SPORTING.

Southland Times, Issue 18654, 26 September 1919, Page 3

SPORTING.

GERALDINE SPRING MEETING. FAFbii» WINS GERALDINE CUT. (Per United Press Association.) TIMARU. September 25. The weather was fine, but the going was heavy for the opening day of the Geraldine R.C.'s Spring meeting. The attendance was good. The totalisator returns amounted to £9,558 10s, as compared with £5,433 10a for last year’s one day fixture. Results: — FIRST HURDLE HANDICAP, £l3O. One mile and a-half.—6 Hylans, by Hymettus —Temerity, 11.5, 1; S Gay light 10.12, 2; 2 Golden Prince. 0.8, 3. Also ran: —1 Achilledes 11.0, 4 Sir Medallist 9.8. 7 SilverShield 9.0, o Vocilerate 9.0, 5 John Reilly 9.0. Won by five lenghts. Time Jmin 1 2-ssee. SQUATTERS’ HANDICAP. £lls (six furlongs-.—3 Post LVle, by San Francisco —Fleet foot, 7.10, 1; 2 Pyjama, 7.0., 2; 1 Mortham 9.0, 3. Al.-o ran:—4, Tremena 7.13. Won by five lengths. Eimc Imm 21 l-ssec. GERALDINE CUP, £2OO (one mile and a-quarter).—l Parana, by King uiifus The Boyne, 7.7, 1; 4 Hiero 7.9. 2; 2 Cave Rock, S.O, 3. Also started:—3 Indus 8.2. Won by a length and a-half. Time 2ram 17 3-ssec.

GERALDINE TROT (saddle)£loo (one mile and a-half). —5 Lackie Wood, b> Wildwood Jun.—lnnisfail, lOsecs, I; 4 Lewis McKinney, llsecs, 2; 1 Peter Dillon 'Lees, 3 Also started 8 Hesitation ser, 9 Azile 7secs, 8 Coalfield lOsecs, 2 Kilt ess and Stanley L llsecs, 3 Merry Soul, 7 Nell Pointer, 11 Lady Jinks, 10 Tidewater Usees. Won \v four lengths. Time, 3min 42secs. OHAPE HACK HANDICAP, £IOO (five ■unongsi.—l Orange Bitters by Nassau— Ormolu, 3yrs, 5.3, 1; 2 Eight Bells 8.3, 2; 9 Hands Off 5.3, 3. Also ian:—S Greek Son 9.0, 5 W’ar March 8.10, 4 Immense 8.7, 3 Once More 8.3, 15 Master Dennis 5.3, 8 Darky Sam 8.3, 7 Lady Winston 8.3, 13 Miss Camouflage 8.3, 10 Glands 5.3, 12 Lothario 8.3, 11 High Heels 8.3, 14 St. Winnow 8.3. Won by a length. Time Imin osec.

BELLFIELD WELTER HANDICAP, »125 (seven furlongs).—l Starlancl, by Nassau —Stardancer, 8.2, 1; 3 Merton, 8.9, 2; 2 Bellshire, 8.9, 3. Also ran;— 4 Missouri 8.2, 5 Jack Symons 8.2. Won by half a length. Time, lmiu 35 2-oscc. ORARI TROT (harness) £IOO (one mile and a-quarter.)—2 Rangitata Lass, by Blackchild —Blue Ruin mare, 7sec 1; 3 Emperor, 3sec 2 ; 1 Peter Dillon ssec, 3. Also ran:—s Wild Briar Isec, 7 Golden Peter 6sec, 11 Medallion 6sec, 8 Master Sefton 6sec, 10 Meddler 6sec, 4 Tanckaha 6 sec, 9 Bella Vista 7sec, 2 Stanley L (coupled with the winner), 6 Wandsworth 7sec. Won by two lengths. Time, 3min 9sec. RANGITATA HANDICAP, £IOO (six furlongs).—7 Charley, by Charlemunge II Edna May, 8.0 S 1; 4 Mythology 8.5, 2; 2 Braid 8.10, 3. Also ran:—6 Rapid River 7.7, 10 Placid 7.5, 9 Trickery 7.5, 2 Strayshot 7.5, 3 Golden Crozier 7.2, 5 Mustard Pot 7.0, S Amaranthe 7.0. Won by a neck. Time, Imin 21 l-ssec.

