SPORTING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4483, 2 August 1875, Page 3

SPORTING.

The seven-miles walking match between Edwards and Macgregor, of Dunedin, came off at Oamaru on Saturday, July 10th, the former giving the latter 400 yards, came off to-day. After the first fifteen laps Edwards collared "his man. Then Macgregor spurted and went ahead in two laps about fifty yards. From then to the last mile the match was close. Edwards then • showed magnificent speed, and eventually won by about 100 yards. Time, 1 hour 7 minutes. At Dunedin on Saturday, July 10th, the little boy Scott accomplished the task of walking one hundred miles within twenty-four hours. He also beat Edwards in time, viz., five minutes under the twenty-four hours ; he did this by one minute and a half. The theatre was crowded, and the excitement was immense. Lots of money changed hands. The boy finished with a splendid spurt, completing the last mile in eleven minutes and a half. The result gave great satisfaction, allthe sympathy being with the boy. He was carried shoulder high. The Dunedin Jockey Club has issued its programme for the spring meeting and annual races in March, 1876. The amount of prizes is £1650, including the Dunedin Cup, a handicap of 400 sovs., and the Jockey Club Handicap of 200 sovs. The Cup has been increased by 100 sovs. this year. We learn by telegraph from Oamaru that Young Delaney started on July 24th to run ten miles in one hour, on the cricket ground. He only just accomplished it, but immediately offered to back himself to do ten miles within the hour for £SO. Wilshire finished his walk of 250 miles in 100 hours, at the rate of 2J miles each hour, at eleven o'clock on Saturday. He was watched all the time by a respectable committee, who presented him with a complimentary address. Hundreds were present to see him complete the task. He did the last mile in nine minutes!

The annual general meoting of the Wellington Jockey Club was held on July 19th at the Empire Hotel, Willis-street, for the purpose of. electing stewards and office-bearers for ithe ensuing spring meeting, and for receiving,the treasurer's statement and the report of the proceedings of the past year from the retiring stewards.- The following members of the club .were present i-rrMessrs. J, E. George, J. McDowell, W. Graham, E.' Warburton, W. Bromley, A. Young, P. Moeller, G.j H.Jackson, and Dr. Diver. George Hunter, Esq., M.H.8., occupied the chair. The chairman having read the circular convening the meeting, called upon the acting-secretary to read the report of the retiring stewards. The report having been read and criticised by the members present, it was ultimately carried that a committee be appointed, to consist of the treasurer and Messrs. Hunter and Macdonald, for the purpose of finally revising and amending the report. The treasurer's statement having been \ received by the meeting, it. was unanimously agreed that it should be appended to the report in a condensed form, and that they should be printed for the use of the members. A-dis-cussion then ensued as to the respective merits of the rules of the Club, as compared with those of the Melbourne Club, and there appeared to be a strong feeling in favor of the substitution of the Melbourne rules for those now in use. The meeting then addressed itself to the concluding business of the evening—the election of stewards and office-bearers for the ensuing spring meeting. The following gentlemen were unanimously elected :—President, Hon. W. Fitzherbert; Vice-President, Geo. Hunter, Esq., M.H It.;' Judge, E. Pearce, Esq,, M.H.R.; Stewards, Messrs. A. Braithwaite, Geo. Crawford, J. Paul, W. Bromley, J. Macdowel!, J. S. M. Thompson, and Dr. Diver; Starter, Mr. Andrew Young; Treasurer, Mr. J. R. George ; Clerk of Course, Mr. J. Prosser. A vote of thanks to tho chairman concluded the meeting. The stewards of the Wellington Jockey Club met again on the 26th July at the Empire Hotel, to settle matters respecting the spring meeting to be held in December next on the Hutt Course. George Hunter, Esq., M.H.R., occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance. .After considerable discussion, the events to form the programme were decided upon, and will be put before the public shortly. One noticeable alteration has taken place, viz., } the substitution of a flat race, to be entitled the Hutt Park Stakes, in lieu of the Hurdle Race as heretofore. We. trust the alteration will be for the benefit of the club, but confess to a weakness foi? a good hurdle race or steeplechase. It has also been definitely settled that an autumn meeting shall be held annually. This is a step.in the right direction, and if other clubs would follow the example, the quality of horses competing would soon improve. If an owno» of horses has but one opportunity a year of bringing out his stock, it can scarcely be expected that they will show much form, for the simple reason that, with the exception of the three or four months immediately prior to the meet, they are thrown "out of training and sent to draw wateroarts or some such work. If it could bo managed to have a succession of meetings' in the various provinces, it would pay owners to keep their horses up all the year round, and consequently be al*ays able to bring them to the post in pinky condition when big events are to be competed for. The stewards of the Wellington Club are now in a position to make their meeting equal to "any in New Zealand, and having the means/will doubtless spare no effort to achieve that object. I Ohristchurch, Friday, July 16.

