LAND SPORTS IN AKAROA.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 508, 27 May 1881, Page 2

LAND SPORTS IN AKAROA.

These sports came off on Tuesday last, and the result must have been eminently gratifying to those gentlemen who had been instrumental in getting up 'the--meet-ing. Tho locality was that, open piece of ground in Jollie street, belonging to Dr Watkins, and which was kindiy placed at the disposal of the committee. Tlie weather was simply delightful, a thoroughly balmy, summer's day without the intense heat of summer itself, such weather as is experienced in perfection almost solely on the Peninsula. A Canadian present said it reminded him of the "Indian summer" of his country, but it was pleasant to reflect that it was not to be followed by the fearfully severe, dreary six months' winter of that less favored region.

The programme embraced no less than twenty two events, and, to enable them to bo completed during day light, it was necessary to lose no time in getting them off. This was done, the first race being started with commendable promptitude, and no unnecessary delay taking place between the events. It was sometimes difficult to get competitors to come up to the scratch promptly, but Mr Billons who took the entries, and Mr S. Watkins who acted as general factotum, were indefatigable in hunting up dilatory competitors, the result being that a punctual start was made, and the last event was got through in daylight. All connected with the gathering worked with a will lor its success, but we cannot refrain from mentioning, besides the two gentlemen already named, the Rev. 11. Stocker who acted as starter, and who sometimes had considerable difficulty in getting his teams away to the small space at his disposal, and the numerous entries. We were also pleased to observe that the runners behaved uncommonly well, and made the best of the difficulty in a fair manly way. Then Messrs Kissel and Meech fulfilled the somewhat difficult and delicate office of judges, with the most pains-taking impartiality. Mr R. Noonan gave valuable assistance in procuring the sinews of war, and the way he troUed round with a subscription list, and " spotted" every stranger or non-subscriber was a " caution." His Worship the Mayor was here, there, and everywhere, giving assistance wherever required, and also entertained the members of the committee at lunch. Mr F. Aiming made a capital clerk ot the course, and proved himself a veritable " terror to evildoers," in the shape of stray dogs.

The various events were well contested, and brought numerous fields to tho post. All the competitors seemed thoroughly good humored, and ready to taken beating with the most perfect equanimity, while doing their best to win. So far as wo are aware, no disturbance whatever took place, not even a wordy warfare. Host Rodrigues catered for the thirsty souls among spectators and competitors, while Mrs P. Mnhnancho dispensed refreshments of a milder kind, ami was largely patronised by the numerous juveniles on the ground. The following is a summary of the various events:—

100 yds Race for Boys under 12. Ist ss, 2nd 2s Gd ; entrance Gd. Seven youngsteis toed the . mark for this race, which resulted as follows:—C. O'Reilly, 1; A. Sunckell, 2. A protest was entered against the winner on the ground of his being over age. This protest was sustained at the subsequent meeting of the committee, r .nid first money was awarded to Sunckell.

ICO yds Race, open. Ist 20s, 2nd 7s Gd ; entrance 2s Gd. This event also produced a field of seven. As tUere was not room to start them all at once, Mr Stocker Hent them away in two lots. The Ist and second in each heat ran off a deciding one. J. Roberts won each heat with tolerable ease, Walter Watkins ooming in a good second.

High Jump for Boys under 15 years. Ist 7s Gd, 2nd 2s Gd ; entrance Gd. There were three entries for this event. E. Watkins carried off first honors with a jump of 4ft 3in, J. Daly securing second place. 440 yds Race, open. Ist 30s, 2nd 10s ; entrance 2s Gd. This race resulted in a dead heat between Walter Watkins anil John Armstrong. Seven started. Time 1 mm. 440 yds Race for Boys under 15. Ist 10s, 2nd ss, 3rd 2s 61 ; entrance Is. E. Watkins, 1; A. Watkins, 2. Two others ran. . . ' High jump, open. Ist 15s, 2nd 5s ; entrance Is Gd. Five competitors entered the lists for this event, aud some capital jumping ensued. Finally F. R. Roberts scored a victory with a jump of sft, J Roberts coining second with 4ft lOin. Best Athletic Costume on ground, 10s. This prize produced thirteen competitors, all of, whom had displayed considerable taste in their costumes. The prize was awarded to E. Watkins, and if'there had been a second prize the judges would have given it to M. Daly. Running Long Jump for Boys under 15. Ist 7s Gd. 2nd ss, 3rd 2s Gd ; entrance Is. There were four entries for this contest. E. Watkins took first money, and James Armstrong second. A protest being entered against the latter, he was subsequently disqualified as being over age.

