SPORTS, GAMES AND PASTIMES.

Fair Play, Volume I, Issue 15, 10 February 1894, Page 18

SPORTS, GAMES AND PASTIMES.

The subject of our sketch was born in Picton, where lie early showed adaptability in the “ grand old game.” He arrived in "Wellington at the end of 1885, joined the Rivals, and has been a member ever since. In 1888, when his Club won the Junior Cup, he was in rare form, having the phenomenal average of 124, his highest scores being 148, not out, against the Wellington" 2nd, and 97 against St. Patrick’s College.. His first representative match was against Davis’ first New South Wales team when he distinguished himself by making top score and securing the trophy for fielding presented by E. W. Mills and Co. In the succeeding year he also secured Hill Moorliouso’s trophy for highest scorer in the Canterbury match won by Wellington where on a difficult wicket he made nearly half the total. “Don” has also won innumerable Club trophies and has captained the Rivals for the last four years. His untiring energy and “ happy knack ” of coming off when required, as it has often been described, but which is only another name for “ real grit ” render him popular amongst his comrades. Ho is a fine free punishing bat but too often sacrifices his wicket in attempting his favourite stroke. Modesty alone prevents him attaining a reputation as a bowler. We look forward with confidence to him once more assuming uofore long his wellearned place amongst the Wellington “ reps.” CRICKET. It is .fitting that we should commence our week’s budgot with the heartiest congratulations to Canterbury's “ happy band of brothers.” All along the line they showed a marked superiority; no excuses involving the “ elements ” have been adduced and no reasons whatever have been urged for the visitors reiterated failures, excepting the potent one of general want of ability. Mr. Olliver’s

opinion that the team he had selected v.-as the strongest batting combination Canterbury ever knew, seems amply born out by recent facts and this crowning triumph of uninterrupted success. l)e Mans has long before this revealed his true worth. He is a New Zealander, and learnt his cricket entirely at Lancaster J ark, under the capable guidance of i rnongst others the Hon. E. C. Stevens, one of the best judges of merit and the game generally that we have, and Mr. A. AT. Olliver, the selector, Mr. W. D. M cares, the President of the Lancaster Park Club, and at one time a promiuent Otago “rep” in the early days, was so impressed with l)e Mans' style that he wrote to Biackham soliciting a place for iim in the last Australian team. New Zealanders were then regarded as “ small potatoes ” and the oiler was declined. We think, however, that a new era has dawned, we will soon see our colony i articipating in the Sheflield trophy contest, which will probably take the form of a carnival. ' The scheme we have strong reason to believe will shortly be elaborated, now that recognition of our strength has been officially recorded. Manager Davis has plainly expressed his sentiments by cabling for reinforcements ; even with the assistance of the gentlemen invoked they cannot be a match for our combined team. The hatting strength of the New Zealank team is conspicuously, brought out by placing them in their probable order of going in, thus:—Cuff, Lawrence, Mills, De Maus, Holdship, Labatt, Gore, Fowke, Lawton, Downes and Robertson. Everything in championsuip matches on Saturday went along swimmingly. The Phoenix oracularly speaking is a “ dead bird,” and our youngest Club has the Wellington in Chancery. Thus there is a desirable probability of the unfortunate Midland and the Rivals disputing supremacy in the “ sweet bye and bye." Burton was facile princeps amongst the Phoenix batsmen. Many of his strikes were of an uppish tendency which rather detracted from an otherwise good display. Fuller’s innings was in marked contrast, all his strokes being beautifully wedded to the carpet. Such a display must awaken doubts in the minds of the Selection Committee and induce them to seriously reconsider whether he has not by his consistency earned redemption amongst the “ reps.” The Blacklock brothers on the Romenot —constructed —suddenly, principle blocked and poked to a degree to weary even their long suffering barracks, who {ire en passant very numerous. At one period half an hour produced one solitary run, the safe delivery of which was received with convulsions of derision. Dryden and McMaster were in rare destructive form, the ball which heat Holdship was what is colloquially known as a “ snorter.” Ashbolt’s steady play alone rescued the total from “ utter insignificance.” Berty Haldane has been promoted into the