At the races to-day the attendance wag moderate. There was excellent racing, and the meeting was completely successful, and takes rank with the best steeplechasing ever seen in Canterbury.- The weather was dull. A limited number visited the ground. Chrlstchurch Handicap Steeplechase of 100 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 7sovs. each acceptor. Distance, three and a half miles. Fair hunting country. Six ran. Markey's g.g. Monsetrap, aged, lOst. lOlbs. (Sheehan), 1 ; Hedge's b.g. Ivanhoe, aged, list, Bibs. (Ojvner), 2. Ivanhoe and Medora led to the first fence, when both came to grief, Speculation being the first to get over. After going once round, Mousetrap and Ivanhoe led alternately, both

coming into sight together. Here Mousetrap drew ahead, and cleared the last fence six lengths in advance of Ivanhoe, the grey winning bv three lengths. Hack Steeplechase of 30sovs. Entrance, 2 sovs. No weight under lOst. 71bs. Distance, one and a half miles. Eight entered, but only seven started. Milraith's b.g. Lunatic (Hawkins), 1 ; Lunn's g.m. Phantom (Edwards), 2. Linwood Stakes. Handicap of 60 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs each acceptor. Two miles. ' Seven starters. Tommy Dodd took the lead at the first fence, with Speculation - second. Medora fell at the third fence. Speculation and Tommy Dodd led alternately for about a mile, when Tommy took the lead. Medora now began to come up, and Haines, who had been riding the mare with great judgment, made a rush at Tommy Dodd, who had, however, plenty to spare, and came in an easy winner.

FOOTBALL MATCH. WANGANUr V. WELLINOTON. The weather on Saturday, July 24th, proved propitious for the football players, and exceeded all that the most sanguine expectations could have wished. It was not surprising on this account, therefore, to see such a very large and fashionable attendance of the fair sex. His Excellency the -Governor, who was received with cheers by the assembled players, was present during a portion of the game. The fine weather of late sufficiently dried the ground to give the players a firm footing, but at the same time left it so as not to seriously hurt those who went to grass against their wishes.

