SPORTS AND PASTIMES

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9850, 31 October 1924, Page 7

SPORTS AND PASTIMES

TURF.

racing fixtures

Nov. I~R,B. Surf Club

MOKE ABOUT PURSER CASE.

OFFER IF EVIDENCE PUBLISHED

.... , MELBOURNE, Oct. 30. \ iclor Derby acceptances:—Sir Sighioek, Royal Charter, Killoilirn. Art am us, .Mims • Disraeli, Valorem, Demules, King Victor, Spoarfelt, yeherley, Solidify, Brimming, Versino.

Christchurch has cabled that for the V.R.O. G micas, Mountain Lion, ;>nd Bark were scratched there on August 27.

T. M. Burke has purchased the New Zealand Wassail. It is stated that connections of the horse Purser olfered to give £‘3ooo to hospitals if the Victoria Racing Club would publish evidence given at the inquiry at which the disqualifications were, imposed and were upheld. The committee declined to depart from its custom of not publishing the evidence. —U.P.A.

RUGBY.

ALL BLACKS IN IRELAND

TEAM IN SPECIAL TRAINING

LONDON, Oct. 29

The following New Zealand players are sequestered at the seaside near Dublin, for special training in preparation for Saturday’s match: Nepia, Steel, Svenson, Lucas, Hart, Nicholls, Cooke, Dailey, Porter, Donald, Irvine, Masters. Richardson, Stewart, White, Clippies, M. Brownlie. The New Zealanders’ chances are greatly favored. —A. and N.Z.C.A.

s CRICKET.

PROBLEMS AT HOME.

LONDON, Oct. 29

The Advisory Committee at Lords adopted a sub-committee’s recommendation enabling the covering of a pitch after 11 o’clock in the morning of the day preceding the match until the latter begins, and reprotection thereafter when necessary; and in any ease nightly during continuation; hut the covering is to be removed if the weather is line at 7 o’clock in. the morning. Covering after commencement of the match must not protect a larger area than eighteen by twelve feet at each end, and must not protect over three and a half feet in front of the poppingerease.

The hours of play in county matches have been definitely fixed Gif the first day, 7 the second, G.} the third, with an extra half hour on the last day for the purpose of securing a definite or first innings result. A most important question concerned the system of awarding championship points, but Yorkshire's proposal of two points for a win and one to each side in calse of a draw was lost. The present system was retained, pending a further proposal. All the resolutions passed are confirmable by the Marylehone Club. A committee meeting by the Cricket Board of Control decided that on the occasion of tho Australian visit in 192 G -he test matches be played on dates in June, July and August, corresponding with those, whereon England and South Africa met this year.—Reuter.

BOXINC.

HEENEY-SCOTT FIGHT

COMAIEXT3 BY HOME CRITICS

NEW ZEALANDER OUTCLASSED

(N.Z. Times Special Correspondent.) LONDON, Sept. 23.

•it had been stated in sundry London newspapers that, but fpr the lure of the ring, Tom Reeney, New Zealand’s heavy-weight champion, would have found a place in the All Blacks’ forward line. It is possible that Heeney’s love of fighting has deprived the footballers of a champion among forwards, but, having seen him perform in the ring, I cannot i hruthhilly profess to see m him even "a coming White Hope.’' Lluck, strength, and endurance Heeney possesses in abundance, but ns a boxer ho certainly will never shine. His pugilistic skill is almost nil, if we may accept tho form he showed against Phil Scott, the London ex-fireman at The Ring, Biaekfriars (once Rowland Hills' chapel!) last Monday night, as being tho best lie eou.d produce. Scott a lengthy heavyweight with an abnormal reach—SlJ inches’tis said—• is no world heater. He can box more than a bit, but be entirely lacks that “devil” which must enter into the composition of a real champion, or Heeney would never have lasted out the twenty rounds course, for the New Zealander left himself very open to punishment, and, one occasion, seemed to be inviting a knock-out. Scott accepted openings a score or times, but bis rights were badly placed, and seemed to have no particular sting in them. Heeney, besides revealing himself as a poorclass boxer, gave little evidence of carrying a really damaging punch, and, altogether, it was a -one-sided and uneventful fight. Heeney, the shorter, looked the stronger of the two. He opened at a. fast pace with hooks to the head, but Scott stopped the punches in the air and commenced to jab his man away with straight lefts. Scott did this prettily, hut ids efforts Inter to follow up with' a right-hand punch to the jaw were ill-timed, and out of distance. It was an opening round of straight hitting by Scott, which he won “all the way” without doing noticeable damage. Heeney whs cautioned for noKUr.g early ill the second round, and had a roirnli time of it, Scott catching him 'with a lovely right-hand counter to the jaw, which shook the New Zealander to his tees. Encouraged by this success, Scott went for Ins man with both hands, and succeeded m landing flush on the-jnw on two more occasions. Heeney, however, lneicly shook his head, and “waded m again with his hooks, but being rather s ow and not varying bis punches properly, the majority of his, blows were neatly parried. Scott stopped punches m orthodox way, hut Heenej s idea of defence lay seemingly m “ducking, and turning his head and body worn punches, or in seeking refuge at c.ose quarters. ... , The early rounds were all m layoi of Scott, who frequently scored witn his left and blocked or parried ninety per cent, of his opponent s books. Heeney tried.hard, hut could nou make openings; and seemed too slow to take advantage of those presented. If Scirtt had had a really destructive rioht he must have dropped lus man very early, but the eighth round arrived with Heeney still strong, and very willing indeed. . . Scott’s right was prominent m the succeeding rounds, but this was not enough to weaken Heeney, vho, though cut-genera lied and outpointed continued to fight gamely and with determination. Scott was fannig to press home the advantages of U-S extra, skill.- He. was also failing.because" he lacked genuine pugnacity, and seemed always to . fthooso the wrong time to use lus right. . &cott s continual missing with Ins might led up to frequent clinches, and the referee often had to separate the men. At-long range Scott was* alway s the better ma,n, and the cunuilat ve: effect ♦of repeated lefts evcutua.ly aid damage a nasty looking cut appearing beneath Heency’s left eye in: the tliirteenth'round.

