ITEMS OF SPORT

New Zealand Tablet, 9 January 1913, Page 31

ITEMS OF SPORT

GENERAL. Dick Arnst, the ex-champion sculler, saved the life of a surf bather who had been swept off his feet by the undertow at Manly on Boxing Day and carried out beyond the red flag that flutters as a danger mark. Arnst, who is a strong swimmer, happened to be farther out than any of the other bathers, and within a minute of the man's cries for help Arnst was on the spot and supported him till two men, named McKelvey and McAuliffe, arrived with a life-line. Two New Zealand visitors, J. Hentsh and G. Brown, also did good work in keeping another bather up till the life-savers reached him with the life-line. ■ Everything promised to make the garden fete and hunters’ carnival at Trentham on New Year’s Day a big success, yet all the efforts of an energetic committee in this direction were spoilt by the rain, which fell persistently (writes our Wellington correspondent). The carnival was in aid of St. Joseph’s Orphanage and parish at Upper Hutt. In the circumstances it is doubtful whether there will be a balance on the right side. Only the equestrian events were able to be got off, the other items being left for decision on some occasion early in February. The few items of the programme that were gone through proved most interesting. The Wellington City Band rendered selections during the day. The committee was composed as follows: Rev. Father Daly, Messrs. A. M. Samuel, C. G. Hayward, J. Martin, J. Comesky, John Cudby, J. Twohiil, A. Golder, J. Lyons, H. V. Benge, W. IT. Edwards, O. E. Phillips, J. Rodgers, W. McCrossen, J. Stout, J. Hogan, N. J. Bennington, J. Hill, D. Mahoney, J. Boyle, J. Burns, R. Quinn, A. Cudby, D. Patterson, E. Cornell, P. Garvey, and J. Snell. CRICKET. The Auckland Cricket Association decided to accept Canterbury’s terms for a match at Auckland for the Plunket Shield. The dates suggested are January 29, 30, and 31. South Auckland defeated Rangitikei at Taumaranui by an innings and 146 runs. South Auckland will now have to meet the winners of the Manawatu-Waira-rapa match. The only match in the senior grade in Wellington on Saturday was that between East B and North, which was concluded after several postponements. North secured a three-point win by an innings and 131 runs. Beautiful weather prevailed in Christchurch for Saturday’s matches, when the fifth round was commenced on beautiful wickets. The leading team, St. Albans, cracked up badly against East Christchurch, and are in a bad position; whilst West Christchurch, aided by a fine double century from Dan Reese, put up the big total. of 418. Sydenham are in a strong position against Linwood. Results: —St. Albans, 90 and 25 for two wickets, v. East Christchurch, 167; West Christchurch, 418 (D. Reese 209, W. J. Jennings 69) v. Riccarton 27 for no wickets; Linwood, 144 (E. Perrin 66) v. Sydenham, 160 for five wickets (G. L. Patterson 87 not out) . Fresh from their triumphs in the north, and hotfoot after their fine victory over Canterbury, the South Melbourne team, which included several ex-Victorian State cricketers and one ex-international in the personage of Harry Trott, invaded Dunedin, and on Saturday opened a campaign against Otago (says the Otago Daily Times). The afternoon was perfecta good light and the hot January sun tempered by a cool breeze. Most things were verified during the day save the one most expected South Melbourne did not bat up to reputation. For a side of acknowledged strength and repute, the visitors gave a tame and colorless exhibition, unredeemed from mediocrity by the occasional dashing batting of 11. Trott, who, standing Sphinxlike at his crease, saved himself an amount of running between the wickets with drives to the boundary. As a matter of stern fact, the batting of the south Melbourne side, in such favorable conditions and against

bowling not generally regarded as strong, was disappointing in the extreme. The visitors scored 227 in their first innings, and when the stumps were drawn Otago had run up a score of 53 for the loss of one wicket. The match was resumed at noon on Monday, and was continued until the luncheon adjournment at one o clock, when the Otago score had been raised from 53 to 109 for the loss of two wickets. Rain having set in, it was decided to stop play for the day. The match was resumed on Tuesday, when Otago scored 177 in the first innings. In the second innings South Melbourne had run up 54, when rain set in and the match had to be abandoned.