SPORTS, GAMES AND PASTIMES.

Fair Play, Volume I, Issue 13, 27 January 1894, Page 14

SPORTS, GAMES AND PASTIMES.

We publish above the portrait of the present Secretary of the Wellington Caledonian Society, which office he is holding for the second year. Mr. Speed has always been interested in athletics, and for some time was an active member of the Wellington Rowing Club. During the period of his membership the celebrated “ Tiger” crew, and those good men “ Brid,” “ Eosey,” “ Sully” and “ Mac” were on the warpath, and at that time the “Pink Jerseys” of the Champion Club were victorious from Wanganui to Forsyth. In connection with this club he held office as committeeman, treasurer, and secretary, and was no doubt, instrumental in bringing the club to Eie proud position it holds to-day. After withdrawing from his active work in the Wellington Rowing Club, Mr. Speed devoted his attention more to athletic competition, and soon became a prominent member of the Caledonian Society, eventually being elected secretary. His work in the interests of the Society has been unremitting, and its affairs, mainly through his labours, were never in a more flourishing condition. Mr. Speed, although he seldom enters the majority of the compeiitions, is a host in himself as an arranger of sports; and cannot be excelled in Wellington at providing a programme that will suit the taste of everyone.

AQUATIC. Norton, of Waterloo Quay, is building

some new racing boats for the Wellington Club, which will be used at the Wanganui Regatta next month, at which it has been decided the club shall be represented.

The Napier Rowing Club will be represented in the Junior and Senior races at the Championship Regatta at Picton, and the following have been selected to go into training —J. G. Hughes, W. H. Rose, J. Hutchinson, S. B. lago, and H. B. Cato, Messrs. S. H. Gollan and F. A. Styche were also selected, but are unable to spare the time. Mr. F. A. Styche has been chosen to act as coach to the crews.

In the Star Boating Club Senior Sculls A. H. Hume easily defeated R. N. Wallace, and in the final A. G. Hume easily defeated K. D. Duncan. Hume won the same race easily last season, and should have a good chance of winning the sculls at Christchurch next month. Neither the S.B.C. nor W.R.C. senior representative fours are at present showing good form; the time and the rowing in both crews are decidedly bad. Young, who we saw stroking the W.R.C. crew, was very dirty in his work, and making the boat roll by feathering under water. He would avoid this by dropping his hands more at the finish, and not turning the wrists till out of the water.

The following crews have been selected for the Club Fours of the Wellington Rowing Club : —Hill, S. Ross, Paterson,

and Marks, (stroke); Purdie, StrangeMure, Naylor and Heise, (stroke) ; Finucane, White, McKay and Sargeant, (stroke); F. Ross,' Swan, Brophy and Hooke, (stroKe); Fountain, A. Smith, McLaren and G. B. Nicholls, (stroke); Burns, Usrnar, Minogue and W. M. Wilson, (stroke); Aldous, E. Nicholson, Jackson and Lee, stroke, (stroke); F. Smith, Barrie, Shields and Murphy, (stroke). The first heat is to be rowed on Monday, sth February. Mr. S. H. Gollan, the well-known New Zealand sportsman, recently offered to provide trophies for scratch eight-oared races amongst members of Melbourne clubs, and so well was the idea received that no less than one hundred and twelve oarsman sent in their names as competitors.

CRICKET. The Midlanders had a very hollow win on Saturday, beating their opponents thoroughly in every part of the game. They have been rejoicing thereat and thinking “ full surely their greatness is a ripening,” Championship honours have indeed been a long while coming’ and no one would begrudge them the consummation of the desire of every healthy club, at the same time there is just the faint shadow of a possibility, that there may yet be a “ snag” ahead. If the despised Phoenix were to brace themselves together they may yet be a surprise for followers of the game. Should such occur all the leading teams will be on an equality, and the winner will be enshrouded in almost as much mystery as the prospective winner of a Wellington Cup. The Rival Second, who have for two years deserved classification amongst those worthy sports who “ take defeat and come up smiling every time,” have at last managed to extract a win out of the competition.' The Phoenix batted a man short in the second innings, and claim that as “ Greenwich ’’time, as represented by one of the team’s Waterbury’s showed under two minutes to the hour for drawing stumps when their last wicket fell, they were entitled to bat the absentee on the following Saturday. The Basin clock indicated four minutes to closing time and argument ensued as to which recorder should decide. It is, therefore, necessary in order to obviate future doubts to state that in all Association matches the clock in the Basin is presumed a fit and proper indicator of the progress of King Time and it will regulate the games. The New South Welshmen have made a prominent start. From a gentleman who came across with them we learn that they are a jovial, sociable lot of fellows, most of whom have never been in New Zealand before, and they intend to take more than a cursory inspection of our attractions. In Sydney they are regarded as fairly strong, but nothing like competent to be considered representative of their strength with Moses, Turner. Gregory and Conningham absent. We anticipate an interesting match, and—cricket’s an uncertain game. Correspondents in southern papers have been advocating reduction in file [price of ad-

mission to matches after 5 p.m. We certainly think it would be wise to charge half rates after that hour. Cross and Fuller made an invaluable stand, both playing fine innings on a wicket far from favourable to batsmen.

