ATHLETIC SPORTS. FOOTBALL. BOXING.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 736, 8 April 1910, Page 4

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

FOOTBALL.

BOXING.

SEVEN-A-SIDE TOURNEY, The W.R.F.U. is arranging a seven-a-sido tournament as a preliminary to the opening of tho cup matches on April 16. This .season there aro sixteen teams entered in tho senior grade, including one each from the colleges, and eight teams in tho fifth grade, making in all-twenty-two games to be played. For the opening of tho season the principal games are:—Athletic v. Oriental (at. the Athletic Park), Hutt v. Old Boys, Poneko v. Victoria College, St. James v. Southern, P.etono v. Wellington, Melroso drawing a bye.

EFFECT OF ALTERATIONS TO THE LAWS. In connection with the amendments to the laws of football approved by the International Board, Sir. G. H. Mason (president of the Canterbury' Union) states that the alterations are so slight that they will.have little effect on the game. They have nothing to do with tho recommendations of the Colonial Conference which was .held in Sydney recently. Those recommendations can hardly have been considered yet by the ■■International' Board.

DURATION OF ANNUAL MEETING. Tho Otagoßugby Union has decided to ask the New Zealand'Unionito oxtend tho annual meeting into a twodays' meeting. The, president pointed out.that in the final rash of. business legislation was rushed, and frequently slurred over. This was not in the interests of the game, and he thought it would bo' much better to 'make a longer sitting of it. It was" understood that the' Canterbury body had intended last year to move in tho matter, but in any case it would bo as well for tho Otago Union to approach the New Zealand body, and submit to it the advisability of .'carrying the meeting over two days.

WELLINGTON RUGBY UNION. At Wednesday night's meeting of the Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union it was decided to inform Jupp's Band that, tho Union did, not, intend to en'ga,ge it to play on Saturday afternoons, as was the case last year. ... The Railways Department notified, that arrangements could not be.made for the 2.20 p.m. Lambtbn-Lowcr Hutt and 5.5 p.m. Lower Hutt-Lambton trains to stop at White's lino on Saturdays to set down aaid pick up players. The point referred to. was unsuitable for, such a purpose, and in any caso it was undesirable, where the doublo lino was in existence, to take up or set down passengers at a place other than : a station, as a train might bo running in the, opposite direction just at the time passengers were joining or quitting trains, and there would bo a considerable risk of accident. In these circumstances, and in view of tho fact that there was .not more than half a. mile from either Lower it was regretted that the request could not he acceded ; '• . '

Members also decided not to allow unengaged referees to come. inside the enclosure oh. the Athletic Park during the playing'of matches, 'i'

CLUB" OR DISTRICT;SCHEME? ; The Auckland Rugby Union will meet this evening ,to' consider the advisability of reverting to the club system of competitions as against the district scheme ' (says the Auckland Star").. It is common talk that North Shore and Newton are practically unable to put senior', teams" in the field; while both City and. Grafton .are very. weak. On •the;other hand, Ponsonby;are almost a-s. strong as last year, and the ; spectacle would bo witnessed of this district prac-,, tically doing as they liked with the' others, for, although University and Painell can both be relied upon to roll up. and .do their best, they can hardly be considered as up to the best senior form. Unfortunately, : those interested 1 have allowed things to drift;too long, and have played right, into the hands of the advocates of/the Northern Union game. Quite a number of young play-r ors havo'joined the ranks of the professionals, not because they are looking for money, but because they want a' game, and do 'not feel'inclined to be made a chopping block of Saturday after Saturday.to provide sport for districts to which,' from one cause and another, the majority of the good players have transferred their residonqe. It is certain, however, that a crisis has now arrived, and if the delegates of. the various districts wish'to see the gamo flourish they should certainly lend their assistance in establishing the club system on a sound basis. A similar position to the present was created in 1892, when the clubs were done away with and the districts established, and which undoubtedly caused a great revival in Rugby.. The district scheme has now reached the, end of its tether, and a chango is as necessary as in 1892.

