INTEREST IN SPORT.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 18986, 1 July 1933, Page 22 (Supplement)

INTEREST IN SPORT.

THE KING’S ACTIVE PART. Many people appear to have been surprised to learn that the King put on skates during the recent cold spell, and thoroughly enjoyed himself on the ice at Sandringham (says a writer in the London News-Chronicle). Hut there would really have been more ground for surprise-ir he had no-t, so wide is the range of his interest in sports and pastimes. It would, indeed, be easier to mention the sports in which the King is not interested, than to -make a list of those he follows, either -as an active participant or enthusiastic looker-on. His prowess as a shot is, of course, known the world over. He handled a gun before he was in his ‘teens, has shot big game and is equally expert on the moors and in the coverts. Until -a few years ago he resolutely stuck to his old hammer guns, but after his illness it was thought wise to exchange these for a lighter and more modern make, with a smaller b-ore and proportionately lighter in barrels and stock. Yachting First Place.

He himself would probably give yachting the first place among hi., sports. Perhaps the happiest of all his hours are those spent on the deck of the Britannia, and happiest there when the yacht is racing and he holds the wheel.

His interest in cricket, Rugger, and Soccer is no<t confined to shaking hands with the elevens and fifteens. He is well acquainted with the finer points of the games. In his sailor days he once captained a cricket team at Antigua, and what Is more was on the winning side. He has also been bowled for a “duck”—and that la Australia!

Of bis lively interest in racing everyone Is aware, as also of the fact that he has not yet won the Derby. It was the year before King George’s accession that a Royal horse . last proved the Derby winner—King Edwaixl’s Minoru.

He has played polo, bowls, lawn tennis, and golf; is interested in poultry farming, and can "loss” a pigeon as expertly as the most p?aclised pigeon-fancier; is a fair hand at billiards, and once told Lindrum that among the first things lie locked for in the morning papers were the billiard scores. Fishing is one of his sports, and s in his younger days he was a promising boxerThis does not set out to be a catalogue of the King’s sports. It ignores altogether his indoor hobbies, to which also he brings all his characteristic energy and enthusiasm. I have said it would be easier io name the sports with which the King does not identify himself; he has never ridden to hounds.