ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1701, 18 March 1913, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

RUGBY CODE. GAME IN FINANCIAL STRAITS.. THE LOCAL UNION. GATE CHARGES MAY BE RAISED. ■7 ■ ' i Grave matters .were before, the meeting of the AVellington Rugby Union last evening. The president (Dr. A. K. Newman, M.P.) was in the chair. Two new clubs, Methodist United aiid Berhampore, were elected. The report and balance-sheet were adopted without remark. Dr. A. lv.. Newman was re-elected president unopposed. In acknowledging his re-election, Dr. Newman stai'ed that he had been very glad to learn that all the clubs had-had good meetings, and that the prospects of the game were good. For tho last two or three years the union had not had such flourishing times, but now AVellington was filling up again, and lie hoped the union would have a very good season. The New South Wales team was coming here, and there was. a prospect of the New Zealand Union making arrangements for visits by teams from South Africa or America. A few. yoai-i ago, when he had befcu in .England, lie had learned that there was no chance of a New Zeland team being , received there, but now relations were more friendly, and he hoped beforo long to have an. opportunity, of assisting to send another team Home. (Applause.) Other officers .were elected as follow-,— Vice-president, Messrfc. S. S. Brown, J. P. Firth, G. T. C. Campliell, and J. T. King; vice-president on the N.Z.R.U., Mr. G. F. C. Campbell; treasurer, Mr. AV. Perry; Wednesday representative on the Manage- • meiit Committee, Mr. AV. Hornig; Management CommittetvMessi's. E. O. Hales, D. I). Weir, (t. Howe, E. A. Little, AV. J. Hardham, E. A. Dawson, A. E. Wilson, A. C. Kitto, and H. Buck; auditor, Mr. O. G. Keinber; delegates, to, the N.Z.R-.XJ., Messrs. .13. O. Hales, J. J. Lynskey, ■F. Roberts,. J. T. King, and G. Howe,

