ATHELETIC MATTERS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2374, 15 December 1908, Page 6

ATHELETIC MATTERS

A VISITOR ly ROM AUSTRALIA.

THE NEW -ZEALAND DISPUTE

Mr R. Coombes, well-known in connection with the management . of, athletic sports in Australasia, arrived from Sydney last Wednesday in order to be present at the championship sculling race between Webb and Arnst at Wanganui to-day. Mr. Coombes, besides being president of the Amateur Athletic Union ,of Australasia is editor of the Sydney “Referee”; captain of the Sydney Rifle Club; is one of the first authorities on all track sports and the international laws governing them; and is an ex-oarsman with a Thames training. Apart from the big boat-race, the subject uppermost in the athletic I mind is the split in the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. As Mr Coombes’s name lias cropped up in connection with the contretemps as a possible Court of Appeal, the visitor was asked by the “Dominion” to “stand and deliver” himself upon that question, which ho, of course, has kept in touch with through tho medium of the press. Mr Coombes say© that the question at issue was purely one of internal and did not come under tlio jurisdiction of the union at all. This body, which was the senate pf the federated athletic bodies, only dealt with alliances, matters relating to the amateur definition, and rules governing track sports, liy the rules of the union it cannot interfere witli matters of internal management and economy, but .an appeal can be made through a certain channel for an expression of opinion or even a decision on a point in dispute. For instance, in the present dispute between sections of the New Zealand Athletic Association, Wellington, Otago, and Southland can make an appeal against the ruling of the president, Mr. Atack, but that appeal could not very well go forward unless the council, presided over by Mr Atack, decided to send the case on, but he had noticed that the council, by a majority of one, had decided not to send tho case to the union, so that the latter body’s jurisdiction was out off. v “Under these circumstances,” said Mr Coombes, “it would not be right for me to express an opinion either on behalf of the union or personally. As to the question of the legality of the president of the council's ruling there might be a strong difference of opinion, and that being so I cannot see why in the interests of sport itself the matter should not be submitted to a perfectly impartial and disinterest'ed body. The course would be that the matter would not be considered by an executive, but typewritten copies of both sides of tlie question would be submitted to the associations of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, and South Australia, who would express an opinion one way or the other, unless a “decision was asked for when the-result would be determined on a vote of the States (each State to have one vote). No exception that I know could be taken to such a course.

BURNS AND JOHNSON. Mr Coombes is less keen on boxing than on most other sports, nevertheless he was stake-holder for theßurns•Squires contest at Sydney, and was asked to act in a similar capacity for the Burns-Johnson contest, but preferred to hand it over to Mr Corbett, the boxing editor for the “Referee.” He did not like to express an opinion as to which man will win, but contents himself by fancying Burns. He saw Burns before he left, and talked about the possibility of him coming to New Zealand as requested. He also had a talk with Sam Fitzpatrick, who “handles” Johnson, about the same subject. There are two considerations to be taken into account: (1) who will be the winner, and (2) •what terms can be arranged. Johnson had to break through certain arrangements in London to come out to Australia, and if he wins, Mr Coombes fancies he will go right back to .pick up those engagements. Win or lose, he thinks it quite possible to induce Burns to come over if terms could be arranged. Tho visitor has seen both •men at work, and considers that Burns is perhaps tho better showman, and could give an interesting exhibition both in training exercises, in. he is so expert, and in conjunction with his sparring partners. Mr Coombes hopes to return to Sydney this week with some definite offers from tho principal boxing associations of tho Dominion.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP SCULLING RACE. “In Sydney 90 .per cent of the men you meet are supporters o_f Arnst,” said Mr Coombes in talking about the sculling race, “but as we came over .and left tlie hot Aveather behind Webb seemed to loom larger .and larger .as .a man to be very careful of, until when I arrived in Wellington—but never mind about that —everybody that’s been to races has changed their opinions, unconsciously, perhaps. .Most of tho old-time champions fancy Arnst, and Mick Rush, who refereed in the Webh-ToAvns race, said to mo the other day —T think Arnst will Avin, and I don’t mind if you make it public.’ Of course, as a set-off against such -.opinions, T might say that the Sydney scullers were never Webb men, and I Avas one of the very feav Avho .gave him a chance dn the race against Towns. Some Avritors actually laughed at the presumption of Webb challenging Toavus, hut I saAV him out, and to me he seemed a -promising man with ia good deal in reserve. No, in my opinion Webb is a (real good man who will take a lot of beating. You can get a line through Tresidder and Pearce. When Tresidder beat Pearce two or three years ago, Pearce led by three or four lengths at the mile post, when Pearce collapsed and Tresidder Avon as he liked. ‘When Arnst rowed! Pearce, the men were almost level at the mile and Arnst did not collapse, so that Pearce, who in', a mile could leave Tresidder feme lengths behind, could not shake off Arnst. Then again, Webb led Tresidder by a length ■at the mile, so carrying the line through Tresidder -and Pearce,» I should say that the contest over Hie first mile will be a. desperately close one, and- after that it avill he a test of ?luck, -coolness, and staying poiver. on can generally figure out the result of ia sculling pace -at the mile post, but it .appears that the result of this race will be very much in doubt until the gun goes,”