SPORTS IN THE DOMAIN.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 443, 5 February 1890, Page 4

SPORTS IN THE DOMAIN.

FRIENDLY SOCIETY EVENTS. THE SQUADRON SPORTS. IMMENSE CROWDS IN THE :■ DOMAIN. Auckland, Feb. 1. This morning at 10.30 the last day’s sports of the Jubilee celebration took place in the Domain; and though last, the day was by no means least in popular estimation, if one is to judge from the crowded attendance. Even in the morning there was a large crowd assembled, but in the afternoon the attendance increased “by leaps and bounds ” till before three o’clock, when the crowd was the largest ever seen on the Domain and kept on increasing. The day has been so beautifully fine and the atmosphere so clear and fresh that many who do not often attend athletic sports have been tempted by the thoughts of the pleasant green Domain and the sports of the “ Jolly tars” to make a visit there to-day. The contrast with the heat and dust of the town is very pleasant to those who are able to attend. The arrangements for the day’s gathering have been chiefly in the hands of Mr James Halyday, jun., the popular Secretary of the Auckland Amateur 1 Athletic Club, and he has carried' them out in the very best style. Precautions have been taken that the ’ crowd shall not unduly press in on the ground needed for the competitions,' and for the convenience 'of, the public' in entering the grounds!' .Mr Halyday has been assisted considerably by Messrs EsanylTrfeasurer of the Club), 8... Owen, ( : ; L. 7 Coupland,, R. ' B: Lusk, L. Meldrum, and othqr'members of the Committee of the Athletic Club. There were h couple of large marquees erected on the ground for the convenience of competitors and the Committee, while the pavilion was‘also used for the'Commit-, itee.and ticket holders; % ' ‘V . _ V'” ’ ’ ' 1 During the progress of the Friendly Societies sports, a number of men o’-war sailors were watched with much interest as they- made preparations for .theq obstacle -race. ■ * ! *' ,v Outside the Cricket Ground merry-go-rounds and other means of amusement were provided by the'enterprising owners, but the,sports themselves seemed sufficient attractibn for most of the visitors. »>D bt- <■

Friendly Societies’ Sports. I These sports were carried out under the j management of the following committee : t Messrs J. Jamieson, Pigobt, Cole, Hughes, Garrett, Carr, Massey, Beehan, Le Roy, Duthie and Niblock. •/ . • Messrs Logan and Garrett acted as judges.and F. W. Edwards asßtarter, while Mr H. Davy was handicapper and Mr Gar-, rett time-keeper. 100 Yards Handicap (open to members of ' Friendly. Societies only). The starters were: Purdy, scratch ; Parsons, scratch; McDonnell, 2yds ; O’Hare, 3yds; Duffin and McPhail, 4yds ; Jones, syds ; Bain and Harvey, 6yds; Markes and Wilson, 7ydß ; Miles, Byds. This was a very evenly contested race, and after a hard struggle the men finished nearly abreast in the following order : —Harvey, 1; Jones, 2; McDonnell, 3. Time, llsec, SECOND RACE. Quarter-mile Handicap (for members of Friendly Societies only).—Starters : Purdy, scratch ; McLaughlin, 10yds ; McPhail, 15yds ; Bailey, 15yds ; and Harvey, 16yds. Bailey took the lead from the start and kept nicely ahea,d all the way, with Harvey 2nd, and McLaughlin 3rd. Bailey was challenged in the straight, but was never extended, and won as he liked. Time, 58sec. THIRD RACE. Half-Mile Handicap. The starters were: McLaughlin, 20yds ; Bailey, 21yds; Wilson, 22yds. Pennalligan, Purdy, Harvey and McPhail were scratched. Wilson led for the first time round; but on the second time at the back of the course Bailey went up and passed him, and though challenged in the straight by McLaughlin, won easily, with McLaughlin close up. Time, 2min. 21fsec. FOURTH RACE. One Mile Handicap.—Bailey, scratch; McCormick, 35 yards ; Beachem, 25 yards : and Wilson, 40 yards, were the entries received on the ground, and all started. This race was a very tame affair. McCormick (Thames) went to the front at once and increased his lead every strike. Atthe4th round he stopped and waited for Bailey in the straight. The two then had a dash home, McCormick winning, with Bailey 2nd and Wilson 3rd. FIFTH RACE. 150 Yards Handicap. The starters were : Purdy and Parsons, scr ; McDonnell, Duffin, 6yds; Jones, 7yds; Harvey, Byds ; Markes, 9yds ; and WilsoD, 10yds. The race was a very good own, all being pretty well in a clump over the old distance. The finish was : Harvey, 1; Parsons, 2; Duffin and Jones a dead heat, 3rd. Time, 16sec. SIXTH RACE. 100 Yards Handicap (for men over 40). — The entries were received on the ground, and were as follows :—E. O’Hare, scr. ; Andrews, 18yds ; C. Bater, 20yds ; and Miles, 25yds. In ' spite of the heavy handicap, O’Hare made his men travel for the prize, and got. second a few yards behind Bater, with Miles 3rd. SEVENTH RACE. 150yds Hurdles. Entries : O’Hare (scratch); Parsons, 3yds; Jones, 4yds; Shaw, syds ; and McLaughlin, Byds. Shaw was scratched. After several breaks Mr Edwards gor, the starters off well together. O’Hare stopped at the first hurdle and at the third hurdle Parsons took the lead, winning easily with Jones second, McLaughlin close up third. Time, 22sec. EIGHTH RACE. Wheelbarrow Race (100yds).—Shaw, Cole and McDonnell were the starters for this event, which was a very poor contest, McDonnell winning as he liked, with Shaw 2nd and Cole last. NINTH RACE. 100 Yards Handicap (for members of Fire Brigades).—Entries forthisrace werereceived on this ground. Parsons scratch, Jones 4 yards, and Jenkinson 12 yards, were the starters and they finished in the same order, Parsons having no difficulty in romping away from Jones, who left Jenkinson as he liked. TENTH RACE. 150 Yards Handicap (for members of fire brigades only).—This race was also got up on the ground, and the starters were the same as in the last. Parsons was again scratched, with Jones, Byds, and Jenkinson, 30yds. Parsons could not get up to the other men in this, and Jones was only just able to get up to Jenkinson and win with about a yard to spare. An adjournment was now made for lunch it being 12.30, and at 1.30 the squadron ports began. < , .

CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. His (Worship the Mayor (Mr J. H. Upton) received the following telegram from Christchurch:— “ His Worship the Mayor of Auckland. The Wesleyan Conference congratulates the citizens of Auckland on this auspicious day, and rejoices with them in their celebration of the Jubilee of the colony.—(Signed) Wm. Lee, Secretary.” In reply to this communication, Mr Upton wired as follows :—“To Rev. Wm. Lee, Secretary Wesleyan Conference, Christchurch. On behalf of citizens of Auckland, I return you sincere thanks for your kind message of congratulation. —(Signed) J.H. Upton, Mayor.” , THE RAROTONGANS. Tepou and his party waited upon (Lord Onslow by appointment yesterday morning at Government House. Mr A. H. Brown (interpreter) and Mr Ellis accompanied the party. The chief and Mr Ellis entered the recep-tion-room, the remainder of the Rarotongans remaining outside. Captain Saville, however, intimated that it was the wish of His Excellency that the whole of the party should be received in the house, which was accordingly done. His Excellency entered the room accompanied : by Captain Pelley and Captain Saville, A.D.C. ' Tepou read an address, which was interpreted by Mr- Brown. Lord Onslow in reply said : Premier and people of Rarotonga. Your address is an interesting event in the celebration ot our Jubilee festivities, and your presence amongst us yesterday lent additional' lustre to the proceedings of the day. New Zealand and especially this part of'' the > colony has \ always had peculiar ■ interest in the islands of the Pacific, and watch your progress. In acknowledging as • you do the protectioh r >'of Her Majesty Queen Victoria you are aware that you have the protection of one of the most powerful monarchs in the world, and of one ‘‘having deep sympathy > for all the 1 various t races ‘ under - her sway. I am glad to learn that your earnest desire is that ; Her Majesty 1 should continue to afford; you that protection. ■ : , ; ’ The Rarotongah women then carried out a large" mat and laid it at Lord Onslow’s feet, after-whichwarious f mats and handsome kits 1 were similarly presented. ' > His; Excellency thanked the Rarotohgans for their kindness and ’intirtfated that his guests and himself purposed attending the

City Hall to-morrow evening to witness the performance. - j . The address presented to His Excellency j referred to the fact that Her Majesty the (Jueen had established a Protectorate over ] Rarotonga, and stated: “I can assure you, oh Governor, of our loyalty to your ! Great Queen Victoria, and our determination to live under her shelter and protection, and that is our wish.” ' j New Plymouth, January 30. The Jubilee celebration here was most successful. Crowds attended' the sports in the Recreation Ground. Napier, January 30. NAPIER JUBILANT. The only thing held here in celebration of the Jubilee was a thanksgiving service in the Cathedral, which was a grand and imposing ceremony. The building was crowded. The members of Parliament, Mayor and Councillors, and members of local bodies occupied special seats. The Garrison Band took part in the musical portion of the service. There was a large attendance of the clergy, amongst whom were the Rev. W. Colenso, F.R.S., who saw the ship Herald anchor in the Bay of Islands in 1840, and was present at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Dean Hovell preached from the text, “ The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee.” The solemn Te Doum concluded the proceedings. Masterton, January 30. It was glorious weather for the Jubilee celebration on the 29bh. The procession in the morning included the school children, friendly societies, and fire brigades. Speeches were delivered by Mr Buchanan, M.H.R., old settlers and Maori chiefs. A free lunch and tea were given to 1,600 children. Sports were held in the afternoon. The whole wound up with a monster torchlight procession and a grand pyrotechnic display. Blenheim, January 30. The Jubilee was celebrated here on Wednesday by a holiday. The only public gathering was a sports meeting, hastily arranged by the post and telegraph officers in aid of the local hospital. The sports were , very enjoyable, and the meeting a model of good management. Christchurch, January 29. JUBILEE IN THE SOUTH. The Government offices, banks, insurance and lawyers’ offices, and most of the wholesale establishments and factories, were closed to-day in celebration of the Jubilee. There was no demonstration. Dunedin, January 29. To-day was observed as a general holiday, bub outside the Exhibition, which was largely attended, there were no special attractions. The harbour excursions were largely patronised, and some thousands visited the waterfalls in Leith Valley. The weather was splendid until late in the afternoon, when it turned somewhat cold. CONGRATULATIONS FROM AUSTRALIA. Sydney', January 30. The “ Sydney Morning Herald ” in an article commenting upon the Auckland celebration of New Zealand’s Jubilee congratulates New Zealand on her bright prospects as she enters upon her second fifty years.