BUILDERS AT PLAY

Evening Star, Issue 19796, 21 February 1928, Page 2

BUILDERS AT PLAY

PICNIC AT WINGATUI A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING The master builders of Dunedin have every reason to be pleased with the success which attended the association’s annual picnic held at Wingatui last Saturday. Although the sun failed to pierce the mist which hung low over tho Taicri practically all day, the weather was quite pleasant, and did nob interfere in any way with the carrying out. of the sports programme. As_ is usual in these picnics, the organising and catering were exceptionally well clone, thanks being due in no small measure to Mr A. S. Cookson, Mr Morris, all tho members of the committee, and tho caretaker (Mr Crawford) and his staff at Wingatui. Euou ice cream to supply a. regiment of soldiers for a week in the tropics was “ on tap.” not to mention a liberal stock of fruit, sweets, and toys for the children. Valuable prir.es were given to tho competitors who were placed in tho various sporting events. Tho most import*,!!t. race cf the day was undoubtedly ! fie Builders’ Handicap (with flic possible exception of the. builders’ wives’ race). Tho former is an event made compulsory for all those in the trade, and so largo was tho field that Lho competitors were ordered out on to tho race track to fight it out. Some humorist suggested that tho race should be a gcntlc'littlo sprint of five furlongs, but the officials, after glancing surreptitiously at tho waistbands of .several of the runners, decided that a snappy 100,yds down tho straight to tho judge’s box would suffice. From the moment tho barrier went up the race was closely contested, and amid much excitement K. E. Grimmett breasted the tape a few feet in front of A. M’Laren, with J. 11. Slemint close up. The winner takes a handsome cup presented by Messrs Briscoe and Co. for annual conqietition. tho conditions being that two consecutive wins by any runner makes it his own property.

The cup was presented by Mr L. F. Lawrence, tho president, who, having obtained control of his breath (ho also was a competitor), made a neat speech of congratulation. Mr Gi'immett, after returning thanks, remarked sensibly that he was glad ho won the race, and ho hoped ho would win it next year - . (Cheers and applause.) Two new items on the programme which won great popularity were the wood-sawing and tossing the caber. For the former event some real dark horses camo to light, tho winners being the Camj.hcll brothers, who, in spite of I heir handicap of lOsec. managed to win by I sec from the O’Driscoll brothers. Tho latter put up tho fastest iimo for builders. Campbell and Harper also performed with credit. Those who also competed wore; Bong and M'Cormack. O’Connell and Anderson, Slomint and APLnren, Waldio and Ellis, Boss and Naylor, Howison and Broad. J, M'Cnrmack’s throw nl 37ft siin was too good for the rest of the competitors in the tossing of the caber, but A. Al'Laren, with 34it fin, did creditably, and T. Stewart (3211 f.Oin) proved himself no mean exponent ol tho pastime. The chain stopping competition drew a. largo number of entries from tho ladies, several of whom camo remarkably close to measuring the exact distance. The winner was Mrs APCrorie (66ft 03in). Competition was keen also in tho builders’ wives’ race for the very fine bowl presented by John Edmond, Ltd. After a good finish Mrs Glenn took tho premier honors. Tho following were the committeemen present:—Messrs L. E. Lawrence (president), W. Ellis, J. R. Slomint, W. B. Loan, D. A. O’Connell, A. M“’Laron, W. Naylor, J. J. Paul, W. Boss, J. APCormack, and 11. C. Anderson. Mr D. A. O’Connell, with tho bell, controlled tho sports program mo most efficiently, and credit is due also to tho starter (Mr AV. Ellis) and his assistant (Mr W. floss).

Girls (5 to 8 years).—L. Packer 1, L. Morton 2, J. Lawrence 3. Boys (5 to 8 years).—W. Wright 1, M. Leal 2, H. North 3. Girls (8 to 12 years).—G. Kellett 1, M. M'Cormack 2, E. Glue 3. Boys (8 to 12 years).—A. Markham 1, H. Tvrio 2, A. Campbell 3. Girls “(12 to 16 years).—A. Packer 1, M. Ellis 2, N. Wright 3. Boys (12 to 16 years).—L, Tyrio 1, G. Lawrence 2, Jack Woods 3. Young Ladies’ Race.—Miss Mina Morton 1, Miss Vernon 2, Miss M. Paul 3. Married Ladies’ Race.—Mrs Anderson 1, Mrs M'Crorie 2, Mrs Wood 3. Builders’ Handicap.—R. E. Grimraett 1, A. M'Laren 2, J. R. Slemint 3. , r Wheelbarrow Race.—Airs Faithful 1, Aliss Mearns 2, Airs Wood 3. Visitors’ Race.— E. Thomson 1, M. O’Sullivan 2, G. Wright 3. Stepping the Chain.—Mrs M'Crorie 1, Airs Newman 2, Mrs Mutch 3, Ladies’ Nail Driving.—Airs M'Laren 1, Mrs A. Wright 2, Airs Callick 3. Wood Sawing.—Campbell Bros. 1, O’Driscoll Bros. 2, Cajnpbell and Harper 3. Three-legged Race.—Airs M'Cormack 1, Airs Wood 2, Aliss Lawrence 3. Cigarette Race. —Aliss Shriller 1, Miss Mearns 2, Miss Hazel Lawrence 3. Builders’ Wives’ Race. —Airs Glenn 1, Airs M’Cormack 2, Airs G. Glue 3. Wheeling the Barrow (blindfolded). —Miss Sli'ATer 1, Mrs Cherry 2, Airs Glenn 3.

Committee Race.—J. M'Cormack 1, W. Loan 2, L. F. Lawrence 3. Travellers’ —J. Street 1, G. Wright 2, M. O’Sullivan 3. Tossing the Caber.—J. M'Cormacs 1, A. M'Laren 2, T. Slewart 3.

Chain Stepping.—Mrs M'Crovio 1, Mrs Newman 2, Mrs Mutch 3.