GAS LIGHT SPORTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 605, 4 December 1909, Page 3

GAS LIGHT SPORTS.

The Gaslight Sports held in Victoria Park on Thursday evening, under the auspices of the Foxton Athletic Club, were well supported by the „ public, there being an attendance of between 500 and 600. The sprint track was lighted by five benzine lights, and although these were quite sufficient to enable the spectators to see the races from start to finish, a great improvement would undoubtedly have beexx effected had there been a couple more lights. The sports were not commenced punctually at 8 o’clock, owing to some minor arrangements having been overlooked during the day, but from the commencement ot the first heat of the Sheffield at about half past eight, until the final, shortly after 10 o’clock, the spectators were kept interested, the events being got off without any dreary waits. Dfuriug the evening there were fifteen races, nine in the Sheffield Handicap and six in the scullers’ race. Out of 26 nominations received for the Sheffield, 21 runners accepted, which speaks volumes for the good handicapping of Mr J. Collingwood of Feilding. Two of the competitors who accepted for the Sheffield were prevented from competing for refusing to sign a declaration to the effect that the performances sent in by them were correct. The handicap was won by J. E. Johnston, a young runner from Masterton, who ran with a great deal of dash. Clarke, Auckland, was second, and Hall, Auckland, third. Tlxe scratch man, D. Sanson, of Hastings, was in good form, and was placed in his heat, tut could only get second in the semi-final. The handicapper has rather too good an opinion of Sanson’s sprinting capabilities aud there is no doubt that he was rather harshly treated. The spectators appeared to evince more interest in the scullers, race than the Sheffield and when "Billy Webb,” the world’s exchampion sculler made his appearance on the running track, the crowd went wild. No doubt he is far axid away the most popular sculler in the Dominion, and he received a great ovation when he ran second in his heat. The event was won by Hagney in the easiest possible manner, in fact he could have stood any of them up twelve yards and beaten them. The Athletic Club Committee are to be complimented on the success of their first gaslight meeting, and considering the trouble they took with the affair, the success was no more than they deserved. During the evening the Borough Brass Band played several selections, which were much appreciated. The following are the results: — Sheffield Handicap.—lst heat: L- G. Allen, 9yds., 1; D. Sanson, scr., 2; also started; W. F. Gilligan nyds., and H. Lange 12yds. Second heat: R. McKenzie, Byds., r ; L. Grant, 9yds., 2 ; L. Alzdorf 3yds., and E. Hayes 12yds., also started. Third heat: J. E. Johnson, 10yds., 1; Leahy, 12yds, 2; W. A. Terrill 4yds., and G. Davidson Byds., also started. Fourth heat: S. Clarke, xxyds., 1; F. J. Treanor, xoyds., 2 ; J. H. Berry syds., and Shields 9yds., also started. Fifth heat: T. Hall, 6yds., 1 ; M. Stevens, xoyds., 2; M. Smith, xxyds., also started. Semi-finals —xstheat: R. McKenzie 1, Sanson 2'; Stevens also started. 2nd heat: Hall 1, Leahy 2, Allen also started. 3rd heat: Johnson 1, Clarke 2 ; also Started, Grant and Treanor. Final : Johnson 1, Clarke 2, Hall 3Scullers’ Race. —xstheat: Hagney 1, Larsen 2. 2nd heat: Mitchell 1, Webb 2. 3rd heat: Felton 1, Lawson 2. Semi-finals—--Ist heat: Hagney 1, Mitchell 2 ; 2nd heat: Webb 1, Larsen 2, Fin al: Hagney 1, Webb.