SPORTING.

Southland Times, Issue 19287, 27 July 1921, Page 3

SPORTING.

NOTES BY SIR MODRED. Jock was narrowly beaten by Some Kid at Timaru Hunt meeting. The 1920-21 racing season will conclude on Saturday next at Gisborne. Jack Symons jumped the big fences slowly and carefully at Timaru on Saturday. Fisher and Coroglen are the only two horses claiming engagements in both National jumping races. There will be heavy support for the Aucklander Thrace in the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race. Coroglen is to leave Auckland for Riccarton this week. His connections do not appear to be afraid of Coalition in the G.N. Steeplechase. It is common talk in the south, says an Auckland writer, that a leading club will shortly make a change of officials in one of the important positions. It is reported that friends of the stable presided over by trainer S. Waddell had a substantial win from the totalizator when Eisteddfod scored in the Kia Ora Handicap at Trentham recently. The son of Birkenhead—Holywell, by Field Battery—St Winifred, by Sylvia Park —Leda, by Castor — Welcome Katie, by Musket, returned a double-figure price. He was ridden by F. Waddell, a nephew of the veteran trainer. At the annual meeting of members of the Winton J.C. last week Mr T. Hamilton was elected president, while Mr J. O*Shannessey was elevated to the vice-president’s chair. The election for vacancies on the committee resulted as follows:—Dr Gow 59 votes, J. Butler 56, A. Baird 50, H. Carswell 50, J. Lilico 39, H. Taylor 30. Mr A. Bisset was next with 27.

Menelaus was very sore after his effort in the Winter Oats at the Wellington R.C. Winter meeting and the last has probably been seen of the son of Martian and Lovelorn on the racecourse. Menelaus won the New Zealand Cup for the Messrs Riddiford in 1917. When the question of fractious horses at the post has caused so much discussion, and the generally expressed opinion has been that too much latitude has been given these unruly brutes in the past, it was thought that the Wanganui Jockey Club’s motion to the N.Z. Racing Conference dealing with the matter would have got very little opposition. Contrary to expectations, however, so little attention was given the question by the delegates that the notice of motion failed to find a seconder. After the notices of motion had been disposed of at the New Zealand Racing Conference, Mr H. Lowry, a delegate from the Canterbury district clubs, drew attention to the fact that there was nothing in the rules to provide for the number of hurdles to the mile to be jumped in the different distances of hurdle events. The president suggested bringing forawrd a notice of motion at the next conference to deal with the matter. F. E. Jones (writes “Argus” in Christchurch Star) has put in an application for • jockey’s license for next season, and it is understood that he will do the riding for P. T. Hogan’s stable when the weights suit. Jones served his apprenticeship with the late E Cutts and did most of his early riding in the colours of Sir George Clifford, on whose horses he scored many wins over a lengthy period of years, while he was also successful for other owners. Later he made a name as a rider of trotters and pacers and when he decided to start as a trainer in South Canterbury he had a mixed team under his care. After a time he dropped out of the galloping business, confining his attention to training, riding and driving under the Rules of Trotting, in which department he has achieved a deal of success. He intends to continue his association with the trotting sport, but thia will not prevent him from following his occupation as a rider of gallopers. The supply of capable jockeys is decidedly limited at present, so that the return of such a capable horseman is very welcome. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet at the annual meeting of members of the Winton Jockey Club last week the retiring president (Dr Gow) in referring to the finances, said that the Club commenced the year with a credit balance of £375. The total receipts for the season have ■hown a considerable increase over those of previous years, and these amount to £7071 Is 8d against £5322 received last season, or an increase of nearly £2OOO. The committee increased the amount of the stakes to be distributed to £3OOO, an increase of £7OO over the previous season, and this was no doubt the means of the Club holding such a record meeting. The nomination and acceptance fees amounted to the substantial sum of £BB3 10s as compared with £650, £623 and £456 for the last three years, while the gate receipts were £1052 17s 6d, against £690 last season and £450 in 1918. The totalizator turnover for the meeting amounted to £39,993, an increase of £10,085 over 1919 and £18,713 over that of 1918, or nearly double that of the latter year. The membership has also showed a steady increase. The Club had placed £lOOO in the Post Office Savings Bank. It would, therefore, be seen that the financial position was eminently satisfactory. During the year a good deal of work had been accomplished.

