SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIXTURES.

NEW ZEALAND.

Chrlstchuroh Hunt Steeplechases..... August 2 Ooraldine R.C. Meetiog September 27 and 23 Hawke's Bay J.C. Springs October 9 Canterbury J.U. Metropolitan .. ..N0v,6,7,0nd8

AUSTRALIA. Hawkeabury Spring August 23 and 25 Australian J.C. Spring..September 1, 4,6, and 8 V.A.T.C. (Caulfleld) Meeting..October 13 and2o Victoria R.C. Spring...Novembor i, 0,8, and 10

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

R.C.—Navigator was allotted 7st 91b in the last Melbourne Cup, and Commotion 9st 31b. PAKNBrx. —Bordeaux belongs to Sir W, J,

Clarke. He has never won a race. J.H.—Stockwell, the sire of Blair Athol, was foaled In 1819, and died in 1370.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

MB C. J. Penfold, the secretary of the Canterbury Jockey Club, has forwarded me -a neat little book containing the programmes for the Metropolitan, Summer, and Autumn fixtures of the Club, entries for various forthcoming event?, and a deal ot other useful information. From it I gather that next season the Club will give the hand come sum of £6,140 in added money at the three meetings, more than half of the amount being given at the Metro politan gathering, which has been fixed for the 6th, 7th, and Bth November. A num ber of alterations have been made in the programme of tho latter meeting, the most important of which are that tbe big handi cap (now the New Zealand Cup) and Derby will be rua on different days, while two steeplechases have been set down for decsion. At the Summer Meeting on Year's Day, tho amount of added money shows a decrease of £95, and the Christchurch Cup, now called " The Midsummer Handicap," has been re duced to 300 sops. A new race for two and three year-olds called tbe Middle Park Stakes has been introduced in stead of the Two-year-old I'late, the name of the Spring Handicap bein^ altered to the Craven stakes and £sf) added on. The programme for the Auiumu Meeting is much the same as the last, £1.070 being divided amonii twelve events. The programme for the Metropolitan Meeting reads as fol lows : —

Fibot DAT.—The Free Handicap, a sweep of 3aovs. each, with lOOsova. added, 1 mile ; the Welcome Stake?, a sweep of loaovs. each, with 200sovs. added, 4 "fur longs, for two-year-olds (closed); the New Zealand Cup, a handicap sweepstakes of 20 aova. each, with ICOOsova. added, 2 miles (closed) ; the Hunter's Klat Race Handicap, -of lOOsovb,, with a sweep of 3«ov8. each, 2 miles ; the Riccarton Welter Handicap, of lOOaovs., with a sweep ot 3 soys. each, 6 furloogs ; scratch Selling Race, 20sova, 1 mile.

Second Day.—The Selling Plato Handi. cap, of 50suvs. (to be ridden by lad* who have never won a race of the valne" of 2550v8), 1J mile ; the Derby Stakes, a sweep of 2usove. each, with 250sovs. added, li mile (closed); the Spring Steeplechase Handicap, of 150sovg., withasweep of Ssova. each, about 3 miles ; the Steward's Stakes Handicap, a sweep ot s*ovs. each, with 250sovs. added, 6 furlongs ; the Upsorn High Weight Handicap, of lOOsovs., with a sweep of ssovs. each, 1J mile ; the Juvenile Plate, of 200sovs., with a sweep of ssovß. each, 5 furlongs (for 2 and 3-year olds) ; the Scurry Stakes, lOjovb., 4 fur. longs.

