RED TRIANGLE SPORTS

Taihape Daily Times, 19 March 1918, Page 4

RED TRIANGLE SPORTS

A GREAT SUCCESS. The sports gathering held yesterday on the Eecreation Ground in aid of Red Triangle Day Fund was in every way a success. The weather was all that could be desired, and the various events were got off with despatch. The horse jumping events proved a great attraction, being very humorous at times as well as interesting. One horse had a way of going full speed to the hurdle then suddenly stopping, leaving the rider to do the hurdling business head first. On the whole the jumping was good, and Opportunity was given,tyros at the game to get ar. introduction to the public. The tug-or-war competitions drew a great crowd. The Maoris causing considerable fun, as their trials of strength were accompanied with hakas of encouragement by Native men and women. The Maoris easily triumphed over their Pnkeha opponents, but when Greek met Greek, or rather, Maori met Maori, then came the tug-of-war in all verity. For several minutes the ribbon on the rope scarcely moved from over the centre line. The champion 'team consisted of Pui Maihi, Eeo To Houro, Te Ao Wirehana, Hore Parao, Pita Tairua, Hama Hakopa and Himi Pine. The dancing events drew a large and admiring crowd; amongst the cihldren little Jean McLennan and Goodie McCombic seemed to evoke the greatest applause. The dancing was by no means confined to children, however, for ladies and gentlemen with time bleached hair, testified by their agility and staying power to the virtues of this district as a sanatorium. Married people's races, baby show, sack races, obstacle races all contributed to the enjoyment, but above all the children were given a right royal time. It seemed the special mission of Messrs. Wrightson, Dy.rn.ock and Burgis to champion juvenile interests judging from the persistency with which they kept matters lively. They had no easy row to hoe, but they made an excellent job of.it and the children ought to feel grateful to them- There were motor driving competitions, weight guessing putting, but, still, matters; would have been more lively and . more; niiuble shillings would have "Aunt Sally" and a contemporaries had been on. fth£. The Taihape Municipal Brasg 7 ..Band rendered a programme of music- which lent some enchantment to,, the» days outing. The joint secretaries. R. McDonell and C. O. Dunn. are,.tp' be congratulated on the general...sud--cess, as also are Mr. R. Smith.,who supervised the dancing,. , SergeantMajor Forrest who organised the Baby Show, Mr. Sheppard who had. arduous duties in the tugs-of-war,. and Mr_ Davics, in charge of motor car events. There were about 800 people present and there was about £42 taken for admission at the gates; this with profits from the various revenue producing' events wil Imake a material addition to the Red Triangle fund. The atternoon tea booth did fairly qnjd business, and Mrs. Parker and Miss Bason did a roaring trade at the sveets stall.

The Baby Show and dancing resnlts appear in the concert report, the other results of prize-winning are as follows:

PRIZE LIST. Maiden hunters' competition.—Mr. Mills' Flora 1, P. Troy's Trooper 2. Motor-car driving.—J. Orniond 1, Carroll 2. Maiden Pony Jump—Mr. Pine's 'Awhina 1, Mr. Harris's Belgian Maid 2. Tug-of-war—Mr. Pine's Maori team 1, another Maori team 2. Open hunters' competition—Mr. Rawhiti's Re 1, Mr. Donovan's Cocky 2. Obstacle Race.—Tone Smith 1, E. Baton 2. Married women's race—Mrs. Donaldson 1, Mrs. Hanley 2. Married men's race—Mr. E. Field 1, Mr. Glasgow 2. Open pony jump—S. Mills' Flora 1, R. Bray's Shellrock 2. Stockmen's competition—Mr. Sinclair 1, P. Troy 2. Rescue race—Mr. Murphy 1, Mr. Sinclair 2. Chain stepping—E. Bishop Wainui. Golf putting—Mr. S. Beban. No detailed list of the winners of juvenile events was kept. THE CONCERT. At the concert in the evening there was a very fair audience present to witness the final scenes of Red Triangle Day. The programme opened with a nicely played overture by Miss K. Kearins. Mrs. "Wkitcombe, a vocalist new to a Taihape audience, sang very sweetly. "Till the Sands of the I Desert Grow Cold,'' and in response to a recall contributed "Coming Home," "The Minstrel 8'0y.." and "In the Great North Sea/' was nicely vocalised by Mr. Tony Smith, and

Little Mi's Patty Bagley, who isf evident!/- a favourite with Taihape audiences, contributed a fancy in a very charming and ucr. Sergeant-Major Forrt-st recited. with ability "My Brother on the. Clyde." A Scotch dance by Miss M.. Reid was danced in a finished manner. Miss L. Wrightson sang with expression a charming ballad "Land of Long Ago." Miss M. Reid danced an. Irish jig very capably, while Master McCombie contributed a Scotch dance which was marked by correct time and dainty footwork. Mr. Tony Smith sang two solos, the one pleasing us most being "Mother Maehee," Miss Jean McLennan showed what a finished little dancer she was in a fancy dance. That charming lyric "God Send You Back to Me," was rendered -njith taste arid expression by Miss Bennett. Miss D. Bray's fancy dance was a very acceptable number, while Miss Meyer's rendering of "Roses" left nothing to be desired. '' The Sword Dance competition resolved itself into a danco between Master McCombie, and Miss E. Reid, of Hunterville, and it is certainly no disgrace to Master Gordon McCombie that beaten by Miss Reid, who beside* being the champion Highland dancer of New Zealand, is very much his senior. Miss Reid also danced a Sailor's Hornpipe and by special request a Highland Fling, in both of which she proved that any competitor who beats her will have to bo something a long way above the average. Miss Bennett rendered a solo with charming simplicity, and had to respond to encore.. During the evening, Sergeant-Major Forrest announced the results of the c.ancing events as follows: Highland Fling—Girls, Miss Jean McLennan 1, Miss Iris Evans 2; boys, Master G. McCombie 1. Irish Jig—Girls, Miss P. Bagley 1, x Miss M. Neagle 2; boys, Master G. McCombie 1. Irish Jig (partners)—Misses Iris Kvans and Marjorie Timbs 1, Misses M. Neagle and Iv. Williams 2. Sailors' Hornpipe. —Miss V. Beban Sheantrubhs —Girls, Miss V. Beban; beys. Master McCombie. Sword Dance—Master G. McCombie. Miss Jean McLennan won, SergeantMajor Forrest's special prize for girls, and Master Gordon McCombie. for boys. The B'aby Competition resulted: Bobby Rae 1, Cyril Garriek 2.