SECOND DAY ACCEPTANCES. WINCHESTER TROT (one mile).— Wastewood scr, Verona Isec, Emperor 2, Lewis McKinney 2, Azile 3, Merry Soul 4, Kiltess 4, Peter Dillon 4, Nell Pointer 5, Golden Peter 5, Master Scfton 5, Stanley L 6. FAREWELL HANDICAP (five furlongs). Mortham 9.2, Post Haste 5.6, Braid 8.2, Pyjama 8.0, Charley 8.0, Tremena 7.13, Hiero 7.10, Hands Off 6.9. SECOND HURDLES (one and a-half miles). —Hylans 12,3, Gay Light 11.2, Achilledes 10.12, Golden Prince 9,9, Leaping Bum 9.2, Silver Shield 9.1, Rolling Tide 9.0, Sea Blue 9.0, Vociferate 9.0, John Reilly 9.0. - STEWARDS' HANDICAP (six furlongs). Post Haste 9.5, Indus 8.13, Bellshire 8.9, Tremena 8.7, Strayahot 7.13. PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP (one mile). —Parana 9.0, Caverock 8.11, Hiero 8.10, Mertou 7.11, Bellshire 7.11, Missouri 7.7.

GLADSTONE HACK HANDICAP (six furlongs) .—Mythology 8.10, Indus 8.8, Bonny Mac 7.12, Rapid River 7.7, Jack Symons 7.7, Trickery 7.5, Strayshot 7.5, Placid 7.5, Immense 7.4, Once More 7.0.

WAINUI HACK HANDICAP (six furlongs)— Greek Son 9.0, War March 8.10, Immense 8.7, Hazard Pot, Darky Sam, Lady Winston, Miss Camouflage, Glamis, High Heels, Amaranthe, St Winnow 8.3. DOMAIN TROT (one and a-half miles). Wild Briar 4sec, Rangitata Lass 4, Nilda Bunter 7, New Court 7, Peter Dillon 8, Coalfield 10, Medallist 10, Miss Edith 10, Tanekaha 10, Stanley L 11, Wandsworth 11.

FOOTBALL. ■REFLECTIONS AND ANTICIPATIONS. (By “Dingersfontein.”) Galbraith would make good winger. Public Service latest effort, disappointing. Dust rising at Rugby Park, and ground brick-hard last Saturday. R. Oughton played good football as in-five-eighths for Union. Cameron appeared on Saturday in his first game since “snapping a slat” at Bluff. Ball seldom put in in approved style during Union-Service match. Baird was a lame dog from the jump when operating for Union against Public Service, having received a knee injury just prior to the kick-off. Roberts appeared less nippy, and sluggishness in securing necessitated hurried ground-kicking occasionally to retrieve. Baird’s long kicks to touch gained much ground, thus saving Union considerable hard attacking work Morgan had ill-luck in not crossing Eastern District line at least twice at Gore on Wednesday. Malley and Rutter did much to advance Eastern towards the Town line during the Gore match. Some great heeling-out was turned on by both Town and Eastern during the se-cond-grade representative match. The SB.H.S. first fifteen’s banner, lost during the journey from Timaru, came to light at Pukerau recently, and was restored to a gentleman at Gore for despatch to its owners. Langbein was a fit man among an out-of-form crowd, and played with much dash in the Service pack against the red-clad Uniouites. The local junior representatives had a dusty trip to the Eastern District capital on Wednesday, the journey occupying about 2j hours. The return trip, though not attended with so much discomfort, took much longer, and leaving Gore shortly after 6.30 p.m. the tired ’bailers did not arrive at the P.O. until just on ten o’clock. The fact that Paterson played conspicuously on the wing seems no justification for Eastern District selectors insisting upon hi* taking that position from Matheson. who was put in the five-eighth place. Neither had had any experience of the places allocated them, and both were refused a change. They were also sent on to play without a word of instruction in their new depart ments. Certainly, Paterson scored two tries in the first ten minutes of the match, and to the uninitiated he played by far the best game on the ground, but what about the tries which have been scored this season as a result of his work nearer the scrum, where his entire absence of spectacular display has denied him credit from the many who don’t know? Matheson is a speedy wing three-quarter and has justified himself there by his early-season play. The Union-Public Service match was disappointing. There were many absentees and many who were out of form and the game was anybody’s and a slow one. Once or twice Union backs slipped into action, but the out-five-eighth ami centre were at fault when sending out passes, and the necessary

