Sporting Sprints.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 22, 4 August 1911, Page 15

Sporting Sprints.

J. A. O'Connor, who toured England with the last Australian eleven, is now sanitary inspector at Waverley, Sydney, and will play for Waverley- : Veteran George Giffen still has a game of cricket in the season. The other day Mr. W. J. Gunn forwarded him an interesting memento. It consisted of one bail which flew off Syd. Gregory's wicket in Sydney when "Giff" captured his 1000 th wicket. Tho North and South Island Rugby match will take place in Wellington on October 7, too late in the season to guarantee strong teams being got together. Canterbury's suggestion that the fixture take place on King's Birthday will probably ,be adopted in the future. The idea of selecting a country representative team from both islands to tour N.Z. is a good one, and "should result in the bringing to light of many pla3 7 ers who will be a tower of strength to N.Z. Rugby. It is true that to-day a good player in a country team has less chance, of being selected than an inferior player in the cityl The tour may remove this embargo on country players. Figg, who indulged in stoush in tho early part of the eighteenth centiiry, was the first heavy-weight champion. He attained this pinnacle in 1719. Jack Johnson scales just on 18st. now, and according to Sam Fitzpatrick will not be seen in any championship match again. Charlie Griffon, the West Coaster, brother of Jack and Jim, who is in Sydney after a lengthy absence in the Northern Hemisphere, is matched to meet Mehagen, probably in August or early September. He is said to' have vastly improved. ' Encased in a dressing-gown whose kaliedoscopic colours rivalled Joseph's famous coat, Jack Johnson, champion pug., received guests in his London flat last month. He was the sensation of the moment when he landed in England, and to all appearances remains so. Johnson turned on the "bubblcy stuff" on a scale that- made Cockney's eyes bulge. J. Donaldson, champion sprinter of Australia, is but s.7fin. in height. He has challenged Holway for the world's championship. The National Amateur Championship, the quarter-mile cycling race of the "United States, the first run this season, eventuated at Newark on May 30. F. Blotz, last year's champion, was again victorious. Time, 31 sees. Writing of A. F. Wilding's win in the tennis championship, an English paper says that he is rapidly regaining his old form: The New Zealander's aggressive play is such that it breaks down the defence of his opponents. There is some talk of establishing a professional sculling championship at Akaroa, the same as exists at Par-\ amatta. Dr. Thacker is to be asked if his offer of £100 for a professional event holds good; if it does, something will be done there at an early aate. Prior to the first, race with W. Webb at Wanganui, says the "Sun," Dick Arnst's life was insured for £500 _by his backers. Particulars of-the policy were not divulged, but it is understood that in the event of the then challenger's death before the race the money would have reverted to his backers to reimburse them for what they had laid out. Miss Anna Bell, of Curtis School, Staten Island, New York; has broken the girls'! running broad jump record. She jumped 15 feet 11 inches, at the interclass games. Miss Bell jumps in splendid form. X Says the "Referee" : Hilda Williams, a girl 14 years of age, swung two Indian clubs nine hours—7s swings to the minute. Surely this is going too far. An adult, even though a woman, can be tolerated, but a child, whether boy or girl—well, it does not seem at at all right, and should never be allowed. The agitation for the abolishing of the kidney punch is creating considerable discussion. Johnson favours its retention. Mr. Eugene Corri, the wellknown London referee, however, does not. Writing to an English sporting paper, ho says: "On your question re the referee stopping a man for using the kidney punch I quite agree with you that he cannot do this, if the blow is properly delivered. At the same time I do not like this punch, and think it would be a good thing if it were, .barred."