Third Day.—The Spring Nursery Handicap, of lOOsovs., with a sweep of Ssovs. each, 4 furlongs; The Handicap Steeplechase, of lOOsovs., with a sweep of ssovs. each, about 2 miles ; the Canterbury Cup, a sweep of 20sovs. each, with 500 added, 2i miles ; the Metropolitan Handi cap of 20USOVS., with a sweep of Ssovs., 1^ mile; the Selling Race, of 5030V8. (lor 2-year-olds and upward*), 0 furlongs ; the Fiyiug Handicap of lOOsov?., with a sweep of 330 VS. each, 6 furlongs ; the Post Stakes, of 20aovs., 1 mile ; and. Consolation Handi cap, 50sovs., 1 mile. •

Although a good deal of wagering has taken place iv Sydney and Melbourne on the great race of the Antipodes, nothing of a sensational character has been done. At first sight Zulu was regarded as one of the best treated animals in the Cup, and a little money was invested in bis favour at 100 to 2 and 100 to 3. Prometheus, Grosvenor, Merman, Nicholas, Stockwell, First Water, Wat-'rioo, and King of the Vale were sup jported at 100 to 2 each, some of them being backed at a point advance subsequently. The stable have backed Dirk Hatter aick to win nearly £20,0J0, and in Sydney last week he was a better favourite than anything else. The following may be taken as a reliable Btatc of the odds : — V. R. C. DERBY. 100 to 20 agst Warwick (tk) 100 to 20 Archie (tk) 100 to 15 Off Colour (tk) 100 to 10 Martini-Henri (tk) 100 to 8 Prodigal (off) MELBOURNE CUP. 100 to 4 ogat Stockwell (tk) 100 to i I)irkHattoraick(tk) 100 to 3 Zulu (tk) 100 to 3 Nicholas (tk) 100 to 3 Grosvenor (tk) 100 to 3 Merman (tk) 100 to 2 Fromethous (tk) 100 to 2 First Water (tk) 100 to 2 Waterloo (tk) 100 to 2 Bordeaux (tk) '

In Sydney last week, Warwick still treaded the a. J.C. Derby list at 2 to 1, while Martini-Henry came next at sto 2. In the Metropolitan Stakes, 1,000 to 50 is offered on the field, but there has been no backing worthy of mention, and the only wagering that ha? taken place is in connection with tbe Hawkegbury Handicap. For this event Morpeth heads the list at 10 to 1, 100 to 8 being taken, Sardonyx is quoted at 100 to 7, First Demon 100 to 5, and Maid ot the Hills 100 to 3.

. At present it looks as if the field for the Pakuranga Hunt Club Steeplechase will be a bit above the average this year. Among the new horses qualifying are Chandler, who has already been out four times; King Don, winner of the Steeplechase at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting of ISS2 ; and the Maribyrnong colt Trafalgar. Added to these are last year's winner, Tricotrin, and all the ' * old identities," so that with such bright prospects, it is to be hoped the Club will see their way clear to increase the prize money. It has been represented to me that the paltry 25sovs, now given hardly pays a member to start his horse, for out of that sum he has to pay three guineas membership fee, and £5 or £G in nomination and acceptance money. To give his horse a fair show, he also must have some little preparation, so that with training fees added, there is little left but honour and glory. If the Christchurch and Dnnedin Hunt Clubs can each give between £200 and £300 in added money at their annual meetings, surely a prosperous institution like the Pakuranga Hunt Club can manage to add on another 25sovs. to their princi pal event, Mr Barnard's Melbourne Cup handicap has been very roughly criticised Dy sporting scribes "over the pond," tho "Australa sian " devoting a leading article to point

oat the many inconsistencies in the adjustment, " Angur" says among the first horses selected as not well treated, were the Sew Zealanders, and he was not surprised to see toe pen pat through Bun doora's name. His owner, Mr Vallance, was in Melbourne, and stated that had Bundoora received anything like a weight that he would have had a chance with, he would have brought him to Victoria, but thinking it useless to make the attempt witk 9st. 51b., he considered it advisable to pnt the pen through bis name. Reviewing those that have Bst. ana over, the writer think* Commotion and Stockwell are the most worthy of public support." In the " Saturday Advertiser" of tbe 7th of July, " Mazsppa " commenced the pub lication of his review and performance* of the principal New.Zealand horses daring the past season' The new arratgement in tbe compilation is a great Improvement on previous years, and anyone taklag the trouble to keep the whole series will find them invaluable for future reference. "Mazeppa" Is certainly entitled to the thanks mt all turfites in tbe colony, for his annual task must entail a considerable amonnt of time and labour.

