Our Sports Summary

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 10, 8 March 1923, Page 33

Our Sports Summary

ST. PATRICK'S SPORTS ASSOCIATION, CHRISTCHURCH. (From our own correspondent.) Mr. J. Anderson presided recently over a well-attended meeting of the St. Patrick's Sports Association. The secretary (Mr. J. M. Coffey) reported having received considerable correspondence regarding entries, as well as appreciative letters from various athletic associations throughout New Zealand of the kindly treatment extended to representatives at the last annual sports meeting. The offer of the Highland Pipe Band to play selections at the next sports meeting was accepted with thanks. Welcome news was received from the Lancaster Park Board of Control, which, in answer to a request from the association, granted the use of the Park from March 1 for cyclists' training. The C.A.A.C. wrote regretfully declining to allow the Waihora Club to participate in the amateur relay race. The following were appointed a grounds committee: Messrs. Geo. Ryan, Chas. Taylor, S. Ryan, J. Anderson, J. Cunningham, J. Rodgers, with Mr. Chas. Taylor as chairman. Messrs. Geo. Ryan, J. Anderson, T. P. O'Rourke, R. Binssen, H. O'Connor, Geo. Hayward, R. Nash, J. Flannelly, P. Pearce, E. Fitzgerald, and J. Rodgers were appointed a social committee in connection with the presentation of prizes. Mr. Walden moved that it be a recommendation to handicappers in the 220yds events that not more than six start in a heat. This was carried. Messrs. C. Hassell and R. Beafctie will officiate as handicappers. Mr. W. E. Simes congratulated the association on the bright outlook before the meeting. The officials (he said) had the confidence of the public, and the encouragement to competitors had given the association pride of place so far as the revival and advancement of athletics in the Dominion were concerned. Eltham Catholic Queen Carnival The four nights of the convent carnival and bazaar were responsible for very large attendances at the Town Hall last week, both upstairs and downstairs portions being pretty well occupied every evening. The crowd was active in every department, with the result that the object of tho carnival was fulfilled in a manner very satisfactory to the managing committee. Every game, competition, and stall was freely patronised, and longer evenings could have been utilised quite advantageously. The crowd did not depart until nearly midnight, there being a simmer of excitement until the positions of the rival queens were announced. On Saturday night there was a brief period of speech-making, congratulations all round—and finish, with gratifying success, as the reward of much unselfish toil.

The positions of the queens as announced were —Farmers’ (Nita Kelly), 72,564; Convent (Norine Fake), 55,453; Sports’ (Betty Dunn), 45,178; People’s (V. Reilly), 33,771.. After cheers for the winning candidate, Father N. Moore brought the little fair-headed girl on to the stage and briefly thanked all who had assisted in the bazaar for their efforts, and congratulated them on the success achieved. He thanked the people from Kaponga, who had assisted very greatly and also the press. Three cheers were given for Mr. Kelly, the father of the little queen.

The Argus (from which we extract the report) learned that the net result of the big effort was over £2OOO a very satisfactory total. Father Moore stated that he expressly wished to thank the Mayor, the orchestra, and the public, as well as those who contributed to the programmes, while the work of the secretary (Mr. Grenfell) and Mr. H. Nodder was quite invaluable.

The tug-of-war and lazy-stick contests aroused great interest. The Tirimoana team maintained their reputation by pulling the People’s team, which won the previous contest, almost off the stage. Their combination and unity were much too good for the opposition. In the lazy-stick contests conditions were not satisfactory, but Mills beat Gernhoefer on the pulls decided. ...

DETERIORATION OF FOOTBALL IN NEW ZEALAND. The sports page of the Manchester Guardian of recent date contains the following; The past Rugby season in New Zealand is admitted to have been the poorest since the game started there 40 odd years ago. So obvious has been the deterioration that the governing bodies of some of the provincial unions have held what they call “inquests” into the state of the game. Iho reasons advanced for the falling off have been various, but there is unanimity on one cause, and that is the introauction of new rules. One of these imposed a penalty for line-finding, except as a means of defence, by having the a brought back for a line-out opposite the spot from which it was kicked in all cases except where the kicker as inside his own 25 line or where the ball did not bounce before going into touch. The game has certainly become laster, but the greater speed has not made for efficiency in attack. Ihe o d method of gaining ground by finding Las' been kin'*l ml S w, ing <lista " CC of th “Pints’ line as been killed, and there is a strong feeling that the amended rules mil have to go if the game is to be saved

Views of America’s Presidents on Religious Freedom ' ,f .offering the most remote inbrethren’ the .doty to address Mic thanks to our Catholic brethren, as to them we are indebted for every late success ovei tile common enemy in Canada.—Nov. 5 1775. Roosevelt.—Any political movement directed a trains!, any body of our fellow citizens because of their religious creed .s a grave offence against American principle and American institutions.-Oct. 11, 1915. P P and ever J fitleT'~ All eVeIT Act of Parliament by whateior title known or distinguished, which renders criminal the maintaining of any opinions in matters of ~J • • • or exercising any mode of worship whatever • ■ • shall henceforth be of no validity or force within tl;m Uininon’,ealt, -Statute of Virginia for Hel^

Madison—That diabolical, hell-conceived principle of persecution rages anion" m T »,.,„„ m p . cl P le oi Htitutional Convention ° V,rgm,a Conthose who C 0,,,!,;,- for such on end ._ De n e .7 o ** S ° d <> heart of Amorica.-N„y 4 1915 "° ™ T sp,r,t a,,<l negroes, foreigners, and (Life- W T" *"* « I s..o« W SSLASTttS Speed. lX' 0C " f '° Vi " g to £Zts. Harding.— the .experiences of a year of the Presidency, there has come to me no other s „ ch „„,vcfcorae jm preas.o,, as ft. manifest religions intolerance »h C ohe X S among many of oar citizens, I hold it t „ h» I , s the very liberties „ boast and A^J^S^ 0 The Famous Diggers If comparisons were to be drawn between the various ravelling show, of their kind that have toured New Tea land during the past few years the first place among merriment purveyors would undoubtedly be given to the "Daggers ' The important question .that concerns the "Diggers management when about to stage a new production is how best to eater for the amusemenWoving pubHfand m tins connection hilarity is made the essenJd gjg How we I the 'Diggers" have succeeded in this is evidenced by the liberal patronage , they everywhere receive. £ Diggers" are at present showing to great audiences at the Grand Opera House Wellington, and at the conclusion of their season there will follow the itinerary .which apnea* W our advertising columns. . F *, n