SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2157, 13 August 1907, Page 2

SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

ROWING. THE CHAMPION SCULLER, PROPOSED NATIONAL TESTIMONIAL.

The Mayor of Wanganui has asked us to give publicity to the following circular which, is being -distributed throughout the colony:— -Y Ladies and Gentlemen, —As you are doubtless aware, the distinguished honor of the World’s Championship for Sculling has been won for Hie first time in history by a New Zealand oarsman, William Webb, of Wanganui The citizens of Wanganui feel, • 1 doubt not you yourselves feel, that this achievement » one of national importance and worthy of recognition by New Zealanders everyWl At C a largely attended public meeting hold in Wanganui, it was decided 11 8 make an appeal, to the ."'■hole Colony for subscriptions towards this 0 “lt was decided that the testimonial should take a substantial and useful form, preferably m the shape of a freehold residence, and nearly L2OO Us immediately subscribed by those ittending the meeting. I take 8 the liberty of appealing to you as fellow Colonists of the ChamUn and participants m whatever Colonial benefit accrues from his notable achievement in the realm of .sport, tx> join with us m making this movement the success it deserves to b 3 Subscription lists have been sent lo this paper, and the proprietors have kindly consented >to receive, acknowledge, and forward subscripti0 In addition to this, I should esteem it a favour extended to the burgesses if Wanganui if the officers of your focal athletic bodies, football Hubs, 3tc. would enter into the movement md’organise something in the way of ■ special canvass amongst their mem-

e T- decided to make the testimonial of a thoroughly, representative ■haracter, and in order that no one diould be debarred from participating, he amount of the donation is left enirely to the discretion of subscribers ; md the working mane modest shil■ing will lie as acceptable as the larger imounts subscribed by those in more i{fluent circumstances. May we hope that a generous reiponse from your town will be the remit- of what we believe to be a tliormghly fustified appeal. Yours faithfully. C. .E. MACK AY, Mavor of RS.—-Ail lists are to be closed on the 25th August.

A LOCAL MEETING

GISBORNITES TO RAISE A SPECIAL TESTIMONIAL.

A well-attended meeting of those Interested in the recognition of Webb’s victory took placo_at Dustin s •corns last night. Aniongst those m-esent was his AYorsln-P .the Mayor, vho explained that a prior engagement would prevent his remaining 'ong, and under the circumstances Or Collins was voted to the chair. In ‘ his introductory remarks tlie "hairman made it clear that they were not present from any idea ot Idolising Webb as an individual, but t-hey were there to nationalise a. national victory. By his fine achievement in winning the world s sculling championship Webb had done honor to the Empire and to the New Zealand flag; he had upheld that flag against the world, and that was sufScient cause for ns to praise lum,. and to nationalise what was a national sport. The speaker reminded his hearers of the important part that sport had taken in .the - si.cn 1 development of the British Empire, and contended that the maintenance of this love for healthy recreation might have its effect oil the future indenendence of our own country. The Mayor said he would be quite prepared to do his share if the meetin”; decided to arrange for a presentation to be made by Gisborne admirers to Mr. Webb in recognition of his success, but he did not feel called ipon to go hat in hand, as it were, collecting from the general public, fie certainly thought the Wanganui ’oik had rather lost their heads over

:his matter. Perhaps he might be considered a bit tame on sport, Jiougli he liked to see a boat race* as .veil as anyone. Mr. Leydon explained that some of die local rowing enthusiasts had, ■-.» :oon after Webb’s victory had been, mnounced, initiated a movement am—mgst themselves, to send Webb a». . .mall token of their esteem. Thencame the letter to the Mayor and to the local Press, suggesting a national testimonial, and as they did not wish o conflict with any other movement they had called this meeting. Mr. Oliver said he did not agree with the suggestion that the Borough Councils of various towns should help. He thought that if a small amount was raised to purchase an illuminated iddress it would meet the case. He knew Webb, and felt sure that any dea of monetary recompense would. >e repugnant to him. Other speakers endorsed the latter statement. Mr. Spurdle thought that subsenipoions should be limited to Is each. He knew that AVebb would appreciate ■ T ery much more a memento from a large number of his admirers rather than a more valuable one from a few v who could spare a guinea or half a guinea each.

