ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 876, 23 July 1910, Page 7

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

« FOOTBALL. RUGBY MATCHES TO-DAY. This afternoon the second round of the senior championship commences, and some good games aro down for decision. Chief place- is given to the meeting between St. James and Poneke, at the Park, although probably the Oriental-Athletic fixture will provide an equally close and exciting contest. Oriental and St. James lead with an equal nuinScr of points, while Poneke come next with one point less, and then comes Athletic. It appears likely that there will bo but. four games in tho second round, and as a loss at this stage practically means the loss of the championship, the gnincs should be fought out with moro than tho usual keenness. At tho Lower Hutt .there should be a good game in tho meeting between Old Boys and Petone. MATCH POSTPONED. (By Telcgrapn.—Press Association.) Auckland, July 22. At the request of the New Zealand Union it has been agreed to postpone tho American-Auckland match to August 3.

BOXING.

Tho Now Zealand championship boxing tourney is. being hold at Palmerston North ou July 27, 28, and 29. Wellington Association will be represented by the following:—Bantam, B. Ellis; feather, T. Moran and F. Kerr; middle, J. Kronast. The entries from Manawatu are:—Bantam, S. Dawson; feather, W. Shields'and A Havill; light, Spi Thomas; welter, G. Watchorn and J. Scobie; middle, E. Goale and J. Dalzioll. Tancred, of Potone, was also to form ono of the local team, but unfortunately met with an accident. All the above will represent the Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Boxiug Association. NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Chrlstohuroh, July 22. . ■ At'the last meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Boxing Association, the secretary of the. Manawatu Association wrote stating that Jidy 27 and 28 had been selected as dates for the New Zealand Championships, July 2i). being avai|able if three evenings were required; that Mr. Fake would act as referee; that Dr. Napier M'Eean, of Wellington, had, been asked to act as one of the judges; and that the cuiuicil should nominate tne other judge. Tho council secretary reported that ho had informed the secretary of the Msinawatu Association that Mr. H. Sharjilin, of Ashburton, would be a suitable judge, and hud recommended his , appointment. This action was approved. The secretary- of the Manawatu Association, in subsequent correspondence, asked if it were permissible for a person to enter himself for the Now Zealand Championships,- if. there was . a residential time-limit in' connection with championships, and if the competitors chosen to represent an association intho championship could refuso to do so and yet be nominated by an association in an. adjoining district. The. council secretary reported that a person could not enter himself-for'a-.chain-" pionship, entries having to. ho miido by the secretaries of local associations; that there was no residential timelimit in connection with the Now Zealand .Championships; and that a nu:apetitor must represent tho association controlling sport in tho .district in which.-..he : resided. Tho action of tho secretary was approved, and it was' decided to bring the matter of a residential time-limit before the conference of local associations. ■-..-■ 0. F., Herbert, of Oamaru, wrow objecting to Pictou and Mitchell being matched for tho heavy-weight championship. He considered, that, having boxed a draw with Picton and being prepared to meet Piotun again, ho should havo been given an opportunity to box for tho titlq. In his opinion he should havo received tho first consideration. Tho council agreed that, as neither Pictou nor Herbert'liml a cleiii claim to the title, it was simply a matter of selection by a promoting body; The Millertoii Association had selected Picton, and Herbert's proper course was to challenge tho winner of the I'contest between Picton and Mitchell. Tho Otago Association wrote recommending the' disqualification for life of a certain person who had been convicted of grievous assault. The recommendation was ngrm:d I.<>. Tho Otago Association wrote asking for the correspondence in connecuoii with tho suspension by tho association of M. Jlnyzo in July, 1909—a suspension which the council had not eiidorsed on account of the rule relating to suspensions not having been complied with by the Otago Association. The council secretary reported that he had replied stating that tho correspondence would be forwarded if he were informed of the nature of the correspondence' that was sought. In reply, the secretary of the Otago Association had written that the selection of tho correspondence would be left to the council secretary. The council secretary had then replied that he would not accept the responsibility of making a selection, and repeated his readiness to meet tho request of the Otago Association if informed exactly what was wanted. The council decided that tho whole case should bo placed beforo the conference of local associations. ■ ■ > Dr. O'Brien (president of the council), Mr. I. Fake,_ and the'.council secretary were appointed to select the team to represent New Zealand in the Australasian Championships.

HOCKEY.

MUDDLE'AT OTAKi: Complaint as to the. niaiiageincnt ot hockey events in his district is made by an Otaki correspondent as fallows :■■■- "Tho .state- of affairs which resulted in connection with Wednesday's hockey is not creditable to the association. 'Three matches were sot down to be played at Levin, only one at Otiiki, and nono at ilanakau. The Indies' match did not eventuate, probably because- no ground was available/ and the- men bad to toss for grounds, ono match thin being played on the football ground, improperly marked for hockey. But the worst feature was the failure of ono of the referees to appear, and the Hui-mai-3'iovers match had to bo abandoned.' Efforts Were made .to secure a referee from amongst the spectators, lnit all declined what is at best a doubtful honour, and certainly u thankless task. Hui-mai, v.iio wero ready to start at the proper time, waited in tho soaking rain for Rovers' team, which was at least t\ycnty minutes 'late, then a further quarter of an hour was shivered through pending the finding of a referee. [t is tho duty of the Management Committee to fully inquire into this muddle, and tako such ' steps as will prevent a recurrence of the trouble, or they will losi) the confidence of all hockey players.