Rulo, 15 was amended to allow of the secretary, being elected by the Mnuagemerit Committee instead of by the union; Mr. D. D. AA'eir moved an, amendment to Rule 9.. He explained it-hat tho object of the.proposed amendment-was.to nieet.tho case of a club which had two teams.-in a: grade, and was unable to keep both teams,in. the field for the wholo season. At, present players• in .a team which dropped out could not play . for another team in 4 tho same grade. They might nut b? good cuougluto be promoted, and the chances were .that they, would, then 1 go to play hockey or some other gamp.. .... }ir. AV. Perry seconded tho motion. , Mr. M. J. Crombie thought the .change would be' dangerous. Two teariis in tho 6ame grade from a club should- be treated as'-if -they were. frOni different clubs. •• The motion was carried by. 15 votes to S. The Ranfuriy Shield.,Mr. A. E. -Dawson- said ,ho ; thought thi> meeting, might well discuss the Ranfuriy Shield rules. He was looking forward tu the. l ime when the shield would bo 1 held in AVellington, and as AVellington. was in 'the . centre, of New Zealand, it-was a ,certainty that-, fourteen, or fifteen, unions, would put in challenges every year. The holding of the Miield would, therefore not be an uninixed blessing, for' no tiine would be allowed in which to play ordinary, cliib games.; . He had no proposal to make to th(i meeting as to the amendment of the rules, but if the representatives of. the AVellington Union could take with them to the New Zealand Union some expression of opinion from the meeting, something might be done to'\yards the framing of more equitable rules.. The shield carried so much financial'.responsibility with it that it migfit cripple the most prosperous union in New Zealand. to hold it under the existing conditions: ' Mr. D. D. AA 7 eir thought that there was nothing wrong with, the rules for the Ranfuriy Shield. If AVellington ever got the shield they would not be callcd npon to play twelve or fifteen matches in a season. It 1 was' true that there was no limit-fixed as to the number of matches the holders might be required to play, but this was left to the discretion of tho New Zealand Rugby Union, who would see that no union was unduly harassei". Auckland had held the shield for a number qf years, and. Auckland had not been uiiduly harassed.,■ The discussion was not pursued farther. i Shaky Finances: Must the Park be Dropped? ' Mr. AA r . Perry said that, as treasurer of the union, he felt it was his duty - to bring before the meeting the financial position of the union. They all knew the conditions under which the. Athletic Park was held. The freehold was owned by certain Natives, on whose behalf it was administered by the Public Trustee. The Public Trustee leased the ground to the Athletic. Park Company for 21 years, with a right of renewal for two further periods of 21 years,, provided that on renewal the ground should be revalued, and the rental'assessed at five per cent, of the capital value. Six years ago the Rngby Union bought the interest of the Athletic Park Company in that Jease, which had six years to run, for ,£4OOO, The money was borrowed, from the New Zealand Rugby Union, and it.was repayable under the terms of the mortgage in yearly instalments, which, with interest' added, were about .£750. In connection with the Park the AVellington Union had to pay every year .£750 to the New Zealand Union, .£'-00 for rates, ,£1:19 for a caretaker, about .£IOO. for gasmen's wages, and a considerable sum also for the Upkeep of the ground. Tho four, seasons for which the union had held the Park had been very good seasons. Last season had not been good, but the other three had beeu exceptionally good, and the, average nt the four years was, still high. Notwithstanding the fact that they had had good attendances at. the Park, they found themselves in a bad financial position. Last, year the union had lost over .£SOO, and as they had no reserve oil which to draw, they were now in debt. They had been able to pay only half their proper coo tribution to the New Zealand Union. Must Increaso Revenue. Mr. Perry went on to state that a crisis hail arrived in the history of the union, for, even if the next two years were good years, they Would not at the end of them bo ill a position to take up a renewal of the lease of the Park at a .rental of 5 per cent, on the valuation.. Although the revenue of the union had been good, the expenditure had increased out of proportion to it. A few years ago it had been an easy matter to run football in AVellington. Any number of fields round the city on which football could bo played were procurable at a nominal rental. Now tho union had "to pay through the nose" for grounds for lower-grade matches. Tho Management Committee had considered the matter, and had tried to curtail expenditure, but tho fact was that they could not carry on as they had been doing. They must .increase their receipts. His own personal opinion, not necessarily that of the committee, was that the cost of football would have to be raised, as the cost of everything else had been raised. The public must be prepared to pay more for their football than they had paid in tho past. -. He suggested that tlie churEe for admission to the Pork be increased from Gd., to Is. He mentioned the fact also that tho committee had Kupproacbed the City Co'uncik with a request, that tho rates on the Park be remitted. Tho council bad suggest'-d lo tho union that they go to the landlords and obtain a reduction of the rent, lint, as tho rcntnl was fixed by Apt of Parliament, this was, of course, impossible. He understood that the city solicitor, had advised that the council had no power to remit the -rates, but he understood also that rates were being remitted in Christchurch and Tnvcrcargill. He would move: "That it be a recommendation to the Management Committee to take the financial position of the union into serious consideration, and. to try to find a solution of the difficulty that has arisen." Raise tho Gate—Or Raise the Play? Mr. 1). O. Weir seconded (lie.- motion: He did not asioo with Jlr. Perry that they should try to increaso • revenue by