In the course of a most interesting article on Messrs A. V. Smart and Forrester's stud farm, "Nemo" thus refers to the Derby favourites : — Though Warwick has not grown a great di a', he has filled ont, and furnished remarkably well, and already lumps of muscle stand out in relief on his powerful arms, thighs, gaskins, and well turned quarters. His eye* and coat, bright as stars, tell a tale of perfect health, and his feet are as clean as a foal's, though when preparing for hie two-year-old en gagementa he did tbe work of two horses, and has not allowed the grass to grow under his feet while wintering. It would be im possible for a colt to be in better condition for the time, and those who have him on the right side of th. ir desks for the A. J.C. Uerby need not toBB in their beds, for it will take a great racehorse to beat him. That he will be better at three-yeais old than h» w»s at two, I am convinced, not only from his appearanoe but from the fact that all the Fawn family get better as they grow older. The great Archie occupied a box la the opposite row. He has grown more than Warwick, but like him has filled well, and although standing rather far from the ground, and given to somewhat Ugh action, his strong broad back, well knit loins, deep girth, and well rounded barrel, tend to the belief that he will not only sustain his reputation as a flyer, but that weight will be no object to him. He has a beautiful "talking' head, graceful neck well let into grand shoulder*, and is very good behind the saddle ; and if he is to be found ont at all it will be when the length of the journey reaches or exoaeds a mile and a half, and I opine that Warwick will be the better stayer of. the two.

Fred Archer, the celebrated jockey, has been getting into more trouble, for he was summoned before the stewards of the Jockey Club at Epsom, at tbe instance of the Duke of Portland, who called upon him to explain why he had net gene to Harpen den to rida Silver Bell, whose owner, Lord Hastings, has, with his crace, second claim upon his services. Archer was reprimanded, a.ad told not to do it again. In the French Derby, wherein he rode the winner Frontin, a protest was entered against him for jost ling, but as the evidence was not considered conclusive it was dismissed. For this little job Archer was well paid, the owner of the colt having' agreed to give him £200 if beaten and £500 if he won.

Condensed Items.

Old Lone Hand has already been taken np. Gudarz and Sylvanus have been shippe d to India.

Sutherland took charge of Kalo early iv the week. He has him located at Green Lane.

The backers of Mata's half-brother, Matakau, for the New Zealand Cup may weep, as he is to be pat to stud duties.

H, Taylor has gone into Colonel [Fraaer's employ. He left for the Thames on Tues day, takins Woodpecker with him. Nearly £2,300 passed through the totali sator at the recent Hawke's Bay Steeple chase Meeting. It is said Mr Stead's colt Splendor is to come out to New Zealand when his racing career is over.

Hundreds to six is the best price nww obtainable down South about Hippodamia for the New Zealand Cup.

It may be news to many cross-country riders to learn that Lunn always rides Clarence without amirs.

Mr Pilbrow has named the Casaivelannus —Envy filly, lately purchased by him, Envious,

Clap-trap, allotted 7st. 31b. in the Mel bourne Cup, is reported to have sprung a curb, which will necessitate a short spell. According to the Melbourne Sportsman of the 11th July, Comet (Sat. 51b.)has been scratched for the Melbourne Cup. For the New Zealand Cup, Tasman, Cheviot, and Matanaka, are each quoted In Christchurch at tena to one.

I have to thank Mr F. D. Luckio, the secretary »f the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club, for the Spring programme noticed? by me last week.

Nominations for the Canterbury Cup are to close this year on the Ist of August, acceptances for the N.Z. Cup being also due on the same date.

The Wanganui Steeplechase mare. Calamity, has been purchased by Mr Tatham for £50. She will be known iv future as Juliet.

