Islanders

DOWN THE BAGK STRETCH

.tmi.e SRT

w

A correction-In our Maritime Harness Review which appeared last Saturday we regrettably made an error in the amount of purse mctriey distributed by the Provincial Exhibition Association, Charlotte- town. It should have been 356.048 - the largest amoimt paid by any track in the Maritimes. Next Wed- nesday afternoon the Directcrs meet to consider their program for this year. They have had a very busy time-since they took over a few years ago and new buildings and other improvements are evid- ence of their determination to keep the Association to the forefront not only as an exhibition centre but also in racing both afternoon and night. We extend to them every wish for success in the coming year.

A special meeting of the Wood- stsm-k Driving Club was held re- cently and it was unanimously dc- cided to go ahead wit.h the order- ing of materials for the lighting of the Island Park Raceway so that night racing may be staged on the Park oval. Incorporation has been applied for and shares will be is- sued with a par value of 0100. The bulk of these have all been sub- scribed. Woodstock is particularly -well situated to make a success of night racing as it is only a short distance from Houlton and other Maine centres where there are large numbers of horsemen and racegcers. The Woodstock track is one of the finest and fastest in the Maritime: and the personnel of the board of directors is an excellent one. We wish them every success in their new venture.

A valuable shipment of horses loft the premises of Myron Mac- Arthur, Kensington. in the closing days of 1950, To William Stiles of Woodstock went Dianna Dale. a five-year-old bay mare by Play- riale 2.0414. dam. Margaret I... by Bill L. 2.1614. sire of three in 2.10. Also to the same party a two- year-cld black foal by Abner T. Clegg 2.006. dam. Symbol Martha by Symbol S. Forest. For J. Henry Dewitt of Woodstock. the twc-year- old pacer Mr, McGee by Abner T. Clegg, dam. May Win by Watson Peter. In exchange Mr. Dewitt is sending back to the Island Sir Vi- bart's Margaret. To Bob Hamilton. Woodstock. went the five-year-old brown trotting gelding Joey Dale by Playdale, dam. Mae West. by Colonel Aubrey. This is a very promising trotter. In addition there were two mares that had been mod to Lucky Spencer 2.10l& that -were being returned to Maine. In charge of the carload was W.D. Profitt of Kensington.

waiter S. Gibbons. race secretary Roosevelt Raceway. sent up a sca- -on's greetings card with a repro- duction of n Currier and Ives print (if the celebrated trotting mare Lucy winning the fourth heat of the 35.009 trot at Buffalo. August 9. 1812 - time. '.7..l"ll4. Lucy was driven by Orin. G. Hickok, known in his day and era as "the Tally- rand of tho Turf". Lucy was a very xvidc-gaited trotter. in fact she was rlcscribed as throwing her feet all "V61" the track. but she was also a most determined one and fcucht everv race to the last stride. she excelled when the heats were split up. It was the days when a horse had to win three heats to cop first money and some of her races went to as many as nine yheats.

one of the happiest horsemen of 1.050 is Joseph J. Purcell. -who lives in Trumansburg. N.Y. In 1947 he rievc-lcped a hlocd clot on the brain. His right side was paralyzed and he lost his speech. After nine zmonths in hospital he returned J'ome very low in strength and spirit and his doctor recomimende" something to give him is mental uplift. His wife remembered that he had c-wned and driven harness horses for twenty years prior to' being a railroad employee but he had not had a horse since 1937. Both she and the doctor agreed it would he a great thing to get. him back in the sport. so they persuaded him to attend the Harrisburg. Pa. sale of 1948. Locking over the colts he selected Darn madly. by Darn- ley. paying 01,100 for him.

He looked after the colt as much as he was able and he and his-wife became all wrapped up in it. In 1919 he was trained at nearby sar- atoga by Al Winger. but Purcell played a big hand in the colt's ti'i-umphs. That season he did well as e two-year-old. winning over l3.o00 and took I record of 2.10 205. but it In lust n nnlude to his 1950 campaign where he won 18 firsts

him the season's champion three- year-old trotter, heading such great stake winners as Lusty's Song 2.02 and Star's Pride 2.02l5. His earn- ing: rolled up to over 819.000 and recently Mr. Purcell declined an offer of 050,000 for the son of Darn- iey.

