CHIPS AND SAWDUST

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 266, 31 January 1928, Page 13

CHIPS AND SAWDUST

WAIUKU’S BIG DAY ANNUAL SPORTS MEETING (From Oiir Own Correspondent) WALUKU, To-day. In the sweltering heat of yesterday th-a Waiuku Athletic Club held its arnual sports meeting on the Education Reserve, and although the conditions were certainly tiring and uncomfortable for the competitors, especially the choppers, who rolled' along in great numbers, all events wero keenly contested,. and a cleaner and a better-run meeting is seldom seen in the country districts. Undoubtedly it was the big day of the year as fax as Waiuku is concerned, and hundreds of people crowded round the chopping ring to see the many powerful axemen making the wooden chips fly. Many of the competitors were tho stalwart lads of Waiuku, and they certainly know' their drill when it comes to handling an axe. But when there is a chop on the programme worth £7O, it has its attractions, and although it was won by an outsider, W. J. Costello, he is well known to the Waiuku people, and it was a very popular win. Accompanying the cheque was a handsome cup, valued at £lO 10s. A COMPETITOR'S TRIBUTE In replying to the president, Mr. Frank Knight, who congratulated the winner, Costello got on a log, puffing bard after his strenuous chop, and said that he was proud of his win, as he had been trying to win the cup for three years, and at last it had com© his way. “The Waiuku crowd are the best sports in New’ Zealand,” he concluded. The running events also produced plenty of keenness, but the track was exceptionally hard, and was by no means conducive to fast times. Moleswurth was outstanding and managed to roinp home in both the Waiuku Cup of 135yds. and tile 100yds open. Watson, who started away on the limit in the quarter mile, kept the lead throughout and had an easy win. In the Forced Handicap of 100yds, however, Toms, who had had no luck during the day, came to light to beat him by inches. Besides the running and chopping events there were many other interesting competitions, including pigguessing, sheep-guessing and poleguessing, while further round, under tho shade of the trees, were sideshows which had the real carnival atmosphere about them, and where tho “local boys” “shied” balls at the Kaiser's head, and lobbed hoops all in an attempt for boxes of chocolates to present to the winsome lasses of Waiuku and surrounding districts. To stage such a successful meeting can only b© due to a hard-working committee, and this must be congratulated on its efforts. The following was the committee: Patron, Mr. J. D. Chalmers; president, Mr. F. Knight; vice-presidents, Messrs. H. M. Lowe and T. Miller; committee, Messrs. T. Hair, A. J. Hone, H. Wilson, •S Brown*/, C. Munro, J. Crouch, L. Wassail, D. Rowe, R. Robinson, H. Blackler, P Burn io, A. J. Lowe, W. Lowe. W. Stanton, J. Wiles, C.. R. Barriball; s«jcretary, Mr. G. Swain; treasurer, Mr. W. Kemp; official handicappers, Messrs C. Morrison, Te Aroha (running), C. L. Hardy (chopping); starters. Mr. J. Han'hng (chopping), Mr. H. Blackler (runlling); time-keepers, Messrs. W. Hosking and H. o. Mellsop; judges, Rev. Father • s kinner. Colonel Aldrrd, Major J. If. Herrold, D. 5.0., A. White, J. Crouch, O. Henry. Results of the main events are as follow; CHOPPING Open Maiden Chop, 12in Blocks, Standing.—j t McCormack, 1; F. Smith, 2; W. Smith, 3. Double-handed Sawing.—Fisher and Hvrkt, 1; Smith and Smith, 2; Murrell and Johnson, 3. Open Standing Chop, 12in Blocks.—lst •rf a t: Richardson, 1; J. Cooney, 2; "au Hupurora, 3; time, 3Ss. Secdnd aeat: Silva. :t; K. Horne, 2; W. Smith, ' • Wcm easily; time, 40s. Third heat: J Costello, l; w. Herkt. 2; E. Bates, • ■ time, ,435. Final: J. Cooney, 1; D. •'Uva, 2: W. J. Costello, 3: time, 395. A !'°od chop, the event being won comfortably. Open 15in Standing Chop, of £7O and ;-up valued £lO 10s.—1st heat: F. Silva, : J- Cooney, 2; A. H. McCormick, 3; lm 245. Second heat: R. Beazley, E. Bates. 2; W. J. Costello, 3; time, “ n 345. Final: W. J. Costello, 1; E. 2; R. Beasley, 3; time, lm 19s. Old Buffers’ Chop, 12in Block, S’:andln®; — A. Gray, 1. Underhand Chop. 15in.—1st heat: J. >"'ble, i; j Richardson. 2; O. Johnson, 3; ; J me, lm ISs. Second heat: A. Murrell, J * Cooney. 2: P. Silva. 3; time, lm Final: J. Noble, 1; J. Cooney, 2; -‘UrreH, 3; time, lm 20s. RUNNING EVENTS . M *»den Handicap. 100yds.—McKenzie, 4 a L. Blackler, 2; Clayton, 3; time, 10 Boy t * Race, under 16 years. 100yds. — Waiuku Cup, 135yds.—First heat: D. '"lesworth, 1; F. Toms, 2; McKenzie, 3; '>• 13 1 -ss. Third heat: J. G. Portm. ; «• McNamara. 2: H. McDonald. 3; 13 l-3s. Third heat: J. G. Porter, , -J- Watson, 2; F. G. Shaker, 3; time, T “ Final: D. Moles worth, 1; F. i 2 ; R- McNamara. 3; time, 13 l-ss. ‘ iWeiHlid race, won by about 1 yard, separating rest of held. Ir i Open Handicap.—First heat: D. Worth, 1; R. McNamara, 2; J. 3; time, 10s. Second heat: G. -•ajcweu, l; R. Morrison, 2; time, 10s. . m JJ heat: J. V. Nagle, 1; J. G. Porter, H. Car ran, 3; time, 10s. Final: D. •j me* worth, 1; G. Maxwell, 2; R. McNamara, 3; time, 10s. Another good tnl t! k Won by 1 yard, very little separatLi he ot her runners. o Yds.—a 'Watson. 1; H. McDonald, M McKenzie. 3; time, 49 l-ss. The t-- on the limit, 45yds, and led •’ F v ® rced Handicap.—Toms, 1; Watsoß* *» Maxwell, 3.