OFFICE CHATTER.

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 8, 25 October 1919, Page 14

OFFICE CHATTER.

Efficiency in a touring-car engine is the main factor which has to be considered by designers and makers, but for road work the word efficiency should not be taken to mean absolute maximum power from a minimum quantity of fuel, or even maximum power from a given cubic capacity. In the test house and on the track these are features which are absolutely essential if any successful results are to be obtained.

Thus the word efficiency is taken to mean all-round utility, that is, liveliness on the road, economy in fuol consumption, good hill-climbing, and last, but not least, reliability and long life. It is well known that a racing engine which is efficient to the last degree as regards power from a given piston displacement is in most cases unsuitable for touring, for in order to obtain high revolutions and power, the reciprocating weights have to be cut down to leave only a small margin of safety, and very often the fuel consumption cannot be expected to compare with a similar-sized engine suitable for touring. On the other hand, an engine which is tuned for a petrol consumption trial would not give off sufficient power or have sufficient flexibility to satisfy the average driver, and therefore a compromise has to be made.

Rotorua opened its bowling season the other day, but, unhappily, the weather was on the blink, and the various sports who had depended on a good game were rather disappointed. The greens are in fine order. At least, it seems that the Government has tried to take some pride in the development of sports' facilities in their little burg of Rotorua. Also, what should make the Auckland City Council sit up straight, the Rotorua tennis courts, asphalt and grass alike, are the finest I have seen for a long time. You don't have to have the 0.8. E., or to live at Remuera, to play on them, either. The cost of a game is very, very small, and all the Rotorua people agree that they're the best courts ever. It's good watching young Hallett and that dignified old gentleman, Lieut.-Col. N. P. Jory, flinging the ball about. In fact, Rotorua is a good place for sport. .

Thus an overseas message dated Vancouver, September 16: "With a hard right to the ooint of the jaw, Johnny Kilbane,featherweight champion of the world. knocked out Frankie Burns in the fifth round ot their contest at Jersey City. The fight took place before a crowd ot 40 000 In the fifth round Kilbane feinted cleverly, and making an opening, quickly sent Ins right across to the jaw, dropping Burns to the floor. Burns climed on to his feet after four seconds had been counted, but he was unable to defend himself, and the referee stopped the contest and awarded the decision to Kilbane Burns had ney.er t>ei£>re been knocked out. Frankie Burns, is a bantamweight.

Again the motor has demonstrated its capabilities of handling transport in an expeditious manner. Cabled particulars of the English railway strike show that motor traction has enabled the British authorities to cope with the disabilities arising from the sudden stoppage of the English railway systems. And yet, many people will not recognise the fact that the motor has come to stay, and that it is destined to play a most important part in the development of this country.

From a recent London sportsman: "The offer of a valuable trophy by a titled lady for a competition by the women of the nations has naturally aroused tremendous interest everywhere. What excitement there will be when these teams of French, Australian, and American girls compete on the same courts with thfe daughters of England. It may be fotind more difficult to secure representative teams that can travel the vast distances that were necessitated by the men's competition. It has been urged that the most satisfactory course would be to hold the competition annually in England. On the face of it this would seem scarcely fair to the other competing countries. From the way the world is progressing in these spacious times, a team of Turkish ladies and the championesses of China in the final is not an impossibility." The competition annually in England would not conduce to the tournament's boarder success. It would mean cutting out across-the-seas nations. ■ * * Y.M. says:—"The most successful of the' annual sports meetings inaugurated some five years ago for boys of the Auckland V.M.C.A., was held last Saturday on the Domain, under conditions that bordered on perfection. The track was in excellent condition, and close finishes resulted, especially in the cup events. Eleven competitors took part for the Colonel Patterson Cup (senior), won by Miller, while the Pascoe Cup (junior) went to Gilbertson. One hundred and twenty competitors, with 400 entries, took part in the 37 events, which were ably started by Mr. J. Drunimond. This splendid show of enthusiasm by the youth of the organisation would have been even greater had it not been for a daylight parade of Senior Cadets, which claimed quite a number of the boys for the afternoon. Doubtless the wise territorial generals do not realise that sport is better for the lads than "Halt!" "LeP turn!" etc. » r • Undoubtedly the most progressive point of design incorporated in English 1919-20 motor cycles is the spring frame. It must be remembered, however, that the suggestion itself is not a new one. The average rider mechanic realised the demand for rear-spiiung motor cycles at least a decade ago, with the result that a great amount of thought and experimental work has been expended towards the solution of the question. Nevertheless, the siiccessful rear-sprung motor cycle (with possibly a single exception), has yet to make its appearance, although the American manufacturers have made considerable advance in this direction. Numerous types of efficient, reliable front forks have been on the market for the past twenty years. With the exception of one make, not a single rear-sprung fork or frame has weathered the varying fortunes of twelve months' road service. * * * "Stymie" discourses: I haven't seen much golf news in your columns. Would you like me to tell you • that there were over 40 entrants for the George Cup handicap medal match played on Saturday by the Auckland clubbers? The doughty Dargaville won—B7—9—7B. Some other good scores were:—D. Macfarlane, 89-10-79; G. D. Thacker, 92 11 81; Simmonds, 94— 12 — oz ; H Horton, 92—9—83; E. R. Bloomfield, 100—14—86.

