STRATFORD GYMKHANA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 78, 6 April 1915, Page 8

STRATFORD GYMKHANA.

A GREAT SUCCESS While Faster'Monday claims in

many directions attractions lok a pleasure loving people, tlie Gymkhana which is associated with the progressive Stratford A. and P. Association and regarded as an annual Easter Monday fixture, was this year a great success. Favoured with fine weather, the Show-ground of which Stratford may well he proud, held a large crowd, and the show opened at 10 o'clock undo)' auspicious circumstances. Entering from the main gate at Flint Road, the visitor was reminded of the local Home Defence Corps by their wise arrangement ill establishing a miniature shooting range, where for a modest penny one could try his skill at shooting. This attracted a large number, business here "going strong" all day, while cocoa-nut "siiieing" was a side line, under the control of Mr U. Bradley, and afforded a good deal of amusement, not only for the sport itself, but for a "nutty" reward. The catering which is not by any means an unimportant item on such an occasion, was in the capable hands of Mrs M. H. Brooking; Mr F. Whittle, of the Stratford Hotel, had the publican's booth; and the fruit and lollies stall was in the hands of .Mr .J. Adams, of Hawera. Stratford may be congratulated on having experienced officials to manage the Gymkhana, those in charge of the various events being: Judge of Horse Events: .Messrs H. -M. Good and A. Stewart, Dog Trial Judge: -Mr I), (hay. Handienpper: Mr E. Kelleher. Starters: Messrs. E. Kelleher and A. Stewart. King' Stewards: Messrs R. Dingle and )),'j, MaJo.ue. Call Stewards: Messrs \V. H. H. Young and A. C. Hell. Weight Guessing: .Messrs J. 15 Richards and T. Kirkwood. Weighing and Measuring: .Messrs H. Masters, A. C. Bell, and .1. M. Shotter Timejkeeper: Mr B. J. Peters. Gates: Mr J. D. Mealy Loose Boxes: Mr W. J. Hamblyn. Grandstand Steward: Mr I?. McK. Morison. Of the energetic secretary, Mr Sid. Ward, nothing more need be said than that all the details were well worked out, and that he was as obliging and pleasant as usual. Alluring strains of music were heard throughout the day, a well-ar-ranged programme being played by the Eginont Club Orchestra under the conductorship of Mr R, G. Cottier. Very many visitors expressed appreciation of the splendid musical fare provided. There were varied attractions, such as the ' Boy Scouts bridge-building, clever horse jumping, and also the sagacious sheep dog leading his sheep; these serve to indicate the range of entertainment provided throughout the day from 1U to 5. in the horse-events, much keenness was evinced by a large crowd, fjome fine animals being seen in the ring. Altogether the day's programme was a varied and entertaining. No less a sum than £123 was taken at the gate alone, which gives -onio indication of Hie success and popularity of the Gymkhana.

THE DUG, TRIALS. The sheep dog trial, which was the first item on the day's programme, proved very interesting, and some good work was (.lone. The sheep Mere a very stiff lot, which proved the downfall of several of the dogs. The following was the result, together with the judge's remarks:— Mr P. Tocker's "Chum"—Good line to first hurdles, through at first attempt, fair line to second hurdles, through at first attempt, dog and man iii goo dposition, perfect drive to peg, good style at yard. Time omiu. 35.sec—Points 38. C. Rolie's "Lady Chief" 2.—Fair line to hurdle, through first hurdle at first attempt, good line to second hurdle, through second hurdle at first attempt, man and dog in good position at second hurdle, snapped at peg, pulled well to yard, good style at yard, yarded at first attempt. Time b'min. 48sec— Points .'}.">. P. Tocker's "Flip" 3.—Good drive to first hurdles, through first hurdles at first attempt, very good line to second hurdles, through at first attempt, held well at peg, good pull to yard, let sheep round yard. Jet sheep round yard again, yarded at third attempt in good style. Time 6min. 3see.—Points 34. A. Corrigan's "Marvel," v.h.cFair line to first hurdles, through at first attempt, fair line to second hurdles, through at first attempt, let sheep out of line, let sheep past peg, let sheep away at peg second time, pulled well to yard, yarded first attempt. Time Imin. ll^sec. —Points 33. THE TROTS. The trotting events were well filled, and the duties of handicapping were excellently carried out. Maiden Pony Trotting Handicap vunder 13.2 hands;, three times round the oval.—Leo Shatter's "Tuna" iser.) I, W. McKen/.ie's "Tommy" (ssec) 2, Miss Dorothy Cleaver's "Arapae" (osec) 3. Time 2min 47 sec. Won, by a head. There were eleven starters:

lii the Mile Trotting Maiden Handicap lour times round the oval), there, were eighteen starters. Besnlt: J. Malone's "Unknown" (I2see) I, J. Mischewski's "Bell Hoy" (12sec) '2, Leo. Shptter's "Tuna" pony (22sec) 'A. Unknown took the load fti the third rouijd, anr) won easily l>y about six lengtljs. Time, .'hnin. LGsec. Ton started in the Maiden Pony Trotting Handicap (under II hands-

four times round the oval). Result: W. McKenzie's Tommy 1, Dorothy Cleaver's A'rapae 2, Eric ('leaver's .Till .'1 Time, 3min s'isec. In the H mile Trotting Handicap, there were eleven starters. Result: W. Curd's Jo* Patch (20sec) 1, .J.

