ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1097, 8 April 1911, Page 13

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

RUGBY FOOTBALL. REFORM IN AUSTRALIA. PURIFICATION NECESSARY. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright Melbourne, April 7. . A meeting of members of the League and Association Football Clubs was held to discuss the management of football, with a view to establishing tho sport as a respectablo game. It was resolved that two ■ steps immediately necossary to purify and maintain its prestige were llie appointment of one united governing body uid tho recognition of legitimating the open payment of players.

THE SEVEN-A-SIDE TEAMS. • ' ATHLETIC, CLUB. ■ Senior A: A. Cunninghams,.Evenson, S.; Wilson, Kerr,' Bell, A. .Wilson, Greeks. . Senior .B: L. M'Donald, M'Vay, Pool, Palmer, J. Cunninghamo, Osborne,' A. Murray. Fifth Grade: Hugh, Adams, Thompson, J. Robinson, Stevens, Newport, M'Girr. MELROSE CLUB.' Seniors: Armstrong, .-Greeks, Gilchrist, O'Brien, Marshall, Patterson, .and Scott. The following is th<! Oriental team for the seven-a-side..tournament;— Patterson, Pyle, Roberts, Stubbs, Perry, M'Bean, M. Tyrrell. The following teams' will _ represent Southern Club in the seven-a-side tournament: —A team: R. -Macdonald, J. Johnston. B. Gallagher, J. Orsborn, W. Capper, G. Johnston, W. Houlihan. B team: H. Mitchell, H. Mortenson, C. H. Capper, G. Bradley, H. Cunningham, Garwood, C; M'Guire.' Rugby players have been practising in view of the early opening of the season. This afternoon the first competitions take place .in tho shape of the annual seven : o-side 'tournament. Twe'n-ty-two teams in-all will be :engaged-h----eight ■-m" the fifth-class grade, with seven matches to play,- and, sixteen in the senior grade, with fifteen'matches to play. •' With the training that placers have been doing, and the experience gained in'the previous two'tournaments held (as to how best to play the seven-a-side game) it may be expected that a Very fair afternoon's sport, should result. The afternoon's programme is especially worthy of the attention of those who. desire fast, open games. That is the bright,feature which makes seven-a-side conteits so' interesting. OTHER TEAMS FOR TO-DAY. Hutt- Fifth Class • v.j Petone Fifth, on the Hutt' Recreation Ground—Hutt: Judd, Routley, Windale, Hayes; Coffey, Cudby, Dennehy, Nazor, Ferguson, King, M'Kaiuj Osbourne, .Osbourne, Burt, E. Dennehy, Butler, and Smith. , NEW ZEALAND REFEREES. MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. ' ' The, Executive Committee of the New Zealand Referees' Association met.last evening, Mr. F. ' Hempleman presiding. AlsO'present were Messrs. G, Howe, F. Laws, J: Laughton, and J.. M. Robb (secretary). . '' '- '. , The late secretary ;, of the Buller Referees' Association? notified that .it would be impossible to form an association at Westport thftt' year, as only about'three nlenlbers were available. The secretary-fras instructed to askj for further particulars, and to suggest 1 that the remaining members should endeavour to resuscitate the' association. The Horowhenua. Association has notified that' Mr. A. iSl'Bajn had.'bcen-nom-inated as its vice-president to the New Zealand Association for the ensuing year, and that Mr. J. Freeman would act as' its delegate at tho ensuing meeting. . . •■ The Wairarapa Association nominated Mr. V..Higgins.as a vice-president, and stated .that Mr. W. Feilding, of Masterton, would act as delegate at the annual meeting. I ■ The Canterbury Rugby Union wrote stating that Mr. H. E. Hiddlestone had been nominated by it as a vice-president of the New Zealand Referees' Association, and also that Mr. Hiddlestone had been appointed by the Canterbury Referees' Association Vat the annual meeting. The Wellington Referees' .Association advised that it had nominated Mr. H. Card as vice-president, and that Mr. D. M'Kenzie would act as the association's delegate at the anriual meeting. The balance.-sheet, which will be presented at the annual meeting, shows: — Receipts,- £71145. 2d., i and expenditure £46 Is. 9d. The association opened tho year with a credit balance- of £16 19s. lid., and ends it with a sum in hand of £25 12s. 5d.. Outstanding subscriptions and accounts added to . the cash credit balance- bring the assets' of the-associa-tion to a total amouiit of £37 Os. 2d. The report has :been published. , The annual general meeting of the association will be held' in the Town Hall on April 14, at 10 a.m.

