway, ii is refreshing just now, la view of Ansiralnsia'.s defeats at crick'd. sculling and P-nnis, i.i .‘-.•■i- that our eyelids aw. at all events, more than holding their own with tin- world's last. While ;lie Inr-t of record breaking was on I'. Kirkham last week, he marie an onslaught on H. M. .lain.s' long-standing world's nnnnced 2a miles road record of 'll minute: established in ISfl.'l. Kirkham again recorded wonderful times, negotiating (lie 2a miles in iiOmins ;;t» isees. He laisln-ti ;t lint inch ;,'ear. .ami rode the first five miles in plmins 22 secs, the second in lninins Isees-; tin- third in 10 mins li'secs: the fourth in 0 mins .1! sees, jiikl the fifth in dmins at! 1-asecs. r fhe fastest mile was Hie 2-tth ridden in I min ."msecs. Kirkham, who h;oi the as. sistanee of a. following wind, was eltecked hy officials in a motor car. every mile being clocked. This ami! ride was accomplished on "Ihmlops" over a straight awtiy course between Morilak" ami 1 'errinallnm. \'ietoria. [ Box,:iro. tin Floxina h;iv at Sydney Stadium .'-am .Met,.,i ana Sain Langford will flash. S,ltaly Australian fight fans have had surfeit of |he t\\ ( , neg rcls Maorihitid'r Have Smith has been matelied against Krcole <|e fhtlz.ic. 1 I’ranet', for Xev. Year's night in Seine v. (hi Sit In rdf y evening next Herb. Me t* * y is I* l 11 . re gather wi tit f'tvnelmian Jean Pot-sy. This eoruesl is looked upon ■ as t. very important I igh I - wei g|, t event. I ‘winy to tin' close finish between Ilatri-rty and Porter last un-k. v. iten the latter just wop. the New Zealand lightiveidi.' championship. there is likely to he keen competition la-tween several a-soc ,a t ions for a return match. It. is up to Hie Timarn 11. A. to make good. The hi test news, about Parky Mcl-’ar-laml Is to tae effect Ilia' he has decided In retire from tie- Cog this month, Ilf i- -lated tn lai-ve made U ■ l O, (j (. nni<* i!a r - (a in -it t 10.ate I in lie la ;( fi v years. Will history repeal itself. It will be remembered lliat witen .1. II, 'inert y tmt A. (Jiaxv.ell for money the first tine t!:e tip.! 11 e was a very even one and many people tna i nt.a i it'd ilia! the Taranaki lad should have .got in., verdict. At their n--xt mM-iiiii; Ihigeryv was. always a. winner. What iihiiia ll e next I lagf rt y Porter lion i On his return to Sydney Have Smith was epterla ini-l In- the Terriers' Socielv. whereupon he had a few words to say in regard to his recent Knit of L'ngland and the Pniii d States ; "My trip was urn a success linaiu iilP," said Smith, "hot I think if did me vas) amount of good, I lost money, hot ( gained ..t ie-rwise. A l'irr my first fight—that was tin- one Willi ' r -'loony I didn't wake i;|i for .(nit. .• ...up time. P.nt it was tie- t'ortane of war. I have been told it was a fluke punch Unit got me. tmt there is tin such Ihbig in boxing. If a man pnf-s into Ha- rine be aas trot to lake what's coming to him. I was beaten .and I have no excuse to make. (Cheers.) f was beaten fairly. [ was evidently defeated on my merits, i l'l e first punch that came along I got on he jaw. I trot up and was knocked town again. When I climbed on my 'e.'t I didn't know what i was doing, it was aatnial that I should fight, but f-.tight in lh<- cottier opposite p, where In- man was standing. I woke up proleriy when i was patting on my collar n tii-:- i11'..'.-'.-in.g-rooiit. (Laughter.) I , Ires red my-"If :• I.sol ute) v unriii'-f iom .f what I w is doing, bit* when fastening I ny co'lar I heard my manager say, I

did mu long ago consider the advisability of sending an "All Black" combination to America. There is nothing to he gained by sulking at home because tiie Scottish and Irish R.U.'s made a visit to Great Britain an impossibility in Hie meantime. New Zealand won a great Rugby reputation away back about 1905, but tills docs nut Justify us in resting on our laurels. The younger generation of players arc eager to test their strength and they should lie encouraged to do so by sending them up against Hie best teams in ihe world willing to meet them. it it not a question of finance,

and Small Africa ami America remain to he conquered. It was rallied from I.melon (lie ether day that William llyrne tin Australian long distance runner, and a nnmher nf falters had been sentenced to various terms of im;irisonmeni for footing hankroles. and sente curiosity was expressed as to the identity of the Australian. It new transpires Iha t hlyrrie first came under notice nearly :'.a years aye as a competitor in "go-as-you-please" contests in .Melbourne, when lie also served Uto sentences for conspiracy to defraud the la I for three years. The prize money for toe .'MI Yards and fine mile events at the Irish Athletic Society's sports on .March 1 711 1 has been increased in each instance for the winner to IS. it Inis licet! decided not to re-instate 11'** t'nmliiTland Wrestling event on the programme, tint to adhere to last season's decision to offer prizes far a. ('a u-h-.ts-ca t ch-ca i. (open) competition. Athlete; are reminded that there will he absolutely no post entry events this season, .Nominations for the .Sheffield and /’’lying- Handicap close on Alarch Ist. and for all oilier events on’ March Mh. The programme is in the hands of the printers, and will be mi issue by New Year's ('ay. Britisher .1. ('. Parke, who was mainly instrumental in talcing the liavi.s Cup from Australia, is also a brilliant international I i-isb Bug by exponent. Asked by an interviewer recently why Ireland joins witii Scotland in keeping New Zealand and Australian I’-anis mn, he re-marked:-—"Well." he said. "Ireland played (lie last ’All Black" team. We are only too pleased," In- proceeded, "to welcome any team, but if there is a smalterin.g of professionalism about them ; Ireland will have nothing to say to them. The last t'-ani ih.ii came over to Kngland turned professional: limy play-’d the Northern game. I am mire .Mr fluxion, the secretary of (he Irish Rugby I'nion. is only too pleased to welcome any leant that comes over with i t first - class atualeuf status and lo ; teach other countries the game. The 'All Blacks' were very popular in Kng- ; land. It is a eery bad feature, though, with regard to the visit of any team, p | air' one of them joins the Northern i game. The Northern game is held in bad repute with us. and to a certain | extent it has ruined football." The Rrii- | ish Rugby autocrat cannot lie an used , of being a fair-minded sportsman. Be- j cause several members of tin- "A I! , Blacks" subsequently became profession- | als tinder .N.P rides New Zealand ama- | teur football is declared taboo root anil [ branch. Can the followers of Rugby in q Great Britain truthfully say that the , reams they last sent out to Australasia ,| were free from the taint of profession- j nlism. or that their amateur game was | condemned on this account'.' Can Idee ( deny the fact that Mnglisb and Welsh , international players have from time to , time gone over? To all of which may be | said: They cannot deny it. Apparently their is one law for the Britisher and n •homer for tiie Alaorilander or Austro- ,

