KAKARAMEA SPORTS.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 976, 27 December 1882, Page 2

KAKARAMEA SPORTS.

Yesterday witnessed the first attempt at athletic sports at Kakaramea, and, we are pleased to say that it was decidedly snccessfnl. At an early hotir some members of committee prepared the ground for the course, and, about 11 o’clock, town and country folk flocked to the focus of attraction. Patea, too, yielded forth its quantum of admirers of athletic sports. At midday the appearance of the scene was quite animating. The Patea brass band, which was engaged by the energetic committee, also enlivened the proceedings, and was the cause of a few couples enjoying themselves by doing the “ light fantastic” on the green A more orderly set of spectators could not be seen, and nearly every event passed off in a satisfactory manner, which may be attributed in a groat measure to the calmness and fair dealing of the judges, Messrs Jay and Michie, and the valuable aid of Mr Woods, the secretary. Creature comforts were not wanting either, Host Sullivan, of the Whavncliffe Hotel, supplying liquid refreshment of the best kind, and Mr Brodie various dainties. A most enjoyable day was spent by all, and it is to bo hoped that, at the anniversary, if the cornet will allow of such, there will bo a still greater gathering. Following is a list of the events : Boys’ Race (under 12) ; 100 yards JohnTui... 1 Paterson ... 2 Delatnore ... ... 3 Won easily. A protest was entered on the ground (hat the winner (a Maori lad) was over 12 years of age. If he was not, he was, ns a bystander remarked, a remarkably fine boy. Hurdle Race, 200 yards, over 8 flights Aldridge... ... ... 1 Gibson ... ... ... 2 Chadwick ... ... 3 Wills 0 The quartette kept well together till the fifth hurdle, when Chadwick passed Wills and took third place. Gibson gained a little on Aldridge towards the finish, but could not overhaul him. Running High Jump, Handicap Some excellent jumping took place between Ussher, Sargent, Cannody, and •Broughton, the first-named quite surprising the spectators by his clean style. The handicaps were :— Cannody scratch, Broughton 3 inches, Sargent 3£ inches, Carey 4 inches, Ussher 5 inches, O’Shannassy 6 inches. The heights actually cleared by the competitors were as follows : Ussher, sft £in .. ... 1 Sargent, 4ft 11 in ... 2 Broughton, 4ft llin ... 0 Carbiody, 4ft llin ... 0 O’Sbannassy, 4ft Sin ... 0 Carey, 4ft Gin 0 100 yards Handicap Nine started for this event, which resulted in a splendid race— G Peace, 3 yds ... ... 1 W Kitchiug, 12 yds ... 2 A Pearce ) Girls’ Race (under 12), 100 yards Oiora ... ... ••• 1 Koari ... 2 The winner, a little Maori girl, came along in grand style to the intense glee of her countrywomen who gave vent to their delight by an unlimited amount of talk, and the usual expressive gestures. 440 yards Handicap. G. Pearce, scratch ... 1 Aldridge, syds ... ... 2 Scaife, 15yds ... ... 3 . Two others started. Scaife led off at a tremendous pace and maintained the lead until about, 100 yards from home, with Aldridge second, Pearce, who was in the pink of condition, went np and passing collared the lead. The latter also closed with and passed Scaife,' and a fine race ensued between Pearce and Aldridge, The former, however, had the most in him and won by a yard. 3-Legged Bace, 100 yards There were six entries for the event, which caused a considerable amount of amusement. The result was Gibson 7 j O’Shannasy ) Rangi .1 ... 2 Turangui ) Both first and second ‘‘teams” ran well together. 220 yards Handicap Kitching, 12yds 1 Gibson, 4yds ... ... 2 Wills, 4yds - 3 Carey 10yds, and Aldridge 2yds, also ran. This was a capital race throughout. Gibson ran through the field, and it looked a certainty for him, but coining up the straight, Kitching put on a spurt and passing, the leader, won by a yard, Wills a good third. Maori Waihine Race, 100 yards. This race excited more attention, perhaps, than anything else throughout the day. As the dusky matrons prepared for the course they were freely criticised, and many were the endeavours made to “spot” the winner. . Divested of any superfluous top hamper, at the word “ go,” the waihines, who appeared to enjoy the fun immensely, fled down the track at an astonishing rate, the result being that the fascinating Kohiti was declared the winner, with Mrs Urn tail second. There wore five competitors. Running Long Jump Hurley, 19ft Carmody, 19ft 4ins ... 2 Sargent, Whonau, Taurangi and" Ranga also competed 100 Yards Committee Race, Handicap. This was a hollow-affair, only three of the stewards turning up. They were G Pearce and Gibson, scratch ; end Whishaw, 9yds. Gibson only started to make up a race, and gave up immediately Pearce easily overhauled his opponent aqd won as he liked

Putting the Stone I Walsh 1 Hurley ... ... ... 2 Seven entries Half-mile Handicap Aldridge, l(jyds ... 1 G Pearce, scr ... ... 2 This was the race of the day, and was thought to be,a moral for Pearce, whose condition was expected to pull him . through. Besides the above, Scaife, 20 yds, Humphries 25 yds, and Corrigan 15 yds, also started. At the word off, Pearce immediately began to cut down the field and, on passing the po-t the first time, held second place. Going round for the second time, Aldridge cairie up, and Humphries soon after succumbed, leaving the race between Aldridge and Pearce,. The pace was a cracker, and although Pearce made a game effort, he could not get on terms with Aldridge, who won by about 5 yds. The rest were nowhere. Consolation Handicap, 220 yards Wills, 7 yds, ... ... 1 Broughton, scratch, ... 2 Six entries. This was one of the host contested races of the day, the field finishwell together.