increasing the .admission charge to le. They should rather aim at making more people go to see the game, and'the best way to do this would he to make the game more attractive. He believed that Wellington football was the cleanest and ] the most spectacular in New Zealand, 1 but.it was possible to make it brighter t still. Ho did not suggest that they should ] take up - the Northern League codi, but il-the Northern League had a few rules c better than iJie Union, 1 the Union should ( have the ' best. , They should' dty aivay I with liii! wing-forward and minimise lino i play, and lltcy would have niOre attrae- I live football. -He- would never agree .to • the raising- of the charge made to the < public to .-:ce football. . ( Mr. J. T. King agreed-with; Mr. Weir ] that it would not •be .wise to increase ! the .charge. .. He. suggested, that a. little ] additional' revemio might be obtained by making a. charge to ladies for i<itnessiug cup' matches. . Mr. 1!. A. Dawson recommended the delegate's to g ; vo very careful consideration to what Mr. Perry had said. He knew that Mr. Perry had greatly disliked the idea of increasing charges, but there was nothing else.for it. He was, however, a conservative so far as Rugby rules were concerned, and lie did not thinklhey should trim their sails to any .wind. Tho motion was carried. More About the Park. ' ' ■ , Dr. Ne.vman said that he had...'bran for three or. four, years trustee for. lie park, and the position was exactly as Mr. Perry had stated it. It was lio use to blink the fact; they could not go on at present prices, and they would have (o give up the park and the revemio from it unless they churned move. They could not pay their way otherwise. , _ In reply to .Mr. .11. J. Crombie, Dr. Newman said that the park by itself paid handsomely,. but they lvad to.use. tho revenue from it to pay the rentals' lor other grounds.. Last year wi.s a bad year, and yet the profit, on the park was .£1155. This was an aspect of the question winch should not bo overlooked. . Mr. Dawson suggested that a charge 01 Is. be made to those :going early to the park oil Saturdays, and that the usual charge of 6d. could be made' to those coming later, when all the best seats had been. taken. ■ ' . , • Mr, G. Howe thought that some atten-. tion.shouldbe given to the state of Wednesday football. The revenue froin it last year was only £1 10s., and, he felt sure that it could be so managed as to earn a few .sounds more. He suggested that it might be controlled ,by a subcommittee consisting of one representative from each Wednesday club. . .It .was resolved,:.on . the,motion,of. Mr. Weir, to record the .union's appreciation of the services rendered, to .football in Wellington by Mr. C. 'Atkinson (who is now in Christchvirch). A vote of thanks.to the president concluded the business'. 1 ... ; AMENDED RULES. ■ . : . The .following amendments to the Rules of ■ Rugby , have been made by the English Union: — •• • A wilful throw = forward or knock-on may be penalised by a free kick. If n player wilfully pass, knock, or throw the ball into-.toueli the. opposite, side may clqim either a free kick or a scrimmpge, such..free kick or scrimmage It be taken either,at,the .spot where tlie riiock or pass- occurred,, or "at/ any spot at right angles ,to the touch-line ten yards from where the ball went into touch." .. • • The committee of .the English ...Union were jmaniriiously against the .proposal to reduce the . value of the'penalty goal to two points. ''•■ SELWYN CLUB MEETING. '. , The eleventh'. annual meeting ■ of: the Sehvyn Club was held ,at tho Y.M.C.A. rooms, on .Friday evening last. Mr. N. Austin,, jun.,. presided. , ; In his address the president-congratu-lated members on.the past season and oh the. sound financial position of the club. .The report and balance-sheet were adopted. . Election of officers resulted as follows. President, Mr. N. Austin, jun. (re-elected); vieffijiresidents,'; Messrs. ■ T. Burke, B. Muway, G.Faulknor,. R. Card, C. Burnet, S. Luke, jun., S. Luke, 6en., G. Whiterod, E. Levick, ,T. M'Gnire, N. Austin, sen., F. Meyer; club captain, Mr.iF.Cooper; management' committee,' ..Messrs. F. Galvin, L. Flowers, W. Roberts, W. Williamson,• and D. Clifton; selection committee, H. Roberts, F. Cooper, W. Williamson; .delegates ■to the Wellington Rugby \Uili9n, .Messrs. L. Flowers, H. Buck; secretary, H. Buck; assistant-secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. Stott," A good deal of discussion took place as to tlie rdvisability of entering d team in tho senior competition for the coining season 'as the club has reoeiyed a ■ good deal of encouragement in this direction by several ex-members who played senior football last season and also'some. members of other clubs offering their services. It was decided to leave tho matter to the incoming committee with a recommendation to make inquiries as to prospects and report • at a general meeting.

