N.Z. AXEMEN’S CARNIVAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 2, 27 December 1912, Page 3

N.Z. AXEMEN’S CARNIVAL.

TWELFTH GATHERING. Office Bearers.—President, G. W. Tayler, Esq.; Vice-Presidents, Hon. W. Carncross, M.L.C., and Dr. Harrison. Directors, Messrs. G. W. Tayler (chairman), L. Hill, E. Whiting, J. A. Hansen, F. Amoore, W. W.

I Stanners, and H. Nuttall. TimeI keepers, Dr. Harrison and Messrs, j Kivell and W. Hyde. Starter Mr. A. G. Whiting. Judges, Messrs C. Cooper anl C. A. Wilkinson. Handicapper, Mr. Alf. Hansen, Referee, Mr F. Spurdle, Auditor Mr. E. Parrott. Secretary, Mr. T. C, Stanners.

Yesterday morning the atmosphere was dull and grey-looking, but no one cared, and the holiday-makers went their several ways without a thought to damp their ardour. In spite of every thing, the Government Meteor o--1 legist had his way last year—and it was a dirty one “he got on to us”— so, perhaps, most people came to the conclusion at the close of 1912 that the best thing to be done was to trust the same authority once more. That this assumption was the correct one was proved before Stratford was left many miles behind. The heavy uninviting aspect was the result, it transpired, of bush burning in the dis-

trict, the murky atmosphere being worst in the higher altitudes. Eltham was bathed in sunshine when the mail train arrived at the concrete town, and the townspeople were astir. By the time the Carnival was opened there was a big gathering at The Park, and many sideshows reared their tent poles in the vicinity. The attendance throughout the day was very satisfactory, to the committee, equalling very nearly the numbers of the jn’evious year. The sum of £134 .was taken at the gates. The entries Were also very good, and the sport was up to the standard of bygone gatherings. The secretary, Mr. T. C. Stanners, and his staff, are to be congratulated upon their efforts in the way of arrangement both from the point of view of the public and the pressmen. The big event of tho day, the World’s Championship Chop, was annexed by Sam Johnson, who is an old friend of the Association, judging by the regularity of his visits, and a popular axeman as was in evidence on the occasion of his win. It is worthy of note that this 'competitor is a firm believer of the old adage; “Try, try, try again.” He was twice second, once third, and once fourth, for the coveted honour, and yesterday had the extreme satisfaction of pulling off the first prize. It wasn’t a bad day’s work, the prize is worth £ls, and there is a cup valued at £2O presented by the Collie King Axe Company, which must bo won twice in succession or three times at intervals, if the winner uses a Collie King axe. Johnson u'sed a Collie King to his joy. He hails from Gisborne, and is hardly the stamp of a chopper as the popular eye sees one, but he is a “sport,” and that is everything. Tho second man, Richardson, ran the champion to within four blows for the trophy, and he, also, is made of the stuff that cheers us along the way. He loaned one of his axes (the lock, stock and barrel, as it were, of an axeman) to the victor. “1 had a better log than my friend,” said Johnson, as if to make amends for boating his pal. The Underhand Chop went to J■ O’Sullivan, who was easily the best of the crowd, and it will not surprise the writer to Hnd that the same big, burly chopper has got away with some of tho honours to-day.

The cycling events wore much appreciated by the crowd. It is questionable if there should not be considered by the Association some sort of variety in the nature of the proceedings. The best item in the category of the wheel was the last event on the programme, the five mile race. There were over a dozen entries, and the event was run off in the most orthodox style when a spill (occurred which upset tiie calculations of competitors and public alike. But, notwithstanding, the best men won—they always do, unless Fate wills otherwise. The events wore kept well up to time, which is a matter of supreme

importance to all and for which thanks are duo to the officials. The Carnival was continued to-day, but it is impossible, owing to pressure on our space, to arrange for the results to bo sent forward in time for this issue. These will appear to-mor-row.

The following were the results of yesterday’s events:— CHOPPING EVENTS. Maiden Handicap Chop, of £7; first prize £5, second £1 10s, third 10s; loin, standing blocks.—First heat: C. A. Eichstaedt 1, L. Snook 2, W. J. Simons 3. H. Mcßae also started. Time, Imin 50sec. Second heat: R. G. Harris 1, C. Volzke 2, P. O’Connor 3.

C. Coleman also started. Time, Imin 30soc. Final; R, G. Harris 1, C. A. Eichstaedt 2, L. Snook 3. All the qualified men started, and a good finish resulted in Harris winning by about 3sec, with Snook a second after. Time, Imin 22sec. New Zealand Championship Chop, 12in. standing blocks (final chopped second day)—First heat: B. Newstroski 1, A. Kaspar 2, S. Morris 3. Also competed: G. Coleman, J. Hancox, S. Johnson, S. Ti Smith, and W. Weston. A very close finish, all three blocks falling very close to one another. Time, 53 2-ssec. Second heat: G. McCauley 1, D. Mather 2, J. E. Shewry 3. Also started, C. A. Eichstaedt, H. Hodgetts, W. E. Honey, R. Joblin, and C. Volzke. McCauley proved too fast for the rest, finishing several seconds ahead of Mather.

