Our Sports Summary

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 33, 23 August 1923, Page 33

Our Sports Summary

FOOTBALL NOTES. Dunedin. —The Catholic primary schools' competition, which was interrupted by the 'Flu and bad weather, is again in full swing. The boys show the greatest interest in their matches, and some real good games have been played. The other week the Christian Brothers' B team (6) defeated St. Patrick's, South Dunedin (nil). The boys showed the result of good training and coaching. Christian Brothers A (6) defeated Sacred Heart School, Northeast Valley (nil). Christian Brothers C team played Mount St. Joseph's, "Waverley, last week. Christchurch. —The C.R.U. held its seven-a-side tournament on Saturday week at Lancaster Park (writes our own correspondent). The Marist first and second grade teams played their way into the finals, and after a hard tussle, both were defeated by 'Varsity. The Marist Brothers' School light weights won from Technical College by 6 points to 3. So far these little boys are unbeaten. In the schools' Soccer game the Marist Brothers' boys in their final match against St. Michael's were victorious by 4 goals to 1. goal, and for the third year in succession have annexed the Soccer shield. The Marist boys are also leading in the B grade. St. Bede's College met Christ's College B team on Saturday week and won by 31 points to nil. Tries were secured by Lee, Calvin, Payne, Fitz Harris, Ahem, Connolly, and Murphy (2), the last-named player converting two and kicking a penalty goal. The junior team were defeated by Rangiora High School first fifteen by 10 points to nil. St. Bede's College first fifteen defeated Boys' High School on Wednesday week at Hagley Park, in what was virtually the final of the secondary schools' competition by 9 points to 0. There was a large crowd present to see the match, which was played under ideal conditions. Play was fast and interesting throughout. St. Bede's forwards were better than School's, but there was little difference in the backs, both sets playing good football. ST. PATRICK'S HARRIERS, DUNEDIN. The St. Patrick's Harriers held their run on Saturday from the Parkside Hotel as the guests of Mrs. Dawson. The pack, numbering 20, followed the trail down Law Street, across Bathgate Park, into Macandrew Road, thence, through Shiel's quarry, past the golf links, and through Woodeaton, where it followed the road to the Green Island toll gate. It returned via. the South Road and over Lookout Point into Caversham. A brisk run home was commenced at McCracken's store, a fast pace being maintained all the way. The members were subsequently entertained to tea, which was succeeded by a musical evening. <f^y> The World's Finest Football Arena This year the final tie for the Football Association Cup, between West Ham United and Bolton Cup, between West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers, will be played for the first time on the wonderful new ground at Wembley (England). No fewer than 128,000 spectators will be able to obtain a clear and uninterrupted view of the game. Some idea of what such a crowd means may be gathered from the fact that a single line of 128,000 persons standing shoulder to shoulder would extend from Westminster Bridge to Brighton, while the total weight of the multitude would exceed 8000 tons. The Wembley Stadium and grounds are of such a size that three great buildings, each as big as the Crystal Palace, could be placed in them, and even then enough space would be left to include a couple of fair-sized churches. . Turfing the Pitch. The ground and its surrounding buildings cost £300,000

to build and equip. The two huge covered stands alone contain 26,000 seats, and in addition there are 10,000 ring seats. A further 57,000 spectators can find ample standing accommodation on the wide banked-up terraces, while the various enclosures cater for 35,000 more. Seventy thousand tons of concrete and similar building materials were used in making the stands and terraces, while the actual playing pitch contains three and threequarter acres of grass, made up of 76,200 freshly cut turfs, each two and a half inches thick, placed on top of five and a half inches of rotten turf and loose soil. All" this turf was taken from the best portions of the old Wembley Park golf links, and in no instance did more than one hour elapse between the cutting of a turf and its replacement on the new ground. If all the turf could be. made into one huge pile, the result would bo a column over five miles high. The cinder running-track that surrounds the football held was constructed under the supervision of Charles Perry, the track expert, and has a straight run of 220 yards. Being absolutely level, and protected from wind by the high terraces and stands, it is expected that many new running records will be set tip at Wembley. A huge restaurant capable of seating 1000 persons at a time is one of the features of the place, while numerous tea rooms and light refreshment bars have also been provided. Footballers and athletes will find sumptuous accommodation. There are dressing-rooms and baths for 500 persons, while each of the competing teams will be provided with a. bio; plunge bath, 12 feet long by 10 feet wide, sunk 7 feet into the ground. Miles of Steps and Stairs. At one end of the ground stands a high observation tower which is in telephonic communication with every part of the stadium, so that officials, police, or, if necessary, ambulance men can be directed to any particular spot in a few seconds.. Probably the most interesting feature is the subterranean passage that encircles the whole ground. Forty feet wide, it has running from it staircases placed 14 yards apart leading to each block of seats, so that there will be no crushing and crowding in filling or emptying the ground. Altogether, the Wembley Stadium contains nearly 20,000 steps and stairs. These are of varying lengths and of an average height of 10 inches. If they could be built up into one single staircase, the top step would be nearly three and a quarter miles above the ground level. ■ <HjM> Miss Amy Castles The announcement that Miss Amy Castles, the gifted dramatic soprano, is to give a series of concerts in Dunedin, will give great pleasure to local music lovers. It seldom happens that one prima donna takes with her another prima donna as a supporting artist, but this Miss Castles has ventured to do on her present tour in the full confidence that her own voice is still at- its youthful zenith. There is the advantage of contrast, for., while Miss Amy Castles's voice is that rarest of all, the dramatic soprano, that of her sister, Miss Eileen Castles, is more lyrical in quality. The one is said to be as rich as ever, with the added charm of finished art, and the other' is distinctively very beautiful. While Miss Amy Castles was adding to her laurels in London, Vienna, Brussels, Berlin, and other European capitals, her sister was also making a reputation in grand opera in the United States. The opportunity of hearing two such voices on the one programme when they come to Burns Hall on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (August 28, 29, and 30) should not be missed. Miss Amy Castles has also with her Mr. Alberto Torzillo, who as a harpist won fame among his comrades with the A.I.E. in France, and has since been touring successfully in Australia. Mr. Charles Tuckwell comes as solo pianist. He is a young artist with a finished and brilliant technique. The plans will be opened at the Bristol next Friday.

PROMINENT BANDSMEN. The recent band contests have once again proved that ther ise nothing to equal Fluenzol for keeping the mouth moist and cool, and Q-tol for cracked lips.