SPORTS BUDGET

Southland Times, Issue 24440, 21 May 1941, Page 9

SPORTS BUDGET

General Who Played

Rugby

It is interesting to record that General B. C. Freyberg, V.C., once played for the Otago University Rugby team. That was away back in 1909. General Freyberg, who was a dentist in his younger days, went to Dunedin from Wellington to attend the Dental School. Mr Lance Potter, a one-time captain of the Otago University team, asked the now famous soldier if he played football. He said that he played in the forwards with Wellington Old Boys and that he would like to join up with University. The following Saturday, General Freyberg was in the team. He played one game only in Dunedin and then returned to Wellington. Subsequently he left for Mexico, where he fought in a Mexican rebellion, and then went to England to achieve fame in the war of 1914-18.

A Chinese Tour

The members of the Australian Football Association are firm believers in the visit of outside teams as one means of keeping its standard of play up to international line. In furtherance of this policy, arrangements have been in train for some time past for the visit of a Chinese team. These players are now on their way, and are expected to open the tour toward the end of this month. The New Zealand Football Council was given an opportunity to extend the tour to the Dominion. It was not accepted, but the Auckland Football Association is keen on the project, and at a recent meeting it was decided to approach the New Zealand Council for permission to negotiate with the Australian authorities.

Famous Scottish Footballer Dead Many of the older football enthusiasts who hail from Glasgow and thereabouts will recall Robert McFarlane, who was formerly centre half-back for the Third Lanark Association Football team. His death has occurred at Pawtuckett, U.S.A. A correspondent writes that he was popularly known as “Punt.” After serving in the Thornliebank village eleven he joined the Third Lanark, and played for them in the snow final of 1888-89, when the Third Lanark, after a replay, beat the Celtic and won the Scottish Cup for the first time. Mr McFarlane emigrated to the United States and engaged successfully in a drysalter’s business. Still Going Strong Jack (“Kid”) Berg, known throughout England as “Yiddle,” has been in the boxing game over 16 years, but in London this year he showed that he is still able to stand up to the young men with fistic aspirations. He can tear in and punch away without the faintest pause, according to London Boxing. Time and again Berg was close to i world’s honours, but missed them narrowly. He is now in his thirty-second year.

Air Force Boxing The R.N.Z.A.F. stations at Levin and New Plymouth have reason for pride at the very fine publication they are producing, entitled Contact, which deals with all phases of activity at the two stations, and should have a wide appeal to members of the general public as well as to members of the Air Force. The latest issue gives details of an enthusiastic revival of boxing which was witnessed at the Levin Station. This was the culmination of weeks of solid organization work by the new Boxing Committee, ably led by Pilot Officer Patterson. The competing teams represented Foxton Military Camp, R.N.Z.A.F. Stations, Ohakea, Rongotai, and Levin, and also a civilian team from Levin. Boxing has a magnetic appeal for most airmen, and 18 bouts in all were staged. All were interesting—some thrilling, some humorous; but the honours of the evening went to two Boer War veterans, L.A.C. Tillet, of Ohakea and L.A.C. Stevens, of Levin. Waves of applause followed the final bell in appreciation of the spirit shown by these veterans. Oyer £6O was raised for the Patriotic Society by this function, which the hundreds of spectators voted their best evening’s fun for a long time. Contact states that the committee is now organizing a monster boxing carnival for inter-service competition. Famous American Miler

Charles (Chuck) Fenske, one of America’s greatest milers, volunteered recently for military service with a quota of drafted troops called by the Draft Board of Suburban West Allis (Milwaukee). He is employed as a National Youth Administration Recreation supervisor. Fenske, one of the brightest track stars ever turned out by the University of Wisconsin, had a poor season on indoor tracks. He recently suffered a series of colds and is not in top condition, but expects to derive physical benefits from military service and regain his racing form.