Martini-Henri continues to find favour in the eyes of local backers for the' Mel bourne Derby and Cup. During the week he has been backed to win nearly £1,000, A colt named "Attendez moi-sous l'Orme " won a French race recently. What did the "boys" make of the name in calling the odds ? For the period from March 26th to May 11th the principal jockeys were—Fordham, 32 wins; Wood, 32 ; Archer, 31 ; Martin, 14; Piatt and Loates, each 10.

The sporting scribe of the " Sydney Sportsman" saya Martini-Henry is rapidly getting into foim, but he does not expect to see him "pink" much before the V.R.C. Meeting. Bohemian, by Maribyrnong—Nina, has came into the Maribyrnong Plate betting, and 100 to 6 is now the best offer againet him, wMle Superba and Seoond King still rule favourites at 100 to 10 each.

Lomond, tne well-known Sydney trainer, has great hopes of bringing Chester's brother, Cleveden, to the post to fulfil his engagements, he having shown signs of great Improvement. It Is rumoured in Sydney that Navigator will not be a starter for the Melbourne Cup. Mr Matthew Bryant, a prominent sports man, offered Mr De Mestre 3,000 guineas for the son of Robinson Crusoe recently for stud duties, but it was refused.

Two three-year-old colts, called Gold Dust, and Alban (both by Tasman's sire, St. Albans), arrived in Christchurch last week. They were brought over by Mr Walter Davidson, and have gone into Dan O'Brien's stable.

According to " Senex," Tnrquolsa has been nibbled at In small amounts for the New Zealand Cup at 100 to 7, and Taiaroa has also received support. Welcome Jack Is backed freely at any price below 10 to I.

At the annual meeting of Christchurch Tattersall'n, the balance sheet for the past year showed a balance in hand of £12019s Id of which £30 represents the library recently purchased by the Club. Mr C. H. Williams was elected secretary, vice Mr G iffith, who resigned. "«emo" speak* very highly of a rising two-year-old colt by Maribyrnong out of Nina, called Bohemian, owned by Mr A. F. Smart. He says with the exoeption of Palmyra, he is the most truly-built race horse he everclapt his eyes on, and Superba, Seoond King, Silver King and Co., will have to look to their laurels in the n«xt Maribyrnong Plate. At the sale of the late Mr H. Brags'a horses in training, Victor Emanuel was sold to Lord Zetland for 20OO£s. The son ol Albert Victor and Time Test was purchased as a yearlinp by his late owner for 25gs, and won for him, amongot other races, the Chesterfield Cnp at Goodwood twice, the Ebor Handicap, Cumberland Plate, and the Northumberland Plate. «

The once famous English jockey, Thomas Aldcroft, died in May last. Aldcroft could claim to. have ridden a lot of good winners, and he was on tbe back of Ellington when that horse won the Derby of 1856 for Admiral Harcourt, while he rode Queen Bertha, the victress of the Oaks, for Lord Falmouth in 1863, and had the ride on General Peel, who was second for the memorable Derby won by Blair Athol. " Augur " thus refers to a son of the New Zealand Stud Company's mare, Pearl Ash :—One of tbe most improved horses in the country is Kambrook, by King Cole from Pearl A«h,a grandly--ired one, lor his dam is from the same family »« ibn great Hungarian mare Kincsem, and why Mr Finlay ever parted with her 1 cannot un derstand. Kambrookis a wcll-urown colt, but he has tbe fault of crib-biiiog His present owner has, however, taken every precaution to prevent him indulging in this propensity, and the colt is wintering won derfully well.

The Unique Position of Newfoundland.

