“THE GLORIOUS TENTH”

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 14, 11 October 1921, Page 9

“THE GLORIOUS TENTH”

JOHN CHINAMAN AT PLAY SPORTS AT NEWTOWN PARK. Ten years ago yesterday the Manohu dynasty was overthrown, and the Celestial Rpublic set up under the leadership of Yuan Shih-Kai and with the aid of the America-trained brain of Dr. Sun Yat Sen, the present leader of the Nationalist party. And Chinamen domiciled in Wellington celebrated the anniversary of tte Republic yesterday by a Chinese sports meeting, held at Newtown Park. The Chinese population made a field day of the anniversary. It was a sight not easily to be forgotten by the many New Zealanders who paid a visit to the Park., The pavilion was surmounted by the multi-coloured ensign of New China. On each side of the national flag the New Zealand standard hung, showing the loyalty of the Chinese to the country of their adoption. A white scroll, placed below the flagstaffs, had inscribed in Chinese characters a message of fealty and of good will to the Republic. The proceedings were opened by speeches in Chinese by Messrs. Wong Tong (president of the Chinese Association of Wellington), Fing Ming, and the Rev. Y. P. Li, who ministers to an Anglican congregation, of his countrymen in Tory Street. The theme running through the speeches of all tho orators was an appeal that the tenth day of the tenth month of the year should never be forgotten; but should remain always ns a reminder of the change to civilisation - from the new to the old. It was a queer sight, tho picture of the many eager Chinese faces, applauding in their modulated sing-song, as each speaker, rapidly and expressively, elaborated each point. Far from being unwilling that there should"oe a foreign audience, tho Orientals soon made it plain that the visitors were very welcome. "Ho pong you,” they said. "Good flen’.” The sports items were excellent. Fortion o? the crowd who had gone to be amused found themselves greatly interested, and the Chinese Consul, Mr. Li Kweng Hing (a reoent arrive! from Yokohama , was congratulated by several visitors upon the standard of athletic prowess shown. There was great excitement over every event, and much discussion ns to the respective merits of the various competitors. A Dominion reporter had occasion to ask a judge whether so-and-so hod won a certain event, whereupon the competitor made an impassioned speech for upwards of two minutes. "He say, 'No!'" urbanely answered the judge. Winners of first prizes each received a gold medal, while silver medals were awarded to runners-up. and neckties to winners of third places. Interesting displays of Chinese boxing and knife juggling were given by Mr. Lue Gue, a clever exponent, of both arte. The results of the events are as follow :— lOO.vds., under 14.—R. Wong Tong. 1; Lo Fung Hong, 2; Kong Hing. 3. 200yds., under 18.—L. Tommy. 1 ; Ah Ken. 2. Tug-of-War.—J. B. Lum’s team, 1. High Jump.—Joe Yew, 1; C. 8. Fong, 2; J. Kitchell, 3 Bicycle Race. Two Miles. J. Lowo (Palmerston). 1; C. S. Fong. 2. Sack Race, 199yds.—Joe. lon Lun, 1; J. Kitchell, 2; Jim Lee. 3. 440yds Race—C. S. Fong. 1; J. Kitchell, 2; Joe Yew. 3. A fine race. There were ten entries. For 229yds. Yew set the pace, but 'Fong broke away in good style. The secretary. Mr. Matthew Shum, worked unceasingly to make the gathering a success.