The names of the respective teams were as ' follows :—Wanganui : Steadman (captain), Powell, Macdonald, Kilgour, Alexander, C. Pratt, D. Strachan, A. Strachan, Bellier, A. Smith, W. Smith, Williamson, Anderson, Walker, Douglas McLean (umpire). Wellington : Werry (captain), Park, Palliser, Webb, Sheppard, Lynch, Blackett, James, G. Bishop, A. Bishop, Pollen, Thompson, A. Campbell, G. Campbell, J. C. R. Isherwood (umpire). The Wellingtonians, in their red and white guernseys and stockings and blue knicker-' bockers, were the first to take the field, but were immediately followed by the Wanganuis, who turned out in splendid style, their uniform of white guernseys and knickerbockers and blue stockings contrasting well with that of our local team. The Wanganuis appeared collectively a much more weighty and powerful team than the Welliugtonians, although it is needless to say our "werry'.' big man towered above' each and all of both teams combined. The Wellington team won the choice of goal, and chose the south end, which was favored by a gentle breeze but had the disadvantage of facing the sun ; the Wanganuis, therefore, had the first kick-off. Steadman having placed the ball in the-centre of the field, asked if all was ready, and no sooner had he received his answer than the ball was sent over the heads of the Wellingtonians,. and then one and all darted after it like a shoal of flying-fish, but by good play the Wellington team succeeded in gradually driving the ball back to the Wanganui end of the field, where it was kept off and on during the greater part of the first half-hour of play, notwithstanding the splendid drop-kicking of C. Pratt, and the determination of Williamson, D. and A. Strachan, and others, who were successfully encountered in the "mauls" by Webb, Palliser, Sheppard, Blackett (the Picton champion), and Johnson Thompson. From the exhibition of play during this portion of the game, it was a very general impression amongst the onlookers that whichever side won it would prove to be an exceedingly well-contested and evenlyweighted match. The scrimmages and falls were very severe, Montgomery, of the Wanganuis, getting partially stunned. Time was now called, and the first change of goals took place. One of the umpires threw the ball up in the centre of the field, and then commenced the second half-hour's play. The ball now was uncomfortably close to the Wellington goal, both teams apparently being exhausted from the previous half-hour's play. The game seemed to flag considerably until Park, one of the Wellington half-backs, roused up his team, who gamely responded to him, especially James, Blackett, Bishop, and G.- Campbell, who, after many tumbles and knocks, worked the ball right up the field. These four players were now joined by Pollen, who made one tremendous rush at the ball and with a well directed kick sent it straight over the goal of the Wanganuis, thereby gaining first score for Wellington.- This success infused fresh energy into the contest, which raged with increased vigor during the third half-hour, and was the cause of some very • rough play indeed, Johnson Thompson, of the Wellington team, coming into contact with" some of the comparatively speaking light weights of the Wanganui, sent them over one after the other like ninepins, but only in the end to enjoy the same treatment himself.' Steadman and Williamson also proved that they knew how to make use of a "maul," and by their efforts, united to those of the other forward players, they gained considerable ground, indeed at one time it appeared highly probable that they would have gained a touch down behind goal line, but somehow or another Werry seemed to think they had had enough of that sort of fun, and stopped their little game by quietly overthrowing the whole " maul" of friends and foes together. It was on this occasion that our light weights, Bishop, Lynch, and Campbell, materially affected the game. There was a marked contrast between the arrangement of Steadman's players and that of our local team, who were not working with that unity of purpose which alone commands success in the field. James just before the close of this half-hour's play was sent high and dry up in the air by one of the northern giants, and instead of falling on his feet, chose the alternative, and alighted fairly on the top of his head, clearly proving, in the most unmistakeable manner possible, that he was not born to have his neck broken. Time being again called, the third and last change of goals took place. During this division of the game a most amusing touch down was gained by Williamson for Wanganui. It happened in this way, the ball was past the goal line of the Wellingtonians, and Park safely had it in his power to touch it down, had it not gone under a staging; unfortunately for Wellington, Park, quick as thought, jumped over to the other side, thinking it would go through, but not so the Wanganui hero, who went in true ferret fashion ' and secured a touch down by crawling in after the ball on all fours.. Now was the exciting time for both teams, as the touch down thus gained granted a place-kick trial at the Wellington goal. Whether it was the unearthly yell and charge of the Wellingtonians, or some inequality of the ground, which put off Pratt from scoring a goal, is not quite clear. He luckily for the success of our local team made a very bad attempt indeed. The game now was continued with much the same results as to falls and " mauls " until Park secured possession of the ball and made a fine rim. up the right side of the field, in full view of the grand-stand, theoccupants of which loudly applauded him. The ball was, it must be remembered, now past the grand-stand, that is between 70yds. and 80yds. away from the Wellington goal, when Montgomery made one of the most astounding dropkicks, which, in all probability, has ever been achieved by a football player. The ball must have travelled, from the place where it was kicked to the point where it fell, close upon 80yds. In its long course it went straight over the Wellington goal, thus scoring one for Wanganui. The applause which followed this extraordinary feat of strength and skill was both hearty and long. The remaining few minutes of the time were occupied with a series of frantic struggles for the ball, but on time being called on the fourth and last occasion, neither side had gained any perceptible advantage. Cheers were then given for the respective teams and the ladies. Thus ends the first football match with Wanganui, and one which may be written down as by far the best game which has taken place in this town for years. It was remarked by some one of the lookers-on that to play a game of that desciption it must be necessary to have a good temper five miles long. We agree with him, and congratulate both sides on the brave and manly way in which the game was contested. The umpires decided the game

