WAITOTARA.

Patea Mail, 31 December 1880, Page 3

WAITOTARA.

[FR 0 M OUR COURESrONDE N T.] Partly, I believe, on account of tbe usual Boxing Day sports atWaverloy not having taken place this year, a small sum was collected last week at Waitotara, and a programme of children’s sports drawn up for Monday last. One or two events for full-grown athletes were added to give an interest. There was a considerable number of spectators on tbe ground. The first event was a boy’s handicap race (under 12); next a bell race for all comers. This requires some explanation, perhaps. Each competitor is blindfolded and furnished with something about three feet long and an inch in diameter, resembling a sausage, with the cramp in a canvas skin. On the bell being rung, whoever first struck the bellman received the prize. Seven boys entered and the prize fell to a Maori boy before the bellman had gone ten yards. There were grave suspicions that the blindfolding was imperfect, but it was allowed to pass, A 200 yards handicap race brought out a large field, including one or two well-known names. A very close race ensued, the first and second men running almost a dead heat, with the third and fourth close up. The hop, step, and jump was also closely contested. I shall now give the programme as gone through : Boys’ race, under 12, 100 yards. Ist prize 10s. 2nd ss. Louis Eiler 1, Mango 2. Bell race, prize 10s. Mungo. 200 yards handicap,all comers. Ist £l, 2nd 10s. T. Dawson (8 yards) I, Rawaho (10 yards) 2, T. Walker (9 yards) 8, 0. Xorgatc scratch 4, C.E. Brewer (0 yards) P. Parkcs (11 yards), J. Vorry (IT yards), Ti (20 yards), 11. McKenzie (24 yards) J. McLean (25 yards), and L. Ellers (32 yards) also ran. Girls’ race, 100 yards handicap, Ist prize 10s, Alice Gibson, 2nd ss, Radial McKenzie. Another girls’ race afterwards got up foil to Rachel McKenzie ; prize ss. Hop Stop and Jump, prize 10s. Rawaho 39 foot 1 in. Another native was only a few inches behind for second place, and Dawson 38 feet 3rd. Five competed. Greasy Pig, prize pig and entries (2s each)—C. E. Brewer. 10 entries. Three-legged race, prize 10s. G. E. Brewer and F. G. Parkes. Running Long Jump, prize 10s Norgatc 10 feet lin. Boys’race, from 12 to 14200 yards. Ist. prize 10s. H. McKenzie, 2nd prize 5s a native. llmming High Jump (boys), Ist prize ss. 11. McKenzie 4ft., 2nd 3s. Pula 3ft llin. 100 yards handicap (men). Ist prize £l, Norgatc. 2nd 10s. T. Walker. Dawson did not compete. Special thanks are due to Messrs T. Clark am! H. W. Tyermuu for organising these sports. J.u (he evening a large party of children assembled in the schoolroom to enjoy a treat given by Mrs Gibson. A very pleasant evening was passed with different games, charades, etc.