IN regard to geographical position, Nature has dealt in the highest degree favourably with Newfoundland. It is difficult to imagine a more commanding position than that of tbis great island, anchored off the American continent, and reaching ont at its farthest point towards the eastern hemis phere, thus forming, as it were, a stepping stone between tbe old world and the new. It has been marked down as the travel route of the future between the two hemis pheres. Stretching right across the Gulf of St. Lawrence, to which it affords access at its northern and southern extiemities, it might be compared to a huge bastion thrown out into the North Atlantic, tbe capital of which, if duly f ertified, might be converged into tbe Sebastopol of the sur rounding seas. It is no less adapted to serve the peaceful interests of commerce, to facilitate communication between two continents, or become a place of arms and defence. At its south-western extremity it approaches within titty mile" of the Island of Cape Breton, while its most eastera projec tion is but 1,640 mihs distant from Ireland. When these two watery intervals are bridged by steam ferries, the shortest and safest transit between Europe and America will be secured. Had it not been for the facilities afforded by the splendid geogra phical situation cf tbe island for experi ments in lengthened submarine telegraphy, it ia . doubifal whether telegraphic communication between the two worlds would have been established to this day. The short distance between New foundland and Ireland and the great level submarine plain,a thousand miles in width, between the two countries, suggested the trial,and literally paved the way to success. In another respect Nalure seems to have marked out the Island as a centre of com mercial activity. A glance at the map shows thst its coasts are pierced by numer ous magnificent bays, running in some in stances SO or 90 miles inland, and throwing out numerous smaller arms in all directions. Thus the ooean penetrates the land deeply, bringing with it that sea harvest which is reaped without the preliminary labours of ploughing and sowing. The same watery highways, reaching inland ia all direc tion*, afford unrivalled facilities for the transport of tbe products of the fisheries, the riches of the mine and the forest, and the agricultural produc tions which will yet be derived from its hitherto untenanted plains. In those noble bays, moreover, are some of tbe finest har bours in the world, with countless coves and creek«, where tbe fisherman's craft find safe and easy shelter. To such an extent are the shores indented that, though the island is a thousand miles round, measuring from headland to headland, were its bays circum navigated, tbe operation would more than double that extent of mileage. In tact, it would be difficult to find anywhere an equal land-area presenting ouch an extent cf frontage to the sea.—"Newfoundland," by Joseph Hatton and the Key. M. Harvey.

Invention of Lucifer Matches.

Mr HOLDEN, who entered Parliament as M.P. for the N.W. Riding ot Yorkshire, was tbe inventor of the lucifer match.

He was at the time cla-sical master in an academy at Reading, and was in the habit of giving chemical lectures once or twice a week to young students. The story of this discovery has been told by Mr Holden himself in the House ef Commons, before a select committee appointed to inquire into the working of the patent laws,

" I began as an inventor on a very small scale," said Mr Holder), in the course of his evidence. " For what I know, I was the first inventor of the lucifer matches; but it was the result of a happy thought. " In the morning I used to get up at four o'clock to pursue my studies, and I used, at that time, the flint and steel, in the uee of which I found very great inconvenience. I gave lectures in chemistry at the time at a large academy. Of course I knew, as other chemists did, the explosive material that was necessary in order to produce on in stantaneous light; but it was very difficult to obtain a light on wood by that explosive material, and the idea occurred to me to pnt under the explosive mixture, sulphur. I did that, and published it in my next lecture, and showed it.

"There was a young man in the room whose father was a chemist iv London, and he immediately wrote to his father about it, and shortly afterwards lucifer matches were issued to the world. I believe that was the first occasion that we had the present lucifer match, .and it was one of those inventions that some people think ought not to be protected by a patent. I think that if all inventions were like that, or if w could distinguish one from the other, the principle might hold good. If all inventions were ascertained and car ried out into practice with as much facility as in this case, no one would perhaps think ol taking ont a patent. I was urged to go and take ont a patent immediately; bnt I thought It was so small a matter, and it cost me so ltttle labour, that I did not tbink it proper to go and get a patent. Otherwise I have no doubt it weald have ; been very profitable."

FIELD SPORTS AND AQUATICS.

(BY ACTION).