PAST AND FUTURE ATHLETICS ■ CRICKET, BOWLIHG, ETC. EDITED BT * ONLOOKER. 1 *

iian and in every instance the law is ad- I ministered by the nriiisher. who is softening from (lie pains and memories of : many defeats inflicted upon him by the I representatives of \ew Zealand .anil the | selected detenders of .\,.s'.\v, and Queensland Itugby honours. <»h! Righteous ‘ Judge.

“Why. the man didn't make the weight. I hMI the sense to tell him not to squeal.” | “Smith added that he thought the boxj ers of America were of a better class titan those of England. There was a. real good class of a hoy in the game in the United States, and they did their best to elevate the sport. • | Hirst details of Hie Welsh —Mehegau ; battle will he awaited with interest. I despite the fact that the Australian was 1 defeated. Tim first news of the fight I cabled was of a. very one-sided nature. ' hut subsequent messages staled that j .Mehegan put up a good showing despite ' the fact that lie was outpointed by his i more experienced opponent. Ii is expected that doe Kivers and i Willie I; i tel ii e (the holder) "ill meet on Xew Year's Day for the light weight : championship of the world and it is safe | to say riiai Freddie Welsh will hasten i in pursuit of Hie winne-. LET HE It .MrCAUTIIY HEATS FLYNN. 1 A WHITE HOPE MAKING HOOD. ■ (Special Australian Service). I.OS ANGELES. December 11. Jim Flynn, the Pueblo fireman, who lost to Luther McCarthy in the 20-rounds heavyweight championship elimination content. is regarded now as the gamest man who ever stepped into a ring at Los Angeles. The fight was slopped in the sixteenth round, after Flynn had received severe punish merit. The fireman was floored three times in tlie 1;, lsl session, and the referee, heeding (he demands of the howling crowd, stopped the contest. Moth Flynn's eyes were closed, his right ear was pounded. Ids nose was broken. Mm a’ no stage did ho falter. McCarty was ;i p agreeable surprise. He showed speed and was as cool as an • old ring general. Flynn's only remark after the fight j : was: “He was too big for me.” < • MUNSON V. WELLS IN FRANCE. THE ROUT OPPOSED MY THE MELEES, (Special Australian Service). I LONDON. December S. Jack Johnson lias cabled Paris fight I promoter's, suggesting a match for a i purse between Bombardier Weils, the I English champion and himself. Tlie officials of the Boxing Federation are strongly opposed to such a contest, and intend to do all in their power to pro'enl it. They declare they will invoke (he aid of lhe police to prevent the battle from taking place. Parisian tight followers who not long ago welcomed negros with open arms, are now as hitter against the black pugilists as Americans are, Johnson's reemu actions in the States, and what has been described a-' tlie “questionable clashes" between Sam MeVea and Sam Langford in Australia, are responsible for the pre-ent condition of affairs.

The reference to "questionable clashes" will not .he clear to boxing patrons in Australia. Keen followers of the game never detected anythwig “fishy" in any of the Langford-McVea matches, and on each occasion, with the exception of the first battle. Langford has asserted his superiority to the referee’s satisfaction. When the coloured men first met MeVea was given a decision which the majority of the big crowd thought Langford deserved. DAVE SMITH INTERVIEWED. AN ENJOYABLE. BUT COSTLY TOUR. FAVOURABLE TREATMENT IN AMERICA.

Keefe, 2.1 miles: Ihr tmin MOsec: in miles: 2hr 21min 30sec; mo miles; 4hr OOmin ITsccs. Kirkliam, 25 miles; Ihr "min: 10 miles; 2hr 9min; TI miles; 3hr 21min 30sec; 100 miles: Ihr I’.Gmin.

The average speed maintained hy Kirkliam throughout bis ride was nearly 22 miles an hour. In physique Kirkliam is lightly built, about Ift llin high, weighing 11 stone, hut he is endowed with great strength and endurance, and is a splendid pedallcr. His occupation is wood-chopping. BOWLING. NOTES BY "TOUCHER.' 1 The week just closing has been one of the worst for bowling since the season opened. The evenings have been wet — most of them —and those that were not wet were chilly. There are many speculations as to what is the cause of the indifferent weather during the last two summers. Some people allege that Amundsen or Scott upset the gravity of the South Pole, and that i! lias been send ing forth indignant wintry blasts over since it was haled forth from the limbo of undiscovered things. Olliers gravely submit that the marvellous extension of wireless telegraphy has something to do with it, and that tlie balance of the atmosphere is sadly disturbed by the thumpings it gets from these invisible rays. Whatever the explanation, the last two summers have not been kind lo outdoor games.

Intern lowed on his return to Sydney from England. France. and America, ().■ ve Smith, of Maoriland, said; ■'Wiii'n 1 landed in London I couldn't get ligltls,” said Smith. "But the National Sporting Club and all the sporting people of England treated me extra finely. They were indeed good lo me. But when I saw there was nothing doing 1 'neat it over to Fra.nee. t saw the Carpenu'or-Klaus fight, and two or three others. Then 1 went hack to England and got fixed up in Liverpool to fight Private Palmer. Four days before that bout i hurt my foot swimming in the Thames. 1 had to have five stitches in the instep, and it's not right yet. I had a close call that time. I swam under a punt, when it swung over and forced me to the hod, of the river. But I kept my head and got through all right. Tlie fight hud to he called ofL. hut a little later I boxed at a benefit with Pat O'Keefe, who 'was Lie first man lo meet me in England, rind made good.

It was in tlie way of a merciful dispensation that tlie bad weather held its hand, in a half-hearted sort of way, on Wednesday afternoon. Really, it seems rather ungracious to growl, seeing that not a single centre fixture, has been postponed this year on account of the weather. Tlie day was .riot too bright but it cleared up sufficiently lo allow the games to proceed even though the aflernoon was rather chilly.

