ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1830, 16 August 1913, Page 13

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

THE CITY GROUNDS. LEAGUERS ALLEGE INJUSTICE. Very strong comment wag made to a reporter last evening by Mr. M. J. Reordon concerning a surprise which hag just been sprung on tho League authorities by tho Reserves Committee of the City Council. According to Mr. Reardon, tho faots 1 are that at the beginning of the present season 'a cloar understanding was arrived at between the committee of tho local League Control and tho Reserves Committee, that on occasions when tho former secured grounds with tho right to charge, they were to have the exclusive use of such grounds. ".Well," continued Mr. Reardon, "at 5.30 this evening I got a ring from the City Council to say tliat the Rugby Union wanted passes for their players. We got Newtown Park for tho Canterbury-Wellington match," which takes place to-morrow, and wo have to give the council 25 per oent. of our 'gats.' Now we find that ,the Rugby "Union is going to :play a match on tho pirk. Tho result of this is that wo will have to confine our match to one cornel" of tho park, and our patrons will thus bo deprived of the use of the sloping banks to witness the pla,y." Mr. Beardon characterised tho position as very unfair, especially when it was considered that the League people had to give the council 25 per cent, of tho "gate," and the RugbyUnion only to pay £5 per year for the useof the ground. "It will mean," continued Mr. Eeardon, "that we lose £Zb to ,£SO in our takings. We relied on tho chairman of the Reserves Committee, when he

promised that there would not bo a repetition of what happened at the match .Wellington v. New South Wales last year, whon the Rugby Union stopped in, and we had to confine our game to the northern corner ef the park. 1 BIG MATCH TO-DAY. The stax attraction in League football to-day mil be tho representative match between Wellington < and Canterbury, on Newtown Park. This is the first representative matoh played under the auspices of the Wellington League this season, and (says'the League's, official note), given fine weather, it promises to. draw a big crowd. The note adds that the Wellington team is considered to be a good one. Every player is in lino condition, and the team is training hard. Canterbury are strengthening their team by four players who aro coming up from the south especially for this match. Mr. T. Cunningham will ba tho referee. Special cars will run from all parts, of the city to Newtown Park. A junior match mil be played between the Petone A team (winners of tbie Junior Sliielci) Athj letic (runners up) as a "curtain-raiser, commencing at 1.30 p.m. CANTERBURY WELCOMED. . A reception to the Canterbury League team was given oh the team's arrival here. Mr. W. S. Brioo presided. Mr. Brioo mentioned that this was tho first visit of the Canterbury League team, and ho wished them a pleasant stay in Wellington and a good game. Mr. Moyle, manager of tho Canterbury team, responded. The League game had .come to stay, and, as for tho match, ho hoped for ft fine open game, and fine weather. , . , . Messrs. Webb and Kerr joined in the welcome to the visitors, and Messrs. Shanks and Morris responded. Mr. Moyle proposed tho health <xf the Wellington League, and in doing so stated that the Canterbury Leagues had to thank Wellington for its existence. - This was mainly due to tho fact that Wellington had paid Canterbury a visit last year. Mr. Moylo added that the Canterbury League

