PUKEKOHE CARNIVAL SPORTS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 108, 15 November 1915, Page 2

PUKEKOHE CARNIVAL SPORTS.

Rain's Ruinous Results. After having been carelally prepared and planned as the principal function of the Pukekuhe Queen Carnival "money raisers," the Sports Gala and Picnic, that it had been confidently anticipated nould have drawn a throng of large dimensions to the Franklin A. and P. Society's new showg'cunris, met witb an adverse late on Saturday last, inasmuch as a drenching and pitiless rain brought the gathering to a summary conclusion. OFFCIALS BUSY. Although on Friday morning atmospheric conditions caused concern to the energetic Sports Committee, ably and attentively presided over bv Mr Henry Dell, tbe bright sunshine on the afternoon of tbe day was responsible for re< joicing in the expectation thai better da:s had come to stay. Tbe ground was promptly prepared ready for Saturday, a busy gang of honorary workers doing the needful in every department. ADVERSE WEATHER. Saturday morning broke tine although dull and tbe main streets were Boon rendered gay with bunting and vehicles intended for the procession made their appearance adorned with artistic decorations. But about 8.30 o'clock a gentle spatter of rain commenced and

foreboded ill. Despite this, however, many visiters from tbe country districts gradually arrived in the town, including two waggonloads of school children from Pukekoha East, who loyally came to do their part to aid the townspeople. The moisture however increased in volume and awaiting depelopments the procession, which was timed to assemble at 10.30 a.m., was put back an hour. At 11.30 a break in tbe clouds was hailed with satisfaction and a procession, 'of a nature that under the circumstances was distinctly imposing and satisfactory, proceeded on its way tu its destination.

BEATEN BY TBE ELEMENTS. Before tbe gruunds were reached rain was once more making itself evident but a few races were i promptly put in hand and the ; amateur "side-snowmen" commenced to draw the attention of the assembled public to the attrac- ■ tions offered by such popular pastimes as "Hit him on the Ah-Ha," "Ringing, the Duck," "Dart Throwing," etc. However, ere proceedings could be got in full swing rain of drenching severity was pouring down, the turf, partially soddened beforehand, quickly became nothing less than a quagmire, spectators were forced to make their way homewards, and although the ardent officials hoped againit hope that their wutk would not be ended they were soon forced to realise that their labours had been in vain. The races were abandoned and side shows were dismantled. As the nearest place of shelter the Refreshment Marquee, which was under tbe charge of tbe Ladies' Committee controlling the Carnival Tea Rooms, for a time did brisk business, but this also in due course ceased operations Mr J. Patterson in the meantime acting as auctioneer and disposing of as much as possible of the overplus of provisions. TRANSFER UF VENUE. Under the verandahs in Lower King street many of the disappointed pleasure-Beekers gathered and for their delectation the Pukekohe Town Band discoursed a programme of muaic. An attempt was made to dispose by auction of the stock of stiver articles, etc., that had been intended for trophies tor winners at side Bhow competitions and some headway was thus made to reduce expenses. The evening produced somewhat better wrather and with Paddy's Fair Committee dispensing with their intended open air concert, etc., the Sports Committee took charge of aifairs in King street, i'he Band performed, goods were again auctioned (Mr G. McEvoy proving a witty and capable "Knight of the Hammer") and in a variety of ways tbe crowd, which was of good proportions, was provided with amusement. Fortunately, thanks to tbe takings in the street, the threatened deficit of the afternoon's proceedings were turned into, what was under the circumstances, a satisfactory profit tor the enterprise tbat had been attended with such adverse luck. QUEEN OF THE SOUTH'S VISIT. Prior to proceedings on the ground being suspended, Mrs R. F. Bollard, the Queen of the South, arrived. She was met at the railway station by Miss V. Webster (the Pukekuhe Queen), the Mayor (Mr H. G. R. Mason) and Mr and Mrs Ivan Motion, and was driven to the ground m Mr Motion's motor car, the Boy Scouts under ScoutMauter McArtbur furnishing a Guard of Honour. Passing through the entrance gates at the show ground ;Mrs Bollard was formally received by the Pukekohe branch of the National Reserve under Capt Rollinson. Later in the atternuon Mrs Bollard was entertained at tbe Patriotic Tea Rooms and warmly thankel tbe lady workers at that establishment for the valuable assistance they were rendering to a noble cause. THE PROCESSION. As stated above, the procession started at 11.30 o'clock, the route being from Dell's Corner via King street and the Railway Approach to the grounds. The parade was headed by Mr W. Hawke (mounted and attired as a Field Marshal), fullowed by the Pukekohe Town Band under Bandmaster Brunnette, and by the Pukekohe Queen, who was attended by the National Reserve as a Guard of Honour, Other "items" were Tradesmen's i decorated vehicles, viz., Messrs F. 1 Perkins and Co, J. Findlay, Oriental Chief; J. Adams and Sons, < butchers, W. Manson and accom- i panied by Masters Trevor Lawson, James and John Adams in the trade unilorm.; New Zealand Dairy Association, H. Newman; Mr W. Roulston's grocery department, , particularising Roulston's special tea with a Geisha Girl (Miss Qonohoe) distributing samples en routs; Mr A. O. Woollett's "Busy Store," Mr Pat Ryan; Decorated vehicle?, farm carts, .including Mr < C. Clarke's pair of dappled-grey

