St. Patrick’s Day Sports.

Kaikoura Star, 20 March 1903, Page 6

St. Patrick’s Day Sports.

President : Rev. Father Golden. Judges : Messrs AV. E. Barton and B. Burland. Stewards : The Committee. Secretary : Air James Kerr. Handicapper and Starter: *Mr W. Cooke. Handicapper for Wood Chopping and Sawing Competitions : Mr G. H. B. Smith. Better weather could not have been wished for than that of Tuesday last, when the “ St. Pat’s” Day Sports were very successfully carried out in the presence of a large gathering in Mr Harris’s “ park. The proceedings wde very well conducted in every particular. z There was evident harmony in the ranks of the management, the band of workers being untiring in display of zeal. The more noticeable in this connection being Alesdames O’Donnell, Keenan, Hill. Maguire, J. Harnett, 11. Alaekle, Chris. Smith, Keehan, Aladdock, M. Harnett. Al. Kirby, 11. Chisnail, Jas. Kerr, they being assisted by the Misses Gallagher, Daly, Peoples, Eaton, Keenan, Adair, Kerr and Stove. The Misses Smith (2), Aloore and Gallagher were very successful at the “Ludstone ” stall. Messrs Aladdock, J. and E. Hailes, J. Mullane, H. Alaekle, J. Peoples, senr., Sumner, P. Keenan, Montague, A Peoples, jnr., Chris. Smith, Gilbert and J. Smith worked energetically in various ways. The dinner was a splendid feast and the afternoon refreshments equally gratifying. Excellent and liberal was the cheer. The Rev. Father Haire made himself very sociable with the people. Air Burland had Mr Barton with him as Judge, in the absence of Air Win. Smith, their associationship being very satisfactory, as, also, was that of Mr AVm. Cooke (starter and handicapper) and Mr James Kerr (Secretary and Treasurer); there was very hearty co-operation. The children were well cared for. The feature of tile day’s proceedings, one that contributed enormously to the success of the physical exercises of the gathering, was the “ axemen’s ” items on th#’ programme. These Avere very vigorously contested, and watched with much interest. The major share of the credit in this connection is due to Air Robert Logan : indeed, too much praise cannot be given to him for the energy he put into everything connected with the matter. He canvassed very successfully for subscriptions for the prizes, induced a capital entry and put in a “ big graft ” in getting logs for the contests. In addition to all this, he made all the arrangements, each and every detail being carefully attended to. Had he won—-and he could easily have done so had he not been a thorough sportsman—his victory would ha ve been cheered to the echo. Air P. Brunel deserves praise for the assistance he rendered Air Logan. Messrs G. 11. B. Smith, Fk. Alonk and W. Mcßae were prominent in carrying out the contest. Seeing that the public support the gathering liberally, it appear.--that the management could afford to add to the programme and increase the prizes. Dancing would be an attractive item. An Irish jig, danced in character, with a prize for the best costume, might bring out some Celtic terpsichoreans. However that, by the way, is only a suggestion. Something more attractive may be thought of by others, though an Irish dance on a “ St. Pat’s ” programme would be appropriate. The contest for the Handicap was a very hollow affair, Sisson (with the full allowance) winning pretty well as he liked. His running in the Half Alile was the subject of adverse criticism. After going over half the distance he shot awJy with a masterly lead, to the dismay of some whose,words indicated that tlJe event had been “squared.” Their discomfiture, however, was only momentary ,_ as Sisson fell down inside the ring and clear of the running track, in what appeared a very clever feint —it was worthy of an actor. Many ~’-ded it as genuine, that he had e Fu’ “''nted, but the circuiureally suspicious that a stances were . -+> accept it as number would nu, of it, J. bona fide. With Sisson 0.. • 'j’ Gray won rather easily from

