THE PLAYGROUND.

Southland Times, Issue 19757, 3 February 1923, Page 12 (Supplement)

THE PLAYGROUND.

SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

At Buffalo (USA.) polo is to be played tinder a glass roof this winter, on the site that was occupied by the Pan-American Exhibition some years ago. A Hull boilermaker, whose whippet finished second in a race, was annoyed, and kicked the poor brute so severely that it died. The other brute—the dog’s owner—was sent by Hull magistrates to thirty days’ imprisonment for cruelty. It is hinted by the birds who live near Rugby Park that a meeting of the management committee this week was rather exciting at times, and that some warm exchanges took place across the table. The ■object, it is understood, had to do with steel contracts and the new stands, and that more is to be heard of this topic before the committee is elected for the new season.

At Madison Square Garden on December 2. young Charles Peleso, of the Superior Wheelmen, provided a sensation. Riding in a sprint race, Peloso shot his wheel sharply up at a turn, opposite the judges’ stand, and catapulted against the heavy pine railing. So great was the impact that the stout joists were torn away for a space of twelve feet and Peloso was tossed backward where he fell to the flat, some fifteen feet below. Charles lay there, flat as a pancake, for a few seconds, then rose to his feet, rubbed his stomach and asked if the police had anybody under suspicion as having thrown the brick. Peloso must have been born with a gold spoon encrusted with diamonds and rubies in his mouth. Nine men out of ten would have been fractured beyond all hopes of repair by the accident, but Charley only suffered a stomach, ache. Now that the English Rugby Union has suspended T. Lawton, the Queenslander, for playing with and against professionals in the Australian League, it ought to suspend the Oxford fifteen of the present and last season for having played with Lawton. Similarly, it would be the very height of consistency to disqualify every player in the United Kingdom who has played against Lawton. Rip Van Winkle was a nonentity in comparison with the E.R.U. Lawton played the League game openly in Queensland—he either had to or else go without football altogether—but why the Old Country Rugby beavers allowed him to play big football for two seasons and contaminate C i3vd of all place# with the terrible taint ofKistralian League is surely remarkable evenPfor the E.R.U.,

Telegraphic chess matches are occasionally played in this country, and in America shooting matches are run on the same principle. Consistently close marksmanship such as has been rarely equalled in an intercollege rifle match resulted when Rutgers shot against the University of Vermont recently. Under the terms of this telegraphic match the five highest scores were to count. Both teams totalled 472 out of a possible 500. Then the scores of the sixth men were asked for and both had 92. Both seventh men likewise had 92 out of a possible 100, but when the totals of the eighth men were then exchanged it was found the Rutgers man shot a 92 and Vermont’s entry a 91, giving Rutgers the match. The athlete most popular in France is thither George Carpentier nor Mlle. Suz•me Lenglen, Jean Bouin, long a distance runner, who lost his life in the war, leads in the referendum organised by L’Auto with 37,782 votes. Carpentier follows with 13,121, and Mlle. Lenglen is forty-second with 428, or just ahead of “Battling” SikL Jack Dempsey was not in the running, but Frank L. Kramer, the American cyclist, was on the list with 2512 votes. * Earl Paddock, the California sprinter, was remembered by thirty-nine French lovers of sport. Santos-Dumont, who was the first man to fly a dirigible balloon in Paris, had 901 votes. Eugene Criqui, the boxer, was eighth on the list with 3344. Hercules was adjudged the greatest all-round strong man, receiving 777 votes, and the Wandering Jew got 460 as the champion globe trotter. Sir Thomas Lipton intends to return to America and regain the yachting cup in 1924. He is reported to have said so early in December, when he departed from the United States for England aboard the White Starliner Homeric. Sir Thomas has not decided what type of yacht he will use in his next attempt, but he is determined, he said, to regain the trophy in 1924. He had previously postponed his sailing on three occasions due to illness, but was in fettle for his voyage. Jack Dempsey is at his wit’s end endeavouring to evade Harry Wills. The match was talked about a good deal by New York sports during the latter part of November and the early part of December. It looked for a while as if July 4 would be definitely fixed for its decision. Then Dempsey raised an obstacle. He was going to Europe this month, or next month, he said. In English swimming circles they are enthusiastic about the proposed visit from some of the most distinguished of the American girl swimmers this year. In the Sporting Chronicle a few weeks back The Diver, discussing the possibilities, wrote: ‘T am able to make the definite announcement that two American lady champions will visit Great Britain next summer, probably in June. These ladies will be Miss Helen Wainwright, the 50yds, 100yds, 880ydfi, and mile, junior back-stroke, and fancy diving champion, and Miss Aileen Riggin, the girl of 14 who has swum 100yds in 67 l-ssec, and in whom King Albert of Belgium took a special interest when she went forward at Antwerp, in short skirts and socks, to receive her Olympic Gold Medal. The visit will mark an epoch in British swimming affairs, and may, possibly, prove the turning point in our recognition of the American crawl-stroke as the one means whereby British supremacy can be regained. The three programmes of championship events carried out by the New South Wales Amateur Swimming Association each had a special feature. That of the concluding one was the splendid form in the 220 yards by W’. Harris, from Honolulu, who clipped 1 3-ssec off Frank Beaurepaire’s Australian record. Harris competed in three championships, wanning the 100 and 220, and being second in the 440 yards.