! ~"':•;.- ASSOCIATION. j Tho following grounds.have beon allocated'for to-morrow's practice games:— Newtown' Park; .Wanderers; Seatoiui Park, Y.M.C.A.; 'Kelbume, Swifts and Thistle; Duppa Street, Diamonds; No. 1 Miramar, St. Johns; No. 2 Miramar, Marist School; No. 3 Miramar, Marist School; No.'. 4 . Miramar, . Wadestown; No. 5 Miramar, Swifts; No. 6 Miramar, Ramblers and Rovers; No. -7 Miramar, Brooklyn; No. 8 Miramar, Brooklyn; No. 9 Miramar, Miramar Rangers; No. 10 Miramar, Boys'- Institute; No. 11 Miramar, Khandallah. .

SCULLING. MR. FLOYD ON WHELCH-ARNST ■MATCH. ; ' Interviewed in regard to tho TVlielchArnst match, Mr. H. Floyd, the wellknown sculling expert; said that after about two minutes from the start there was no. 0110 in the raoe but Arnst. Whelch led a little, at the start; then Arnst led Whelch, and tho latter led again, but Arnst ohoe moro drew level, and'then Whelch died away. "I think," ho continued, "tliat tho first two minutes of rowing settled the race. Arnst.rowed 32 during the first minute, but if lie had meant business ho could have put in at least 38. The water was very awkward, and there was a great curl in it. After tho first spurt, Whelch seemed to tire, and t/hen he sot short and could not 'finish his stroKo properly. The other man got 011 a big swing and practically paddled home, going very slowly through the tide rip. "Whelch is a good man for his weight, but 110 cannot expect to compete with a big man. Ho is as good a little man as there is,' but when you'put him against a giant lie is overpowered. Arnsfc's style in'tho raco was fairly-satisfactory, and he was .getting all his .body into tho work. • Being able to take it gently,- 110 could row in better style, whereas tho other man being in difficulties'could .not show his best form. Wheigh brightened up a bit from the reef, but ho was outnumbered from tho "start. I think' ho tried to ■row W) fast at tho start,, and felt it : afterwards. . ■ "People, continued luoyd, do not realise what sort of a .man Dick Arnst is He is a man in a million. Wo havo plenty of good strong moil, but wo want a man with all tho good qualities which rowing demands—a bic.

powerful, strong man, active, and, possessing endurance, coolness, and courage, and one who knows how to apply his power. That is a big contract, and one difficult to get in tho big man. You can get many more small men than big men, but when you get tho good big man lot good little men leave him alone."

ARNST LEAVES FOR AUSTRALIA. (By Telegraph— Press Association.' Christchiirch, April 7. Dick Arnst, champion "sculler of the world, left to-night by tho Mocraki for Sydney, where, prior to leaving for South Africa to meet Barry on the Zambesi, ho takes part in tho big handicap race, 'The Parramatta Hundred," to be rowed on April 30 and May, 7. Owing to Anist's movements not boing generally known, there was not a large gathering of rowing enthusiasts on the platform. Dr. Thackor and a number of other friends and supporters of Arnst gave him three very hearty cheers as the train steamed off. Jack Arnst leaves for Sydney next week and accompanies his brother, to South Africa as his trainer.

CRICKET. INTER-STATE WOMEN'S CONTEST. , Melbourne, April 7. The Victorian ladies-won the rubber at cricket against the New South Wales ladies. [The first match was won by Victoria by nine runs; the second went to Now South Wales by two wickets.]

CRAMPING A BATSMAN. An incident; unusual in cricket occurred during the: recent, Carlton-St. Kilda match at. Melbourne. While Jinks was in' and. Matthews bow-ling,, Dudgeon, the St. Kilda captain, came right forward to "silly point, close on to tho bat. Jinks objected that the fieldsman's position interfered with his play, which is generally recognised to be one of the reasons'for which fieldsmen are posted. He appealed to one of the umpires, who said that Dudgeon was quite right, but the second umpire, oil being appealed to, decided that he was hampering the batsman, and asked him to take another position. Dudgeon crossed over to mid-on, and the next ball was "cocked up" right in tho place which he had just vacated. "Can I go back now?" said tho St. Kilda captain, quietly, and this time tho objecting umpire graciously permitted him to do so. It is the first time "Observer," of the "Argus," has aver heard of such an objection being raised in cricket. If (he says) a fieldsman does not actually catch hold of tho bat ho does not hamper the batsman. If ho is daring enough to go very close in'he takes the risk; the batsman put up with tho difficulty. He may have the sense of being cramped in his play, but, as I said before, the fieldsmen arc there in ordor to cramp him. , . , •

