SOLDIERS' SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1326, 2 January 1912, Page 2

SOLDIERS' SPORTS.

THE MILITARY TOURNAMENT

RESULTS OF THE CONTESTS. CANTERBCIiV WINS THE LLOYDLINDSAY. TesterdnyWas People's Day .at the Palmerslon Military Tournament, when fair ladies-and.respectful male civilians, inspired by their presence and frequent applause, the valiants in tlic oval to doughty deeds in.their strivings for the honours in the final contests ,of the assault-at-arms. - Generally speaking, the tournament ...was- quite as successful as any in tho previous six years. The attendance was. between fivo and six thousand, a largo majority of tho occupants of tho grandstand being; of the fair _ex. The programmo wasinoro interesting than its predecessor'of 1911, and the gcheralarrangements were niuch more'., satisfactory. "Stage waits" at previous tournaments tended to deaden-tlm : interest-of the spectators. This year these waits.were eliminated as far as possible, and the public had u- first-class entertainment for its , money. The,classic event of the day, the Lloyd-Lindsay competition for . mounted riflemen,'was,-won'by a team frolu the South Canterbury Mounted-.Riiles, a decision which was cordially endorsed by the spectators. The men were smart and business-like.-with .their work, but it is safe to say tho event was won by their horses, which were easily the best troop horses on the ground. The manner in which these clever.■ animals, kept their line, hurdled, and stood at. ease' while awaiting the summons to como up for the ireth'ement was; tho admiration of all. There was no excitement, no champing of bits, pawing the turf,.or pirouetting about in- fancy, circles, and although thero might have'- beei more dash.aud elaii about some of.'their rivals, the Canterbury troop-horses stuck strictly to business, and carried their riders home with a_ comfortable margin to spare on the time limit. Tho Lloyd-Lindsay is a risky business. Four mounted men gallop, headlong over hurdles, dismount, and, while three of them advance to; a given, point, entrench,and open-' fii-e, the fourth leads' tho team back' to cover, and at a given signal has to tear round tho over, taking tho hurdles en' route, and bring the horses up to the firing party.' There was only one mishap, and that not a serious one, although the spectators held their breaths for a few seconds after it happened. While the Feilding mounted men wero taking one of tho hurdles at tho gallop. two of the horses fell, aud their riders narrowly escaped being rolled on. One of tho fallen animals in regaining its feet lashed out viciously, and caught a trooper on Ihe thigh. Luckily it was more a brush than a kick, but his breeches were ripped, and ho limped rather badly. However, he pluckily remounted, and the team finished tho ride, encouraged by the hearty cheers of the spectators. Another notable event was the winning outright of tho silver challenge cun for physical drill by A Company's squad, ill-til Regiment, under Col .-Sergeant T. Davies, formerly the old City Riiles. This being the company's third consecutive win, the trophy now becomes their permanent possession. C Company of the l'ifth (the old College Rifles), repeated its success of last year by carrying off tho winning honours in .the route march for company squads ill full marching kit, over a-seyeu-uiile'.course, which included a tramp- across country, a plunge across a creek, a flag, 'signalling tost, and an attack with ball ammunition on a detachment of hostile kerosene tins at a "surprise ' range. ,In addition to the straight-out competitions, a number of attractivo displays were also carried out. A new feature this year was tho musical drive by two artillery sections—six-horse teams ' and' 15pounder field guns-of the Royal New Zealand Artillery. As an exhibition of driving, horsemanship, and