OTAKI.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 481, 14 April 1909, Page 9

OTAKI.

Tho annual sports '.meeting in connection witli tho Otaki Druids' Club was held on .Messrs. Leo and M'Bcath's grounds at Otaki on Monday, when glorious weather prevailed.' The attendance was good, and in many events, tho racing was excellent, but only in a few instances wero the fields large. Tho arrangements wero better than in previous years. Tho picket fence erected at tho winning post worked splendidly for tho first foiv events, ai'tor which tho crowd crossed tho track, and thus interfered with tho work of tho officials. Tho finishes on the wholo wero good, and spoko well for the handicapping of Mr. Mark Ayro. Mr. Geo. Nohlo proved tho right man as starter, and, in every instance, the fields wero evenly dispatched. Mr. A. K. Knox, secretary, wprked hard and capably, and was ably assisted by Air. W. Keegan, and other members of tho Druids' Lodge. Following. aro details of tho day's sports:— District Maiden Race, 150 yds.—J.' Cootes, 1; 11. Taylor, 2; Rangi, 3. This proved a good event from tho flash /of tho pistol to tho tft]>os, and tho judges' had difficulty in deciding on tho winner: Chambers, Swensson, A. and S. Cook, Carter, Wallace, and T. and J. Cootes, also started. Boys' Race (under 16 years):—Patching, 1; Ryder, 2;, Freeman, 3. Won easily. Handicap Hurdles, 220yds.—J. Cootes, 17yds., 1; G. Cook, 15yds., 2; Frank Cootes, 10yds., 3. Won by two yards after a fair raco between the first two men. Throe-legged Race, 100yds.—H. Taylor and Judd, 1; G. Cook and F. Cootes, 2.

Handicap Race, 100yds.—M'Kain, 4yds., 1; W. H. Bennett, 4yds., 2; A. Cook, 3yds., 3. Also started: 11. Taylor, W. Gougli, G. Cook, L. Allen, and Chambers. A good race ensued till within ton yards of tho tape, when a mishap, by bumping, occurred, and four of tho runners fell, leaving tho first three to light a fino finish, M'Kain beating Bennett by a few inches, Cook close up. Boys' Championship Race, 100 yds.—M. Ryder, 1; Dorset, 2; Arapata, 3. Half-milo Handicap.—J. Sexton, scr., 1; R. Stavelcy, 50yds., 2; A. Bells, 30yds., 3. Also started: Swensson, 50yds.; G. Judd, 50yds. In tho first lap, Staveley maintained his lead, with Judd and Sexton in close proximity, the scratch man having caught tho others soon after tho start. Eventually ho overhauled Staveley and won comfortably.

220 yds. Handicap.—M'Kain, Byds., 1; L. Allen, Byds., 2; W. Gough, 4yds., 3. .Taylor, 14yds., and G. Cook, 4yds., also started. A good race saw the winner finish two: feet in advance of tho others.

220 yds, Arapata,

Boys' Championship.—Ryder, 1; 2. Won easily..

l'ouths' Handicap, 220yds.—Haputa, scr., 1; A. Jiarsen, scr., 2; Freeman, 20yds., 3. Won easily.

Sack Race, 75yds—F. Cootos, 1; Ashton, 2; F. Dorset, 3.' A n easy win. Ono Mile Handicap.—R. Stavoley, 100 yds., 1; J. Sexton, scr., 2. Also started: G. Judd, 100 yds.; F. Dunn, 100 yds.; Swensscn, 100 yds.; and A,. Bolls, 60yds. Stavoley led throughout, and, despite frequent attempts to catch up, Sexton could not get within 20 yards of him at tho finish. Tho winner ran strongly all through. Bells and Jndd finished somo distanco behind.

440 yds. Boys' Championship.—Ryder, 1; Arapata, 2; Freeman, 3. Only sta'rters. 440 yds. Handicap.—W. Gough, lOvds.,'l; M'Kain, 10yds., 2; H. Taylor, 20yds., 3. Also started: Sexton, ser.; and Carver, fOyds. Taylor,- after leading for somo distance, gave way to Gough and M'Kain, while Sexton and Carver dropped out. A good race ensued between the two placed men. Timo, o'Osec. High Jump.—Ashton, sft., 1; Allen, 2. Bovan and Kipa finished dead-heat for third place, Bailey falling out early in tho contest. Druids' Race, 100yds.—Arthur Noble, 1: \\. liaillcy, 2; A. Hook, 3. Also started: ■.Elliott, W. licvan and Thomas. Tlio winner ran splendidly, from the start, and, leading his field throughout, won fairly comfortably, a good raco taking place between second and third.

Schoolboys' Relay Race.—Rikiliana, 1; Bennett, 2; Dorset, 3. Also started: Freeman, Ryder, Whata, Allen, and Morgan. Won by threo yards. Obstaclo Race.—J. Carver, 1; Pntn, 2; A. Noble, 3. Also started: Bruce, Ferguson, and Frank Cootcs. Tho last named made tho paco for tlio first fifty yards, and then fell back with Ferguson, Carver took, command, and eventually won easily. Forced Handicap, 220 yds—L. Allen, 1; A. Cook, 2. Also started: Puta and Carver. Tho placed men ran well for 75 yards, when Cook gave way to Allen, who won by a few loot.

In the evening a social and dance were lield in the Town Hal], lvlien thcro was a largo attendance. Mr. I'ene Enoka supplied tho dance-music, while songs were contributed by quite a number of those present. Mesdames Gordon and Morgan supervised tho supper arrangements, and Messrs. Geo A'oble and Win. Kcegan were M.C's.