Perhaps one of his most. out- standing performances of the past season was in the Classified Trot, purse 32,000 at Yonkers Raceway. New York. Oct. 18. where he met a field of high-class aged trottcrs. With Joe O'Brien up he scored a sensational victory. time, 2.04 3V5- a new track trotting record. It was this record set up by Darn Flashy that Joe O'Brien lowered again on the night of November 3rd.. when he wcn the Junior Free For All Trot. purse 33,000. with the four- year-old Martha Doyle in 2.04 ms.

Frank L. Wiswall, secretary of the U.S.T.A., has always been an ar- dent supporter of harness horse racing and is one of the big guns behind Saratoga Raceway, Recently Mr. Wiswall purchased Runny- meade Farm near saratoga Springs and has stocked it with broad mares and stallions - The Geyser, :1 trot- ter. and Realistic. a double-gaited perfcrmer. Both are bred in highly popular lines. There is al an ex- cellent band of brood ares. Mr. Wiswa1l's horse holdings include as well, yeerlings and weanlings by such 2.00 sires as Nibble Hanover 1.58-'73. Peter Song 200 and Dean Han-over 1581.5. Frequently Mr. Wis- wall handles the ribbons behind his horses and is considered one of the bat amateur drivers in the state of New York.

Charlie Mills, top Burcpean train- er who has been on the retired list for some time. is opening a public stable and will race trotters of French owners Rene Michel and M. Devravandierc. 1'-'-hile visiting Europe in 1928 in company with W. Chester 8. McLure. we were present at the Berlin track one afternoon when Charlie.Mi'.1ls won four races. Racing was on the handicap sys-. tem - not nearly as exciting as cur system with -the Starting Gate. Charlie was certainly a master -reins:-nan then and no doubt he has kept up his reputation.

American visitors were few in Germany at that time and we were spotted when we came to the en- trance with out tickets and given a very courteous salute by two of the stewards. who were wearing

'top hats. Prince Albert coats and

striped trousers. our hotel was the Adlon. then the finest in the world but destroyed by bombs in world War 2. The room we had was fit for a prince. with carpets that one would sink into and bmcaded silk on the walls. 37.00 in American money paid for the room for both at us. which was mighty reasonable.

A week afterwards we went to Vincennes. France, and saw the trotting races on Sunday afternoon. The attendance was over 100.000 with some 20.000 people seated and the balance all over the grounds. We didn't know a soul in that vast throng - so we thought - until, "Hi you Islanders"! We turned around and saw the smiling face of A Charlottetown girl who was study- ing art in Paris. The Parl-mutuels did an enormous business with bets as low as five francs taken (equiv- ailent to about nine cents in Ameri- can money.) Three of us hired a taxi which took us out so fifteen miles to the track. waitc for us and took us back at a cost of 35.00 American money. It was certainly 5. great time to see Europe.

Our congratulations to Walter 5. Found of Merced. California. form- erly of New London, P.IlI.. who has been elected President of the Pacific Coast Trotting Association. which is giving a. big spring ham- ase meeting frcm May 7th to June 10th. Walter is one of the top men in hamesa racing in sunny Califor- nia and he got that way because of his interest in horse racing when a boy in New London.

Frank Mcxay has the earliest. or one of the earliest foals of 1061. The filly arrived at 1030 New Year's morning. sired by Calumet Budlons 2.0236. Hun. Josedlle Lady mu 2. 2.12. A year ago Frank bought the dam and Moon Glow 2.12 from John of Hlallfax. Bgthh are bred

9 WTD 0 01' 121018!!! would be quite vlatrdahle.

A former Ifhritirne flee horse thathumadegoodthisseasonfa Odonel Dan 2.06 wt. by'0alumet

and took I trotting record of 2.01 at bexincton. Kentucky. That made

roiiuiii nine

is-izmar.

A . . ;

Oontinuedonpago1

'1'0u.ll.AI2Vil

'.sxa1"ma ',....-....... 4 10 mo. -- , s to 10...

Hnoo 2.04. dam, Nancy qari-oil 2.08. .