, "Then I bit out for the Slates, and a fortnight after landing I got matched v.iiii Eddie McCloirly lo tight at H!2lbs. (le didn't make tlie weight, he made HiTlbs. I writ 101 Fibs and to do that ' had to sit in the ha Hi all day. He got me in (he fir-'t round. lies got a very tine left hook, and lie fixed me with that. He's got a tremendously big left arm. and when be hit me 1 sat on the floor. Not knowing that be would be allowed to stand right over me. I jumped up. and lie got me again as I was getting on to my feet. He knocked me down again, and when 1 was getting up Hie referee stopped the light. "McGoorty wouldn't light me again, so 1 made off to Philadelphia, and on a Sal unlay night fought Barney Williams. I knocked him off his feet in the third round, and got a. newspaper decision in six round,". Un the Monday night I fought Kill A she. hnt after Hie way I treated Williams they made us big gloves. Even at that I, almost knocked him out. Then I got, a decision fighl in Boston with Freddy Hicks. That, was an easy thing for me. There was nothing to it. ll wasn't an interesting tight. Tii at was tnree battles I had in eleven days. I then [larked my trunks for Scranton i Pa.). and from there went to New York. 1 'was match,ed with Kid Wagner, but while I was sitting in my dressing-room I got word that he had ruac god.

Tlie most important game, probably, was that between To Rang! and Invercargill. Anticipations that the Watertower Club would pull the double event off without any difficulty were justified, as in botli the inter-club and four-rink championship To Rang! came home handsome winners. The green, according to alb accounts, was most tricky, and unfortunately it has not come up to expectations this year. Bowls played most peculiar tricks on the players. AM tiie Invercargillitos can do is to hope for better luck next year.

In tlie inter-club fixture, Te Rang! won by 38 points, being up in five rinks nut of six. The only "down" was Kissell, who got very well beaten by Macfarlane. The Te Rang! man simply could not get on the job. while Macfarlane helped his side splendidly, getting the shot and saving on numerous occasions.

Thf four-tink championship was practically a foregone conclusion, and here Te Uangi won hy 90 to 07. The usual quartette—Findlay, ('alder, Kissell. and Ayling—did tlie skipping. Kissel! was again defeated going down to Shaw, who is probably the soundest player in the Invercargill Chib. Southland went out to Woodlands, and defeated the country club by 1.7 [joints, after a pleasant game. The veteran Piercy accounted for \V. Whitaker's rink by 22 to IWhitaker was not feeling too good, and he had a hard up-hill fight all the way. Donald (Woodlands), defeated Kane's rink -21-19 after an interesting game, which had quite an exciting finish. H. 1-Orskine (2:;). accounted for Waddell ill), and McXatty (Southland) hud a day out against Allen, defeating him handsomely by 2S to 11. This was a really good performance. Mc.Valty was in good form in the first half of the game, and bis men did excellent work in the last series of heads. Allen wtts not parlieularlv well supported. •N’orlltend made no mistake about Bluff in either the inter-club or four-rink. The most notable performance was (’. 10. Hannah agains T. Crocket, the X'ortiiond skip finishing 27—It, which is quite a handsome margin over a player of Crocket's calibre. T. Wallace defeated O. Walker by a solid margin, and Service scraped home only by a point against Cruiekshank, .1, Holloway (Northern!) went, down before .1. H. Kin; by three [mints. In the extra rink W Billicrap defeated 10. Parker bv 20 ti 1C

"I fought Leo Honek in Philadelphia. Tn that contest I gne'-'s a draw would have lieen a good decision. Next: day ; -.,me of the local papers save me a win and a draw, hut the New York men. who had no more use for me because of my defeat by M c( looriy, save it a draw aad a lose. "'['he sporting people of America treated me pm eh better than you have ii, aid of. Australians have always heard that thee are treated badly. But evervbodv. particularly lit*' pressmen. : yen ted Pie finely. Bye,, after the Mt- \ 1 11 < i r t v lii;h 1 they save me a lot of kudus' v MU Vi li.ardly expect that a man who bad been knocked in a punch would set a ay credit. But they save it to me. The A m erica as. to my way ot tbinkins. treat Australian--, better titan Knglish pimple. They have eome-right-herc sort of greeting for Australians. They are bully all the time, and even if 1 wasn’t successful they certainly gave me the dad band everywhere I went. "The boxing same in America is practically de-.ii ji:st now. Uom-k and Papke am! Mcfioorty and Houck did not act mure than lutui dollars for theii cut. In .Ww York a bphler who sets .'del dollars -that's only fioa, mind you is doing pretty well, l-'or m.v light tvi’h -McIb.orty 1 had a guarantee o| 10et) dolhtrs. but I was luck.v. But you know America inis been elect iouevring mad. and there’s lie***i no money for anything else. .Madi-an-spua re Hardens and the St. Nicholas Kink have heen closed up, and you can't set in in New York. l-'rank O'Neill, of the Boxing Commission, is in pretty had. He and A! Ba.lr.er have had a row over some money, and tilings arc not all they could nc. "But the cause of good boxers not get ting good money j« , that a night's programme is made up of live lights. The star ge(s BJ ; V per cent, for his cut. That's all you can get, bceansc nine other Usurers have to be paid out of the balance of the takings. Vmi only box ten rounds for that. ( if course a man like tVolsa,;! would g-t per cent. "Talking of Wojgast lacings me to something I know Australians will appreciate. I think Hugb.ie .Mehegan would beat the ex-world's champion, hut Wolgasl isn't the lighter be was before he bad appendiciß -*-. H- isn't the same man by any means. "I've been away eight mouths almost to a day, and although I've lost money ou my trip I've enjoyed myself, l-ivery-tbing went wrong while I was away, I couldn't get going good. My luck was right out. But they treated me well. At the National Sporting Club they put me in the five-guinea scats with Lord Lonsdale and Mr F-'ugene ferric. London truly a wonderful place. Itas the