Billiardist Walter Lindrum has not gone to England after all. He got as far as W T est Australia and then returned to Melbourne — a wise proceeding, as he was altogether too late- for the English season. If he started for South Africa, say, in January, and arrived in England about June, all would be well, provided he put his affairs in the hands of, say, George Reid or J. P. Mannock, to make engagements. It is not unlikely that he will play his brother, Fred, in Sydney shortly. © ® ® A Yank journal warbles: — "To-day Jack Dempsey, champion heavyweight boxer of the world, will enter the charmed circle of millionaire performers, a la Enrico Caruso, Mary Garden, Mary Pickford, 'Galli-Curci, and Charlie Chaplin, any. of whom corral enough kale for one night's work to feed a small army' for a considerable time, the high cost of living notwithstanding. * * * "This afternoon at 3, in the ballroom of the Morrison Hotel, Mr. Dempsey will sign the most lavish contract, .from a remunerative standpoint, ever extended to an athlete for his John Hancock. The document makes all of the historic Jess Willard-Ty Cobb-Eddie Collins-John .McGr'aw-Christey Mathewson pacts pale into insignificance. *' * » "It calls for a 15-week vaudeville engagement at the princely wage of 15,000 dollars per week, a tJbtal of 225,000 dollars; and that is not all, as there is a clause in the paper giving the profferers of the fabulous sum an option of 15 weeks' additional service, should they care to exercise it. * * * "The syndicate offering Dempsey this mighty fortune for practically three months' work is the LinickJacoby Enterprises, the company being composed of Fred Linick, Raymond L. Jacoby, and Larney Lichtenstein, the latter entering the partnership with the closing of the DempseV contract. * * * "Lichtenstein announced last night that a certified cheque for the entire amo.unt of the contract would be drawn to-day, and an arrangement made with a local bank to pay the world's champion his salary at the rate of 15,000 dollars each week until the expiration of the agreement. * * • "It is the intention of the thea-" trical company to play Dempsey only in the best theatres, attracting the most select audiences." * * * Just before the Digger match on Saturday a well-known Auckland sportsman remarked that there was no possible doubt who was going to win ; that he knew who was going to win; that Auckland would absolutely wallop the "digs," who, he maintained, were quite out of condition after their sea trip; that he'd lay 10 points in, and if he lost he'd eat a hat. Would he please call at the "Observer" office, where he will find a large top-hat, date 1860, of the "boiler" variety, which I sincerely trust will not give him indigestion. * . * • The opening of the season of the West End Rowing Club was held in excellent weather on Saturday. There was. a large attendance from sister clubs, and much interest was shown in the club's new fleet of boats, which have recently arrived from Melbourne to replace those damaged in the storm of last year. Amongst these is comprised a racing' pair-oar, a racing four, four practice fours, and two practice pairs. Things are going to hum out Ponsonby way this season * * * Discussing the deepest depression That frequently crumbles one's pride, If you care for an earnest confession I'll slip it to you on the side.

It comes with an anguish abiding, With terror as heavy as sin, When you see a putt sliding • and gliding Ten feet past the pin. * * » Western Reserve University has added to its curriculum a course in athletics, which every student in Adelbert College will be forced to undergo. The course is under the supervision of Dr. Steinen, recently returned from medical service . in France, and liis corps of assistant coaches. Football, basketball, baseball, track, wrestling, boxing and soccer are the most prominent sports which will be taught. According to the programme, the school year will be divided into three parts. The first will be the football season, and will terminate with the vacation. During the second term the student will be taught basketball and given instruction in the arts of boxing, wrestling and fencing, along with other gymnasium games. The third or spring term will be devoted to basketball, track and tennis, which will start as soon as the weather permits. The course consists of five hours' instruction and training each week.

A little pat straight now and then Is relished by all poker players; But, oh, the grip of anguish when You look to find there are no stayers.