The other week it was cabled that a pair of Frenchmen were giving exhibitions of the close cannon game in London, and that one of them, M. Drouet, had made an unfinished run of 584 cannons. Particulars are now to hand. The break was continued in the evening, and the cueist ran it to 1046 cannons, or 237 within his record of 1283. Thus if the French cannons counted two each, instead of one, George Gray’s red-ball record would have gone by the board. And yet friend Stevenson still asserts that it is easier to score with two balls than wdth three.

E. W. Carr, amateur athletic champion of Australia, leaves shortly for New Zealand—he has been invited by the New Zealand A.A.A. to visit the Dominion and compete against M. M. Kirksey (U.S.AJ and certain N.Z. champions in special scratch races at Wellington, Cambridge, and Auckland. Last Friday Mr H. R. McDonald, hon. secretary to the N.S. Wales A.A.A. (to whom the invitation to Carr had been addressed), cabled to Mr Victor Hugo, hon. secretarytreasurer to the N.A.A.A., that Carr has decided to undertake the trip, provided (1) that the first race in N.Z. (at Wellington) did not take place before February 24, and (2> that he leave Sydney not later than February 9, so as to give him ten clear days ashore before competing. A cable z ro*u the N-ZjLAjL is to the effect the

Dominion Association agrees to the conditions imposed, and Carr is now arranging to leave for Wellington (via Auckland) on February 9. When Freddy Jacks (9.04) faced Bert Spargo (9.1 j I at the Melbourne Stadium on Saturday he did so before the second best “house’’ ever known in our Stadium history. Jack began slowly, and Spargo for the first three rounds looked like ’having an easy task. Jacks did better in the J fourth, scoring well with hooks and upperi cuts. Snargo retaliated with a terrific 1 tattoo of body blows. In the fifth crisp l right crosses landed clean to the point of 1 Jacks’ jaw, without, however, much effect upon that sturdy battler. Jacks was supI reme in session six and seven, forcing Spargo to the ropes by broadsides of battering blows. Spargo has a power of defence in his right elbow upon which he took punches innumerable. Nevertheless, Freddy Jacks was indeed putting the “go” into Spargo! Jacks was still trying his best for a knock-out, causing Spargo to smother under furious fusillades of punches. Once again Spargo proved his solidity under gruelling punishment, to the delight of the roused spectators. Despite a heavy right uppercut, and heavy swings to the neck. Spargo weathered the round. Jacks eased in round eighteen which Spargo won. The Englishman won the last two sessions, and to ringsiders it looked a mere spin of a coin as to which fighter gained the verdict. The Southland Centre of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union has not been idle during the current season, the experienced band of sports controllers in the Balfour district having carried out a good deal more work than most people are aware of. The gentlemen concerned do not run about showing their authority, preferring to let the societies they visit go ahead with their meetings on their own account, _ only taking a hand when their help is needed, but it is safe to guess when one sees such gentlemen as Messrs H. P. Scobie, W. Casey, W. Muir and J. McMath at a gathering that they are not there just for the fun of the thing. With the sport in its present flourishing condition, enquiries into various matters affecting the sport are often necessary, while the organisation of a large and scattered district is a big enough problem in itself. The Centre has acquitted itself well, and the indications are that the present season wflbbe the best since the war.

