THE SPORTING WORLD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 309, 8 February 1910, Page 3

THE SPORTING WORLD.

London, December 17. THE J.URF. Most sportsmen arc aware that the English Jockey Club officials are very cautious and aiot in the least likely to bark on a step until they are very bertaiu about the result. There is much to be s'aid in-favor of this, yet one can hardly endorse a certain remark •\vluch 'Colonel Hall-Walker (the guest! at the Uinicrack dinner) made. He expressed Uistaste with over-legislation, und added, '' Let us stay where we are "when things are going well." Many keen followers 'of racing do not agree with. Colonel HallWalker that the condition of the turf !s so entirely satisfactory—that there is no need, tor improvement. A Jockey Club steward, who can take a bet by hodding 'ta a bookmaker and s'ettle at iiis cluli the following Monday is differently, placed to " the man in the street." So, too, with the steward 011 the best staj.d with good glasses, who watch f.ery phase of most races (there art? some lie cannot), while the ordinary spectator gets but a fleeting glimpse of the horses'. 121 botli directions there is heed for urgent reform in the interest of the ordinary race-goer. With licensed ■ bookmakers, welshing would virtually "cease, and with old-fashioned courses "(which only allow of the horses being view for a portion of the race) remodelled, the onlookers would see something more of events like the Derby and Cesarewitch than they do at present. It should be pointed out that Colonel Hall-Walker's remarks were made at the 143 rd annual dinner of the "¥ork Gimterack Club, a very famous function, which is supported by our foremost turf •officials, The name ami .the dinner is sn, memory 6i a famous horse namef] Gimenick, while the guest of the even tnrr is the owner of the winner of the Gim crack Stakes, run at the York meet'hig. As Colonel HalHYajker lias filled ►he position four times In five j. ear& ') 'lie has met with rather more than ortiinary success. The most satisfactory portion of Colons! Walker's speech w>i in regard to amatem' jockeys, and from 'what he and others said it really 'as though the matter will receive attention from the authorities'. Colonel Walker said he thought that if the National Hunt did not move in the matter soon, it would not be surprising if 'the masters of hounds were to start a hew Hunt Club for gentlemen riders. This is all right, but one feels inclined to ask why the Jockey Club d 6 not 'move in the matter and stipulate that one race on each day's card should be 'confined to amateur jockeys, which wotild soon lead to big improvement. ROWING. Although nothing is yet decided, there is reason to hope that Richard Arnst, of New Zealand, and E. Barry, of Lon'don, will try conclusions on the Zambesi River for the world's sculling championship. It seems strange 'to go to the Victoria Falls for a championship, 'race, but when such a judge as Guy declares it is possible to get about the finest course in the world, it 'alters the look of matters. Further, it Would be a neutral course, and about tequal distance from the respective homes 'of the rivals. The supporters of Barry are certainly acting generously towards 'Arnst in offering him £.300 for expenses, for the New Zealander will not be put to a greater outlay than the Putney 'sculler. POLO. It is satisfying to know that the •English pdlo authorities hope to challenge for the America Cup next summer. It all depends on whether the : "'orts 'of the committee lead to a satisfactory team and ponies being got together. The ability of the United States players f is recognised, and ■it is no use sending a team across the Atlantic unles's there is a reasonable chance of giving the holders a good fight for the trophy they regained last summer. That the English Polo Committee are moving in the matter is very pleasing, and with no •wretched deed of gift to stand in tuc fray of a fair contest, our men will no •doubt persevere until they again regain the Cup.