finish was lacking as a scoring factor. Service and Union packs were on almost even terms and chased each other up ana downfield somewhat spasmodically. The scoies were for the most part the result of iiuumdual effort and not caused by well thoughtout combiner! action. The match between Eastern District and Town junior representatives was a cut above the usual merit of second-grade fixtures. Especially were the hack divisions’ eftoris worthy of praise, and the spectators were loud in their applause when good transferring attacks appeared. The home team had the preponderance of weight in the forwards but, though the handling of their rearguard was of a high order, the attacks almost always developed along the same lines. Town, on (he other hand, though they had not worked together before, were able to vary their tactics on many occasions, and the swamping blockages on the part of their more weighty opponents were eluded often by clover tactics. Eastern District had a good winger in Mcßae, but he was opposed by one of Town’s best men in Kingsland. who kept the an-burtf-haired lad busy and anxious. Mcßae, with less of the inclination towards off-side play, should make a good performer beside the scrum. Gray and Mallon had not a monopoly of the ball in scrummages, but when they did send it back it came out in fine style, too fast for MacGregor sometimes’, notably when it shot out to an open space where the speedy Kingsland raced to it and nearly scored after a long and brilliant dribble. Aitken was very fair at in-fivc-ciphihs, while Reid (right wing I got few chances. MacGregor, who is an ideal piece of half-back material and not entirely raw, was well up to the mark and exhibited plenty of gameness when Town charged down in attack. The speedy Town threequarter, Jamieson, got little aggressive work to do, but when opportunities presented themselves he was not lacking in dash, showing that war services had not deprived him of all his old sprinting ability. Morgan must have "broken eleven” often when he cleared out, worrying the defenders. Diack, too, can move about well, and he, Cleliand and Kilby were thorns in the side of the Easterners, making their presence felt often. O'Byrne had a suspicion of weakness during the early stages of the match, but after the interval he brightened up when in the loose and had a distinctly hardening effect in the visitors’ scrum. Diack was the least spectacular and probably the most reliable of the Town backs when aggressing or defending. Gore High School are in expectation of a fairly busy week to close the season. They meet Technical College on Monday—though certain of their older players are to be excluded, by arangement with College. Negotiations have been in progress to have the match played at Edendale owing to difficulties of travel, but this will probably be washed out as railway travel restrictions are now to be removed from Monday. On Wednesday the Gorcites go to Dunedin to play Otago High School juniors; and on Saturday the concluding grade-match is to be playful against Hibernians. The'defeat of the S.B.H.S. juniors at the hands of Gore H.S. firsts was decisive—43 to nil. The game was open throughout, with Southland showing evidences of careful coaching. Their tackling, especially in the earlier stages was very good. Four 20 minute spells were played iu fine weather and on dry springy turf. Gore, though lacking practice, well together. They scored eleven points in the first 20 minutes and this tally stood till half-time. In the second spell Gore attacked strongly and consistent cutting out by the two fiveeighths frequently let the centre and wings over. The Southland three-quarter Noble, who had played a very - gpod game, retired during the second spell with a dislocated shoulder.

Coakley, who has a weak ankle as the result of an injury early in the season, did good work among the Public Service forwards and his try on Saturday was the result of quick thinking and immediate action. He dived over, to notch the three points, at a most opportune moment.

