All-round Sport

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 136, 2 March 1893, Page 8

All-round Sport

By

“Milo.”

COMING EVENTS. March 4—Auckland Yacht Club Races March 11—Auckland Yacht Club Picnic March 25 —Polo Tournament March 25—A.A.A. Club’s Summer Meeting CRICKET DATES. 4& 11 —Auckland v. Onslow; Parnell v. Gordon Second Junior — a . ~ March 4 & 11—Pitt-street Mutual v. Grammar School, Belmont v. Roller Mills. Educational Chambers stand out.

Cricket

Gordon v. Auckland —Although Gordon beat Auckland on Saturday last by 30 runs on the first innings it was really only the last two wickets that won the match for them. Goulstone played a fine innings for 20. Arthur Williamson, who has just been promoted from the second eleven, is a youngster of great promise, and with care should become a first-class batsman. His 12 was got in a very taking manner. Felix Kelly made 14 in his own peculiar style, and Kenderdine was again not out with 9to his credit. Bob Mills bowled with great success, and with a wicketkeeper to help him the result of the match would probably have been different. Auckland’s seven wickets for 34 runs was a very poor display of cricket, Kelly’s trundling being evidently too much for them. United v. Parnell. —In the United —Parnell match, United won by 61 on the first innings. Charlie Harvey evidently had a day out, making 41 before he put his leg where his bat ought to have been. Stemson had his proverbial luck in making his 10 runs, being caught and bowled by Hoile off a “ no ball.” McCormack foolishly ran himself out just as he appeared well set, having scored 12. Carlton Hay played a nice free innings for his 12 not out. Parnell scored 55 for 4 wickets in the second innings, Hoile playing in a very taking manner for 15 not out. Young Dug Hay captured all the Parnell wickets.

An important alteration in the rules which govern the competition for the Sheffield Shield waa made at a recent meeting of the Australian Cricket Council. It is that the colony which wins the most matches shall hold the trophy, or, in the event of a tie, by the average system. W. Bruce and H. Trumble will sail for England from Melbourne by the Orient Company’s steamer Ophir, leaving on Saturday next. Both players are anxious to visit Scotland before they settle down to work as members of the Australian eleven, hence their departure a fortnight before the rest of the team. The Christchurch Bowling Club at a special meeting they held on Saturday night, unanimously resolved to withdraw from the New Zealand Bowling Association. An amendment to postpone the question for three months was negatived, only the proposer and seconder voting for it. The chief argument in support of the proposed withdrawal was that members of the clubs where a tournament is to be held are restricted in play in order to have the greens in thorough order, and are then not allowed to play on their own green during the tournament, which also injures the green for subsequent play. It was decided to revert to the former practice of playing friendly interclub matches in different towns as arranged. Slavin said recently : “ I am prepared to sail for America at a moment’s notice providing a decent sum is put up for myself and Goddard, or if the latter cares to come to England I will be pleased to meet him for the National Sporting Club purse. I have backing here for any amount up to therefore Goddard can net a pretty good sum if he is man enough to beat me.” A cable message to the Melbourne Argus, from London, dated February 7, announces the defeat of the ex-New Zealander Billy Murphy. Murphy met Johnnie Griffin at the Coney Island Athletic Club, New York, on the preceding evening, and was beaten in seven rounds. The fight was for 5000 dols. The defeat serves to show that the sturdy New Zealander must be falling off wonderfully. Four years ago he met Griffin —then reckoned one of the best of his class in the States — at the California Athletic Club, in San Francisco, and easily finished him in three rounds. This was on the occasion of his first visit to the States, but now we find that Griffin has revenge. Tommy Williams, after a stay of eleven