Eival First. About time, too, as the following array conclusively shows—sßb balls, 15 maidens, 203 runs, 42 wickets, average 4*B. If any player in the junior competition can beat that we shall be most happy to announce it to the world of sport. The Christchurch Press has been rubbing it into the Sydney team for certain larrikinism on the field as attested by the following extracts :—“ We cannot conclude our comment on this match without saying a few words as to the conduct of the New South Wales team in some respects. . . . the older Australian colonies are with, justice accustomed to regard us as their inferiors in cricket, and when they found the Canterbury making such a good stand agains them they apparently got somewhat demoralised. This demoralisation was made evident not by any nervous and panic stricken play, but by a certain amount of bickering and chattering in the field, which we are glad to say is a novelty in New Zealand. . . . Some of our batsmen appear to have another grievance on the score of manners against the New South Wales team. They say that some of them were treated to chaff and barracking when the latter considered the batting unusually slow. . . , in New Zealand we do not think such conduct to be good form, nor do we think it good form to raise a chorus of laughter when an opponent is dismissed, or to question an umpire’s decision, and put conundrums to him respecting it, especially if it be done in a would-be comic manner with a desire to raise a laugh against him. . . . Many of our cricketers are young and have only got their experience in Canterbury, or perhaps in England, in various amateur university or public school clubs, and lack the larger experience, which as leading players of Australia, our visitors must have had themselves. Possibly, also, our players lack sufficient of the sense of humour to enjoy as they should the subtleties of Australian wit. . . , though they are N. S. Welshmen we understand that none of them are members of the New Sonth Waleß Legislature.” We are informed on reliable authority that this article does not magnify the state of affairs in the least. We can only regret that the art of taking defeat manfully has not been acquired yet by them. Perhaps before the tour is over they will have learnt it, much to their own advantage, More curiosities. The “ Australasian” in answer to a correspondent, says:— “ The cover having come off while the ball was in the air, the ball was not a ball within the meaning of the laws of the game, and therefore the batsman should not have been given out when caught. This will be interesting to batsmen of the Cross calibre.” AQUATIC. Our local crews have been'unfortunate during the past week in having such rough weather, in consequence of which

not much work has been done in the boats, but some of the men have been putting in good work over the hills. The Wellington crews as far as one can judge are decidedly titter than the Stars. All the men in the W.R.C. Senior crew would do well to sit up more at the finish: and not fall over their oars as this greatly impedes the recovery, and unnecessarily tire* the men. Hume and Duncan are doing good work double sculling, both would do well to make more of the catch, and hold their slides longer. The 8.8. C. Seniors do not seem at all at home in their boat, this we think, is mainly due to the bad time of No. 2 and to bow not swingiug straight. The S.B.C. Junior Sculls start the first fine day, and R. Townall or D. Burnes should proue the winner. The W.R.C. Club races will also be continued the first fine evening. We notice from Christchurch papers that the Chamber of Commerce have refused a request from the Regatta Committee to proclaim the 22nd a holiday. The Wanganui Regatta Association held a special meeting, when the resolution previously carried, abandoning the annual regatta, was rescinded, and it was decided that it should be held as usual on Thursday, March 15. The following eommittee was appointed : —Messrs. J. D. Day, Atkins, A. Gray, T. Ferry,. Marshall, Hackett, Cattell, Bates, Comyns, Foster, Callender, Sim, Parsons, McCarthy, Willis, Benefield, James Taylor, A. Jackson, Wells, Lloyd-Jones and Ball, and the captains and secretaries of the local club. A special general meeting of delegates to the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association was held in Thomas’ Rooms. Mr. A. de B. Brandon (Star 8.C.) presided, and there were also present — Messrs. A. G. Johnson, Picton R.C., M. Barnett, Blenheim R.C., G. Campbell, Auckland, F. C. Hodson, Blenheim, L. Tripp, Canterbury, I. G. Rule, Cure, W. Fraser, Dunedin Amateur B.C.', N. Galraith, Lyttleton, Jackson, Nelson, H. Elliott, North Shore, H. R. Butterworth, Otago, McKinnon, Port Chalmers, G. C. Fache, Queen’s Drive, Webb, St. George’s, W. H. Field, C. Pearce, G. H. Bethune, Star 8.C., A. Paul, Timaru, A. G. MeLean, Union, Wanganui. H. McCardell, Christchurch, M. F. Marks, Waitemata, W. H. Field, Wanganui, A. S. Paterson, S. Dix, A. Burns, Wellington R.C., and J. R. Gibbons, West End. The sub committee set up to consider as to the appointment of a council, recommended as follows : —That a council should be appointed to consider and decide all questions and disputes arising out of the interpretation of rules, protests, or any other matter referred by any club to the association for its decision; that the committee should consist of seven members —three to form a quorum; all decisions of the council to be final; that all questions referred to the council are to be in writing; that the council shall have power to call for further evidence, with the option to taKe such evidence in Writing or ; all references to the