The victory of Coalition in the Wellington Steeplechase draws attention to the rather remarkable success of the Messrs Riddiford in big events. They have won the most-coveted flat race in New Zealand, the New Zealand Cup, in which, as a fact, their pair, Menelaus and Johnny Walker, ran first and second. They have won the most valuable flat race in the country—the Auckland Cup—with Mascot. And over the fences Coalition has won for them the Grand National, the Great Northern, the Wellington, the Beaufort and the Wanganui Steeplechases. While working at Gisborne recently, Pavilion got a very bad fall, and he is an unlikely starter at the Gisborne and Grand National meetings. The accident was caused through one of his boots coming off. Joffre, who won the Pareora Hunters’ Steeplechase at the South Canterbury Hunt Club’s meeting on Saturday, is a Wingatuitrained horse, from the same stable as Lochella. The son of De la Rey, who is owned by Mr R. Acton-Adams, showed a fine turn of pace and gave a perfect exhibition of jumping, his performance suggesting further honours in better company. At the annual meeting of the Winton Jockey Club last week a discussion took place on the Winton Stakes and Mr Swale tabled the following notice of motion: “That the resolution dealing with nominations for Winton Stakes, as passed on May 6, 1920, be rescinded.” In the event of this motion being adopted an opportunity will be afforded of changing the conditions in vogue to fall into line with the wishes of local breeders and owners. All going well in the meantime, Dainty Step will fulfil her engagement in the Winter Cup, in which she will be ridden by A. J. McFlinn. The black mare, who has a partiality for the Riccarton course, is one of the fancied division for the big mile event. She should be a better mare as a result of her racing at Trentham. One of the notices of motion carried at the New Zealand Racing Conference provides that any person who is prohibited from going on a course in any part of the Dominion is to be prohibited from entering any course in New Zealand. Hitherto certain clubs intimated to various persons that their presence was not desired on their course but this did not prevent them from attending other meetings held by clubs which did not deem them undesirable, but now once a district committee forwards a name to the

secretary of the conference this has to be accepted by every club registered with the New Zealand Racing Conference. The report of the Racing Commission makes the following comments in connection with the applications for totalisator licenses refused:— Clifden Racing Club (1 day).—Unnecessary; senes small population, and district is sufficiently catered for by Otautau Club. Lake County Jockey Club (2 days).— Course and appointments very unsatisfactory; little interest shown and no progress; requirements of district met by granting Lumsden Hack Racing Club a license. Tapanui Racing Club (1 day)—Appointments poor; no interest district s;ufficienlty served by Gore Cub. Beaumont Racing Club (1 day)—Tenure of course unsatisfactoiy. District can be better served by Tuapeka County Jockey Club, whose course is freehold and management more satisfactory. These clubs should amalgamate. Vincent Jockey Club (2 days)—Appointments in very dilapidated and decaying state; not sufficient interest, and no progress. Wairio Jockey Club (1 day).—Unnecessary; district sufficiently served by Otautau Racing, Birchwood Hunt, and Winton Jockey Clubs. Otahuhu Trotting Club (4 days).—Unnecessary; district sufficiently served by Auckland Trotting Club. Canterbury Park Trotting Club (4 days). —Unnecessary; district sufficiently served by New Zealand Metropolitan and New Brighton Trotting Clubs. Avondale Jockey Club (4 days).—Auckland is well and amply served by the Auckland Racing and Takapuna Jockey Clubs. (See suburban clubs). Napier Park Racing Club (5 days).—The Commission is unanimously of opinion that the district in the vicinity of Napier and Hastngs would be amply catered for by granting to the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club four permits, covering eight days’ racing. (See suburban clubs.) It will be observed that a drastic cut has been made in the totalisator privileges hitherto enjoyed by certain suburban clubs. This w’e contend is necessary and proper from every standpoint. It is undeniable that there are too many racecourses in the vicinity of the large towns. Auckland at the present time has no less than five racecourses within a radius of ten miles from the Chief Post Office, three for racing and two for tratting. Of what may be termed Auckland suburban clubs we have rejected the claims of two —vis., the Avondale Jockey Club and the Otahuhu Trotting Club. The Racing Commission’s report contains an interesting reference to one of the Auckland Clubs whose applications for a totalisator license has been refused. With reference to the Avondale Club the position is most unusual. This club, from ite inception, has had a remarkably small membership. It now has upon ite roll twenty-nine members, of whom one has permanently left the Dominion. Of the remaining 28, no less than 23 are members of the Auckland Racing Club, and, according to the returns furnished, only 21 had paid the annual subscription. Of the 16 members who fill positions on the committee and stewards, 13 are members of the Auckland Racing Club. Not one of the members of this club lives in Avondale or ite vicinity. The committee has obviously not welcomed new members, as is apparent from the fact that only 13 have been elected during the last eight years, and the club has an exceedingly discouraging rule with regard to a change in the personnel of ite committee-. Little or no attention has been paid to the provision of training facilities, and it is therefore not surprising that there is but one small training stable at Avondale. The totalisator wae for many years worked for the club by the gentleman who was then, and is now, ite secretary—under contract; but since a rule of racing prohibiting this came into operation, the contract has been held by a firm comprising the eon of the secretary and a partner—the secretary himself, as we i assured, not being interested. This club is in a strong financial position, and has a very substantial surplus of assets over liabilities. The titles to the racecourse properties stand in the names of three persons, of whom the secretary is one. These persons were among the original promoters of the club. The rules of the club, adopted in 1909, provide that the properties shall be vested in trustees. No declaration of trust could be produced. Thia club is unnecessary, and should not be permitted to hold down totalisator licenses, which are urgently desired by country and other clubs with infinitely better claims.

