JOTTINGS FROM WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 89, 7 April 1892, Page 1

JOTTINGS FROM WELLINGTON.

(By

Proteus.)

[by

WIRE.]

At the opening meet of the United Hunt Club held on last Saturday afternoon there was a large attendance o£ spectators. The weather was cold for onlookers, but it was a true hunter’s day. The master, Mr. H. D. Crawford, and Dick Roade are to be congratulated upon having such splendid arrangements, which gave satisfaction to all concerned Amongst the gentlemen following the hunt were Mr. H. D. Crawford, master (on Programme), Mr. D. G. A. Cooper (on The Liar). Mr. F. Wells, master of the Hawke’s Bay Hunt, Drs. Cahill and Gillon, Mr. Maddox, Mr. Richardson, of Blenheim (on Harkaway), Mr. Andrew Wylie (on Matchless), Mr. Skerrett (on Tongiora), Mr. Mills (on Sawdust), Mr. Bridson (on Excelsior), and some thirty others. The hounds threw off on a greasy spot at the rear of Mr. Crawford’s house at Miramar. The first post and rails proved too much for a number of intending followers, one gentleman having rather a severe fall, but fortunately he escaped without any serious injury, no bones being broken The hounds then made their way toward the sea end of the flat. After going about .2 miles over rough country the first check took place, and ’except the one accident before mentioned all the riders came in. After a rest of a few minutes a new start was made in which a number of fresh riders took part; amongst them was Mr. Hawk, on the well-known horse Ercildoune, who followed to the death, the horse taking the jumps splendidly. The run at this stage went straight to the kennels, keeping under the Pilot Station hill. The pace here was very fast. After a short stoppage at the kennels the hounds picked up the scent and ran towards the hill on the eastern side of Evans’ Bay, finishing up on the flat near the windmill. After the run Mrs. Crawford provided afternoon tea for a large number of guests, thus giving a fitting conclusion •to the afternoon’s sport.

Wellington, April 1. Messrs. Worth Bros, advance agent, Mr. Alexander, is having large barricades made and erected on the Reclamation, the idea being

to prevent the Wellington winds from lifting their mammoth tent from its foundation, an incident which happened to the company on their last visit to Wellington.

A new member of the Wellington Football Club is W. Thompson, late of the Suburbs Club, Auckland. It is surmised he will greatly strengthen the forward division of that club.

The directors of the Wellington Opera House intend arranging a series of tug-of-wai’ competitions on the same lines as those that have lately been held in all the principal cities of Australia. Large cash prizes are to be given, as well as medals for the purpose of bringing as many nationalities together as possible, and to test the respective strength of each nation’s representatives.

As the citizens of Wellington have not considered the necessity of having another recreation ground, Mr. Firth, of tho Wellington College, has influenced'several gentlemen to render him aid in improving the college football ground. Mr. Firth’s intention is to have the ground levelled and generally altered, and for this purpose the sum of £2OO is required. The contract for the levelling has been let. There is every sign of contributions coming in freely, although the committee of gentlemen appointed to assist Mr. Firth have not yet resorted to canvassing. Mr. Firth heads the list with £2O, and others interested in the scheme have promised handsome donations. It is very gratifying to see that a step has at last been taken in the direction of providing a suitable ground for the athletics of Wellington. It is expected to have the ground in order by next spring, and to open it with the College Athletic Sports.

The Rugby Union held their annual meeting last Wednesday night, Mr. G. Fisher, M.H.R., being in the chair. The following report was presented and read, but owing to its great length I have been compelled to reduce it: — Matches: The visit which was owing by the Union to Canterbury and Otago since 1885 was at length returned, but the result was far from satisfactory, the Wellington team being defeated in both matches. The only other foreign match in which the Union was engaged was the annual mitch with Hawke’s Bay, played at Newtown Park, and won by Wellington by two tries to nil. A junior team was also sent to Palmerston, and met a team from the Manawatu Union, and after a good game a draw was the result. Club matches: The first and second-class matches were fought out most spiritedly, and provided some excellent games. The Athletic Club won the former, playing eight games, winning six, and losing two, the runners up being the Wellingtons with eight games played, five won, two lost, one drawn. The second-class contest was won by the Oriental Club with the excellent record of eleven games played, ten won, one lost. The Wellington Club was also second in this class, playing eleven games; winning nine, losing two. Two club teams made visits to the district during the season, viz., the Te Aute College team and the Alhambra team from Otago, both teams holding the premiership in their respective districts. The former club

won matches against the Wellington and Poneke Clubs, and the Alhambra team beat the Athletics by 4 points to 3, after a close game. The finances were considered to be in a satisfactory condition. The election ;of officers was then dealt with. Mr. Fisher, the out-going president, then left the chair, which was taken by Mr. A. Thompson. The election of officers resulted as follows f—President: G. Fisher, M.H.R. Vice-presidents : Dr. Newman, M.H.R., J. Duthie, M.H.R.. Messrs. H. D. Bell, and H. Gully. Hon. Sec. :J. Hyams. Treasurer: D. F. Skinner. Management Committee: Seniors, Messrs.. T. R, Ellison (Poneke), J. A. Thompson (Athletic), T - . M. Wilford (Petone), G. 8 Fache (Wellington), and A. Campbell (Melrose). Juniors: C. Earle and C. Nicholls. Match Committee : Messrs. Wilfred, Marchbanks, and Ellison. Auditors ; J. Dumbell and J. Reich. Mr. Thompson, the chairman, mentioned about betting on matches. He said that to see the game prosper this evil practice would have to be abolished. A vote of thanks to the retiring officers and to the chair brought the meeting to a close.