I hero was a lively incident in the fifteenth, Heeney v getting liome a left and right to tho jaw, which took Scott by surprise, but tho New Zealander faded right away from tins point, and Scotv, alter having Ins man all but out in tho eighteenth round, boxed lus way to victory m parade fashion.

ileeuoy took heaps of punishment, and 'oxuibited tno gameness of the proverbial peobm, lint whilst admirUlg muchly ms spirit and endurance — wod, .[ am humbly of opinion that the iNcw Zealander is metier fitted for the ltugby scrum than for boxing championship honors.

DISAPPOINTING AND SCRAMB-

BLiNC

HARDBUT INEFFECTIVE WORK

KEENEY CUT UNDER. EYE

Thus tho London Evening News: —

it was a cusapxiomting and scrambling affair, and it gut worse as it went on. it opened unghtly enough, with Scott having ri coney well out or n.s siime, out, niter, tno ex-fireman Hogan to nnss a goou deal, and the tli.ng developed into a quiet sort oi go-as-you-pionse. Ecbtc livened up things himself for a moment or two m tno lith round, but lus spurt carried him no iurtlier on clio road to victory, for he could, do nothing with the swerving isew Zealander except rush linn to one oi tile corners.

Members of the All Black team watched their man with gieat interest, but they saw nothing that entitled them to cheer, lleeney was having the worse of it, and still continued to hold and lay on. His tactics certainly handicapped Scott, but the latter had plenty of openings that he was not capable of; milking the best use of.

It must not bo supposed that, either man was idle. They worked hard, but it was work of the ineffective kind. .It made them tired, and this did not add to the excitement of the light. Scott continued to use the “push stroke,” but managed to cut Heeney’s left eye. It was underneath, however, and did not cause the New Zealander the discomfort it would have done had it been higher up. Never or.ee after the early rounds was there any likelihood of a knockout, although lleeney went down, mainly from weariness, in the 18th round. They plodded on in crude style to- the end—an unusual thing for a 20-rounds contest between big men. Scott rightly got the verdict, and the great majority of the spectators were heartily relieved when it was, over.

SWIMMING.

TOUR OF N.Z. CHAMPIONS

SMALLER. TOWNS SHOULD BE VISITED.

SCHEME BEFORE N.Z.A.S.A

(By “Six Beat.”)

A. comprehensive scheme designed to assist swimming in the smaller centres of tho Dominion and at the same time assist the fund for tiie sending of champions abroad has been suggested by Mr P. Coira, of Wellington, who lias furnished the secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association with the details.

