SPORTING

Southland Times, Issue 17975, 16 March 1917, Page 3

SPORTING

C.J.C. HANDICAPS. (Per United Press Association.') CHRISTCHURCH, March IS. The following are the handicaps for the leading events of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Autumn meeting;— GREAT EASTER HANDICAP (7 furlongs 1. Croesns 9.6, Tete-a-Tete 9.3, Oxenhope 9.2, Bee and Bunting 9.1, Panmure 8.13, Sasanof, Kilboy, Sweet Corn and Egypt 8.9, Toa Tere. Adjutant and Koesian B.S. Rangltero. Multifual, Form Up and Chakwana 8.6, Shrill 7.13, Llanishen 7.12, Seadown 7.11, Varnish 7.10, Rorke's Drift, Menlalua and Fiery Cross 7.9, Miss Deval and Cleoma 7.8, Graxlque and Daytime 7.7, Margerine, Good Hope, Bjorneberg, Nystad, and Zuland 7.5. Wrestler 7.2, Robert Bell 7.0, Bed Ribbon 6.12, Tango 6.10, Marsa 6.9, Comely, Beltane, Jeannot. Sir Malt, Kedshlre Disdainful, Volspiel. and Clncinaatus 6.7, GREAT AUTUMN HANDICAP (one mile and a-half). Bunting and Bee 9.4, Toa Tere. Sasanof and Kilboy 8.10, Adjutant 8.3. Multifual 8.8, Egypt 8.7, Rorka’a Drift 8.1, Snub and Bangitiro 8.0, Marc Anthony 7.11, Wishful and Llanishen 7.8, Mias Deval 7.5, Bjorneborg. Fiery Cross and Varnish 7.4, Menalaus 7.3, Red Ribbon 7.2. Tango 7.0, Beltane 6.10, Marsa 6.7. SEDUCTION OP SACZNO THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS. DUNEDIN. March 15. The Racing and Trotting Conferences will not meet till the usual date. The Minister of Internal Affairs says either the Government will submit a scheme to the conferences for a reduction of racing during the war, or the conferences will be asked to take the matter in hand themselves and submit a scheme to the Government. The Government axe aware that there is a strong feeling throughout the country, even amongst racing men themselves, that It is Incongruous to have racing going on as usual whilst our men are risking and losing their lives in battle. SCHOOL CRICKET. On Saturday, 17th March, on the Herbert street grounds, Gladstone, the following matches will be played:— Juniors to play at 10 a-m.—Middle v. South: St. George v. North: Walhopai, a bye. . Seniors to play at 2 p.m. Technical v. Middle: High A v. South; High B v. Waihopai: St. George v. Marist. This (Friday) afternoon at 3 o'clock, a possible representative IX will play a Technical team on the Technical grounds Doon street. Primary Schools Xl—McDermott, Carnahan, Welch, Brown McKay, Churchill, Thompson, Forde, Mills, Sparks. Spillane; emergencies: Kilby. Millar, Fraser. BOWLING. The following Southland players will proceed to Winton on Saturday, 17th, by the 11.55 a.m. train;—Stewart. Dunlop, McAlpine, Petrie, Sebo. Ayling, Kerr, Forbes Roscow, Fleming, Haszard, Claxton, J. R. Martin, Stead, Little and Hain. SOUTHLAND BUGBT UNION. ANNUAL REPORT AND BALANCESHEET. Appended hereto is the 30th annual report and balance-sheet of the Southland Rugby Football Union, which is to be submitted to the annual meeting to be held in the secretary’s office on the 30th inst The Committee of Management desires Hto remind clubs that their annual meetings should be held before that date. REPORT. Your committee has pleasure in preRenting for your consideration the 3Dth annual report together with the financial statement for the past year, which must be regarded satisfactory when the adverse conditions which we shall refer to later, are taken Into account. As in past years the attendances at committee meetings were very good, and of 24 meetings held the records show the individual members attended as follows: —Messrs A, I. Geddes (chairmen) 23. A. Derble 23, I. Jenkins 23, P. J. Scully 23, R. M, Isaacs 21, S. A. Giller 20. F. Morton, A. McGavock 17. Dr Crawford 14, J. T. LUburne 13, .1. P. Butler 12. T. Meredith 11, W. G. Compton 7. and G. W, Woods 5. Mr Compton ■was compelled to resign on account of his removal to Dunedin, and Mr Woods was appointed in his stead. Consequent on the continued enlistments for active service in the Empire’s great struggle, and in which hundreds of ■whom have played such important and heroic parts, a junior grade competition only was carried out. The competition V referred to was confined only to those Ineligible for active service, and proved in many cases the Initial training for the greater game into which many young footballers, as they attained the age, nobly stepped. The record of players who have been and are now on active service is one which every football enthusiast has just reason to feel proud of, and the dearth of teams and consequent loss of revenue is overshadowed by the fact that this Union has produced so many gallant soldier* of the King. Since the last report your committee regrets to say that several prominent players have lost their lives In the great struggle and to the relatives heartfelt sympathy is here extended. Practically no play at all was indulged 4n by the various sub-Unions, and in many Instances country clubs are now •xtlnct on account of the enlistments. With the assistance of some soldier footballers your committee was successful jn the matter of arranging games with the 16th and 17th Reinforcements representatives, and those of the teams taking part in the local competition, and In this way two interesting contests qventnated. The Southland representatives were successful In both efforts, winning by M points to 3 against the 16th, and 9 points to 3 against the 17th Reinforcements. The Junior Banner was won by the Invercargill A team after a series of interesting contests with Star, Southern, and High School teams. Fourth and jfth grade matches were also arranged between High School and Technical School teams and these in a large measure helped to bring forward players ■who will benefit by the experience this •oming year. . , . Schools’ Football. —Recognising the important part school boy* will in the course •f a year or two be playing in Rugby wtroles every encouragement was given, with the limited finance available, to the primary schools’ competition. The fixtures throughout were marked by the keenness of teachers and scholars alike, with the result that some promising young recruits were produced when the annual interprovinclal match with Otago came round. The senior school competition was won by Marist School, and the Junior Grade Banner by Bluff School after some interesting contests. The anual representative match with Otago was played at Rugby Park and the Southland boys succeeded by 7 points to 6. Finance. The past year, as will be seen from the balance - sheets has resulted in a loss of 1197 5b Bd, and Is attributable to the poor support by way of attendances at club fixtures. In the meantime it has been found necessary to draw on the Grandstand Sinking Fund to meet current expenditure. Reasonable provision has again been made for depredation Of buildings and plant. Your committee here wish to record the generous action of K. A. Anderson Esq., who recognising the unfortunate financial’stress this Union has been called upon to face, has requested that his f2O worth of debentures he accepted as a donation. _ Patriotic Work— Last year your Comjnittee was chiefly responsible for raising a large sum of money for the Wounded Soldiers' Fund through the Princess Carnival, and having the organisation still available this year acceded to a request made by the Red Cross Society to carry out a Bottlegathering Scheme by the school children In aid of funds. Thanks to the splendid assistance given by the teachers, your Committee hopes to he able to hand over about £3OO as the result of this schema Rugby Park. —The Union’s playing area has been retained in good order, having again been let for grazing purposes in the summer months, and the beneficial result Is quite apparent from the excellent sward of grass thereon. The surroundings are also gradually being made more picturesque by attention to the shrubs and flower-beds. ftojsut £37 hM been expended la iaßtaJ-