Veteran D. Chisholm partnered G. Blanks in the double-handed sawing at Browns in place of his brother Archie, who usually saws with Blanks. The handicapper took no risks with the pair, who were placed on the scratch mark, from which they sawed into third place, Pont and McKenzie on the limit winning both heat and final rather easily. The two Chisholms were amongst the best in New Zealand when in their prime a decade or two ago, and at the present time A. Chisholm and Blanks would take a power of beating by any other pair in the Dominion. By winning the big chop at Otatara and Browns, veteran J. Pont makes up leeway after a long spell off the winning list. The Riverton chop was won by D. Pollard, one of a family of good axemen, with big “Bill” Pollard at the head of them. Whipp is also chopping well just now and it is pleasing to see some of the younger brigade coming to light ccasionally. Talking of the younger brigade reminds one that the winners of the maiden doublehanded sawing at Browns, the Bridgeman Brothers, are two of the most promising bush men that have come under one’s notice this season.

The chief events >t the Otautau sports on February 17 will the Underhand chop which is worth £2O and a gold medal, second man £3, third £2; and the Sheffield which carries £l6 in addition to a gold medal, second £3, third £l. There are races at 440, 880 and 1760 yards, with £8 and a gold medal set aside in each case, will be distributed over the furlong, with £6 for the 75 yards and furlong handicap, the last-named event also carrying a gold medal. £7 has been allotted for the Standing chop and £6 for the Double-handed sawing. Jumping events, dancing and piping events (for which the prizes are £1 and gold medal for first and 10s for second) complete the programme, entries for which close with Mr E. T. Crawford on Saturday, February 10. A new record has been established by a London stenographer. At various times she became engaged to every male member of the office staff and finally married the head of the firm. Her wedding present from the staff was a clock girt by twentynine engagerfient rings of unsuccessful candidates.

“After a fight, it takes me weeks, sometimes months, to tie Georges Carpentier down to business, and get him to take his share. Always he says: To-morrow, Francois!’ Often I have known him to set out on a journey, two or three hundred miles, and discover half-way that he has two or three francs in his pockets. He has no more idea of money than a child.”—M. Descamps.

The N.S.W. Association football authorities announce that New South Wales and Queensland are inviting a New Zealand team to pay a visit during the coming season. Test matches will be played at Sydney, Newcastle, and Brisbane, and also a match against Australia at Melbourne. An event of some importance was brought off at the Veledrome D’Hiver, Paris, in November, when teams of roller skaters, three in number, representing England, France, Belgium, and Rumania, met over a distance of 154 miles. The race was won by the Rumanian trio, who happened to be three brothers, whose names are C. Samuel, R. Samuel, and J. Samuel. England finished second 60 yards behind, but the race was marred by an unfortunate incident, a pure accident, let it be said. Towards the end of the long race a Belgian competitors, in attempting to pass, brought down a French skater, who in turn upset Wilson, one of the Englishmen, with the result that when the race was taken up again the Rumanian team had gained a lead of over half a lap. Desperately the others tried to reduce the gap, but unsuccessfully. Men on the rifle ranges may have noticed that in the hot weather there has been a prevalence of nickelling in the barrels of their rifles. It was formerly put down to rough or neglected barrels, but that theory has been exploded and unfortunately there is no certain remedy. Apropos of nickelling. there is a good story told 1 concerning F. H. Kummer, of the Opaki Club, says an exchange, while competing in the New South Wales King’s Prize in 1921. His rifle nickelled very badly, and in addition to giving him atrocious scores, kicked like a mule, and nearly broke his nose with the aperture sight. He took it to a gunsmith on the range, who guaranteed to stop nickelling. Two pull-throughs were tied together and passed through the barrel. The wire gauze on each was liberally sprinkled with knife polish, and then with a man on each end the gauze was ripped up and down for about ten minutes, with rests only to renew the supply of knife polish. It removed the nickel all right, but one should have seen the inside of that barrel when they had finished with it. The biggest tester that could be found dropped through without the slightest difficult.