months in England, has left there for America I clip the following from the Sydney Referee of February 15th: —“Mr Baker, captain of the Auckland (N.Z.) Swimming Club, now on a visit to our city, chiefly for the good of his health, has during his stay opened up the question of a team of N.S.W. swimmers visiting Maoriland about this time next year. The suggestion has met with the hearty approval of a number of the boys who have heard of it, some of whom will no doubt prepare themselves for the trip. Mr Baker, in company with the hon. sec. of the Association, visited Balmain on Saturday last, the day of that club’s carnival, and so had an excellent opportunity of gauging the relative speed of a number of our men. After seeing our champion, Gormly, annex the 300yds Championship of the colony, he ventured to say, in answer to a question, that, fit and well, he really believed their champion, Bailey, would be a thorn in the side of our pet. As Mr Baker is a man possessed of more than the ordinary amount of common sense, and was speaking unreservedly, it only goes to show what a magnificent struggle would be seen should the two cracks meet. Personally I would have no hesitation in saying that the man is not built who could call our Paddy down at any distance over 100yds, and in saying so I do not wish to discredit our New Zealand friend, as he has proved himself a Trojan at all distances. Mr B. was not much taken with the style of our swimmers, none of whom, he says, swim as gracefully as his boys over there. This may be so, but they get there all the sained and that’s the main point. My remarks in the last issue of this paper anent the controversy in New Zealand over the change of headquarters of the Association are fully borne out by Mr 8., who says that to carry out the proposed change of venue would mean literally a collapse in the New Zealand swimming world Let us hope the Christchurch swimmers will see the utility of letting well alone.” The American Polo Association have invited the players of Hurlingham and other leading clubs in England and Europe to visit America next summer to play a series of international polo matches. His Royal Highness the Maharajah of Cooch Behar, owner of Highborn and other horses, intends to visit Australia shortly with a team of polo players. The ponies will arrive next month, and the players will follow shortly afterwards. The team consists of the following:— H.R.H. the Maharajah of Cooch Behar, the Hon. C. R. Beresford, and Captains Croode, Crawley, Hanwell and Le Gallais. They will bring about thirty-six ponies, and will play in each of the three colonies. Sam Matthews, proprietor of the Calefornia Club, Sydney, has accepted a liberal offer from the Coney Island Athletic Club, New York, and has decided to return to the States. The doctor who discovered that John L. Sullivan was suffering from fatty degeneration of the heart made the following report. —“ It might be going a trifle too far to say that the disease has made much progress as yet, but it certainly has started, and it all depends on Sullivan himself how far it goes. If he lives moderately and temperately, refraining from all undue excitements and violent exertions, he may go along very comfortably for years ; but if he indulges in excesses of any kind, especially liquid excesses, including water, he is liable to drop dead at any moment.” •‘Jason,” of the Canterbury Times, alluding to the Single Scull Championship at the Lake Forsyth (Canterbury) Meeting, in which the Aucklander Keefe competed, says :—“Keefe, of Auckland ; McGrath, of Dunedin ; Daly, of Canterbury; and Young, of Wellington, were the starters. I must say that Keefe has had cruel luck all through. First, his own boat was smashed coming down from Auckland ; then, after having the Union Club’s shell placed at his disposal, and altered and done up to suit him, it was discovered on taking off the cover at the Lake, that the boat was seriously damaged in several places. The box compartment contained three gaping cracks, and both forward and aft the cedar was split. Norton fixed up the injured parts to the best of his ability in the limited space at his disposal, but it was all for nothing, for the boat would not stand racing. It is no wonder that Keefe went under in the first dozen strokes. Even in smooth water I question very much whether the boat would have carried him home. Of the other three, McGrath proved much the best waterman, and was an easy

winner. Young went down a quarter of a mile from the start ; but Daly, I reckon, accomplished a most meritorious performance in reaching the finish in a boat the canvas portions of which were under water. It is impossible to speak of the respective merits of the men, for there is nothing to go by, as there was no racing. But judging by the form of the men as they left the staging I should say that Keefe is a sculler of considerable dash, that McGrath is faster than his awkward untaking style would lead one to suspect, that Daly has much to learn in wager boat racing, and that Young is quite a novice at the game.” I may remark that the weather was most unpropitious all through the day, and after four events had been decided the rest had to be postponed till the evening. The Double Sculling Championship of New Zealand, one mile and a half, first prize second at the above regatta was won by the Union (Christ church) Rowing Club, who beat the Canterbury Rowing Club by a length. The Wellington Rowing Club finished third, the only other crew that competed being the Star (Wellington) Boating Club. The regatta was continued on the following day on the Waimakariri River, under more favourable auspices. Keefe was not a competitor. The Four-oared Championship of New Zealand ; first prize second pio, 2 miles, fell to the Lyttelton Rowing Club, who won by a little over two lengths from the Union R.C., with the Wellington R.C. third. The Canterbury R.C. and Star B.C. were the other competitors. The following paragraph, taken from the Boston Police News, may interest some of my readers : —“ The prospects of an International Athletic Carnival at the World’s Fair in Chicago next year are growing better every day. The Amateur Athletic Union has finally aroused itself to a point of action, and sent circulars all over the world requesting entries. It is proposed to hold a handicap meeting, which will be followed by a champion tournament, open to the world. These are to be held some time during the month of September, and, as all the colleges in the country are taking a great interest in the project, and athletes themselves are looking forward to the tournament, there is little question that it will be the greatest athletic carnival the world has ever seen. The local management is to be in the hands of the Chicago Athletic Club, which has ample facilities. Its club-house is said to be the most complete and most sumptuously furnished in this country, and its members are all men of prominence and standing in Chicago. This World’s Fair meeting comes up just at a time when all England is stirred up over a proposed Pan - Britannic and Anglo-Saxon Olympiad. It would add great importance to our championship if it were possible to combine the two meetings at Chicago. American sport needs the flavour of International competition more than any other feature.” Mr E. Cavill, the champion swimmer of Australia, accompanied by Mr. M. McMurdo, his manager, arrived from Sydney by the Te Anau on Saturday last en route for Chicago. It is Mr. Cavill’s intention to give exhibitions in the various centres in the Colony. The members of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and ’Cycle Club are reminded that the entries for the March meeting close at the British Hotel on Saturday next, March 4th. Particulars of the events to be entered for appear in another column. The Domain on an evening now presents quite an animated appearance, there being fully some seventy runners in work. It is said that a number of new ’cyclists will compete at the March meeting of the A.A. Club, and amongst others are mentioned Messrs. Upfill and Esam. Sammy Goodman has, as usual, a large string in hand—-good, bad, and indifferent. Ir is time “Buff” Laird started training if he wants to win the | Championship. J. H. Buchanan is, as usual, in the hands of J. G. Lecky, and, fit and well, I think the | is all over. I am given to understand that the committee of the A A.C. have under consideration the desirability of licensing trainers. A step, I think, in the right direction. Mr C. H. Croxton, the hon. treasurer of the N.Z.A.A. Association, passed through Auckland last week, and whilst here he met the committee of the local club and discussed matters with them. The profit over the last Championship Meeting was divided equally between the Association and the Wellington A.A. Club.

