HIKUTAIA SPORTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4933, 1 February 1926, Page 2

HIKUTAIA SPORTS.

ANNIVERSARY DAY MEETING.

AN INTERESTING DAY SPENT.

On Anniversary Day (Friday last) the Hikutaia Athletic Sports Club held its annual sports meeting in Mrs J. Corbett’s paddock, Hikutaia.

The day was bright and hot, but a steady breeze prevented the heat from becoming oppressive. The attendance was equal to that of previous years, and would no doubt have been greater had the NethertQn ferry been running and the roads in the locality been in better'order. The roughness of the roads about Hikutaia is now a by-word, and in these days of. motorcars, when distance is, of little moment so long as the road surface is smooth, many who would otherwise have patronised the sports visited the Waihi or New Brighton beaches. Although the visitors were mostly men, •the sports were well patronised by the settlers of the district and their wives and families, many making a picnic of the outing. Ute ground, while spacious, was not the most suitable for picnicking owing to the lack of sh,ade. An effort had been made to remedy this, but the pavilion proved very inadequate. Hot water 'and milk were provided for the picnickers, and there was' a luncheon, and afternoon tea booth. i

An, attractive programme, good enand excellent handicapping made the events interesting, and they were kept going as quickly as possible, but the presence of a brass band would have been appreciated during the intervals between the events.

In the general, conduct of and arrangements for the meeting little fault could be found, but the proceedings could be made more interesting by confining the spectators- to the outside of the ring during the long races and so giving an uninterrupted view of s,uch events.

The wood-chopping naturally proved very attractive owing to the number of entrants from the district whose names are .well known for their speed and skill with the axe. Mr AL. (Poley) Fisher, of Kerepeehi, won the standing chop from scratch against 10 competitors, and came second to W. Herkt, also of Kerepeehi, in the underhand chop. In the latter event Fisher severed the 15in block in 1 min. 19 3 J 5. secs., Herkt, who finished first, taking one second longer. There were eleven competitors;. This event was delayed somewhat owing to an argument concerning the fitness of tire blocks. Undoubtedly the . wood-chopping events were the most interesting It is a very fine slight to see the gleaming axes sjwing and the big chips fly. Seemingly, the loss 'of a hand does not offer any very great impediment to experts with the axe. A wonderful exhibition chop by Mr D. McKenzie, who is so handicapped, cut through a 12in block in the excellent time of 31 seconds. In the track events some good times were registered and dose finishes; witnessed. Possibly the best bunch at the tape was in the forced handicap event. The handicapping was excellent, and J. Maloney completed the 120 yards from scratch in 12 &-5 seconds, winning from T. H. Chadwick and C. Elliot by indies. The Hikutaia Cup event, 120 yards, drew the biggest field, three heats being necessary. D. Moles woi th, of Waitakaruru, was the winner from the 13 yards mark in 12 2-5 seconds, Watson and Elliot crossing together a yard behind. The 440 yards handicap was a particularly good race, but some of the competitors showed a lack of sufficient training. G. Wells, of Paeroa, with a start of 40 yards, sprinted and gained a long lead, ultimately flnisjiing about three yards ahead of Richards and the other twelve starters. The’lack of training was eyen more evident in the half mile handicap, but those who finished provided a good race. Morrissey found the handicap given him in the mile event too great, but he made a fine effort, gaining over 100 yards on R. Swann (Paeroa), who' finished first in 4 minutes 32 seconds after leading all the way. The race was really between these two, as four competitor dropped out and the third man finished very late. A race in which there was much colour, and, it may be truthfully gaid, more than usual interest, Was the married ladies’ - race., Nine starters, faced the powder (in the blank cartridge), and liefit to a good start. Despite woman’s advance of recent times she is not yet so fortunate as. man as regards clothing for sport at a moment’s, notice. Consequently the usual spectacle was witnessed —several competitors ii» a heap half-way down the track and three survivors of woman’s lack of progress finishing a lone, titanic struggle.' And who shall say they didn’t enjoy it. When it was all over Mrs McMillan had reached the tape first, with Mrs Lowry second and Mrs Allison third.

