SPORTS BUDGET

Southland Times, Issue 24599, 22 November 1941, Page 5

SPORTS BUDGET

BOWING REGATTA AT INVERCARGILL

Although the Invercargill Regatta Committee has not yet officially decided to hold its fixture this season, there is no doubt that it will be held. The difficulty is the finance, but with an energetic committee this should not be an insuperable difficulty. The regatta will be run on the same lines as last year probably. No prize money will be awarded, but clubs will be paid their freight costs. The Bluff Regatta Committee has yet to decide whether third prize money will be awarded at its fixture. It is to be hoped that the committee will see its way clear to award the additional prizes even if the third prize only amounts to a refund of the entrance money. However, that is a matter for Bluff to decide. Major Manson’s Success By the success of Major lan Manson, of Invercargill, in the tennis championships for members of the New Zealand Forces in the Middle East, Southland sportsmen again have come into the limelight. Partnered by Sergeant lan Robertson, of Palmerston North, Major Manson was successful in the doubles championship. The pair played George McDonald, of Marton, and Lloyd George, of Auckland, in the final and won in straight sets —6-4, 6-4, 6-4. There were 50 pairs in the championship and 100 competitors in the singles which was won by Sergeant Robertson. Major Manson was a member of the Waihopai Tennis Club for many years. Rinks For Dunedin Most of the Southland rinks which will take part in the New Zealand bowls championships at Dunedin have been completed and several entries will probably be sent in in the coming week. Some of the combinations are as follows:—Georgetown, A. Swanson, A. Whitley, G. C. Batcheler, A. McKenzie; Waihopai, H. Miller, A Wilson, A. E. Broad, R. G. Morrison; Invercargill, J. Johnston, E. J. Jones, J. C. Thomson, A. E. Gardner; Te Rangi, H. Donald, A. V. Keast, R. Taggart, G. M. Frobarth; Ohai, C. Mills, G. Wood, J. Duncan, J. Burleigh. Other rinks are those to be skipped by J. Ure and S. C. K. Smith (Northend) and M. McKenzie (Te Rangi). L. H. Wildermoth and D. K. Torrance (Southland) will play in the pairs. Evening Sports

Unfavourable weather was experienced for the first evening sports meeting of the season held on Tuesday night. In spite of the weather, however, there was a fairly satisfactory number of athletes and cyclists present and, although times generally were on the slow side, competition was keen. L. Lamb, a young runner who showed good form at the end of last season, was the most successful athlete. His two comfortable wins gave promise of more success this season. R. Withington ran consistently and gained a second and a third, placing. Several competitors were having their first run for the season and can therefore be expected to show to better advantage as the season progresses. As usual the cycling events were popular and provided good finishes. In the one mile race D. McKenzie had an easy win from J. O’Neill and those two were also placed in the mile and a-half event, which was won by C. Waddick. The latter’s performance from the virtual scratch mark as a good one. Railway Rowing Club Invercargill Railway Rowing Club crews now in training for the Riverton and Bluff regattas are as follows.— Youths’ fours, B. McKay (s), Richard Sutton, A. Walker, J. McDowell; L. Guyton (s) R. Burgess, D. McDowell, P. Lister; youths’ sculls, Sutton (s), McKay; Guyton (s), J. McDowell; youths pairs, Walker (s), Sutton; R. Burrows (s), J. Mailey; D. McDowell (s), Burgess; maiden four, E. Bridgman (s), G. Meffin, T. Kitson, I. Reid; sculls, Bridgman (s), Meffin. Bridgman was a good youth oarsman several seasons ago in the Railway Club. He is back after two seasons away from the sport. Burrows and Mailey work in the country and will train at the week-ends. They are back too, after an absence of several seasons. Bob Sutton, an old Railway stalwart, who is back from active service in the Middle East, cannot row again, but he is generously giving of his time in looking after the boats and the plant, a job that requires experience and skill, and one in which a good man’s services are always appreciated.

Keen Competition There was great competition in the 75 yards junior back and breaststroke races at the Southland swimming carnivals and the winner of the series was in doubt until the final night, when P. Fitzgerald finally gained the decision, swimming breaststroke. J. Macdonald had most points of the backstrokers. The whole series provided good finishes and the performances of the juniors were much above the average. As some are in junior ranks for several more seasons Southland can count on being well represented in these two styles in the future. Lake Te Anau Fishing Reports from Te Anau show that the Waiau and Lake Te Anau contain good stocks of salmon and rainbow trout and good sport is being got both in the Waiau river between Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri and in Lake Te Anau itself, writes “Matuku.” At the fourmile peg on the lakeside road limit bags have been obtained of salmon ranging from 3|lb to 61b, and being in good condition. The rainbow are in very fair condition, but will probably improve in another month or so. The proportion of fish are about half each, salmon and rainbow, so it appears that the salmon are fairly holding their own. The bait-casting rod is the method used as it is as yet rather early for fly fishing. Later on, when warmer conditions prevail and flies appear on the water, no doubt good sport will be got on the wet and dry fly. Angling Excursion The Southland Anglers’ Club has arranged an outing on the Upper Mataura at Parawa, on Sunday, November 30, leaving by the Queenstown Excursion train at 7.40 a.m. and returning in the evening. A fishing competition will be held and in addition it is hoped to hold casting competitions. Members of the Ohai, Riverton, Waiau and Gore Clubs intend to join the party, and if the weather is suitable a pleasant outing is assured. Reports are that the Mataura at Parawa and Garston is well stocked with trout and good sport should be obtained. Anglers who made this trip last season have happy recollections of the outing. In these days of petrol shortage this will prove a cheap outing. An Innovation A successful innovation at the last swimming carnival was the use by the starter of the microphone and loudspeaker when counting out the seconds for the handicap races. Not only the competitors but the whole audience could follow the sequence without any extra strain on the starter. Taken all round the loud-speaker system at carnivals improves the general conditions for spectators, who are able to follow the announcements with ease.