EPITOME OF SPORTING NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3367, 6 November 1911, Page 2

EPITOME OF SPORTING NEWS.

(B.v “Max O’Reilly.”) 1 Tommy Burns, alias Noah Brussp, the little thick ’Tin,' to whom we owe the direful fact that a coon is champion ob do worl,” arrived at Auckland lately, en rmute to Sydney. The object of his visit was to 'try and enforce that claim on Jack Lester’s earnings for ten. years from the time Tabmv took the big kid in hand, but lie shied the towel in the first round, Tommy evidently realising that bv the time, the; lawyers had clone with the case, it was improbable that there would be any half for either of tlm principals. i * * *

Eddie Dunn, ail, the Canadian sculler, is confined to bis home through illness, and does not intend going on with lus match with Dick Arust. Me are not informed of the nature of the comp’aint but as Dic'k talks so big legal clinm terms and side wagers, many people are under the impression that he is suffering from impeeuniosity.

Aeronauts are becoming, ever mere daring. The latest voyage to be attempted is from Louden to South Africa a distance of 1200 miles, Tilth out a descent. Considering there isn t Bueklev’s chance of the airman getting a wink of sleep on the way, it seems a, stupendous attempt. Though lie cannot get any sleep, there will be a good eliance of him getting a salt-water bath * * * ■ *

Last cricket season m England was the ninth in succession, and the twelfth in all, that the famous cricketer Hirst has taken 100 wickets and scored 1000 runs. *** * *

Handicapping horses is pretty well as bad as refereeing football matches — neither can hope to escape the dead cat of contumely.

How some people do exaggerate! A well-known sport in town says lie had a speculation in no less than seven private sweeps on the Caulfield Cup last week, and drew the winner. Lady Medallist,' in five of them.

When Burgess finally finished his swim of the Channel and reached tlie French shore in safety, it is stated that the big six-footer broke down and wept like a baby. Doubtless, they were extra salty tears after such a long immersion in the briny.

A South Island town is slated over a cricket record. A player, going m first, remained in for an hour without scoring a lun. 'Whether this is a record or not writer is unable to say — the record hooks shed nothing but gloom on the question. But, anyhow, it it isn’t a record it ought to he.

“Is Sydney Harbor a street?” is a question which lias been agitating the colossal brains of the N.S.W. law authorities regarding a case which arose out of the arrest of two bookmakers for betting at the sailing races. They will want to know next “Is an hotel a church?”

Ls Jack Johnson going to retire or is he not?” is a question which is worrying a big number of people. The golden-mouthed son of Ham (and chicken) is a dandy at keeping himself •before the public, and his latest utterance that he intended to preach the Gospel and bellow “Onward Christian Soldiers” fell with a heavy thud when two days afterwards he sent to smitnereens his landlady’s crockery and furniture, the value of which the lady recovered in a court of law. Probably Johnson's next gag will be that he intended to join the British Armj\ * *• * *

The Totalisator Bill, sought to be made the law of the land in N.vS’.W. by Mr Levien, who, it will be remembered toured N.Z. recently to gain practical experience of its working here, seems to be on the eve of accomplishment, despite an alliance between the bookmakers ancl a certain section of clergymen to block the measure. The member for Tamwortli was exceedingly forcible on a variety of subjects bearing on the Bill. Referring to Lady Medallist, and her late running at Randwick, Mr Levien said that owing to a .dispute over ia bet- made by the owner of Lady Medallist- —which be’t was scratched 1 — “that mare went out at a very short price and didn't get near the front for the public money, and the public were, to use a common phrase, absolutely robbed.” Continuing, Mr Levien said, “The totalisator would not rob them. The totalisator would not get at the jockey, but the bookmaker would, and does. Speaking on Cadonia’s performance at Randwick, Mr Levien said, “He was at a short price the night before the race. On the morning of the race, Cadonia , who had on the previous morning done an exceptional igallop to show that’ he was- all right, receded, in the betting to a long - ' price. Using the common phrase known to the sporting world, the ‘dead-meat merchants had him in hand,’ and the public w-ent down again.”— In answer to a statement made by the Premier that Mr Mason, who used to be connected with Mr Stead’s stables, had condemned the tote, Mr Levien retorted, “That shows he is a rotter, and a liar, and knows nothing about it.” Co.mmenting on -betting, which is illegal in N.S.W. except on racecourses, Mr Levien hit Ikey Mo and 00. on the bulbous boko. After referring, to the Gaming and Betting Act, he said, “Now, as to shop betting, a man can get as: much money as he desires, in various shops to-day. Perhaps the police are to blame, hut he may go to a dozen places, or he may do business over the telephone, and ho can bet as much as he likes. He can go to one or two of the clubs and get as much money as lie wants.”

The “London Times,” which is traditionally favorable to “boxing matches,” referring to the projected piebald fight between Johnson and "Wells, says the contest would “promise a trial of proficiency in one of those many pastimes which have contributed so potently to the building-up of the national stamina, and in their addiction to which the English-speaking peoples are alone among the nations. Well-mean-ing folks, who deplore such contests on the ground that they involve a certain amount of physical injury to the participants, express scruples highly creditable in themselves. But while giving these gentlemen credit for their admirable motives, we must be careful not -to carry prohibition of robust, athleticism so far as to sap the virility of the race.”