FOXTON ATHLETIC CLUB’S ANNUAL SPORTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3777, 12 November 1907, Page 3

FOXTON ATHLETIC CLUB’S ANNUAL SPORTS.

OFFICERS : Patron —J. Stevens, Esq.. M.H.R. President —B: G. Gower, Esq (Mayor), Vice Presidents—Messrs S. Hickson. W. J. White. A. Shadbolt. Geo. Gray, Dr. Mandl, O. Robinson, W. Ross, C. T. Easton. L. Wilson. F. W. Frank- . land. G. Stiles, and G. Coley. Hon. Secretary—Mr J, W. Rough. Hon. Treasurer —Mr E. Healey. Committee—Messrs F. Martin, F. Woods, E. Baker, M. Perrean, R Hynes, F D Whibley, J. Gilles, C H Hood. P T Eobinson, P Lawton, W Gordon and E. Hickson. Markers —Committee. Judges—Messrs Chisholm, B. Gower, E A Coley, Hickson, O Eobinson, L Wilson, J. Symons, G. Phillips and Hennessy. Auditors —Messrs G. Morgan and Adams. Handicapper—Mr IT Shannon Starter —Mr E E Smith Timekeepers —■ Messrs C L Barnard and M Walker The annual sports held under the auspices of the above Club commenced well sTesterday,5 T esterday, but had to be postponed at 2.15 p.m. owing the heavy downpour of rain which commenced at that hour. The tracks were in first-class condition, and fast times were being recorded, in tact considerably faster than hitherto. The attendance was not quite up to last > T ear’s. j The Commitee, we understand, had arranged for a special early ? train, but the ordinary early Monday morning train only was despatched from the north. This necessarily left much earlier than last year’s special. And, although the Sports’ Committee bear the burden of a special train, the majority of excursionists that did arrive wended their way to the beach, leaving the sports religiously alone. No one begrudges the northerners a day on the sands, but when a Club guarantees for a special train for its exclusive benefit, it should reap that benefit. The Railway Department should embody in its railway fare admission to the grounds, adding a shilling extra to that fare and refunding same to the Club. By this means the Club would receive some-tangible return for its guarantee. *Pt>ssibly a word in season would alter things. To return, to

the sports. Although the number i of competitors was not so numerous V as last, year, the quality was considerably in advance. The local peds. were in fine form, Alzdorf annexing the 440 and 220 yards’ distances in the Foxton Grand Handicap, in the fast times of 49 4-5 arid 22 sec. respectively, off the 30 and 16 yards’ marks. Shields won the Maiden and secured second money in the 220yds. One of the most popular wins was that of A. Campbell, in the 880 yards, from scratcji. Mr E. Smith got the races away well to time, without complaint from the competitors. The judges had some very close finishes to decide, reflecting great credit on the handicapper (Mr U. Shannonj. The Borough Band (under Bandmaster S. Ennis), rendered a spirited programme during the time the sports were being held, and many were the complimentary remarks passed upon their playing. The refreshment booth was doing good business until the rain interruption, as also was a skittle alley. The officials,- headed by the energetic secretary (Mr J. W. Rough), were all working, hard to bring the gathering to a succesful close. Ap- / pended are results : - J 1. Local Bike Race, 1 mile. — ' Ist ’ prize Trophy (Mr M. H. Walker’s), value £2 xos ; 2nd (Mr Osborne’s), value rosbd ; entrance, 2s 6d.

J. Cooksley scr, 1 ; W. Schultz scr, 2 ; C. Hood 35yds, 3. Seven started. Won by 15 yards. Time 2.42. 2. Maiden Race, 150 yards.— Ist prize Trophy (Gardner and Whibley’s) value £2 2s ; 2nd, Mr Bradley’s value £1 7s. Post entry 2s 6d, W. Shields, 1 ; Hubner, 2 ; Hartley, 3. -Six started. Won by a yard. Time 17 secs. 3.. |l6ys’ Bike Race (local), under ,il|'¥ mile.—lst prize Trophy (Mr/f. T. Levett’s), value 20s ; 2nd, Mr J. K. Hornblow’s value 10s 6d. Post entry, is. F. Robinson, 1; j. Withers, 2 ; W, Day, 3. Six started. Won by two lengths. Time 2.55. 4. FOXTON GRAND HANDICAP, three distances,,44o, 220, and 100 yards.—lst prize for each distance, 80s ; 2nd, 30s ; 3rd, 10s. Points prize aggregate, points to count 5,3, and 2 ; Ist prize J. W. RoughsS trophy, value £2 2s; 2mb Mr Knnis’ value £1 7s. In addition to the above a special prize (a beautiful trophy, value 15s) presented by Messrs Stevens, Austin, and Easton, will be given to the competitor first gaining 20 points. Entrance, each distance, 4s • fst distance, 440 yards. E- A-lzdprf 30yds, 1 ; N. McEwan, xoyds, 2 ; H. Reid, 39yds, 3. Si? started. Wpn fiy fi ve yards, ‘fifteen separating second and third. Time 49 4-ssecs. Alzdorf won the same eyent last yeaf off 40yds, in 50 2-ssecs. Second distance, 22oyds.-r-Alzr dorf, 16yds, 1 : Shields, 20yds, 2 ; Stratford, 14yds, 3. Eight started. Won by two yards. Time 22secs. .Ashworth won this event last year in 22 3*ssecs. By winning this distance Alzdorf securf s-|he points prize, with To .poinfe.T He: npw has I 5; points for the Cup, with one more diStatice- (100yds) to decide.

I 5. The Foxton Wheel Race, 2 miles. —Ist prize, £\o and Nash & Co.’s gun value 5s ; 2nd, £3 and R. N. Speirs’ trophy value £1 is ; 3rd, £\ ; entrance 10s. First heat: Davenport, 140yds, Parkes, 60yds, 2 ; R. Jones, 40yds, 3. Eight started. Time, 5.54 2-5 secs. Second heat: Brough, 50 yds, x ; Coulter, 120yds, 2 ; I’Anson, 75yds, 3. Eight started. Final : Parkes, 1 ; Brough, 2 ; Davenport, 3. Jones and I’Anson fell out early in the race owing to mishaps. A splendid race saw Parkes win by a wheel, inches separating second and third. Time 5.4 i*ssec. Hooker won this race last year off r6oyds in 5.42 secs. 6. Girls’ Race (local, under 15). —1 st prize trophy (E. Ball’s) value 30s ; 2nd (C. E. Barnard’s) value 20s. Entrance, free. Avis Dudson, 1 ; Effie Newth, 2. About a dozen started.

S. Half-mile Running. is 1 prize. 2nd, £ 2; 3rd, £l. Entrance ss. A. Campbell, scr., 1; G. Hall, 30yds, 2 ; Stratford, 305x15, 3. Ten started. Won by four srards.5 r ards. Time, 2.6. Campbell won the same event last year in 2.9 4-5 secs. At this juncture rain commenced to fall heavier, and the Committee were reluctantly compelled to postpone the remainder of the events until Wednesday, 20th inst., commencing at 2 p.m. We understand that the flaxmills will be asked to observe, if possible, Wednesday, instead of Saturday, as the half-holiday. Several races for children were held during the day.