When it is explained that the strange sight was witnessed of the forwards stirring up the dust on No. 1 area of Rugby Park on Wednesday last, those acquainted with the .SIRJ'MJ. property will understand that the grpuncl was in the best of order for the Eastern District v. Town match. As a matter of fact, the area has seldom, if ever, been in better order at the end of a Rugby season, but a high wind from the northwest proved a serious drawback to the side playing into its face, and it Was unfortunate for the visitors that they should be the first to face the blast. It does not often occur that a team succeeds after facing a handicap of this kind for 45 minutes, when conditions are otherwise equal, and the Eastern District fifteen could not hope to do so in opposition to a better fifteen. The fast, firm going suited both sides and the players rushed into action with pleasing enthusiasm, the country representatives early showing out to advantage, by reasoa of a prolific waste of energy and individual endeavour, but it was always apparent that the combination of the Town side would sooner or later tell a tale. It was some tune before the local ’bailers found their feet and got into touch with each other, but this desirable state of affairs was eventually arrived at, although the combination of the rearguard was not always what it should have been, a gap existing between the first two players adjacent to the scrum and the central source of supply, for the wing threequarters. The Marfcon forwards, too, experienced some trouble with their frontal scrum attack, while the ball often hung in the heeling-out process, enabling the Eastern winger and his supporting breakaways to get in some deadly spoiling work. Eventually, however, the Town machine began to move more smoothly and surely and the score mounted up to the tune of 22 points to 3—u deserved try —prior to the close of the opening spell. As was only to be expected in the second half, the visitors reaped very little advantage from the assistance of the wind, their pack certainly playing the game out to the bitter end, but with everfailing strength, owing to somewhat misguided and strenuous work in the earlier stages of the match, and a lack of organised defence to stay the Maroon rearguard. Had the Blues’ backs known something more of the passing game, their opponents would not have put on an additional 17 points, as they, too, must have felt at times, while the transferring movements were not anything like perfect on many occasions. The game was interesting to watch, as it afforded an opportunity to a moderate gathering of spectators of seeing the local rearguard in passing manoeuvres, and laid bare j-jig reason of some past failures, while it also furnished the ball-handlers with experience and a chance to cultivate combination. The Maroon forwards exhibited improved form, making a very fair scrum, working the lino-out in good style, and breaking away at top speed and often nicely-bunched in the loose. They also screwed a few scrums capably, anti their tackling was clean, hard and lessons of two contests with Otago were here apparent. The pack also handled the ball well in loose rushes and several players fielded the leather smartly in the open, but very often they forgot to drop it for their next door neighbours to right and left on the line-out, and the short throw-in and reverse pass were overplayed, the Eastern pack making no race of tackling down this movement. The Maroon full-hack, Barraclough, was only pressed into service to stop a gap, and it was excusable that he should fail to grasp the finer points of a position strange to him. Phand was busy on the left wing and played really well, getting very few openings in the first spell when the wind would have favoured him, but he was always in evidence when the second half arrived. Although he was on the “long side" in the first part of the game, the intervening backs found it difficult to get a light ball out to the Star back, as the wind blew the passes forward and also kept veering the play to the other touchline, thus necessitating “short side” work, with Gilmour consistently in the limelight. The latter took the ball cleanly moved up for his transfer well, and ran fast and strongly, but was inclined to get out of his place now and then. Also, it most be said that ho executed some neat and effective low collaring efforts. When the play was going to Shand in the concluding stages of the march Gilmour became over-eager and went after the ball to