FOOTBALL FIXTURES.

July 21,—North Shore v. Grafton; Ponsonby v. _ . _. Auokland: Otago v. Canterbury. July 21.—Otago v. WeUinKton. July 28,—Grafton v. Auckland; North Shore v. Ponsonby. Aug. A.— "Vacant. Aug. 11.—Club ties.

AND so Auckland is not to be represented at tbe football tournament after all. This decision is understood to be the result of matnre deliberation, but for very obvious reasons it is to be regretted. The South erners will naturally feel mortified at the absence of Auckland, and it is just pcs, slble that they may look upon onr failure to co-operate as an attempt to secure the failure of the first tournament. However, such a conclusion would be nnjust. It is satisfactory that our men have resolved upon the only other honourable course left open to ihem-that is, to send a team South. This will prevent the possi bility of any accusation that the Northerners were afraid to meet the Otago men, even if it had been in any way likely that such a charge would be made, xnow that the decision has been arrived at, it is to be hoped the Southerners will not turn churlish, aud give our "reps." a taste of the reception which was accorded to our cricketers at Otago. If they are content to be beateD, and then say they were repre sented by their worst men, the fault is their own, and future recorders wiil look less at the cause than the result. A word of advice to our own men would not be out of season. Regular practices, with walk ing exercise, have been arranged for. Time is short, and these Bhould be held in spite of weather or other unfavourable circum stances. As I have already said, a good Selection Committee bas been appointed, and it our beat players shew up at all well at practice, there is no livelihood of their being overlooked. The enterprise has been entered upon, and it is to be hoped that pluck and public generosity will not be wanting in the effort to carry it through, and give "our boys" a show against their old opponents in the South.

It seems a most remarkable thing that people situated as tbe residents of North shore are take so little interest in the pursuit ot aquatic t-ports, lor which the marine suburb is so admirably situated. Another attempt to secure a quorum to ar range for the proposed regatta of ISB3 re sulted in the appearance of two members of the committee at a meeting convened. for Tuesday evening, and consequently there is at present every prospect of the regatta falling through. Such a state of affairs appears remarkable, to say the least of it. Tne regatta of 1881 proved a successful one, the 1882 festival far surpassed its pre decessor, and it was hoped that such pros perity would continue, but the hope was a vain one. It is apparent that there must be some good cause for this great "falling off,'' and there is very little doubt or difficulty experienced in tracing it. The regatta of last year, it may be remembered, was held on Prince of Wales Birthday, and, notwith standing strong and repeated protests made by both the Fress and private individuals, the Takapuna Jockey Club races were held on the same day, and proved a great counter attraction. Again, when subscrip tions were solicited on behalf of the Auck land Regatta, the Devonport Ferry Com pany, which had contributed with great liberality towards the North Shore Re gatta, "refused to render any assistance, although it was sure to (and did) receive benefit from the traffic on the terry steamers, con«equent upon that regatta being held. Certainly the Ferry Company was in no way compelled, or even in duty bound, to give a mite towards any regatta fund, but, neverthelesp, there ia aueb a thing as custom, aud the public expect that, when when any company derives monetary benefit from public,amusements," it will assist in some measure in defraying the expenses incurred. This action on'the part of both Ferry Company and Jockey Club met with avery unfavourable reception at the hands ot the public.for while hundreds of pounds were subscribed by Auckland towards the regatta over !the water, a few North Shore people appeared to be doing all in their power to prevent a successful issue being arrived at. It was prophesied by many that the regatta of 1882 would be the last, aud the prophesy items likely to prove only too correct.* If properly carried out, however, I have no doubt that the North Shore would have in a few years a regatta, quite equal to any in the port, and therefore the greater is the pity that a little more energy and liberality does not pervade over the water.

