SPORTS, GAMES AND PASTIMES.

Fair Play, Volume I, Issue 17, 24 February 1894, Page 18

SPORTS, GAMES AND PASTIMES.

Mr. Norman Leslie Gurr is the son of the late Mr. .1. Gurr, of Launceston, School Inspector, also Captain of Volunteers. lie was bom 6th March, 1865, educated at the Adelaide Park-side Educational Institution, South Australia. At an early age he was imbued with a love for athletics, which might be termed hereditary ; his father having been a groat athlete in his younger days. Before Mr. N. L. Gurr left Australia he had earned for himself tho highest of reputations as on amateur athlete, and since his arrival in New Zealand he has taken a most prominent part in athletics generally in different parts of the colony. He first ran in Nqw Zealand in August, 1889, when he won the Wellington Athletic Football Club’s half-mile Handicap, by a distance of 60 yards. Plis record performance occurred in Tiinaru, when he won four championship races on the same day. At the present time he holds the New Zealand Championship medals for quarter and half-mile, which ho won in Wellington in February, 1898. In September, 1898, he was invited by tho New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association to represent the colony at the Australian Championship Meeting, but was unable to attend, owing to an accident lie met with, while leading in the 100 yards race at tho 11. B. Amateur Athletic Club’s meeting in September, 1898. He is also prominent in musical circles, cricket, football, rowing, cycling and swimming. He has without doubt the choicest collection of trophies in N ew Zealand. He is District Manager in 11. B. and Gisborne for the Mutual Life Association of Austraha. The following are some of his performances in the athletic field —Ist in 1 mile at W.A.F.C.’s Sports, 1889. Ist in 100

and 150 yards at W.F.C.’s Sports, Sept., 1890. Ist in 100 yards at W.A.A.C.’s Sports, December, 1890. Ist in 100 yards champion, Ist in I mile handicap, and Ist in 440 yards handicap at South Canterbury Meeting. In December, 1891, he won with ease a four mile cross country race at Wellington, Ist in 200 yards handicap and 4 mile handicap from scratch at W.A.A.C.’s meeting in October, 1891. Ist in 440 yards handicap from scratch at Wellington Caledonian Sports, Jan., 1892, Ist in 4 mile championship ancH-40 yards handicap from scratch at Wcllihgton in April 1592. Secured the following championships at Tiinaru in May, 1892, viz., 100, 250, 440, and 880 yard's, also Ist in 800 yards Club championship. Winner of championships (N.Z) and 4 mile at Wellington in February, IS9B. Out of 38 starts he has won 29 races, of from 100 yards to four miles, being second in the other nine events. He was chosen to represent Wellington in the championship meeting held at Dunedin on tho 16th" inst.

AQUATIC. In the Wellington Rowing Club’s Fours A. Minoguc bow, A. M. Burns 2, E. Nicholson 8, W. M. Wilson stroke, and F. Usinar cox ; defeated W. Ross bow, H. Burford 2, I. R. Crawford 8, J. E. Gamble stroke, and 1). Plunkett cox, after a close and exciting race by about half a length. W. Fountain bow, A. W. Smith 2, A. McLaren 8, G. B. Nicholls stroke, W. Plunkett cox; had a very easy victory over S. G. Ross bow, G. S. liill 2, A. S. Paterson 8, M. F. Marks stroke, and J. Usmar. A. Miuogue bow, A. M. Burns 2, E. Nicholson 8, W. M. Wilson stroke, and D. Plunkett cox ; defeated W. Fountain bow, A. W. Smith 2, A. McLaren 3, G. B. Nicholls stroke, and F. Usmar cox, after a close and exciting race by half a length. B. J. Finucane bow, W. Strange Muir 2, C. Poll 3, R. A. I-leise stroke and F. Usmar cox; defeated F. Smith b.AV, I. N. Barrie 2, T. Shields 3, A. Sargeant stroke, and D. Plunkett cox. by a couple of lengths after rather an easy race. In the senior final heat B. J. Finucane how, W. Strange Muir 2, C. Poll 8, R. A. Ileiso stroke, and F. Usmar cox, met F. Ross bow, J. S. Swan 2, W. H. Jackson 8, C. Hooke stroke, and D. Plunkett cox. and beat them after a splendid contest by two feet. Owing to a family bereavement W. H. Morrah’s place in the S.B.C. Senior Fours has been taken by A. G. Hume-, and in the Senior Pairs his place has been taken by R. W. Wallace, in both cases the change is the best that could have been made, and the crews have put in good work prior to going south last Monday. The regatta will be over before this reaches our readers, but we do not anticipate that any of the local

