ATHLETICS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10317, 28 January 1927, Page 7

ATHLETICS

ORMOND SPORTS CLUB

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO GISBORNE OFFICIALS.

Seldom have officials of the Gisborne Amateur Athletic-, and Harrier Club and supporters of local sport been entertained in such a royal manner as was the case at a complimentary dinner held at OrmOnd last evening, when donors of trophies and other supporters of amateur athletics were the guests of the Ormond Sports Club. Tliei-e was a large attendance of athletic enthusiasts from all parts of the district, including sevei-al car loads from town. Mr. Thos. Quirk, president of the Ormond Sports Club, was in the chair. The chairman extended a hearty welcome to all visitors, especially the members of the Amateur Athletic and Harrier Club from Gisborne. Mr. J. ,R. Kirk, in proposing the toast of the “New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association,” spoke first of the ’ sportsmanship always shown by the boys of the Ormond district. Their sacrifices in'the war were wellknown and still they were always prepared to do their bit. Amateur athletics gave to®the young an opportunity of developing along healthy and clean lines. Any institution which gave them that was worthy of the keenest support. The Now Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was out to foster the best sport and best sporting instincts in the community. Mr. Baldwin had said that sport played a big part in knitting together the bonds of the Empire. The speaker coupled the toast with the • name of Mr. Houlahan, who, he said, realise that to et high-class men from with the pistol. Mr. Houlahan, in reply, referred to the work at present done by the New Zealand Association to foster amateur sport. The local branch from very small beginnings, had grown to a strong and influential body. In fostering sport they were helping, the younger generations, and in such were doing their bit to build up the Empire. 'The Ormond Club were worthy of eulogy for the way in which it had supported amateur sport. Mr. A. S. Parker, in proposing the toast, ttf amateur sports, congratulated the Onnond Club on the manner in which it had conducted the last meeting. He 'also thanked the club for the manner in which it had catered for amateur athletics and for the function tendered to them that evening. Mr. R. Jackson, in reply, expressed the Ormond Club’s appreciation of the help received from members ot the Gisborne Amateur Athletic and Harrier Club. The chairman, in proposing the toast to the donors of trophies and other supporters, referred to _ the great army of workers who, though they were "in the back ground of every movement, received little notice. Among those could be classed donors of trophies. To them sports clubs owed much of tlieir.success. The toast was responded to by .Mr. G. Turnbull. . - Mr. A. AY. Mason, in proposing the toast to “The Competitors,” expressed pleasure at being present at suen a representative gathering of athietes On the standard of the competitor’s depended the success of any Hub. In considering their class ot competitors the Onnond Club bad to realise 'that to get high-class men from outside all they had to do was to make application to the Gisborne Club. . . Mr. Owen Paltndge, in reply, inferred to the good spirit of cameraderie existing among the Gisborne athletes. The Ormond Chib s fixtiire* had been most successful. lo AH*. Grant Downie, as secretary, the club owed much of its success, lhe urge number of competitors attracted to the Onnond fixtures was a sure testimony to the capable manner in which tliev were conducted. Mr. Mason, proposing the toast to Mr. Downie. secretary of the Or mom! Snorts Club, said that in Mr. Downie the club had one of the most p ogressive and energetic secretaries m the district. As long as men such as Mr. Downie could be obtained to conduct sports meetings then they need have no fear as to the future ot amateur sport. Mr Downie, in reply, paid a tnbute to the support be received from bis committee. The Onnond Uu also owed a deep debt of gratitude to the Gisborne Amateur Athletic- and Harrier Club. Other toasts were proposed as follows • “Sister Sports Clubs,’ proposed by Mr. \Y. Bowes and responded to by Mr. AY. Hankey; “Kindred Sports,” proposed by Mr. M. l. Poole and responded to by AH- "• M. Jenkins;. “The Ladies ” proposed f»v Mr E. Benson, and responded to by Mr.’A. J. Xicol: “The Artists proposed by Air. D- Beattie and responded to by Mr Buckingham ; The lb-ess,” proposed by Air. I. I ulton , and “The- Chairman,” proposed by Mr. A. W. Mason- . Added enjoyment was given to the function bv musical and elocutional y items contributed by Messrs. J. A. Nicol, Buckingham, T. Bennett and 0. Beattie. PROFESSIONAL ATHLETICS LE COMPTE "WIN'S CYCLE RACE. BRADLEY ANNEXES 75YDS SPRINT A large crowd attended the sports meeting held on the Childers Road Reserve last evening by the Ames Ovcle Club. , '-pile first beat of the half-mile cycle handicap was a fast and exciting event. Le Compte (35yds) took the lead in the last lap and won by a length from Rl. Dolman (scr). Time, 1 13 2-5. The second heat was also a fast event and E. Hamilton, the scratch man, had caught the held, and was 'just about to pass them when he fell, leaving G. Sutton to win with J. Watts second. Time, 1 13 2-5. The final 'was a most exciting event. The field, was well bun died'" at the finish. Le Compte winning r a short margin from H. Dans. Time, 1.12. . . The 75 yards running event caused great interest and proved a good fast race inches only separating tlie first three runners. J. Bradley (9yds) winning, with AV. Ovenden (5-J-yds) second. Time, 7.2-5. The officials were: Handicapper and starter, Air O. L. Davy; call steward, Mr J. Pugh; judges, Messrs H. Davy and A. Berry; lap steward, Mr A. Sutton.