TUG-OF WAR CARNIVAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1628, 20 December 1912, Page 6

TUG-OF WAR CARNIVAL.

CONFERENCE OP CAPTAINS. Tho big athletic attraction' at Christmas time will bo tho tug-of-war carnival, prtimoled by Haywards JSnterprises, Ltd., which, is to commence at tho 'Town Hull on Boxing Night. Good entries have taen received from other parts of the Dominion, as well as from Wellington, tho big prize-money having-produced a healthy interest over a wide area. A conference of captains of teams was held Inst evening in tho office of tho manager (Mr. Geoffrey Nye), when certain interesting details were arranged, with the aid of the referee, Mr. James Doyle, whoso advice was readily accepted. All the teams which have entered, savo one, were represented. It was decided that the referee shall be tho sole judge and starter, and that he shall start each pull by word of mouth, as by ringing n bell or striking ft gong one team may get the advantage by watching tho action of the official concerned. It was ■ arranged that the big platform will be erected longitudinally down the hall from the stage, and that each end shall bo marked with a red and white flag respectively for the guidance of the teams and public. The pulling-stage will be painted black, and the centre-six feet of the rope will also lie painted black, with a white ring in the centre. To indicate which side is gaining, the staging will be marked off in inches, painted white, in order that the public, may clearly ooserve which side is gaining the advantage. Tho referee will take up a position directly over the white ring on the rope, the movement of which ho will indicate (in inches) to an official with tho megaphone, who will announce the progress of the tug to the audience.

Mr. Tait, superintendent of the Fire Brigade, was present. Speaking for the brigade team, he asked that in*the event of the brigade being called out to a fire at n time it is'scheduled to pull, that it shall be given. .the option of pulling at another lime. This was readily agreed' to by all the captains present.

The twelve-stone teams arp to be weighr>.:\ between G. 30 p.m. and ".30 p.m. on Boxing Day. The special new rones for the l)ig hi?, which are beintf kindlr siippliotl by Messrs. Ross and Co.. of Foxton, will arrive in Wellington to-day.