The next Championship Meeting will probably be held at Timaru on February, 1894. It is on the cards that a N.Z. athletic team will be sent to Australia next year. The Auckland Athletic Club intend this meeting to take stringent measures with regard to the betting evil. C. Weston, the well-known sprinter, is expected back in time to take part in the March meeting here. Athletes are wondering whether the two budding solicitors intend making a book this meeting. The final competition for the Auckland Lawn Tennis Championship was played off on the Eden and Epsom Tennis Lawn on Saturday last in the presence of a large number of spectators. Messrs. Hooper and Stevenson were the competitors. Mr Hooper won the first set by 6 to 3, and he also won the next by 6 to 4. At one time in the third set Mr Stevenson played so well that the score was 5 all, but Mr Hooper again asserted himself at the finish and won the set by 7 to 5. He thus won the championship for the second time, and retains possession of the cup for another year. In view of the approaching competition for the Saville Cup, a polo match was played on Saturday at Potter’s Paddock between teams of the Auckland Club, chosen as under: —Ist team —Messrs. O’Rorke (capt.), Purchas, Lockhart and Colegrove. 2nd team—Messrs. Whewell, Forbes, Stewart and Wynyard. No. 1 team beat No. 2 team by 4 goals to 1, Mr O’Rorke scoring 3 goals and Mr Colegrove one. Mr Whewell scored the only goal obtained for the other team. There was a large attendance, and afternoon tea was, as usual, provided by the ladies. The play was very fast, and altogether it was a most enjoyable afternoon’s sport. The St. George’s Rowing Club will hold another set of Trial Fours on the nth inst. for the trophies presented by Mr H. Johnston, one of the Club’s oldest members. Mr 0. F. Thomas, the hon. coach, has presented the Club with a very handsome silver challenge cup, open to any two members to compete for, which will be rowed for in pair-oared outriggers. The cup is on view at Partridge and Woollams, Queen-street. St. Georges are sending a couple of gig crews to Gisborne at Easter, where they will also meet Napier crews, and, I also hear, a crew from the Auckland Rowing Club. The date is not yet definitely settled. St. George’s also intended to compete in the whalebone races at the Waitara Regatta to be held on the Bth inst., but two of the crew could not get away. Mr R. N. Thomas, the Canterbury athlete, will be a competitor at the March Meeting of the A.A.A.C. Mr Thomas competed at the last Championship Meeting in Wellington, winning the one mile walk, and getting second in the three mile ditto. As Thomas has never met Burton, a contest between the two will be worth going a long way to see. Mr John Baker, the captain of the Auckland Swimming Club, returned from Sydney by the Te Anau last Saturday, and informs us that he had a rosy trip. The Sydney swimmers vied with each other in doing him honour, and interviews, honorary elections, banquets, etc., were the order of the day. The Sydney folks intend visiting us with a team of eight and two directors in January next year, when no doubt our swimmers will reciprocate their hospitality. Mr Baker was present at the Balmain carnival, and saw the renowned Gormley and his particular style of stroke, and witnessed several events in the far-famed Natatorium. He says, although their men have more grace than ours, they can teach us nothing in the management of galas. Cavill, a prominent professional, was a fellow passenger with the Auckland captain. Cavill fell in at the Albertstreet Bath, and swims fast and clean, leaving little wash. He swims face downwards, and breathes without any effort,, which shows swimmiag can be accomplished without endeavouring to imitate a grampus. In regard to style Pannell is much his superior. Cavill has applied for the use of the Calliope Dock, and intends touring New Zealand. The Waiuku Swimming Sports went off very well. Mercer follows suit in a fortnight with its annual fixture on the noble Waikato. Test races were held to decide who should go South to compete for championship honours. The 220yds were swum off on Monday, Bailey, Nicholson, Scott, and Upton competing. Baileywon as expected. Time, 3min 11 3-sth sec. The 440yds took place the following evening with the same entrants,

Bailey again winning, with Nicholson second and Upton a close third. Upton swam splendidly, and received an ovation when finishing just a length behind Nicholson. Bailey will proceed South. Mr St. Clair, the energetic secretary of the New Zealand Swimming Association, has received a hearty invitation from the Sydney swimmers to visit their city.