I The followin'; table gives the present positions of the clubs in the respective competitions; Four Mink Championship.— Club. Won. ],osl. To Mangi i o Xortliend .... 2 1 South lami .... 2 Fluff I Invercargill .... 0 j —) nler-cl üb.T- ---• .'tub. Flayed. Won. 1 (. Te Ilangi . . (I - ri 11 South land .. V 2 Woodlands 7 t ;; Xortliend ‘I 2 I Invercargill f 2 1 I Muff .... 2:: Win 1 on . . a o It will he sen from the nhnvi table that Te tlangi have put up an exceeding, ly meritorious performance in each competition. Te Mangi lends .11 both. ;md with anything like good fortune in the second round should come out winners, .Xortliend is the most serious rival at Ihe four-rink championship, ami one may look forward to the next meeting of these clulls with sonic pleasurable ant ici pal ion. The entries for the Southland Tourna. tin-iil close on Ihe ;':lnl inst. t.Momhn >. ami the draw lakes place at ' .11 same evening. The secretary i.llr W, (; J.eeki informs me that so far he has received very few entries, hut he expects llh-il the eleventh hour will firing ip a big budget. From one of tlm principal town clubs not a single entry has so far been received*

greatest place in the world. There is absolutely no comparison between London and New Vork. “While in Knglaud I snv Jim Driscoll fight. He is the most finished fighter I , have ever seen in my life. He is beautiful to wa teh. He does everything wiilunii an effort. 1 also saw Johnny Summers, who is a wonderfully popular hoy in England. CYCLING. WORLD'S ENRAGED road record. KIRKHA.M'S ASTOUNDING liritK When the Tasmanian crack'. F. T. Keefe recently lowered J-. Meredith's lan miles out and home unpaced world's road record to I hrs .lOniins IT secs, Don Kirkliam ( Victoria! said he cntihl better Hint performance, and he has. Kirkliam, who is unquestionably the lines) mad rider in Anslradlia 10-day. has all along been confident that he could lower Meredith's world's record, and had already made arrangements for his first attempt, when he was forestalled by the Tasmanian crack, who reduced the Englishman’s figures from this 52mins a 1 t-asees to flits 00 mins ITsccs and thereby won the £2O and £0 Os gold medal, donated by the Dunlop Rubber Co. to the first Australasian rider to heller the record. Kirkliam. however, although the prize was won, decided to carry through his proposed attempt, and at Ills first effort he has put up such a remarkable ride, that the new figures are astounding. Fancy knocking over 10 minutes off Meredith's record, and 1 I minutes off Keefe's! .Such a performance is almost incredible, and to do what Kirkliam did stamps him as a most remarkable ntipaced rider. The course seI Ivted by the Victorian crack was a 00 mile stretch of undulating road on the Oampenlown and Skipion route. The checking and timing arrangements were in the liands of Mr R. G. R. Broadbent, tlie well-known cycling .journalist. .Starting away ai three in the afternoon, ['with a very slight favouring breeze. Kirkliam covered (lie first 2.1 miles in Ihr online, and the 10 miles in L’lns Hmins. On the return journey Kirkliam was still riding grandly, and left the T.lth mile post behind in .'llirs 21 mins "Osecp. and finishing splendidly completed the full Pin miles in the wonderful time of flits 36niins. He rode the last 12 miles in 36 minutes. The intermediate twenty-five’s were negotiated at follows: First. Ihr 3min.; second, Ihr Hmins: third, Ihr 12'imius: fourth, Ihr 1 4 I* mins. Kirkliam rode a Dunlop shod machine fitted with HV-tin cranks and 88in gear, and had no trouble during the ride. It is interesting to note that Meredith used Tin cranks and S-t gear, and Keefe OF,in cranks and 8S gear. Kirkliam was followed throughout his ride by an official motor car to see (hat Ihe conditions of the ride re pacing, etc., were duly observed. Tie' comparative times of Meredith. Keefe, and Kirkliam are interesting, and serve to show what a slashing performance the lasl named rider put up;— Meredith, fin miles: 2hr 24min; PlO miles, fhr 12min .Tf Usees.

Northern! and Invercargill meet tin's evening to play the four-rink game set down for January 22nd. It is expected that a fair number of Southland bowlers will he away then at the N.Z.8.A., and tiiis arrangement is made on that account. Tim game will be played on the Invercargill green. The following will represent Northern! in the four-rink championship match to he played at 5.30 p.m. to-day on the Invercargill green:—K, Thomson, S. Palmer, C. E. .Hannah, J. Haiti ts); T, Watson. F. .layer, Mch:i nch la n. A. Sort ice (s); ,i. H. Loudon. He Castro, .). Holloway, S. Hunter (s); W. Peek, W. Watson, W. A. Cockhurn. .1. E. Taylor (si: emergencies: -Mcl II widely Stevens, Poller, Anderson.

CKICKET WOTEJi, (By "Cover-Point.” ' The dren.-bing rains during the first, two days of the week made 1 lie wickets dead on Rugby Park on Wednesday, hut, nevertheless cricketers should not grumble, for they were lucky, considering the wretched weather, in getting an afternoon at all free of rain. It was not ideal for cricket by any means, hut there have been worse times. Waikiwi evidently got their tails down at the small hope they had of making any showing against 1.C.0.. only five or six of their players rolling up. and they eventually turned the game in. Whether they intend to disband after ibis or keep pegging away will probably he for the club to decide. The few spectators,

however, must have found the ApplebyBluff match anything inn uninteresting, as it undoubtedly was one of the best displays yet seen on Rugby Park. A score of 213 is a big one to overtake. and Bluff had already lost two good wickeis with only 22 runs showing. However, Bannerman and Don Hamilton fully realised the responsibility resting on their shoulders, and they did their parts worthily. They were very quiet at the .start, hut Hamilton goi going in Ins usual vein, and had tlie fieldsmen busy,. One does usually associate Bannerman with quiet play, as he usually scores very fast. To meet the situation he changed his style completely, and there were several overs which he played without attempting to get a run off them. Indeed at limes lie was over-careful, and refused to run when he might have done so. How qui el lie was. may he gauged from tlie fact Hint wlien lie went out with the score at 130, Bannerman’s total was 20, as against Hamilton's 88. Don eventually got to ITT, and then tried to Hit Sctmdreit out of the ground, with the result that his sticks were sent living. McKenzie. for several seasons a prominent High .School player, and McQuarrie made another stubborn stand for the last wicket, pulling on 20, Boll i seemed to be confident and the Bluff men began to see visions of pulling Hie match off. But it was not to be. Ms with .11 behind, McKenzie sent one into tlie safe hands of Fockrofl in the long' field. Seandrett was Hie pick of the Appleby howlers, but the wicket did not suit him. He sends down stuff which comes off very fast, but with tlie deadness of tlie turf on Wednesday he could not put tlie necessary “devil" into his ball. Tiie Appleby attack, on tlie whole, lacked variety, and Ward’s absence through influenza materially affected their howling strength. There can he no question that the Bluff bowling also is far from strong. In Appleby's second strike, HcandreU, Sutherland and Kane went cheaply, hut Butcher and Groves completely stuck (lie port men up. Try every wile they could they could not shift tlie batsmen, and it was only just on time that Butcher cocked one into the slips. He had been badly beaten several times, including a chance at fine leg. hut he managed to survive and make runs at the same lime. Groves, on the other hand, gave his best exhibition in senior cricket: lie hatted very confidently right through, with tlie exception of two overs from Alex. Crocket, when he was absolutely at sea, but tlie ball heat the wickets. He showed well to, advantage in his -driving and leg hitting. The finish of the Ponsonhy-Grafton game on December Ttli was one that will long he remembered by those who were fortunate enough to be present (says an Auckland writer). Grafton had made 210 in (heir first innings, and for a while it looked as if Ponsonby would fail to reach this total. But by determined halting the West Knders drew up and had actually equalled the score when nine wickets were down. There teas breathless excitement when the lust two men wore in. One run was wanted, hut 10, Harvie, the Grafton howler, sent down a wide, and thus gave Ponsonby a two-noint win by one run. In (lie next over one of the Ponsonby men was slumped without further scoring. and thus concluded as exciting a l much as one could wish to see. I

