NEW YEAR SPORTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 37, 5 January 1945, Page 5

NEW YEAR SPORTS

«<JALA AT OHOPE BEACH \ A SPECTACULAR MEETING • CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S ENTERPRISE It would 1 "be safe to say that -never have Ohope's hills rung to the sound of the Pipes on. the ? scale registered at the Grand Caledonian Sports Meeting held last New Year's Day. It would likewiste be equally correct to declare that never had - there been seen at the popular and well known resort such a vivid display of or such a splendid exhibition of Highland and' National Dancing. In every respect therefore the ven- ■ which had only been planned a short month beforehand • was a wonderful succtßs reflecting the greatest measure of - praise and credit upon; those energetic people responsible for its promotion.

The sports- attracted over 1500 r Spectators, who took full advantage •of the hillside slopes which' made a natural grandstand, and gave the ; greatest applause to all events which were run. By midday the steady procession of cars, which had been arriving at the beach throughout the entire morning had practically filled .the grounds till the valley was black with spectators. The wisdom of such a position ) was exemplified by the numerous picnic parties which took full advantage of the shade supplied by the native bush . and made a day's outing of the sports for the. entire family. As the ■ day wore on also it was seen that * the ampitheatre created by the hills provided excellent vantage points for all ? and could be extended to accommodate a crowd ten times the number. It is therefore with no little pleasure we learn that the Society intends running the sports as an annual event, which • cannot help but grow steadily m popularity each successive year. The. meeting drew units; from no less than four Pipe Bands } Rotorua ? .Tauranga and the Whakatane Senior and Junior Bands. The highlight of ilthe day as far as the Highland Sec- • tion was concerned was without a doubt the magnificent display work by the Tauranga kilties, who thrilled: the large crowd by its piping -and. drumming exhibitions. This under the capable control of Laurie Johnston "who is well known in Whakatane won. the admiration of all who were present. The Piping and Dancing contests "were disappointing as- far as entries were but the quality was there and dre\v the warmest praise from the Messrs L. Johnston and R. Smith respectively. The dancing was limited to the junior events which brought tSie younger lassies to the several of them for the. first time. However the tiny tots caught the popular fancy ana never failed to draw warm encouragement from the crowd. The more -advanced dancing was to be seen in the exhibitions put on by Miss L. JBellve and Mr D. Bothwell both of ?Tauranga f whose sprightly steps were warmly appreciated. The pipting contests drew, as the judge rei ■marked the youngest competitors he ihad ever seen on. the boards in the 'Province.

The athletic fields saw keen coiv though the most spectacular feature was without a doubt the cross-country race which was won by P. O'Dey alter a gruelling con- 1 test. The tug-o'war contest between Maori and Pakeha teams was likewise a highlight in the programme. In the Marching Contest for youth movements the entries, were again but the parade headed by the massed bands was nevertheless well worth seeing and drew the acclamation of the assemblage. The decision of the judge Mr Hau•esler to make the event a draw was a popular one. i The warmest congratulations must ,go to the officials and organisers •vvhoi must feel some satisfaction in the fact that, the gate realised over £100 and that all who attended were loud in their praises of the manner in which the sports were run, and the events handled. We mention in particular the Chief of the Mr W. J. Si-mons the - Mr W. the announcer, Mr Te H. Fergusson j and the fields steward Mr C .F. Thomas, not forgetting also the splendid work of the ladies who staffed the ©tails on the grounds and the num- ■ erous officials who attended to the • duties of staffing the field and gateways. (Continued in. next column)

Details of the events were as urn der:— ATHLETICS 50yds Girls under 16: C. Mexted 1; P. Burstall 2; M. Eivers 3. 100 yds Girls 16 and under: C. Mex.ted 1: M. Boulcott 2; P. Burstall 3. 50ytl& Girls (open): B. Mexted 1; P. Burstall 2; T. Cain 3. 50yds Boys (open): M. Parkinson 1; M. Tiepa 2. 50yds Boys 16 and under: A. Sullivan and J. Graham 1; A. Mundy 2; J. Newman 3. 100 yds Girls (open): B. Mexted 1; C. Mexted 2; T. Zinsli 3. 100 yds Boys 1(5 and under: B. Luke 1; M. Tiepa 2; K. Sullivan 3. 100 yds Poys (open): C. McDonald 1; P. Luke 2; E. LeLange 3. Relay Races, Boys: M. Tiepa's team 1. Girls: C. Mexted's team 1. Ngatiawa Marching Contest: Junior Caledonian Band Boys and Whakatane Girls' Basketball tcam i a tie. Tug-.0f.-war, Maori v Pakeha: H. 'Allen's Pakeha team 1. Boys 16 and under: R. Kelly's team 1. Boys 14 and under: Rotorua Scout team 1. Balmoral Cross Country Race: P. O'Dey 1; R. Mexted 2; M. Laing 3. 75yds Ladies (open): B. Mexted 1;, C. Mexted 2; T. Zinsli 3. Craigellachie 100 yds Open: R. Laurie 1; L. McCready and J. Harris 2. Slow Bicycle Race: A. Taylor 1. Nail Driving: Miss Fergusson 1. Chain Stepping: Mr F. Burke 1. 'Putting the Shot: A. Shair (30ft lOin) . PIPING March (own selection) pipers under 14 years: R. Hu»st (70) 1; D. McKenzie (65) 2; B. Thomas (60) 3. March (own selection) pipers 18 years and under: T. Allely (75) 1; R. Hurst (70) 2; E. Petty (60) 3. Strathespey and Reel 5 pipers 18 years and under: E. Petty (60) 1; D. McKenzie and R. Hurst; (55) 2. March (own selection), open: J. Campbell (90) 1; R. Brunning (75) 2; T. Allely (70) 3. DANCING Highland Fling: Marlon' Gillanders 1; Janice Mayo'and Janice Bell 2. Seann Trubhais: Janice Mayo 1; Marion Gillanders 2. Sword Dance: Marion Gillanders 1; Janice Bell 2. Sailors Hornpipe: Marion Gillanders 1; Janice Bell 2. J Irish Jig: Janice Bell and. Marion Gillanders 1 (a t<ieK