were now on a very sound footing. Messrs. Martini and liealo also spako. Tho latter remarked that tho Wellington League had mado wonderful strides, _metancing tho fact that last season thoy had only throe teams, but this season they had over 150 players, and could put more in the field had t'hey tho grounds. The "Referees' Association" was also proposed, and responded to by Mr. Cunningham. "Kindred'-Leagues ivaa proposed and seconded by Mr. Long, a member of the Auckland League. RUGBY. . CALIFORNIAN TOUR. MITCHINSON GAINS HIS PLACE. The 1 vaoanciea in the New Zealand Rugby team to tour California, caused by the inability, of Geddes and O'Lcary, .of Auckland, who are unable to make tho trip, have been filled by the appointment of Mitchinson (Wellington), and Loveridgo ■ (Taranaki). The inclusion of Mitchinson will give a great deal of satisfaction to local followers of the game, who considered that, the famous Poneke three-quarter had been wrongly overlooked by the selectors. Mitchinson has taken part in international fixtures for somo years past. Ho afad M'Donald, the Otago forward, axe the only members of the team who visited Australia with the Now Zealand team of 1907. MDonald is the only member of j the original "All Blacks" of 1005 to bo included in the present combination. Loveridgo is a young player who has only recently oome into prominence. He has been the "star" member of this year's Taranaki fifteen and,played for tho North Island team in the recent interisland match at Christcliurch, MARLBOROUGH & WELLINGTON. The representative game between Marlborough and Wellington is one of the attractions for- this afternoon. The Rugby Union's note states that for somo years past there has been keen rivalry between the two unions. The Marlborough team has been seen in practico since their arrival here and tho match promises to bo a keenly contested one. Tho Wellington team is (adds tho Rugby Union's noto) one of the strongest whioh has represented Wellington for some yeaTs. As an additional attraction tho third of tho harrier races promoted by loco! clubs is being run at half-time. Tho distance is ■li miles and as somo thirty-two entries have been received good sport should bo seen. For those who arrive early, interest will be sustained by a match commencing at _ 1.30 between representatives of tie District High School and the Bixth class players. Mr. A. C. Kitto has been appointed to referee the representative game. At Petone, what is practically the deciding game for the junior championship is being played between Wellington and Petone. THE CLAIM OF KINVIG. (To tho Editor.) Sir,—Seeing that tho efforts of the Wellington and New Zealand Rugby Unions, combined with the £ood baclcing up of the press (jenerally, have attained their object of including Mitchinson in tho team selected to tour America, and, seeing that the two positions rendored vacant by the inability of Goddes and O'Leary to accompany tho team havo not yet had players selected suitable to fill the positions, and, seeing that the Wellington selector considered Kinvig, of tho Oriental Club, worthy of being nominated to represent Wellington, this player having represented his province in all positions oehind the half-back at different times during tho last fivo years, more particularly full-back, would it not bo generous on theirs and your part to use overy effort to liavo his name included for either positions vacant, and, if successful, I, with all footballers in Wellington, foel sure he would both do himself oredit and also his province. I might add that as at 'present constituted the team contains but two fire-eighths, no regular full-baclc, and seven threequarter backs, so that a player that is at homo in either position vacant should be a good addition I .—l am, etc., A KEEN FOLLOWER OF RUGBY. ENGLISH CRICKET. By Telegraph—Fresa Association—Copyright London, August li. P. F. Warner (Middlesex) was seized bx a sudden illness whilo fielding against Lancashire at Aigbnrth. Fane, Rhodes, J. W. Hearne, Woolley, ..Hobbs, Mead, Booth) and Strudwick have accepted . places, in tho team for South Africa. A programme of twentytwo mutches nsd ftv# htu boon ranged'

