Foxton School Sports.

Manawatu Herald, 20 December 1902, Page 2

Foxton School Sports.

Wednesday, Deo. 17, was a redletter day in the annals of the Poxton State School, and will long live in the memory of the rising generation as one of the best and grandest of holidays. The school sports had been an annual event until last year, when through stress of financial circumstances they were allowed to drop. This year, by the largehearted generosity of Mr G. Coley and a few of his business friends in Wellington, including locally and specially Mr C. Easton, they were revived on a scale of unexampled magnificence. Costly trophies, rich money-prizes and beautiful toys in marvellous profusion were provided, a Sports’ Committee of our most experienced townsmen was appointed, and to this committee Mr Coley said in his own plain, straightforward fashion—“ Gentleman, I want you to make these the best children’s sports the Poxton children have ever had. I have every confidence in you ; and if more money is wanted you know where to come to." How well the sports’ committee did their work and how successfully the whole affair was managed from beginning to end it is unnecessary for us to say. It was a great, a splendid success, and no mistake. Where all concerned worked with a will loyally

and harmoniously together, it -would perhaps be invidious to _ single out individual names for special mention, but we cannot help saying that Mr Overend as secretary was emphatically the right man in the right place. His services were_ invaluable. Mr Bradcook as principal I starter, and Mr Noonan as clerk of the course and general utility man have few equals and no superiors, and they kept up their reputation. Mr Langley was indefatigable throughout the day in giving able help to the ladies committee in catering for the multitude of little hungry souls, and earned unstinted praise from all. Indeed the officials all worked like Trojans, and with more success than the Trojans had. Ho much for the officials. That the children did not fail in their share of the day’s enjoyment is plain enough from the lengthy list of events set out with the winners’ names in order below. They were unanimous in declaring that it was the best day’s sport they had ever had. To complete the enjoyment and comfort of the children and others on the ground, about 500 o>- more, an admirable free lunch, with tea, lemonade, &c,, had been provided by a Committee of ladies, and it is needless to say this was done justice to by all. The labours of the ladies were indeed worthy of Hercules in supplying such a multitude, and too much credit cannot be given to the joint secretaries, Mesdatnes 0. Easton and Overend, for their tireless energy and activity. Quite a feast —turkey, duck, fowl, ham, tongue, jelly, trifle, Ac , &c.,—was specially spread for the Sports' Committee, starters, and judges, by Mrs G. Coley, whose kindness was fully appreciated, as well as the feast. And so all went merry as a marriage bell. Towards the end of the day a countless number of beautiful toys were distributed to the children, ono and all, in the Park, some, as usually happens, getting two, and a few of the more retiring ones getting:none ! The only mistake of the day was in this connection. The prizes allotted to the winners of all the events under 10 had been placed separately in a special box. This box was opened by some of the ladies, who bad not been informed of the intended disposal of the various gifts, 24 in number, and these were given away indiscriminately to any every one. Consequently, the little winners under 10, did not get their prizes at the distribution next day at the school; but they were comforted, more or less, on learning that they would get them without fail at school on the first day after the holidays. We append the results of the various events •

1. Girls under 6—l, E. Nye; 2, A. Currie; 8, B. Murca tt.

2. Boys under 6 -1. -W. Baker/ 2, -T. Prew; 8, F. Hudson. 8. Girls under 7 —l, D. Mnrcott; 2, E. Skellen; 8, D. Chandler. 4. Boys under 7 —l, F. Spelman ; 2, W. Barber; 8, W. Bakec. 5. Girls under B—l, N. Robinson ;2, M. yfaakljn ; 8, Elsie Robinson. 6. Hoys under B—l, D. lifting; 2, F. Dadson; 3, S. Bradcook. - 7. Girls under 10—1, A. Dudaon; 2, E. Newth; 8, B. Nye. 8. Boys under 10-—l. G. Edwards ; 2, K. Osborne; 8, P. Over* end.

9. Hurdles, boys under 18—1, J. Hennessy; 2, H. 3, W. Currie.

10. Hurdles, boys under 16—1, E. Purrie; 2, 0. Edwarda; 8, JBL. Langley. 11. Champion Race, boys under 15—1, A. Oummerfield; 2, K. Furrie; 8, D. Walden.

12. Girl’s Ruse, 10 and 11 year* —l, L- Laing; 2, E. Alzdorl and E. Robinson (tie). 18. Boys’ Race, 10 and 11 years —I, S. Wanklyn; 2, W. Currie; 3, 0. Dunokley. 14. Girls. 12 and 13—1, 0. Over* end; 2. F. Edwards; 8, D. Laing. 15. Boys, 12 and 18—1, J. Oooke; 2, R. Rand; 8, R. Newth. 16. Old Boys’ Race-—l, L. Alzdorf; 2, W. Cook; 8, A. Shadbolt. 17. Old Girls’ Raos—l, M. Aladorf; 2, Ad. Collins; 3, May Coley.

18. Girls’ Race, 18 to 16 years—1, Els. Newth; 2, Millie Andresea; 8, M. Laiug. 19. Boys, 14 to 15 years—l, D. Walden; 2, Guy Tfaynne; 8, 0. Edwards.