Owing to tlie intervention of the Christmas and New A'car holidays local erh-keters will not again lake Hie field in competition games, until tfic second week in January. As the New South Wales visitors- are expected in Dte-e parts in the early months of the New A’car. (hose who consider they have claims for representative honours will j require to keep in form during Hie liusJ He and bustle of tiie holiday period. I The fact that Bishop is available this season for big cricket if required must be pleasing to all cricket enthusiasts, states a Christchurch writer. He has played only once for Canterbury (Otago. 190S) since his arrivel from (iawkos Bay in 1 905, and his magnificent form with the bat and in the field this year must bring him prominently before tlie notice of Die selectors. Lusk's 120 the oilier Saturday was a masierly exhibition of powerful cricket, remarks a Christchurch writer. Right from the jump lie went out to Die bowling, and drove in brilliant style. He was playing the game bis side wanted for a three-point win, and it was the correct play against Sandman, who was bowling well on a fast wicket. Lusk, hy using iiis full reach, and being quick on bis feet, smothered Sandman's best balls and trounced his weak ones-. Off Hie oilier bowlers he was happy either in square cutting or milling to forward square leg. Only one chance—a difficult one to the wicketkeeper when lie vans 91—can be debited against Hie exAttcklander. who was at the wickets only 100 minutes in compiling ins 120 tuns, while IDs confreres at the other' end totalled only 89 in Dio same time. Lusk followed up IDs century with 53 runs the next week. He will not visit Otago at Christmastime.

"I'emori” Spofforth has been suggesting in lamdou Dial. to make cricket livelier. I\vn runs should ho allowed against (lie hatting side for every inaidon over ( says Sydney P.nlleii,,). The iliea is that slow hats would he forced into having a gd, and so would either '-ei vans or get out: and thou perhaps Knglish people would come jo walch. I’m Spofforth perhaps through having hcen a howler himself—does not propose any howler-muzzling. His new rule would seem to need as a corollary lhat a bowler who obviously makes no attempt to hit the stumps shall he nohalied. Anyw;iv, for one reason or anoUior, Warner and Schwarz and a loi of other authorities on the game cive his suggestion their cordial curse." Messrs A. Martin, Downes, ami !■'. Williams. the selectors of ihe ii( ; , K .-, Cricket Association, met on a recent evening and chose the following lo nMM’cson t rtcrtiinst lertuirv : t’usfin. Hopkins, Ramsden. Hut horford. Turk welt. Sea letter:;I t'iiristu'ook I. I tonnes. (Chadwick | I Crange), KekhoiT (Opohoi. McKarlane I (Albion). Torrance (Hun.'dini, Kmeri gencies ; Raunermau (Carishrookl. Higj gins (Opoli oJ. j C.illie Wilson is making his presence fill in Wellington already-. Me is the promoter of a scheme wherehy funds are going to lie raised for the upkeep of the various city reserves in Wellington. Ho lots already enlisted the, sympathy of the city Reserves Cor.itnitlee and a public meeting is to he called together to give the project a start. Taking lime by the forelock, or rather Piking tile weather by the ear, the Otggo Cricket Association is leaving nothing to chance in connection with the wicked for the match against Canlerhurv at

('hrisl mas. The matter of coyeriii" the wicker in Ihe event of rain was reforred to at a recent meeting when die tirade Committee was given power to act. .vmoxg the jrxiona (My "Full Toss.") Wednesday saw the completion ~f die first round, and ciieketers will now have a spell in order to enjoy th<dr Christmas and Xow Year festivities. The next series will probably begin about January kill, that is. of course, if it is the intention of the Association to gel to work straight away once again. It is unlikely that all the teams will have

their full strength every week for some time, as many players are usually absent on their annual leave. High School, too, will not he on the playing grounds until February, which means a bye. Owing to the complications which ensued as a consequence of Bluff's withdrawal after the first two games, there wore only two contests on Wednesday. i.G.C. had no trouble in getting a threepoint win over Wairongoa, and A'.M.C.A. “B” presented us little difficulty for Southern.

The 1.G.C.-Wairongoa game was a very tame exhibition, and the latter were struggling from tlie start. The batting of tlie I.G.C. was not so striking nor was their howling so deadly, hut the Wairongoa boys were unable to j make any showing at all, their two InnI itigs' total did not reach 50. .Stokes, from whose bat big scores do not often come, was well into the lirno- ' light on Wednesday, and got top figures in the first innings. He halted very carefully and thoroughly deserved his nuts. Vincent and Smith, who also readied double figures, were not so good. In the second innings Smith was top scorer, but his display was very ; chancey. not as good as Vincent's IS. Out. of the I.C.C. bowlers McNair was again to the fore, but ho was not so accurate as usual, especially when he first went on. In the second innings lie struck a heller length, and was also coming in awkwardly from the leg. Vincent was sending up long hops, and strangely enough they got wickets for him. A. McKenzie alone made any attempt to save his side, and lie stuck to Ids guns in the first innings. “Full Toss” had hitherto regarded him its a hitter, but lie can evidently he as careful as one could wish when he chooses. | The howler who sends down an unexpected yorkor is a very desirable person to have in a team. Tills was well exemplified by Ballantine's success for Wairongoa. Oughton at (he other end was bowling far better and had the batsmen continually on the watch, yet he failed to get the average. He was not so expensive considering Ihe time he was on bowling as his confrere. who, however, just managed to slip in a yorker now and again, and it did tlie trick. Oughton bowled FT overs 'with seven maidens, which is pretty good going. The fielding in this match was not good. Smith, for 1.G.C,. should have been out long before had some of his chances been accepted. Wairongoa have not shown any improvement in their running between the wickeis, and they evidently have not realised how much they lose through their tardiness. Roth V.M.C.A. "B" and Southern were short, and the former were tinder the disadvantage of having to go in firs! with only nine men. who managed to scrape up 37. They had one more when they went in again, and thanks to Adamson, who led the way with ID. they managed to reach r,l. somewhat behind their opponents' score. All the howlers were severely treated, but Morrison seems lo have been the best.

