MOKAUITI SPORTS GATHERING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 464, 11 May 1912, Page 3

MOKAUITI SPORTS GATHERING.

Own Correspondent. On the 3rd inst, ideal weather prevailed for the above sports, which were largely attended and held on Messrs Erickason and McDonald's property in the heart of the Mokauiti Valley. Visitors from the neighbouring districts were strongly represented, all expressing great pleasure at the day's enjoyment. The programme presented was a good one, but owing to the shortness of daylight at this season of the year several events had to be cut out. The ladies deserve the greatest praise for the manner in which they carried out their part. I must make special mention of Messrs Clark, Cooper and Bowering for their indefatigable attention to the little ones. This being the first gathering of its kind the committee has decided to continue to have the sports annually with an alteration to the date. They intend to hold them in February, instead of midwinter, as owing to the state of the roads, the committee consider those settlers living a long distance would suffer. The committee has informed me that after paying for everything they have a credit balance of £2 6s in hand, which must be very gratifying to the promoters. An abundance of food was provided, which, to my mind, was equal to the best pastry turned out in any city, thus showing that the settlers' wives are not wanting in practical experience, as judging from the quantity and quality this could not be excelled even at a Premier's banquet. Appended are the names of the win-

ners:— 100 yds Handicap.—T. Northcroft 1, Ryan 2, Men's Chop.—Brown 1, V. Fraei 2. Sawing Handicap, 12in log. —Alvin Wiley and mate 1, J. Coombridge and mate 2. Time 20sec. Sack Race. —Kenney 1, Winiata 2. Single Ladies' Race. —Mis 3 May Wiley 1, Miss Saunders (Aria) 2. Married Ladies' Race. —Mrs Cooper 1, Mrs Bowering (Chronicle trophy) 2.

200 yds Handicap.—-Ryan 1, Banefild 2, Northcott 3.

Open Chop, 15in log.-Tyler 1, Brown 2, Coombridge 3. Ladies' Underhand Chop. Miss Eileen Fraei, gold broach, 1... Miss Saunders 2. This event caused much excitement, ths winner being repeatedly applauded. Ladies' Committee Race. —Miss G. Wiley 1, Mrs Cooper 2. Boys' Chop, under 16 years, 12in log.—W. J. A. Coombridge 1, Tommy Hall 2.

Vaulting.—P. Coburn 3, Ryan 2. Height 9.2. In the evening a dance was held in Messrs Ericksson and McDonald's wool shed, when about thirty couples engaged the floor. At intervals songs were rendered by Messrs Ryan, who sang many songs in perfect style; Miss Lucy Hose contributed several songs, one of which was that beautiful one, "Tha Shadow of the Pines"; a hornpipe by Mr H. Ford was accomplished in perfect style and demanded an encore; harp solo, Mr Bamfield, loudly applauded; song, Mr Ryan, "Play in Your Own Backyard," brought the audience down in merriment; cakewalk, Winiata, Aria, this was also accomplished in goud style; other contirbutors were: song. Mr A. H. Hose;, Mrs Cooper, Bowering, P. Clark, E. Churchill. During the evening refreshments were handed round by the ladies, ample justice being done. Dancing was resumed with vigorous spirit and Kept up until daylight. Good music was provided by Messrs Wallace and Corburn, Aria. Mr H. Ford made a caDable M.C., and carrL-d out his duties in a most efficient manner. As the day broke the crowd dispersed midst the strains of "Auld Lang Syne," expressing every sentiment for the evening's enjoyment.