council to be accompanied by a fee of ss.’ This sub-committee, also appointed to consider the question of the appointment of local otlicers, reported that it was of opinion that the otlicers should be appointed to watch the intei*ests of the association at the principal rowing centres. They thought that the following new rules should be made to apply to the hppointments : —lst. That local otlicers be appointed to carry out the rules of this association in the various chief centres of New Zealand, to see to the enforcing of the N.Z.A.R.A. rules, &c., and they shall hold ollice until the next annual meeting of the association. 2nd. The general duty of local officers shall bo: —(a) To ensure that all amateur regattas be held under N.Z.A.R.A. rules; (b) to supervise, as far as may be practicable, the regattas held in their respective districts, and to enforce the duo observance of the N.Z.A.R.A. rules thereat; (c) to report to the secretary any breach of the association rules on the part of clubs or regatta committees ; (d) to use their inllucnce to induce eligible clubs to affiliate themselves to the association.” The following local officers were appointed : —Dunedin, Mr. W. P. J. Hodgkins ; Wanganui, Mr. W. Rodwell; Canterbury, Mr. J. F. Grierson ; Auckland, Mr. E. W. Burgess. It was pointed out that the secretary, Mr. A. S. Biss, would act as local officer for Wellington. For the election of a council the following were nominated —Messrs. A. S. Paterson, J. C. Martin, A. de B. Brandon, E. C. Batkin, M. Chapman, G. F. C. Campbell, L. Tripp, J. C. Firth, W. H. Field, A. G. Johnson, A. Burns, R. C. Renner, and Dr. Collins, resulting as follows: Messrs Martin, Batkin, Field, Tripp, Paterson, Brandon, and Johnston. The Dunedin North End Boating Club 1 applied for pe) mission to be allowed to compete at the Ravensbourne Regatta, which is not being held under association rules. The secretary stated that ho had wired to the secretary of the club, saying that unless the regatta was held under association rules he thought there was little chance of the required permission being granted. The secretary’s action was approved. The meeting then considered the action of the Queen’s Drive Boating Club, Port Chalmers, in allowing its members to compete at the Bluff regatta, without the permission of the association, the regatta not being held under association rules. After considerable discussion it was decided, on the motion of Mr. A. S. Biss, that the Queen’s Drive Boating Club be censured, and that the instructions be given to the local officer to report on the circumstances, with a view to enable the council to decide whether the members who competed at the Bluff Regatta have thereby lost their amateur status. A general meeting of the members of the Star Boating Club was held at the club house last week. The captain of the club (Mr. W. H. Field) presided, and there was a fair attendance present. On the motion of the Captain, seconded by Mr. D. Tripe, it was decided to hold the

animal swimming sports in connootion with tho club, and that Saturday, 17th February, be recommended to the committee as tho most suitable date on which they should be held. A committee of management was elected as follows : Messrs W. 11. Field, E. .lackson, H. J. McLean, W. IT. Morrah, G. H. Bothuno, CL 0. Facho, F. Fownall, E. 1). Ilobon, K. D. Duncan, Y. L. Willoston, A. G. Ilumo, A. J. Abbott, S. Biclmrdson, and D. Tripe (honorary secretary). A committee was formed to consider tho question of holding a marine picnic during tho present season, to asceitnin wluit support would bo given tho proposal, and to carry out tho dotails in tho event of it being decided to hold the picnic, tlie committee consisting of Messrs \V. 11. Field, G. IJ. Bothuno, 1). 'Tripe, F. Pownall, G. Johnston, K. D. Duncan, W. E. Ueid, (J. B. Trimnell, A. W. Newton, It. Fownall, S. Stafford, W. 11. Morrah, H. W. ’Wallace, E. W. G. Strange and J. F. Smith (honary secretary). At a meeting of tho committee of tho Star Boating Club Swimming Sports, held at tho Clubhouse last week, it was definitely decided to hold the sports on tho 17th instant. Tho following programme of events was arranged:— Maiden lhico, Handicap Itaco, Hoadors, Senior ltacc, Long Dive, Open Itaco, Fancy Diving, Obstacle Itaco, Coxswains ltn?e and Greasy Folo. It was also resolved to hold a water polo match, which will be quite a novelty in "Wellington. Tho Christchurch Union ltowing Club have just received from "Wellington a racing four-oared ousriggor, built by George Norton, tho well-known boatbuilder of that city. Tho boat is a specimen of boat-building, being light but strong, and containing tho latest improve l merits. Altogether tho new addition to the Club fleet is fully equal to anything yet imported from England. One of tho features in connection with tho Union Bowing Club is that they always encourage local industry in tho matter of building boats. IIOVVUNO. Tho council of the Northern Bowling Association have declined to adopt tho suggestion of tho Napier Bowling Club that tho entries for the Cnampion Singles at tho Easter Tournament should bo limited to four members from each club. The council believe that it will bo better to impose no limitation of the kind. The first draw for the Champion Pairs-, Match among members of the Wellington : Bowling Club have resulted as follows : Geddes and A. Scoulier play Drummond and Crombie; Edwin and Bush play Cordoza and Huybittle; Maudesley and Ballinger play AVhiteheuse and Sample; Gale and A. Campbell play L. Blundell and Lawson. Byes have been obtained by McKee and White, A. Lockie an Willeston, Clothier and> King, and J"., Brown and J. Lockie. The game win be 21 points up; best two .out of three games. First round to be completed not later than 27th inst.