Southern did not indicate at the start that they were going to go well over the century, as the first four wickets fell for 31. The Dewar-Smith partnership altered matters and they had 109 up before a separation was effected. The others, bar Scully, didn’t add many more, and the innings closed for 133, Dewar having made 63 of them. Dewar and Brown did the howling, and came out with creditable averages. ATHLETICS. TUATAPERE AXEMEN’S SPORTS. BOXING DAY HANDICAPS. IS inch Under Hand Chop.—Wm. Johnson. Fred Waldron, scr; IJ. Stevenson, ■las. Bird. .Tno. Pont. Jno. Breen, osccs; E, Cook. A. Owen lOsecs; A. L. Chisholm, R. Waldron. P. J. Balter. 12secs; .1. C. Shaw, Jno. Stevens, E, J. Norman, T. Burns, Usees; Jas. Mclntosh, Wm. Thomson. Wm. Blackmore. E. Laurie, 20sccs; T. D. Blackmore. A. AVells. W. Pollard. Wm. Laurie. A. McMillan. G. Phillips, H. McLean, Wm. Norman, W. Goode. 25secs; T. Murdoch. T. Hartnell. Peter Scott. A. Erawley. Wm. Leo. A. Miller, D. Arthur. Jno. Wakefield. Jno. Pawson. E. R. Baird, SOsees,

Hi inch Standing Chop.—A. .Millwood, scr: E. Cook, T. Burns, Usees; G. A. Gould, Wm. Johnson, 12secs; .(no. Stev■ns, Jno. Breen, Jos. Clayton. J. C. Shaw, Jno. Pont, 20secs; D. Hudson, W. Blackmore, 22secs; E. Norman, Wm. Thomson, P. J. Bolter, W. Pollard. Wm. Laurie, .Msecs; E. H. McLean, D. Arthur, T. D. Blackmore, T. Murdoch. T. Hartnell, T. O’Connell, Victor Smitherm. A. Frawley. W. Wilhingt'Tn, Wm. Lee, A. Miller, G. B. Phillips. JOsecs.

Edward Ray, open golf champion, ha: given some advice to beginners. Le every novice (lie saysl place himself ii , the hands of a practical man. both a: regards the selection of his clubs ant . for a course of lessons. Adopt the ill' , ter-locking grip; that is, let the little . finger of the right hand overlap the fore- • finger of the loft. The right thumb if . not to be kept straight down the shaft but a little on the ball side of the club. Adopt the "open” stance, with the - right foot about six inches in advance ■ and place the ball in a line with Hie left heel. Keep your eye on the ball , Never over-swing; the hands should not be allowed to rise above the shoulder; i tlie club will still go back to its correct i distance by reason of the wrist action. Don’t press, swing easily, and he content for a while with short straight drives. Keep the body from swaying, and remember that the arms do Hie work. Keep your head down and eye fixed on the ball, and Ibis will prevent the body going back with Hie club. Stand a lille closer to the ball with a deck than when using your brassie. AVilh all iron shots follow through well, and grip tightly. Do not keep the arms to far out from the body; rather should Hie right elbow be brushing against Hie side. Don't use your mashie for any shot over 120 yds. In using your niblick, use brute force, grip tight, and trust lo Providence. Ray also says; Don't make an idiot of yourself by taking pari in matches before you have acquired some little skill. The man whoso custom it is to live a sedentary life lias hitherto been inclined to put much faith in bis week-end golf. It gives him a day or two of steady exercise in the open air. and it I bucks him up. At least, he says that it does, and he thinks that it does. But it was stated lasl month at a meeting of doctors at the Institute of Hygiene, in London, that Hie theory is all wrong. And (his was said not by one doctor, but by several, and apparently nobody present contradicted it. “Tlie business man's almost universal belief that ho must gel regular physical exercise," declared Dr Buzzard, "it a common fallacy, which is often responsible for breakdown. To fatigue the muscles by exercise when the brain and nervous energies are already suffering from undue •strain is lo drain Hie system by two taps instead of one. AA’hat the overtaxed brain-worker needs is plenty of fresh air without further waste of nervous and muscular energy.” Golf, the doctor contended, was one of the saddest cases in ! point. Dr John Cahill, the next speaker, j agreed with this in the main, but held that probably a day’s golf was not altogether bad for the man who did not work very hard. Where, however, a man was jaded in mind and body, it was the short cut to a collapse. Of course, expert opinion of this sort is entitled to respect; but it is to be doubted whether anybody will take much notice of it. The everyday rule-of-thumb experience is to the opposite effect. There arc few golfers wiio cannot point to a number of their cluhmalcs who. from weedy wrecks, j have come into possession of physical stamina by reason of their association with the links: and there are few golfers who are not sure that they themselves are mentally and physically the belter for the game. So. in spite of the weight j of eminent authority that there is pre- | sumably behind Hie Institute of Hygiene, players are likely to go on in the same ( old way. and risk the collapse which, | they are I old. is inevitable. There need be no fear of a crisis in any golf chib by reason of Hie wholesale resignation of members. Appearances may be deceptive, but the sight of hundreds of vigorous, ruddy-faced men of middle age travelling Hie links on Saturday and Sundays, and gathering in the joy of life, may he expected to have more effect than ail Hie warnings of Hie doctors.

20 inch Champion Chop, all scratch— Fred Waldron. D. Hudson. AY. Blackmore, A. Millwood. E. Laurie, T. D. Blackmore. Jno. Breen, Wm. Johnson, Jno. Pom, J. Bird, H. Stevenson.

