Sundry Items.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7685, 8 February 1904, Page 7

Sundry Items.

(By " Topnotchee.")

Australia has unearthed another swimming champion worthy of the steel of even the great Dick Cavill. The latter was thought to have no one of importance against him in the recent quarter mile championship of New South Wales, but Keran, a Sobraon lad still in his teens, gave him well nigh all he wanted. Concerning the race "Natatar" says:—R. Keran, judging by his performance against Cavill is a sure coming champion, who even now ranks an easy second to only Dick himself. In this raca all started well together, but Keran soon outpaced the others and led at the conclusion of the first lap chiefly through vigorous swimming- Along the second •stretch Dick Cavill and his new-found rival ru_Btsthe pace warm, while the •other starters kept falling further and further back. Another lap, and Cavill had caught Koran amid much excitement, and showed the way a foot to the good. There was" very little difference between the pair over the next 68£ yards, but at the close of the sth lap Cavill led by two or three yards. Soon Keran made a great effort, but Cavill responded, and, travelling in fine fashion, ploughed along to such purpose that he won by C" -about eight yards. Fourth Test Match will commence at Sydney on Friday, 26th inst. " Prodigal," Sydney Referee, gave the following forecast of the Australasian Athletic Meeting, prior to its being held: Wins. New Zealand (holders): Mile, Three Miles, 120 yds Hurdles, 440 yds Hurdles, and Pole Jump ... 5 New South Wales : 220 yds, 440 yds, High Jump, Shot Put, and Hammer Throw ... 5 Victorla : 100 yds, 880 yds, Mile Walk, Three Miles Walk, Long . Jump 5 The actual results went as follows:— Wins.

Victoria : 100 yds, 880 yds, Mile, Three Miles, Mile Walk, Three Mile Walk, Long Jump ... 7 New South Wales : 220 yds, 440 yds, Shot Put, Hammer Throw, High Jump 5 New Zealand : 120 yds Hurdles, 440 yds Hurdles, Pole Jump ... 3 Simpson's illness gave Victoria the long distance events, otherwise " Prodigal " would have been right in all predictions. The following are the chief winners, and amounts won, at Sydney Cycling Carnival:—C. Carter (Summer Wheel Race), £100; Ivor Lawson and " Major " Taylor, each £66 10s; Don Walker, £24; F. McLean, £21; B. Kett and G. Farley, each £15 10s; Floyd Macfarland, £U 10s; D. J. Plunkett, £5 10s; and Ben Goodson, £5 ss. Altogether, forty-three riders drew prize money amounting to £500. Macfarland's disqualification, which wa3 imposed for his interference with *' Major " Taylor, recently, was removed on condition that he paid a fine of £25. H. W. Stevenson has challenged Dawson for the billiard championship of England. The latter wishes to make the game one of 18,000 up, but Stevenson is content to finish at 9,000, according to Billiard Association rules. It is just probable that the unambitious Diggle will be persuaded to compete. " The highly-merited victory of Australia in the Third Test Match was gained by very able all-round play." Thus " Not Out." What about apathy on the part of the opposing " proa. ? " " Not Out" adds:—The defeat of the Englishmen in the latest Test Match will concentrate interest in the fourth match, to be started at Sydney on February 26. With an equal distribution of the luck in regard to rain one feels that, notwithstanding tbeir having already %yon two matches, the Englishmen have a very difficult task in front of them. Hugh Trumble is likely to play in both matches. And one has reason to believe that the next Australian team will be still more powerful than the last one, that is as a team their form will be improved. Victor Trumper and R. A. Duff have put on over 100 runs for the first wicket nine times in first-class cricket, thrice for New South Wales against Victoria, and twice for Australia against England. In three of the last four matches, when opposed to Victoria, they have in their own fascinating way operated on the ball until three figures have been hoisted without the compensation of a wicket to the bowlers. A. Cotter, a young, powerful and active cricketer of recent seasons in Sydney, who made a most successful debut for his State last week as bowler, promises to supply the needs of Australia as far as fast deliveries are concerned. He " yorks " with a vengeance.