crews will win unless Hume, the Sculls, the Star Maiden Four, and Senior Double Soulls, in which three races they will have the best chance of success. Owing, unfortunately, to some of the W.R.C. men being unable to get leave the Club will not be represented at the Christchurch regatta. The following are the S.B.C. crews which have gone South to take part in the Christchurch regatta, viz.:—Senior Fours—A. G. Hume, bow, G. F. Johnston No. 9, E. W. G. Strange, No. 3, R. W. Wallace, stroke, T. W. Brown, cox. Senior pairs—J. G. Duncan, bow, R. W. Wallace, stroke. Senior Double Sculls—J. G. Duncan, bow, A. G. Hume, stroke. Senior Sculls—A. G. Hume. Maiden Fours —T. R. Herd,, bow, H. Shearman, No. 2, G. C. Fache, No. c, K. D. Duncan, stroke. Junior Pairs—T. R. Herd, bow, G. C. Facile, stroke. In the S.B.C. Junior sculls T. R. Herd just managed to beat J. E. Widdop by three-quarters of a length through being in better condition. J. C. Lewis easily defeated R. F. Page, R. Pownall easily defeated W. H. Denton, D. Burnes easily defeated P. G. Didsbury, R. Pownall had an easy victory over J. C. Lewis. In the Oriental Boating Club’s Junior Sculls W. Spencer defeated W. Gleeson somewhat easily by three or four lengths. The Wanganui Rowing Club have selected the folio whig crews to go into training for the Wanganui Regatta, which is to be held on March 15th :—Seniors— Pownall, Atkins, Ward and Bell; Maidens—Dymoclt, M'Lean, Blackmore, aud Morton ; Juniors—Tasker, Day, St. George, and Wilding; College—Hogg, Ballantyne, Wright, and Duigan; Double Sculls and Pair-oar—Atkins and Pownall. The Wanganui Regatta Club have adopted the following programme for their regatta : —Maiden Fours, Senior Fours outrigged, Stump Outrigged; Junior Fours Outrigged, Ladies’ Plate outrigged, Pahoar in clinkers, College Race. The Star 8.C., Wellington, have signified their intention of sending crews to compete, but the Nelson, Christchurch Union, Napier, and Oriental Clubs have written stating they will be unable to send crews.

ATHLETIC. The fifth annual Championship meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association took place last Saturday at the Carisbrook Ground, Dunedin- There was an attendance of about 3000. The arrangement and management in every detail was splendid. We must heartily congratulate the Wellington competitors on then.’ success, with the exception of Gurr, whose action in going down in an unfit condition, has been severely condemned in pretty strong language, and justly so to. We heard when he was in town that he was not fit, and the result has justified this by the times ofhis races and the places he occupied in hem. Last,

year the Wellington men were defeated by Canterbury after a very close contest by one, but this year our men have not only had the satisfaction of wiping out their former defeat, but have won the banner by no less than 15 points. Long may our boys hold it.

CBICKET. The annihilation of the New Zoaland team was a rude shock. The question of defeat never entered into calculation, speculation being confined alone to the measure of inevitable victory. Humours have been floating about extcnsivoly to the effect that the visitors have benefited largely from a pecuniary point of view by their win, and that their previous performances were regulated from a mercenary motive. To us this seems unworthy of credence and even of mention, if it were not for the influential and circumstantial nature of the rumours. Glorious uncertainty, as applied to cricket, has become a trite expression, to this meeting of the Greeks I can discover no remark more appropriate ; on a good wicket and favourable surroundings and with the eyes of all New Zealand upon them our men mado an egregious failure. Alas the pity of it. We are afraid it’s memory will be green for many years to come, no matter what we may do to retrieve it. It is amusing to hear from Canterbury regrets, that such batsmen as Fisher, Cross, Ivallender, &c, were not in the team. How different was their song before the match. Saturday at the Basin was flat, stale, and uninteresting. The country players new to us, Mills and McDonough did not come up to expectations, although the lattor, by his steadiness, gave promise of better things. Lusk succumbed first ball. The auxiliaries, indeed, were the only ones who seemed at home with the bowling, Wynward playing with great confidence. The fielding of the Fifteen was extremely creditable, two splendid catches being made by Izard and Kirker. Williams’ wicket-keeping is also worthy of remark, not a single extra being debited against him. Benbow and Dryden were as usual on the spot, which, however, seems to have little influence with the Selection Conjmittee.