J IS inch .Sawing Handicap.—Chisholm l and Co., scr, Lee Bros., scr; W. Achers I and Co.. Isec; E. Meers and Co., Usees; | Carson and Mclntosh. Baird and AA'al--Idron, Ssecs: Stevenson and Pont. O. AebJ or and Co., Laurie Bros.. 4secs; Marlin | and Munroc. Bragg and Watson. A. McMillan and Co., Henderson Bros,, Phillips and Co., McLean Bros., usees; C. Murdoch and Co., "sees. IS inch Champion .Sawing, all scratch. Lee Bros,. Chisholm and Co., AV. Achj cut, and Co., Meers and Co., Carson .and Mclntosh, Baird and AA'aldion, Laurie Bros.. Martin and Munroe. Phillips Bros. 11 inch Novice Chop.—Jno. Powe, Jno. Leitch, N. Moffett, A. Horrell, Wm. Morrell, A. Bentley, Jno. Griffin. Irvine Y'ourig, AA'm. A'oung, Geo. .Sea burn, A. Norman, P. Fordo. Chas. Otto. Jas. Bennett, H. Ackers, J. Coughlan: Handicappers. TUATAPERE AXEMEN'S SPORTS’ HANDICAPS. MEETING ON DECEMBER 26th (BOXING DA A'), (40 Yards Open Handicap—Geo. McQueen scr, Robt. Collett 21 yards, Walter O'Maley 30yds, Albert Herman 20 yds. Rand Horrell 21yds. A. Henderson 25 yds. Running High Leap—-Hy. A'oung scr, Jno. Harvey 3Ai inches, AV. Chamberlain 2 incites, A. Henderson 3As inches. Hop, Step and Jump—Jno. Curry scr, R. Horrell 3 feet. Hy. A'oung 3 feet, Jno’ Harvey 3 feel 6 inches, AV. Chamberlain 3 feel, AV. O'Maley 4 feet. Half-mile Handicap—A. Couling 20yds, Oro. McQueen scr. AA'm. Mason 30yds,' 11. Collett 30yds, AV. O’Maley 50yds, .Mb. Norman 3 syds. AVm. Hodges 50yds, R. Horrell 30yds.

j Mile, Handicap—Geo. McQueen scr, , A. Couling -.'i.vds. Writ. Mason 3 a yds, ft. I Cullen Ha yds. \V. O’Maley 110 yds, Wm. 1 i lodges 1 no yds. Running Bong .lump—.lno. Gurry scr. j 11 y. Young I fool. .Ino. Harvey 1 foot S I inches, W. . O'.Maley 2 feel. R. Horde 2 j feet. j \V. MI’RDOCH, Handicapper. These handicaps are subject to alterations as the result of Lumsilen and | Hdendale spurts on the previous day ! (Christmas Uayi. 1 GOI.r NOTES* (Gy ■■Citcli"). The following is the result of the mixed foursomes played on Saturday:--Price and -Mrs Poltiugor U p ■ Laing and Mrs Huberts ;; I Fraser and .Miss Kwart 2 ; Purchas and .Mrs Haggitt •> j W. Sndtli aini Miss Uonnldson 1 down 1 Ward and -Mrs Ward -j ' Ronald: on and .Mrs Brcbaer . . 2 ' ('. Krebner and Miss Grass ... 2 ! Wild and Miss Brodriek 2 jWralt and Miss Banks ;; " Smith and Mrs Bonaldson .... ij Tenncnt and Mrs Brain t; Butcher and Miss Erebner .... S A Men's Stroke Competition for the summer medal was played on Wednesday last, tin- best score be in ft made by McIntosh, with i2 net (. Tiic following cards were handed in: Macintosh so t | - Wilson | (l Smith. IV. .. .. a i ]- -i, Cochrane S7 s 7!l Grice SS s _ so Smith. S a:, ij SI Gilkison ]O.l 2t -- si i (’utbbertson .... SO 4 j.> Wild 9S 12 SO 1 Sotmnervilb* .. .. 99 12 97 1 Baxter 112 21 SS ! Ward. C 9S S The Consolation Putting Matcli was i won by Mrs Brebner. ‘ ' i (in Cue three golf courses in Conner- 1 lion with the Glasgow Corporation Be- j loin! number of players in 1 fi] ] was tdS,OOO, and this year up to Mav there 1 were 125.000 players. The past four ; months show nn increase over the same i period of last year by over IS. OOO. ! The Scarborough Town Council in ten 1 I

| liAWN TENNIS. (By Deuce. 1 The big event of the year in Southland, namely, the Christmas tournament, looms largely in tennis matters, and players are discussing . optimistically the prospects of the function. The entries closed last week and in all there are about twenty more than last year, in this connection thanks are due to the large support received from Dunedin whence seventeen players will come to the tournament and in Southland itself to the Winton Club, which sent in more than forty entries. One or two Dunedin men who would have come down have announced their intention of going to the Australasian championships at Hastings. but with seventeen players from Dunedin the local Association has little at which to complaint

to promote a Parliamentary Bill for powers for the provision of municipal golf links. “The fact of the matter." declared Duncan recently, "is just this; Harry Vardon is (he only man on earth who ever learnt to play golf properly. Watch him lake the club hack. For about a fool he keeps it almost parallel with the ground. He simply can't uolp hitting the ball cleanly when he comes down again. He has the club-head travelling in one plane for a longer period than any other golfer in the world. - ’ Since writing the above I picked up the "Evening Standard," and, strange to say, the first paragraph I read had reference to Vardon, as Bernard Darwia. in discussing the style of the great "Harry,” said: "in ordinary colloquial language, I suppose Harry Vardon is the most natural of all golfers. He looks as if he never could, fbr an instant, have bothered his head about any single stroke, so entirely spontaneous is his I style.” "Goat golf’ is a term which has been applied in America to a form of competition which has become very popular in the United Stales. The name, it must be admitted, is a ridiculous one, hut the competition has many good features, and has already been adopted by at least one Melbourne chib. The modus operand! is for every member of the club who so desires to purchase from the committee a small silver badge, in America termed a “goat,” which costs about half a guinea, and bears the initials of the purchaser and those of the club. Each member owning one of these badges Is entitled to challenge any other possessor of a badge, to play for it on club handicaps, and the challenged member is compelled to play within a month. The winner takes the other’s badge, and may. by playing other matches, securo any number of such trophies. Once having lost his badge a member may attempt to regain it by making a wager of a hall or two. as Hie committee may decide, and playing for them against the owner of the badge. A player with more than one badge in his possession may. on being defeated, hand over someone else's badge to the victor, if he so desires. At the end of the year, or fixed term, the member who lias most badges is in America termed the goatherd, and receives a prize from the club. The club receives a fee of Is. or thereabouts, every time a match is played for one of the badges, and is thus able to provide (he subsequent prize without loss. The Melbourne Argus says that the idea is to have a trial in Melbourne. By encouraging match play, it is likely lo do a lot of good.