ASSOCIATION. ME NT ALH OSPIT ALC LIJ B. f The sixth annual meeting of ille Porirua Hospital Association Club was last week, Mr. Holder presiding. The renort congratulated members on the success of their team, whioh won thofirst division league championship, and also the Charity Cup. Tho team went through the whole season without a defeat, scoring 57' goals, and having only 7 goals scored against 'them. At the end of the season members were each' presented with a gold medal, suitably. in : scribed.; During the season the club was prominent, in representative matches. In the mrJtch against Canterbury for , tho Brown .Shield (which Wellington won by I) goals to 2), the club was represented bv the following: Cockburn, Cross, Upots. Hughes, Phillips. ' , . During the evening presentations .were made to Messrs. Barnes and Holder of framed photographs of 'the team: The election,of officers resulted as follows:—President. Dr. Hassell;, vice-presi-dents, Dr. M'Killop. Dr. Simnson, Messrs. Anderson. Barnes. Carter, Holder, Hewitt, Jacobs, Riacli; captain, Mr. 'P, S. Roots; vice-captain, Mr. A. Wallis; secretary and treasurer, Mr. W.-8., Hicke.j management committee, Messrs. Barries, Dickey, C. Morgan/ Russell, Stewart; selection oommittee; Messrs. Hicks, Barnes,' Stewart, captain. , .vace-eapitain. Mr. C. . Russell was. re-elected trainer, with Mr. T..Wright as assistant., HOCKEY. HKRIiAWA CLUB MEETING.: / / The second annual general meeting of the Hcrcawa." Club : (Wednesday. Association) was held-at-..the.- Y.M.C.A. rooms. Mr. Manning presided, and there was a full muster of members. Several new members were elected. The' annual report and' balance-sheet, were adopted. The balance-sheet showed the club-to.be in a good financial position.-- - ■. . - It was decided to eiiter two teams (senior and junior) for the Wednesday competitions. . ' The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patron, Mr. Holdsworth; president, Mr. J. C. Cusack: vice-presidents, Dr. Cameron, Messrs.. P. J. Caterer, S. G. v alin, H. C. Truscott, ;A. ICuch. L. M'Jlinzie; management committee, Messrs. R. Caterer, Crogg,, Clementsori. R Henderson; selection' committee, , Messrs. Cragg. Caterer, and Kuch; club , captain. Mr. C. Clementson; delegates to i the. Wednesdav Association. Messrs. ,T. Le ( Compto and R. Cnterer; lion, secretary and treasurer. Mr. H. Bruce. The committee were instructed to endenvour to arrange a-match for Easter. The delegates to the association were instructed to support the question'of a . junior competition. . , Several trophies were given for • next but the question of allotment was . left with the committee. . BOXING. ; "A WHITE MAN.'; " Mr. .T. .Terrod, who was a passenger on i tho Wyreema to Brisbane,.by which boat , "Sam" Langford also travelled, writes to tho Sydney "Referee" as follows:— • "On behalf of : the second-class - passen- \ gers I have been asked to drop you « . line re the following: When a day out ! from Sydney a stowaway was discovered —some" poor fellow "down on his luck— 1 and (lip authorities threatened to 'send limi along.' when 'Sam' Langford came to light with his fare, .'tis. Gd„ without a murmur, or pulling it to music, and I , reckon hp deserves o word, nc is no : friend of mine, or nnv of the other jias- ■ ecngers, but he must be a 'white'man',"

rowing; I

■ CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA. , The first of the visiting competitors in ncxj; Saturday's ' championship' ' TCgatt.a in .town—the arrivals being tho Stone Brother's, from Auckland, and ICerr, tlio Duiiedin sculler. Tlio northerners, are competing .in. the champion double arid single sbulls, ■ tho combination being" stroked" by, C. E. .Stone, 'ho' present. chalnp'idh 'sculler of.the Dominion,. whose first appearance this will be on , local waters.' Stone's record ,as li sculler is an . enviable one. Next Saturday will see his fifth start in tlio singles championship, which lie Ims- won for the past rbiir consecutive years—a. feat which stands .alone in the annals of New Zealand sculling. ■ On account of tlio northerly v.'ilid prevailing the local champidrisliip crews are training from tlie. l'e'tono Club's sheds and their supporters' are .expressing satisfaction at the foriii displayed. ■,Tlio.Wellington B.C. four especially is leaving no stone, urituriled to saddle up fit and well on tho convincing day. Each of the quartet is on hfiliday leave, so' the whole day is now . being devoted to a. starching preparation and they.crew, will share with tlio redoubtable. Wanganui Union crew the honour of going to the post favourites for the bluet nband. event -of the day—the champion fours. - . . • '. AS' usual two courses h:\yo; l«en. surveyed, one along, the Ngahauranga foreshore, finishing at Korokoro in the event of a northerly wind, while the southerly-course crosses. Oriental' Bay. and has its finish between .the Taranaki Street rind Queen's Wharves. Full particular! regarding trams; itcamers, etc.; will be found in the advertising-columns.