The Junior Cup match between the Phoenix and Kilbirnie Clubs was productive of great excitement. The victory of the latter place these two teams and the Wellington 2nd. on an equality,

A noticeable feature in this season’s cricket is the large increase of country clubs. One needs but to peruse the army of “ rustic rags” to become assured of this fact. The establishment of these clubs promotes good fellowship and will as time rolls on, be the means of recruiting our provincial stength. With such a man as Mills to coach them our Hawera friends should in a few years become respected opponents; perhaps then Taranaki will overcome its bashfulness, and enter regularly into interprovincial contests. At the present time country bowlers seem to more often distinguish themselves than the bats*.

men, obviously by reason of the undulating and “ nutmeg grater” aspect of the ground. A few weeks ago a Ivarori truudlcr spread his fame through the Australian ; on Saturday another hitherto “ unknown ’’from Johnsonville, is reported to have secured seven wickets for two runs playing against some kindred spirits. We happened to overhear the remnant of a discussion on cricket terms at tho Basin last Saturday. Amongst other words in use by scribes, exception was taken to that employed when a batsman scores three runs, which is forthwith dubbed a “triplet.” Theso conversationalists agreed that tho word was atrocious, that it savoured too much of the—well most undesirable incident in creation, and that it wasn't a tit word at all. To what lengths will main prudery further go '? Life was too short to lingc-r and hear the remainder of the converse, but one begins to muse on the quaint ebullitions of whilom that are played off at these casual meetings of deeply observant humanity.

MISt'KIJANKOrs. The Secretary of the New Zealand Football Association has been approached by die Wednesday Clubs affiliated to the Wellington Football Association as to whether, should they found a separate Association, they will be able to enter a team for the next tournament. He lias given it as his opinion that this wilt be possible, but as there is no rule to meet tho case, the question will be brought up at the next meeting of the Association. Mr. J. Baumber, the well-known Wairarapa and Potonc “ rep.” we aro credibly informed intends to play the Association game this season, and will join the United Club.

The programme for the Druid’s Easter gathering is announced and gives satisfaction to running men. The ancient Grand Handicap system embodying distances from 100yds. up -to.half a mile, has been modified, the maximum distance being now 300yds. This will undoubtedly stimulate nominations as it is absurd to expect good racing when long and short distance men are bundled up promiscuously. Large entries are also expected for the bicycling events, and altogether the gathering promises to be a big success. The annual swimming sports of the Star Boating Club were held at the Club’s Boathouse on last Saturday afternoon. With perfect weather, a large attendance, including a large proportion of the fair sex, the different events keenly contested, the whole affair was naturally a great success. Jupp’s Band played selections during the afternoon. Tho members of the Club were most attentive to the wants of the large number of visitors during the afternoon. Mr. J. Godber, of Cuba street, supplied afternoon tea, and refreshments in the Club’s Social Hall upstairs, where the Club’s plate and trophies were on view. Mr. *E. Jackson acted as starter, and Messrs

11. Field, A. W. Newton, and J. 0. Martin acted as judges. Mr, J). Tripe proved a most clUoient and courteous secretary. The following are the results of the various events : 200yds Open Unco.— R. C. Fenner, 1; G. S. Hill, 2; G. 0. Tattle, JI. Maiden llaco.—First heat, It. Fownall. 1, \\ . 11. Tripe, 2; A. l)uncau, >’». Second heat, A. Young, 1; 1). Burncs, 2; F. Iluidcastlo, 0. linal heat: A. Duncan, 1 ; H. Tripe, 2; It. iWnail, 0. Won easily by 10 yards. hong Dive—L. F. Wiggins, 1; K. D. ncan, 2:B. W allnee, ;i. The distance dnoii bv the winner was 11-lft. Coxswains Ilnco.-C. Kcmbcr, 1 ; I(. l.rown, 2. Won by 20 yards. Fancy Diving. --A. Smithers. I; K. W . Duncan. 2: it. liowuail, 0. 200 yards Handicap.---A. Duncan, l; W. If. Tripe, 2; A. 1J Barnett. 0. Won by 10 yards. Headers. -S. W. Kiohardson, 1; A Domain, 2: (i, F. .loin:,'ten, Senior Bare.-MO yards,. A. Duncan, 1 ; .1. h.atr, 2 ; 11. Abbott. ;t. Won by it yards. Ibiee. K. Duncan, 1 ; .1. NViddop, 2: 11. Morshead, Jt. Greasy 1 ’ole.—T’his was won by F. Lownull in bis lirst attempt. None 0 f Bm other competitors getting near tho (hviiig to the teams who were to take part m the water polo being tired out, having competed in various races, tho decided to postpone this event tilt Wednesday.