The entries are as follow; — Men’s Singles Championship.—C. J3. Fowke, A. E. B. Ward. W. A. Scott, J. Millar, .V, Cramond. R. Wood, H. J. Nagle. S. G. McDougall. .1. C. Anderson, H. S. Hamilton, A. Lindsay, .1. Henderson. W. D. Cowie, L. G. McMillan, T. P. Laurenson. A. E. Harraway, X. Anderson. Jl. Lousley. Miles. Men’s Doubles Championship.—Scott ; and Lousley. Tilley and Cowie, Anderson and Cramond. Bradshaw and Marcussen. Harraway and Hamilton. Wood and Millar. Henderson and Goldsmith, Instone and Scobie, Anderson and McMillan, Fowke and Porter. Lindsay and Kidd, Laurenson and McDougall. Ladies’ Singles Championship.—Miss M. Marsh, Miss E. Mills. Mrs Hutchinson, Miss Macalister, Miss .1. Marsh, Miss Johson. Mrs W. D. Cowie. Ladies’ Singles Handicap.—Miss Lees, Miss Moore, Mrs Hutchinson, Miss Smith, Miss Macalister, Miss M. Shepherd, Mrs W. D. Cowie. Miss A. Welsh, Miss Kirwan. Miss J. Carswell, Miss M. Marsh. Miss U. Brown. Miss Jobson, .Miss Mills. Miss K. Shepherd, Miss Wilson, Miss K. Carswell. Ladies’ Doubles Handicap.—Misses Moore and Wilson. Misses Carswell and Wylie, Mrs Hudson and Miss Macalister,, Mesdames Cowies and Hutchinson. Misses Kirwan and Welsh, Misses Smith and Carswell, Misses Lees and Mills. Misses' ,t. and M. Marsh. Misses M. and K. Shepherd, Misses Brown and McConnochie, Misses Jobson and Gardner. Combined Doubles Handicap.—Wood and Miss Smith, McMillan and Miss Preston, Scott and Miss Macalister, Kidd and Miss Kidd, Miles and Miss Reid, McDougall and Miss Mills, Millar and Miss J. Carswell, Cowie and Mrs Cowie,. X. Anderson and Miss R. Carswell, iristone and Miss Gardner, Marcussen and Miss Smith, Cramond and Miss M. Shepherd. Tilley and Mrs Hutchinson, Lousley and Miss Wylie, Laurenson and Miss Welsh, Fowke and Miss Jobson, Goldsmith and Miss J. Marsh, J. C. Anderson and Miss Angus, Walker and Miss Moore, Harraway and Miss Lees, Hamilton and Miss Kirwan, Jones and Miss Wilson. Henderson and Miss M. Marsh, Lindsay and Miss Brown. Bardsell and Miss McLeod, Scobie and Miss R. Shepherd. Men’s Doubles Handicap.—Bradshaw and Marcussen. Instone and Scobie, B. Cowie and Hamilton, Wood and Millar. Anderson and McMillan. Hill and Kerr. Scott and Lousley, Harraway and Hamilton, Cowie and Tilley. Laurenson and McDougall. Anderson and Cramond. Lindsay and Kidd, Walker and Jones, Henderson and Goldsmith, Fowke and Porter, Barsell and Wilson. Men’s Singles Handicap "A” Grade— McDougall, Xaglo, X'. Cramond, N. Anderson. A. E. B. Ward, T. P. Laurenson, J. Henderson. Scott, Tilley, H. S. Hamilton, Walker, D. Goldsmith, W. D. Cowie., A. E. Harraway, W. Marcussen, A. Lindsay. C. E. Fowke.

Men's Singles Handicap “B” Grade—< A. Hamilton, J. Kerr. A. H. Jones, J. C, Anderson. B. Cowio, J. Millar, P. H. Instone, D. Marshall. E. Hardsell, L. G. McMillan, Hill. A. Kidd, Jos. Bradshaw, H. X. Wilson, H. E. Porter, H. Lousley, R. Wood. "It is over twenty years since 1 last played in Invercargill,” says Mr Harraway, of Dunedin, in a letter to a friend in Invercargill. ”1 was down with a Carishrook cricket team, and after winning the match the Invercargill men said they would match their best tennis player against our best, and Freddy Harper (our captain) brought me forward. They did not know that I was the tennis Harraway and lost their money in consequence. Poor Twemlow now dead was my opponent for live sets. He won the first and 1 got the other four easily. I can just remember that to get to the grass court we had to go along a sort of river hank or water race of some sort. Those were good days. What a crowd of sports were there and the phizz phizzed! We called the match the Southland championship, so I should have an interest in the championship still. Harry Slronach, Joe Lawton, Frank Clayton, Arthur Bell and Arthur Mason, also J. S. Thomson, of Balfour, and Twin Austin were in our team —a great crew—you will remember some of them well.” Remarkable enthusiasm is being evinced by the lawn tennis authorities in the city with regard to the coming visit m —January of the victorious English Davis Cup team, Messrs Dixon, Parke, Beamish and Lowe ( writes the Wellington correspondent of the Canterbury Times). In order to make their short sojourn here a memorable one, active preparations will be in full swing in the course of a few days at the Thorndon Club grounds to ensure a suitable and fit court for Hie match against a New Zealand representative team. Large stands will be erected to meet the demands of Hie interested public, with an uninterrupted view of the ground. The New Zealand itinerary of the team is as follows:—Dec. 23 and 24 Mixed match at Auckland. Dec. 25 to 2H —Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Xapicr, Hastings. Dec. 30 and Jan. I—Australasian championships, Hastings. .Tan. 3 to C, —First test match at Christchurch. Jan. 7 to 10 —Second test match at Wellington.

The fixtures on their return to Australia will be ns follows: —.lan. 15, play at Strathfield. Jan. 17 and 18, against Australia, at Sydney. Jan. 21, play at Dubho. Jan. 25 and 27. against Victoria, at Melbourne. Jan, 28. play at Geelong. Jan, .20, leave Adelaide for Perth. Feb. 7 and S. against "Western Australia, at Perth. On February 11 the team will leave Perth for England. Championships are not going ott as well as they should, says the Otautau .Standard. Two matches at least have been put off without an adequate reasor The committee should not allow this.