HIKUTAIA SPORTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4372, 1 February 1922, Page 3

HIKUTAIA SPORTS.

SOME EXCITING CONTESTS.

LARGE CROWD ATTENDS.

Officials.—Patrons: Mrs J. Corbett and Hon. A. M. Myers, Judges: Messrs A- Alley and G. A. Collips. Handicappers: Messrs C. Morrison and C L. Hardy. Timekeeper: Mr, SHeslop. Call steward: Mr C. Downs. Officers in charge of children’s events : Messrs J. F. Corbett, J. Kelly, A. Gubb, and H. Morrison. Protest Committee : Messrs J. Thomas, W. H! Alley, M. A. Ellis, I. M. Robinson, and the secretary.. Chairman of Committee : Mr I. M- Robinson. Running Committee i Messrs •M. A. Ellis, J. Thomas, A. Samson, H. Cameron, witzi power to add. Chopping Committee: Messrs Johnstone Bailey, G. Avery, M. R, Morrison, P. WFaxwell, W, Welsh, L. Martin, and A. Duncan. Guessing Competition Committee: Messrs W. H. Alley and V. Young. Hon. Secretary : Mr W. J. Norton.

The annual sports carnival under the, auspices of the Hikutaia Sports Club was field at Hikutaia on Monday. The series of preceding wet days were anxious. ones for the sports pfficials, and even on Monday morning the weather was extremely threatening, but fortunately the rain held off, the day’s proceedings; being concluded in bright sunshine. Despite the threatening conditions, however, between 1500 and 2000 people attended. The crowd began to arrive early from miles around on foot, horseback, in gigs, buggies, spring carts, motorcars, and on cycles. The Thames train arrived shortly after 10 a.m. with a large crowd, while the Paeroa train brought an equally large quota later on. During the busiest hour; the entrance presented a congested apr pearance and the gate officials were obliged to bustle to cope with the traffic, which was regulated in a very efficient manner.

On the grounds everything was in order fpr the various contests whica Were all exceptionally well contested and there were many exciting finis hi es, in fact in some races a few pit the competitors were so close at the tape that the hawk-eyed judges were unable to separate them. This fact spoke volumes for the of the handicapper. Naturally, after the recent heavy rains, the track was' heavy, but not,withstanding this some good times were registered. The chopping events attracted large entries and appeared to be the most popular events of) the day, many notable axemen competing. These events were also very keenly contested 1 , and though in, some cases the scratch men conceded 40 seconds, there was often little to spare , when the .first block w,as cut through. Excited comment and speculation and words of encouragement from the onlookers accompanied the Sound qf the axe as it struck the wood and the laboured breathing and the “hiss,” “hiss,” emanating from ,the closed teeth of the axemen. The sight of,the swinging axes, the huge chips flying in the air, and the competitors straining every nerve, seeme'd to inspire the crowd gathered ‘ round the large enclosure. I

The Hauraki brass band, under the conductorship of Mr A. Williams, rendered’ a delightful programme of marches’, selections,and popular melodies which, needless to say, were greatly appreciated. The catering was in the capable hands of Mi’ C. C. Mason, who had a large refreshment booth on the ground. There were also a couple of side-shows in evidence.

Reviewing carefully the day’s doings, one can only pronounce this year's Hikutaia Sports gathering l an outstanding success. All arrangements had undoubtedly been carefully planned, and on the day were well carried into effect by .an energetic and capablej committee. A ! club member was overheard suggesting to a committee man that to ensure even greater success next year 'highland dancing should be included in the programme, The official appeared tothink well of the suggestion, which, if carried into effect, should arouse more widespread interest' in- Hikdtaia’g annual sports event.

T|e gate takings amounted to £6O, as against £4O last year. The sale of member’s tickets is yet to be addi ed to this amount. THE CHOPPING

’ Maiden Handicap Chbp (151 n block).—J, Douglas (22secs.) 1, H. Johansen (26secs) 2, B. Burkhard(26 secs) 3. Won by 5 secs. Winner’s actual time, 1 min.> 37 2-5 secs. Twelve entries, ten competitors'.

