OUT DOOR SPORTS

Observer, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4, 5 October 1912, Page 10

OUT DOOR SPORTS

[By Harrier.]

AT last week's meeting of the Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby Union, the proposed "Country Week," was thoroughly discussed, and next season should see this innovation in full swing. The proposal arrived at was that the Auckland Union invite certain of the sub-unions to take part in a "Country Week" in the City, about the end of July or the beginning of August, and guarantee them each a certain sum for expenses incurred in taking part. It was considered'that, from a playing point of view, Thames and Wairoa occupied a special position, and that they should separately contest supremacy. That left, say, Otamatea, Whangarei, Raglan, and Manukau to tight out for top position in a section class, with a possible playing amalgamation of Wainku, Raglan, and Manukau, which now cover the area once occupied by the old Franklin Union. The suggestion was that Thames and Wairoa should settle their claims to superiority as a big attraction for Wednesday, with the others doing thenpreliminaries the same day and playing the final of their section on the Thursday afternoon.' Then, on the play, the country selectors cull a ntteen from the lot to uphold the football honour of the ruralists in combat on the following Saturday with the select of the City.

The fnial of the Wellington Rugby Union Senior championship between Athletic and Petone drew a gate. And yet some people are always harping that the Rugby game is going back. Law and Insurance had their annual tilt at football on Saturday last. TtT the senior go, Law beat Insurance by 5l points to 5, but in the junior . fixture honours were even, the game ending in a draw. The matter of a New Zealand-team visiting New South Wales'in 1913 is Sg discussed (according to a Sydney writer). It is the turn of New South Wales to visit New Zealandbu-the Rugby Union strength of this btate has not yet recovered quite sufficiently to histify the organisation of a team to tour New Zealand with good prospects of success. A year or two hence the position will have improved, as there P are many most excellent young Players coming along whose development may lead to the representative feam becoming as solid as it was m 1907. Another tour by the Jsew Zealandere might be beneficial to the Dominion, by helping to build up the team that may be expected to visit the Old Country at an early dace. That team should be composed of New Zealanders only—there is not a shadow of reason for Australia joining in with the Dominion in such an undertaking.

The Otago players are much incensed at the lack of attention and courtesy of the Wellington Bugby Union officials during the -team's stay, in Wellington (remarks an Otago writer). Particularly was this noticeable at the dinner after the match, when none ot the Wellington -officials were present, and the members of the Wellington team were congratulating themselves elsewhere on their victory. The Otago team dined alone. The managers, Messrs Sandes and Cavanagh, sat one . O n each side of the table waiting ior some Wellington official to .take the chair. Nobody took the chair. There were no speeches, no toasts, no good fellowship, and the only harmony existed amongst the Otago players themselves. In contrast to the reception and treatment meted out to the Otago team by other centres Wellington s attitude was discourteous to a degree. This is not the kind of reception Wellington players, are treated to in Dunedin.

Sorry to record that " Scotty" Bonella has had to undergo another operation, but that it was sitccessful and he is now recovering rapidly.

The Northern Boxing Association's carnival last Wednesday evening at the Town Hall was worthy of a better house, although the attendance was very satisfactory. With a well-ap-pointed set of officials, the arrangements for the evening's sport were per ; feet, and no time was wasted during the bouts. Secretary Burbush was unfortunately unable to be -present through illness, but his fellow officers saw that his duties were fulfilled.

Most interest was centred in the meeting of Dinny Murphy and George Olsen in the 15-round professional welter championship of New Zealand. This was Murphy's first appearance before an Auckland audience, and after the showing he gave it is to be hoped that we will see him again in action. Olsen made a good go ot it for more than half the fight, but towards the thirteenth round it was seen that Murphy had a bit in reserve. In this round he made play with his right, and in the next round the visisent in a wicked left, which almost sent Olsen out, and did that much damage that his second skied the towel. Olsen fought up to his best form, but in Murphy he met a better man. It was a 61ean fight, and altogether one of the best bouts the Association has arranged.

Bennett, from Tiinaru, got the verdict over E. O'Meara in the six-round amateur contest. For four rounds it was a clinking go, both boys taking a lot of punishment. Then OMeara tired, and the Southerner had the of it O'Meara was. suffering with a bad arm, which appeared to give him some trouble.

Savoury is having a good run in his matches "of lpte, and notched a wm over Baker, the Waikato heavy-weight champion. In the second round Baker made Savoury wake up, but when the latter sailed in in the third round Baker wisely chucked it up. Savoury has improved a lot, but his methods do not seem to please the spectators.

Of the novices, White proved to be the best of a poor lot, although Nelson gave him a little trouble in the final. White is a very matter-of-fact sort of boxer, who should be capable of improvement.

Mr Frank Burbush, the genial secretary of the Northern Boxing Association, has been laid aside, with illness for some days, but he is now improving, and should be quite himself in a few days.

The professional light-weight championship between Len. Porter the holder, and Alf. Gault resulted at Wanganui last week in a draw. Inn Tracey, who acted as referee, says it was one of the best contests he ever witnessed. Gault all but had Porter on a couple of occasions. The Aticklander had a rib damaged during the bout. * * * At the annual meeting of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club last Friday evening it was shqwn that the year's transactions ended with the club having a balance ot nearly <£25. Seeing that the club had started the year with Poetically nothing in hand and had held three carnivals, the management are to be congratulated on their work. It is intended to start the season soon with a carnival, and there appears every prospect of the club having another successful season.

The secretaryship is now in the hands of Mr L. C. Castleton, while Mr Joe Twiname will look after the funds. A good working committee has been elected, and Mr J. Mulvihill has been appointed club captain, to look after our runners and keep an eye to the advancement of the sport.

With the weather getting a bit more settled, our cricketers are getting prepared for the new season. Net prac-. tices have been started in earnest, and next Saturday should see big musters.

In the final Test match at Kennington Oval Wilfred Rhodes was put on to bowl on the bad wicket, specially to give him an opportunity of completing his 100 wickets in Test matches. But he failed, though he ought to have got the one necessary, for he missed Matthews . off his own bowling .not a very difficult catch.