OUT DOOR SPORTS

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 12, 4 December 1880, Page 104

OUT DOOR SPORTS

The two hundred yards champion race, at the athletic sports last Saturday, was won very easily by Spry.

The Auckland Amateur Athletic Club's sports last Saturday were a complete failure so far as attendance was concerned.

C. Brown won the quarter mile handicap, and J. M. Sibbin the 120 yards hurdle race, at the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club 3ports last Saturday.

Captain Stephenson's new sailing boat " Imp" sailed a match with the "Active," tho crack boat of Eussell, last week, and defeated her easily.

Messrs. Lees and Culpan tried hard for the victor ludorum prize at the Amateur Athletic Club Sports last Saturday.

Mr. Walter B. Taylor has been elected captain of the Ponsonby Eowing Club, vice Mr. Gudgeon, resigned.

The first eleven of the Civil Service Cricket Club defeated the Otahuhu team in the first innings last Saturday.

The "Jessie Logan," after beingrefitted by Mr. John Bell, made her first appearance this season in the Auckland Yacht Club's procession last Tuesday.

Lees was in good form last Saturday, and the x esult of events shewed that the handicapper had let h_im in very light indeed. He won the mile handicap in $ne stjie, and the half-mile handicap was a gift to him.

The match between the Whau and Carlton Cricket Clubs last Saturday, resulted in an easy victory for the latter, with one innings to spare. The scores were— Whau, 11 and 22 ; Carlton, 44.

The Onehunga Cricket Club defeated Mangere very easily in a match last Saturday. The Mangare batsmen only made 9 runs in their two innings, and five of these were extras. Onehunga scored 86 in their first innings.

I hear that Smith, one of the Wellington Dolly Varden Crew, has taken up his residence in Auckland, and has gone to join the Auckland crew now training on the Wairoa Eiver. Whether he intends to row or only to coach the team does not appear to be known.

The yacht, ' 'Jessie Logan," is now being put in trim for her new owner — Mr. Ansenno. I hear that he does not intend to dispose of her, at least not \mtil after the next Auckland Eegatta. She will again compete in the smaller yacht race, under the charge of Mr. John Bell.

It is stated on good authority that Logan, the North Shore boatbuilder, intends to construct an open sailing boat, to compete in the first-class race at the approaohing Auckland Eegatta. There are very few boats of this size here at the present time, and. the enterprise of the builder in adding another is therefore to be commended.

The Committee appointed to provide for the representation of Auckland in the Champion Outrigger Race at the approaching Regatta, have a half-caste crew in training on the Wairoa River. Their action in not seleoting Europeans is condemned, as it is well known that both Maoris and half-castes are easily used up in a race, and that they rarely' have the wind for a good spurt at the finish.

Bailey has received an order from Mr. McEwen, blacksmith, for an open-sailing boat for racing and pleasure purposes. Hor length will be eighteen feet. She will not be built on the centre-board principle, but will have a pretty deep keel. It is the intention of her owner to enter her for the second-class race at the approaching regatta, and she will then be fitted with a fin, in the place of a centre-board.

The new yacht " Tanewha" had a run down to Waiwera last Saturday afternoon, when she acquitted herself very creditably, both on the wind and before it. Her mainsail does not set well, but this can, of course, be easily remedied. There iB, however, no doubt that she is far too tender. She should have fully half-a-dozen additional tons of lead placed on her keel, in order to render her sufficiently stiff to work well with her present suit of sails. This should be seen to at once.

The open sailing boat sweepstakes this ([Saturday) afternoon has been exciting considerable interest. The entries are sufficiently numerous to make a good contest. My opinion is that either the " Eunice," " Imp," or " Ponsonby" will furnish the winner. Should the weathor be rough, the " Imp" might be left out. All throo boats are very much fancied. The " Eunice" and '•Imp" were built by Bailey, and the "Ponsonby" by Eatcliffe.

A friendly match was played on Saturday last, between the Helenaville and Hendorson's Mill Cricket Clubs, on the ground of the latter. The scores were as follows: — Helensville, 59, first innings, 52, second innings ; Henderson's Mill, 64, first innings ; 23, second innings. The Helensville.team were entertained by their opponents at a supper, served in good style by H. W. Stebbing at the Oratia Hotel. The hon. sec. of the Henderson's Mill Cricket Club. Mr. W. A. Ellis, occupying the chair, and a pleasant convivial evening was spent.

The opening of the Auckland Yacht Club took place on Tuesday, the 30th. It was a beautiful day and there was a nice smart breeze blowing from the westward. The Commodore, Mr. Kissling, hoisted his flag on board the "Daphne," and at 12 o'clock, the yachts started abreast from Freeman's Bay with a fair wind down tho Harbour, and went on as far as Brown's Island, when the signal was hoisted to tack and retuxa home, the Vice Commodore, Mr. Street, taking the lead. The boats then worked up the Harbour, and when opposite the wharf some of the yachts rounded under the stern of the "Daphne" and saluted the Commodore — and returned home after everybody on board having spent a very pleasant day. The following boats took part in the procession: — "Daphne," "Winona," " Tanewha," "Gleam," "Sabrine," "Jessie Logan," " Lala," "Glance," "Toy," and a number of others. We also noticed the Pilot schooner out under full sail. Taking it all round the whole affair went off satisfactorily, and the handling of the boats was considered to bo very well perfonnod, considering amateurs took charge of their xespective vessels. We noticed especially how very well the boats passed the wharf in line, it was clearly seen then that everybody was quite at home on board his ship. There were a great number of spectators on the wharf, and we are glad to see that a little more interest is being taken in yachting than there has hitherto, and we sincerely hope that the pot will be kept boiling. There is one thing we noticed, that is, all the boats, excepting the " Winona," " Daphne," "Tanewha" and "Gleam" all seemed to be racing home, instead of doing their utmost to carry out the programme given by the Commodore. We would suggest for another time that all boats, while taking port in an opening or a cruise and flying the Club flag, ought at all times follow signals or instructions. It was decided that all the yachts should round to under the stern of the Commodore's yacht and salute. We are sorry to say that only a few carried ut these instructions.

— The Auckland Music Warehouse having changed proprietary, it is my intention to open " The New Music Warehouse," iv the premises adjoining Canning's, and immediately opposite the Bank of New Zealand, on MONDAY, 6th December, with an entirely New Stock of Music, &c, and trust, by a steady attention to the requirements of the public, to merit a fair share of their patronage and support. —AETHUß EADY.