LACROSSE. 0 [Br. Goal Umpire.] REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS, On Saturday fast tho representative played the next best in the final trial match. Tho gamo was, as it Should have been, a run-over for tlio representatives, and terminated in a scoro of 21 goals to two. Some very good lacrosse was shown, the representative -attack passing well and shooting with accuracy. Backed by the defence, they make a very formidable team. Burge, I see, has been eliminated from tho team, and this, I think, was necessary, as ho is not by any moans a representative player. X'roud, who has been put iii his place, is by far tho better man. The following is the team sent from Auckland:—Goal, Edwards; point, Stewart (captain); cover-point, Kelly; third man, Brown; wing-defence, MacClure and Oliver; centre, Pledger; attack, wings, E. M'Corskil and Knight; third home, Woollams; second home, P-hilson; first home, L. M'Corskie; reserve, English. This makes a very strong side, and they aro confident of a win, so if Wellington wrost tho laurels from them it will l:o a great game. There is very little to say with reference to tho match. Comment will be more fitting after it has been, played and the victory decided. A word of warning to Captain R. E-enkin must, however, be given. Ho must see to it that his defence stick closely to their men, because the Auckland attack is very strong, and will take beating. After the match the visitors will be entertained by local players at a dinner to be held at the Albert Hotel, and all players and supporters are asked to attend. In conclusion, I wish Wellington every success. May they leave tho field to-day possessors of the Proud Shield. It will bo- a "proud enough day for us if they do. MEETING OF N.Z. ASSOCIATION. Tho-New Zealand Lacrosse Association held its annual meeting last night, Mr. i J. S. Dickson, M.P. (vice-president) in the chair. The following delegates were present:—Messrs. A. H. Casey, J. L. Leydon, and J. F. O'Leary (Wellington), A. F. Woollams, W. M'Clure, and A. Brown (Auckland), aud Mr. P. J. M'Govern (lion, secretary). The annual report stated that tho negotiations for a visit from an Australian or New South Wales team this year were not successful, but that a New South Walks team would visit the Dominion in 1911. It was decided to recommend affiliated associations to consider a proposal to send a New Zealand team to compete in the inter-State Lacrosso Carnival at Sydney in 1915. Negotiations wore also in progress to induce tho Victoria (Canada) Lacrosso Club to play at Auckland and Wellington, in conjunction with its proposed visit to Australia. A new law prohibiting tho fending-oft' of an opponent with tho "freo arm was adopted. The following officers were elected:— Patron, Hon. W. F. Massey; president, Mr. Thomas Peacock, J.P. (Auckland); vice-presidents, Messrs. J. S. Dickson, (Auckland), and A. H. Casey (Wellington); hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. P. J. M'Govern; hon. auditor, Mr/ E. I. Proud. Special mention was made of the services of Messrs. Casey, Dickson, land M'Govern in furthering lacrosse in New Zealand, and a special resolution of appreciation was recorded on the minutes. The promotion of tho gamo in suburban and country districts was specially recommended to the affiliated associations, likewiso the inauguration of the game in tho schools. A hearty vote of thanks to tho chnirnviin concluded a most successful meeting. ' TO-DAY'S MATCH. The official note states ,that the representative match between Auckland and Wellington at tho Basin Reserve this 1 " afternoon promises id provide the finest exhibition of lacrosso yet seen in Wellington. Both tejims aro strong in attack work, and some fino passing, running, and shooing should b witnessed, he niatcQx has been accorded Yice-Regal patronage, and his Worship tho Mayor and the Mayoress will also bo present. Preparations have been 'made and ft record attendance, including many ladies, and ovory spectator will recoive a programme containing a short outline of tho laws of the game. The Auckland team arrived yosteraay afternon, and report -themselves keen and eager for victor}-. Tho Wellington players aro likewise confident, and there should bo a great strugglo for supremacy and possession of tho Proud Challenge Shield. Mr. P. J. M'Govern will control the game, and Messrs. E. Kelly (Auckland) and A. H. S. Lucas (WellingWi) will act as goal umpires. The visitors and local officials attended the performance at His Majesty's Theatre last night, and both teams will lie entertained by the local association at a dinner this evening. FOOTBALL BETTING. STATEMENT BY BRITISH PREMIER. By Telearanh—Pr«a3 AjsooiMlon—Oopyright ("Times"— Sydney "Sun." Speoial Cables.) London, August 14. lathe House of Commons, Mr. Asqui th the Prime Minister, stated that the question of betting on football matches was receiving sorious attention. The authorities were fully alivo to tho necessity for an. alteration of tho. existing law. SWIMMING. The following note regarding the ooming New Zealand swimming championships tons been received from a correspondent in Blenheim:—"The championships next year are to bo held in Blenheim, and already things have been set in motion: At a meeting held a fortnight ago strong committees were set up to tako ahargo of tiio various departments, viz.: Entertainment, billeting, reception, programme, etc Mr. N. R. Stone, one-time a member of Swifts and Wellington Clubs, has been appointed secretary. The dates, have been fixed for Monday, February 1G; Wednesday, February IS; Friday, February 20; and Monday, February 23, 1911. It enthusiasm counts, tho championships should be very successful." BOXING. MURPHY AND KEYS MATCHED. Negotiations between the Wellington Boxing Association and Australian crack light-weight, Hock Keys, for a match with Denny Murphy, th.o professional light-weight champion of .NewZealand, were brought to a successful issue yesterday. The dato decided upon wus Wednesday, August 27, and tho articles stipulate for a purso of £150, the largest yet given by tho association since its incoption, and that both men are to weigh in at the liglit-weight limit of 10 stoiiG on. tho dato of tlio ooEtcst. rius match has been greatly looked for locally, and as Keys is in fettle after his recent match with "Johnny" Summers in Auckland, and Murphy has kept in constant training since his defeat of Ireland at Waipawa three weeks ago (on which occasion he won the middle-weight championship of the Dominion), each man wall no doubt be in top form on August 27. GOLF. WAIRARAPA CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP. Tho championship of tho Wairarapa Golf Club, played at the Rototawa linKS yesterday, was won by Miss V. Collins, wllio beat Miss Madge Burns, 2 up, 1 (o plav. Miss Rally won tho bogey competition, and Mrs. W. Bidwill won the medal handicap. Everybody's doing it. What? Playing with a Challenger Golf Ball. Tho Challenger Ball will float and is fully guaranteed. Use the Challenger Golf Ball, and you will bo pleased.—Advt. . Tho WESTMINSTER GOLF BALL is of exceptionally high grade. Renowned for its lasting qualities, steadiness on tho greens and long flight, the WESTMINSTER GOLF BALL is good valuo al; 35., but obtainable at 2s. from J. Duthio aud Co., Goo. Denton, E. W. Mills 'and Co., G. and G. Aldous, It. Armit. Try one—Advt.