WAITAKI AMATEUR ATHLETIC CLUB'S SPORTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 805, 9 November 1878, Page 2

WAITAKI AMATEUR ATHLETIC CLUB'S SPORTS.

The second annual sports of the Waitaki Amateur Athletic Club took place to-day, in a paddock kindly lent by Mr. Norman Lane, and were very fairly attended, though the number on the ground -was not so large as might have been expected, especially at the time of commencing operations. This fact was probably attributable to the heavy showers of rain that fell during the morning, which may have had the effect of deterring many from attending. The weather, however, cleared up, and the sun shining out brightly about mid-day, a goodly number of people availed themselves of the opportunity afforded by the day being observed as a public holiday to pay the sports a visit during the afternoon. The ground was anything but a suitable one for the purpose, especially for running upon, being both hard and uneven. It was considerably after the appointed time before a start was made, owing chiefly to the very heavy wind which blew early in the morning having blown down the whole of tho paraphenalia, rendering a considerable amount of work necessary in order to get things ready. The Committee worked hard to make the sports pass off successfully, and lost no time' in getting oil" the different events. During the afternoon, some very good mneio was discoursed by a band under tho leadership of Mr, Pheloung. The first event on the programme was—- ' "~ xjje Dkop Kick—Prize, an Album. J. "jWnet (59 yds 1 ft) ... 1 J. Walls -(ss yds) 2 For this event only five out of the eight competitors entered kicked. 100 Yards Race —F-rkes, let, Clock under glass case ; 2nd, Breakfast Cruet; 3rd, Silver Matchbox.

This event was in heats,. in tljfeJlrst of which the competitors were Ferens, "Burnett, arid Homershajn; Ferens winning easily from the start, with Homersham second. No time was taken. Walls, Stuart, and DrMcish faced the starter in the second heat Walls, who got the best of the start, led until near the finish, when he was passed by both the other competitors, Stuart finishing first and Palgleish second. Time—--12 sees,

Sta?*-. . .".:■...; J-J./.-:..;../ Clock. J.' £«Vnelf :>'' '.'.'. ■'.". 2 Homersham was .-he o-.ilv" other comj petitor. The jumr-L'7-' v-'rv; not good, the ! result being as giver, ;.h<rrv. ! Quarter of a Mj? j; Race —Prize, Cup. W. Ferens ...: ' ... ... 1 J. Dalgleish . .',' 2 The only other competitor was Homersham. Ferens went away wilh the lead, closely followed by Dalgleish;; Homersham, who was slow in getting aws.y, gradually tailing. Coining into the straight run home, Ferens drew away from Dalgleish, wlo appeared pumped, and won by about a (lozen yards. The official time was SS« secs. 7| but several gentlemen who also took the time, declared it to be nearly a minute. i Runni-xg Long Jump—Prize, Electro-plated Inkstand. J. Burnett (lGft 2in) ... 1.. 1 J. Dalgleish loft 4in)... ... 2 These were the only competitors. 150 Yakds Handicap—First prize, Flower Vase ; second, Gold.Pencil Case. D. M. Stuart (scratch]' v.. 1 W. Ferens (scratch) ... ■•- 2 C. Homersham (4 yards) ... 3 Walls (4 yards), M'«lashan'(7 yards), and Burnett (7 yards) also ran. A capital race took place, the whole of. the competitors being in a cluster a few yards from home. Stuart won by about a yard, despite Ferens' effort to overtake him. One Mile Race—Prize, Pair Fruit Stands. W. Ferens 1 J. Dalgleish ... 2 Of the ten entered, only-three came to the front, the rest crying off. : The race at the start was very slow. Pickett took the lead, being closely attended by Ferens, with Dalgleish a couple of yards.'-away. This order was maintained until after the second round had been completed, when Pickett fell back beaten,., and Dalgleish' assumed the lead. Ferens was going strong, and little doubt was expressed as to his proving the winner, and he justified the confidence reposed in him, for though, when a couple of hundred yards from home, Dalgleish rushed away with a strong lead, Ferens put on a grand spurt on entering the straight, and won cleverly at the finish. Dalgleish was completely beaten, and fainted on finisliing. Time : smins. SOsecs. Pole Jcsip—Prize, Silver Albert C. Homersham... ... ... 1 Walls, Pickett, and Tarawhiti, were the other competitors. The jumping calls for no particular mention. Final Heat, 100 Yabds Race D. M. Stuart 1 W. Ferens 2 C. Homersham... ... ... 3 The first and second in each of the previous heats of the 100 yards race, with the exception of Dalgleish, then ran, and after a shortsharp spurt, the three finished in the order given above. One Mile Walking Match —Prize Silver Inkstand D. M. Stuart 1 This was a hollow affair, Stuart having a walk over, Homersham merely going to the post to make up the match.