Mr. Clarkson pointed out that there might be twenty or thirty other meetings of a similar nature in various parts of the colony during -the 11 few days. If all p resented Webb 'Yith. illuminated addresses be would have little use for wall-paper. The speaker suggested tha-t the money should first be raised, after which the nothod of making the presentation loukl be agreed upon, and in the * meantime the local secretary could veep in touch with the secretary of -lie fund in Wanganui, and ascertain v . the other centres were doing. This course was agreed to, and it vas also decided to limit subscriptions to Is each. The following committee was appointed, with power to add to its number: Dr. Collins (chairman), Messrs. Oliver (secretary), Townlev Leydon, AVobb Holden, Cummimgr vr y a^ler * E,. J. SpurdUv Gv, i Mdsaac, A. T. Jones, and A. Kirk. Hie following were chosen to act as executive: Dr . Collins, Messrs.' . Cumming yd ° U ’ ***> Oliver ’ ' . A,fc , a n executive meeting which fol■owed the secretary stated that he vas positive from the remarks of - many w-liom lie had spoken to that: Osborne people would not contribute- - if they Mere to be associated with ‘ other parts of tlie colony in the* preentation no matter what torn, 1 to mi *i fi 16 executive therefore de•ided that the lists should be headed Gisborne s Testimonial toAV. A\ r ©bb ” Arran gem cuts were made to have S r subscription lists printed and pltu n the local newspaper offices ltliei- public places- ’ :lll d AVELLINGTON AVELC ome

Press Associaf lon , ' AA r ELLINGTO T V . ' .. The steamer Mono- ' .’ August 12.: reach AA’ellington f" " a V. ls unlikely to rivursdav moruir -oin Sydney before Wellington will I 'ie Mayor of publicly welco' , a ?l '-fort, to . iculler, an T*,* ?. i bb ’ tb ? champion Wangams* morunig, and if their cannot Postpone / «?&£ ssraiLj” *> k

FOOTBALL. P. B. RUGBY UNION

r» Usual weekly meeting of tlie Poverty Bay Rugby Union was lied Tl th° Masonic Hotel last evening i The matches For next Saturdav were Maor’fv pV°I ‘°' V m'~o o ' 1 Srou, id, Jtaori v. lakeha; No. 2 ground .Tnuior Reps. v. Whatatutu The third will ak n o a , tCh *l Tak i timu Haiti-City, i»™ n- be play fU. Messrs. Te Rop‘ > .Brown, and Pine were elected a Maoriteim mmit ' teo t 0 Select «»e *

, bG Poverty Bay representative he n 2Bth V l,irt th9ir I tOU J on uie /Bth inst., and return on the 4th of September. They play inaitoht PS Tim* fton l l f a "ltf' E i ßa A and Hastings. fin . al f <> r ttie local cliampionsliip « .1I be played on the 7th September The. secretary (Air. Cowan),*™ fnl sti acted to telegraph to the Auckland the'“Auckland^* 1 ” . tl,e €Xact *«te of cue Auckland team’s tour, as there appears to be a doubt as to their arrival here. ■

to-iiiglit 111 * 01 lep ' team will be Picked.

THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM. ATTACK ON PROFESSIONALISM^ DEPARTURE OF MEMBERS OF THE TEAM. -•

Press Association. . Mr A fHCKLAND, August 12. Aiiei-innd t> , °? T e -' .President of too' Auckland,Rugby Union, speaking at - a dinner at which the Ha,wkeV Bar ' i gret l at outerfcalned . expressed regiet at tlio appearance of :•*£ eTff 1 + footl,all « coCv. tts mil effects were so well known that-mb - -'X

he thought it had small chance of obtaining a place among players generally, or with those having control of the game in New Zealand. Mr. McCarthy, manager of the Hawke’s Bay team, said his union was utterly opposed to professionalism. In Napier the opinion was held that but for the I support given tho movement by prominent Aucklanders it would never have been possible to send a profes- I sional team from this colony. Air. I Shoahan,chairman, of the Auckland I Rugby Union, said tlieso remarks I wore unfortunately true, but tho en- J orgy of the Now Zealand Rugby Un- I ion ’to stamp out professionalism I would receive every support from the I Auckland Union. I

The passengers by the Victoria for Sydney this ovoning include the following Auckland footballers, who are to join the New Zealand professional team:—W. Mack cell, W. Trevarthen. H. Rowe, W. Tyler, J. Hall, L. Todd, G. J. Smith, R. Wynyard, W. Wynyard.

A. Dunning (an Auckland hooker replaces Hall in the professions team.

PROSPECTS OF THE TOUR

P ress Association

AUCKLAND, August 12. In refer once to the prospects of the professional team, the Auckland members generally think the tour will be a success. Smith, who went Home with .the “All 111 a cks,’' believes professionals will do as well against the Northern Union clubs as the “All Blacks’’ did against the amateur clubs at Home, but that the margin of victory will be less.

