FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' SPORTS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3737, 3 January 1907, Page 3

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' SPORTS

.[By White Wing] The annual gathering of the Friendly Societies, was held in Victoria Park on New Year’s Day, under the most favourable auspices, the weather being perfect from the majority of tba picnickers’ point ot view. ’ - gate receipts nearly douil! '..••.it of last year, which will ' ■ -ry gratifying to the officers .1 committee and all ol those ’ o ably assisted in the working of what promises to be one an.: principal functions oi the year. There were about 2500 people present. Appended are the results of the events which tended to make up the afternoon s enjoyment. Maiden Race, • t 50yds. Trenery i, Recklebeau 2, J. W. Shields 3- A splendid race. Trenery just snatching a victory in the last stride, about the same separating 2nd and 3rd. Bicycle Race, one mile.—E. Reese x, W. Aden 2, J. Cole 3. A, very exciting finish. Reese just beating Aden on the post by mohes, the same separating 2nd and 3rd. Boys Race, under 16 years.— 0. Scott 1, Sciascia 2, E. King 3There were seventeen starters in this event, which is very pleasing to note that the old English love of sport is not dying out with the rising generation. . Friendly Societies’ Handicap, Ist event, 1 ooyds. Recklebeau 1, Thompson 2, E. Savelle 3. A splendid finish. Won by about 1 foot, the same separating 2nd and 3rd.' . Boys Bicycle Race, one mile. W; Murch 1, F. Robinson 2, EBrown 3. This was one of the best races of the day, only inches separating the first three men, with the rest of the field well up. A nastv accident happened just as the first three riders crossed the line. They seemed toicollide with 0116 another. lam pleased to say nothing beyond a severe shaking resulted. A distribution of free toys took there were some very mfPifPfS given away which greatly pleased the little ones.

Friendly Societies’ Handicap, 2nd event, 220yds-—D- Alzdorf 1, H. Tenery 2, H.. Boyle 3. There were 12 starters in this event and was won comfortably. The manner in which the winner .put his field down stamps him as a runner of the first rank, and with careful training should annex some of the good things in New Zealand. Bicycle Race, two miles. A. H. Cole 1, Bradley 2, R. George 3. After the bell and rounding into the straight. Cole came on the outside and won with ease by icyds. A length between second and third. . _

Friendly Societies’ Race, 'IOO yds.—Bro. Hawkins, Druid, Palmerston ISf. x ; Bro. Raad, A.0.F., Palmerston N,, ? •, Ido- Hoskin, 0.F.M.U., Palmerston N., 35 Bro. Robinson, 0.F.M.U., Foxton,’ 4. Only lour starters. A few inches separating the lot. Bandsmen’s Race, xooyds, — Pickering 1, Finley 2, Harris 3Won by inches. This race caused a great deal of excitement owing to the corpulency of the winner ) but, however, weight prevailed and carried Bro. Pickering through. Bicycle Race, 1 x /z miles. —A. H. Cole 1, Coulter 2, R. George 3. Cole came at his field at the back of the track and simply left the others standing and won with ease. A length between 2nd and 3rd.

Officials Race, 100yds.—Major Dank 1, Bell 2, Rogers 3. There were xo starters, won by about a foot.

There were several children’s races during the afternoon, too numerous to go into detail.

In conclusion I would like to mention that too much praise cannot be accorded Bro Rush for the workmanlike manner in which he had all the details in hand and the courtesy shown by him ; also Bro. Watson, who so ably assisted him in the arduous duties of secretary, and to those members of the Royal Foxtou Dodge who did such good work in helping the passengers to alight from the trains ; B. G. Gower, Esq., (Mayor) Major Dunk, and Bros J. Rogers, W. J. Gardner, Aitchison and the starter, who I must say were the only real live committeemen outside the office. Too much praise cannot be accorded Messrs Rangley Bros for the able manner and plenteous spread which they put before the public. The Palmerston Band discoursed splendid music at intervals during the afternoon.