THE GUARDIAN, CHARLOTTETOWN

The first scheduled basketball game of the season will get under- way at the Prince of Wales Col- lege auditorium next Wednesday

night when the Prince of Wales and Y.M.C.A. hoopsters clash in the opening game of the Island

Physical Fitness Basketball Lea-

gue. O O O

The league will have six teams corntpeting for the Physical Fitness Trophy again this year and will be composed of two teams from Sum- mcrside and four from Charlotte- town. The reprcsentativcs from the Western Capital will be the R,c,A,F, Rlyers. the defending chm-niplons. and Schurman's, while Ray's Millionaires. Saint Dim- stan's University. P.W.C. and Y.M.C.A. will rcpresent this City.

Althmigli the cornplete schedule has not been released yet. it is ex- pected that all six icams will play a total of 10 games each. the same as last year. before entering into semi-final and final playoff com- petition for the title. The four top teams at the end of the regular schedule will compete in the play- offs. Most of the contests will be double bills at both Charlottetown and sunimerside. with the two main playing days being on Wed- nesday and Saturday-

! O C

with many of thc.teams having lost a number of last. years players through one reason or another. and replacing them with new mat- erial. the first few games will be more or less of unknown quantity as far as strength and competition is concerned. This should add to the keenness and interest for ard- ent hocrp fans, and if the league produces the same calibre of play it has in the past couple of years. then followers of the sport should be in for plenty of smart basket- ball this winter.

i 0

other hoop leagues are also ex- pected to get. their schedules un- derway shortly in juvenile and in- terscholastic brackets and al- though their starting dates have not been released yet. the various squads have been warming up with practice sessions and exhibition encounters to round their squads off for league competition.

0 I 0

Since the start of the New Year interest in curling has heightened hereaibouts with scheduled com- petitions getting underway. The "Flying Curlers" are set for their annual jaunt which takes them this your to Chicago. The local club will be represented once again at the Quebec Bonspiel with a rink composed of George Hawk- ins. Rankine Mctcine, Gordon "Dick" Hughes and L. H. Poole. The rink will leave'here on Janu- ary 27th and on that date. Satur- day, play matches at both the Moncton and Beaver clubs in the hub centre.

Speaking of curling J. Finlay Mec.Leod. big cog in the organizat- ion of the Flying Curlers, has been appointed the one and only representative for the Maritimes of the Keanle Curling Btone Co. of Lanarkehire. Scotland. Finlay states that there are now only two firms that supply "rocks"-V-both in. Scotland. Lanarkslilre and Ayr- shire ciaimfobe thecradlesofcurb ing and near the home of the Keanle Co. lies the famous Craw- fordjohn quarries (now defunct) that formed so many of the curl- ing stones of the put.

According to report; from the West coast. Murph Chamberlain now coaching the Vancouver Can- ucks. claims they, he has the "roolrieof the year" in Kevin "Crusher" Conway. former Island- ers dafencemen Vankloek mu. Ont. Conuwlay,

SF .. sires.

NEW YORK. Jan. 5--(AP) Lightweight champion Ike Wil- liams of Trenton, N.J., dropped Jose Gatica. three times to knock- out the Argentine battler in 2.09 of the first round tonight in a non-title bout at Madison Square Garden.

Williams weighed 140 1-4; Gatica 138. Biding his time while Gatica flurried madly in the first minute. Ike cooly dumped the 9-5 under- dog for counts of three and six. when he went down a third time from a terrific right-hand punch. referee Ray Miller stopped it. Blood cascaded from G-atica's nose. Dazed and bewildered he ob-

viously was in no condition to continue.

The stocky little Argentine. moved into a main bout after a knockout victory over Terry Young, ran into four solid left

hooks and a righg before the ref- eree called it a night.

The first hook sent him down. baby-blue shoes and all. for a count of three. Another short hook by the sharp-shooting champ flooi'ed him for six. The crowd was yelling to "stop it" as the blood poured from Joseis battered nose. But he got up and ran pell-mell into two more books and a right. hand clincher to end .it.

OVITAWA, Jan. 5 - (CP) - The largest entry lien: in history will match speed and stamina here Feb. 8. 9 and 10 to compete in the annual International Dog Derby over a lengthened course.

