TIMARU ATHLETIC CLUB SPORTS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2241, 24 May 1880, Page 2

TIMARU ATHLETIC CLUB SPORTS.

President—Mr W. F. Newberry. Vice President—Mr J. 11. Jones. Committee—Messrs Wi McGill, W. Collins, J. Hermann, W. Macfarlane, J. Lukcy, P. 8011, C. Hill, P. Bradley, Mitchell, and Kennedy. Hon. Treasurer—Mr W. F. Newbcrrv.

Tho annual sports of the Timaru Athelic Club came off to-day, on the old show ground. The weather was appropriate to tho day, for a cold bracing atmosphere, brightened with plenty of sunshine, rendered it in every sense the Queen’s weather. Competitors and onlookers were able, in consequence, to participate in the events under the most favourable conditions. The large gathering was enlivened by the Artillery Band, who appear to have made cxcelldnt progress in the use of their instruments, and whose performances during the afternoon produced a most favorable impression. The customary piovision was made for the entertainment of visitors, a spacious marquee having been erected by Mr T. Richmond, of the Melville Hotel, while Messrs Levien and Mitchell had a well - furnished luncheon booth alongside. Speculators on the events had quite a choice of betting machines from a totalisator which “ could not lie ” to a wheel of fortune or equalisator around which tho luck-triers clustered in dozens. At first tho attendance was sparse, but as the afternoon wore on the grounds presented a lively appearance, and the presence of a fair mixture of female loveliness gave an eclat to the proceedings. The assemblage at one time considerably exceeded 1000 persons. At first some disappointment was expressed by the non-appearance of O’Connor, the champion ped, but his arrival by the express from Christchurch and his presence shortly afterwards on the grounds, raided effectually the drooping spirits of those who looked forward with interest to the big event. He declined, however, to compete with the others, but to make up for the disappointment which his decision created, he undertook to walk a mile against time, and started at a splendid pace which he maintained to the last. He was frequently cheered during the performance, which may be considered an exceptionally good one considering the nature of the ground. He put on a final spurt during the last lap, completing the mile amidst quite an ovation from the crowd. Time—-7min 18 secs. Most of the sports were well contested. Although the giound was rough, a good oval had been marked out, and the athletes generally were in the very best of trim. A feature of the proceedings was the good feeling that prevailed throughout, and the absence of anything like jostling. The officers exerted themselves to render the sports enjoyable, and their efforts were crowned with success. Although tho peds had their tempers as well as their toes tried by a variety of difficulties, such as a twelve foot water jump, with a 3§ feet hurdle in the centre, the successful bore their triumps with meekness, while the defeated dislayed a most praiseworthy example of resignation and forbearance, The Committee are entitled to the highest credit for the way in which the sports have been carried out, from first to last. The trophies chosen for competition are samples of the highest art, and the gold medal, manufactured by Mr Partridge, deserves special mention, as a splendid specimen of local manufacture. The first event took place about 11.30 a.m.

Maiden Plate, 100yds, Gr. Hancock ... ... 1 J. Wood 2 H. Potter 3 The Christchurch man, Potter, was the favorite for this event, but failed to merit the confidence placed in him by his backers. Waugh and Aughton also ran. Hancock jumped away with the load and maintained it throughout. Time —12 secs. Puhlican’s Medal, 100yds. D. Twohill 1 D. Ireland 2 S. Fraser 3 Lcfcvre and Poller also ran. Twohill (the favorite) jumped away with a splendid start and won as lie liked. Time —10;, secs. Running Long Leap. McAuliffe (19ft 2in) ... 1 Lefevre (18ft 2in) 2 W. Wood also entered. McAuliffe is not easily excelled at the running long jump, and has carried off the prize on several successive years. Upon this occasion his first jump was not beaten.

Handicap Hack (for boys under 16.) Hibbard 1 Home 2 Eight competitors came to the post for this event. A good deal of amusement was caused by the diminutive size of one of the runners—Master Lukey, a juvenile athlete of some five years of age dressed in othodox athletic costume —who got 40 yards start. No time taken. Queen’s Birthday Handicap,

This race was run in the distances of 200, 300, and 400 yards respectively, each distance being divided again into heats.

first heat, 200yds. Smith (12yds) 1 Boss (12yds) 2 Shepherd (9)yds) 3 Smith maintained his start well, and was never caught. D. Boss also kept his place. D. Twohill at scratch ran splendidly, getting through nearly all his men, and finishing a good fourth. This may be considered a good performance on his part, as in addition to being heavily handicapped he had a bad start. second heat, 200yds. Hancock (13yds) ... ... 1 McAuliffe (9|yds) 2 Bray (94yds ... ... 3 This was a very similar race to the first heat heat; Hancock maintaining liis position throughout. Wood, who was running well, fell at the back of the course, and was out of it. Ireland, at scratch, ran well, but could not pass his men. Time—24|secs. Final Heat, 200yds. A. T. Smith (12yds) ... 1 D. Boss (12yds) 2 G. Hancock (13yds) ... 3 Hancock ran well and was evidently determined to d 6 his best. He was, however, passed at the back of the course by Smith. Coming up the straight Boss put on a splendid spurt, finishing second, Hancock being a good third. Time —22| secs. 300 yds. Hancock (20yds) 1 Wood (18yds) 2 Fraser (15yds) ... ... 3 The first and second heats were run together. Time—3G4sccs, 440 yds, (Final.) A. Smith (14yds) 1 D. Boss (22yds) ... ... 2 J- Wood (syds) ... ... 3 G. Hancock (23yds) ... 4 Hancock ran very game, and would have secured third place had he not fallen when breasting the tape, He is a promising young runner. Standing High Jump. Twohill (4ft Gin) 1 Loferrc (4ft) 2 Twohill had this all his own way. Walking Handicap. A. Palgleish ... ... 1 G. Bobcrts 2 J. Lowrio ... ... ... 3

Dalgleish was the favorite for the race. A good start was made. Waugh was out of it very quickly, being soon passed by the rest. At the second round Dalgleish began to go through his men, and soon afterwards secured the first position. The rest being nearly all together. In the third round McKnight was disqualified, and in the fifth round Clarke shared the same fate. The field were now very straggling, all the men, with the exception of Dalgleish and llobcrt, being out of it. A most exciting contest now ensued between these two, Dalglesh proving himself much too strong for the youngster, and winning an exciting race by about 4 yards. Ladies’ Purse. McAuliffe (30yds) 1 Dalgleish (453 r ds) ... ... 2

This was one of the most exciting races of the day. Five men came to the post, the condition of each exciting the admiration of their friends. McKinnon went away with the start, taking the first fiight of hurdles in first-rate style. This order he kept until the second time round the course, when Fraser went up to him and they took the second flight of hurdles together. McAuliffe, who had been running a waiting race, now came to the front, and led the way in negotiating the water jump. Dalgleish now put on a tremendous spurt, and coming up the straight bade fair to bo the winner. McAuliffe, however, had two much foot for. him, and won by about three yards. Both men were much exhausted. No time taken. Running High Leap. S. Fraser (4ft. Sin.) ... 1 Lefevre 2 The jumping in this event was very indifferent. Handicap Hurdle Race, 440yds. T. McAuliffe 1 J. Fraser ... 2 Five men entered for this event. This was an exciting race. Twohill, who was running strong, fell at the second hurdle, thereby losing his chance which was looked upon as a good one. McAuliffe won easily. Time—oinin fiascos.