Originally Mr Coira’s proposals were advanced as an alternative to the proposals made by Air W. H. Benson for-'inaugurating a registration scheme with the idea of augmenting tho funds of the association for overseas representative purposes. As Mr Benson’s scheme has been adopted by the association, however, and is operative this season, it is probable that Mr Coira’s proposals will be. adopted ns supplementary to it. Although Air Coira"s proposals are not entirely novel the present is the first occasion on which the suggestion lias been brought down to a concrete basis. Although from the point of assuring a. healthier financial position it may not lie free from a certain element of hazard, there can he no doubt as to the very definite character of the benefits that must accrue to swimming in tho smaller places. Air Coira suggests that at the end of every championship meeting a small party of, say, four swimmers should bo sent on tour to do the smaller towns, the carnivals to he run. on a 50-50 basis as between the e'ub concerned and the New Zealand Council, or on a GO-40 basis. No trophies should ho given at these carnivals. “It does not look much of a r>rospoet at a glance,” says Air Coira. “but I am banking on what I know of tho sportsmanship of the smaller towns, and how readily I find them to work in with any scheme to raise funds' for, say, Olympic purposes. When Miss Shawl visited Carterton and Greytown, the result was very satisfactory. Of course, it requires someone in touch with these places to assist the thing along! but there should he a good number prepared to do tin’s. I suggest that, after the next championships in Christchurch, four swimmers should be sent under a malinger to tour in tbe North Island. The towns visited might be Carterton, Greytown, Pahiatua, Woodville, (ancl .perhaps Eketahuna), Dannevirke, Palmerston North, Fowling, Levin. There would lie no expense except the train fares, for I have found that tho smaller places are only too willing to billet any visiting swimmers. 'Then perhaps the party could be taken on and do either Wanganui and Taranaki districts (Marton, Hawera, Stratford, Patea, etc.), or else up the Main Trunk line. The appearance would bo on succeeding nlternoons or nights, the whole tour occupying n fortnight after the championships. “.In the same way the South Island could be covered. Get four .Christchurch, Timnru or Dunedin champions to appear at, say, • Ashburton, Geraldine, Temuka. Waimate, Oamaru and so on. It seems to me that such tours as this could not go wrong. Whoever the, champions may be, they are all ori their homeward journey and a certain amount of train fare would be saved in that way. I do not suggest sending any Otago champions to tbe North Island, or Aucklanders away down south. Keep them near Lie yen be they have to follow ill tlieir homeward journey. I think that whoever does the managing would pay Lis own expenses. Surely wo have enough competent men in the sport willing to clo that. I. am sure that if the clubs in tbe smaller towns are communicated with, either through the centres or some responsible person in the centre or from the council itse’f, they will readily fall in with the suggestion. As a general rule the smaller town clubs have got their finances, on a better footing than the"clty ones, and they don’t aim to be. always making money.

“A visit from New Zealand champions would be an. event of importance. Sncli a method ns competitors swimming for certificates, and free entry, meants little outlay for prizes and ensures good returns. ! am sure that if a little enthusiasm is created with regard to this proposal,' success must come from it. It would add a little interest to the championships m that certain' winners would lie sure of a little trip through some parts of the country, and, in addition, it should boost the game along in ho uncertain manner in places where such assistance is perhaps most needed. It would, of course, take a little working up, but -if a good worker in each Centro were asked to make himself responsible for the arrangements in each town, the champions would appear at, it would not en-

tail much work on the central body. “Briefly put, tho proposal is this: “Object—Further the interest in swimming in the smaller towns by sending them top-notch swimmers, and incidently assist tho Overseas Fund. “Method—Swimmers to swim without expecting trophies. Certificates could he given as prizes and autographed by the champions.' If tho baths are artificially lighted, night carnivals • could be given, and, if there is time, demonstrations could be given to school children.

“In addition to expressing his willingness to undortako the duties of management, Mr Coira suggests that any of the following would be prepared to assist in the North Island:— Messrs H. Lc Bas (Napier), A. Muller (Wanganui), J. Enwright, and Jas. Boggs (Auckland), and H. Little (Wellington). “Opinions from some of tho centre secretaries have already been sought with respect to Mr Coira’s suggestions and they have so far met with unanimous approval.” In view of the above letter it might he suggested that the two local clubs tak’o the matter in hand and make inquiries from the Hawke’s Bay Centre. Judging from past experience such a team would have a very hearty welcome and the tour would bo of great educational value. Our local champions would be given a chance, to. pit themselves against the best in New Zealand and the less experienced swimmers and tho public generally would note with interest any of the newer or less known strokes of tho Dominion champions.

“YOU BRAVE KID!”

FAMILY’S LIFE OF TERROR

“NOT GUILTY” OF MURDER

MELBOURNE, Oct. 22

A story of horror and infamy was told by witnesses in a murder trial at Bendigo. James Stephens, the man alleged to have been shot by William Frederick Alurfin, a young farmer, of Alanangatang, had ‘been a hitter enemy of the Alurfin family for years, according to evidence. He had ruined two of Murfin’s sisters and had so terrorised the family that they all learned to use firearms, and the head of the house, first the father, and, after iris death, tho son, always slept with a revolver under lus pillow. Florence Agues Alurfin, sister of tno accused man, told most of the story. On the night on which Stephens died, her brother, she said, went out, and, at her advice, took with Iran a rifle and some bullets, fearing that lie might encounter Stephens. When he returned he said. “I dropped Stephens. I am going to Afanangatang to tell the police.” Sh.e then threw her arms round him and kissed him, saying. "You dear, brave kid!” t- _ In cross-examination, Al’ss A mum told why the family had reason to dread Stephens. First he had married her eldest sister, and then had seduced witness when she was but 15 years old, afterwards terrorising her family. He had cruelly ill-treated her sister. Once lie bad put her under a waggon and driven over her, in order to'kill and marry witness, as he said. In 1918 one of her brothers was killed by falling from a horse, it was supposed; but later the possibility of bis having been murdered by Stephens was discussed. In 1920 their borne was burned down, and they suspected Stephens of having done it. Alurfin was found not guilty.