George Bolviin chairman of the Ottawa Junior Board of Trade, which sponsors the event. an- nounced today that the course this year will run 100 miles in- stead of the previous 90-miles, and will be run in three daily laps of 33 1-2 miles each.

The race is for he Ballard Chal-' lenge Trophy and is 32.125 purse. The winning driver will receive the trophy and sl.000. the re- mainder of the cash award being divided among those finishing second, third and fourth.

The 33 1-3-mile course starts on .the frozen Rideau Canal in the heart of Ottawa and locips cross- countiry in a southerly direction before swinging back to finish at the starting point.

Heading this year's entry list is Wilf Levpine of Quebec. a husky busiiman who came home an easy winner in the 1950 race with a combined time of eight. hours, 11 minutes and 30 seconds.

some 15 teams are expected to take part in this year's race. com- pared with a dozen last year.

Playoff Dales ' . Released

NEW GLASGOW. Jan. 5 -(OP) -The annual meeting of the Ca- nadian Amateur Hockey Associa- tion will be held in Halifax May 22-58, it was announced here by Bryce M. Love, M. A. H. A. pres- ident. Mr. Love recently attended the semi-annual C. A; H. A. meet- ing in Toronto. At the Toronto parley Mr. love acted on behalf of Maritime Hockey interests In piaydowns for the various ice classifications across Canada were drawn up.

In the Major Setiu. the Marl- time champs will be at home to the Quebec winners April III, M and la: the balance of the set will played in central Canada. Allan cup play will commence in the Maritime: with games March 24 andm.Aaintbecueofthallaj- or series the round will be com- pleted ot the home oftho Quebec titiiim. The playdown: commence against the Ottawa and District-Northern Ontario survivor March 2 and 21. in tbmuaritimu.

-

A-P-C league arc mauve ......-.., MIILARTON. 8.8.. Jeni 3 - (c.P)l - Ste-liar-ton swept to a 14-4 victory over Pldtou ioniilt. in a typical Antlgenish-Pict0u-

Colehesler league match. ' Piciou was outscored 8-1 in the

Ike Williams Scores Kayo In First Round Of Bout With Gatica

Vics Hold Millionaires To 1-All Ti:

SYDNEY. N. 5., Jan. 5-(CP)- Lowly. Northside Victories held league-leading Sydney Millionaires to a 1-1 tie tonight in a Cape Bret- on Benior Hockey Lehgue game that was featured by a misconduct penalty to Sydney's hot-tempered goalie.

A fan poured abuse on Nick Pid- sodny during the first period only

to be soundly trounced when the boiling net-minder bounded over the boards and did battle as the play ended.

Dean McBride served the penalty for Nick, who already has collected a couple of mlsccnducts for fight- ing. Apart from that outburst, the game was almost free of penalties. Cliff Roach, a hometown boy. notched Sydney's goal in the first frame and Bob Verrler tied it up for Northside in the third. some 2,000 fans witnessed the encounter. North Sydney - Goal. Prophet: dc-fcncc, Robertson. Scattalon; centre, Petersen: wings, Demarco, Bellringer; subs, Storey, Verrier, Medynski, Glover, Gallagher, Beal- ty, Ri-pku, Olsen. A Sydney - Goal. Pvidsodny: de- fence. Rockey. Matithe-ws: centre. W'ha-1en; wings, Mcliae, Maclntyre; subs. Biruikovw. Berry, Merchant, Roach, Curpolo, Bowness, U- Bride. May. Hildebrand. ' Offioiails-Goode. Elliott. First Period 1-Sydney. Roach 1.08 "Penalties--Pidsodny duct).

(miscon-

Second Period Scoring-None. Penalties--None.

Third Period

2-North Sydney, Verrier 15.01 Penalties-Rockey, Matthews.

Will Never Qiiif. Woman Golfer Says

PONTE VEDRA BEACH. Fla.. Jan. 5 - (AP) - Babe Didrikson Zaharlas says "I'll never quit."

The woman acclaimed in the United States as the greatest fe- male aih-lete oil the first half century made the statement about golf as one started competition to- day in the Ponte Vedra Beach

open. "1 should be able to play for at

least 15 more years." she said. "i

-haven't reached my peak yet."

former Canadian Boxing Champ Dies

Jan.

orrawa. 5 - (CP) - Francis Jose-ph Burns. Canadian amateur middleweight boxing

champion around the turn of the century. died at his home here Wednesday night after a. long illness. .

