CHOPPERS' DAY AT THE EXHIBITION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 307, 31 December 1904, Page 2

CHOPPERS' DAY AT THE EXHIBITION.

Another Huge Success.

Though (.Friday morning was wet, the weather cleared about 1 o'clocß with the li'sull that the attendance at the chopping contest held in conjunction with t.ho exhibition was considerably over three thousand people, though the threatening weather doubtless deterred many others from visiting tbij grounds. The fHCt that the championship meeting was hekl at liitlwi.'i tihis week enabled many of the best'axemen in Australasia to take part, 1 consequently the exposi-' tion of tho woodsman's art was much superior to anything hitherto seen here. Amongst the visitors were (ius Italic (Victoria), K. li. and ti. Terry (N>w South Wales), (J. A. Ooolji, J. Iteegan, and H. Jiucking>lmm (Tasmania), besides nmny New Zea landers. jlianc is the world's champion, E. I{. Terry holding six championships, including Tasnianian, Queensland, and New South Wales.

The events were decided under the rules of the New Zealand Axemen's Association, tho secretary of which, Mr F. E. Hardy, uctcd as supervisor. The other ollicials were Messrs Stunners and Wolf, judges ; A. Hansen, starter ; J, Bennett, timekeeper; and Amoor, assistant secretary. The .public interest was aroused to, a high pitch of excitement, tho winners in i the various events being greeted with hearty cheers. The seconds were vety excited, urging their men by yells i|nd .gestures almost as grotesque as t Maori haka. During the afternoon flio Garrison flmdered a progrifnme of music, and tho Maoris guve a poi game. Details of the contests aib as follows

Handicap Chop of £ls ; 18in. standing blocks ; lirst prize £lO, so cond .t'l, thinj £l.—Uus Blanc, scr., 1; G. McAulej',3osfcc, 2 ; J. Doegan iiOsec, 3. competed—C. W. Casey lOsec, E. lirctty 15sec, H. Buckingham 30sec, ;J, Harris 35suc, J. (J. Terry 45seci W. A. Corbett, L. I'iggott SOseO, H. >S, Corbett ooscc, J. O'Connor lOsec. Blanc cut in lino style, his strokes being greatly admired, Tho kvent was won in good time, though no olilciul record ,was made. Scqmd lieat :G, A. .Goold 28sec, 1; J. Bottrell GOscc, 2 C. Ilutton lOsee. 3, Also competed —E. It. Terry uskc, McDonald 30sec, Di Johnston 35sec» W. Beck 40sec. J,. Kelleher 45secj A. Salmon GOsec, S. Stent GOsec, p. Andrews GOsec, F. Johanson suS<r, M. Cofley OOsec. This heat also provided a good finish, Bottrell and 'llutton fighting' it out for second pl«ce. No time was taken. Third heat : I), ,I'retty JOscc, 1 ; J. E, Bunt) iiOsec, 2 ; L. Berg losec, 3. Also compi'tiii—W, Gregory 30sec, G. R. Vincent iiOsec, C. l\ A, Volzke 30stic, C. A. Derkahn 40sec, F. E, IVrkitis 40sec, J. Philips 4,jsoc, L. Corbttt 4r>sec, X. Duller GGsec. l'retty won this hoat with' a little to spuro, Bunt and Berg linisliing close together. Time, 1 inin 48scc. Final Client : I), l'retty lOsec, 1; Goold 2®ec, ii; Berg 15 sec, Also comlcted—Blanc, Hutton, McAuley, Ux-lan, Bottrell, and Bunt. Goold got •through hull' his log lirst, though Kjvtty overhauling him f a st tJio two but a stroke between thejm, mnny sjieckj" tors being of opinion tlmt Goold w;!S the winner, thfe however, deciding in l'rctly'i favour. Berg was not far behind. Goold subsequently entered a | protest against l'retty, because the; latter changed logs with Blanc. Tlis was done ivith ! lie knowledge of thjs supervisor. Tho matter will be settled at the first meeting of the New! Zealand Axemen's Association, The .time .was slow, being 2min 22sec. Maori Chop of £2li 12in 4 standing blocks; first prize JEjt 10s, second 7s (id, third 2s (id.—M. "Col Toy 1, Leatherby 2, I'. Coffey 3. Also competed —lvahui. This was.l very amusing chop, for after the ninncr finished, the otliers kept stopping, resuming only when urged on by the public. No time was taken.