" drawn." There can be no possibity of doubt concerning this, as rule No, 7 of the Rugby Union Rules (the rules by which they played), 1874, says : " A match shall be decided by a majority of goals only."

THE DINNER. After the heat and burden of the day if is the fashion of all Englishmen to wind-up with a good dinner, and so our footballers followed the good example, and sat down to dinner to the number of about fifty at host Brown's Union Hotel.. The chair was occupied by Mr. Werry (captain of the Wellington team), supported on his right by Mr. Steadman (the Wanganui captain), and on his left by Mr. ■ Williamson. The vice-chair was ably filled by Mi-. P. Webb. The repast, which was a most excellent one, was provided by Mr. Donecker, and as on previous occasions, gave entire satisfaction to all present. One and all of the company having done ample justice to the good things, the cloth was removed, after which the chairman proposed "The Queen and Koyal Family;" drunk with enthusiasm. "The health of his Excellency" was received with great cheering, and the chairman stated that the Governor had signified his intention of supporting, by his patronage and presence, all athletic gatherings. The chairman then called upon the local team to charge their glasses and drink the toast of the evening, viz., "The health of the Wanganui team, coupled with the name of Mr. Steadman." Mr. Werry said, as an old football player, he had never seen a better contested game, or one where such a con amort spirit prevailed between the players, and he hoped that the opening match would be the precurser of a series of annual matches with Wanganui ; the toast was drunk with great applause. Mr. Steadman, replying on behalf of the-Wanganui team, said he was not a speech-maker, but would content himself by sincerely thanking the Wellington team for the hearty manner in which they had drunk their healths. " The health of the Wellington team" was proposed by Mr. Steadman, and suitably acknowledged by the chairman. The vice-chairman, Mr. P. Webb, requested the company to drink "The health of the Ladies." He said it was always a pleasing task to propose such a toast. He was quite sure that"the presence of so many ladies to witness the match added in a great measure to the enjoyment as well as the success of the game. Speaking for himself, he must confess that he felt twice the man that he did on ordinary occasions, under the spell of so many bewitching and smiling faces. The toast was drunk with musical honors: " Here's a health to all good lasses." Mr. Geo. Campbell feelingly responded to the previous toast. The chairman proposed the healths of the two umpires—Messrs. McLean and Isherwood ; drunk with enthusiasm. Mr. Isherwood responded, and said it had afforded him and hi* colleague much pleasure in acting as umpires. He never had witnessed a more friendly and well-contested game, and he was only sorry that he was not able to take part in the match. As some slight misapprehension existed as to whether the match was a drawn one or not, he would take the opportunity of informing the company that No. 7 of the Rugby rules said that all matches were decided upon the number of goals, and as each side had obtained a goal each, consequently the match was a drawn one. Mr. Steadman expressed his satisfaction with Mr. Isherwood's explanation. The healths of Messrs. Montgomery and Pollen, who kicked the goals for their respective sides, were then drunk and acknowledged by those gentlemen. The concluding toast—" The Press " —was drunk, and duly responded to by a representative of this journal. The evening's amusement was interspersed by songs and recitations, and the company broke up about 11 o'clock, after singing "Auld Lang Syne" and "God Save the Queen."