QUARTZVILLE SPORTS

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 232, 21 April 1874, Page 6

QUARTZVILLE SPORTS

(FROM A OOItBESPONDENT. ) Possibly the advertisement of sports to be held at QuartzvilljG, which appeared in a late issue of your paper, may have been considered ill-timed by the public generally, on the ground that the great affliction caused by the sickness so prevalent in the district should have prevented the holding of such. Those, indeed, more particularly so afflicted may have considered it not only ill-timed but unfeeling on the part of the promoters. Allow me to assure the public, on behalf of the promoters, that the latter are not behindhand in their feelings of sympathy, but they consider that one of the best ways of keeping the foe at bay is to endeavour to be as lively and cheerful as possible, thereby preventing despondency, which it may be has a tendency to induce disease.

For this reason, and having a balance of funds remaining since the Christmas sports, it was determined to improvise a day's fun, and accordingly, Saturday, the 11th, was fixed on for the purpose. To the surprise of everyone, the attendance was almost equal to that on any other occasion of a like nature, and both old and young appeared to enjoy themselves very well. The first event was a game of quoits, in which the opponents were pretty equally matched, a good player and a very bad one being on either side. It might almost have been fancied that the bad players were trying to " throw over" their mates, so persistently did they apparently strive to see who would be furthest from the mark. The foot-race was won easily by Richardson, although one of the other competitors was twice as big, and the other twice as high as himself. This was followed by a horse-race, for £4. The course was slightly up-hill; the distance half a mile ; and the weight twelve stone. There were three entries, and the result was as follows: Hazlett's Black Prince 1 Kane's Miss Scott 2 Richardson's Lindis 3

All three got away to a good start, effected by Mr John Miller. Lindis took the lead, followed by Miss Scott. Black Prince was in waiting until close upon the post, when he took the lead and Avon easily. Next on the programme was a wrestling match, Cumberland style, which was well contested. Messrs Macnamara and M'William divided the spoil. A trotting match succeeded, prize £4. Distance, one mile ; two entries. Griffith's Copenhagen ... ... 1 Lawrence's Jack 2

Jack had the race all his own wa,y, had not his rider mistaken the turning-post at the half-mile. Turning twice round in bewilderment, he came into collision with Copenhagen. Then by some means he turned once more, when of course he found himself considerably behind. He then pulled up. The approach of darkness caused a cessation of proceedings, and one or two events had to be postponed.