Time, 42 2-ssec. Third heat: A. McKay 1, J. E. Richardson 2, D. Pretty 3. Win. Austin, W. Heone, A. Mcßae, J. Newstroski and W. Riggs also chopped. An exciting finish between the placed men. Time, Imin. World’s Championship Chop, of £45; 2ft. standing logs; first prize £ls and clip valued at £2O, to be won twice in succession or three times at intervals); second £6; third £3; fourth £l. S. Johnson 1 J. E. Richardson ... 2 W. E. Honey ... 3 R. Joblin ... ... 4

Also chopped: W. Heine, A. Kaspar, G. McCauley, B. Newstroski, J. Newstroski, D. Pretty, J. E.' Shewry, WJ. Simons, and S. T. Smith. Pretty and Kaspar were first round, but both struck tough logs and did not finish. Johnson, who is generally in the running of such an event as this, just beat Richardson, with Honey a close third, and Joblin some seconds later fourth. Time, smin. 22sec. Underhand Handicap Chop, 18in. logs, of £SO ; first prize £ls, and special of £25 (if special acceptance fees are paid); second £6, third £3, fourth £l.

First heat: S. T. Smith (35sec), 1; J. E. Richardson (20sec), 2 ; G. McCauley (32sec), 3. Seven others started. Time, 2min 38see. Second heat: A. E. Sullivan (28sec), 1; I). Mather (32sec), 2; J. Dodd (18 sec), 3. . Two other starters. Time, 2 min 28 3-ssec. Third heat: J. 0. Sullivan (25sec), 1; C. A. Eichstaedt (40sec), 2; J. Newstroski (22sec) 3. Six others competed. Time 3min 24sec. Final: O’Sullivan 1, Mather 2, Eichstaedt 3, Richardson 4. All the qualified nine took their positions, but only the placed men completed. O’Sullivan was too lightly treated with 25sec, and won easily. lie had paid the special acceptance fees, and so won the £4O. Time Imin 34sec.

SAWING EVENTS. Double-handed Sawing Competition of Australasia; 2ft. logs; of- £l2: first prize, two gold medals, value £4 each ; second £3, third £l.—A. E. Sullivan and A. Pedder, 1; C. and C. F. A. Volzke, 2; W. Weston and D. Pretty, 3. Also competed: T. Benbow and J. Dodd. A poor entry for such an important event. Sullivan and Pedder won by a stroke, with Pretty and Weston a close third. Benbow and Dodd did not finish. Time, 29sec. Single-handed Sawing Handicap, of £10; 2ft. logs; first prize £7, second £2, third £l.—W. Weston (scr) 1, C. Volzke (20sec) 2, C. F. A Volzke (Bsec) 3. A. E. Sullivan (scr) was the only other starter. Weston does his work with a good swing, and just beat the younger Volzke by a second or two. Time, Imin 23sec.

CYCLING EVENTS. Half-mile Cycle Handicap; first £4, second £1 10s, third 10s.—First heat: W. Blackman (30yds) 1, A. G. McDonald (20yds) 2. it. J. Jones (scr) and P. C. Taylor (55yds) also started. Time Imin 9sec. Second heat: H. Henderson (25yds) 1, W. E. Forbes 55yds) 2, L. Wann (20yds), also started. Time, Imin Usee. Third heat: A. Danielson (35yds) 1, P. Griffin (10yds) 2. Also started: P. Hill (25yds), T. Beaver (30yds), S. Parker (60yds). Time, Imin 7sec. Final: All qualifying started, and there was a fair race for places. Danielson went into the lead on taking the last lap, and won comfortably from Blackmun, and Griffin. Time, Imin 6 3-ssec. Carnival Wheel Race, two miles; first £ls, second £4, third £l.—Heats were dispensed with, and fourteen started. The result was a very close thing, A. Danielson (70yds) winning by inches from A. G. Donald (65yds), with H. Henderson (115yds) a length away third. Also started: P. Griffin (scr), O. Rowlands (75yds), C. Jamieson (130yds), T. Beaver (120yds), R. L. Jones (scr), P. Hill (75yds), L. Wann (75yds), L. Marceau (120yds), W. Blackmun (120yds), A. E. White (130yds), S. Parker (240yds). There were a few spills, but none were serious. Time, smin 6 3-ssec.

One Mile First-class Handicap; first £5, second £2, third £l. First heat: A. G. Donald (20yds) 1 R. J. Jones (scr) 2. L. Wann (20yds) also started. Won by a length, after a good spurt. Time, 2min 40sec. Second heat : P. Griffin (scr) 1, S. Parker (25 yds) 2. Also started: H. Henderson (20yds), P. Hill (20yds). A two-length win in 2min 36sec. Final: Griffin 1, Jones 2, Donald 3. The winner paced the third lap and held his own until the finish, winning, by two good lengths. Time, 2min 42sec. Five Mile Handicap; first £lO, second £4, third £l.—A. G. Donald (155 yds), and A. Daniel son (155yds) dead heat 2, O. Rowlands (220yds) 3. Also started: P. Griffin (30yds), R. J. Jones (40yds), L. Wann (j.7oyds), P. Hill (200yds), Les Marceau (320yds), and S. Parker (420yds). This was a fine race, which was spoilt owing to an accident after going three miles. Henderson came down, bringing with him Wann, Hill and Griffin, but none were hurt. Griffin remounted, but did not sustain the. effort in catching the dead heaters. Rowlands was a “straight” behind. Time, 13min 22sec.