ROWING.

TALK WITH FOGWELL AND J. ■ " . ARNST. • RATHER INTERESTING MATTER. : (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Christchurch, April 7. William Fogwell, of Sydney, who is matched to row Georgo Whelcli, of Akaroa, for the professional sculling championship of New Zealand at Akaroa oh Easter Monday, arrived from Australia by the Moeraki this morning. The challenger, although showing signs of solid ''training,' is looking exceptionally well. In the course of a conversation with a rnporter, Fogwell stated that lie expected to put up a much better fight than when he. rowed tho Akaroa man previously. ■'< "Although I have not been in a boat since I rowed in the Parramatta Hundred, a fortnight ago," ho said, "I hope to get fit by the time that Easter Monday comes round.. I am at present feeling tip-top, but, of course, I have to contend with a change of climate, and many other drawbacks that crop up when you come away from home. You can, at any rate, depend on a' 'ding-dong go' .as far. as I am concerned. My friend here, Jack\ Arnst, is to take me in hand, arid, with about nine days' systematic training, both on water and':land, I anticipate getting into racing fettle." Questioned in regard to prize money, the Australian stated that the race was for a. stake of, £200 a side, and, in order to make a match, he had to allow AVhelch to take the whole of the "gate" money, win or lose. "You will readily understand," said Fogwell, "that that is hardly fair to me,-, for, if I win, I only get Whclch's £200,. but 110 share of tho 'gate.' Should 1 lose they allow me £60 for. expenses. This is a most unusual agreement, but it was the best, I could get." Arnst, in conversation, . mentioned that his brother "Dick" (champion of the world)' was now recovering from his recent indisposition. "When my brother rowed /in Sydney a few weeks back," added Jack, "ho was far from being fit. He should have taken the advico of his supporters, and not started. There are many people on the other side only too ready to belittle a man because he .does not always win. Had some of them felt as Dick did, on the day 6f tho Parramatta Hundred,' they would have prepared to row the rice in their bunks."

THE CASE OF GEORGE STONE. In his weekly column in this issue our rowing contributor, "Mercury," deals with a complication that has arisen regarding the representation of New Zealand in the Australian Inter-Stato Champion Sculls, which is to bo rowed in Sydney next month. George Stone, of Auckland, tho present champion iioullcr of tho Dominion, was to have left on Monday next to compete in this important fixture. Early this week a question aroso as to Stone's eligibility to compete under circumstances set forth by "Mercury," and since our contributor's notes have been in print tho matter has been settled. Mr. Bayfield, honorary secretary of the N.Z.A.R.A., yesterday received a Cable from the Australian authorities (with whom lie has been in communication over the matter) that Stono was ineligible, and his entry could not be accepted.

DISAPPOINTMENT UP NORTH. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.! Auckland, April 7. Auckland amateur oarsmen are much disappointed to learn by'cable that G. E. Stone (of the St. George's Rowing Club, and, for three years past, amateur sculling champion, of New Zealand) will not be able to take part in tho forthcoming _ Australasian championship meeting on the Parramatta. It' was Stone's intention to have left for Sydney on Monday next, and his friends were confident of his being able to put up a fine performance against the best of the Commonwealth oarsmen. The cable in question, however, announces that, under the . Australian; Rowing Association rules, Stone is not eligible to take part, • because ■ of the fact that, oil one occasion, he competed at the Auckland gaslight sports. Stono was reinstated as an amateur by tho, Now Zealand Rowing Association, but the Australian _ Association considers that its rules will not permit of Stone's nomination being accepted. The visit of the New Zealand amateur champion to Sydney lia,s therefore to. be abandoned. 'V

ATHLETICS.

