SPORTS AT OTAKI.

Otaki Mail, 5 January 1920, Page 4

SPORTS AT OTAKI.

The sports day for the "Stop-Out" camp at Otaki was held at the Otaki racecourse on ICew Year's Day. The weather was beautifully line, although perhaps a trifle hot for the longer races. The programme for the,spoils was arranged by Messrs- Chown and

j Stewart. Mr Blackwell was appointed ' judge and Mr McMasters used both J voice and whistle 10 good purpose as Starter and referee. The ' ping was no;, altogether a success because of the very wide difference ui the ages of the competitors, and because their running and other caput-i----•ties were practically unknown to the baudicappers, The sports were favoured by the presence of several visitors, who were looked after by --- ; * Kenncy and. Mr Noah Atkinson, . ! visitors' comiuitl.ee. Mr Kenny .'••■• especially attentive to the lady visitors. There were were a iair numbe: ■- entries, both junior and senior, -..y.severai of the contests wore vv,y keenly fought cat. Among these ' noted the three-mile race and the ex:.; •ijrht. The three-mile race was v.on ; . Spence, whose time was ISmiu. 40s';c. but the most interesting runner v.a:i McUavin. McGavin is only ii> y'■ •■-' old, and is not very big for his U'jf, but he kept up with the others marvellously and came third for the race, friar, who is also a small boy, cauic fourth. The ''cock-light''" was very interesting and hard fought, and it was I quite common to sec little buys hanging dowu from big boys' backs wit a their heads almost touching ihe ground or in equally awkward positions. The most prominent here wetj Pogin (the horse) and Bowies (h - ! rider). This pair kept their against several others until f -'.- finally withdrew. Bowles Uaf?/u quef f grip of his own which was/rather ••> j much for his opponents. , Fogin an'. } Bowles fought >ix rydnds with Johu.- / and Lawson be,t>/re withdrawing, and j it is that rheir reason foi I withdrawal was weariness caused by j lgntf'Jghts with several Other chuuij i^Voiis. * The sports programme has not yet !been exhausted, and it is proposed to finish the events on Wednesday next