of the high intelligence of the trained gun horse, this display was not. only, a ;verv spectacular one, but highly instructive, and won not only; prniso from the general public, but also.sincere commendations from thoso who -had witnessed the musical drives of the Royal Artillery in the Old Country. Ihe attractive "Lancer" musical rido by B Squadron of the Manawatu Mounted' Regiment (formerly the Manawatu Mounted Rifles) was again one of the popular features of the day, and was generally admired. Altogether, considering tho tact that, many of the older and -more highly trained men had left the forces aud given place to the young fellows who came in with the.inauguration of the newdefence scheme,. the promoters of the tourney have. every. reason to feel highly satisfied with the success they. -. have achieved under undeniable difficulties and uncertainties 1 wo weeks ago the whole enterprise hung in tho balance, grave doubts being-enter-taincd by the committee as to whether it would bo wise to proceed with tho tournament in the first year of the new military organisation. However, they decided to risk it, and keep faith with thoso who had already entered for tho competitions. And tlieir courage has been -rewarded.- The cdntinuitv of a valuable incentive to wholesome* emulation in skill at arms has been maintained, and next New -Year should sec a great assembling of competitor-, from Auckland to Invercargill. During the day-an official visit was Paj." to the tournament by the General Officer' Commanding the New Zealand Forces (Major-General A. J. Godlev, O.B.). and Colonel E. S. Heard (DirecJ.?!;, of^ t 1 ». ff ;Dntics) > -Colonel A. AV. Rohin, C.B. (Adjutant-General of the Force-), Colonel K.-.T: Collins. C.M.G. (Reserve of o i H ™' s '; Colonel.J. R, Purdy " (Director ot MedicalScrnces), Colonel'G. AV. C. Chaytor (Conimanrirng the AVellington District), ' Liei'itemint-Colonel '' G. ■ ■ \ Johnston '(Director ' of 'Ordlfance), Lieutenant-Colonel D. I'rin«'lo (Sixth Regiment N.Z.M.R.), Chaplain "tho Kev. Lioutenant-Colonel Henuon; Major Cochrane (General Staff Officer,. Wellington District), and Acting-Lieutcnant-Col-onel C. Harcourt Turner (Fifth Regiment). There were also present a detachment of. 27 members of the- ■AVan-'a-nui branch of-the Royal New Zealand Association of his Majesty's Veterans.-vand 11, members of the Palmerston North branch, who were inspected by General Godley; Just-before the closo of the tourney the General also presented the New Zealand wnr medal to Private Haro Rakena To Awe' Awe, who was one of the -friendly Natives who fought under Major Keepa (Kemp), over forty years ago, on tho side of the British.- The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Twenty Years' ■Service Medal was also presented to ex-Colour-Sergeant •Porrin (of (ho. old.Palmerston North Rifles— twenty:vears' service)'; the' New Zealand Long", and Efficient Service Medal to Sergeant Hatpin (of tho same corps); the twelvo years' service medal to Private J. T).. Smith (Palmerston North Rifles); and the Territorial Officers' Decoration to LieutenantColoneLPrihgle. ...".'. ';.' •In thii.creninj,', ii suCcessful'display.was given'in.the grounds, under th'b.'xays of a powerful searchlight, the programmo consisting of a grand inarch and tableau' of_ representatives l.of, ' the British. Dominions, a tablean-yivant "L'Enipereur," the musical ride of the Manawatu Mounted Rifics, aud a representation of Canadian warfare in 1870.