BOWLS. SENIOR PENNANT RINKS. The' final round for senior pennants will be played on Saturday. Wellington v. Te Hiwi. Wellington, at home. —Leslie, ..Still, Geo. Brown, Churchward (s.);, Ledger, Knapp, F. . Laurensori, Webb (s.). •Away.—Mayer, '; Brunskill, Porteous, Bell (s.); L. Blundell,' Thompson, Pascoe, Ballinger (s.). ... Te Hiwi : (teams not supplied). ■ • Victoria v. Kelburne. . Victoria, at homo.—Martin, Marks, Vosseler, Hucston (s.); Guise, Worboys, Scott,' Bary (s). ' Away.—Fossette, Godber, Townsley; Norwood (s.);;Macmorran,' Yoiimariß, 'Hemingway, f Redstone's.). . ' ' : ; •- Kelburne, at- home.—Baldwin, Dinnie, Blanchard, Kelly (s.); Gaimaway, jun., Harton, Barber, Knowles (s.). Away— Littlejohn, J. lioutley, Williamson, M. Routley (s.); White, Carter, Gow, and Smith (s.). . ■ Newtown v. Petone: ' Newtown, at home —Warwick, Bland, A. Pollock, Wylie (s.); H. Sexton, Armstrong, Powell, Prince (s.); Away— Alpe, Scott, Laughton, J. J. Roberts (a.); J. M. Brackenridge, Flyger, Brackenridge, Braokeiiriage, sen. (s.). ! • Petone, 1 at 1 home. —.Miidge, Castle, Marsden, ..Gilmour : (s:)'; Cowie, Hay, T. M'Arthur,' Dr. ' Ross.■'(s.). . Away— Firth, Walton, ' TJdy, Southgate , (s.); Findlay, Henry, Melhuish, Fowler, (s.). Tlie position regarding the senior pennants is interesting. If Wellington beats Te Hiwi to-morrow, the senior club will win the pennants, if not, three or four clubs will 'bo on a level, and it will mean a fresh draw. Thorndon y. .Karori. Karori, at England, Roberts, M'Lennan (s.);'W. J. Williams, Lockettj Bennett, Dryden (s.). Away—Cox, C. H. Williams, Hemsley, Magnus (s.); Newoombo, BTadnock, Crawford, Cooper (s.). . Thorndon, at home —M'Eldowney, Mason, Jackman (s.); Chittey, Dixon, Con]in, Whittle (s.). Away—Hatch, King, J.M., Barraud, Munro (s.); Murdoch, Corliss, Stubbs, Plimnier (s.). EDWIN FEATHERS. Holders, Te Hiwi. Challengers, .Petone —Mudge, Castle, Marsden, Gilmour (s.). JUNIOR STARS. Holders, Karori. Challengers,'Kelburne—James, M'Arthur, Smith, Wylio (s.).

ATHLETICS. Beautiful weather favoured the. inaugural meeting of. the Tokomaru Athletic Association on Wednesday afternoon at Tokomaru (writes our Shannon correspondent). All the local flaxmillß closed down for the occasion, and there was a large attendance of visitors and competitors, from outside tho district. The winners of some of the competititons were:—Maiden Race, 150 yards: C. Hucston, 1. High Jump: P. M'llae. 440 Yards : J. Malone. Local Race, 75 yards: F. Day. 100 Yards Handicap: J. Malone. 220 Yards: C. Rueston. Hop, Step, and Jump: Thomson: Married Men's Race: S. W. Carter. Fibrespreading , Competition: .W. Christian. Chain judging an,d weight-guessing competitions, married women's raco, and other events made up an attractive and divorse programmo. The meeting is likely to bo made ail annual affair. In the evoning a largely attended sooial and dance was held.

