OTARIA SPORTS.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 7, Issue 42, 30 December 1884, Page 3

OTARIA SPORTS.

(From our own correspondent). A picnic and sports were held on Boxing day on Mr Quertier' s farm, and the gathering was a very successful one. The attendance was not so large as was anticipated. This no doubt was due to the unsettled si ate of the weather. In the morning there was every appearance of rain setting in. Fortunately it did not come, and those who were at the picnic certainly enjoyed themselves to their hearts' content. There would be about 150 people present. Mr and Mrs Quertier did their utmost to make every person as happy as could be and that they succeeded in this cannot be gain-said. They are certainly deserving of a vote of thanks for the great trouble they took in the matter. Mr Quertier and Mr Stewart as judges at the sports gave every satisfaction, and the same may be said of Mr D, P. M'Kenzie, who acted as starter. Messrs J. Bowmar, Weatherburn, and J. Bennet, officiated as handi- 1 cappers, and Mr D. A. Purvis as secretary and treasurer. The following is the result of the games : — Quoits— D. A. Purvis, 1; R. Ciawford, 2. ! Six entries. 100-yds. race — W. Collins, 1 ; W. Lambert, 2 ; J. Scully, 3. Seven entries. Boys' race, 100-yds— P. Boyle, 1 : P. Burke, 2 ; M. Burse, 3. Eight entries. Single ladies' race— H. Barke, 1 ; E. Purvis, 2; J. Hunter, 3. Three entries. Girls' race— E. Purvis, 1 ; D. Boyle, 2 ; L. M'Kenzie, 3. Four entries. Hop step and jump — W. Weatherburn, 1 ; J. Scully, 2 ; W. Collins, 3. Six entries. Old mon's race, ov«r 40 — J. Purvis. 1 ; D. P. M'Kenzie, 2 ; J. Downie, 3. Three entries. Married ladies' race — Mrs Smail, 1 ; Mrs Weatherburn, 2 ; Mrs R. Young, 3. Six entries.

This race created immense amusement. Daddy had to mind the baby while mamma ran. Run they did, and they all appeared to go on their merits. It was the best contested event of the day. ■ Vaulting — W. Weatherburn, 1 ; W. Coilins, 2. Scully and M. Collins tied for third prize. Roys' race, under 10— J. Dunne, 1 ; J. Boyle, 2 ; J. Valantine, 3. Eight entries. Boys' race, under 12 — Guy Over ton, 1 ; M. Burke, 2. Fourteen entiles. Girls' race, under 12 — Agnes M'Kenzie, 1 ; D. Boyle, 2 ; M. Stewart, 3. Ten entries. Sack race, old men — J. Purvis, 1 ; W. Stewait, 2; J. Downie, 3. Three entries. 300-yds' race— W. Lambert, 1 ; W. Collins, 2 ; J. Dunne, 3. Ei^ht entries. Handicap sack race —W. Collins, 1 ; T. Boyle, 2; J. Burke, 3. About fifteen entries. Running high jump — A. Qu«rtier, and W. Weatherburn tied for Ist and 2nd prize and divided ;J. M'Closkie, 3. Seven entries. Young ladies' race — ssl. Stewart, 1 ; Matilda Elliott, 2 ; E. Burke, 3. Six entries. Three-legged race — D. A. Purvis and Lambert, 1 ; W. Collins and Scully, 2 ; Smith and Pi'ain, 3. Six entries. 500-yds' race— (handicap) — W. Lambert (scratch), 1 ; W. Collins (10 yds), 2 ; M. Collins (10 yds), 3. Six entries. Tilting. — G. Dawson, 1; T. Latham, 2 ; A. Quertier, 3. Twelve entries. A tug-of-war took place between married and single. The former were captained by D. P- M'Kenzie and the latter by D. A. Purvis. The following were chosen for •; the imarried side = — J f Burke, J. Johnston, W. R. Overton, W' Stewart, J. Hunter, M. Collins, W. Weatherburn, W. Eadie, J. Purvis, "W. Lambert, J. Elliott, and D. P. M'Keuzic. Single : G. Johnstone, A. Purvis, D. Pram, T. Erskine, A. Quertier, J. Eadie, J. Smith, R. Crawford, J. Norton, C. Cunningham, and D. A. Purvis. At the first tver the single men succeeded in pulling their opponents. At the next bout the married men were gradually pulling the single ones along. This was more than the single ladies could stand. They sent in re-inforcements to assist the bachelors, and when the married ladies saw what was being done they also sent assistance to their lords. Despite the efforts of the respective captains to keep all intruders back, their efforts were futile, and the result was the whole affair resulted in confusien. There was intense esfbiternent over this event-

A dance took place iv the evening, which ended a most enjoyable day's sport.