an undue extent, leaving the right wing entirely unprotected again and again. There were times when his unorthodox movements bore good fruit, but, as often as not, he interfered with the movements of his own side. It was easy to see that his desire to get into the stir of the game was not the result of selfishness, but rested with his misplaced keenness. He should remember that it takes a good back to know his own place in Rugby attack or defence. While there is no wish to discourage an enthusiast from displaying initiative, Gilmour may be strong !y advised to in future leave something for the other fellow. Stead and Oughton are particularly observant when it comes to dropping into the place of backs absent as [the outcome of attack or defence, hut they I simply could not keen in touch with ‘nme iof Gilniour’s wild sallies on Wednesday. : ("oakley gave the best display that the writer ' has yet seen from his direction and his 'timing of the passing runs was perfect. | There were critics who cavilled at his eut- ! finsr-in on several occasions, claiming that 'he did not transfer promptly enough, but a ! considerable amount of latitude has to be allowed the man who undertakes this very important duty, and Coakley is becoming ; fairly proficient here and should be eni courage.! to become more perfect. He is going to develop into a valuable centrcthreequarter as he uses his head in planning and his speed in carrying out the schemes of the day. Vial fielded the ball brilliantly very often and ran hard, but his transfers pitched low or too high at critical moments, while he tried to send the ball on too fast when a two-handed accurate transfer would have been much easier to take and really quicker in reaching its objective. Stead, although not yet recovered from recent injuries, gave a bright exhibition of inside five-eighths work. He was always in touch with his half-back and timed his transfers to the best advantage time and again. His kicking was a feature of his play, and he stopped a number of ugly rushes by Blues’ pack in the most approved manner. He beat his man cleverly in both spells and the showing of the Maroon rearguard on attack was brought to success many times over as the outcome of his alertness iu using the best side of the scrum for the time being, while he started payable movements from line-out and loose openings. Oughton’s play behind the scrum improves with every match and it.would not surprise those who have been interested in. his career of late if he should blossom out into a first-class serum server. He is mastering the art of getting the ball away directly from the heel-out, and is always dodging round after opportunities to start unexpected passing from the throw-in or loose forward work, as a good half-back should do. No other half-back here can equal him when it conies to stopping big forwards in opposition and then turn defence into attack by breaking away with the hall at his feet or held in a two-handed grasp for immediate transfer if necessary. Backs who keep a close watch on his movements in anticipation of an unexpected opening are not likely to go unrewarded for long, and if they should move up on the run, so much the better for all concerned. The forwards were all good in their way, Whyte, Garrett, Agnew and Smith producing speed at times which was very attractive to see. Smith’s front rank play was very effective. The Eastern District full-back, Borrowman, is a fine kick and -accomplished some reaching efforts both with and against the wind, but he was always in trouble with the passing runs of the other side, probably owing to the fact that he does not get sufficient practice at home, where there is a serious lack of knowledge in the art of opening out the game. The wing three-quarters, Henry and Cronin, tackled well and -were not afraid to put vim info their efforts, but, here again, there was evident ignorance of the simplest methods of attack and defence in connection with transferring runs. Five-eighths Smith and Adams were unceasingly called upon to deal with passing attacks and they tackled fairly well, but they failed to keep pace with the shifty methods of the two players it was their duty to mark, and thus their side suffered accordingly." Shepherd was seldom treated to the leather from the scrum and his pack neglected him from the line-outs, hence he had to content himself with stopping rushes and tackling and he stood up manfully to severe punishment in this direction. The Eastern District backs appekr to favour individual play and their ranks are not wanting in useful material, but this style of play will only prevail in isolated instances when they can overwhelm the opposition unexpectedly. There was very little connection between the forwards and backs of the Eastern team, each playing separate ways and trusting to chance, while their Town rivals had an understanding throughout which spelt victory from the outset. McAllister was a forward prominent from first to last, while Mclntyre troubled the home backs to a considerable extent. Keenan held a sturdy but rather undisciplined scrum, and it was easy to see that he knew what was wanted in regard to defence, but could not often command the right kind of organisation in support. The best combination work of the visitors came from cross-kicking, but they were up against clever backs like Stead, Oughton, Coakley and Shand, who invariably anticipated a move of this nature and took steps to frustrate its intention. Attention may here be drawn to the fact that the referee failed more than once during the game to watch the cross-kickist, to see if he put his men “on side,” hence there were free-kicks against both Blues and Maroons. The intention of the cross-kick is usually to give advanced players a chance of again coming into the play when the kicker has run up to put them on side, and local referees have too often in the past failed to realise this fact, with the result that this effective system of attack is falling into disuse, where it should be encouraged. When a cross-kick is executed it is a referee’s first duty to see what becomes of the man delivering the kick. A fault of the visiting backs was to kick and then cut in after the ball, instead of racing straight ahead until their men awaiting the leather were placed on side and free to continue the play. From a private source it is claimed that the forwards from this island had the best of the play in the North v. South Island contest on Saturday last, but the backs from the other side of Cook Strait were too good for them. Three of the backs selected for the North Island fifteen were unable to take part and a similar number of Wellington men were introduced as substitutes, with the result that they combined perfectly with that sterling Rugbyite, half-back Roberts, and the discomfiture of the South followed, despite the failure of the northern front rankers. A nasty wind prevailed, a not unusual happening in Wellington, and here local knowledge and skill on the part of Roberts and his townies was brought in to the marked advantage of North Islanders. The find of the match was Steele (West Coast), a youthful wing three-quarter, who in private life is employed by the Railway Department. He made two slashing runs along the line from half way, beating several men on each occasion. In his third splendid dash he just reached the corner flag when Roberts, who came right across the field, collared him. The ball was lying just within the goal line, but Roberts clung to his man, and the referee awarded a free kick. Some of the spectators hold that the referee would have been justified in giving a try. The South Islanders had right on their side when they contended, in opposition to the referee’s statement that he did not see the occurrence, that he had no right to award a free kick for a thing he "did not see.” Steele is described as a superior man to the Otago player Holmes, as he is a bom footballer, equally good on attack or defence, and gifted with the characteristic of being alert to seize opportunities which do not present themselves to the average threequarter. Although North won by 28 points to 11, the game is stated to have aroused widespread enthusiasm and applause from a very large gathering of spectators. The attendance is stated to have been in the neighbourhood of a record for North v. South games in the Capital City, and the gate receipts amounted to £470. The South Island players give Roberts the credit of having won the match for his team by his superior knowledge of the game, exceptional ability to start runs with his front row beaten, and his unique acquaintance with the peculiar weather conditions met with on the day.