FOOTBALL. NEWS AND NOTES. The South African team will meet West Coast to-day. The Springboks will play Canterbury at Lancaster Park on Saturday. As the result of test games, several country players will appear in Canterbury’s team. The invading N.S.W. team play one test game against New Zealand in Christchurch on August 17. The fact is commented upon that although a hall has been offered for the use of the reps, for indoor training, it has not been availed of in bad weather. The president of the S.R.F.U., Mr A. E. Geddes, has received official intimation from Wellington that the Springboks v. Southland match will be played under the amended rules. A seven-a-side tournament will be held at Drummond on Saturday when teams from Calcium, Drummond, Heddon Bush, Otahuti and Waianiwa will compete. It was noticeable in the Trial Game on Saturday last that the Maroon rearguard only brought off two passing runs that could be termed creditable. Speaking at the reception to the South African combination in Wellington Town Hall the captain (Mr Pienaar) remarked: —“Everywhere we have played the crowds have been most impartial and sporting in their attitude, applauding good play whichever side was responsible for it, and I wish to record my appreciation of the fact.” (Applause). It may be remarked that on the day following the function referred to the Wellington public gave the visitors an impartial hearing despite the defeat of the home side.

A correspondent has asked who was the best back and who was the best forward that New Zealand has produced. The answer (writes “Poster” in the Wanganui Chronicle) can only be to express an opinion, and the fact that the game has been gradually changing has also to be taken into consideration. The best thing is to divide New Zealand’s football history into two periods, and the answer would then be that during the past 25 years the best back was W. Wallace, of Wellington, and the best forward was C. Seeling, of Wanganui and Auckland. Prior to their time the best back was R. Whiteside, of Auckland, and the best forward was T. Ellison, of Wellington. It would be impossible to make a comparison between, say, Whiteside and Wallace. Both were champion players. For the benefit of several interested inquirers, it may be explained that the reason why the best available referees should be appointed for what are known as the best matches, is that the standard of play should be maintained and improved. What is the use of teams being carefully trained and coached to play at a fast rate if slowthinking and sluggish officials are sent into the field to supervise and control the play? It is said that the camera cannot lie. One of the photographs of the Wanganui v. South African game shows a Wanganui forward getting possession of the ball on the line-out, while yards away another Wanganui forward is obstructing a South African by shoving his open hand into the visitor's face.

In the course of hie remarks at the reception tendered his team in Wellington the manager (Mr Bennett) said:—“Yours I is a wonderful country,” said Mr Bennett. I “It is a beautiful country, and we have I been told that when we go to Rotorua we I will be astonished. I thank you, k- for the warning you gave me, but I am afraid | it has come too late. If you people had | done your duty, we would have got the