The Chief of Police at Manila, John V Green, who recently told the Manila Boxin Board that he disapproved of the ordir ance prohibiting decisions when both cor tenders were on their feet, declared that

“no-decision fight is like kissing a girl through a blanket; there is no point of contact, or satisfaction.” Chief Green said that the ordinance would restrict the development of boxing in the islands, if it did not entirely kill it. He added: “The people pay to see a fight because they want to know who wins. Twelve or 15 years ago Filipinos used knives on each other when they quarrelled. Now they use their fists. Boxing has an educational effect, and it should be encouraged instead of discouraged.” The precedent of a lifetime was almost broken by Sir Thomas Lipton just before his departure for England, says an exchange. And to the baronet’s valiant valet belongs the credit for averting a catastrophe. A camera-man was training his machine on Sir Thomas. His valet noticed that the inevitable yachting cap, without which Sir Thomas has never been photographed, was missing. “James” made a flying leap to his master’s side and whispered. The cameraman was held up until the valet got a cap.

A plain man might be tempted to ask why the committee which has overridden the Association rules should trouble about getting them amended, or if they are amended will future committees obey them. It is always a sound policy for the members of a sports body, or of any organisation, to insist on the controllers of the Association or organisation sticking faithfully to its rules. If the rules are unsuitable they can be amended, but while they are in force any action by the controlling executive which openly flouts them is a direct invitation to anarchy and disaster. From the course that has been pursued in the past it is possible that the amendments to be brought up will aim at giving the management committee more control of the selectors. If the club delegates will think over this matter for a little while they will see that it is undesirable that the management committee’s powers should include the power to recall the selector or selectors except under most extraordinary circumstances, circumstances which can be bettor handled by means of a “misdemeanour” rule having a general application. There is always present the danger that the committee wail be vested with powers which will enable it to meddle with the actual selection of teams. If the power of recall is not very carefully limited— : and I confess to being unable to see how it can be suficiently limited —you will find that the committee can say to the selectors: “Put A.B. into the rep. team or you will be recalled.”

I can hear estimable gentlemen saying that such a thing could never occur. And the obvious answer to that is: “How do you know what another committee will do? Why take the chances?”

The Rugby Union’s management committee has differed from its selectors but has never gone the length of amending its rules to turn itself into a super-selection committee and if it ever gets that idea into its head, the delegates should exorcise it. This year, to put the matter bluntly, the committee of the Southland Cricket , Association has not acted within the limits of its rules—the body which should be scrupulous in this matter —and now is seeking amendments to the rules and will plead expedience. The amendments may be made but if the committee’s powers of interference with selectors are not carefully limited, there will be a direct invitation to future trouble.

