Out Door Sports

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 37, 28 May 1881, Page 402

Out Door Sports

— That was a well-judged kick by wliicb A Hamia sociu-od a goal for l'oiidonby last Saturday.

— Laycock only defeated Hush by half-a-longth in the sculling liiiitoh on the Graf ton. — The open sailing boat "I'Yaud " appeared to be warming the " Madge " and ''Observer" up last Saturday. She carried the " Hattie Msiy's " sails.

— It was reported on Thursday last that a sweepstakes sailing race for boats under twenty -feet had been arranged for to-morrow (Saturday) at two o'clock.

■ — TJindon scored a try for Auckland and North Shore last Saturday, but Webster's kicking abilities failed to convert it into a try.

— There is still a great deal of talk about a sweepstakes open sailing boat race, but tbose most immediately concerned appear to know least about it.

— W. Henderson scored the second goal for Ponsonby la.st Saturday by a splendid drop-kick with his left foot.

— " Actsi'on "is much obliged to " v eptune ' for boating items, and trusts that his contributions wil! be continued.

— Nothing had been done xip till Wednesday to get the ''Hattie May" ready for the sweepstakes race to-morrow.

— \ cricketer at Yovke's Peninsula, Australia, was recently attempting to catch a ball, when he stumbled and fell backwards, breaking his neck.

— The small open sailing boats "Olive " and "Amateur " had another race on Queen's Birthday. The ' Olive," whic was sailed by Graydon, was the winner.

— The sweepstakes sailing race, which was expected to come olf on Queen's Birthday, was not arranged. 2STo proper steps were taken, and there was much uncertainty regarding it.

— I believe the "Olga" Avill not compete with the other sixteen-feet boats next Saturday. Surely Swailes could tot have been aware that the race was to take x>lace. Perhaps there is time even yet.

— The season now closing has been the least successful which the Rowing Clubs have had for some time. The officers of Ponsonby and North Shore Clubs should be heartily ashamed of themselves.

— The landlord of the Red Lion Hotel has offered a silver cup to be competed for by open sailing boats under sixteen feet. The race takes place on Saturday next (to-naorrow.)

— -J. Henderson, by some good play, secured a try for Auckland and North Shore last Saturday. The kick at goal was a fine one, but the angle was too great, and a poster was the result.

— The open sailing boats "Devonport," "Spray," "On Dit" "Imp" "Meteor," and "Zip" are exxsected to be amongst the competitors for the cxip presented by the landlord of tho Bed Lion Hotel. The race takes place to-morrow (Saturday).

— The light-weights of Ponsonby and Grafton gave their opponents from Auckland and North Shore " beans " last Saturday. The result was : Ponsonby and Grafton, 10 points (two goals) ; Auckland and North Shore, i points (two trys).

— There is considerable probability of the projected regatta in connection with Parnell taking place next year. I hear that it is proposed to call a, meeting shortly in order to appoint a committee to canvass the district.

— The football match on Saturday between the Surrey Hill and Newton Clubs was a very unequal one. The former had seventeen men. The latter fifteen boys. Nevertheless it resulted in a draw, much in favour of the boys.

— The highest batting averages at Tauranga for the past season were :— Whelan, 17 ; Farrer, 15 j Stevens, 12 ; Goldsmith, 92 ; and McKinney, 9. Mr. Whelan won the bat presented by Mr. B. Goldsmith. His steady play and good cricket entitled him to the trophy.

— The " Observer's " centre-board lias been enlarged by Messrs. Hewson ana Melville. She carries seventeen hundredweight of lead ballast, and it is said that this is considerably more than that taken by any other boot of her size in the harbour. The enlargement of her centre-board is believed to have improved her somewhat.

—There was some good play in the football match between the Grafton and Ponsonby, and Auckland and North Shore Football Clubs last Saturday. The scrimmages were, however, hardly so well supported as they might have been, and the local players should not forget the disagreeable but valuable lessons taught them by the Wellington team last season. If an Auckland team is to go South, our representatives should endeavour to inrprove themselves as much as possible by remedying their weak points. One of these certainly is the absence of systematic <- passing" in scrimmages. —Could not the Metropolitan Ground at the rear of the Government House be obtained for cricket practising purposes ? It is the property of the Government, and is retained in the distant and improbable prospect that Auckland may again be the Empire city. As there is no chance of it being required for the present, the use of it might easily bo obtained. A hundred pounds would go a long way towards making it suitable for the purpose referred to, and I venture to say that the money would easily be obtained. The matter is one that demands immediate attention, and surely a strong committee of cricketers could be gob together to obtain the use of the ground and raise the necessary funds. There is no reason, too, why it should not be made partially self-supporting, if it were placed, like the Domain, in the hands of trustees.

ACTiEON,