ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 42, 16 May 1891, Page 1

ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING.

A good-natured skit is often far more effective than vituperative abuse. In burying their self-deposed monarch with all the pomp and ceremony of a well-organised mock-funeral the boot operatives have aroused sympathy instead of the disgust which would assuredly have attended any boo hooing or personal violence inflicted upon their recalcitrant president. Trades Unions should learn a lesson from the transactions which have terminated so peacefully and humorously. In choosing officials they should be always careful to select the real working man, and not place those in power who are so to speak connecting links between masters and men.

..A writer in the Canterbury Press by drawing invidious comparisons between British and /Colonial society girls greatly to the disadvantage of the latter has saddled himself and his journal with a lengthy and acrimonious correspondence. In twitting the local girls with a sad want of refinement, a lack of politeness and gentleness, >a lamentable ignorance of topics outside the j ordinary society gossip, he is perhaps not altogether wide of the mark. But when he asserts that the average British girl is physically (superior in regard to endurance in athletic exercises to the average colonial girl, we must join issue at once. In truth each has her merits and defects. Being reared under conditions -and influences so widely different such a result must of necessity be inevitable. We must not forget that the typical colonial girl—in New Zealand at -least —has scarcely yet reached her fullest development. If she studies to temper her charming freshness with a less abrupt manner, and a greater consideration for the feelings of others—modifying her tendency to igush with something of her English sisters’ ■lady-like reserve—she will in our opinion develop ere long into as delightful a type of the ‘ female-woman ’ as this imperfect world can produce. But we would not have her imitate the artificial and constrained propriety usually so noticeable in the English maiden, who while striving to sacrifice to Mrs. Grundy, is by no means incapable of outwitting that detestable tyrant when the eleventh commandment, “Thou shalt not be found out,” is not likely to be broken.

' Last Saturday night another of Mr. Winch’s capitally managed Sheffield Handicaps was run off at the Zealandia Rink in the presence of a large crowd. In the first heat of the second ■roirnd Johnson and S. Murphy ran a dead heat. On running off Murphy won easily, Johnson getting off badly. The final heat brought together Keenan Murphy (7yds.), Laxon (12yds.), and Cummings (11yds.). A capital race resulted in a win by nearly two yards for Laxon, S. Murphy and Cummings running a dead heat for second place. On running off the dead heat the judge’s verdict was in Murphy’s favour by two or three inches, but the referee who watched the other side of the tape declared another dead heat. After some discussion the pair agreed to run again, when Cummings won easily, Murphy not pe i severing. Results in detail are given elsewhere. The next Sheffield Handicaps are fixed for Saturday and Monday nights, May 23 and 25 (Queen’s

Birthday). One for £25, 120 yards flat, and a second for £7, 120 yards hurdles. The fence at the finish has been nicely padded, by Mr. Winch’s directions, and the arrangements are now perfect in every respect.

Gordon 11. by defeating Ponsonby 11. on Saturday win the Junior Cup with an unbeaten record for the season. The cup becomes their absolute property, as they have now won it three times. Ponsonby 11. won all their matches save the two against Gordon 11. Tne unfinished senior cup match between Gordon and United was fixed to be played out on Saturday, Gordon having eight wickets down for 462 runs, but United did not put in an appearance, and Gordon in due form claimed the match by default. Notwithstanding the ridiculous claim advanced in the Star —not by the United club, but by an individual whose impudence emphatically gets the better of his discretion —the cup goes to Gordon. In the finish for the junior cup Ponsonby wanted 28 runs and had 7 wickets to fall. T.. Ball and W. Kenderdine disposed of the seven wickets for 13 runs, being favoured by the state of the pitch. Cricket we presume has ended for the season.

So successful was the tandem meet of some three weeks ago that steps were at once taken to form a club of gentlemen interested in that branch of the Jehu’s art. On Saturday last the newly formed club held their first meet at the junction of Princes and O’Rorke Streets, near the Police Barracks. His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Lady Onslow, drove two splendidly matched dark chestnuts in a neat cart of local manufacture, built to order in the short space of three weeks by W. J. Cousins, of Lome Street. The starting point presented a lively spectacle, as quite a crowd had assembled to see the sight. Shortly after 2 p.m. the teams got into line, and His Excellency led off, the rest dropping into position as follows : Dr. Arthur Purchas and coachman, who handled the ribbons, the doctor’s left hand being hors de combat; Colonel Carre, with the Hon. Mr. Seddon, who quite beamed with happiness, whose leader gave a little trouble at first; Messrs. McLaughlin (a famous whip) and Kettlewell; Mr. Stewart accompanied by Miss Taylor ; Mr. Sinclair and the second Miss Taylor ; Mr. and Mrs. Chatfield ; and eighth and last, Captain Guthrie and Mr. H. Whitaker. The route was Symonds Street, Kyber Pass, via Remuera and the cross lane to Manukau Road, past Epsom, where his Excellency left the party, returning to pay a visit with Lady Onslow to Mr. L. J. Steele’s studio. ' The teams subsequently drove via Mount Albert to Avondale, where afternoon tea and light refreshments were much enjoyed. After a rest the order of march was resumed, and all reached home safely in high good humour over the pleasant outing. The muster was not so large as on the previous occasion, several teams being unavoidably absent. Messrs Fowler and Sparkes and Mr. Lockhart have left Auckland, and Mr. J. Ansenne was booked to finish his not-out innings for Gordon cricket club against United, but the match did not come off after all. The Tandem Club is now an established fact. It will serve a purpose useful as well as ornamental by cultivating a

