IN THE OPEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10753, 26 April 1913, Page 6

IN THE OPEN.

([£ffS FRO It EVERYWHERE. ATHLETIC At a meeting of the executive of tho New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. he'd in Wellington on Tuesday night, an application was received for confirmation o. the record Id for IGOO.vds. registered !>v A. W. Dormer at Auckland on -March 1. The application was hctd oa or pending further information as to the testing of the watches.

Ernie Webb, the English champion walker, has returned to Toronto, which will henceforth be his home.

A meeting of tho executive of the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union was helcl last week. It was resolved to disqualify the following clubs for holding nn registered meetings :- lukekavia, Mokaij Onewhero. Wniuku, \> arkworth and Tuaknu. For leaving out n performance at Otahnhn, J. I. KogciS (PunO was disqualified for nine months. For crossing the track in a cycling event, and for neglecting to leave the trade when ordered to do so A. M. Seott (Hamilton 1 ) was disqualified till July 31, 1914. The cycling consul. Mr Parding'ton, characterised such conduct as deserving of the strongest censure, in the interests of sport and safety of riders. Two cyclists, Robertson and Purchas, for competing at the recent amateur sports meeting without being registered, were fined f>s each. It was decided to ctenrlv indicate that the leniency extended the riders was on account of their youth. It was decided to write the amateur Centre and inform it that unless a satisfactory reason be assigned as to why the amateur club had handed a trophy to Robertson in above race, after being notified of disqualification, tho union will strictly adhere to the rules on behalf of pure sport, and must cancel tho permit granted to the amateur body to hold bicycle events The Centre was asked to rule on tliG question as to what- constituted a performance, and to define the word " placed." After an exchange of expert opinions, it was laid, down that competitors finishing first, second or third must record same on subsequent nomination forms: also a fourth place if it carries a prize. Frederick Hawthorn and J. Kennedy were reported for not tryi"g in their heats at feb Patrick's Sports, and were reprimanded for such conduct. A. Armstrong (Ruawai) was disqualified for six months from present date for omitting a Pf" 1forTtitUicc from "Wstipu CulGclonitin So* ciety programme. GYCLINC.

F. (" JumbD") Wells, the New Zealand cyclist at present in Australia, has been doing pretty well on the tracks of late. He won the big handicap at the Druids' Fastet Sports in Melbourne, and at Ballarat oil April 12 he won an open mile handicap and the ten miles international championship. The results of tsvo big six days' races in Europo are to hand, and Australians were members of the winning team in each. At Paris, where the race was run for a full 144 hours, Australians were most prominent, for A. T. Goullet and J. Fogler, the famous American, won, while E. W. Schneider, although handicapped by the loss of a i partner, and having to re-teajn with another who subsequently dropped out, established himself as a high favourite by very plucky riding. At the end of the first forty-eight hours Schneider and his original partner, Packebusch, were leading, and 1000 miles were ridden in 48hr 54min 45f.ee. Oil the evening of the second day, however, a big "jamb" saw eight teams get a break, Schneider and his team mate evidently losing a couple of laps, for Paekebusch retired, and Schneider reteamed with Vanhouwaert, the famous Belgian road rider. They were placed three laps behind tile leaders. Next night Schneider and. Vanhouwaert were responsible for the leaders breaking several records, for they rode splendidly and regained a lost lap. Schneider, despite several falls, rode remarkably well, and won several special prizes. At 100 miles the leaders were 71 kilometres (about 40 miles) ahead of record, but early on the fifth day Vanhouwaert fell heavily, and had to retire. Schneider pegged along for the eight bom's, during which he was allowed to secure a fresh partner, but although he regained still another lap, failed to get a mate, and had to give up. Some very exciting racing was seen in the final stages, and the winners rode about 2775 miles 1175 yards in the 144 hours. M'Farland and Moran's American record for 142 hours is 2737 miles 176 yards. At Berlin A. J. Clark and F. Hill were successful, it being Clark's second win. On the third day four teams lapped the field, and they remained together till the finish, when Clark won the sprint. The other three teams were Lorenz and Saldow, Stol and Miquel, and Stellbrink-Rossel-len, Clark beating Stol and Lorenz in, that order. The distance covered was 2439 miles 1150 yards, but it is stated that the design of the track was very faulty, and falls were numerous on the bad turns. Clark's victory was deservedly popular, as he proved himself a thorough sportsman right through the week. He and Hill won about £SOO in prizes and premiums in the race.

In a six hours' race which preceded the six days' race at Paris French teams got first, second and third places, V. Dupro and 0. Lapize winning by a narrow margin from Pouchois and Beyl, with Comes and PetitBreton third. A. T. Gouliet and J. Fogler were fourth. The winners rode 233 kilometres 100 metres in the time. F. H. Grubb, the English unpaced road rider, and E. W. Schneider competed as a team, but lost ground in the fifth hour, their score being 232 kilometres 600 metres.

