ATHLETICS IN AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16430, 25 January 1919, Page 11

ATHLETICS IN AUSTRALIA.

: — ♦ SC'ULLIXG CHAMPIONSHIP. i)ICK ARNST A PROBABLE CHALLENGE!?. Mr J. H. Parker, of this city, keen interest in sport- is ■well-known, and who lias just returned fxom a visit to Australia— 1 * unduly lengthened owing to strikes and the epidemic—had. some interesting xemaiks to make to u> representative of "The Press" yesterday on sporting subjects. Mr Parker said that, in com icon TVjth. maiiy stranded Nevr ZealandeTe, he waa very pleased, after an enforced stay of three months in Australia, to get back to the Dominion. Sydney "as a most deeirable place to winter in, but in summer the heat was too overpowering for the average New Zealander. In addition, the present _ slimmer in Sydney- was tio hottest experienced ior some years. _ . In Sydnev, ilr Parker continued, cricket, tennis, rowing, asd other outdoor sports were in full swing, and were being followed with keenness equal to that of pre-war tapes. He s«v? the new gajne- vigoro (* description of which baa appeared in "The Press") played at Sydney, on the 18th inst., and h® ventured, the opinion that, it was destined to take a. prominent place in our national athletic games. Regarding rowing, tha .upper reaches of the Paramatta liver nregented a lively 3ceno, villi the many scullers in training for the different rowing contests held-at the various centres. "There is a inmour," added Mr Parker, "that Dick A met is join? into training with a view to challenging Ernest Barry for the world's championship. At the present time Dick's weight is about 10 Btone, and if the match materialises he will haw a lot of work before him to get down .to the required weight". Barry, on the other hand, is of spare btfild, and can strike form with much less effort. It is to be hoped, for the credit of NVw Zealand that ere long a, young man of the Dick Arnst stamp will bs discovered but, personally. I am much afraid that when physique and temperament, are taken into account, such a one will bo rather hard to find. I feel certain, however, that if another like Dick Airist i» discovered, the necessary support will be forthcoming."