taste for good and elegant harness-cattle and encouraging the breeding and importing of horses of the best stamp, besides creating a wholesome rivalry among our local coach builders.

Glorious football weather on Saturday last drew some 1,100 lovers of the game to Potter’s Paddock, where the first cup matches of the season were held. Ponsonby v. Grafton was naturally the chief attraction, and spectators were not disappointed the game proving a hard-fought and interesting one. The system recently adopted in England of making the referee sole arbiter—the umpires’ merely acting as linemen —was tried, and, in the opinion of most, found wanting. Mr. McCausland, good and impartial referee as he undoubtedly is, coaid not be everywhere, and some extremely doubtful decisions resulted. One notable miscarriage of justice occurred in connection with the first try and goal awarded to Ponsonby. Those on the pavilion could see the incident perfectly. A Ponsonby man in possession of the ball being half tackled fell within a few yards of Grafton’s goal line, and in falling threw the ball forward some five or six feet at least. Cole, coming with a wet sail, dashed over the line with it, and the referee, who was not in a position to see the palpable throw-on, allowed the try, from which Breen placed a neat goal. In our opinion this mistake only affected the score, not the result of the match, for Ponsonby played with better combination throughout, and deserved their win. But the scores should really have read—Ponsonby 3, Grafton 2. On the whole, as one might expect so early in the season, the exhibition of football was neither satisfactory or scientific. Many excellent examples of individual good play were discounted by a lack of combination and coolness. The “ man in possession ” too frequently omitted to watch what he was about before deciding upon his course of action. Some of the Grafton dribbling rushes —in which Smith, Mackenzie and Ginders shone brightly—were brilliant, but Ponsonby backs were always equal to the emergency, and displayed clever and determined defensive powers. Masefield, Braund. Rhodes, Breen and Cole distinguished themselves repeatedly, but the other Ponsonby backs were all there, save perhaps Stichbury, who was not quite at his best. Among the forwards Caulton, Poland, Heffernan, Mills and Bruce were prominent, but it is almost invidious to select special names from such a consistent and hardworking lot. Grafton, in our opinion, after winning the toss made a mistake in choice of goals, as a strongish breeze blew in their faces during the first spell—the Ponsonby backs wisely taking advantage of this by kicking high. When the second spell commenced the breeze had dropped, but Grafton did not make the most of what still remained. Among Grafton’s backs Madigan, Elliott, the Hill brothers and Kissling did good work, but were inferior in combination to their opponents, who themselves are anything but perfect. Wilson played a brilliant game for Grafton, and is likely to be of great value to his club. Rob Mackenzie was unfortunately knocked out towards the end of the first spell, but recovered and played well in the second. L. Hill, Caulton, and Beamish also received some nasty jars, the latter severely wrenching his great toe, which with rough and ready surgery was kicked

into place by his mates. A fine run by Masefield. ending in a try was the best individual, feat during the game. Madigan and Penalhgan (who played a staunch game) scored the tries for Grafton, and took both places. The first from a difficult angle was only a moderate attempt, but the second, which was by no means easy, was a splendid shot, just outside the post and at the right elevation.

Gordon v. Auckland resulted in a win for the former by six points (goal and 4 tries) to three (goal and 1 try). Auckland had rather the best of the first spell, being a good deal m their opponent’s twenty-five. Gaudin very soon scored, and placed a good goal from a difficult Wangle. Play continued mostly in Gordon s territory until towards the end of the first spell when Auckland were driven back, and some good passing among the Gordon backs resulted in a try obtained by Otway. Jervois took the place, but the ball went low and wide. In the second spell (30min spells) Gordon staying better pushed Auckland throughout, although several good rushes were got on. Smart after a good run scored, but Macminamin failed to improve. Next Cooke distinguished himself by a magnificent run from Gordon 25, passing everybody and touching down. The score was not improved by the place which Jervis took. Next Jervis ran in from half distance and touched down behind the post. He took the place and landed a goal. M r - T. Henderson gave great satisfaction as referee. To-day (Saturday) Grafton meet Gordon, and Ponsonby play Auckland. ' _____