OUT DOOR SPORTS

Observer, Volume XXVIII, Issue 28, 28 March 1908, Page 10

OUT DOOR SPORTS

By Harrier,

THE heavy rain which set in Saturday morning, and continued at intervals till late in the day, made .it impossible for Auckland cricketers to go on with their fixtures. There still remain two events of the senior championship to be played, and it is hoped that fine weather will be experienced for these games. The championship has, however, been won by Eden, who have too strong a" lead to be displaced.

It is reported that the county cricket clubs of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Surrey have decided against the proposed Imperial triangular contests. Thus " Felix " in the Australasian : — " Throughout his great career I doubt whether M. A. Noble, all things considered, has ever had a better or a more glorious year." The North Shore senior team has been weakened by the removal of Howden to Gisborne. Hussey, the well-known bat, has also left the district, and is now residing down Wairarapa way. The Eden Cricket Club intended to hold an " At Home" on their ground at Kingsland last Saturday, but the wet weather put a block upon the proceedings. No less than live Eden teams were to take the field. Ken Tucker is at the head of the Wellington batting averages in local senior matches for the present season. His figures are : — Innings 12, times not out 2, total runs 458, highest score 107 (not out), average 45.80. The annual match between the stafts of the Union Steamship Company and H.M. Customs was to have been played on Saturday last, but the bad weather necessitated a postponement, and the game is now set down for Saturday, April 4th. A number of the players, however, braved the elements on Saturday, and engaged in a scratch game, the Customs men showing to the best advantage.

The annual meeting of the Auckland Rugby Uniou will be held on Friday, April 10th. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union will be held at Wellington on May 14th. Stated in in the South that "All Black " R. Deans will be playing for certain in the opening matches of the Canterbury Rugby Union. The Christchurch football clubs have already started practice for the coming season, and most of the clubs have made fixtures with outside teams for Easter time. Wellington Rugby Union held its annual meeting on Friday. The Union had a very successful year financially, the season's operations resulting in a profit of £215. The balance of assets over liabilities amounts to £1160.

Bad weather interfered with the first day's racing of the New Zealand Amatenr Championship meeting at Napier last week. The commencement of proceedings had to be delayed from Thursday to Saturday. The events were swum- in the inner part of the harbour, and a choppy sea made good times impossible. Three championships were, decided, and Malcolm Champion, the Auckland crack, got away with two of them — 100 yards and 880 yards. Champion wbnjbis events rather easily, particularly the half-

mile;. The 220 breast-stroke championship was won by A. Russell, of Canterbury, Truscott, last year's champion, being third. On the second day of the meeting, Champion put up a remarkable performance, winning the 220 yards, 440 yards, ariel one mile championships. It was a heavy day's work, but Champion's splendid physique stood him in good stead. Champion now holds five championships, and it is a record to be proud of. Freyberg, of Wellington, was the next best performer, but. he failed to extend Champion. At a meeting of the Waitemata Ladies' Swimming Club held last week, it was decided to ihold the second carnival this (Thursday) evening, 26th inst., and also that gentlemen should be admitted on this occasion. Great interest is being shown amongst the local lady swimmers, owing to the fact that the 72 Yards Championship of Auckland is to be decided. Besides this, there will also be a number of handicap events, and the attendance promises to be large. The following are the handicaps : — 36 Yards, Girls under 14.— D. Farquhar, scratch ; E Marritt, 2sec ; M. Caft'rey, 2sec ; E. Garstau, 4sec ; F. Larsen, 6aec. 50 Yards, Open. —D. Stopford, scratch; M. Marritt, 2sec ; A. Nicholson, 4sec ; — Rosser, saec ; E. Kean, 6sec ; G. Ferguson, 7sec ; D. Farquhar, 98ec. 36 Yards, Breast Stroke.— D. Stopford, scratch ; Pinder, E. Maritt, M. CafFrey, 3sec ; Rosser, ssec ; Underwood, E. Kean, 6sec ; C. Ferguson, 78ec.

Auckland's rowing men did fairly well at the Napier rowing regatta. The Waitemata senior crew won the Napier fours, and also rowed a good second in the chamoion fours. The North Shore crew secured third place in their event.