Sports at Chatto Creek.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 448, 17 November 1904, Page 5

Sports at Chatto Creek.

On Wednesday, 9th inst (King's Birthday), the workers on the Otago Central railway works had a day out, and celebrated the occasion by holding a sports gathering. The day was beautifully fine, and there were between 400 and 500 present, including visitors from all parts of the district, Alexandra being especially well represented. The sports were held on the flat at the rear of the schoolhouse, and the various events were numerously and keenly contested, the results showing that among the railway workers are included athletes of more than ordinary capabilities. Perhaps the most exciting event of the day was the dobbins horses' race, when sixteen fine specimens of the equine breed faced the starter, the sight as the animals careered down the flat reminding one forcibly of the description given of the charge of Scarlett's heavy cavalry at Balaclava. At the finish a good deal of discontent was manifested by some of the riders, it being alleged that the winner had galloped; but the judge finally gave his decision in favour of the placed horses. The offise-bearers worked assiduously to make the gathering a success, and a special word of praise is due to the secretary, Mr F E Banks, for the excellent services rendered by him in connection with organising and carrying out the day's programme. Messrs J H Lewis and Geo Fache acted as judges during the day. Following are the detailed results:— Sack Race, 100 yds: First 10s, second 5s —J Steel 1, F Holloway 2. Six competed; Boys' Race, 100 yds. Prizes, 5s and 2s 6d —J Barlow 1, Thomson 2. About twenty started. Three-legged Race. First 10s, second 5s —Morton and M'Grail 1, Maskell and Campbell 2. Eight couples started. Putting the Weight. First 10s, second ss—Hugh Hagan (22ft 4in) 1, S Hanger (20ft 6in) 2. Seven competed. 100 yds Flat Race, First £l, second 10s— J Rothwell 1, A Campbell 2. Bight started. Old Buffers Race. First, lib tobacco (presented by Mr W M'Connochie), second ss—a Wilson 1, S Williams 2. Six started. Wheelbarrow Race. First 10s, second 5s —T M'Grail 1, A Milne 2. Five competed. Dobbin Horses' Trot, one mild First £l, second 10s, third ss....Wilson's Bloss 1, Roth well's Polly 2, King's Bob 3. Sixteen started. 220 yds Handicap (open). First £l, second 10s—T M'Grail 1, O Macgeorge 2, A Milne 3. Seven started; High Jump. First 10s, second pipe (presented by Mr White")—W Wilson (sft l|in) 1, T Bushell 2. Eight competed. Married Women's Race. First bag potatoes (presented by Mi- A Kinney), second leg mutton (presented by Mr J Nieper)—Mrs Griffiths 1, Mrs M'Lean 2. Six entries Single and Married Women's Race. First gold necklet, second album—Mrs Griffiths 1, Miss Love 2. Mile Walk. First £l, second 10s—T M'Grail 1, C White 2. Five entries. Quoits. First 15s, second ss—J Cooper 1, T Booth. Twelve entries. Wrestling. First 10s, second ss—F Whyte 1, G Ruthven 2. Eleven entries. | Half-mile Race (open). First £l, second ] 10s—R Wilson 1, A Milne 2. Eleven entries, Hop, Step and Jumn. First 10s, second ss—D Crawford (38ft 4in) 1, R Wilson (33ft lOin) 2. Long Jump. First 10s, second ss—R Wilson 1. J Rothwell 2. Six entries: \ Tug of War (Married v. Single, 12 'men aside). First 24s —Won by Single men. A danee was held in the schoo'room at night, and the lovers of the Terpsichorean art were busily engaged in keeping time with the music supplied by Messrs T Kennedy and W Thomas, everyone thoroughly enjoying themselues. Songs and step dances were contributed by Messrs M'Naughton and Williams, while Mr J Love carried out the duties of M.O in his usual good style.