Says the Auckland "Star":—D. Wilson, Auckland's champion walker, is a strikiug example of the true amateur. "Dave," in order to give the Auckland Club a lift, emerged from his. retirement and entered into strict training for tho championship walks, both of which lio won, calling down on himself as much abuse as if ho wore a; pickpocket:,' He was then approached as to whether ho would meet "Kerr again, and at once consented, stating he. was prepared to walk under any judgo appointed'. '■ This was done' at considerable trouble and oxponso to himself, for ho had to put'men on ploughing on his farm in'his own place, while most of his training wasdono at night, and all,for the purpose 'of providing a draw to assist his old club. We have had champion walkers galore in Auckland, but it is safe to say that nono have enjoyed tho popularity of the boy from Papakura^

LANGFORD V. JIM FLYNN. A Los Angeles cable to tho London "Sportsman'' states:—Sam Langford, an aspirant to Jack Johnson's heavyweight championship, was defeated bv Jim Flynn, of Pueblo, in a vicious tenlound light before tho' Pacific. Athletic Oliibj at Naud Junction, on February 8. Flynn won tho bout on in-fighting. He managed to cover up or stand otf Langford's blows until he could rush his dusky rival to the' ropes, landing blows on the head and body. In the early rounds Langford kept tho former fireman away, with right and left swings to tho jaw. However, the blows did not cheek Flynn, who fought a defensive battle until his head, was on Langford's chest or shoulders. • Then ho would pummel tho negro to the ropes. Langford had to,hang on to his opponent, and his knees shook. Langford. seemed to become surprised and finally discouraged when his best and heaviest blows could' do no apparent damage. Flynn bored in without trying to' land a single blow at long range. Tho entire ten rounds were fast and, furious,' and at times even; vicious, for : both men, were butting with theif heads, i Langford was soverely cut over the eye in the second round, and the.wound interfered with his sight, so he claimed. It was not until the last two rounds' that Langford resorted to foul tactics, althougli Flynn had used his head as a battering ram for. six rounds. In the eighth and ninth rounds . the referee found it almost impossible to separate the boxers. Langford had opportunities at times to show his usual speed and clever boxing, but mainly the heavier white man smothered tho negro. Langford could not get away and set for a knock-out. There were no knock-downs. Langford started the bout too. sure of his man, and many expressed tho opinion. that the clever negro was so taken by surprise in the second, round that he forgot all his knowledge of the game. There were also thoße who thought the negro under-trained. . When the long swinging punches failed to trouble Flynn tne smile with which he opened the fight faded from Langford's face. His sudden anger almost got away with his better judgment beforo the close of the. tenth, session:, The attendance was around the 5000 mark. ,

WELSH TO WOLGAST. Told by a representative of ; "The Sportsman" of the defeat of : Battling Nelson by.Al. Wolgast, Fred Wekfe said : "I am not in the least surprised. Wolgast is a strong;, fresh young fellow,' and Nelson is all in. He has been at the game t<jo long, and the hammering ho has received has told on him'. As regards the winner, I'll be very pleased to box him any number of rounds, weight 9st. 71b. at the ring-side; in fact, I'll do a pound or two lighter if it is neecssary."