ling the electric light at Rugby Park by way of popularising the Park for outdoor concerts, etc., in the summer months, and this should prove a profitable venture when ,things become normal. The caretaker (Mr Thos. Battersby) tendered his resignation in July last with the object of enlisting, and meanwhile there has been no residentcaretaker at Rugby Park. The necessary work continues to be carried out by a temporary caretaker in a. satisfactory manner. The thanks of the Union are due to the Schools’ Association, who continue to do good work in the promotion of the national game, and the same remarks may be suitably applied in referring to the Press. In conclusion, the retiring Executive would ask for its successors the hearty co-operation of all enthusiasts for the ensuing season with the object of fostering the game amongst the juveniles, and to assist in the retaining of their fine playing area. PIGEON PfSXWG. The Invercargill Homing Pigeon Society held Us first young bird race on Wednesday, March 14th, from Waipahi, a distance of 47 miles In airline. Thirtyeight birds from seven lofts were liberated by the atationmaster at 1.58 p.m. in fine weather, a nor’-west wind blowing. The'day here was a favourable one for the racers and the birds made an excellent passage home, the first competitor arriving in Invercargill at 3.15 pan., taking 67 minutes to fly the 47 miles. This bird is owned by Mr V. L. Cox, and was bred for the owner by Mr R. B. Nicholson off the best of stock. Master N. Gallagher, one of our youngest fanciers, secured second place with Query, and It gives fanciers great pleasure to compliment Master Gallagher on his bird’s performance. Adamson Bros, secured third place with Progress. Master Gallagher’s Query was bred by Mr V, Cox off previous performers. Results: — Mr V. L. Cox’s Fairlight, 1264 yds a minute 1 Master N. Gallagher’s Query, 1245 yards a minute 2 Adamson Bros.’ Progress, 1203 yds a minute 3 In order: Brandford and Gamble, C. Purdue, F. J. Fraser, and R. B. Nicholson.