KAKARAMEA SPORTS.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1130, 27 December 1883, Page 2

KAKARAMEA SPORTS.

The above sports were held yesterday in Mr John Patterson's paddock near the railway station, Knkaramea, the entrance to which was marked by the Scottish Standard, with regard to which speculation was rife among the uninitiated as to the signification thereof. The weather was simply splendid for the occasion, what would otherwise have been a hot day being tempered by a cool sea breeze. The attendance was fairly numerous, though not so large as last year. A considerable number of Maoris were present, some of whom evidently thought gates 'superfluous articles, and so coolly made their way across the fence. But they had not reckoned on the argns eyes of some of the committeemen being upon them, and they were considerably surprised at being requested to hand over the regulation admittance fee of one shilling which they did most reluctantly. One native in particular was most stubborn in his denial of having any money, but when ho was marched towards the gate ho managed somehow or other to rake the requisite sum together. A booth, under the charge of Mr Sullivan, of the Knkaramca Hotel, was on the ground, and was much frequented by thirsty souls during during the course of the day. The The contests for the various events were in most cases keen, but the hnlfcasto, S. Minninex, proved himself 100 good for his antagonists without exception, for every race for which he started. Taken ns a whole, the sports may bo considered a success and reflect great credit upon the gentlemen who have given their time and trouble towards providing amusement for the inhabitants of the Knkaramea township, and enabling them to pass with pleasure time that would otherwise have hung heavily on their hands. Wo must express our thanks to Mr Payne, the Hon. Secretary of the Sports Comuuttoe, for his kindness and courtesy in supplying ns with every information.

BOYS RACK. —UNDER FOURTEEN. James Patterson .. 1 Oswald Hnwken ... ... 2 Ten starteil. The youngsters ran well and plnckily throughout. HURDLE RACE, 220 YARDS. Walsh 1 Aldridge... ... ... 2 Time Patterson 10 yards, O'Shannassy 7 yards, and Minninex scratch, also started. From the start the Maori came up fast. At the fourth flight of hurdles Patterson foil, and the remainder of the race was between

Minninox and Walsh, the former coming in first by a yard or so, Allridge third.--- A protest was subsequently entered Against Minninox, and allowed. RUNNING HIOII JUMP. Cn-rnody, scratch, sft lin 1 Hurley, 2in ... ... 2 O’Shannnssy Sin, Shenhan Sin, Broughton lin, also competed. Carmody, in spite of his handicap, succeeded in clearing a greater height than any of the other men. In the first trial Hurley, Broughton and O’Shannnssy lied and leaped again for second place, Hurley coming off the winner. This contest was the cause of endless disputes among the competitors, whose wrangling considerably prolonged the time that should have been taken by this event. 100 YARDS HANDICAP. Minnincx, scr ... ... 1 Patterson 1 2 A. Pearce J J. Baxter ... ... 3 O’Shannnssy also ran. Won easily. Patterson and Pearce divided the second money. Time—lo|-secs. GIRLS RACK. Gertrude Burke .. ... 1 Mary Burke ... 2 Several started for this event which was contested gamely throughout. 220 YARDS HANDICAP. Minninox, scr ... .. 1 Patterson, 7yds ... ... 2 A. J. Baxter, 10yds, also started. Minnincx passed both his antagonists before half way round, and Paterson shortly after passed Baxter. The Wrestling Match resulted in favour of G. Pearce who easily beat his antagonist Tutangi. 440 YARDS HANDICAP, Patterson, 15yds ..1 Walsh, 10yds ... .. 2 A. Pearce, 7yds, also started. The three maintained the distances between oaeh other for about.-half round tfie course when Pearce came up and looked like winning, hut ultimately fell back again. In the Inst round Patterson increased his lead and came in an cosy

winner. _ MAORI WAIHINE RACE. Mrs Tutangi ... ... 1 Mrs Arakubn ... ... 2 About half a dozen dusky damsels entered for this event which caused great amusement. The winner having had the best of the start maintained her lead to the end. HOP, STEP, AND JUMP. Gormody ... 89ft ... 1 AldriJge ... 36ft ... 2 Six others competed. 880 YARDS HANDICAP. Aldridge, 10yds ... ... 1

Patterson, 25yds■ ... 2 A Pearce ,15yds,' also ran. Pearce soon after the start crept np and he and Patterson were soon running abreast till the second round, in winch Pearce lost his position, and soon after fell out of the race, Aldridge who had been meanwhile a long way to the rear now made np his lost ground, and in the last round putting on a spurt came in a winner by about a yard. WHEELBARROW RACE, 100 YARDS, Qninlivan ... .. 1 Jane ... ... ... 2 Two others started, and this race caused the most amusement of the day, one of the competitors (who were of course blindfolded) striking off at a tangent from the course, and ultimately landing wheelbarrow and all in a ditch. The winner kept a straight course the whole of the way. The Consolation Race was won by O’Shannassy. There wore two other competitors, A J Baxter and A Pearce.