AXEMEN AT PLAY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1104, 18 April 1911, Page 3

AXEMEN AT PLAY.

SPORTS AT UPPER HUTT,

A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING.

An event of unusual interest to tho Upper Itutt folk and visitors from surrounding districts was the Axemen's Carnival which was held at Maidstone Park yesterday. Trite, it was not a gathering of champions, if one excepts W. Weston, an ex-champion—inosl of the competitors being lccnl axemen who had gathered together for a day's fun. There were other sports as well—races, wrestling bouts, and a tug-o'-war—and altogether the day was a most successful one for spectators and competitors alike. The weather had upset the arrangements for the opening of the carnival on Saturday, but was tairly good yesterday—cold in tho morning, but much more genial in tho afternoon. A few rain-squalls swept up the valley, but these were not serious enough to damp the ardour of those present. There was a large attendance l'rom the countryside, and to the number was added about 100 visitors from the city. The chopping competitions excited the liveliest interest, and some keen contest; took place, especially in the local events. In the Open Chop, the star item on the programme, Weston, the ex-champion (who is new a . resident of Upper Hutt), had a walk-over. The next man had 30sec. start of him, and the limit man SOsec., but the winner had" a practised hand, and his work was a treat to witness. Some of his cuts'were tremendous, one "scarf," which is being kept as a memento of the carnival, bein<; a foot long and two inches thick at tho base of the wedije. A very popular competitor was Mr. "Bob" Whiteman, father .of several young and vigorous axemen, and his performance in getting into the fourth place in one of the heats in tho Foot Cijt event was heartily cheered. In this event some particularly smart work was noted, and the winner. Frank Whiteman, made a sensational finish after his supporters had all but given np hope. The results of the various events are as follow;— . Foot Cut, 12-inch standing block of white pine (upright chop)— First heat; Frank Whiteman (scr.), 1; A. Southie (7 sec.), 2; W. H. Southie (15sec.). 3. Time, 4G i-ssec. Second heat; G. Fothergill (15 sec.), 1; F. A. Whiteman (7sec.), 2; W. Auckrane (losec.), 3. Time, 4Gsec. I'inal; Frank Whiteman, 1: F. A. Whiteman, 2; G. Fothergill, 3. Time, 41 l-ssee. 100 yds. Handicap I?ace—First heat:D. Greig (9yds.), 1; G. E. Downing (9iyds.), 2. Time, lOsec. Second heat; G. Parker (6yds.),-1; E. Pelling (11yds.), 2; A. Greig (9Syds.), 3. Time, 10 3-ssec. Final: G. Parker, 1; D. Greig,. 2; G. E. Downing, 3. Time. 10 2-ssec. Local Chopping Handicap, 18-inch standing block—First heat; Frank Whiteman (ser.), I; W. Johnston (scr.), 2; G. Fothergill (20sec.), 3. Time, 2min. 27 2-ssec. Second heat; F. B. Cheetham (lOsec.), 1; A. Southie (lOsec.), 2; F. A. Whiteman (10 sec.), 3. Time, Imin. 36sec. Final; G. Fothergill, 1; F. B. Cheetham, 2; A. Southie, 3. Time, 2min. 11 l-ssec. Wrestling, • "catch-as-eatch-can," two out of three—H. Sandow beat O'Lcary and Sullivan, 2 falls each; O'Lcary got, one fall from- Sandow. O'Leary's performance was a good one, considering his years (he is an elderly man), and his out-of-form condition. ' 220 yds. Handicap Race—J. M. Scott (13 yds.), 1; F. C. Hubbard; (scr.), 2; A. Cunningham (Byds.), 3. Time, 23 4-ssec. ■Double Sawing.—James Judge and W. Johnston (ssec.), 1; W. Grantham and — Olsen (scr.), .2; 'J. Castley and .W. Clifton (7sec.), 3. Time, 18sec. 440 yds. Handicap Race.—L. M'Donald (25yds.),'1;'— Hubbard (scr.), 2; C. Aston (12yds.), 3.' Time, 53 2-ssec. Benge's team .defeated Craig's team after'a' strenuous contest.. Open Handicap Chop, 18-inch standing block.—W. Weston'(scr.), 1; Frank Whiteman (30see.), 2; W. Johnston (30;ec.), 3. Time, lmin. 57 4-ssec. 880 yds. Handicap Race.—L. M'Donald (55yds:), 1; 'J. Finn (65yds.). 2. . Time, 2min. ssec. Only two of the field finished. . Single Sawing.—W. Grantham, 1; J. •Judge. 2. Time, lmin. 30 3-ssec. Open Handicap Underhand Chop (standing on log).—W. Weston (scr.), 1; W Johnston (32sec.), 2; E. Cossgrovo (35sec.), 3. Time, lmin. ,39 2-ssec. Generally speaking, tho arrangements for the. carnival were very good. Tho committee was a zealous one, and worked hard to make the gathering a success. The idea of the carnival was first mooted by \V\ Weston, whose enthusiasm and knowledge of chopping contests were of great assistance to the committee, of which Mr. F. C. O'Leary was secretary. The members of the committee were: Messrs. E. Burrell (chairman), W. Weston, E. Pelling, F. A. Whiteman. F. Whiteman, Tuke Whiteman, F. Standish. F. Kilkollv, A. Edwards, G.-Fothergill' J. Berling, A. Southie, T. Franzke, J. Alexander, G. Grantham, A. Palmer, and A. Gorrie. Handicappers: Messrs. J. Kennedy, W. Weston, and A. Hansen. Judges: Messrs. P. Davis, J. Doyle, T. Edwards, W. Burrell, and R. Quinn.