AWAKERI GYMKHANA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 60, 8 April 1946, Page 5

AWAKERI GYMKHANA

RAIN AFFECTS ATTENDANCE FULL PROGRAMME CARRIED OUT SPECTACULAR CHOPPING EVENTS

Heavy rain showers which fell on and off all day failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the substantial crowd which attended the special sports meeting promoted by the Awakeri Committee in aid of Princess Betty's campaign in the R.S.A. Welfare Fund Appeal last Saturday. The meeting for which the most sub - stantial arrangements had been made was carried out in full and should have drawn a record crowd, though the £7O realised at the gate can be considered by no means unsatisfactory.

The ring events on the whole were well up to standard but suffered considerably on account of the slippery nature of the ground. That wellknown contestant from Pongakawa, Mr J. Pattie, competed prominently. The Open Jump went to T. Slater with Mr Alan Stewart a close second. The junior horse events attracted keen fields also and were well worth seeing.

The section least affected by the rain was the chopping ring, which ,had drawn exceptionally good entries and was one of the best conducted exhibitions yet seen in the ■ district. All events were keenly contested and never failed to provoke the warmest applause. It was particularly pleasing to note the veteran H. Scalette again facing the block and carrying off the standing handicap. Another popular innovation

was the inclusion of. a local and an age event which did much to encour--age the novices. The athletic fields were limited to a comparative handful of competitors but were nevertheless keen and • competitive throughout. The section was linked with the junior or children's events which found a better response and never failed to draw the crowd.

The task of describing events and •of maintaining a general interest, ■once again fell to Mr Freddie Burt who in spite of the rain was at his

breezy best. It would appear that no sports meeting in this district at least is complete without Fred. We have nothing but the 'warmest praise for the hard working committee responsible for the sports and a sincere admiration for the decision to 'carry on' with the programme come what may.. We trust that the returns will not be too far below expectations. Details of the various events are as under: — HORSE EVENTS Maiden Jump: R; Orr 1, R. Armstrong 2, A. Rogers 3. Flag Race: N. Taylor 1, S. Eivers 2. Boy or Girl Rider (hurdles): Miss J. Berg 1, T. Slater 2, P. Cradwick 3. Best Lady Rider: B. Pattie 1, J. Berg 2.

Open Jump: J. Thompson 1, J. Pattie 2, K Pattie 3, A. Stewart 4. Wire Jump: T. Slater 1, A. Stewart 2.

Hunters' Jump: J. Reid 1, J. Pattie 2, E. Pattie 3. Open Bending: A. Biddle 1, M. 'Taylor 2.

Steeplechase Style: E. Pattie 1, T. Slater 2, P. S. Reid 3. Farewell Jump: A. Stewart. CHILDREN'S HORSE EVENTS Best School Pony: G. McGee 1, E. Barker 2, R. Burr 3. Best Boy or Girl: P. Cradwick 1, S. Eivers 2, D. Perkinson 3. Best Boy or Girl (under 10): L. Moore 1.

Boy or Girl (under 7): R. Burr 1, G. McGee 2, B. McGee 3. Children's Relay: P. Cradwick's team 1, E. Barker's team 2. Gretna Green Race: S. Eivers 1, P. Cradwick 2. Children's Bending: D. Parkinson 1, P. Cradwick and J. Morice 2. ATHLETICS 100yds Maiden: Newdick 1, Green 2, Graham 3. 120yds Handicap: B. A. Johnston

1, L. Oswald 2, O. Glover 3, 220yds Handicap: R. Laurie 1, B. Johnston 2, W. Simpson 3. 440yds Handicap: Dawson 1, Laurie 2, Oswald 3. 880yds Handicap: Knight 1, Laurie 2, Mclnally 3. One Mile Handicap: B. Mexted 1, P. Parsons 2, B. Knight 3. Single Ladies' Race: C. Mexted 1, M. Eivers 2.