Pioneer Standing Chop, for £25 ,and Corbett’s 25 guinea . cup (18 inch block): First heat, W. J. Costello (36 ■secs) 1, A. McCormick (36secs) 2, B. Hefkt • (30secs) 3. Time 2min secs. Eight starters. Second heat: A. Fisher (7secs) 1, D. A. Johansea (36secs) 2, F. Pattersop (36secs) 3. A very close finish. Winner’s actual time Imin 50 l-sse.es. Seven starters. Final: B. Herkt 1, A McCormick 2, W. J. Costello 3. An exciting contest, won by a small margin. Time 2min lOsecs.

Underhand Chop (15in block). First heat: T. W. Collins (22secs) 1, B. Herkt (15secs) 2, Rb A.ngel (22secs) 3. Nine competitors. Time lmin 4 3rssecs. Second he^t: 'A. Met Cormick (26secs) 1, A. Duffull (Ssecs) 2, D. A. Johansen ,(17secs) 3. Six competitors. Time 59secs. Final: R. Angel 1, T. W. Collins 2, B. Herkt 3. Time lmin 7 3-6 secs. RUNNING EVENTS. Boys’ Race.—R. Watson 1, W. Langdon 2, C. Heslop 3. Won by a couple of yards. 100yds Maiden Handicap.—R. Morrison 1, J. G. Ackerman 2. Time, 12secs. Hikutaia Cup Handicap.—First heat: H. E. Ellison (Byds) T, W. |N. Sweeney (13yds) 2. Three starters. Time 12secs. Second heat: D. Annan (12yds) 1, P. Gavin (11yds) 2, J. Maloney (6yds) 3. -Five starters. Won by one yard. Time, 11 2issecs. Third heat: J. E. Shaw (syds), R. J.’ Campney (10yds), R. McLean (12yds) dead (Continued in next Column.)

Continuftd from previous Colwninheat. An pxciting fipiiSh. Time 12secs. D. Annan 1, P. Gavin 2, J. E. Shaw 3. Won by one yard. Time 11 3-ssecs.

■l4oyds Handicap.—D. Annan ,(30yds). 1 P. Gavin (25yds) and L. Hook (40yds) (dead heat) 2. Won by sydsTime 52secs. Single Ladies’ Race».—Miss Violet Vowlcs 1, Miss L. Johnstone 2. Won by l%yds. Local Race, 100yds.—J. Maloney L W. J. Thomas 2. Won by 2yds. Tinp’11 2-ssecs. 880yds Handicap.—L. Lejsdale (59yds) 1 H. R. King 2, A. Mort risey (20yds) 3. iWon by 6yds. Timo 2min Bsecs.

100yds Championship.—J. E. Shaw 1, J. Maloney-2» H. Booth 3. Won by 2yds. Time 10 3>-ssecs.. Girls’ Race (under 16 •’ years)’/— Myra Snow I,' Gertie Ellis 2. Married- LaHies’ Race.-—Mrs D.' Maloney and Mrs S- McMillan (dead heat) 1. A! very exciting finish. Returned Soldiers’ Raqe.—O. W. Benney 1, E. G. BroWn 2. Time 11secs.

One Mile Handicap^—L. Lesdale (80yds) 1, A. Mbrrisey 2, H. R. King '(loyds) 3. Won by syds. Time 4min 51 l-ssecsj

Forced Handicap.—(R/ J. Campney 1, J..G. Ackerman and P. Gavin (dead heat) 2. Committeemen’s RJ ace. —J. Thomas 1, W. Welsh ,2.

A most enjoyable d lance in the evening was a very fitting finale to the splendid day’s outi ing. The large number which attended |the dance enjoyed a very pleasani t evening. Messrs F. Hill and P. Corbel tt wtere M’s.C. Mr Williams' orcfiestri i supplied , the music.