TE TEKO GYMKHANA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 64, 14 April 1944, Page 4

TE TEKO GYMKHANA

LARGE CROWD ATTENDS

POPULAR SIDE-SHOWS

The Te Teko Domain was the nuecca of sports goers on Easter Monday, where the Te Teko combined gymkhana and sports meeting was hel'd under brilliant sunshine. The grounds were comfortably filled by spectators whilst the eventsi in all classes never wanted for lack of competitors. The horse events brought record entries and consequently the standard of horsemanship displayed was firstctasa(. Mr Tony Fenton, of Rotorua,, and Mr J. Jamiesoni, of Otakiri, were the judges and were both of the opinion, that the standard of jumping was excellent and that horses and riders were both nicely in form'. The chopping events naturally attracted much attention from the public who received them with enthusiasm and packed four deep round the ring whenever one was in progress. The number of athletic events also proved a strong attraction, and there was certainly no lack of competitors or spectators when these were in progress. 1 The children's races were exceedingly popular with the younger enthusiasts, and great was the delight indeed among the successful competitors when they received their prize money. In most cases, however, the Patriotic Committee, got all of. it back through the medium of ice creams and toffee apples. The continuous events, which included weight guessing, stepping the chain, tossing the sheaf, nail driving, tug of war, and Maori action songs were an exceedingly popular series, and great was the palaver among the landed gentry at the pigsty as they "weighed up" the situation carefully. The Maori action songs were a novelty to a large number of people, and they were enjoyed to the utmost by every one. To the layman, there was nothing to pick and choose between the: teams, but the judge's results were Poroporo 1, Tawhera 2, Ruatoki 3. A number of songs, and ha'kas were given for the public's! entertainment. A popular addition to the day was the institution of a number of penny raffles for small prizes, and the crowd entered into these wholeheartedly as they could get six changes for the usual price of one. These were all drawn on the ground as soon as the books were filled, and new ones were opened up as soon as the previous ones were completed. Perhaps the most popular side show of the day was the one entitled "Emperor Ming's Planet Show." Started in England by Sapper Samuel, the show proved to be so popular with the English people) that he decided to run one along the same lines for Patriotic purposes at. the Gymkhana. Sapper Samuel, who was with the New Zealand Forestry Unit overseas, is a complete entertainment all on his own, as lie is a ventriloquist and conjurer combined. Consequently, with his doll Charlie, he kept the house rocking right throughout the show. The chorus which consisted of eight young Maori girls, representing each of the planets, had been trained by Sapper Samuel to perfection, and interspersed the programme with Hawaiian songs and hulas, whilst the exhibitions of "black magic" were somewhat, startling and caused great puzzlement among the patrons.

The dart game, as always, served to lighten the public, whilst the various stalls and the Maori Hangi were kept going at top speed from start to finish. As the announcer said, "It would hardly be a show without the Pipe Band," and the Pipe Band certainly put up an excellent performance, keeping the crowd in high spirits all day and giving firstclass entertainment. In fact, it could almost be said that the spectators at a gymkhana are of two classes —those who go to play darts, and those who go to watch the Pipe Band. The latter class is usually in the majority—it doesn't cost so much. The Highland Dancing section was as popular as ever, and some very good exhibitions were witnessed.

Altogether the day was a great success and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present, (including the sand flies, mosquitoes and flying ants). Results Avere as follows: — Horse Events Best 11 stone Hack: A. Stewart 1; Mrs B. Paviour 2. Best 14 stone Hack: H. Sisam 1; A. Smith 2. Best Cob, 15 hands: Mrs Paviour. Champion Hack: A. Smith. Maiden Jump: L. Anderson 1; J. Yeoman 2; E. Eivers 3. Best Boy Rider: J. Pattic 1; B. Cameron 2. Best Girl Rider: B. Pattie. 1; J. Berg 2. Flag Race: J. Pattic 1. Best Jumper: E. Eivers 1; J. Pat-, tie 2; B. Murphy 3. Best Trotter: H. Sisam 1. Bending (Open): J. Haslam 1. Fastest Pony: G« Newdick 1; J. Cradwick 2. Best Jumper, Hunter Style: B. Paviour 1; J. Thompson 2. Open Jump: P. Guy 1; J., Pattie 2; A. Stewart 3'. ■Stockwhip Competition: H. Sisam 1. Polo Pony Trial: J. Thompson 1; J. Yeoman 2. Wire Jump: A. Stewart 1; B. Paviour 2. Lightweight Hunter: J. Pattie 1; J. Thompson 2. Consolation Jump: G. D. Foggerty 1; M. Aatlor 2; A. Smith 3. Best Lady Rider: N. Paviour 1; B. Tooker 2. Children's Events) Best Fancy Dressed Boy: B. Cameron 1. Best Fancy Dressed Girl: B. Haslam 1. Best Boy Rider, 10 years and under: B. Symmons 1. Best Girl Rider, 10 years and under: B. Cameron 1; A. Eivers 2. Best Boy Rider, 12 years and under: G .Taylor 1; H. Patterson 2; J. Butler 3. Best Girl Rider, 12 years; and under: B. Haslam 1; P. Cradwick, 2. Best Boy Rider, 14 years and under: B. Symmons 1; M. Taylor 2: R. Haslam 3. Best Girl Rider, 14 years and under: J. Berg 1; P. Cradwick 2. Bending Competition: D. Knight 1; P. Cradwick 2; B. Tatlor 3. Flag Race: M. Taylor 1; N. Evans 2; B. Symmons 3. Gretna Green: G. Taylor 1; N. Evans 2; S. Eivers 3. Athletic Events Maiden 100 yds: W. Fitzell 1; C. T. McDonald 2; D. Boynton 3. 120 yds Open Handicap: R. Laurie 1; W. Fitzell 2; L. MoCready 3. 200 yds Handicap: L. McCready 1. 440 yds Handicap: R. Dawson 1; I. Gayler 2. 880 yds; Handicap: J. Ferguson 1; W. McDonald 1; K. Sullivan 3.' Married Ladies' Race: G. Tawhi 1; J. Ross 2. Single Ladies' Race: B. Mexted 1; C. Mexted 2; P. Burstall 3. High Jump: K. Kelly 1; Hunt 2. Chopping Events Novice 12in: R. Williams, 1; G. Franklyn 2; I. Nicholas 3. Maiden 12in: G. Franklym 1; E. J. King 2; Akurangi 3. Handicap 12in: J. Cameron 1; Baker 2; Warson 3. Handicap 14in: J. Cameron 1; R. Watson 2; W. Baker 3.