MAUNGATAWHIRI VALLEY SETTLERS' PICNIC.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 15, 23 February 1915, Page 3

MAUNGATAWHIRI VALLEY SETTLERS' PICNIC.

Executive: Chairman, Mr It. H. McKerzie; committee, Messrs S. O'Leary, A. G. Dip:o e, F. Lowry, R. G. Pendergrast, F. Caie, E. Pope, 11. Dai?, F. Abbott, Eraser and Brown; secretary, Mr S. McCaw; judges, Mrssrs J. Keith, G. Morgan, T. G. Narbey, S. Caie and H. Dale; starter?, Messrs F. Lowry, 0 Leary, G. Brown and C. Leatham

Tha abuve picnic was held on Mr Jas. Ktlt >'s Maungstawbiri Valby pruperty on Friday last, under the auspicies of the Pokeno branch of the Farmers' Union. Ihe weather was far from promising in the morning and very few pet Eons made their way to the grounds, bul as the day progressed and more favourable climatic conditions prevailed, settlers from the district and surrounding districts arrived on the scene in all modes of vehicles, and when the sports programme was started there were fully 300 picknickers on the ground Major Lusk, president of the Provincial branch of the Farmers' Union, was present and addressed the settlers on the advisability of forming a Farmers' Union Mounted Rifle Club. The committee were wise in choosing paddocks that lent themselves so admirably to picknicking purposes. Fine hawthorn hedges divided the two paddocks, one of which was used for the atheltic events and "Sfhe other for the mounted events.

A committea of ladies, consisting of Mrs U. H. McKenzie aud the Misses A. Fope, J. Pope, J. Brown, and N. Keith, worked hard arranging for luncheon, an item that was greatly enjoyed by young; and old alike. Messrs J. Keith and R. H. McKenzie were in charge of the hot water arrangements.

In recent years this picnic has been Leld in Mr F. W. Pyne's paddock, situated at the end of the Valley nearest Poker.o. but now an alteration has been effected by the committee whereby the Pokeno end and the Bombay end will in alternate years be the scene of the gatherings. The sports prorgamme included a large variety of events, that attracted in every case a large number of competitors, who gave very creditable performances. The judges and starters had a very difficult task to perform in dispatching the programme of 18 events, and satisfaction was expressed on the highly creditable manner in which they carried out their offices. Messrs McCaw (2) and Fra3er very kindly arranged and supervised the driving of the children to the picnic, in vehicles.

In the baby competitions for boy under 12 months and girl under twelve months there were two entries for the former competition and five for the latter. Mrs Farrell (the adjudicator) made the awards in favour of James Pendergrast and Betty Parker, and the decisions were very popular. Mr S. McCaw, honorary secretary of the Sports Committee, is to be complimented on having arranged one of the most successful picnics held in the Valley. The results of the athletic events were as follows

100 yds Handicap, all comeis—R. H. McKerzie 1, A. Pulman 2, McLaughlin 3. Eight competitors. Hop, step and jump-Sowerby 1, F. Andrews 2. Seven competitors. 200 yds Handicap—Pope 1, Wallers 2, E Sowerby 3. Nine competitors.

Siamese "race—Pope and Sowerby 1, Graham and Dell 2, Pendergrast and Thompson 3. Seven competitors.

Tosping the sheaf—J. Tucker 1, F. Lowry 2. Twenty-four competitors.

Married ladies' race—Mrs C. Seed 1, Mrs H. Lowry 2, Mrs A. Hatley 3. Seven competitors. Married men's handicap—A. D. Diprose 1, A. Pulman 2. Seven competitor?.

Tilting the ring—H. Parker 1. Ten competitors. Stockman's competition, or zig-zag for horses—T. F. Diprose 1. Ten competitors.

Girls, sto 6 years—J. Lowrie 1, V. Butler 2, M. Keith 3. Ten competitors.

Girls ,7 to 8 years—A. Pendergrast 1, T. Reed 2, M. Appleby 3. Nine competitors. Girls, t>- to iO years—J. Gadd 1, N. McDell 2, E. Graham 3. Girls, 11 to 12 years—O. Graham 1, T. Appleby 2, G. Frost 3.

Girls, 13 years—M. Brownley 1, E. McGill 2, R. Leatham 3. Ten competitors.

Bays, sto 6 years—N. Larsen 1, E. McGill 2, O. Kced 3. Eleven competitors. Boys, 7 to 8 years-C. McGill 1, E. B. Robinson 2, N. Pendergrast 3. Eleven competitors. Boys, fto 10 years—N. Levens 1, H. McGill 2, R. Pendergrast 3. Ten competitors.

Boys 11 to 12 years—A. Gullan 1, t. Pope 2, A. Walden 3. Eleven competitors.

Boys, 13 to 15 years—A. Pope 1, G. Munro 2, T. Graham 3. Nine competitors.