RAIN TAKES A HAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 841, 9 December 1929, Page 7

RAIN TAKES A HAND

MANY SATURDAY SPORTS CURTAILED CRICKET, ROWING. BOWLING Saturday afternoon’s sporting programme was interfered with by rain early in the afternoon, which continued at intervals till about 4 o’clock before the sun came out in the dying stages of the day. Yachting was the only sport which did not have to postpone or curtail its programme. The Auckland Cricket Association s senior A grade matches, set down for Eden Park, were played out. despite a late start and f\\o races to the pavilion for shelter. At Devonport the game between North Shore and Eden was called off by the umpires, after the heavy rain from half past one onward. There was no play at Remuera, where the Girls’ Cricket Association’s competition matches were to have been continued. A commencement was made at the Domain by the Auckland City and Suburban Cricket Association. but rain later on caused play to be abandoned for the day. The Auckland Bowling Centre’s third round pennant matches could not be played, and are now set down for decision on Saturday, March 8. The rowing fraternity was badly struck by the wet weather. Of the six events set down for decision three were rowed, one was commenced and later abandoned, and two others were postponed. The inter-liouse fours were rowed. North Shore and Auckland were the clubs which postponed their events. St. George’s commenced to row a set of single sculls, but this had to be abandoned after two races. The North Shore Club will conduct its races, set down for last Saturday, on Saturday next. No matches in any of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association's competitions could be played. The big motor racing meeting at the Manger© Speedway had to be postponed. and will now take place on Saturday next. Owing to the rain in the afternoon, the authorities decided to postpone the cinder track motorcycle races at the Western Springs Stadium on Saturday evening. If the weather holds this meeting will take place tonight.

BOXING AT NAPIER

GRIME DEFEATS LECKIE t ivess Association NAPIER, Sunday. Billy Grime. Australia, defeated Leckie, Napier, on points in a. 15-rounds professional contest last night before a record attendance for Napier. The bout was characterised by much infighting. in which Grime had all the advantage, his rights being a constant source of trouble to the New Zealander. Up to the twelfth round the points were very even. Grime then made the pace and scored heavily. Leckie was hard put to it to keep out of range of the Australian’s rights. It was Grime’s in-fighting that won the fight, his opponent’s efforts to make the going open being unsuccessful. It was a good exhibition, won only by a small margin of points. GRIME TO MEET SARRON The Northern Boxing Association has arranged a contest between Pete Sarron and Billy Grime to take place at the Auckland Town Hall on December 27.

TENNIS IN GERMANY

“BUSINESS BEING RUINED” Tennis has become so popular a sport in Germany that an official complaint was recently broadcast by the sausage manufacturers. They claim that their business is being ruined, as the material for sausage casings is now being bought up by tennis racket manufacturers for strings. Tennis courts have also sprung up everywhere. But as yet tennis and golf are counted more or less the games of the rich. Tennis rackets are not cheap—they cost as much as in the United States. Also, the dress is important. No boy or girl in Germany would think of playing in anything but faultless white. The tennis tournament in Warm- | brunn, Silesia, is a social as well as sport event. Its excellent courts look upon a blue mountain range. The list of tennis players reads like the Almanac de Gotha. There are no more titles in Germany since the revo- i lution, but no one pays any attention to that. Princes, counts, and barons are in the majority. But there a.re also a few names without titles—and these are not the worst players. The tennis, even though this is a provincial tournament, is of unusually good quality. The tournament is run by Count P —. "*his gives a certain tone to the whole ! affair. As people are introduced, the young men kiss the hands of the married ladies, the young girls and younger married women curtsy to the elder countesses and baronesses. It is a strange mixture of old-fashioned formality and modern sport comradeship. Before and after each match the umpire kisses the hands of the l women players. There is a large gallery. Admission even on the first day is 2s. The clubhouse has a large porch, on which shady umbrellas make little spots of bright colour. At little tables light refreshments, hot dogs, bouillon, tea, coffee, :ices, and tarts are taken. But the public is genuinely interested In the game, and sits for hours in the hot autumn sun. At present everything coming from America is considered and “the thing.” Just now chewing gum is holding sway, and Germany’s most aristocratic jaws are chewing with a vengeance. Yet in the ballroom of the *‘Kurhaus,” in evening dress, these sons and daughters of the ole. aristocracy looked strong and distinguished. The last day of the tournament, a formal ball is arranged for the distribution of prizes. At the head of the room, behind a white table laden with silver and cut glass, Count P—. makes a long, formal speech, introduces old Countess S —.. who has graciously consented to personally distribute the prizes to the winners. Even the umpires were remembered with little prizes. After that, there is general dancing and promenading in the park, where, in honour of the tennis tournament. Count S—. has ordered a great illumination. The great old and flower beds look fairy-like under the glowing and sparkling lights of the rockets and roman candles.