One Mile Running Race, open. Ist GOs, 2nd 20s, 3rd 5s ; entrance ss. This was the great event of the meeting and resulted in a grand race. There were nine starters, viz., John Armstrong, J. Hewitt, Jules Lelievre, F. Malmanche, F. R. Roberts, J. Roberts, 0. Watkins, Walter Watkins, and G. Fluerty. The competitors had to draw for places, and Mr Stocker sent tlifein away it two rows. Hewitt appeared to be the favorite, though J. Armstrong aud Waiter Watkins had each of them numerous supporters. From the start Lelievre cut out the running at a great pace. He maintained his lead for so long that it began to seem, doubtful whether ho would be caught. By the time half the distance had been covered only Lelievre, Armstrong, Watkins and Hewitt were in the race, and they were running in the order named, Lelievre with a commanding lead. At about threequarters of a mile Lelievre showed signals of distress, but still ran gamely on. Armstrong then challenged him and he had to succumb. Soon after W. Watkins, who »vas evidently running well within himself and with plenty to spare, put on a

grand spurt and passed both ot them with the greatest ease, and won as he liked. A grand struggle for second took place between Lilievre and Armstrong, and the race resulted as under :—W. Watkins, 1 ; Armstrong, 2; Lelievre, 3; Hewitt, well up : the rest nowhere. 100 yds Race for Boys under 16 years. Ist 10s, 2nd si ; entrance Is Gd. E. Watkins, 1; F. Malmanche, 2. Jas. Armstrong also ran. Throwing Cricket Ball, Boys under 15. Ist cricket ball, 2nd cricket belt; entrance Gd. E. Watkins, 1 (72 yds); A. Watkins, 2. Hurdle race. 220 yds, six hurdles, open. Ist 30s, 2nd 10s ; entrance 2s 6d. This race attracted a field of six. The jumping was very good throughout. The result was that F. R. Roberts scored first and J. Roberts second honors. 220 yds Egg and Spoon Race, open. Ist 10s, 2nd 5s ; entrance Is. John Armstrong, 1 ; xM. D.ily, 2 ; W. Watkins, 3. This race created considerable amusement. Each competitor had to carry an egg in a spoon from start to finish. The spoons were cruelly flat, and the eggs were not guaranteed to be perfectly fresh, so that it may be imagined that the racers were particularly careful as to how they handled them. Running Long Jump, open. Ist 15s, 2nd, 5s ; entrance Is Gd. This was won by J. Roberts (18ft lOin), W. Watkins coming second with a jump of 18ft sin. Two others competed. 220 yards Three-legged Race, open. Ist 20s, 2ud 10s ; entrance 2s. John Armstrong and W. Watkins 1 ; J. Daly and 0. Watkins, 2. Four other couples ran. Throwing Cricket Ball, open. Ist cricket ball, 2nd 2s Gd ; entrance Is. Three competed for this event, J. Roberts, Alfred Rhodes, aud Pigeon. A very close contest ensued between the two latter. For some time the judges were unable to decide between them. One throw of each being measured, it was found that they had tied at the very respectable distance of 98yds Ift 4in. On throwing ooff Rhodes was declared to be the victor, though the winning throw did not come up to the tie. Hop, Step, and Jump, open. Ist 10s, 2nd 2s Gd ; entrance Is. W. Watkins, 1 (38ft 9in) ; John Armstrong,-2 (3G£t lOin). Five competed. 150 yds Novel Race, open. Ist 10s, 2nd 5s ; entrance Is. The novelty in this race consisted in the competitors having to race 50 yds on al! fours, 50 yds backwards, and the remainder of the distance in a normal manner. Out of a numerous field M. Daly came in first, with Jules Lelievre in close attendance. Girls Race for Girls under 16. Ist pair vases, 2nd ten cosy. Fanny Billens, 1 ; Agnes Jones, 2. Eight ran. Sack Race in Masks for Boys under 15. Ist 7s Gd, 2d 2s 6d ; entrance Gd. James Armstrong, 1; J. Daly, 2. This race caused considerable amuseniet. Putting the Stone, lGlb. Ist 10s, 2nd 2s Gd ; entrance Is. Alf. Rhodes, 1, 35ft lOin ; W. Pidgeon, 2, 34ft Sin. Committee Race. Piece of Plate. The only members of Committee who put in an appearance to compete for this valuable prize \vi)V& Messrs G. Armstrong, 11. Billens, and J. Roberts. The two former ran gamely, but had to succumb to the superior skill and condition of J. Roberts who won as he liked. This concluded a most successful and enjoyable meeting. The excellency of the arrangements reflect the greatest credit on all concerned in getting it up and carrying it out, and its success augurs well for any future gathering of a like nature.