THE PRIZE-LIST. The list of prize-winners in the various events is as follows:— Sword v. Sword (Mounted), Judges: Slnff-Sergls.-Major Walker and Clements, I'irst prize, .El; second, 10s. l'-esults: ■ Sergcant-Major Sutton, New Zealand Permanent Staff, 1; Sergeant U. .Tickell, B Squadron, Sixth N.Z.M.It. (Mauawntu), 2. Cockade Fight (Balaclava Melee). Judges: Stau'-Scrgts.-Major Nicholjs, Beer, Wood, and Clements. Prizes: First, -tl; second, JCi. For .teams of four men. Time allowed, five minutes, the team having the most, cockades intact at expiration of that time declared the winner. Results-.— "A" Squadron. Eighth X.Z.M.A. (South Canlerbury),l; 13 Team, Fourth N.Z.M U (Waikato), i. Lemon Cutting. .1 mixes: Slali'-SorKts.-Majnr Walker, Nicholls, Wood, and Clements. Prizes: I'irst, XI; second, 10s. Results:— Liout. Joll, North TaraiiaM Mounted

liilles. 1; (.'(ii ■{>'. H. rinlaysoii, Eleventh X.Z.M.K. (\oi-(li Auckliimij, 2. Costume Race, .liklrcs: Kliiri'-Scruk-.Major Wood, liter, Mniiucrs, and (Moment., l'ri/.e,-.1:1. An extra prize of ,Cl awarded fur the must original costume. Mcu to run 'JU yards and mount- horseback, ride over lii_t jump, dismount, pick up eigureUe, mount and ride .over tccoud jump, dismount and pick up match, and eiu;iirelte, mount and ride over third iumi), dismount and saddle up, mount and rido' over fourth jiilnp, dismount . aud lead horse to winning -post, cigarette to 1,0 alight, llcsiills'!— -. •- Corporal Taylor, D. St[(iadron, Sixth X.Z._l.lt. aiannw.itiO, i; Eu K lei- Tate, North Taranalci ..Mounted-, liilles, extra prize of XI. ':•■..-. _■" .... Lloyd-Lindsay Competition. V . Judftes: 'Staff Scrgeants-ilnJor..3Valker J -vicholls, Beer, Wood, -ibuinersj.nnd Clenienls. Prizes'; Eirst,.' .£'_o; second, Jfcl.o; third, £o. . Points':;liiding and jimiping' _5, lending; 25, entrenching, and Bring -5, style and appearance 10, commands 5, time from start to dismount 5, time from mount to finish :5. Total', 100. -Results:—. "A" Squadron; Sth.-.ftegimeiit S;C. -MguntT, ed Bides, 02.. points,, 1;" North. Taranaki Mounted Eiflcs, !)0 points, '-'■ ,-ltli "Wair. kato Mounted ljifl.es (A team), 88"pom'tsi _"

Tug-of-War on Horseback,; .-.- Judges: Staff-'Scrgts,; ;_lajor" Maiiners, Nicholls, Beer," and '"Cleirieiits. IPrizes: First, '<£:!; second, 10s."' four. Kesults:—Roviil" Now' Zeal'aiul ■ Axtillery, 1; D. Squadron, Gth..N.//.M.'R,,-.(Jlauu-watu), _. Panoramic Sketching, .. ~.:■:. Judge: Colonel A.-. -.AVi.--. ; .Bobin,- :.CB. Prizes: First, -J&l; second; ,10s. ~A panoramic sketch, showing an imaginary, enemy's position, r with report;.the sketch to show angles: of..sight, ; .;and.'; lateral angles, together.-with ranges as ; cstirnatodby'sketcher. Sketch to he in pencil, and finished on the...'ground;- /Time -allowed, 1!- hours. Kesults:—Bombardier, Fawcctl, D" Batterv N.Z.E.A.'V 1; Corporal.-'.Eod-gers, D Battery:N,Z.F..A.;;2. :.,.; V v."-V".?; Snatching the Handkerchief. Competitipri. -Judges: Stau"-Se'rgts.-iraj6rs ' Nicholls, Wood, Beer, and Clements. Prizes; First, •£li second, 10s. Two stools about two feet high placed 'onjke track at 20 yards distance from each other, on \_hich handkerchiefs lay. Competitors' galloped "their horses dii the near side of stools, and endeavoured to.piek up the handkerchiefs. Kesults—Trooper Barriball,' 3rd (Auckland) M.1?., 1; Corporal Beaumont (Uth Kegt, AucklaudJl-lU, :%: - .:: : .;' Tilting at the Ring and Tent Pegging. . Judges: StatT-Sergts.-Major .'V3Valker,'Beer, Nicholls, Manners and Wood. Prizes: First. £\ ; second, 10s. Kings placed 15 yards apart, the height-of a" man's shoulder (when mounted) from-the ground; peg 25 yards from second ring; horse at full gallop. Kesults:—Trooper M'Gregor, Ith. AVaikato U.K., 1; Corporal Oldfield, South. Canterbury Jl.K.', 2; Trooper Kountrec, North Auckland U.K., 3. ■" ■"" Fire Trench Competition. Frizes: First, £i; second, £2. ■ Dimensions of fire trench, 10 feet x 3 feet rl feet. Each team to dig trench and finish with sandbag loopholes. Kesults:— B Team, Wellington Engineers, 1; A Team, Wellington Engineers, 2. Trumpet Competition. Judge: Major Mackintosh. Prizes: First, ill; second, 10s. Calls: "First Post," "Stables," "Hay-up." Kesults-.