Coach J. McGrath must be congratulated on the success of the High School fifteens in the flag competitions this year. The school has won the second, third and fourth grade competitions, and this performance is one that the school should be justly proud of. This is the first year that the School fifteens have annexed all three competitions and the accomplishment of such a task shows that the football played by the School is of a high order.

A trophy of considerable historic value was donated to the New Zealand Rugby Union at its meeting on September 19, when the cup won by the N.Z.E.F. team in the Army Championship in Palestine was handed to the Union for competition between the secondary schools of the dominion. The trophy is a handsome silver cup that will be mounted in a frame, made out of woodwork of a captured German aeroplane, the whole making a trophy that will always be a reminder of the exploits of the New Zealand Mounted Brigade in Palestine. The conditions that are to govern the competition will be issued by the New Zealand Union in the near future, but it is expected that the same challenging conditions as rule the Ranfurly Shield will govern the competition. SATURDAY COMPETITIONS. SPORTS PROTECTION BANNER.

WEDNESDAY—THIRD GRADE.

RUGBY UNION. WEEKLY COMMITTEE MEETING. The' weekly meeting of the Southland R.F.U. committee was held in the Union’s rooms last night, Mr A. Geddes, president, being in the chair. The Bluff Club was awarded the match against Banks and Law' by default. A deputation from the Caledonian Society waited upon the committee and asked that the Society be allowed the use of Rugby Park for Wednesday, October 1, to hold the children’s sports that had been postponed during the Peace Celebrations. The Society was given the use of the Park on the date specified. J. Kilby, captain of the Collegiate Saturday juniors, appeared in person and asked the position with regard to the Saturday Junior Competition, and after some discussion it was resolved that the competition be awarded to Bluff, the matches played against Woodlands not to count in compiling the competition points. The Saturday senior competition was closed and Bluff was declared winners of the Sports Protection Banner Jor 1919. It was decided that the Grounds Committee meet a deputation from the Cricket Association to discuss the letting of Rugby Park for the summer, and to report the decision of that conference to the S.R.F.U. committee before the amount of the rental for the Park was fixed for the summer. NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALLERS. MATCHES IN AUSTRALIA. ' (By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

SYDNEY, Sept. 25. The Rugby Union anticipate the arrival of the New Zealand footballers at Adelaide from South Africa next month, reaching Sydney if they continue the voyage about October 11. The Union has wirelessed the manager asking if the team could come overland from Adelaide, thus enabling them to play a match in Sydney about October 11, and if this is impossible to play about October 18. A reply is awaited. CRICKET. APPLEBY CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. The nineteenth annual general meeting of the Appleby Cricket Club in the Y.M.C.A. rooms last evening was attended by Mr A. Poole (chairman), and Messrs T. Battersby, A. Washer, B. Leggatt, W. Petrie, J. Clarkson, C. Mills and R. H. Wesney. As the club has been defunct for two seasons owing to the war, no report or bal-ance-sheet was submitted, but the chairman reported that the club was ; n a sound position financially and possessed a good deal of material in addition to a credit balance. The following new members were elected: L. Cartwright, D. Kissell, D. Eunson, F. Checketts, J. M. McKay, R. McKay, G. Daubney, J. Arthur, D. McKenzie, L. McDermott, R. Mills, O. Cheyne, P. J. Joyce, J. Marrs, H. Skinner, Petrie, J. Pope, T. Bogue, N. Wilson. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows: —Patron, Mr R. Erskine; president, Mr A. Derbie; vice-presidents: Messrs A. Cockroft, A. Grindlay, R. P. Bray, C. Patton, T. Meredith, A. Ball, I. Jenkins, A. J. Geddes, G. A. Reid, R. Wesney,senr., A. E. Wesney, E. V. Scandrett, D. Cochrane, J. Mehaff’ey, J. Stead, J. Lipscombe, and J. A. Leggatt; hon. secretary, R. H. Wesney; hon. treasurer, T. Battersby; management committee: Messrs T. Battersby, A. Poole, A. Washer, B. Leggatt W. Petrie, J. Clarkson, C. Mills, R. H. Wesney; auditor, J. Mehaffey; delegates to Southland Cricket Association: T. Battersby, A. Poole; official umpire, J. McNatty.

