RAILWAY PICNIC

Taihape Daily Times, 31 December 1917, Page 4

RAILWAY PICNIC

The first Railway picnic and sports meeting was held on the local recreation grounds last week, wneri there was a large attendance of railway members and their friends". The weather conditions were perfect, and all present appeared to enjoy themselves to the full. The arrangements were capably carried out by the energetic committee, the major portion" of the work being performed by Messrs P. J. McCormick, J. Hanley and J. O'B'rien. Tie committee desire to thank Messrs V. Nicholls and R. Floyd for services rendered. Mr W. Moloney for trophy presented, and Messrs A. C Nicholls and J. Ninnis. A lengthy sports proogramme was gone through during the day, and the various events were keenly contested.

Following are the results:— Quoits.—F. J. McCormick 1, W. J. Munro 2.

Hop, step and jump.—V H. Campbell.

Medley Race.—R. Floyd. 50 yds all-comers.—M. Doyle 1, M O'Sullivan 2.

880 yds Handicap.—O. Dunkley 1, M. Doyle 2.

75 yds Handicap.—W. Moloney 1. Great interest centred in the various tug-of-war contests, and some exceedingly interesting and exciting competitions took place during the afternoon. In the railway contest, the firemen's team, consisting "of Messrs F. J. McCormick, C. A Garforth, J. Hanley, D. Parsons, J. Sayle, and C. Hyland, had an unbeaten record. In the all-comers' contest, the Hibernian team, consisting of Messrs D. Gamble, J Queenan, J. Sanders, J. O'Brien, M. O'Brien and M. Sullivan beat "the world" in the first pull after an exciting struggle lasting.,the

full three minutes. "The World/£|ia. the.second pull, with the aid of atre&| as an anchor, succeeded in beatings |

the Hibernians, but were disqualified, and the pill awarded to the 'flpbs.*

The "cock-fighting" afforded muck amusement to the spectators, the fin* al of one bout, fought cut inthe riverproving the most amusing episode ot the day.

At a meeting cf those present it was decided to hold a general railways picnic on the local reserve a£ a later date, to which railway men, their wives, sweethearts, and friends, are invited.