A. Shalders has given Uirr and Sons an order for a new rob roy canoe.

Bailey has just turned out a smart look ing 23 feet open centreboard boat with shallow draught for InvercargilL

W. Farnan has challenged Miller to a glove contest. Two-thirds of gate-money to winner, and one third the loser.

Sullivan, the champion American bruiser, bathes in the sea and eats, four sticks of celery per diem to keep his nerves in order.

The English cotter, Erycina, the largest cutter ever put together, built at Fairlie, it ia rumoured will go over to America, to try conclusions with some of the sloops'.

At Wiicannia a long-distance pedestrian named P. McDermott has accomplished the feat of walking 50 miles in nine and a half hours.

It is stated that the friends of W. G. Brett, who rowed such an excellent race in the recent contest for the Krng Cup, are desirous of matching him for a £100 trophy against A, W. Fittes, of Melbourne.

Myers has issued challenges to George to run him three races at 1.000, 1,200, and 1,320 yards. It is acknowledged by Myers that George has no chance with him at half a mile.

The sawdust worriers, Edwards and O'Leary, are to commence a fresh agony in Melbourneon the 16th July, for £250 a hide ; either man not covering 450 miles to forfeit his share of the last two days' gate-mooey.

The double sculling race between Hanlan and Lee, and Ham and Conley, will prcS bably take place on August 15th. The race will take place over a tour-mile course two miles and return, and will be for £400 a side.

The Hop Bitters Company.informed a representative of Courtney and Hanlan that they would give them a £1.000 prize for a single-scull race, if Courtney would give £2,000 bonds to row the race honestly and to the best of his ability.

The Committee of the Marylebone Cricket Club have called before them the umpires of the Club, to impress npon them their determination to put an end to the present unsatisfactory working of Law X., and have instructed them to carry ont in the most stringent manner the spirit as well as the letter of that law. They have f nr.' ther impressed npon them that it is their duty to "no ball" any howler as to the fairness ef whoße delivery they entertain any doubt.

News has been received ot the death of George Seward, known in England as the American wonder. He accomplished 120 yards in 11J sees., 200 yards in 19J aces., and a quarter of a mile in 49 sees. In addi tion to his sprinting abilities, Seward was a wonderful jumper, hurdler, and skater.

Ellas Laycock has boldly thrown down the gauntlet to ell the world, and offers to row any man in it for £500 a side, giving .£IOO expenses, or he will give any colonial sculler £300 to £200, and concede 10 seconds start to the celebrated Bobby Edwards, who has been angling for a match for some time. ' Tbe sculling match between Edward Trickett and w. Beach takes place on Jnly 28. Both men are in good health and doing good work. Trickett intends rowing one of the boats imported by Mr Middleton, while Messenger has received an order to baild a craft tor Beach, and by all accounts she will be a speedy one.

Miller has stated that he made £540 ont of the Foley affair and his Melbourne bene fit ; that he considers Foley the best man that ever stood before him ; that he is wil ling to put £100 in a stake of £500, and back Larry against Mitchell, or any middle weight ia the world ; and that to win from a.m an of Foley's weight, good as he is, was no honour.

HarrimanJia« walked 121 miles without rest in 29 hours. The feat was accom plished over a 175-foot track, requiring 32 laps to the mite. The last one-half mile of the task was walked in smin. 13sec. The previous record foi distance walking with out rest was the, 129 miles 1560 yard of Crossland, at Manchester, .England, Sept. 11 and 12, 1876. Harriman backs himßelf to walk 300 miles without rest.

The wrestling match between Professor Miller and JE. Blackburn did not come off on June 30, owing to some hitch in the arrangements. The parties met at Hickin's Hotel on June 29, but no agreement could be come to. Miller then offered to stake £100, and wrestle on June 30, as previously agreed,in the mixed style—tha t is catch -as catch-can below the waißt, with the use of the legs; tripping allowed. To tbia the other side could not agree, but were willing to wrestle for £100 on tbe pure Cumberland style.