— Trumpeter Hooper, D Battery N.Z.F;A., 1; Trumpeter Lambert, D . Battery N.Z.F.A., 2. ■ Physical Drill. '. Judges: Staff-Sergcants-Major Peacock, Atwcll, Hose, and AVoodhcud. Prizes: First, J2lO, and tho silver challenge cup; second, £2. Kesults:— A Company, Fifth Regiment N.Z.I. (Wellington Rifles), 95 points, 1; A Company, Eight Regiment N.Z.I. (Southland, Invercargill Guards), 93i points, 2;'E Compauy, Third N.Z.I. (Auckland), 85 2-5 points, ii. . ' Rifle and Firing Exercises. Judges: Staff-Sorgeants-Major Peacock, Atwell; Kose, and Woodhead. Prizes: First, £&; second, ,£B. For teams of eight under a N.C.O. Results:— A Company, Fifth Regiment, iN.Z.I.' (Wellington Rifles), I;.A Company, Eighth N.Z.I, (Invercargill), 2. Route Marching. judges: Staff-Sergeants-Major Peacock, Rose, Atwcll, and Woodhead. Prizes: First, JEIO and gold i medal, for each of the winning team'; second',' '£5, Results:— C Company, Fifth'Regiment'(Wellington Rifles), 1; C Company, Seventh Regiment (Palmerston), 2; E Company, Third, N.Z.I. (Auckland), 3. : ■ ■ ■ There was only one entry for the route marching competition for. Senior Cadets,. St. Anne's, AVellington,- and these were awarded the first prize of. ,Cl., . Sword v. Sword, Judges: Staff -Sergeants-Major- Peacock and Woodhead. Prizes: First, £1; second. 10s. Eesults.:-Sergennt-Mivjor Sutton, N.Z. Permanent Staff, 1; Sergeant S. D. Rogers, A. Squadron, Sixth :N.Z. Mounted - Rifles (Mauawatu), 2 Tent Pitching anil" Striking."' Judges: Staff-Sergeants-Major Peacock, Atwcll, and Rose. Prizes: First, J. 5; second, <l't. Results:— No. 3 Field Company N.Z.' Engineers,' and A. Team, College Riiles, 1 (a tie); B Team, College Kifles-(Aucklaud), 3. Bugle.CbrnpDtit.ionV' . '.'■ ; Prizes: First. JSI-; second,,%.-. A handsome silver mcdul-, presented ..by Captain IJ. 5... N. Kohinsoh,-.staff officer■- senior cadets, Wi.'lliiigton- district, awardcil-:-to the best cadet-bugler.-. GUIs:- '.'OrdOTSr'"Ketreat," "Last Fq.jl.".,. ; KesultS:VLiinceCorpl. Johnston, No. -l-Compnuv,--Field Engineers, 1; Bugler E. Leurv.-Waitalti 11. S. Cadets, 2; Bugler. Moschini, sth Welliugtqn Rifles, .3. ~ ... , Mor.se Signalling, ' . .' , Prizes: First,. £i;- second, ..£l. For teams of four, jiot exceeding rank of sergeant. Results:— ---.. ■-.•'■.... ,:. ;.<■•■■■ No. 3 Field •.Comrxthy,.' J 'N.Z;' 1; Otago Engineers,-. 2-f • .■.;-.• ■'. Semaphore/Signalling l (Class B). Prizes: First, £i ;'seiSou'd," £ 1.. 1 Ke«ultsB Company, 2nd N.Z. Infantry (Temuka Rifles), 1; Tcmiika Rifle's,' 2' .V . .'.',".,. Tent P?'gging';'by','Sections..iV : Judges: Staff-Sergl-s.-Majop -.'Walker, Nicholls, Beer, and..A\;pod.,.Prizes-.- First-, .tl; second, ,il, dlo'rse. at full- speed-when the peg is struck or Uikeji.-jvitli ilic lance. Peg carried a. dis'tauco of -20 yards.-- Results:— . .....'-, . ~,_■ . ..' ~ AVhangarei Jfou'iitidVliifl.sVl;-----WJii* tara Mounted •Rifles, J-'..'' Artillery Competition. . Judges: Capftiilis .'V. f.C. ''Spe'ncc' , -Sinith and —. Maidlow. Prizes, First, .£ls; secojul, £7 10s. NatH.o--of-.-thc contest: An alarm aud. turn out, driving test, rang ■ing, firing, retirement, and'. uniiuiWing.' Result:— •',.■-•: '-■■■■ •■ B team, D Battery> : l; A;'team.-D Battery, 2. ' "'• .-".-.- -.. ':.-:. • . Wrestlingon Horseback, Judges: Staff-.Sergts.-.Alajor AValker,' Wood, Beer, and!M.aunexs. Frizes:-First, .-£2; second, .£K For teams, of four nieh, bareback. 'Time allowed, -l'mijiutes...-'tMio team having the most, .men mounted ill the expiration of. .thut.lime' dccluroil'-iho winner.. Hesulls-:— '. ... Royal N.Z. Artillery..l"; Feilding.Mounted Rifles -'• '- ". ....-' .'. Tug-of-War. Judges: Stiitl-Serglji.-Major. Peacock, Atwcll, and Woodhead.-: Prizes: First, .£8; second, .£2. Entranco fee,, 10s. per team. For teams of eight- men. Results:— Royal N.Z. Artillery, I;,D. Batterv, 2; Auckland Engineers,-,-3;• --.-- .'.:..