FOOTBALL. Footballers have liad muck to claim their attention lately, important matches 'under both .codes having been decided. ■The Oxford v. Cambridge Rugby match at Queen's Club deserves first recognition. and.it was truly a remarkable dame. Never before has there been such l a hollow victory as that gained by Oxford, the wearers of the dark blue ribbon beating their rivals by 33 points to v 3. This is all the more remarkable because Tarr broke his collarbone early in the game and his place at threequarters "had to be taken by Buchanan (the full-back), while Honey, a South 'African, was taken out of the pack to b 0 to the last line of defence. Here it taav be added that the old Rondebosch boy shaped well at back. Tl]e Oxford men had more casualties, Cunningham losing some front teeth, while Turner, the leader of the forwards, was so lame that he had to leave the field for twenty "minutes. All this goes to show that •the thirty-seventh battle of the Blues Svas a bit one-sided. The Dark Blue scrummages were the better, and Ciotlev (who worked the scrum), Gilray. and Doulton were enabled to show to groat advantage, the last-named or. the wing slaving a great game. 1 While touching on Rugby, home enthusiasts were interested to note that the American authorities have been watching Canadian teams at play, and 5t may finally lead to a trial between British and United States Rugger men •Ut is also good to be able to state that Ireland also favors sending a team from the United Kingdom to South Africa in 1910, so all looks' plain sailing. —"Soccer."— | The Dutchmen who opposed the English Amateurs at Stanford Bridge (London) last Saturday were no match for their . rivals. They showed plenty of tiasli. however, and with a greater knowledge of the finer points of the game they will prove worthy opponents. Their good nature was much appreciated, and they soon earned recognition as fine ■sportsmen and capital losers. A noteworthy feature of the match was the scoring of six out of nine goals by V., Woodward, which is a record score by Mi individual for an International match in England. Matters are much as they were regarding the fight, for the First League Championship. Liverpool and Blackburn tnuld onlv draw against Middlesbrough luid Bristol City respectively, so lh.-y ;irc all separated ny a point. Bradford. liowever, took both points against <i.itVrl'md. and stand on the same

>lll ark as Liverpool, while Sheffield United claim an equal number of points (23) with the leaders, but are really not so favorably placed, having played one more game. The prospects of Falkirk wresting the lead in the Scottish Leimie from Celtic have been improved, as while Celtic could only draw against St. Mirren, the Falkirk players beat 'Dundee by 0 to 1.

CRICKET. Our cricketers seem to be doing very well in South Africa so far; but, of course, they have yet to meet test players. The success of M. C. Bird is pleasing, as many predict he is. a future All-England Test man. His 115 against the Orange River Colony was evidently a bright innings, as his hits included half a dozen sixes, 'After this the Survey amateur ought to gain a place in the tests against South Africa. We at home are wondering who will be left out, but of course future form will, or should, have some bearing on the matter. Afc the moment, Hobbs, Rhodes, Denton, Woolloy, Thompson, Buckenham, Strud\vick, F, L, Fane, M, Q, Bird, Captain WyrtWAhl, and either Simpi6i!-H a y ff ßi r s or* Blythe (according to the state of the wicket) would appear to be the best eleven. It will certainly come as a reliet to many should the captain of the team ■stand down, for as a member of the Test Selection Committee for 1900 he does not command the confidence of the (.Ticketing public in matters where judgment is' concerned. IN GENERAL. A. B. Postle, of Australia, is set to concede N. C. Cartmell, of America, two yards start in the Newcastle 125 yds Professional Handicap at Christmas. The idea of a universal standard of freights for the world's boxing championships is gaining in favor. Both Dorando and Gardiner are reported fit and well for tlieir Marathon distance race at the Albert Hall tomorrow.

Jack Price, of Birmingham (who with F. Lord led the field for about sixteen miles in the Olympic Marathon Race), is niljong the entfiUtS t' le Profe"5 s i9uai Marathon &leG. He ig & good man, alld fan ill be spared from j the amateur ranks. No doubt he will i inake his debut in tlie JJnited States !ind Canada in due course. ' Breaks of 418 by Reece and-435 by Aiken have been the features of this Week's billiard matches. In spite of their hollow win in the inter-Varsity Rugby match, the Oxford fifteen went down against Liverpool on Monday. A. E. Williams, of Manchester, will sail for Australia early in January, and as John Roberts also thinks of goimj on tour these two billiard cracks will no doubt trji conclusions "down under." Jim Driscoll, of Wales, will meet Seatnan Hayes' for the English featherweight championship and Lord Lonsdale's belt at the National Sporting Club early in 1910.