MAUKU ATHLETIC CLUB.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 696, 3 January 1922, Page 4

MAUKU ATHLETIC CLUB.

■ , • ’* ■ , 381 h ANNUAL SPORTS MEETING. A MONSTER SUCCESS. i , CUP WON BY J. MAXWELL. Favoured with glorious weather, the Mauku Athletic Club’s thirty-eighth annual sports and picnic was held in Mr R. K. Membery’s paddock, Patumahoe, yesterday, and from every point of view the event was a monster success, in fact it was one of the most successful meetings held since the inception of the Club., The grounds were ideal for such a gathering, being partially surrounded by beautiful, native bush, while within a few minutes,” walk of t)ie sports ground were the famous Mauku Fall|, a photograph of which was produced in the Christmas Supplement of the “Times.” / .

Many visitors availed themselves of the opportunity of viewing the falls, and 'all were highly delighted with what came under their notice. The racing tracks were somewhat on the rough side. At an early hour patrons commenced to flock to the scene of activities, and: by mid-day the attendance approached a record, while many arrived during the afternopn,. The special train from Paerata, which connected with the down Thames express and the special race train, conveyed a large crowd to the sports ground. This train was crowded with visitors from Auckland, Pukekohe and intermediate stations. Motor ’buses, taxis, and horse-drawn vehicles conveyed people to the grounds from all parts of the sur- • rounding district. The energetic officials, who had worked assiduously, had elaborate arrangements complete, and from the time of starting events were got off rapidly and without the slightest hitch. There wag no delay, and the officials deserve a word of praise for the manner irp which they discharged their duties. The secretary (Mr H. R. Baigent) although he termed himself a novice in the position, carried out his arduous duties in a manner which reflected credit not only to himself but to the Mauku Athletic Club. —_ The racing was decidedly interesting, then; being some very close finishes, ; especially . in the All-comers’ 100 yards, the half-mile, and the mile handicaps;. The finishes is the first and second heats of the comers’ were close, but the final provided the race of the day, the three placed men crossing the tape almost locked, together, and none but the judges were in a position to say who had won. The half mile event also provided an exciting finish. JaS. McKean, sen., a runner who has about 55 summers to his credit, from the 80 yards’ mark, set out and made the pace, which he maintained to the finish. H. Gibbons, on the 50 yards’ mark, caught the veteran at the home turn, but the “old horsef stuck to his task, and when about 20 yards from the winning post thi’ew cut a determined challenge, which Gibbons was just able to stall off. McKean finished third in the mile event. In this event McKean led for seveneights of the 1 journey, when King, who was on the; 30 yards mark, overtook him. Cathcagt, off the 20 yards’ line, also passed hfm 100 yards from home. King coming along easily had the race in safe keeping, hut Cathcart sprinted and ran past his opponent. King came again and just got up in time to make a dead heat of it.

The principal event of the day, the Mauku Cup, of £ls, run over a 220 yards’ course, attracted a large field. Jack Maxwell, a Pukekohe boy, now residling at Patumahoe, who was on the 22 yards mark (the limit) flew out from the pistol and maintained his advantage and ran home an easy winner. This was the most popular win of the day, and Maxwell received congratulations on all sides. The official handicapped for the Northern Athletic Union (Mr Chas. Morrison) deserves credit for th.e manner in which he handicapped the competitors. Such a number of close finishes are. seldom seen at such a meeting.

During the afternoon a large number of events for the children were decided, the little ones enjoying the fun.

Proceedings were enlivened ©onsiderably by the presence of the Pukekohe Municipal Brass Band, which, under Bandmaster Calkin, rendered a programme of musical items which was highly appreciated. Results are as follows : Maiden Race* 100 yards, all off scratch.— First heat: J. Maxwell 1» E. R. Brain 2. Second heat: M. Kirkland 1, E. Christiansen 2. Final: Kirkland 1, Maxwell 2. A good race. 220 yards Hurdies. —R. J* McNamara 1, H. R. King 2. S. Sharp 3. McNamara won with something to spare. All-comers’ Handicap, 100 yards. First heat: F. B.

R. J- McNamara (7 yards), 2, D. Neil (10yds) 3. Second heatW. C. Smith (Byds) 1, M. Kirkland (Byds), ,2, W. 'Williams 3. Final : Kirkland 1, Smith 2, Tpms 3. .- • 880 yards Handicap.--,!!. Gibbons (50yds) 1, Jas. McKean (60yds) 2, A. L. Cathcart (10yds) 3. Goal Kicking.-—M. Aldred 1. Mauku Cup, 220 yards.—J. Maxwell (22yds) 1. T. H. Miller (20yds) 2, W. C. Smith (ISyards) 3. Stepping Competition.—G. Wright (76yds Ift 6in.) 1, R. Fulton (77yds 3 inches) 2. The actual distance was 76 yds 1 foot 10 inches.

One Mile Handicap.— A\ L. Cathcart (20yds) and H. R. King (30yds) dead heat, 1, Jas. McKean (110yds)

Returned Soldiers’ Handicap, 100 yards.——Madden (Bay of Plenty) 1, D. Davy 2. Mauled Men’s. Race. —Robin:,on fWoiau Pa), 1, Amos 2. 440 yards Handicap.—F.. B. Tbrt.s (,18yds) if T. H. Miller (35yds) 2. Boys’ Race (under 16 years), 150 yards— Woods and Michie, dead heated, 1 and in the run off Michie won.

Forced Handicap, 100 yards.—F. B. Toms 1,"W.. C. Smith 2. Married Ladies’ Race. Mrs McKibbon % Mrs A. Wright 2.

Single Ladies’ - Race. —Miss S Oldham L >

DANCING EVENTS .

In conjunction with the sports the Auckland Highland and National Dancing Society conducted a programme o,f dancing events. Considerable interest was taken jn the events throughout the day. Results are : Highland Fling, girls under 12yrs.— A. Virgin .1, L. Collins 2, B. Anderson 3. Highland Fling, (novice), girls.— Eva O’Connell 1, Norma Angus 2, T. Jones 3. Highland Flng, girls over 12yrs.— E. Sanford 1, G. Russell 2, Eva O’Connell 3. Highland Fling, boys.—Angus Brown 1, Stanley Brown 2, A. Fage 3. Sword Dance, boys.—Angus Brown 1, A. Page ',2, S. Brown 3,. Sword Dance, girls (open).—E. Sanford 1, Q. Russell 2, E. O'Connell 3.

Sword Dance, girls (novice). —Jessie Jackson II Laura King 2, Violet Brown 3.

Irish Jig (girls).—L. Collins 1, A. Virgin 2, L. King 3. Consolation Highland Fling.—lvy Wilkins 1, Joyce Bray 2, Nina Riley 3. Shean Trus (girls under 12). —A. Virgin 1, L- Collins 2. , Fling (special class).—Myrtle Orphert 1, Ella Craig 2.

Reel o’ Tulloeh. —Winnie Geddie 1, Norma Angus 2, Lila Collins 3. Sailors’ Hornpipe (girls).—E. Sanford 1, E. Cj’Connell 2, N. Angus 3. An exhibition of the Sailors’Hornpipe was given hv Angus Brown, while Mr E, Jackson entertained the audience with an exhibition of clog dancing. Mr A. Pearson rendered a musical duet on whistles.

The accompaniments were played by Rpers G. Andrews and W. McCrea.