TOKO PICNIC.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 79, 29 March 1912, Page 5

TOKO PICNIC.

A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. Glorious weather prevailed for tm t animal picnic and sports, which tool, place in the Toko Domain on Thins day afternoon. There was a large ahsera'blage, .and ■ visitors from Stratford and other places wore there in largo ’numbers. An excellent pro- ■ granjnje had been arranged, the .event t , Ui-intb^rfrlg'' about twenty-five, all o. * got off in gopdj style) und iibe pj||ising part of it was that Then was no delay between the events. Mi John Leydon, (pai jushab was in hi?; delight amongst the children, and wat la-pt qilixeLbusy all afternoon attend iog to the young folk, not only in arr..aging and getting off races, but in c.hcr respects, for after ail the prizes J.:.d been distributed, he set to unc r c-;.nvas§ed the good people on tni ’’’ground', and was instrumental in obtaining a no lesser sum than £3 for farther prizes and amusement for tuc children, which enabled him to keep the little odes Snlukdd f dgf thes *gtftit<Jt the day. The usual tins 01 Tollies'were also entrusted to Ids oare, and scrambling was indulged ill'Toi some time, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters all taking part. Lit the conclusion of the races, when all the prizes, and funds had been exhausted, three hearty cheers were called 101 Mr Leydon, and hundreds of little mouths opened in response to the call. Mr Leydon, although tired, did not stop, at that, seeing that no race had boon arranged on the programme foi the band, immediately started on another tour of the ground for more funds, and in a few minutes returnd with a sum of £2, whidi lie had collected for that event, and needless tc say, the race came off, a little cornet just heating the drum for first place. The Stratford Municipal Brass Band, under the conductorship of Mr Henderson, discoursed sweel music during the afternoon, and was listened to attentively. Altogethei about £OS was given away in trophic* and toys, and the sports proved out of the most successful ever held. Pri n fo the horse jumping competitions. Mr Massey, Leader of the Reform Party, gave a short address, practically not touching politics, and receivco a good hearing, at the conclusion ol which he .in conjunction with Mr -1. B. Hine, M.P., and Mr. Wore, received hearty cheers. Too much praise Ciinnot .be given to the officials, all of whom worked hard to make the gathering the success it was. Mr Jack McMahon also lent valuable assistance; The chain stepping event proved very interesting, and brought forward no less than 120 entries. Special prizes were donated to i he club by the following:—Mr D. Bait (cut glass breakfast cruet), for the chain stepping; Mr J. Kilpatrick (gold medal), for Boy’s half-mile; Mr W. Griffiths (riding whip), for the hunters’ jumping; and Messrs Me Farhme 'and Co., of Wanganui (electro plate sugar spoons) for Railway Handicap. Officers: Patron, Mr J. B. Hine, M.P.; Pro sklent, Mr W. H. Were; Vice-presi-dents, Messrs' J. Bain. G. Morrison. E A. Lees, W. Cartwright, M, Gornhoefer, W. Abbott, A. McPhail, E. Marfell, C. Bayly, A. Ferguson, D. S. Maxwell. Alex. Ferguson, D. Maxwell, J. Lucenn, C. Millhurn, T. H. Henderson, Evan Jones, J. Henderson. V. 'Matmsell, J. Marra, G. Bain, \V. j A. Fields, H. Milne, J. Jacobson, W. I Huzziff, and 0. L. Allan; CommitI tie, Messrs G. Morrison. A. Fergu--1 son, J. Griffiths, J. Ritcliie, W. Grifi fit'lls. (1. Rutherford. T. A. Boen<dc I W. Pearce, B. Newstroski ,E. Kello- ! her, J. Kilpatrick. -1. Gardiner, .1 i Boa+tio A. McPhail, C. Millhurn, J. | Muftagh, A. J. Lees. F. Bell, R. T). ! Milne,'l), Bain, A.'Day, P. Stephens. I W, Pratt, and W. Goehangan : Gh-rk > of Course, Mr F. Bell; Treasurer, Mr i 1). Bain; Secretary, Mr G. E. Bocock. Results. I School Boy’s Race.— C. Reid 1, X. Harris 2. School Girls’ Race.—E. Briscoe 1, Jacobson 2. 15()Vds Maiden Race (local). —Day ■ j 1, Casgey 2, W. Pratt 3. ; 75Y(ls Handicap (open)—First heat: ■! J. Griffiths 1. B. Newstroski 2, Soc•i end heat: J. M. Brake 1, H. Clifford ■! 2. Final: J. Brake 1, J. Griffiths j 2. •] Old Men’s Rare, ever (0 years— First heat; 1). Maxwell 1, F. Webb ; 1 2. Second heat: A. Boyd 1, A. J.

