FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' FETE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 32, 5 February 1879, Page 4

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' FETE.

Although the weather was a little threatening during the early part of Monday morning, it gradually cleared off, and the day was a perfect one for a public holiday, and as such was enjoyed by thousands of resident's in town and country. The sports, under the auspices of the Friendly Societies, formed the chief attraction, and the fete was opened with the usual procession, the Foresters falling in at their room, and with a handsome new banner, just received from England, at their head marching to tbe Odd - Fellows' Hail, where they were joined by tbe members of that Society, and, accompanied by them, proceeded to the railway station to meet the visitors from the country, from whence they walked in procession, headed by the Battalion Band, through the principal streets of tbe town tc the Botanical Reserve, where every preparation had been made for the competing athlete?, and much thoughtful consideration had been displayed for the comfort of visitors in the shape of seats placed under the shade of the trees. Seeing that only a month had elapsed since the last sports, the attendance was remarkably good, while the number of competitors was larger than usual, and the various events were more closely contested. That which created the largest amount of excitement was the "Tug of War," particularly the final heat, in which the Artillery Volunteers at one time looked as though they were going to prove too strong for their powerful opponents, to whom, however, they had eventually to succumb. The walking match for one mile, for youths under 16, for a silver cup was splendidly contested, and resulted in a dead heat between T. Hunter and Tomlinson, though the judges decided to award the prize to tbe former, on account of his being the fairer walk. The champion mile race was won by Neame, of Richmond, who received 92 yards start from Webber, and led the whole distance. The Champion Points were won by Twohill, with 18 out of a possible 20, the next being a long way off, namely, Askew, with only 8 points. Jingling matches and the inclined plane, jwhich was kept in a delightfully slippery condition, afforded much amusement during the day, and the Committee have the satisfaction of knowing that they they fully achieved that success to which their exertions to make everything pass off satisfactorily so fully entitled them. During the afternoon Mr D. P. Loasby, P.P.G.M., who is about to leave -Nelson, was presented by Mr J. P. Cooke, P.G.M., on behalf of his brother Odd-Fellows, with a handsome tea and coffee service and salver as a. mark of the esteem and good will entertained towards him. In returning thanks, Mr Loasby said that, although he had, comparatively speaking, been but a short time a member of the Order, he had always taken an ac'ive interest in its welfare, and until last Wednesday night he had never been out of office since he joined eight years ago. He was vpry much gratified with the proof of their kindly feeling towards him, and assured them that he was indebted to his wife for being able to devote as much time as he had done to the interests of the Order. He sincerely thanked them for their handsome present. Three cheers were then given for Mr Loasby, and an additional three for Mrs Loasby. Mr Jennings, P.P.G.M., then presented Mr J. Askew with the Hunter Cup, and hearty cheers were given for tbe donor and the winner. In the evening fireworks and dancine broucht a very pleasant holiday to a close. The following i3 a list of the events ami their results : —

Flat Race for Boys under 12 ; Ist, prize, 10s ; 2nd, ss. Say well 1 Allen 2 Friendly Societies' Handicap (in regalia), •2W yards. Prize, Set Framed Emblems. Mixted (5 yards) 1 .Tones (scratch) 2 Delaney (5 yards) 3 Standing High Jump; Ist prize, 30a ; 2nd, 1 0s. Twobill, 4ft 2in 1 Henphy, 4ft ... 2 I Champion Points (first event), 500 yards ; Ist prize, £10 ; 2nd, £5 ; 3rd to save bis \ stake Twobill ; 1 5 points Hart 2 3 „ Askew ... ... 3 2 „ Constable 0 j Sack Race for Boys ; Ist prize, 5s ; 2nd, 2s 6d. Bail 1 Woodward 2 j Three-Legged Race, 440 yards ; Ist prize, 20s ; 2nd, 10s. , Lines and Biddell ... ... 1 J Gilford and Bartlett 2 , Newport and Akersten 3 Champion Points (2nd event), 200 yards. Hart 1 5 points Twohill 2 3 Askew 3 2 " Walking Match for Nelson Youths under 16 ; distance, one mile. Prize, Silver Cup. T. Hunter 1 Tomlinson 2 , r G °y i Vaulting with Pole ; Ist prize, £3 ; 2nd, 30s. Webber, 10ft Sin 1 Tunnicliffe, 10ft lin 2 A. Bird, 10ft 0 Curtis, 9fc Bin ... ... ... 0 H. Lines 0 Hunter Cup (half mile race), competitors to be bona fide Nelson youths under 18 -, 'Ist prize, silver cup and £2 ; 2nd, £1. J. Askew I Barker 2 Champion Points (third event), 300 yards. Twohill 1 5 points Askew 2 3 Hart 3 2 ," Flat Race for Girls, 220 yards ; prize, new trimmed bat. Miss Frost I Half-Mfle Race (Handicap) ; first, prize £5 : 2nd, £2. Webber (scratch) 1 Hart (scratch) ... 2 Bird (25 yards) 3 Running High Jump ; Ist prize, 20s ; 2nd, 108 Cnrrin, sft. \ Maxted, 4ft llin ." 2 Biddell 3 Flat Race for Boys under 16,440 yards ; Ist prize, 10s ; 2nd, ss. Herwin 1 Dee \ |" 2 Champion Points (4th event)" 200 yards. Twohill ... ... i spointa Askew ... o q Hart ;;; t I " Tug of War, by bona fide members of volunteer companies ; Ist prize £4, 2nd £2. Naval Brigade 1 Arfilery "" o Hurdle Race, for men, 440 yards. Ist prize £3, 2nd 30s. ' Webber 1 lines " 2 Twohill [[[ 0 Kitcbing 0 Cator 0 Champion Mile Race (Handicap) : Ist prize. £15 ; 2nd, £7 ; 3rd, £3. Neame, 92 yards 1 Lines, 50 yards 2 Webber, scratch 3 Kitcbing, 81 yards 0 Bird, 83 yards 0 Cator, 105 yards ... ... '„ 0 The Egg and Basket Race -, Ist prize, £3 ; 2nd, £1 ; 3rd, 10s. Webber 1 Hart 2 Barker ... 3