THE. CHARGE AGAINST JACK ' JOHNSON. The trial of Jack Johnson, the negro prizefighter, charged with assaulting Norman Pindar, another negro, was dropped from the February calendar of the Criminal Branch of the Supreme Court by Justice Goff, in New York. No date .wis set .for the triaLV James Nugent,. counsel for Johnson, objected to. putting the caso over, and said that although Johnson was in Detroit, play? ing a vaudeville engagement, ho could bo in Court within forty-eight'..'hours, ■and.wanted a speedy trial.;- Johnson is scheduled; to. .meet . .Jeffries '■. >for .. ; the heavy-weight' title : . on ; July,; 4 ■ of ..this year. ; Tho charge against the.-.negro; is a serious one, and if found .guilty, the fighter, is liable to a sentence of fiv'o years. It is believed that if ho is found guilty the minimum ■ sentence imposed would extend beyond tho date fixed foe the . fight. Recently Johnson was. charged in Detroit/ with having a dangerous bulldog at large., The animal viciously.., attacked a citizen, and. the negro-must show, cause'why 'his pet shall not bo killed. ENGLISH HEAVY-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. The.second defeat of lan Hague, this time at tho hands of Jewey Smith, must' settle the question of the heavy-weight championship' so far. as-tho Yorkshireman is concerned. When Hague placed himself in the hands of'"Mr.. Harry Marks, of Cardiff, it was suggested that this gentleman had taken unto himself a pretty hard task. Since then Hague has been .twice tried in the scale and found wanting, and no one can say too highly tried either. He has shown plenty of pluck, which is a very important factor in connection with a glove' contest, and he must have been strong and tough to have stayed, first fifteen rounds with Petty Officer Currah, and later twenty against Smith. This notwithstanding, one cannot help thinking that Hague would have fared far better 'had he have undergone three months' more steady training. A gross young fellow, who must . have - been terribly fatiinside, Hague needs a long and searching preparation, to make him fit for a strenuous battle. No. doubt Mr. Marks thought, in matching Hague with men like Curran and Smith, he was putting up his protege'against easy game. Under the circumstances the reverse has proved to be tho case, and poor Hague looks like being a back number, anyway for a while. He is still quite young, and if, like the overworked two-year-old, not broken physically and in spirit/wo may see the Yorkshireman under more happy surroundings in the future. Mr. Marks ; says ho fought Smith. seventeen rounds with his right hand damaged.—London "Sportsman."

JEFFRIES AND JOHNSON. By Telegraph—Press Association—CopyricM New York, April 6.' In preparation for their fight for the heavy-weight championship, Jeffries lis training, with Armstrong and - Burns, in the Santa Crnz (California) Mountains. Johnson is training in Chicago.

GOLF. (From Oar Special OorresDondenU Palmerston North, April 7. Tie annual meeting bf -the Manawatu Golf Club was held last evening. There was a ; .largo attendance of members, and Mr.; H. R; Cooper (president) occupied the chair.:. The annual report; and balance-sheet, tho- main- features' of which have already ■ been .-published; in: Ike Dominion, were read and. adopted. The-following officers-were elected:—President, Mr. H. R. : Cooper ; ■ -vicepresident, Mr. V. E. Harmancaptain, Mr. A. Strang; lion. treasurer, Mr. ,G. W. Harden; lion, secretary, Mr. L. A. Abraham; trustee, Mr. F. H. Cooko; committee, Messrs." G. H. Moore, P. A. M'Hardy, A. Barraud, M. Cohen, Drs. Wilson • and Stowe. The season will-be opened on April 16, with mixed foursomes for trophies presented, by Messrs. Barraud and Abraham. ..Tho now club-house, when completed, will probably be opened with a danco.

SWIMMING. PENALTY FOR SIMULATING DROWNING.. "I think your conduct in simulation of distress was as silly, as it was cruel, and I intend to inflict a penalty which will prove deterrent, to people foud of such forms of amusement. • So said Mr. Barnctt, S.M., at the Water ■Summons Court at Sydney last week,..when Edward Scott was proceeded against for having bathed beyond the danger markin the surf at Manly on the afternoon of Good Friday. Scott, it appeared, not only went far beyond the danger mark.

but created consternation among thousands of holiday-makers by pretending to be on the point of drowning.- According to tho evidence of Constable Pascoe, ho saw Scott swim away from the other bathers, and about 100 yds. beyond tho danger mark. The -swimmer then threw up his arms as if he were in distress. A life-savor (Reynolds) employed by tho Manly Municipal Council put on a life-belt, and entered tho water, aiid a man named Lawrence, another, member of the Manly Life-sav-ing Club, plunged fully dressed to the rescuo. When Reynolds got within a few. yards of- Scott the latter swam back, and went to the dressing-room, laughing. I'ascoe took Scott to the police station. Scott was fined £3, with the alternative of imprisonment for dne month.