The Canterbury footballers appeard to be adopting their usual custom of paving the way for defeat, A Christchurch writer says :—" lam afraid that it will be any thing but a representative team that will go from here up to Wellington, as I know of several of our best backs who are unable to get away. I have not heard ot anything being done officially to ascertain who can or who cannot uo, bnt it is quite time that some steps were taken in that direction. According to the Otago ' Times, ' the southern team will be about the strongest they have sent away. It will probably include three from Inver cargili—Galbraitb, who played against us last year, O'Donnell, the same who was playing here lost season, and Braddon, who showed such good form against the Dnnedin Club. Taiaroa has been playing in grand form, and our men will have to keep both eyes open to stop his energetic rushes." Referring to tho last sentence, it is unfortunate tbat one of Taiaroa's " energetic rushes" has resulted in a broken collar-bone.

The " Canterbury Times " thus criticises a trial match played at Christchurch in anticipation of the tournament:—" The game, barring the wet, was an excellent one. Among the red forwards it would be rather difficult to say who played best, but Harman was far the most successful of their quarter-backs; and Mathias (half back) and Francis (full-back), both did good work. For the other side, E. Cotterill came out quite brilliantly as full-back (and at limes he was hardly pu»hed),and if be would only retain Saturday's form against the Dnnedin men, there would be nothing to fear, Anderson and Farr played capitally in to one another's hands, and Helmore was nil there, bnt he does not seem quite so will ing to pass the ball as is desirable. Fuller was all abroad in the first spell, but when transferred to his usual position, on the wing of the scrimmage, he did a lot of useful work in stopping the quick rushes of the forwards. Of the forwards, Hoban and McLean played an astonishingly good game, quite outdoing anything they have done for tbeir Club this season. Hoban seemea always on the ball, and McLean was invaluable in the scrimmages. How such a heavy man ever came to play half-back instead of forward is a mystery. Chapman was conspicuous by his agility on the touch line. The others played better than mis ht have been expected, deprived as they were of Winslow, Hyman, and Ma thias. "

Relative io the Interprovlncial Football Match, the "Otago Daily Times" says : '' The Northern trip promises to be very enjoyable. The Otago team will fie a tpiendid one-perhaps the best that has ever been got together—comprising, as it is sure to do, Talaroa, some of the Allans the Invercargill trio (Braddon, Galbraith, 'and O'Donnell), and equaUy well-known foot bailers. Already 14 first-class players have handed in their names as willing to pro cetd northwards, and this list is sure to be considerably augmented before the hour of departure, so that three or four emem-encv men will also be available. Great interest is being taken in the Christchurch match, to witness which a large number of Dunedmites will be present. The Otaeo team leaves Dnnedin on Friday. July 20th reaching Christchurch in the evening by tbe Northern express. The expenses in connection with the trip will, of course be heavy ao it has been decided to canvass' Dnnedin for subscriptions. Injthe event of sufficient to defray the whole of the ex penses, several members of the team will pay their own travelling expenses " A Christchurch writer, referring to the "above" says : "It would be as well.we thlnkHour Selection Committee were to take a wrinkle from the above, and find out at on™ how many players can goto Wellington ; other wise at the last moment we may find our selves minus a team, There seems to be a considerable amount of willingness amongst the local players to face the trip " aulonss

Love Recompensed.

It was ia a children's school, and the theme was "Love Recompensed." Here is the prize essay handed in by a little girl of eleven :—" There was once a young and handsome youth and a beautful girl, and they loved each other, bnt he was poor, and they were not allowed to marry. One day "he became very rich, and they were married. They longed for chil dren, but time went on, and they had none. Just then a war broke out, and the young man was called out to fight for his country. In the battle he was taken prisoner and. shut np in a dungeon for seven years, and all the time he thought fondly of his wife. At last he returned home, and how shall I describe his ioy whan on mestiog his wife she presented him with seven children which she had had dating hu» absence? I Thna was Love Recompensed I,

«TA!R SATtTKDAY STTPyi^EIVrEKT/ JULY 21, 1883.

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