Chaney 2. Final: i). Maxwell 1, F. Wel)h 2. A close finish. School Boy’s Race, J-niilc — Linn 1, Bain 2, Downs 3. A large field. Won easily.

IOUYds Handicap—First heat: E. Kivoll 1, Clifford 2. Second heat; Day 1, Johnston 2. Final: E. Kiyell 1, Jonnston 2, Day 3; Won easily. Married Ladies’ Race—Mrs G a miner 1, Mrs Bocock 2, Mrs Ellis 3. Hunters Jumping (maiden), local— Mr X. Sanson 1, Miss Abbott 2. The horses ridden hy Messrs Walsh and dowry caused a good deal ol laughter, the former one made a hold attempt, and on reaching the hurdle, preferred to walk through instead ol jumping, and finally fell over with its rider and did not know whether to stop there or get up again. The latter went full swing into the hurdle, without the least attempt to jump, and needless to say, came down with its rider also, and then done a get at full speed to the bottom of the paddock, amidst great enthusiasm. Hunters’ Jumping Event (open)— Mr N. Sanson 1, Miss Abbott 2. Five entries. Mr. Newstroski’s horse fell at the second hurdle, and Mr Walsh’s horse levelled all the hurdles in good style. The jumping of Mr Sanson’s horse won general admiration. 120Yds Hurdles—Foley 1, Brake 2. Seven started. Single Ladies’ Race —Miss N. Rooney 1. Miss K. Breen 2, Miss R. Jones 3. Ten competitors. Won easily. 229Yds Handicap (open)—First heat: White 1. Caskey 2. Second heat; F. Kivoll 1, Newstroski and Brake (dead heat) 2. Final: E. Kivell 1, Caskey 2, White 3. Won comfortably. High Jump—Foley 1, Paul 2, Don 3. The jump cleared was sft. Ladies ’Bracelet (600yds) local—J. Kilpatrick 1, J. Caskey 2, W. Linn 3. A great race. Kilpatrick took the lead, and maintained it throughout, winning in good style. Mr Kilpatrick, although nearly 45 years of age, seems to have lost none of his dash that he possessed in his former days. At the conclusion of the race he received three hearty cheers, and declared it to he his last race, and parted with his running gear. One Mile Handicap (open)—Don J . Vickers 2, Yarstep 3. Seven starters. 440Yds Handicap (open)—Vickers 1, Kivell 2, Don 3. A good race. Chain Stepping Competition—W. H. Were 1. Exact distance. Bandsmen’s Race—-Stanton 1, Cameron 2, Bowler 3. Railway Handicap—Hislop and Johnstone (dead heat) 1, Riley 2. The only starters. Wrestling .(Cumberland style)—H. Harris 1. Three cmnpetitors ; Committeemen’s Race—E. Kclloher and G. E. Bocock (dead heat) 1, G. , Rutherford 2. Jn the final run off between Messrs Kelleher and Bocock. the former won by 2 yards . The Dance. The Coronation Hall was well filled in the evening, when the usual winding up dance was held, everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves. The floor was' in godd nick, and excellent music Avas .supplied by Mrs Bianchi (of Stratford). Messrs Rutherford. Day, and Gcrnhbefer fulfilled the duties of M.’sC. in a most creditable manner. Mr G. Rutherford provided -a most tasty supper. _ Dancing Was kept up withvim’ and vigour until -the early!hours of the morning.