Boyd. AV. Burrejl showed his opponents a clean pair of heels for tne Bracelet. Results as follows : Alaiden, 120yds. First prize £1; entrance Is. F. Smith 1. AUsson 2, A. Sumner 3. Won easily. Boys’ Race, under 15 years, 220yds. First prize 10s, second 5s ; entrance Is. J. Alaekle 1. P. McSwiggan 2. St. Patrick’s Handicap of £7 10s. Winners of Distances to receive 10s. Distances 120, 220 and 440 Yards. Ist prize £l, 2nd £1 10s, 3rd 10s. Nomination 2s (id, acceptance 2s 6d. First Distance, 120 Yards : First Heat: F. Sisson, 4yds ... ... ... 1 F. Smith, 4yds 2 AV. 11. Alelhuish ser, A. Davis lyd, and T. Smith 3yds, also started. AVon easily by 2 yards. Second Heat: J. Gray, scr 1 R. Young, lyd 2 F. Renner 3yds, and J. Johnson 4yds, also started. Won by a yard and a half. Final: Sisson 1 Gray -2 Smith 3 R. Young also started. A yard and a half between first and second. Smith a fair third. Second Distance, 220 Yards : F. Sisson, Syds 1 J. Gray, ser 2 F. Smith, Byds 3 AV. H. Melhuish ser, A. Davies, 3yds, R. Young ,3yds, T. Smith 6yds, and J. Johnson Byds, also started. Won easily by 2 yards ; three inches between second and third. Third Distance, 440 Yards : F. Sisson, 14yds 1 J. Gray, ser' 2 F. Smith, 14yds 3 Sisson showed a clean pair of heels to the only other two starters, and ran in comfortably with ten yards to spare. Gray passed Smith at the top turn, about ten yards dividing these two at the finish. Points : Sisson, 5,5,5 • ... 15 Gray, 3,3,3 9 Smith, 1,1,1 3 Standing Block Chopping Handicap. First prize*£3, second prize sweepstake of 5s ; entrance 3s. A. Smith, 2sees. 1 L. Smith, 3secs. ... ... 2 P. Brunel, 3secs. 3 Ten competitors. A very good finish. Three-Legged Race, 100yds. First, prize 10s, second 5s : entrance Is. B. Gilling, jnr. and E. Sumner I, J. Pidgeon and J. T. Boyd 2. Double Handed Sawing Handicap. First prize £3, second prize sweepstake of 5s ; entrance 3s. T. Gill and C. Brunel, lOsecs 1 A. Smith and T. Smith, Isecs 2 Eight couples competed. Won by two seconds. Half Alile Handicap. First prize £2, second 15s entrance 2s 6d. J. Gray, ser. 1 J. Boyd, scr. 2 F. Hancox, 40yds 3 F. Sisson, 25yds, who also started passed Hancox on entering upon

the last lap; but after covering another 100 yards, when he possessed a lead of quite 80yds* of the scratch men, Sisson collapsed. Approaching the turn into the back stretch Grey drew away from Boyd, but the latter stuck to his task very gamely, and the pair, who caught Hancox near the top turn, fought out a good finish, though Gray won with something to spare by four yards; Hancox, who ran well for a beginner, a poor third. Under Hand Chopping Handicap. First prTze £2, second prize sweepstake entrance 2s. L. Smith, 4secs 1 H. Smith, ser ... 2 Nine.competitors. A keen contest. Single Handed Sawing Handicap. First prize £2, second prize sweepstake of 5s ; entrance 2s. H. Smith, lOsecs 1 R. Logan, scr 2 Six competitors. AVon by a second, amid great excitement. 220yds Handicap, first prize a Gold Bangle (value £2), second £1; nomination 2s 6d, acceptance Is. W. Burrell, 14yds 1 Alisson, 12yds 2 No third place officially given. F. Sisson scr, R. Young 7ds, T. A. Smith 10yds, J. Boyd 11yds, F. Smith 11yds, J. T. Boyd, J. Keenan, J. Johnston and J. Berry, each 14 yds, also started. Burrell lead all the way, and won by 3yds. Wrestling (Cumberland style).— A. Smith 1, Chris. Smith 2. A weight-guessing competition for asheep presented by Mr Gilbert, TSundalee, created a lively interest, there being a large entry. Airs Alonk, Conway Flat, won the prize,- though Alesdames Chapman, sen., and J. Lyford also guessed the right weight (951b5.), the ladies named deciding the tie by drawing.