SPECTACULAR MILITARY GYMKHANA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 18, 27 October 1942, Page 5

SPECTACULAR MILITARY GYMKHANA

The Military Gymkhana promoted by the "Whakatane Mounted Troop of the Home Guard, which drew over three thousand people to the Domain yesterdlay may safely be described as the finest exhibition of its kind' 'ever seen in the town. Without the usual press embellish--ments, the event was remark--able for the wonderful standard achieved in mounted and infantry displays, for the remarkable number of first class "horses on the grounds and the ;general air of uniformity and 1 • discipline displayed by all units taking- part. The gymkhana was definitely an eye-opener to the general public as' to the -smartness and precision of the " local Home Guard, and were it not for the unfortunate break in the weather would 1 have been hard to beat anywhere. The "whole programme 1 reflects the credit upon those responsible for its promotion and . town and district will once again be eagerly looking forward to the next one should circumstances still permit. All Roadls-'to Showgrounds The gate which showed an advance -on last year's realised £164, in itself an achievement in these days -of increasing transport, difficulties, •and a definite endorsement of the popularity of the gymkhana. The large crowd commenced to asscemble from 9.30 onwards and the fact that spectators came from as far afield as: Rotorua, Te Whaiti, -Tauranga and Opotiki is a further indication of the growing reputation of the event. Many of those taking part actually travelled a considerable distance the two in mind being- the Rotorua Mounted Troop and the Waiohou Infantry Platoon. By 11 a.m. the ring was surrounded with cars and the grounds well thronged. A Varied Programme The proceedings opened with a to determine the best drilled mounted troop. It was an introduction to a splendid day's programme. The fact that all taking part were uniformed probably served to give the day a big advantage .• over last 3 r ear's display when 90 per cent wore 'civvies. Apart fro'm that . asjject however a years intensive training was clearly *to he seen rejected in the orderlineSvS and discipline which was discernable.

There were thrills aplenty i'or the crowd in the spectacular jumping .and novelty events, in which the amounted men from Whakatane, the Plains and Rotorua competed in half section jumping, Lloyd Lind.saj T race -and the quicfk-action 'Alarm' event. 'Tilting at the Ring' and the well known ''Victoria Cross Race' were two more popular events and it may be said that Whakatane lias never seen so many entries for tl\esa competitions. Enthusiasm greeted Mr A. Stewart's fine display in the Lloyd Lindsay while Mr J. Thompson who also figured prominently in the award list w.as a popular winner of the 'Best Mounted. Trooper.' Fine Infantry Bisplay A deep impression was made by the marching and general steadiness • of the eight infantry platoons drawn from the Whakatane and Rangitaiki Battalion areas, who entered the • contest for the most efficient unit. In this regard mention must be made of the fine military qualities -of the ,'Maori platoons, particularly those from Ruatoki and Te Teko whose precision Avon them warm praise from the judges.

To the music of the Pipe Band the sections swung off to the saluting .base with rifles at the slope. The return was made after wheeling downfield and marching back to the -original position. As previously remarked the manner of its execution was a credit to all concerned. The Grand Parade Shortly after 2 p.m. the grand .parade formed up ready to march past Col. J. H. Herroid, Home Guard •Group Commander. The Pipe Band led oif followed immediately by the Scottish Scout Troop and the long .mass of mounted men. The parade included besides some 250 Infantry-

MOUNTED TROOPS GALA DAY

RECORD ATTENDANCE OF PUBLIC

RAIN MARS GRAND PARADE

men, units from the Women's Nursing Division, W.W.S.A., Girl Guides, St. John Ambulance and Red Cross. The whole made a splendid spectacle which stirred the onlookers to enthusiastic applause. Unfortunately the display, calculated to have been the finest event of the day was marred, when a downpour of rain brought about a hasty dispersal, well before the completion of the march. For live minutes the ring presented a disorderly mass of figures scattering for shelter. Sufficient had been seen however for the public to form some idea ol' the new nature of a parade which this district is now capable of presenting. Miscellaneous Displays The long afternoon was filled with further displays by infantrymen and mounted troopers. Not the least interesting were the 'bomb throwing' demonstration by Wha'katane Companies, and the machine gun and trench mortar displays by visit" ing units. In all three the greatest interest was shown. Other interested groups gathered round the competitions, where sheaf-tossing and pillow fighting were in progress. Once again Taute Edwards of Te Teko, gained highest honours in the former, but we \vill not easily forget his happy go-lucky encounter with sporting Max Hunt in the latter. Mention must be made of the splendid work of the Women's Auxiliary members who again attended so capably to> the catering and the refreshment booths. Their task was not. an enviable one in view of the frequent showers and the wet conditions. Nor must we forget the work of the bands, with a special word for the playing by the Boys' Band, whose bright selections contributed very materially to the day's success. The hard working committee members together with the small army of workers and stewards, involved are to be Avarmly congratulated on the well-deserved results of their

efforts. Details of Awards Best Drilled Mounted Troop: Ist, No. 3 Troop, Te Teko (Lieut Elvers); 2nd, x No. 1 Troop, Whakatane (Lieut B. Sharp); 3rd, No. 2 Troop, Whakatane (Sgt Stewart). Best Dressed Trooper: TroojDer Langdon l.< Best Dressed N.C.O: S. S. M. Duncan 1. Half Section Jump: Paul Patu and P. Patu 1; A. K. Sisam 2. Open Jump (Boys and Girls): G. Patterson (Creamy) 1; R. Hill (Lady) 2. Lloyd Lindsaj T (Horse led over two jumps, mount second man and return over one hurdle): A. Stewart and J.i Thompson 1; G. Kelly and C. Duncan 2. Section Jumping (4 men over two hurdles, Avheel and return over one hurdle): Rotorua Team 1; Sisams Team 2. Best Troop Horss: J. Thompson 1; A. Stewart 2. Open Jump: H. S. Hill 1; J. Thompson 2. Alarm Race (Entrants remove bandoliers, tunics and hats and bivouac on saddle blanket behind held horses at alarm dress correctly, saddle up mount and race,to finishing point): Matfor H. Hauesler 1; D. Shaw 2. Victoria Cross Race (over two hurdles, rescue dummy and return over one hurdle): A. Stewart 1; B. J. Brosnahan 2. Bending Race: A. Stewart 1: B. Allan 2.i Tilting at the Ring: Tpr R. T. Tipai 1; Tpr D. Allan 2.

Infantry Events Most Efficient. Platoon: Te Tcko (135) 1; Ruatolci (135) 1; Wliakatane (127) 3. , Bombing Target: Wliakatane Battalion B Coy 1; Wliakatane Battalion C Coy 2. Mounting Machine Guns: Taneatua No. 2 Team 1. Miscellaneous Events Tossing the Sheaf: Taute Edwards 1; M. Penny 2. Pillow Fighting: B. Brabant 1; P. Butler 2. Weight Guossingt Sheep, Mrs Alec McLean (1081bs). Pig, Messrs A. J. Canning, E. Donqldson, W. Wilson and R. Hodges a tic (1201bs), quarter a piece.