In 1900, he was a member of the capital lacrosse team that won the world's championship. He was a nivtive of Ottawa.

PANAMA CITY. Jan. 4 -(AP)- Stanley (Rocky) McKay of Fan- ama. rated ninth among the chal- lengers for Sandy seddlef-'2 world featherweight boxing title. was killed today when his car turned over. '

BOUXON. Jan. 5 -(AP) - Pltcher Ellie Kinder. veteran

be rlghthander. today aicned his mum

contract with Boston and Box. general manager Joe oronin an- nounced. No salary was disclosed.

vyaxriiin A

mmhxw ” .m””'n';'g”"m at least. to (to Amherst n,,,,,.,, .....,,,,m ,, Q." ,;g,. by bus Mon , Jan. 8 for eu from within, the Ilarltimu. - g islanders-Millionaires game.

Fare 36.00 return, includ- ing ticket to game. Leaving Charlottetown 1.30, p.rn.

Phone 865-W

- SCHOOL

Wl:81'll:N!'vu.

1 I

IONIGIIT -. c mama arnl; m '4

To hunt with the aid of dogs versus no hunting dogs allowed to be used by hunters seems to be a question under discussion in some quarters. This past fall I heard a hunter at a Game Meeting in Charlottetown speak on the subject. To quote in part: "I wouldn't al- low a hunter with a dog on my farm . . . anyone who hunts with a dog is not a sportsman . . ." un- quote.

O 0 Another speaker at ya later Game Meeting is credited with saying: "There's something wrong with their heads" referring to hunters with dogs that and dogs. The crowning climax came less then two months ago when a Resolution was passed at a Game Meeting "WHEREAS hunters with dogs. do this and WHEREAS hunters with do that and WHERE- WHEREAS hunters with dogs do something else be it therefore re- solved . . . ."

0

when I hear a speaker break out in a rash over the practice of using dogs as assistants while hunting game I reach the con- cluion that the outbreak is inspir- ed by one of two things . . either the speaker has not the foggiest idea of the meaning of the word xsports.mIn' or its a case of the fox who lost his tail.

.

At this point I'd like to ask a question: "W-ho,kills the most birds out of each covey contacted, the hunter who plays a lone hand or the one who takes a Setter or Pointer along? Who has earned. the right to be classed as a sports- man, the hunter who crawls on all fours along a roadside ditch, bel- lies under a fence and blasts a sit- ting covey and then brags about killing ten in one shot or the hunt-

, er,who turns his setter or Pointer

loose and after the birds have squatted out of sight in the grass or stubble walks in front of the 'pcirfting' setter and kicks the birds out and takes his chances on a wing shot?" . O O 0 I'll admit that the hunter with a dog finds more coveys than the hunter who hunts without one; many more in fact but the hunter with a dog throws away any chance of a sitting shot. I do not want anyone to harbour the thought that a hunter with a setter or Pointer shoots at the coveys on the ground in front of his dog. To be frank he has no choice in the matior. In grass or stubble its almost an impossibility to spot or covey on the ground after a 'point' is made. On rare occasions on bare terrain, such as close cropped past- ure, one sometimes spots the birds on the grciund. However in this type of cover they do not lie very close. I have walked in front of a Pointer when he was on 'point' an a ploughed field and thought he was 'spoofing' until the covey rose. Runs can flatten themselves in the narrow slits between the furrows where they are practically invisible. O 0' O A If a hunter is a poor wing shot I say take 'em on the ground rather than go home with an empty game pocket. With the price meat what it is a pair or so of Run: or a grouse or pheasant help out the family budget as well as fum- ish a tasty meal. I have on many occasions during the put fifteen years watched a hunter: climb ov- er a fence back on to,the highway. after taking a shot at a covey bunched on the ground, with six or eight Runs doing a sort of Der- v'iahdanceintbelrhands.ap- ning and fluttering like some as . I never feel envious of the hunter: on occasions like this. If they want to hunt than that way.-so what. What does get my dander ID is when I hear fpot' hunters beef about sportsmen and their con.