TREMBATH'S PROGRAMME. Trembath, the New Zealand professional . champion middle distance runner, lands in Melbourne to-day, and will remain in Victoria some time before going on - to England. Mr. L. C. M'Lacnlan, Trcmbath's manager, outlines the champion's programme in a letter written to a friend in Wellington.-' "We expect to get an engagement or two ,in Victoria (says the letter) before leaving there about April 21, and we expect to oe kept busy while away. We are assured of two matches while in England outside other engagements, .■ arid will touch at South Africa or the States on tho return journey if we. get any guarantees for those places'. A supporter in South Africa, who is going to England, will meet us there, and plenty of backing will be forthcoming at the right time. ' The world's sprint championship has been juggled for by tho same three runners for the last three years. The public must be getting weary of it. Trembath will be new- blood for middledistance events, and is sure to create a boom in those distances ill England. We shall be away about 12 months." ' - I. '

LACROSSE,

The usual practice matches will be played at Duppa Street grounds this afternoon, and on every Saturday afternoon until further nfltice. 'A cordial welcome is offered, to new, for whom crosses whom special instruction 'in''tile' gamo will be given. Teams will be selected on, the grounds, and all players are asked to ivear rubber-soled boots orshoes..

SWIMMING.

' SWIFTS CLUB'S FINALE. The Swifts Swimming Club held' its annual smoke concert in Godber's rooms last evening, Mr. E. J. Fleming presiding over a large gathering. The toast list included the N.Z.A.S.A.. Sister Clubs, Prize-winners. The Ladies Branch, and the Royal Life Saving Society. _. _ . ■ Songs and musical items were contributed by the following:—Messrs. Milsom, Wilmott, Tinuey. Digby, Coira, and Tingey. Prizes won-during the season were presented as under: — 50yds. Club Handicap: C. V. Fordham, 1; W. M'Gregor, 2. 50yds. "B" Handicap. G. M'Grath, 1; T. H. Jamiesou, 2. 100 yd- Breast Stroke Handicap: T. Woodcock, 1; G. P. Crawford; 2. Smith Cup, 50yds.: G. H. Neal, 1. 100 yds.: Aubrey Smith. 150 yds.: A. M. Smith. 220yils.,'open: L. Silver,-1; F. Seymour, 2. 50yds. B Handicap: S. Brewster, 1; H. J. Pollock. ,2. 50yds. Junior Handicap: R. Connor, 1; A. Shaw, 2. 440 yds. Handicap: P. Grey, 1: H. Jenkinson, 2. Mile Handicap: P. Grey, 1; K. D. Russell, 2; W. G. Morpeth, 3. 50yds. Handicap;. W. G. Morpeth, 1; H. K. Johnston, 2. 220 yds. Stroke' Handicap: B. C. Freyberg, 1; K. D. Russell, 2. 150 yds. Relay Race: G. R. Patorson, G. J. M'Grath, W. R. Stone. 50yds. Junior: T. Turnbull, 1; W. Ward, 2. 50yds. lntor-club: A. M. Smith, 1; J. B. Wareham, 2. 100 yds. Ladies' Bracelet: B. C. Freyberg, 1; L. Blundell, 2, G. S. Forne, 3. Diving: W. Hicks, l 3; G. p. Hanna, 2. Natatorial High Jump : L. Bridge, 1. Medley Race: H. Leves,tam, 1; J. A. M'Lean, 2. Relay, Race: H. Jenkinson, E. Levy, A. M. Smith, H K. Johnston. A total of £55 16s. was distributed in priv-os. as against £37 last year. The Smith Cup was won by Mr G. H. Ncal, who holds the cup for a year. , . <

BOXING,

BURNS IN CANADA. .. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrieht Vancouvor, April 6. "Tommy" Burns is to put on boxing bouts at Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Calgary, under tho'authority of a Dominion charter granted by the National Sporting Association.

LAWN' TENNIS.

THE CANNES MEETING. , Paris, April 6. Rahe and Mavrogordato defeated Wilding and Myers at tho. Cote-d'azur (Cannes) championship, 6—4, 6—4. '

BOWLS

NEW SOUTH WALES V. TASMANIA. Sydney, April 7. ; At bowls, New South Wales won two test matches against Tasmania by 98 to 83, and 114 to 73.

GOLF.

MIKAMAR CLUB. The Miramar Golf Club will open its season at Miramar to-day. A special tram leaves Lambton Station at quarter to two, and returns at 5 o'clock.

ELUTT LADIES' CLUB. The prize presented by the secretary of the Ladies' Hutt Golf Club was competed for on Wednesday last, and resulted in a win for Miss Cook with a net score of 59 (handicap 50). Jliss Rose, 77 (handicap 16j. was Second.