SPORT IN FRANCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9794, 18 October 1917, Page 8

SPORT IN FRANCE

AN AHL BtDACK'S NOVEL POSITION. lieutenant B. E. Booth, the full-back of Aill Blacks, who (went in 1905 to startle British Rugby footballers out of their lethagy. holds a novel position in Franco. With the rank of lieutenant be is sports organiser to the Australian forces under the Y.M.C.A. He has only been out a few months and is near in the throes of a big undertaking. Thin i* tho construction of a Stadium, which Lieutenant Booth describee as being "in a dell in the woods,'' a veritable natural amphitheatre with accommodation for 5000. Here sports of every kind are to be indulged in by the troops 'when they come out of the trenches for rest. At present interdivisional cricket matches axe in full swing, and considering tho Eihort time lieutenant Booth, has bad to -ct things in order the pitches are excellent. The tired troops sit on the grass banks of the Stadium, and in their enthuiriaein for the game quickly forget the grim ‘business of war. If only those guns would stop their ceaseless roar! Boxing, too, is extremely popular amongst the Australians. Men who have novor had the gloves on before go Into tho ring, and already much hidden talent has Ibeen discovered. Soon it will bo the turn of football again. Already there am many requests tor balls. One of the leading English manufacturers states that fully three-quarters of the balls which are now made go to the tidier overseas. They hare a verv short life, but what else cap bo expected, when they are kicked by iron-plated boots that weigh about 31b apiece?