The appointment of a practice and de-puty-captain was held over till the opening day, which is to be fixed by the management committee. EASTERN DISTRICT. In all probability a new club will be formed at Wyndham this season and many old cricketers are anxious to join. It is not likely, however, that any other clubs will be formed in the Eastern District this season, and for that reason Wyndham players wish to be admitted into the local competition. TOUR OF BRITAIN NEXT YEAR PROPOSED. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Sept. 24. The Maryiebone Club telegraphed to Australia inviting a representative team to visit Britain in 1920. GOLF. THE STYMIE RULE. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, Sept. 23. The rules committee of the Royal Golf Club refused to abolish the “stymie.” TENNIS. LEET STREET CLUB. The annual meeting of the Leet Street Tennis Club was held this week, when there was a fair attendance of members. It was decided to open the season for ensuing year on Wednesday, October 1. The following officers were elected;— President, Mr J. Stead, 0J5.E.; captain, Miss M. Noble; secretary, Mr Stewart; assistant secretary, Miss Agnew; treasurer, Miss Sutton; general committee: Misses Lindsay, Cook, James, Ward, B. England and Mr A. England. The balance-sheet showed the Club to be in a good position. It was decided to take entries up to October 3 for Ladies’ Championship Tournament and Ladies’ Handicap Tournament,

THE SOUTH END CLUB. CLUB ASK COUNCIL FOR INCREASED SUBSIDY. In connection with the recently formed tennis club in South Invercargill towards the establishment of which the Town Council granted half an acre of a reserve and a subsidy up to £25, a deputation of four women and three men interested waited on the Council last night. The Rev. Hector McLean, who acted as spokesman, thanked the Council for what it had done so far for the club. Now, however, it was found that it was necessary to extend the scope of the club. A good number of people in the South end also desired a croquet club. The idea was to ruu a croquet lawn and two tennis courts, so it was desired that the Council should extend the limit of its £ for £ subsidy to £SO. He pointed out that the movement was educative, as it was intended to teach hoys and girls the game of tennis. Mr T. D. Lennie, in supporting Mr McLean’s remarks, said that the club would fill a W'ant long felt. Already, he said, there was sufficient money in hand for the club to claim its £25 subsidy. Two other members of the deputation also spoke. The Mayor said that the deputation could be quite sure that the Council realised its responsibility in the way of providing fee ilities for sport. The representation;would receive attention. Mr McLean, in thanking the Council foi its hearing, said that the membership o; the club was assured. It was intended that the entrance fee should be of an amount equal to the pockets of all desiring to play. After the deputation withdrew, Cr Mack rell said that, while, encouraging the establishment of sports areas it should be remembered that beautification of such places should be also encouraged. Cr J. Stevenson expressed the opinion that all requests for subsidies should be treated carefully. Crs S. McDonald and J. F. Lillicrap said that, having decided on a subsidy, by deciding to increase the amount, the Council would be affirming an important principle. The latter said that, after seeing a club started, the Council was probably doing all it should do. If such subsidies were granted there was nothing to prevent bowling and all other clubs from approaching the Council. Cr J. T. Carswell said that bowling clubs were in a different position from that of tennis clubs where the members were younger and consequently not so “well off” as the bowlers.

Cr Stevenson: It costs about £2OO a year to maintain the Southland Bowling Club. Cr Mackrell remarked that the Council when making grants should lay down certain conditions, such that the subsidy would be payable only for starting clubs. It was ultimately resolved to refer the question to the Reserves Committee with a recommendation in favour of the grant.

