ST PATRICK’S SPORTS.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XII, Issue 22, 18 March 1892, Page 3

ST PATRICK’S SPORTS.

President: Rev Father W. J. Madden. Judge : Mr B. Burland. Stewards : The Committee. Secretary and Treasurer : Mr W. Smith. Messrs Cooke, Kerr and Renner framed the St Patrick’s Handicap, Messrs Cooke and Kerr that for the Half Mile. Starter: Mr J. Kerr. The elements were most unfavorable yesterday for the St Patrick’s Day gathering. The prospects the previous evening were gloomy, and yesterday morning the moist state of the atmosphere almost lead to postponement of the proceedings. As, towards 10 o'clock, the weather improved it was decided to go on. Tu« day, however, proved thing but pleasant, as showers fell'at intervals throughout the afternoon. Notwithstanding this all present madethe best of the position, and, really, got genuine enjoyment out of the proceedings. Mr Henry Mackie’s fine paddock, in which the sports were carried out, looked beautiful. A very good course had been laid off by the Secretary and those who assisted him. The grass was a bit lengthy for the competitors over part of the track in the longer events, but it only militated against fast time, which few of the competitors were, apparently, anxious to make. The attendance promised to bo the best on record at the local St Patrick’s fete, but the wea'her reduced it by a large number. Still the receipts at the gate, well looked after by Messrs Keehan and Harnett, were better than were expected under the circumstances. A number of people only “ came and went ” when a heavy shower fell soon after noon.

A sumptuous spread was placed before the public, and heartily enjoyed by all. Mesdamos Keenan, Garrett, Keehan, W. D Smith and Curtain at one place were most zealous in their attentions to the wants of all and sundry ; while gastronomic delicacies of a lighter order were dispensed atone stall by the Maids of Ludstone. Messrs Hailes, Keenan, W.h D. Smith, Jennings, H. Mackie, B. and others lent general assistance. Mr Curtain was most assiduous in carrying out races and other forms of amusement for the children.

The gathering afforded the public an opportunity of meeting the Rev Father Madden, P.P., whose acquaintance all were pleased to make. The fees required of competitors were very moderate, the runners appreciating the liberal treatment they received. Mr B. Burland resumed the position he so ably filled as Judge last year, discharging the duties admirably. Mr Jas. Kerr as starter got the fields away splendidly ; while Mr Wm Smith as Secretary worked hard, being capitally seconded by Mr G. Garrett. Particulars of the Sports are as follows : 1. Maiden, 120 yards. First prize £l, 2nd 10s. F. G. Renner ... ... 1 E. Gibson ... ... 2 C. C. Wilson ... ... 3 Five others started. Renner was smartest away and won by three-quarters of a yard, Gibson beating Wilson by a like distance ; the others fairly clout: up

2. Boys Race, under 15 years, 220 yards. Ist prize 10s, 2nd ss. F. Keir ... ... ... 1 M. Peoples ... ... 2 P. Dee ... ... ... 3 A capital race, which young Kerr won by about a yard, with Peoples just beating Dee for second place. fen started. 3. First beat St Patrick’s Handicap, 120 yards. Ist prize £2 10s, 2nd £l, 3rd 10s. First Distance : 120 yds. P Morris, 4yds ... ... 1 W Morris, 6yds ... ... 2 C C Wilson, 7yds 3 Hadfield (scr) was not present. J W Davidson and B Smith each 2yds, A Wilson aud J. Sweeney each I Oyds also started. The limit nun were quickly disposed of, while tbe trio in the centre nearly held their own. Smith and Davidson just barely got up to their men, but could not gain any further advantage. Less than a yard would have covered the three placed men, P M orris‘get ting home four inches ahead of W, Mori is, who was shut in, Wilson being six inches behind him, with Smith and Davidson falling back. Second Distance : 220 yds. W Morris, 12yds ... ... 1 C Wilson, 16yds ... ... 2 P Morris, Byds ... ... 3 J W Davidson and B Smith, each syds, also started. A Wilson and J. Sweeney with 22yds declined. A slashing race resulted in favor of W Morris by nine inches, with Wilson a yard ahead of P Morris. The practically scratch men looked formidable 50yds fro n home, but died away to nothing. Third Distance: 410yds.

W Morris, 20yds ... ... 1 C Wilson, 22yds 2 P Morris, 18yds 3 These were the only starters, the other four entrants crying enough. At a moderate pace Wilson increased his lead for about fifty yards, when W. Morns drew on him, and, getting on even terir s with him at the 220 flag, the pair ran together till within sixty yards of the Judge, when W. Morris left his man, but Wilson struggled on gamely, only suffering defeat by about th ee quarters of a yard, with P Morris two yards away. Result: W Morris, 13 points 1 P Morris, 9 points 2 C Wilson, 8 points 3 5. Three-Legged Race, 100 jards. Ist prize 10s, 2nd ss. Entrance Is. J. Mcfnnes and J. Garrett ... 1 J. W. Davidson and F. Gibsou 2 The winners got away rather better than the other pair, and though the distance was red need, won by half a yard. _ 6. Throwing the Hammer. Ist prize 10s, 2nd ss. Entrance Is. J. Paap, 7!ft ... ... 1 J. Smart, 69ft Sin ... ... 2 Four others competed. 7. Wrestling (Cumberland). Ist prize 10s, 2nd ss. J. Paap ... ... ... 1 G. Smith ... ... ... 2 First round: J. Paap threw Herb. Smith; J. Lowe threw J. Mcfnnes; G. Smith threw J. Veitch ; Chris. Smith a bye. Second round : Paap threw 0. Smith ; G. Smith put Lowe down, but lost his hold in doing so, though it was not noticed by the official in charge, and, therefore, Lowe was wrongly put out. Final: Paap got the first fall, G. Smith the second and Paap the third, the latter then being declared tbe winner, amid applause. 8. Half Mile Handicap. Ist prize 255, 2nd 10s. F. G. Renner, 30yds ... ... 1 A. Keenan, 35yds ... ... 2 C Wilson, scratch ... ... 3 A. Wilson (30yds) declined. Keenan went away at a good pace and increased bis lead of Renner, Wilson also gaining rapidly on the second competitor. Passing the post the first time Keenan had a lead of fifteen yards, Wilson then being about ten yards behind Renner, and going on strongly. At the half distance there was little material change in the positions, though a few strides later Wilson male a further effort, but shut up immediately afterwards when Renner started in pursuit of Keenan, whom he collared at the turn into the straight. For a stride or two Keenan appeared disposed to contest the event with his opponent, but he also gave in, and Renner was left to run in a rather easy winner, through the other two not trying to wrest tbe laurels from him, and gained the Judge’s verdict by about 10yds. Wilson literally walked in third. 9. Consolation Race, 220 yards. Ist prize £l. A. Wilson, 18yds ... ... I F. Gibson, 10yds ... ... 2 P. Morris, scratch ... ... 3 J. Davidson (scr) also started ; Wilson, Byds, declined. This was well contested. The limit man made the best of his handicap, but while those behind him gradually and collectively gained upon him, he won, all out, by a yard from Gibson, with Morris nearly two yards away, third. Davidson came well once, but he was, evidently, not in condition. This concluded the Programme proper, but more children’s racing followed for a ! short time. Before the assemblage dispersed cheers were given for the President (Rev Father Madden), the Judge, the Secretary, the Starter, the Handicappers, the “ officials generally,” and “ three time three” for Mr II Mackie.