RIFLE SHOOTING. BATTALION SHIELD MATCH. To-morrow afternoon the animal rifle match ■ between teams of twenty men a-side representing the Wellington Kme Battalion and the Karori Rifle Club, will be fired at Trentham. Simultaneously with this event will , also be fired the challenge match for the Battalion Shield. The teams to represent the Karori Rifle Club and th& Rifle Battalion are;as follow:— Karori—President Marshall, Riflemen Halliday, Burns, Judd. Hay, Aston, Tarr, Hodder, Maisey, Claridge, Wiren, Bulford, Guise, ■' Randell,. Rabe, France, Staudidge, Moore, Fellows, Midhurst. Eniergenoics: Caldwell, Coady, Harris, Kemp, Clout. Battalion—Lieuts. Rfiberts. and Mellor, Sergts. Dodd and Baker, Private Jackeon, senr, Feasey, Giren, and Price (City -Rifles), Sergt. Tinney (Guards), Lieut. Hawthorne, Corp. Fisher, Private Gazley (Civil Service),: Lieut. Bolton, Sorgts. Jones and Wakelin (Post and Telegraph- Rifles), Sergt. C. Gasquoine (College Rifles), Private Hunt (Zealandia Rifles), Lieut. Henderson, Privates M'lvcr. and Eves (Highland Rifles). Emergencies: Private E. C. Russell (Hutt Valley Ries), Private Dobson (Highland Rifles), Lieut. Butler (Hutt Yalley Rifles), Corp. W. Grower (Post and Telegraph Rifles), Capt. MacDiarinid (Highland Rifles). . The train will leave the Lambton Station at 1.20 p.m. Lieut. Hutchen will act as range officer. The targets allotted for the various company competitions are as follow. Collins Range—soo and 600 yards, No. 1 to. No. 25, Battalion shield and Karori Rifle Club match. Sommervillo Range.—Nos. 1 and 2, Zealandia Rifles; Nos. 3 and 4, No. 3 Com- : pany G.A.V. „ ~ Seddon Range.—Nos. 1 and 2,. College Rifles. The return train leaves Defence Siding at 5.50 p.m.

GARRISON SIGNALLERS. The annnal meeting of the Wellington Garrison Signallers' Club will be held on April 13, when the annual report of the Executive Committee will be presented, and officers.elected for the ensuing year. Arrangements will also, bo made for the presentation of signalling trophies, and an interesting discussion is expected to take place on the subject of thafuiture training of signallers. Senior signallers are. invited to brine forward suggestions as to how the work of their sections may be benefited by the' club.

WOODVILLE SPORTS. ! The Athletic Society were favoured with a glorious day for their sports; on Wednesday, and the events were run off in quick ' succession. ' The following are the winners of the chief events 120 Yards Maiden. —H.' Henderson, 1; C. H. Nelson, 2. ' Half-Mile Handicap.—H. E. Rosenfeldt, 1; D. M. Robertson, 2; W. '. 'A. Peed, 3. 100 Yards' Secondary Schools Handif cap:—C. Hind, 1,; H. Carson, 2. High Jump.—W. H. Eccles,. 1; S. W. M'Kenzie, 2. 100 Yards Handicap.—D. Walden, 1;. D. Moxori, 2. One Mile Waik.—D. Moxon, 1; F. M'Cormick, '2.' ' • Putting Stone.—J. Cartwright, 37ft. 4in:, 1; E. E.'Fisher, .2. ; . •Throwing the ■ Hammer.—J. Cart-" wright, -1; P. W. Mills, 2.220 Yards Handicap.—W. H. Eccles, 1; H. Rosenfeldt and- D:' Walden, dead heat, 2. . , One Mile Handicap.—H. Rosenfeldt, 1; C. Jones, 2; H. A. Thompson, 3. 120 Yards Hurdles.—W. A. P«ed, 1; S. W. Stagpoole,. 2. 440 Yards.—D. M. Robertson, 1; D. Walden, 2; D. Park, 3.