THE SPORTS.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 51, 17 March 1894, Page 12

THE SPORTS.

“ Nothing succeeds like success ’’ must have been the motto of the promoters of the sports held in the Park Reserve on Wednesday. The gathering was well advertised, good prizes offered, every facility given to country people to attend, and public interest aroused in various ways by the energetic committee, with Mr D. Roche (President) leading, ably assisted by a first-class righthand, man in Mr J. McKeown (secretary). The following office-bearers also fulfilled their respective duties well, and in a manner that contributed largely to the success of the meeting. Vice-Presidents : Hon. H. Feldwick, M.L.C. (superintendent of sports) and Mr James Bridge ; Treasurer, Mr J. Collins. Judges. Dancing (Irish): Messrs G. M. Starkey, J. W horde, and J. Kirwan. Throwing Stone ; Messrs D. Bissett, F. Hewitt, T. Millar, and T. McChesney. Racing and Walking; Messrs J. W. Kelly, M.H.R., F. W. Wade, A. Potter, J. Maealister, and Martin Hughes. Wrestling (Cumberland Style) ; Messrs Joseph Brey, J. A. Mitchell, W. J. Mitchell, W. J. Moffett, and Wallace Murdoch. Collar and Elbow: Messrs J. Brey, Peter Ward, Wallace Murdoch, and J. A. Mitchell. Handicappers-—Racing: I’. McGuire, W. Murdoch, and T. Mclnerney. Sawing and Chopping: J. H. Dawson, J. Collins, P. Gilfedder. Bicycle Racing : W. Smith, J. F. Wilson, W. Manson. Timekeepers ; Messrs N. J. M. Rein, A. J. Rankin, and J. Craig. Starter: Mr A. M. Irving. The weather was perfect, and the attendance very large, fully 2(J00, including a good proportion of country people, being on the ground. In nearly every event there was a large field of competitors and some keen contests ensued. The Sheffield Handicap of IJS yards (for which there were nearly twenty entries) claimed considerable attent on, and was run in the centre of the ring on the grass. The e vent was won by Dawson, quite a young man. from Lumsden, who appeared in very good form and ran splendidly. The local sprints were “out of it” after a couple of rounds had been run, Dawson, Dickson. Cameron, and Harris only, being left in the final, and finishing in the order mentioned. The first event was 150 yards Maiden, won by F. Marisco. In tossing the caber J. Stark took first, and in the mile walk out of ten entries W. Rowdier came in first. D. C. Murphy proved his superiority over the others in the Cumberland wrestling for youths under eighteen, while among the adults P. Murphy was too much for E. Tobin and E. Forde, W. Baird, as usual, pulling off the collar and elbow event. Five feet four inches was the height of the running high leap of R. J. Harris, who, giving Horman one inch, tied with him. The Irish jig as danced by D. Reiclie was judged the best, while W. Mcßobie made the best (5(5 yards) football kick. Six started in the three mile bicycle race, an exciting event, won by Edmonds (-100 yds) with about 20 yards to spare. The scratch man, Wren, came in close behind Sutherland (200 yds), the second man. In the five mile race Wren proved himself far and away superior on the machine to any of the others, and heat the limit man Edmonds (600 yds) by a few feet. The asphalt track was used for these and other races, and it is to be hoped that before long it will be fenced on the outside, ter as it is at

present an accident may occur in any race. The hurdle handicap (440 yards) was very prettily won by E. Herman, who also came in an easy first in the half-mile handicap. The bushmen and sawmill hands rolled up in strong force to take part in the sawing and chopping contests. The former (two-feet logs) was won by P. Forde and J. O’Neil (2 secs.) in 37secs,; J. and M. Forde finishing two secs, later. The chopping man seems to be W. Henry, who, though scratch, linished first. Boys’ and girls’ races were run at intervals, and to keep up to time in some eases two events were carried on simultaneously. The City Guards’ Band, conducted by Mr Mohr, placed on the ground, the music they discoursed assisting greatly towards th« general enjoyment. During the afternoon no less than 20 events were got off—a fact saying much for the punctuality observed.