The members who left hv the Victoria for Sydney this evening wexo: W. H. Mack roll, A. Trevarthen, W. Tyler, L. B. Todd, It. Wynyard, and H. Rowe. J. C. Gleeson, of Hawke's Bay. playing manager, also left. G. W. Smith, \V. Wynyard, and C. D. Dunging, who were only seleoted this morning, will proceed to Svdney next Monday. After playing- three matches in Sydney the team leaves Melbourne by tho Ortona on tho 27tlx insfc.

SYDNEY PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE.

A LARGE MEMBERSHIP. United Press Association —Copyrght Received August 12, 0.51 a.m. SYDNEY, August 12. At a meeting of the newly-formed Professional Football League about 60 plavers were present. It was announced that 160 had handed in theij names as members, including Messenger. It was decided to give tho New Zealand team a welcome in the Town Hall on Thursday.

ALL BLACKS’ TOUR. CAUSE OF AUSTRALIA’S FAILURE.

RETURN OF THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

United Press Association—Copyright

SYDNEY', August 12. Both morning papers are of the opinion the luolv was against the Australians, who should have won the match. There were 29,000 people who passed through tho turnstiles, and the takings were £1320. The total attendance for matches played in Sydney was 152,000, and the takings £7564.

A majority of the football team left for New Zealand by the Monowai. Nicholson, Gillett, Francis, and. Cunningham leave on Wednesday. Fryer and Booth return via Melbourne. O’Sullivan and Johnston did not leave. Webb, the sculling champion, was also a passenger. All received a beauty send-off.

HOCKEY. The hockey contest will be resumed at Victoria Domain on Thursday when City will meet Kia Kaha and Te Ran will meet West End. The match between Kia Kaha and City should bo well contested as the teams have tc date scored equal points. Hawke’s Bay will meet Poverty Bay at Gisborne on the 27th inst. if the local , Association' approves the date.

THE TURF. HUNT CLUB WEIGHTS. The following weights have been declared for the Poverty Bay Hunt Club’s Steeplechase meeting on Thurs dav:

Hunters’ Bracelet Handicap (flat), 1} miles. —Bulhvorth 13.7, Chance (late " Snap Hence) 12.10, Wanga wanga 12.10, Joker 12.0, Te Rimu 11.7, Bonker 11.0, Game Chicken 11.0. Freehold 11.0. Hunt Club Steeplechase Handicap. 2J miles.—Sultan 13.4, Rasper 12.6 Sandy 12.4, Diver 12.0, Irish Pat 12.7, Ngongotaki 11.7, Artexerxes 11.0. . Hack Flat Handicap.—Sarilla 10 : 8. Hiuetitama 10.7, Heywood 10.0, Cinque '9.13, Morpeth 9.13, Eone 9.7. Melton Hal-1 9.6, Competition 9.5. Cantata 9.5, Amusement 9.2, Cinders 9.0, Swordspeck 9.0, Pepita 9.0, Kan--moana 9.0. • Hunters’ Handicap Flat, 1 mile. — Chance (late Snap Hence) 12.10, Tain ia 12.5, Sultan 12.5, Te Riimu 11.6, Bonker 11.4, Mercury 11.0, Game Chicken 11.0. Biddy 11.0, Artexerxes I. Ngongotahi 11.0. Hack Flat Handicap, 4 furlongs Sarilla 10.10, Hinetit-ama 10.10, Morpeth 10.0, Eone 9.8, Oanit-ata 9.8 Competition 9.7, Toherangi 9.5. Mar-na-hi 9.5, Kaumoana 9.3, Swordspeck 9.2 Kristy 9.0, Cinders 9.0, Ilby 9.0 Paisino 9.0. La Belle 9.0, Outerland 9.0, Pepita 9.0. Huuters’ Handicap Steeplechase. — Bullwor.tli 14.0, Tainia 12.7, Joke; 12.0, Jimmy Manuka 11.8, Larry 11. Freehold 11.4, Gift 11.0, Te Rimu 11.0, Bay Belle 11.0.

GRAND NATIONAL TIPS.

(Special to Times.)

CHRISTCHURCH, August 12. The town is rapidly filling With visitors and with the weather £till fine everything looks favorable for a record Grand National Meeting. The fields are large for most of the eventon the first day and I think we . are certain to have some, good racing I i trying to select winners 1 must admit that the task is far from easy as most of the events look very open. I fancy, however, that the following horses will run well Hunters* Hurdles—panton. Trial Hurdles —Ability. . ■ Winter Cun—Lady Annie anc. Helen Portland. Grand National Steeplechase —l nae'tonitis and Inniskillen. Tally-ho Steeplechase—Wild Bill. Jumpers* Flat Race —Ben Jonson. Enfield Steeplechase—Rose Morn. Hack Handicap—Jack Ashore. Irish, Le Beau and Cmragno are showing unmistakable signs of lameness and their prospects this week art not bright.