20. Half-mile, boys under 16— 1, K. Fame; 2, C. Edwards; 3, A. Overend.

21. Skipping, Gir’S' under B—l, M. Wanklyn; 2, M. Skellen ; 8, B. Nye. 22. Skipping, Girls under 10— 1, E. Alzdorf; 2, K, Spe'manj S, M. Walker.

23. Skipping, Girls under 12— 1, M. Cook ; 2, E. Renata; 8, L. Laing. 24. Skipping, Girls under 16— 1, £. Newth; 2. B. Hudson; 8, I. Lee.

25. Skipping and Running, Girls under 10—1, E. Robinson; 2, I. Langley; 8, M. Newth. 26. Skipping and Running, Girls over 10-1, O. Overend; 2, Els. Newth; S, K. Spelmau. 27. Bike Race, Boys under 16— 1, D. Walden; 2, J. Hennessy; 8, 0. Edwardf,

28. Bike Race. Boys under 18— 3, E. Rpelman; 2, F. Whibiey; 3, A. Shadbolt. 29. Sack Race—l, A. Overend ; 2, J. Hennessy; 8, J. Cooke. 30. Egg and Spoon Race—l, K. Furrie; 2, J. Cooke; 3, B. Newth. 31. Monkey Race—l, K. Fume ; 2, J. Currie; 3, E. Walker. 32. Three legged Race for Gills under 12-1, M. Cooke and E. Robinson ; 2, R. Dudson and Aileen O’Beilly; 3, E. Alzdorf and M. \^ftl2cor> 33. Three-legged Race, Girls under 14—1, 0. Overend and E. Webb; 2, M. Andresen and E. Cooper; 3, E. Robinson and H. 84. Three-legged Race, Old Girls -1, M. Coley and X. Lee; i, M. Alzdorf and Ad Collius; 3, N. Cummer&eld and B 1 cidson. 85. Three-legged Lacr Roys under 12—1, C. JDunckley >t.l W Healey; 2, W. Honnessy am. j’. Hooker; 3, P. Ovirend and A. Walden.

86. Three-legged Race, Boys under 14-1, F. Hooker and G Colline; 2, A. Overend and H. Hughes; 3, J. Cooke and 8. Osborne. 37. Potato Race, Boys under 16 —l. G.Thynne; 2, H Hughes; 3, 0. Edwards.

88. Tricycle Race, Boys under 7 —l, S. Austin; 2, B, Wyeth; 8, S. Bradcock.

89. Tricycle Race, Boys under 10-1, 8. Bradcock; 2, T. Westwasd; 3, B. Wyeth. 40. High Jump, Boys under 12— I, J. Hennessy; 2, W- Currie; 3, F. Hooker.

41. High Jump, Boys under 16 —l, G.Thynne; 2, 0. Edwards; 8, K. Fume, 42. Tug of War—The side cap tained by K. Fame won this event

Special prizes donated by Mr Noonan and Mr E. Dunn for the moat popular Boy and the most popular Girl in the school were awarded by the vote of their fellowpupils to Master Kenn. Furrie and Miss Hilda Cook respectively.

The special prize, highest aggregate of points in all events, will be presented to the winner on the reopening ,of the school, when the prizes from 6 years to 10 years will also be given. The prizes for all the events, exm cept the first eight were presented the » breaking up ” of the schor on Thursday afternoon by Mrs G Coley and Mrs Overend, amid, great enthusiasm on the part of the children, and* fervent hopes were expressed by the boys that there might be two such Sports Days in the year instead of one ! And the name of Mr George Coley was blessed ! God Save the King!

The “breaking »p ” of the State School for the Christmas holidays took place on Thursday afternoon in the presence of a considerable number of parents and others interested in the children. A record number of children also put in an appearance, bo that the west room was uncomfortably packed. In declaring the school closed for the statutory five weeks the Chairman, Mr Thos. Westwood, made an appropriate speech, interspersing his remarks with wise and salutary advice to the children. Among other items of interest he announced that under the new scale of “ staffing ” the school is entitled for the coming year to an additional assistant master, at a salary of £165 -jar annum. Some events of the '•rovious day’s Sports having been decided, the distribution of the Sports’ prizes was then proceeded with. The money prizes were kindly presented to the winners by Mrs 6. Coley, and the trophies by Mrs Overend. A very cordial vote of thanks was conveyed in a ner speech by the Chairman to Mr C. Coley and the other prize-donors, and hearty cheers were given by the children. Mr Noonan, Commanding Officer of the School Cadet Corps, then addressed the boys of the corps briefly in an appropriate speech. On the motion of the Head Teacher thanks, followed by rousing cheers, were accorded to the Sports Committee, to the Ladies’ Committee, to Mrs Or. Coley, Mrs 0. Easton and Mrs Overend (Joint Secretaries), and to Mr Noonan (0.0. Cadet Corps). At the call of the Chairman the heartiest of hearty cheers was given by all present for the Headmaster and his assistants, with the “ compliments of the season.” The singing of the National Anthem brought to a close a very pleasant and interesting ceremony. In the course of the afternoon the school children were photographed in two groups, boys and girls separately, the school banner displayed in the midst of each.