The All Black footballer, J. Richardson, arrived in Invercargill from Dunedin durifig the present week to take up his residence in this part of the world. The big Otago forward should be a valuable acquisition to Southland rugby, and during the coming season will probably be playing for the Waikiwi Club. SPORT IN BRITAIN. "WHY ARE WE FAILING.” . The Daily Mail Year Book draws atten- | tion to the paucity of world’s records held by Britons (writes F.A.M. Webster in a London paper). The reason is simple enough to explain, and “we’ve every reason for failure, but not a single excuse.” Our trouble is that we will pot take trouble. Let us kill straight away the idea that the foreigner specialises in his sports to the verge of professionalism. He doesn’t, and I can prove it. S. H. Thomson, of Princeton University, the American all-round athletic champion, took a number of places at the English 1920 championships, and it is Americans and Scandinavians, in the 'main, who have taken premier honours in the Olympic Pentathlon and Decathlon time after time, and these are the two hardest tests of all-round fitness and skill ever devised by man. The main difference between British and foreign sportsmen is that the latter are content to practise patiently for years to attain proficiency; ■ we, remembering our established reputation for sporting supremacy, want immediate results—without the bother of working for them. In Scandinavia, whence come many of the world’s finest performers in sport nowadays boys play every conceivable sort of game that will harden them and make them quick; at about 18 years of age they pick a group of allied events in which they become pastm asters.

We practise sporting events haphazard; the foreigners study them, as witness their extensive use of slow-motion films for instructional purposes, their lecturers and admirably educated instructors, most of whom come from the United States, Sweden, or Norway.

The foreigner goes in for the sport he takes up prepared to wait and work for two, three, or even five years for the best results; we, as I say, want immediate results. If they do not come, we turn our attention to some more easy pastime. Again, we are far too conservative in sport. Other nations are willing to learn from us. Are we willing to learn from them ? No!

We may say that “athletics” are America’s and Scandinavia’s “pigeon,” but let us not forget that Norway defeated our Association football team by 3 goals to 1 in the first round at the last Olympiad, and surely “Soccer,” above all other sports, is our own game, and yet Norway did not reach even the semi-final!

An excellent rule which might be introduced is that where the management committee, for any reason at all, has contravened the rules of the Association, it should be compelled to seek re-election. That would provide a ventilatory and confirmatory process which might in future prove useful.

In lawn tennis and other sports we stick to our old, old stagers, while’ the rising generation waits until it is old enough (too old, according to the lights of our opponents) for international honours. As far as the team games are concerned we hold the foreigners too cheaply. We do not trouble to prepare our men properly, nor do we always put our best teams in the field. And there you have the whole reason why we have ceased to break or even hold records. We have lost the art of taking trouble and we can’t play a waiting game. BAULK-LINE BILLIARDS. GAME LITTLE KNOWN HERE. In this part of the world little is known of baulk-line billiards which is played a lot in America and France. Parallel baulk lines, on a standard table, are placed eighteen inches from the cushions. Describing a recent baulk-line game in London between Drouet and Fouquet, two Frenchmen, a writer gave some idea of the principles of this form of billiards. With the lines crossing at each end, the table is divided into nine sections. Only one cannon may be played in one section unless one of the balls cross a dividing line. An exception, however, is the centre section, which is “free ground.” In other words, in this section a sequence of cannons is permitted. The rules are framed with the object of preventing a player from hugging the cushion, as is the custom in the ordinary closecannon game. But it spite of this both Fouquet and Drouet were skilful enough to keep the balls close together. Exceedingly fine screw-back strokes and amazing looking masse shots—shots which are less difficult than in English billiards, however, on account of the heavier balls and the heavier cues—marked the play of each. But perhaps the most clever part of their game was seen on the occasions when they made runs of nursery cannons in the centre section, with the balls cut off from the friend[ly cushion by fourteen inches of green cloth on all sides. SELECTORS AND RULES. I A WORD TO THE CRICKET ASSOCIATION. (By “Censorious.”) When rules governing selectors are under consideration it is time for the rank and file of sports bodies to move carefully. At the present moment the Southland Cricket Association is calling a general meeting for the purpose of amending certain of its rules, but it is not yet possible to say in what direction these amendments will move. The rules involved, however, deal with the selection of representative teams and the choosing of captains. These rules have been the subject of discussions of late, and the fact that the management committee of the Association deems it necessary to amend them suggests forcibly that some recent actions have not been in accord with them.