SWIMMING. Lottie Fevyer. a fourteen-year-old Manly schoolgirl, lias been doing big things in the swimming world of late. At the All Schools' (Jala, at the Domain Baths, she won the 100 yards school championship of New South Wales, and the 50 yards fourt-een-year-old championship, following up these fine performances by winning the swimming and diving championships of the Manly Girls' Superior School. year she Avon the All Schools' thirteen years championship, and was also the champion of her own school. Competent critics who witnessed her finished swimming at the Domain Baths predict- a big future for the young swimmer. and ?.fr Hellings,' the manager of the baths, expresses the opinion that inside a couple of years she will be a formidable rival to Miss Fanny Durack.

The case of Frank de Beaurepairo, the great Victorian, has again become prominent by the recently-revived efforts of some of the swimming legislators in Melbourne to bring about the ex-champion's re-entry to active participation in the sport. It will be remembered that Beaurepairo lost his status by accepting a position under the Victorian Government, of instructor in swimming and life-saving, and that, ipso facto, he disqualified himself from participating further in am ate ur competitions. Since that time there have been repeated endeavours to make a loophole in the laws so that Beaurepairo may again represent his State in the Australian championships awl, possibly, also on behalf of Australia in international competitions. An alteration in the laws was firstmoved by the Victoria fx A.S.A. to allow swimming instructors to remain amateurs, provided their salaries voro received from (i lie Government, or City CVunH-ii. This was based 011 exenip-

tin us made hv tho International Swimming i'Vdornt:on in tho car-e <>t Germany, Sweden and Finland, ou account of a 'long-standing arrangement obtaining in those countries prior io iho formation of tho I*ot 10ration. and the consequent attempt to make uniform till' amateur laws of all nations. However, in the ca-e ot (icrmany, a twelve mouths' abstention from receiving payment and from the sport is necessary before n swimmer rehabilitates himself. Victoria's proposal was submitted to a mail vote and declared lost. Bv its action in moving an amendment to the laws the soul hern association praeticn!lv admitted that the present '::ws debarred Boaurepaire. yet, after much consideration, the next move is the declaration made by the Council of that bodv that Boaurepniro is eligible io compote under a clause in tho constitution which provides that_ receiving remuneration for any office connected wit.lv athletic sport, if sanctioned hv a.nv affiliated amateur swimming association. shall not constitute a person a professional. The ruling was sent, on to the Australian Swimming Union for approval, but it was not endorsed. FOOTBALL.

The West Coast Rugby Union is writing to the Auckland _ Union extending an invitation to their representatives for a visit to The West Coasters will guarantee £6O for a 'Wednesday match and £75 for a Saturday match. • Is it the last of tho cricket or the first of the football season r" (asks the ••Post"). A telegram from Christchurch states: 'Mn the third grade Bovs' High School beat Linwood B by 91 "to nil!" One word, "nil." appears to refer to Rugby, but the '' 01 has an unmistakable _ flavour of cricket. However, in conjunction with other reports from Ghristclnirch, the public have the assurance that the Linwood B team was stung 011 tlie football field. This seems to he a record score. As a matter of fact, tlie actual score was 9t points to nil. The tries and goals followed in such quick succession that tho official scorer lost count. ]};• Howard Bullock, the Sydney University and New South Y\ ales representative footballer and Rhodes scholar, returned to Sydney last week si tor three vears in England. Dr Bullock took his F.R.C.S. degree before leaving England. At tlie thirty-first annual meeting of the Queensland Rugby Union held 011 April 9. the credit balance was shown to be £163.

A Rugby referee revives'-the question whether the ball is to be considered as fairly in a scrummage in the case of its being thrown by the half-back into the scrummage and rebounding to his hand, and in the case of its passsing through the scrummage after touching the feet of a forward or forwards. Now as in practice the ball is not said to be fairly in the scrummage until it has passed the feet of the first forward, and it is not legal for either of the two opposing forwards on the side of the scrummage to lift their feet until the ball has passed them, the first case is well-nigh inconceivable. There is still much need for a revision of the scrummage rules, but, en attendant, it would seem that the ball having passed one_ forward must be in the scrummage if it is either taken in possession by another, or indubitably kicked out by an inside forward, hut not if it merely touches feet as it goes through. The present rule leaves' much to the private judgment of the referee.

There are persistent rumours current in Auckland that Tfwerson, the brilliant Union five-eighths of last season, intends to play the League game this year.

11. H. Messenger has expressed his intention of playing this season, and hopes that if a team goes to New Zealand he will be selected to accompany it. This news will be very welcome to local enthusiasts, who have looked forward for several to seeing Australia's champion in action

Referring to Wigan's 38 to nil defeat of Leeds, a Manchester critic said that "It is doubtful whether the Wigan third line ever showed up in a better light, and if there was one man who could be singled out for praise it was the redoubtable Jenkins, whose resourcefulness was a valuable to his side. With Todd, Bradley and Walford more than usually conspicuous, and Seeling leading a businesslike pack, it was no wonder that under the conditions which prevailed Wigan won in such a decisive manner. C. Seeling, the New Zealander, has established \ record for a Wigan forward by scoring twontv tries in a season, with more to follow. MOTORING.