Duncan improves every match, and appears to be one of those fortunate beings who know not nervousness.

“ Fitz” had a wicket that suited him admirably, and on such he will always be dangerous, no matter what the calibre of the batsman may be. Burton Veil deserves his place in the eleven; he has splendid defence and patience and oughc to score well. We would remind a certain player in the Phoenix Second that it is not accounted good form to give vent to feelings, upon a distasteful verdict of run out being given by throwing the bat on the ground. This is a fifth rate way of showing disrespect to the umpire. In the Association match on Monday some wonderful and fearful bowling was unearthed. Holdship was bowled by a ball that he ought to have lost. The first two to bat for the eleven, Cross and Gore, played with such determination that when the total reached about 70, Holdship became anxious about his show for a strike. Cross was therefore requested to retire. It was then that the talent of the fifteen rose to the occasion, the consequence was that the eleven failed to reach their opponents score by one run. By a stroke of diplomacy they claimed a victory, however.

MISCELLANEOUS. Big Joe Goddard thought he was condescending, to fight the Maoriland champion, Harry Laing, and considered it was “ finding money ”to meet him. He dont think so now however. Gormley’s victories at the M.L. Championship Swimming Meeting were expected by his Australian friends, who believe that the Wagga Wagga boy is unmatched at his distances. Some of his records are: —100yds., lmin. 22-5 sec.; 220yds., 2min. 38£ sec.; 300yds., 3min. 56 sec.; 500yds., 7min. 1 sec.; I,oooyds., 14min. 44 sec.; 1 mile, 27min. 3£ sec. At the longer distances he has been beaten but for short spurts he is probably without a rival in the world.

What a farce is the daily cabling of bulletins re Corbett and Mitchell 1 Clever as Mitchell was at his best, a “ butty ’’ man like him could have stood no show against the present generation of six-foot odd heavy-weight fighters, and, after the dissipated life Mitchell has led" for years past, it is a million to one that, train as he may, he will never get into decent ring condition again- As well might the erstwhile unbeatable sft. Sin. Jack Dempsey go into training with the hope of beating six-footer Fitzsimmons.

The Sheffield Handicap will be run at Porirua on 3rd Nominations are to' close on the 29th inst.

The regatta held on Monday is generally admitted to have been a success in every particular, The weather was good and the arrangements were perfect. Mr.

A. G. Dixon acted as starter and timekeeper, and Mr. Widdop performed his duties as secretary in a most satisfactory manner. In the first race the Maritana won in 4 hours 22min. and 80sec., the Eona and Isca who came second and third, respectively, being only a trifle over five minutes apart. The Gloriana who was capitally handled by Messrs. J. Logan and H. G. Smith, won as she liked in the second-class yacht race. The Girola won the handicap yacht race, and the various model yacht races were won as follows: First-class, Mr. J. S. Nixon’s Sarah; second-class, Mr. E. Gore’s Ada; thirdclass, Mr. E. Callan’s Lucy. The history of Abe Hicken’s fight with Foley is known to few of the present day sports. Abe was a member of “ the rooms” in Melbourne, and it used to break the heart of Joe Thompson, himself a born bully, for him and his party to have to knuckle down to Hioken, under the threat of a “ stouching,” when any argument arose. Joe commenced to cast round for a take-down of Master Abo, and upon the advice of Jem Mace the match was made with Foley. It is history how the men sparred for over half-an-hour, Hicken leading for the body and Foley drawing back in thac peculiar style of his, seemingly taking the hit each time, but as a matter of fact scarcely feeling it. Foley drew the old ’un on properly, until the right moment arrived, when he drove the left right on to the “ mark,” and as Hicken fairly doubled up, smash across came the right on the side of the head. This virtually finished the fight.

The heaviest rider in the late Australian bicycle meeting was W. T. Tallow, N.S.W., who scaled 14st. 101 b, and rode a machine weighing 231bs. Bob Oliphant, late of the New Zealand Football team, will most probably play for Grafton next season. He is at present in the Permanent Force and has applied for a transfer to the Police Force.