Maiden chop of JES (handicap) ; 15in standing block's ; lirst prizo £B, second £1 10s, third 10s.—J, Uro» phy lOsec, 1; F. Johunscn jsec, 2; C. McAsey scr., 3, ;&lso competed— W. Mitchell scr, J. Phillips ssec, T. 1). Fowler, W. 11. Stockley, 11.I 1 . Coffey, A. Collins, E. J,' Moore, L. Piggo:tt< and C. 1). Furlpng lOscc. Wltia was keenly contested!: for first place, though., Johansen igecured second placo rather easily* I'Time, linin 45 see. First Class Handicap Chop of £lO ; 18in standing blocks ; first prize £7, second £2, third Jul. First Heat : G. Flanc, scr, 1 ; 1). Pretty lOsec, 2 ; L. Beng 15sec, Also competed—C. llutton lOsec, W. Gregory, W. beck, W. McDonald, 11. Buckingham iiOsec. McDonald lie Id Iris own till he got through one side, Blanc in the meantime swinging his axejwith wonderful precision, oventuaUw coming in winner l>y so vera 1 seconds. Tho secomd and third men qtvished close togjether ( The winner was loudly applauded, Time, 2min 2kw, Second Heat: C< W. Casey an< j c. F. A,- Volzkc ilOsec, dead JCat; E. It. Terry ssec, ii. Also competed : IC. Protty 15sec, G. A. Qoold 28scc, ,?•>. Berkabn and J, Ileegun yosve.' This was the closest contest of the day, as Terry was but i' tt couple of strokes beliind tho first two. Time 2min Usee, Final lleat : lllauc, scr', 1; Terry fisec, 2; Berg Usee, Also competed : 1). l'rettv, Casey, and Volzke, Tiie majority of the competitors were even whun halfway through, Berg and Terry huvjlnS an advantage. The latter was chopping very well, though illanc by r.eai good work nmnagvd to just beat luin. Berg was close up. Time luiin 47scc.

Maiden J)oul>lc-llandcyi Sawing Handicap of £l.; lain logs. First prize £3, second 15s, third "is. Berkuhn audi Beck 1, Blanc and J>ets gait- 2, Phillips and White ;i. Won easily, second and third p n irs Inning a keen coirtest. Time, 18 l-."i MOC.: Citizens' Chaiupionslii]i Chop. —C. McAsey 1, W. Bnttiinore 2, J, Saddler :i. \.ine eiiiiered. 'l'his enused consi'derablo amusement, the professiional men especially getting veiy excited. A protest was !odgr<) aga;lis"t McAsey on the grouini- that lie is not a resident of New Plymouth. The committee will take evidence before paying over Ww>prize money. Time, lmiiv Tsec.

Iloubro-llanded Hawing Handicap of £0 ; 2ft logs-. First prize £4, second XI IDs 1 , third 10s.—Buckingham and Terry 2in, 1 ; C. F. it lid A. Volzkc 3in, 2 ; l'rotty Bros. :iiii, !i. Also competwl—(! regory and flunl .)in, Johns-ton Bros. 9in, Corlretl and mate 9in, Berkuhn and Beck yih. Tho general opinion is that Buckingham and Perry should have been awarded thiixl place only, for thusc» in u position to know state that they fin-' ished soino time after the other t\yo pairs, who finished so closely together as io be almost u tie. Time DOs'ec. '

Undorhantl Handicap of £ls • IBin logs First prize £]o, second' £i third £l.—First IIo„t : l\ McAscy 45soc, 1; J. E. Ulmt . lr , s 2 . / lloltrol! aOsec, ;i. Also competed : Gus lilnnc scr, c. Hutton Gsoc ,] Ivollrfier luftec, 0. F. A. Yolzke 2.* o*4s®, A. Salmon .30f.ee, t. Andrews fiOsw. The limit »"»•» «> good,, , In!. i' l> \ Z"" 1 he huli'-wuv || Iwforu j|| iUl c gotaslroki; ]" . Though the latter niaido tiu|Clup» fly i u a linllkmt manner, the Intuit was too much for him, a „d 10 made HO Show. No i, imc . way taken Swtorul host : IV. ]I,-ck -lOsec, J- 1 u k Johnston ooser 2 " F ]{ Terry s C r, 3. Also stu.W: 1^ , }f* nn ' J - 1Uv 8 ,, » lHsw, L. Oorr bet.fc 30scc, F, 1 Yrkin.s lOsve, ,1 Harwooa 45scc, W. Stocklcy C. A, Berkuhn, F, Joluunon r>osoc.' terry could not make ii]> his opponents' start though ho gave ash,did exposition of .sciontilie jung, Jus work heing greeted with low! applause. No time was t a linrd. Iwat : E. I'rettv 'lljstM" ! W. Mitel mil nosec, 0 . ' w Mcl ; olm|( i losec, ,1. Also compelrd : ,J. sterns 40soc C. 1). Furlong 45 5 . c

Hum t 5000 people were present .throughout yesterday. The various side shows are reaping the full benoI lit; or this, for they arc having a splendid harvest. Tim refreshment {rooms aiv puckcri all duy, and tho committee have had to make special larrangcnreMs to cope wivh the prossure of business. Mesdaine» Cock, Dockrill, ami HiaiUihave offered to relieve the congpstiokvjy" supplying afternoon tea and ice lltalian {pardon. A guessing competition has been arranged by Mr .Johns, a handsome oil painting being offered for the 'nearest guess at the number of Wart'als in a jar placed neari the entrance.

| Knt l ies for the cooking classes close on January 2nd, at 5 o'clock. 'All exhibits must be in'. Jty 11 a.m. on Wednesday next-.

| One of the most striking features of tho large crowds attending the various functions is their orderliInt'ss. the ollicials all spooking in hign (terms of the way their wishes aro complied with, I The takings at the turnstiles on {Friday totalled £123, at the chopping £9B, and at the refreshment and- dining rooms £4B 10s. The total receipts for the five days, Including space rents, now amount to over £2OOO.