THE PLAYGROUND.

Southland Times, Issue 19389, 1 November 1924, Page 14 (Supplement)

THE PLAYGROUND.

Sports and Pastimes.

The Wakatipu Bowling Club opened their teaaon formally on Wednesday, though the green was unofficially opened a week ago. At this early stage it is playing excellently. The question of which has the most Stamina, horse or man, was tried out at ♦he Crystal Palace. London, recently, when a six-days race was staged between a horse and C. W. Hart, who had traversed 345 miles 880 yards and was leading by 8 miles 262 yards when the horse, unable to keep vp the pace, was withdrawn. I It is not all beer and skittles watching a football match, records an exchange. Just at the crucial moment when the referee dis-

Boatch against Manchester United, a rail gave way and precipitated four spectators into the river Trent. The unfortunates were rescued soon, but two had to be taken to hospital . They are not such keen followers of the sport now. Says a South African Rugby critic:— “The modern forward play as practised by the British Rugby tourists has caught on in South Africa, and there is little doubt that our Rugby in this country is going to benefit considerably from the tour. The quickness of the British forwards has created a favourable impression in this country, and it can be taken for granted that from now onwards South Africa will cultivate the art of forward play as exhibited by the tourists. For many years South Africa has (elied upon weight and brawn, but in view of the success of the British forwards, who believe in speed, South Africa in the future is undoubtedly going to develop her forward play on the lines of the British. To be precise. the quickness of the touring forwards has been a revelation to the follower of the game in this country, and as I say, the tour is going to be productive of much good.” In New Zealand we are endeavouring to combine weight and speed. ‘•it is sometimes declared,”” said M A. Noble, the famous cricketer recently, "that there is too much sport nowadays. It depends on what you mean by sport. If you mean there are too many people looking on at games, there may be something in the A Wellington farmer weighed in with the following fish story the other day:—“l was watering my mare at creek the other night,” when she threw back her head and deposited on the bank a nice eel of about getting dark) that th° eel had seized her nose as she went to drink, and she objected. I cooked it for tea.” From all quarters stories are reaching me about that terrible blight on British games —the tennis temperament (says a London writer). We do not see much of it at Wimbledon, but at most of the other tournament “outbursts” occur at fairly regular interval'. And the Lawn Tennis Association, which is supposed to govern the game, looks on almost powerless. At any rale it never does anything. The bad name the game has got among the players of other games gets blacker every season. Sooner or later all this querying of umpires’ decis'ons, black looks, and displays of temper will have to be legislated for in the L.T-A. regulations. Otherwise the spectators will lake the law into their own hands. Rugby followers in Hawke’s Bay were greatly surprised, and more than a little disconcerted, to bear that Jack Kirwan, the old Bay and Auckland representative, has listened to the blandishments of the League propagandists in Auckland, and turned over to the thirteen-aside game. Kirwan was induced to make the change for the purpose of assisting the Marist Club in the final match for the senior championship in- the northern city. The supporters of that club had been very active in looking for players for the final game, and among others L. Knight, a great forward who might well have been included in the touring AU Black side, was “approached,” but turned a deaf ear to the tempter. On a recent occasion the directors of a North Lland bowling club took exception to the behaviour of one of its members, and as the outcome that member was expeUed from the club. Now he has had served upon the club in question a writ which contends that the action of the club directors in respect to himself is ultra vires, maintaining that they had no power to do what they have done. For such damage as he considers has been done to his character and prestige by the action of the directors, and for injury to one pair of flannel trousers, he «eeks to claim the sum of £25 damages. The case, should it go to court, will clear up the point as to whether a club registered as a company can control the behaviour of its members on its own property.