Out Door Sports.

Observer, Volume XVIII, Issue 1094, 16 December 1899, Page 11

Out Door Sports.

By ' Habbier.'

COMING EVENTS

Dec. 16.— Ponsonby Eegatta. Dec. 22, 23 —Auckland v. Otago (Cricket),

Auckland Domain. Jan. 13.— General Handicap Eace (A.T.C.) Jan. 20.— A.V.0. Picnic.

Saturday being an ideal day for cricket, it was naturally expected that heavy scoring would be tha result. That expectation was borne out in the Gordon-Par-nell match, the former putting up the heavy score of 321 for 9 wickets, towards which Williams contributed 77 by good, careful cricket, albeit dangerous snicks in the slips might have proved disastrous. This player should be a certainty for the reps. Dr Pabst, with 68, was the next highest scorer, and played by far the best cricket of the match. His square cuts were beautifully timed, and, had he not strained his leg, would probably have reached the century. He was out to a fine catch by Besteaux. Lusk made 32 before being well caught by Kallender, and most of the others got into double figures by nice play, Seccombe being the moat prominent. Excepting Eesteaux, the Parnell bowlers were out-classed by the batting, and suffered severely. Their side have a very stiff task before them.

Nine Gordon batsmen made double figures on Saturday. The world's record pole jump is lift lOJin, held by Clapp, an American. Thirteen extras out of a total of 85 does not speak too well for United's wicket-beeping on Saturday. During the comparatively short time North Shore were batting, United tried no less than six bowlers. W. Wynyard (3 for 39) secured the best bowling figures for North Shore. Porter took 3 for 85 ; G. Mills, 2 for 95 ; and Sntton, 1 for 23 R. Neill again displayed first-class bowling form, capturing 5 Ponsonby wickets for 32 runs. Arthur Beale (6 for 47) also trundled really well. How conies it that ( Jack ' Nicholson was not given a chance by the Cricket Association's selectors ? He is certainly one of the soundest bats we possess. The Victorian Cricket Association have, after all, decided to send a team to New Zealand this season, and a team, moreover, which will pretty well represent the full Btrength of Victoria. Amalgamation of the two New Zealand Swimming Associations is taking a long time to fix up. Auckland's proposals that each province shall have equal representation on the governing body, and that the headquarters shall be shifted every two years, are not finding favour with the Southern clubs. Ponsonby, batting a man short, were only capable of totalling 83 against Auckland, Mills, 28, and F.Sanders, 13, being the only double figure scorerß. Auckland responded with 151 for 8 wickets, D. Clayton being the principal contributor with 67, and would appear to have the match well in hand. The feature of the North ShoreUnited match on Saturday was D. Hay's fine not out score of 143, out of a total of 267 for 9 wickets. Dug went in first and played fine free cricket throughout, scoring very rapidly. Of the other batßmen, Clayton 22, C. Hay '29, and Brown 28 were the most successf 01. At call of time North Shore had responded with 85 for 3 wickets, Mills 12, Buddie 14, Wynyard 17, and Ball, not out, 24. Looking through the list of players requested to practise in view of the Otago match, one is forced to the conclusion that the team, when chosen, will be weak in bowling. Of the fifteen selected only two —Neil and Stephen — can safely be classed as trundlers of more than mediocre ability, and, this being the case, it is difficult to understand why London was not given an opportunity of qualifying for the eleven. He is an awkward bowler to negotiate on a fast wicket, and appears to be in very good form this Beason.

West End Rowing Club annexed each of the five gig races at the Mercer Regatta, and thereby enriched the club's funds by prize money amounting to £36.

As matters at present stand, it appears likely that the Auckland Annual Regatta will be allowed to fizzle out. Less than a dozen attended the annual meeting of committee last week, and, unless some new and vigourons life can be infused into the affair, there is little probability of Anniversary Day, 1900; being celebrated in the time-honoured fashion.

Nobhing finer in the way of big canoe races has ever been seen on the Waikato than the two contests on Saturday between the Paparata and Whawhakia, the latter being a new canoe bnilt by the Huntly natives, and carrying a crew of 28 against the Paparata's.44. In the first race the Paparata won by a few feet only, but in the second, when the number of men carried was limited to 30 in each canoe, the positions were reversed, although the finish was equally close.

The Rugby International Board have just given a couple of important rulings : — One provides, that if a referee whistles to allow a no-charge jasfc as the kicker takes a kick, snch kicker shall have the option of another kick — that is, if he has kicked a goal he can allow it to stand ; if he has not, he can take a second kick. The other says that, ' After a charge has been disallowed, any player except the kicker may place or replace the ball, and he may alter the spot for the place-kick.

The Melbourne Sportsman says.: — G. Sutherland, the crack New Zealand rider, is, without a doubt, one of the finest handicap ridera Australia has ever seen, and his style of riding will do a lot of good amongst back-markers in showing them that, with unselfish pacing, the back men can, in nine cases out of ten, overhaul the limit man. We predict a very successful season for the Maorilander, who is a decided acquisition to our racing ranks, and is as gentlemanly as he is fast. If any back man is to win this year's Austral, we venture to predict that G. Sutherland will be the rider.

Although excursionists from Auckland were not bo numerous as was anticipated, the Mercer Eegatta attracted a very large gathering of spectators, the majority hailing from the surrounding country districts. The regatta was in every way a most decided success, the Maori canoe events especially being in the highest degree interesting. The arrangements for the conduct of the sports, and for the comfort and convenience of visitors, were of the most complete description, and for this Mr C. T. Edwarda, hon. sec. and treasurer, the committee, and officials generally, are entitled to very considerable credit.

Ponsoiaby Begatta eventuates on Saturday, and the indications are that the function will be equally as successful and enjoyable as in previous years. An attractive programme of 25 events has been arranged, with a prize list (cash and trophies) aggregating about £160. The committee have been fortunate in securing the padSle steamer Wakatere aB flagship, thereby ensuring ample and comfortable accommodation for visitors. The first race starts at 1 o'clock, and steamers will run from and to Queen-street Wharf at short intervals throughout the afternoon.