Friendly Societies' Picnic and Sports.

Manawatu Herald, 3 January 1899, Page 2

Friendly Societies' Picnic and Sports.

A GREAT SUCCESS. Judge— Mr W. T. Wood. Starter— Mr W. S. Hart. Committee— H. Palmer, \V. S. Hart, A. Buchan, D. Charker, W. T. Wood, G. Canton, G. Lawson, H. P. Forster, C Rush, J. T. Follass, A. Paltridge. Never before h.r> Victoria- Park presented such a s'.-.y and animated appearance a?, it did yesterday, when the Friendly Societies' picnic aucj sports

was held. The arrival of the train from Palmerston was awaited by the townspeople with eager anticipation, as a large number were expected, but the number that came down exceeded their expectations. At Palmerstonthe station was besieged, and the stationmaster, Mr Bowles, was soon divested of available tickets, and the committee then had to furnish the remainder. However, the train reached Foxton to time at 10.30 with, it is computed, close on 1300 persons. The majority alighted at the gate near the wind-mill and wended their way to Victoria Park which is only a short distance away. A large number also came in to town, and went to the sea beach by steamer or spent the time in town. The members of A.0.F., Manawatn ; 1.0.0. F. M.U., Loyal Manawatu; Oroua Lodge, 'U.A.0.D. ; Orient Lodge, A.C. ; Court Pride of Palmerston (ladies); and also some 40 members of the Court Pride of Foxton marched from the railway station to the Park headed by the Palmerston North Brass Band. On entering the ground one was struck with the great number that had already assembled, and who were located Jn different parts of the groun J picnicking under the trees. The bandsmen took up their position at the foot of the hill facing the running track, and there they discoursed inspiriting music throughout the day. The band comprised 21 performers, and their playing was mu6h enjoyed. Hot water and milk was in plentiful supply for our visitors, and which was much appreciated by them. Mr Geo. Langley had a booth on the ground in which refreshments of all kinds and also a firstclass dinner could be obtained, and he was kept fairly busy during the day. After noon the number began to increase, and as the sun was obscured by the clouds for the best part of the day it was most pleasant. A very light breeze blowing across the ground also helped to temper the heat. The secretary (Mr S. Watson), had his time fully occupied in attending to his numerous duties, and he was ably backed by his committee in carrying out the sports programme. Messrs G. Stiles, J. W. Walsh T. Westwood and several others we noticed were giving the committee every possible help also. Two large cases of toys had been been brought down for free distribution amongst the children, and were quickly disposed of, and no doubt they will look forward to a similar visit from our Palmerston triends. An appeal and protest was lodged during the day, but the Committee very quickly settled both. At the conclusion of the sports the Mayor of Palmerston (Mr W. T. Wood), presented the prizes for the winners in the Local Bicycle Race and the 120 Yards Handicap. He also presented the watch to the .winner who was successful in the guessing competition, at the same time remarking he wished that a Foxton lady had won it. In a short speech Mr W. T. Wood, on behalf of the visitors, heartily thanked the Foxton people for the cordial welcome that had been shown them. He believed in these gatherings as helping to bring them closer together, and he trusted that this first visit to their sister town would not be the last by many. He complimented the Borough on having Mr'Fraser as its Mayor, #nd said they should see that they keep him there. He called for three cheers for the Mayor ot Foxton which were lustily given. Mr Fraser acknowledged the remarks from the former speaker, and three cheers were then given for the Mayor of Palmerston. The Palmerston people were much pleased with their visit here, and they returned very much impressed with the enjoyment they had received during their short stay. Mr Watson informed us that double the number attended the sports this year than last, when they were held at Ashurst. A fair amount was taken at the gates for admission, and close on £100 was taken by the Railway Department, the tickets also including admission to the ground. Following are results of the sports held : — Open Handicap, of 90s; 440 yds, 220 yds, 100 yds. Winners of each event, ss. Points Prizes— Ist, £3 ; 2nd, 10s ; 3rd, ss. Nomination, is each event ; acceptance, is each event. 440 yards. R. C. Wright (17 yds) 1 W. Prentice (scr) 2 A. McKenzie (2 yds) 3 Wright won this event easily. Three failed to start, as the pistol snapped. A good race for second place. 220 YARDS. This race was run in two heats, as follows :-First heat-A. C. Stansell, (syds), 1; R. C. Wright (syds), 2. *<***• '•: i'INAL. F. Re#ll R. C. Wright 2 I A. C. Stansell 3 These heats were well contested, and some good sprinting was witnessed. 100 YARDS. In this^race a competitor appealed against the running of J." Garrity, and after hearing the appeal decided to run the race over again, and disqualify the offender for the rest of the day. The Committee were of the unanimous opinion that a most palpable bump had occurred. The race was then run over again, with the same result as before : — P. garrity (10 yds) 1 £-R e vell.(Byds) 2 R. C. Wright (8 yds) 3 The result in points was Wright, 6 points; Revel!, 5 points, P. Garrity, 3 points. r " Friendly Societies' Handicap, 120 yds. Ist prtoe, trophy value £1 is ; 2nd, trophy value 103 6d. Nomination, is; acceptance, free. <>uv 2 Foil* - 3 L'ms w;- r.v.h..! an easy win for [ L;i -.v^ii. th ■.*!:>;•■{ laced men making l a ji'iiX! i7giy. :■.<>■ sco.ind place. 5 Thr<>- ?e«r;«-' !-."; pi pe s. Enhance. J a

