THE ANNUAL ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3373, 30 December 1919, Page 4

THE ANNUAL ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS.

The Taihape Athletic C‘lub’s annual flfixture on New Year’s Day had be- , come, before the war, such an acknowE ledged institu"cion that we make no I apology for again impressing upon our i I'e'3cdel's the facf that this annual event,

l which was dropped during the War owing to all able-bodied young men of the district being away on active service, either in France, Egypt, Palesltine, or Mesopotamia, is being resusfcitlated, and ‘that on Thursday (New Year ’s Day) our young braves, having returned from where the war needed them, will be on the Reci-cation Ground taking part in athletic coinpetitionh‘ once more, let us give them the welcome they have earned of us‘ On the prize list there are special events for returnd soldiers, but on looking I through the handicaps so many of our , lads returned fronl‘l:he front are figur- | ing that it seemed almost unnecessary i to have special events for "them alone. However, when the Committee were “drafting the programme they could not iforscc that soldiers would furnish the lgreater number of competitors. We l could meet’ to send our men away, let us meet to witness their display of lthat athletic culturrev that played so great a part in defeating the wol'ld’s; greatest enemy. The Committee is pro- i \‘7iding' every reasonable inducement for townspople as well as country peo'- J ple to be present; they are providing a. supply of hot water -and milk, free of charge, that would be adequate and ample for supplying the needs of all the visitors the fine Recreation Ground could accommodate. There is Splendid‘ tree shade, and thei-I3 is the scenic bush E L>.lo»ngside, furnishing ‘ideal places and conditions for most enjoyable picnick-L ing. With fine weather it is hoped that all will do the utmost that can be done to make the great Taihape event a bumping success-, and so re-establish again on a firm and sound‘ basis. M ~