PATRIOTIC SPORTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1807, 28 March 1918, Page 3

PATRIOTIC SPORTS.

' The third annual Patriotic Sports in aid of the Oroua Downs Red Cross Guild was held in Mr Hammond's grounds, Oroua Downs, yesterday, in ideal weather. Despite a big counter attraction at Palmerston North, and the non-observance of the usual weekly half-holiday in Poxton, there was a large attendance, including representatives from Saiulon, Rnngiotu, and a large contingent from Poxton, while the Downs was represented by practically every homestead. The site was an ideal one for sports, being sheltered by bells of trees on every side. On the smith side a row of well arranged stalls Avert* erected, where good business was transacted. The course avus avoll laid out, and tho jumps for the various horse competitions were all that could be desired. Keen interest avus displayed in the horse events, although the entries Avere pot as large as was anticipated. Tho following Avere the officials: —.Judges hunters’ competitions, Mr .1. Bull, of Hunterville; other horse events, Messrs W. E. Barber and P. 'Woods; committee: Messrs W. Scott, 11. Brown, P. Gardiner, D. Davey, G. A. Burling, A, 1). Scott, B, Slack, E. Christensen, D. Young, P. Luc insky, S. Moffat, J. Conlau, 0. Parmer, C. LiggLus, W. (lonian, W. Witton, A. Sexton. Mr R. Gates, the indefatigable secretary, proved himself the right man in the right place, and his obliging and courteous manner is deserving of special mention. During the afternoon the Poxton Borough Band discoursed a programme of music, which Avas much appreciated. The tea-room was in charge of Mesdames Davey, Farmer, Shaiier, Burling, Molfatt, Misses Brady, Witton and Moffat!; soft drinks and fruit salads, Mesdames Boyle, Buikos and Scott and Mr Oliver; Fancy stall, Mrs and Miss Conlan; sweets stall, Misses Conlan, Davey, Moffalt and Scott; flower stall aad plaques, Mrs Shaiier; produce stall, Misses Violet Molfatt and M. Wisnofski; sheep-guessing, Mr 11. J. Brown; Mr Davey had charge of the money cheese, and Mr Campbell (he pony name-guessing competition. The display of handsome trophies awarded in the various events presented a line display. The following is a list of events: Tilting at the Ring.—A. Sexton 1, Deidrioh 2. Married Men’s Race. —E. Boyle 1, T. Puki 2. Apple Bobbing.—W. O’Gradv 1, T. Puki 2. Thread-the-needle Race. —W. O’Grady 1, W, Neylon 2. Hunters’ Consolation Competition. —L. Bull 1, R. Sexton 2. Boys Race, under 15. —E. B. Robinson (Poxton) 1, H. Hammond 2. Boys’, under 12. —AT. Seott 1, H. Hartley 2. Married Women’s Race. —Mrs Holohrun 1, Airs HemingAvay 2. Best floral decorated pony. —Dahlia Davey 1, Eva Davey 2; only entries. Best Girl Rider. —Myrtle Boyle 1, Muriel Boyle 2, Eva Davey 3; only entries. Best boy rider. —Roy Scott 1, .Leighton Bull (Hunterville) 2; only entries. Pony Leaping, over six flights of hurdles. —Roy Scott’s Canteen 1, Leighton Bull 2, At. Hammond’s Ginger (Procter) 3. Some tine jumping was witnessed by the first and second ponies, the winner being accorded a well-deserved ovation.’ His mount avus 23 years old, and needed little piloting over the obstacles. There were seven entries in* this event, and all the youngsters proved themseh'es clever horsemen. Walk and Trot Competition.— This event brought out a■ held of ten. The horses had to walk oii(;e, round, and trot ihe Same distance. In the Avalk the field straggled, some of the horses I icing too excited to get into the required gait. The prizes went to Moffat 1, E. Beard’s 2, Mr Slack’s Paspalum 3. Mr Hehir’s mount came home (irst, but. avus disqualified in the walking. There Avere 12 entries in the Maiden Hunters' Competition, list and over, and some good jumping was witnessed. The trophy in this event was a cup, valued at six guineas, presented by the Red Cross Guild. Tin* hurdles and double brush jump were good tests both for the horses and men. There wore a few baulks. O'Grady, on a strange mount, avus thrown from a baulk clean over his mount and hurdle, hut was none the worse for the spill, lie subsequently piloted the same animal over the obstacles, and also rode another eniriint. Mr Ilchir’s Paddy Wehh av.-is first, Mr R. Sexton’s Te Alanuri second, and Mr R. Grady's Leohmtcr third. In the lady's driving competition Mrs dagger (Moutoa) was an easy winner, knocking down sev 7 en out of eight • pegs. There were nine entries. In the men’s driving competition, eight entries, Walker aad Seott were equal, and in (lie final drive off they finished in the above order. There Avert* six entries in the Open Hunters' Competition, for a cup valued at 20 guineas, Avith £3 8s added (cup to be Avon twice in succession or three times at intervals), second prize trophy. Mr Waller’s Barney put up a fine performance, the jumping being clean throughout. The win avus "a popular one. Mr Hehir’s Paddy Webb, and Mr Sexton’s Te Manuri had to take the jumps a second time be-* fore the judge could separate them, and they Avere placed in the order named. Young Ladies Race.—Mss Carsvu (Rnngiotu) I, Miss Rente Mof-,

fatt 2. There was a big field iu this event and a gobd finish. The presentation of trophies in the horse events Avas performed by Mr Hammond and Mrs A. Scott, and the Avinnera Avere cheered. No one guessed the name of the pony, “Nobby.” The little animal Avas put up for auction, and realised over £3O for the funds, being finally knocked down to Mr Smith, of Oroua Downs. Sheep-guessing Competition.— Weight, 274 lbs. Nearest guess, Mr Bull (Hunterville), 2731b5. The following arc donors of trophies and cash: —Messrs W, Campbell, E. Christensen, D. Scott, W, Conlan, J. Conlan senr., B, Slack, Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., E. Robinson, Dr. Mandl, L. Freeman, F. S. Easton, L. Collinson, T. G rammer, H. Coley, R. McKnight, Wilton, R. A. Mercer, W. Renton, S. Hutchison, A. Ross, Geo. Coley, F. A. Mills, Geo. Farmer, F. C, Raikes, W. Seott, G. A. Burling, P. Lucinsky, J. Conlan, J. Hehir, S. Hutcheson. The day’s outing concluded AA'ith a dance in Mr Hammond’s Hall in the evening. There Avas a large attendance, and a most enjoyable time avus spent by all present. During the evening several vocal items were rendered.