Six entries : Rush and Follass, x. Married Women's Race; box of tea. 1 Nine entries: Mrs Lynch, i. Young Ladies' Race, gold brooch. Eight started : Miss Furrie, i. Young Ladies' Race, silver brooch. Five started: Miss Macdonald, i. Veterans' Race (over 45), bag of flou Three started : Ravenhill i, Stace j Boys Race, (under 7 ).- K . Fund 1 ; F. Robinson, 3. Girls' Race, (under 7 )._ C. Overen 1 ; b. Turner, 2. Boys' Race, (under i 2 ).-O. Co*en 1 ; K. Furrie, 2. G l T !u i R^ C f,'- (under 10 )-~ K - Tume 1 ; fctnel Collins, 2. Boys' Race, (under i6).-W. WOOJ 1 ; W. Kennedy, 2. j Boys' Race, (under 12).— J. AndjJ son, 1 ; Marshall Woods, a M Girls' Race, (under 8).-E. Birchlei B £ y » ?^ cc ' (under 8 )-~A. HanlJ 1 ; F. Robinson, 2. I Boys' Race, (under 14).— L. AUdol 1 ; L. Pirani, 2. 1 Numerous other races for child*! were organised, and needless to si found many competitors. The pril were toys of all description, some v J good ones being amongst thfe.numbi Local Bicycle Race, for a caKe jul sented by Mr Geo. Langley. u|l There were four competitors for H event, and as this was the only bicwl event of the day, much interest vj manifested in the race. The followii competed :— -W. Howan (scratch) • I Austin, (10 yds) ; T. Betty, (30 ydsl J. Birchley, (60 yds).— Howan had 1 his men at his mercy after the secol round, and won very easily throughoi T. Betty second, and B. Austin thill Open Handicap, of 120 yards. Fi prize, album; second, founti pen, presented as a special pc by the Mayor of Foxton (Mr 1 Fraser). There were thirteen competitors this race, and it was decided in hea First heat— G. Stiles 1; Guy, 2. jl protest for jostling was laid by I Garrity against a competitor, but \J dismissed by the Committee. Seoojl heat — Stevens, 1 ; Wallbutton, 2. n G. Stiles Ji A handsome gold watch was prfll ted by the Committee for the ccfll guess of the united ages of the fcfll ing gentlemen .'—Messrs W. T. VHI Alf. Fraser, S- Watson, T. WesttW Buchan, Hart, Charker, Law! Canton, and Palmer. aH The competition was open to [Wa 1 only the entrance being free. jH Committee spent some time in JH through the tickets as there was SI a large number, and shortly aftejH! Wood announced that Mrs ChU and Mrs Dewar had both guesse^H correct number, viz., 354. TSJ over the difficulty he wou^^_^"™ public's approval [iln»M>jjJiTjlTiMi HI the hat, and requested Mr Alf FjM to draw the first name which woflH declared tha winner. This pro^M be Mrs Charker, of Palmerston fIH!