BOWLING. NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL. THE ANNUAL MEETING. .(Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 24. At a meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Bowling Association, the annual report stated that the membership of the Association consisted of 17 centres (North Island 9, South Island 8). The total number of bowlers in the dominion was 1498. There had been an increase of five clubs and 814 members. The total number of clubs was 225. The South African Bowling Association wrote to the Association inviting it to send representatives to take part in a series of

matches to be held at Pretoria during Easter week next year.

Mr Barnett said that he had been endeavouring to organise a trip of New Zealand bowlers to the British Isles, but had got so little encouragement that he had dropped it. He moved that a reply should be sent thanking the South African Association, but stating that conditions at present were unfavourable to accepting the invitation and that if it was possible to alter the date‘to 1921, there would be a better chance of New Zealand being represented. The motion was agreed to. It was decided to invest £l6O of the Association’s funds in Government war loan certificates. It was decided that members of the Council resident in Christchurch should constitute the executive. Mr Gray moved that the rules should be amended to provide that the headquarters of the Association should be permanently situated in Wellington. In the course of the discussion, Mr Nicholson (Dunedin) said that if the headquarters were fixed at Wellington, it would be the beginning of the end of the Dominion of New Zealand Bowling Association. Mr Rush moved as an amendment thal the question should be remitted to a meeting of representatives from each centre, to be held during the tournament. The amendment was negatived by 7 votes to 5, and the motion was lost on the voices. Mr Gray moved a series of alterations to the rules to provide that members of the Council shall be elected by their respective centres. This was lost by 7 votes to 5., On the motion of Colonel Collins, it was resolved that a meeting of delegates from centres should be held in Christchurch during tne tournament, for the purpose of discussing matters connected with the Association, in order that the Council might obtain the views of the different centres and that each centre should be requested to send a delegate to the meeting and that the secretary of the Association should be informed before the tournament of the name of the member selected.

The New Zealand Bowling Council has decided that the levy be three pence per .head. •

Notices of motion were given to increase the Council by two members and increase the levy. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 25.

At the meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Bowling Association to-day, it was decided that next year’s tournament, to be held at Christchurch, should start on Thursday, January 8, and that the Council and Executive Committee of the Christchurch Centre should be a Tournament Committee. Arrangements in connection with the order of play were agreed to as follows: —Pairs to start on the Thursday and be played on the sectional system, players being guaranteed five games to be followed by sectional ties, after which the successful pairs play-off on the sudden death system; rinks to be played in sections of ten, three games of twenty-one heads being played off by the section winners, who play off on the two-life system. The rinks competition is expected to start on Monday, January 12. The singles will be played on the two-life system in sections of three. Entry fees were fixed at: Rinks 15s per man, singles and doubles 10s per man. Minor details, such as the method of playing off where two or more rinks tie with five games each in a section, were left to the Tournament Committee.

A motion that no trophy of a value exceeding £5 5s shoultl be presented to any individual player at any tournament, was agreed to. It was resolved that the elections in connection with the Council should take place in the last week of July and that the result should be sent to the secretary of the Association, who alone should make the result known.

The rule debarring officials from acting in the Council and on the committee of a Centre was rescinded. The Council decided to invite a team from Australia or New South Wales to visit New Zealand during the tournament, or such other time that might be convenient. In order that visiting bowlers may be entitled to the privileges of membership of every club during holiday periods, it was decided to recommend the clubs throughout the various centres, that tickets should be issued to members, which they could present when on a strange green. The Council decided to inform the Wellington Centre, in reply to the Centre’s suggestion, that the Council considered the proposal to hold in the North and South Islands simultaneously not advisable. Mr Barnett said that he hoped that southern members would always guard strongly

against anything tending towards centralisation, which would ultimately lead to Wellington as the headquarters.

Ply d. W on-Dm.Lost.F or. Agnst.Pts. Bluff 13 9 0 4 88 78 18 Public Service 14 7 1 6 130 97 15 Banks & Law 15 6 2 7 104 130 14 Union 14 4 1 9 71 88 9 Completed. SCHOOL SENIOR. St. George 8 6 1 1 102 11 13 Marist 8 5 2 1 48 15 12 Waihopai 8 3 1 4 39 49 7 South 8 3 0 5 29 75 6 Middle 8 0 2 v 6 11 79 2 Completed.

In’gill 10 7 1 2 96 14 15 H. School 10 8 1 1 108 26 17 Tech. 9 3 0 6 24 74 6 Athletic 9 Completed. 0 0 9 10 118 0