MOTOR-CYCLING.. The-.results of.the. combined reliability trial, hill climb, ( mid jpetrol consumption test recently conducted by the Wellington Motor Cycling Club aro given below. Tlio course for the first day WaV to .Palmerstpn North; ■ via ' Featherston, Martinborough,: Greytowri, and Pahiatua, arid on the second day from Palnierston to .Wellington, via Sandon, Fox'ton, Shannon, and Levin,, a total distance of 280 miles. The petrol, consumption test -was held, from Waikanae to . Wellington and the hill climb on Paekalcoriki Hill. Whilst ii) : 'Palmerston the compe-titors-were entertained' at a smoke concert by tlie Manawiitu Motor-cycle Club. Results:—; .... . . . .; • : Aggregate .points, reliability, hill;climb (formula), petrol consumption (formula)— I."V. Wilson, 31-:■ P. ; ajid M., 1; •C. \\ Sutherland, 3J Triumph, 2; E, S; Beiidcr, 7 Indian,' 3. ■ : - Hill: climb- (fastest)—E. ,S. Bender, 7 Indian. ' ' ' Hill climb (formula)—l. V, Wilson,' 31 IV. arid' M..; ■l'etrol. consumption (lowest)—l. -V: Wilson, 3J.'P. and M.. ; • -'■■■. .. ; . • Petrol consumption (formula)—l/ V. Wilson,- 31 P.-and M-. -

Teams'- trial-G: W-; Tanner, C; V. Sutherland and It..- Keene (3V-Triumphs). , Competition' forßidwill-Biirton -Cup points',for reliability;; hill. climfc .(fastest); hiid petrol oons'umptidn (lowest)—R. S. Bender, 7. Indian.' • i Non-stop eertiflcatesr 1 !., V;; Wilson; (3J V. 'and -M.)i : E: '.S;;' a ßen'der, H. Hume'(7 Indian), J. Boucher 'l3i'-"Jlu<lge)i' : 0. V. Sutherland, : A. Andersoii (3| Triumph), C. S. Pees (2J \ OLYMPIC jEGATTA. GERIUN. •-fibWIN(3 COACH. . By Tcleeraphr-Press -Assboiatibn—Copyrltht 1 . .• = London,- March" IG. , The Berlra' Rudder; Club has.engaged .Mr. "Tom",; Sijlljyan,';' thlj ex-sculler', as coach for the' Geri'naii crews' participating at the Olj-mpic rfc&ittli:"

CRICKET. THE HAWICK CUP SERIES. (By Telegraph.—Ereea Association.) Hamilton, March 17. The.Hawke Gup.match South Auckland v. AVanganui . \vas begun , hero to-day .in jiino weather. South Auckland, in their first innings, made 3XU runs., Wangauui have lost six wickets for 01 runs.

SCULLING. AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP. ' "Jim" Paddon, in, his acceptance of Arnst's challenge to a race for the Australian championship, has stipulated that the match'snail be rowed 011 the Richmond River; and he has fixed the day for April 26 (says an eicliangfi). The'naining of the Richmond by Champion Paddon and his supporters, docs not meet >vith Arnst's approval. The], challenger declares roundly that he will not row on the Richmond unless the differeiico in tho rite" likely'to 'be secured there alid that ;wliich could be expected on the Parramatta is made up to'him. He refuses- .to- go ritfrth .on any - other basis. -Padon's supporters ignore this condition, and; have demanded a definite reply to his acceptance of Arnst's challenge. To this eftect they wired the editor of "The Referee'' on Marth 8 and requested the..signing. pf.articles without delay.' .• '• • : . The position' at'.present is that' Paddon's reply to Arnst's refusal to row on the Richmond has. been communicated to the ex-champion.. It., is understood that Artist wouldinot. give a definite or immediate reply. ' _ BILLIARDS, CONAN DOYLE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP. : . This year's" English amateur . billiards '' championship (says !an exchange) is' ; tho most 'distinctive of, .any:, that has : taken • place for years, from. the fact that one of. England's most distinguished r personalities is taking part in the. person of Sir ArthurCdnan Doyle, the famous author of "Sherlock Holmes," "Rodney Stone," and other literary treats loved by. the readers of books, -Always a pretty fair player, the famous author recently placed himself Under the tuition, of J. P. Mannock, and tho result has been such great' improvement, that lie is now having a cut qt the, highest honours obtainable in billiards. Another nominator is. Mr. S. 11. Fry, a triple amateur "championship winner, - who after, a long spell at golf, is again fallinpr back on. his old love. Both-of these gentlemen ire. playing London qualifying' division of the championship, the winner of which then competes with those who meet with success in the'other divisions—including; the Northern, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. When, their repu. tatiqns are. fined down to one player,, lie will meet Mr. H; 'W 'Virr,'the present champion'in-t.lie challenge roiiiid. "It was Mr. Virr, who recently took-away - the honours of; being, they highest amateur break holder- from tho Australian -man, Mr. G. B. .-Shatter. He is a very fine player indeed, and should again securo the' title of champion.