Thei field which faced the pistol in the committemen’s, race did not have youth on its side, but the time record-, ed for the distance was remarkably good—l2 seconds for an uncertain number of yards. Mr A. Gubb was the winner of this sprint with Mr J. Bailey second and J. Avery third. The returned soldiers then tried themselves out, and several contested this event, the winner making fast time and winning fairly easily.

A gratifying feature of the day’s proceedings was the provision made for the entertainment of the children. AH ages were catered for, and many a gap was filled by; the running of a children’s race. Cash prizes were given, and the little ones, enjoyed themselves immensely. rodowing are the detailed results : Maiden Handicap, lOOydg;:—First heat: D. Molesworth, 1; H. Coldicutt, 2. Second heat: J. Verran, 1; E. E. Furey, 2. Final: J. Verran (Paeroa), syds, 1; E. E. Furey (Waihi), syds, 2; D. Molesworth (Waitak.aruru), 3. Time, 11 l-ssecs. Hikutaia Cup, 120yds.—Fris.t beat: B. E. Furey, 13yds, 1 : J. E. Shaw, 3yds, and C. A. Collins, 11yds, dead

heat, 2. Time, 13sec&. Second heat: D. Molesworth, 13yds, 1; J. Maloney Byds, 2. Time, 12 4-ssecs. Third h- at: A. Watson, 7yds, 1; C. Elliot, 9yds, 2. Time, 13secs. Final: D. Molesworth (Waitakaruru), 1; A* Watson (Te Aroha) and C. Elliot (Wharepoa) dead heat, 2. Time, 12 2-ssecs.

440yds Handicay (14 starters). —G. Wells (Paeroa), 40yds, 1; A. Richards, 38yds,o 2 ; D. Molesworth (Waitakaruru), sydfs, 3. Time, 51socs. 880yds Handicap (15 starters). —R. Young, 25yds, 1; A. Morrissey, ser.. 2 ; R. Swann, 50yds s 3. Time, 12min 5 l-ssecs.

Sprint Championship, 100yds (7 starters). —A. Watson, 1; C. Elliot, 2; T. Chadwick, 3. Time, 11 4-ssecs. One Mile Handicap (7 starters). — R. Swann, 120yds, 1; A. Morrissey, scr., 2. Time, 4min 32secs. Forced Handicap, 120yds (12 starters). —J. Maloney, scr., 1 ; T. H. Chadwick, 2; C. Elliot, 3. Time, 12 2-5 secs-.

Boys, under 16 years.—C., Hopping, 1 ; H. Robinson, 2 ; R. Snow, 3. Single Ladies’ Race. —Miss H. Costello, 1; Miss I. Snow, 2 ; Miss Mita 3. Local Race.—A. Royal, 1; J. Verran, 2 ; W. Percy, 3. Married Ladies’ Race. —Mife McMillan, 1 ; Mrs A. Lowry, 2 ; Mrs, AUlspn, 3.

Girls' Race, under 16 years.—Miss P. Tilsley, 1; Miss A. Devcich, 2. Returned Soldiers’ Race.—McMillan, 1 ; P. Corbett, 2. Committeemen’s Race.—A. Gubb, 1; J. Bailey. 2; G. Avery, 3.

Maiden Handicap Chop, 12in block (7 starters, off scratch), —P. Hoey. 1; R. L. Willis, 2; H. McCormick, 3. Time, 57 2-ssecs. Standing Chop, 15in block (11 starters). —A. L. Fisher, 14secs, 1; R. Beazley, 20secs, 2. Time, Im 20 l-ssecs. Underhand Chop, 15in block (11 starters).—W. Herkt, 15secs, 1; A. LFisher, lOsecs, 2. Time, Im 15 3-5 >jj> secs.