MAKAHU NOTES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 29, 9 May 1916, Page 3

MAKAHU NOTES.

fTo Titf Editor Stratfortj Post. I Sir,—ln your issue of Thursday last, under the heading of Makahu Notes > I read a lot of rubbish, purporting to be an account of our sports meeting, held on the 13tli April. No doubt tins was written hy some person not authorised by the committee to send a report in, and an outsider reading such twaddle would naturally be biassed against us for future meetings; so I enclose a true and correct report of the picnic and sports, which I trust you will publish, as it is written.—l am, etc., MAKAHU. The Makahu farmers' annual picnic and sports meeting took place in Mr Joe Manning's paddock on the 13th April, and was largely attended; in •fact, never in the history* of the district, has such a large crowd of people been seen. A large number of visitors from Stratford and other places were present and seemed to thoroughly enjoy their day's outing. For weeks prior to the day of the picnic the committee had been working like

Trojans, and great credit is due to them., for the manner in which they carried out the arrangements. The catering was in the hands of an excellent ladies committee, all of whom" worked like heroines in looking after the welfare of those present. The committee comprised Messrs S. Brewer (chairman), T. ! It. Mounsey,.A. Coyne, W. Manning, M. Ford, J. McHardy, A. R. Walker, W. Ward, J. Jones and Sim Martin -(secretary)* These settlers had very valuable assistance given them by Messrs Malone, Smith, Fletcher, and Lovett, of Stratford, and the people of the district were, greatly pleased to see these sports taking such an interest in their meeting. Several ■raffles in aid of the "Red Cross Funds were got off-during the day. Mrs W.' A. Good, ;of Pohokura, presented the committee' With a beautifully carved piano stool, to : bo raffled. Mrs Brewer had charge of this article, and by lifer painstaking efforts over £5 was collected. Mrs Martin and Miss Mounsey were very successful in raffling a bride doll. The guessing competition (a sheep donated by Mr Mounsey.) was won by Miss McCracken, who guessed the correct weight. The carcase was auctioned by Mr Fletcher, and realised about £5. ■■.„■,' i.,' .

The sports programme commenced with tilting-in-the-ring, and was won by Trooper Irvin West, of the 12th Reinforcements, with A. Walker second. The open handicap trot drew forth 12 starters, and was won by Mr T. Mounsey, with 0. McAloon a close second. The event of the day was the open hunters' competition. Very keen rivalry existed in connection with this event, and prior to sports heavy wagers were laid on the chances of three local hunters. Jim O'Connor's mare jumpetl in great style, and was declared the winner. Both rider and horse received a round of applause from the spectators. M. Ford's John, last year's winner, was second, and Miss Quigley (Pohokura), third.

The Maiden Hunters' Jump fame next on the programme, and some useful looking hunters lined up. Master Billy Hunter secured first and second pla.ee with his two steeds, and was ■heartily congratulated on the way he controlled his horses over the sticks. This lad also secured both prizes in the pony jump witli his same horses. The Farmers' Milk Cart Horse Trot was worth while going a long way to see. All the local suppliers to the factory had for weeks been putting in solid training on their horses, and each thought the race was Ids. Prior to the

commencement of this event, one settler was seen to be training his horse over some swampy land, but the horse, evidently thinking he would not be fit for the race, jibbed on it, and gave his rider a "dirty" spill in a bog-hole. About ten starters ,faced the barrier, and when the tapes flew up, Fred Speight, on Prince, quickly assumed the lead, and placing a considerable distance between himself and the rest of the field, looked all a winner. Unfortunately for him Bill Manning's Barney took the bit in his mouth and ! bolted. Fred, thinking Bill was going to beat him, shook Prince up so much that he too bolted. Both horses passed ,the post at a gallop, and of course were disqualified. The prize money was giv'en to M. Ford's Tim, who trotted the distance in very fast time. The committee have decided that for futuresports, all horses taking part in this trot will have to be hoppled.

| The "Donkey Race" provided a great deal of amusement. Several old dog 'meat horses lent by a local sport, were ridden by some of the "knuts" of the district, dressed in and I their antics on these fiery steeds were 'the means of placing the crowd in a good humor. The district's lay reader,

dressed in a hideous, costume, was an easy winner, his steed arriving at the winning post after the crowd had left the paddock. >'■ : Several foot events,were got off during the day -and some keen contests were witnessed. The married men's race was very keenly contested. One benedict wiio had for weeks past been putting , in solid training, on the line at.'ie W'ora, was an odd's .on, favorite, but his' iKit;e was not good enough to hist, arid consequently; had to takq second place to the local'schoolmaster. (Put in harder training Aext year Willie). The dance in the evening was very largely attended and was,|ho4iiush f iip to an day's osi&hg:-.; V **S