The "Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review" of March 4 chronicles the death of the famous Jake de Rosier, one of the world's greatest racing motor-cyclists, after a year's painful illness, following a dreadful accident on the Los Angeles track in March last year. De Rosier at one time held every world's record from a mile to 100 miles, and will be remembered for his historic match on the Brooklands track with C. R. Collier, the famous Englishman. In this race, in one heat de Rosier's machine shed a tyro when travelling at over 80 miles an hour, but lie held up and rode around to the finishing point on tho rim. Be won the only conclusive event out of three, Collier having trouble through an ignition wire breaking in another heat. De Rosier was a Canadian by birth and was thirty-four years of age. He commenced as an amateur cyclist, but took to pace-making on one of the first motor-cycles used in the United States. His one-hflur record of 83 miles 135 yds was only recently lowered by Le6 Humiston.

Aro some motor-c.vclists and motorcar drivers touched with insanity? asks the " "Wanganui Chronicle's" Mavton correspondent. According to the engine-driver of the New Piymou thWellington express many of them aro mad 1 , judging by the tremendous risks they run. When giving evidence at. an'inquiry the driver said that tho greatest hurdle engine-drivers had on. the track was that arising from motor traffic. Throughout the country trains frequently had to be stopped because of motorists, and, speaking for himself. he had seen some of the most daring tricks performed, particularly on the run from Feilding to Palmerston. It was not unusual to see motorists race the train, when the road was running parallel with the track, and then take tho crossing in front of the engine with less than 20yds to spare between them and probably certain death. Mr Barrington, who works in his market garden close by the crorsinrr at Marton where +he recent accident occurred, said that at the end of Jairuarv he saw a motor cross, going south, in front of a train. There were four people in the car, and lie expected a bia; smash up. Ho measured aiter the train had passed, and he found that the car had crossed in front of the engine with only a few feet to spare. CRICKET. In reviewing tho triangular contest of 1913, the editor of " Wisdeii's Almanac pavs a very high compliment to "Warren JBardsley. In the course of his criticism, he remarks that lianlsley, to our thinking, was an even greater batsman than in 1900. increased responsibility seemed to bring out all that was best in him. Ho was at homo on all sorts of grounds, but there need ba no hesitation m baying that he showed his finest lovm against the M.C.C. and the South Africans on wickets at Lord's, which, though fast, were worn and difficult- It was a. stupendous feat to score, as he. did, in such a summer, 124 i 1 runs, with an average of just upon 52. We should be inclined to plaeo him above all other left-handed batsmen, not even excepting Clem Hill ? The brilliant cricket of 0. G. Macartney also comes in for high commendation. "Macartney also had a great season." writes tho editor, "but lie wfis not so consistent as I.'ardsloy. He Nt.'.rtci'i in wouckM'iul form, l inlt hundreds ill the second, third and iounh matches, and bei'oro May was over

people wore begin"ins2; to conipaio lntii with Trunipor. Ho did not live up to tins repuiat it'll. but lie. perhaps,played the innings of the year against. lMiglaiKl al Lord's", and was as good as over at Hastings in September. A markctl characteristic of his plav on Ins lliivn >' «ood days was tho quickness wit-li which ho mottled dotvu. I !<> di'l need to p!nv himself in, being able to punish the bosh bowling irtmi the moment lie got to tlw croast'. Ho had nearly oyeiv soorin ,T stroke at his command, cutting, driving, to the off, and turning the ball to W with equal facility. His power to turn straight balls to the boundary sometimes cost. him. his wicket. but it earned him heaps of runs. Ho has 1m- ! proved out o! knowledge* as a batfiinan sinco 1.P09, and, watching his dazzling play, it was difficult to understand why ho had only been picked in one test • inntvli out of five against the M.C.C . s team in tho previous winter." Another batsman of the team who mado a name for himself was Charles Kellowav, of whom " Wisden " says - Ho had 110110 of Bardslev's or Macartney's attractive qualities. A defensive, batsman pure and simple, lie was often a. weariness in tho flesh of the spectators. but his valuo to the side was very great indeed. Curiously enough, ho <lid nearly all his best work on tho biff occasions," getting two hundreds against tho South Africans, and playing finely against England at Lord's and tho Oval. His record for the ivholo tour wn«j nothing extraordinary, but in the test matches he averaged 60—only five runs an innings less than Bardsley. Kellowav is very deficient in strokes, hut there are few batsmen now before tho public so hard to bowl out. It seems to us that in tho big matches he sot himself to risk nothing. There were signs now r and then that if ho had so desired lie could have scored more freely. To sum him up, it may be said that 0110 Kellowav on. a side is well enough. Two or threo would be almost unbearable." The second in command of tho NewZealand. the magnificent battle cruiser which will be in Lyttelton from May 12 to May 23, is Commander Edgar Grace, and that gallant officer is a son of the great W. *G. _ He will be welcome in every colonial port, for liis father's sake as well as bis own.