ponies in chaise, driven by Master Desmond Clarke; Tbe Pukekohe East School Children, in wuggons driven by Messrs A. White and J. W. Robinson; The Boy Scouts, 10 charge of Assiitant-Scoutmster N. R. Bilkey, assisted by L. Lawne; The Pukekohe Fire Brigade, with reels in charge of Foreman L. Brown; The Convent children iG charge ot Lance-Corporal C. Roadley of the Pukekohe cadets and Mrs Tbornell; Girl Scouts and Poster Girls, in charge of Scoutmistrcss N. Williams, representing Mr Lysnar, dentist; Lyceum Pictures, Miss M. Lawrie; "Miller for Soits," Miss R. Adams; The Bookery, Miss N. Perkins; Mr C. K. Lawrie's land agency, Miss Ivy Duncan; Mr G. Armstrong's bairdresßinz and tobacconist business, Miss I. Mitchell; Messrs Sbotbok ana Co., mercers and drapers, Misi I. Adams; "Pukekohe and I'inrs," Mi?s V. McDivitt; Messrs A. Yates and Co., s?ed-meu, Miss V. Kimbcr; Messrs Perkins and Co.'s bakerv, Mi9s E. Perkins; Mr Jones, printer, Miss I' arl Dix; Mr H. King, bootmaker, Min Myrtle Blake; Mr McEvoy, billiard parlours and tobacconist, Misi L. Aduns; "Old Dutch Cleaner" Messrs L'eilsins and Co. agents, Mi s A. I'erkins; Messrs Ueatty and Maishill, Mias H. Blake; Mr W. Lush'r, jewelkr, Miss D. Blake; Aspden's refreshment and confectionery business, Miss Short; Xlower Girl, Mi s D. Lodge; Mr A. 0. Woollett'a "Busy Store " Miss M. Uans:n; "The Union Jack," Miss L. Perkins, with a bulldog; tied Cross Nurses, Misses L. Bilkey, Walmsly, Maxwell and Ramsay, in a motor car lent and driven by Mr Mclntrye; Decorated cars, Mr R. Fulton, Mr F. Fcrkina. and party, Messrs Gallagher and H)we; Mr J. Henry, Mr McArthur, the Carnival Reception Committee, with Mr Barter driving; 'lbe Ragtime Band, Meaars Marshall, B. Mitchell, J. O'Malley, Butler, H. Thomson, Gribble, A. Lakeman and L. WiUon. On the ground ths Ragtime Band gave mock performances, and clown, "Spring Billy," Mr Ted Walker, caueed much amusomsnt by his antics. EVENTS. The following athletic events were decided before affairs concluded, viz. Boys.—High jump. J Maxwell 1; potato race, G. Lysnar 1, J. Roger 2; 100 yds, open, W. Daysh I, J. Roger 2. Girls race.—H. Garden 1, D. Wright 2. Mounted Eveats.—Potato race, N. Stewart 1, L. McWatt 2; Victoria Cross competition, L. W. McWatt 1, R. McWatt 2; stockmen's competition, L. W. McWatt 1, R. McWatt 2; kerosene tin race, L. W. McWatt 1, K. Mc Watt 2.