In the Open Air.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13828, 13 February 1909, Page 1 (Supplement)

In the Open Air.

SPORTS AND PASTIMES. The Aeronautical Society of Great Britain has acquired a site to bo used as an experimental. 1 ground .for : mompurs. The land is situated near Dangenam station, on tho London, Tilbury, and Southend railway, being about half a mile long and the same distance in width. The greater part of it is flat, and suitable for the trial of full-sized machines. On one portion to the south there are'steep mounds some 50ft high, which will be convenient for testing models. It is intended.to build sheds to accommodate full-sized machines, and as soon as funds permit a properly euipped scientific establishment containing whirling table and other aeronautical testing apparatus will bo installed. This announcement was made at the forty-third annual meeting of the Aeronautical Society.

Joe Choynski, who has been in' retirement for aomo years, says he wants to take another crack at the heavy-weight-championship (says a New York writer). The veteran has always kept himself in good physical condition, and is sure that he is. not a'back -number. Choynski,. in his, prime,, fought such well-known heavies as Jeffries, Fitzsimmons, Corbett, Mahqr, and -McCoy. Few veteran "ring followers. will ever forget his battle with Joe Walcott, the giant-killer, . who knocked him out m a. quick slogging match ,as . tho Broadway A.C. Choynski's fight with McCoy at tl\e same club was one of tho most sensational ever seen in the ring. The fact that McCoy recently tried to come back, though unsuccessfully, probably make Choynski feel that he still had a chance. Perhaps Kaufman might be induced to give Joseph a chance to prove that he is still worth something as a pugilist. •

Here is something from an English paper that will probably open the eyes of Australian bowler'renders, .and possibly encourage them to give indoor bowls a show during the winter months. It is one of London bowlers' favourite pastimes throughout the period when their preens are coated with ice:— •' The indoor bowls demonstration at the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, Wimbledon, proved an all-round success." The reduced size woods not simply did.their work, but. proved that the" felt rink brings out the bias to a far greater degree than the actual green. All who have taken part in. indoor bowls certainly agree that this novel innovation is positively more fascinating than. the ordinary form of the game. One thing, the cautious delivery essential to the smaller bowl must result in an improved greening in the case of many a player on outdoor' rinks. To the licensed victuallers indoor bowling offers " facilities for popularising an establishment as the headquarters of a highly engaging form of recreation." '

The ox-champion of the world, George Towns, together with his wife, returned home by the Orinuz, which reached Sydney a few days ago. London sporting papers regret that a larger crowd' did not assemble to speed the parting visitor, but few people knew of tho early hour of departure. It is characteristic of Towns that his first thought on landing should be to visit the veteran, Bill Beaeh, an example of the thoughtfulness and tact that has made Towns so popular in England, as well as in his native laud. He expresses the opinion that Barry is a good, typo of sculler, with some, pace, and that probably he may visit Australia next year, although it seems he should perhaps prefer one or two minor matches before! tackling Arnst Towns speaks in .most' appreciative terms of- the - many kindnesses showered 'upon him at home, particularly by tho amateur section of the rowing community. In addition to the banquets, purse of sovereigns, illuminated address, etc., Mrs Towns was presented with a handsome gold bangle by lady friends..

A "Marathon Race" for natives of Uganda took place some time ago in connection with the important Industrial Exhibition held at Kampala to celebrate the King's birthday. There were forty-eight competitors. The course measured twenty-six miles, and lay along the high road between Entebbo and Kampala. The race finished in front of the central pavilion in tho exhibition grounds. The runners were followed the whole way by European cyclists, and their progress was intimated to the expectant crowds in tho exhibition by telephones at various distances along the course. In spite of the fact that much rain fell and that the track was consequently heavy, the winner reached the post in the remarkable time of 3 hours 3 mimttes, or only seven minutes in oxeess of tho Shepherd'sbush record. He is a native, of the Kingdom of Buganda, named E~apere, about 23 years of age,, and- of average physique. The winners ut the second and third prizes were only l'sec. and 3min., respectively, .tniruil tho first man. None of the ri;i;in<rs L.vl aty special training, nd the winner ieach ed tho post in rxi/silont condition. There is little -eason to doubt that, under more favourable condition* as to the weather and condition rf the ground, the TJgauda runners would have easily beaten, the- Olympi" bhep-herd's-bush record, it is j osi-iMtj that Uganda may therefore be Tpn y.utcd at the next Olympic games.