warning before leaving Australia. (Laughter). If there was anything to come out of it, New Zealand was likely to be the loser, but whilst it would be a serious thing for New Zealand, it would be a jolly good thing for the girls. (Laughter). We are very gratified with the fine reception accorded us by your good people here. We thank you heartily.” The week-night coaching of the Maroons has not been proceeding with the vim that supporters of the coaching system would j like. Time is so short that every minute unused is wasted, and there is still a lot of practical work to be done. Last night the muster at practice was disappointing. There were seventeen players present and of these only seven were members of the rep. fiften, while of that seven one was not fit for strenuous work. Individual coaching and practical work with the forwards and backs will be essential if the Maroon fifteen is to justify ihe hopes the S.R.F.U. and the public have of the coach and coaching. The Southland Rugby Union (remarks “Poster” of Wanganui Chronicle) has voiced a protest at the decision that injured players shall not be replaced in the games against the South Africans. Originally an act of courtesy, the replacement of injured players has become a custom which has both merit and demerit. To replace an injured player early in a game is often no great hardship to the other side, but to do so in practically the last few minutes of an even game is quite another matter. Probably the best solution would be to allow injured players to be replaced only in the first half of a game. A peculiar fact has been placed on record during the past two seasons with regard to stories circulated concerning players holding bright prospects of representative honours. Last season it was stated on several occasions that J. Forde had been injured and would not be available for trial games. Eventually the lie was run to earth before the Rugby Union Committee. Again, during the current rugby term, persistent stories have been circulated as to the unfitness for play of J. Forde and James Oughton. Forde has been declared seriously injured many times and the statements invariably concluded by inferring that he would not be available for representative honours. Despite Forde’s denial of the rumours, except on one occasion when he had his ribs injured slightly, the stories continued to arrive with monotonous regularity until he confounded his enemies by playing a dashing game on Saturday last. In the case of Jas. Oughton, it has been freely stated that “he is too easily knocked out” and this has been voiced by people who should know better. During last season the Star halfback had his ankle hurt on one occasion, a common enough injury with players. This year he has retired from the field once for a short time only on Saturday last, when an opponent’s shoulder to the stomach and a kick on the head sent him to the touchline until he recovered his breath. In the face of the foregoing evidence, and judging by the similarity of the stories circulated derogatory to these players it would appear that the tales were inspired by interested parties from the same lie factory. Both Forde and Oughton were noted for their toughness when on active service in France, a fact that can be testified to by men who acted as their superior officers, while the pair have stood manfully to their guns in the football field, hence the endeavour to single them out as being unfit can only have one explanation. Interviewed in Wellington, the South African manager, Mr Bennett, was asked for his opinion of the proposed amendments to Rugby rules, whereby modifications are suggested in scrumming and kicking to line, but he would not say anything either for or against, except that now he had seen something of New Zealand conditions he understood why New Zealand was so keen in securing the amendments, which would, he thought, make for a faster game in this country. Speed and passing he said were naturally cultivated in South Africa, because the hard fields there made such tactics imperative, while collaring low on a sun-baked ground would often mean severe injury to a player. He thought the practice of “marking the ball” was too much in evidence here, and thought the game would be improved in swiftness if players would learn to take a “mark” only when absolutely necessary to save a situation. He was asked how the play of this team was affected by the great difference between the hard South African fields and the usually soft, and frequently greasy grounds of New Zealand, and replied that the new conditions affected the speed of his men, and since their first games they had been making experiments with the leather sprigs on their boote. “The fields in Australia,” said Mr Bennett, “are much the same as the South African areas, but in New* Zealand the Springboks have to learn to regulate their pace—when not to run too hard—and to use different judgment in pulling up, since on a greasy ground a sudden halt often means a long slide.” In answer to a question about the origin of “All Blacks,” a writer in the Napier Daily Telegraph says:—“l was under the impression that the name originated during the English tour of the 1905 New Zealanders, but a correspondent has generously forwarded me authentic information on the point. During the tour of the unbeaten New' Zealand team in Australia in 1903, the team was often referred to as the ‘All Black’ combination by the public and the press. In 1904 the New Zealand team that defeated Bedell-Sievwright’s English team was similarly designated. It was, however, in 1905 that the New Zealand team became known all the world over as the ‘All Blacks.’ When that team returned with its proud record, a League team was organised to tour England. It purloined the ‘All Black’ title for the puryose of adding prestige to the undertaking. It also adopted a facsimile of the ‘AU Blacks’ uniform—black jersey and silver fern—and the straw hat with black band and silver fern, made familiar in the Old Country by the original Rugby ‘All Blacks.’ ” NEW SOUTH WALES TOURING TEAM. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, July 26. Buchanan and Connor are not available for the New Zealand tour. N. Mingay has been chosen as five-eighths. The forward has yet to be selected. T. 11. Bosward will be manager. THE SPRINGBOKS. PROPOSED RETURN MATCH AT WELLINGTON. MATCH AGAINST MAORIS SUGGESTED. WELLINGTON, July 26. In accordance with a general wish for a return match with the South Africans, the Mayor, Mr R. A. Wright, despatched the following telegram tq the manager, rM Bennett : —“Congratulations on your win at Wellington. General desire here for a return match at the end of the tour. Are you agreeable? If so, wall submit your reply to New Zealand Union.” Consideration has been given to a proposal for a match Springboks against Maoris. It is now practically certain that a match will be arranged, and suggestions for a definite fixture will be placed before the New Zealand Rugby Union Management Committee on Thursday evening for confirmation. MOTOR RACING. FRENCH GRAND PRIX. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS, July 25. The Grand Prix for motor cars was won by a Dusenberg (American) car, which covered 332 miles in 248 minutes. A French car, a Balot, was second, and another Dusenberg third. The winner did a record lap at nearly 84 miles an hour.