PALMERSTON SPORTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 35, 27 December 1878, Page 2

PALMERSTON SPORTS.

Tho above sports were held on the new racecouae, situated two miles from Palmerston and may be regarded as a most thorough success in every way. Considering that the course has been made in six weeks, the Committee deserve every credit for the excellent condition in which it waß available yesterday— Two or three improvements will have to be made, one very necessary one being the reduction of ari*oi» the course for 100 yards, which considerably affected the running, and accounts for tho slow time (11 seca.) the 100 yards race was run in yesterday. It is estimated that fully 1000 people attended yesterday, as considerably over £40 was taken at the gates— children of course being half prioe. The Commitleo must be congratulated on the manner in which the sports were conducted, iho events were all taken promptly each following the other as floon as tho competitors could bo got togcthor. If thero was auy delay it certainly could not be uttrib. uted to the Committee. Messrs Warburton and Kmgactedas startors, while Messrs Haynos (who also acted as time keeper), Dungan and Coleman officiated as judges. The judges i n the performance of their duties, gave every satisfaction. Mr M itf ord was Treasurer, mi d had plonty to do as the prizes wore e a ch paid immediately they were won. M r G. S. Lockie proved himself j a most mdefatigablo secretary, and carried | out his arduous duties iv such a manner as pleased everyone. A most efficient Ground Committee, consisting of Messrs Snelson and Keoliug, contributed a good deal to tho •juccee* of th 0 sport*. On the whole, tho management would compare favorably with | Societies th n t had been long r established. The first event was ] The Boys' Race, 100 yards— prize £1. Three youngsters started, and tho money i was won by Popper. Throwing Cricket Ball— pri/o £-2. Charles won this, w ith a short throw of 95.1 yard.-. Edwards was second, with about 94*y art K I°U yds Handicap — First prize, £5 : second £i. tfi x competitors camo to tho front for this evont, aud Davy (scratch) won a good raco by G inches, Pirani being second, that distance behind, Edwards a j good third. Time, 11 sees. j Two-mile Walking Haco— First prizo. £7: ! second, £2. This was a very hollow affair, tour started— l'icrcy, Jones, Kitchen, :ind Howe. Howe, seeing it was ussier, dropped out after tho first few rounds, and the raco was won by Piercy in 20min 49sec, Jones being second in 21min -lOsec. The time is ve*y slow. Tho threo-legged race wa9 won by Wation and Des Forges. Quarter Mile Hurdlo Race — First prize £5, second £1 10s. This was won by Copeland. Davy led to the last hurdle, when j he was collared by Copelaud, and never regained his position, making a good second. Running Lonj» Jump — First prize X' 2, second £1. This ovent led to some good jumping between Pirani, Kitchon, and Turner. Two or three others competed, but wore nowhere. Ultimately, Pirani took the first prize with a jump of 17ft Sin, Kitchen taking second prize. Tho All Fours' Steeplechase (over five forms) was won by Lang, Piercy second. Hop, Step, and Jump — Prize £2. Copeland won this, clearing 39ft Sin. Ome Milo Race — Prize, Ladies Trophy, given by the ladies of Palmorston. Tho trophy is an extremely handsome silvor cup, valued at £I*3 13s. None of tho scratch men stripped for this event. Seven came to the start — Braithwaite (100 yds), Mason (150 yds;, Swift and Laooj (170 yds),.

''hani (173 yds), Sheerin and Graves (250 yds). A good start was effected, tut U wsi§ at oiice ovillerit that Sheerin had been held too lightly by the handicappers, for he was ucVeV collared, nild won easily without beiug once pushed. Coming up the straight in the last lap, Pirani came up with a grand rush, passing Lacoy within 20 yards of the tape, and taking second place: The tiulo was slow — smin 30sec. ptigh Jump— Pride £i. &evon tioidpetrtd. Won by Turner, who cleared sft 6in, Collins second. , 120 yds Hurdle RacOj pTflr 10 hurdlesFirst pri*o hj secotld £h This *as the ! bd.st race of the day, and was won by Davy, with Copelan'l a good second. Davy's running and jumping excited unU versal admiration. A protest was entered against Copeland by Braithwiite for jost* ling. As it was clear that the supposed jostling was quite unintentional, the protest was dismissed after the ca«e had been fion-j'idni'.'xl by the jul^p*. VuUliintf '].\ili!— Pilate £i. . Four • ; e'efmpctod, llitt th« priii.! >Vaa won by Ititch-ni ! with :i vault of 9ft 3in, Kdward.s being •orju 1 with Oft lin. It is only fuir to i ltd yards to say that Kitchen jumped with | his own pole, while those provided by the I Committee were merely sticks cut from thn ; bush, the poles ordered to be made not ' having been dono After the money was i won, Kitchen allowed Kdwardg to uso his i pole, when ho eanily cleared the hiuiiiny ! vault; . _ i 1 Sack RaCe— tfirst ptli^o £l t Second 10s. ; Connor, 1 ; Laug, 2. j A 250 yds boyB 1 race was won by Pepper. ! Quarter Mile Handicap — First prize £5, I second £1. This was won easily by Cope- | land, Turner 2. j Four competitors sought consolation in : thu last race, which was for thoso whu had not won during the day. Tumor su/weded ■ n earryinjf off first prize (£5), Braithwaite ' sccoud (jCI), and Oonnor third (10s). I A Girls' Kaco was won by Snrah Mon--1 tagu — prizo £1. Sonic money was given to two other competitors. ! Tilting at the King — first prize £5, second :£1 Ids. Ton entered for this event, all the competitors being well mounted. One j minute was allowed to round the coiuse. i There were six rings, three tries being ! allowed. The first prize was won by Hartley, who took nine rings. Thcro was a tie for second place, between Moffatt and Kintj, who each took seven rings. As a dispute arose, the money was divided between tho two competitor*. The sports terminated nbout 7 p.m., the people having all thoroughly enjoyed the I day's amusement. A noticeable featuro i Was the absence of any drunkenness or disorderly conduct, the proceedings all day being very quiet and orderly.