A discussion of considerable interest to athletes occupied the attention of the Medical Society of London recently. The subject was "Athletics in Bclatum to Disease," and was introduced by Mr Whiteloeks, who treated it from a. surgical standpoint. Sir Lauder Brunton, Bart., consulting piiysieian to St. .Bartholomew's hospital, who, among other qualifications, is an. authority on circulation and respiration, in the course of tho debate, said the effect of athletes from day to day was to strengthen the muscles, increase the .power of the heart and respiration, and render the athlete capable of more continuous exertion. It had been shown thaf-ithe effects of fatigue were not due, as had been supposed, to mechanical causes, but to tht: production of poisonous bodies as a result of muscular activity. The athlete, he suggested, developed anti-bodies to combat these poisons, and so became capable of greater exertion without bad effects. It was probable that the feeling of sickness produced by over-exertion v. as clue to the right portion of the heart becoming gorged with blood. Sir Lauder Brunton was emphatic on tlio danger of excessive athletic exercise bringing about serious effects- on the heart. Overstrain, he said, especially in growing boys, might lead to caiuiac weakness, and so ruin their future lives. At the present time, when gymnastics and athletics generally, wero being made compulsory in the schools, it was specially necessary that all who took part in'such forms of exercise should be subjected to careful medical examination.

110 WING NOT US. (By Sliding Suat.) The local club intend to have their photos taken next Sunday morning, when every member should endeavour to bo present. f am told that the committee arc in communication with a firm re advertising on the shed. If the rental they arc asking is correct, it will go a long way towards purchasing a new boat

each year. There are sure to bo some of the members taking exception: to having the shod spread over with advertisnients but if the club can gain a, fair amount of revenue by it, I see no reuson why it should not be done. All members should ondeavour to havo their subscriptions paid by ■■■the end of this month, as the treasurer informs mo that ho Trill want all the money he can scrap© in to pay tho sundry accounts. There will,also be a. big draw on the bank when the new boat arrives from Melbourne. Greenlands have written over saying that they hope to ship tbs clinker four shortly, and that they hope she will turn out satisfactory. The crows for the President's Fours were drawn this week and the first and second hnat is to bo rowed on Monday evening, tho first heat at 6.15 ■n.m., and tho second heat at 6.45. Tho third heat will take place on Tuosdny, and the final will bo rowed on Thursday at 6.30. All the crews have been training, very regularly and rijy final selection, is Nicholls, and Aylen and Morrison should be runners up. The race will be started bv gun instead''nf by word of mouth. My suggestion to tlip race committor is that if anv crew gets away before the gun goes ofF, they should be disqualified. Of course, this will be very hard on the crew, but tliey must loaru to obey the starter, and not to try to beat him. While I am on the subject of starting, tho- lata regatta crow informs me that they did not hear tho gun go off, but saw the smoko' and went by. that. . ■Tho shed has been very lively of ,an evening from six to eight with both rowers and bathers, the former tiaining for tho President's Fours and the latter training for tho championship meeting. .;. The Championship Regatta is to Jbo held to-day at Mercer, Auckland.. If the Union Rowing Club, Christohurcb, send up 'their four, they ought to about win the championship, as th>y beat Blenheim and' "Wanganui at Wellington last Saturday. If they do not go, and Canterbury make the trip tbpy should win as they have rowed fffrnd to Union twice this year. All the /■thfor! champiuoships are very open, tJnipn" Rowing Cl"b should win the -ioublo sculls and Canterbury the pair oar..

A Press Association message from Auckland on Wednosdav sail, tha*i arrangements for' tho Now '/JealVni Rowing Association's cham »i i t .ti>p regatta at Mercer on Saturday we'O then well forward. All the .crews in training could not be in better form. Waitomnta, .Blenheim, and Picton each' cxDeet to win the; Chamnion Fours. Five crews will represent Blenheim and PiVf,..-,_ a an exciting finish is expected. The river nrn*«Ti*R n nieturo with the crows in heavy train* ing. 'I