' Butcher's Cerise Sosoc) 2, F. O'Sullivan's Asthore ■3osec) 3. Cerise put . U!J ;1 good performance for second place. Time. -Imin 4Hsec. Ten started in the Bony Trotting Handicap, lour times round the oval. for ponies 14.2 hands and under. Besult: H. Rodger's Lady Ninno '2O sec) I, J. Tapn's Nellie (L'Oseei 2, I. Julian's Jack Brannigau (scr- 3. Won easily. Time. 3min 32sec. .LEAPING COMPETITIONS. Then 1 was sonic very good jumping iti the event for ponies under 13.2 hands. Result: Eric Cleaver's Peter i ridden by Dorothy Cleaver) 1, Dorothy Cleaver's Arapae (.ridden by Eric Cleaver) 2, C. Patterson's Flora Maiden Hunter's Competition. Result: B. Pepperell's Red-Wing 1. E. .Mills' Tasman 2, P. Bhelan's Webshell 3. Bony •Jumping (under 14 hands), 'the result was: Dorothy Cleaver's Arapae 1, Eric Cleaver's Peter 2, •). Butcher's Baddy 3. Hunter's Competition. Result: E. Mason's Kiri !, E. A. Pepperell's Czar 2, B. Pepperell's Redwing 3. THE BOY SCOUTS. " Two teams competed ill the Boy Scouts bridge-building event. Yogeltown with 20 points getting first place. Stratford scored 10 points. In the semaphore signalling four teams competed. Result: Waitara I. New Plymouth 2. Stratford 3. Lieut. W. Y. Wilson acted as judge. Four teams also competed in the ambulance work demonstration. Result: Yogeltown ('3l points) 1, Waitara (30 points) 2. New Plymouth and Stratford tied lor third place, gaining 27 points. Mr R. Thomas acted as judge. THE BABY SHOW. The baby show proved a great attraction, the result being:— Baby 'under six months)—Francis Doran (Stratford) 1, Marjorie Bowen (Stratford) 2, Ahua Thompson (Stratford; 3. Five entries.

Baliy (under 12 months)—Monica Fabisli (Midhirst) 1, Edward Hunter •.Stratford) 2, Ahua Thompson Stratford) 3. Twelve plump, healthy little bundles of humanity competed. Mrs A. W. Budge officiated as judge. OTHER EVENTS. There wvve a great number of entries lor the turning competition, which excited a good deal of interest. This resulted in a win fj>r E. Julian. E. Cleaver being .secoiuf. There were four starters in the best lady driver contest, the result being: Mrs Craddock (Stratford) 1. Mrs T. Orr (Ngaere) 2, Miss DorothyCleaver (Hawera) 3. In the harnessing and unharnessing event for ladies, there were three starters, the result being .Miss Kennedy (Stratford) 1, .Mrs B. Rector 2. The times were 3min 23sec and" Imin 4osec.

The Victoria Cross race resulted in Mr [{■. Bcpperell getting first and

second places with Red-Wing 1 (43 '{-S'-iocs) and Nellie 2 (47 2-ssecs).

In the tug-of-war on horseback for teams of four-a-side, Mr W. McKenzie's proved the victors. MINIATURE RIFLE SHOOTING. Fairly good business was clone at the miniature rifle range, but it could have been better had more rifles been available to cope with the number of shootists. All things considered, a real good afternoon was put in, and the management in connection with the first public shoot was a credit to all concerned. The following are the results of the sweepstakes : Sweepstake No. 1 (5 shots and sighter). —Won by A. J. Stockley, 2-1 points. No. 2.—Won by Latham, 23 points. No. 3.—Jones 24. No. L—Tarver (senr), 22, Scott 22. No. 5. B. .J. Peters 23, Mclntyre 22 No. 6.--W. Wilson 22. The ladies' match was a very exciting affair, eight out of the twelve entrants missing the target by a hair's breadth, or even yards. Mrs Curd and Miss M. Grout tied, and on being allowed another shoot, Mrs Curd won by <) to 0. .