RECREATION GROUNDS SPORTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 235, 10 November 1909, Page 4

RECREATION GROUNDS SPORTS

The day was beautifully line for the sports lieid at tlie .Recreation Grounds yesterday. The attendance, however, was disappointing, counter attractions being douotltissl responsible. A good programme was submitted and the events were watched with interest, althuugh ill several instances tlie finishes were not closely contested. lioeLiuck in the cycling,'and Boucher in the running events had a day out, each winning three events, in' addition to the programme events, races and competitions were got lip for the juveniles. Messrs. J. lleuiptoii and J. .Mclveen acted as judges, •Mr. A. U. Humphries having charge of the starting operations. Members of the Sports Ground Committee and the New Plymouth Amateur Athletic Association held other offices. All acquitted themselves with credit, particularly Mr. J. C. Clarke, the energetic secretary. No limes were taken. Results:

100 yards ijiuateur race. —Khst heat: C. Webster, <i vards, 1; Bert Clarke, 8 yards, 2. L. 15. Webster, scr., mid Parker also siarted. Sccojui heal.: •!. A. Xeilsoll, Byds.. I; Jl. j{. Burdekin, 2yds., 2. Boucher also started. I'inal: <). A. Neil* mhi 1. Burdekin 2. Neilsun's sprint, in the la<t few yards gave him the race by a few inches. Clarke and Vteb-4.er were ciosr up.

Half-mile bicycle race, first heat: C. Lister, oUyds.. 1; J. Adlani. ■)Uyds. l 2; W. .Skipper, 70yds., 3. AKo startvd: Pulford. 40yds., and M. 1). -Julian, 70yd*. Second heat: Roebuck, 45yds., 1; J. Skipper, 70yds., 2; «I. Skipper, 70yds., 3. Sid George (70yds.) was the other starter, Final: Roebuck 1, Lister 2. Roebuck spurted at. the end of the second round, and, establishing a lead of a dozen yards, maintained that position to the lapes. Slnw bicycle race.-—W. Skipper 1, .M.' .luliah 2. ('bong Tlie winner gave a fine exhibition of balancing, the public heartily applauding his efVort. Quarter-mile amateur race.—'W. (A. Boucher, Hoyds., 1; Charles Webster, ; ftiyds.. 2; €, Arnold, 3f>yds., 3.. Only starter*. Boucher won as he liked. Throwing cricket ball. —Southall. L. Hill. MclsamvParker, Smith and Knight were the contestants. Knight threw 02 yards, Southall being second with about 87 yards.

Wrestling (cateh-as-catcli-can). —Urquhart, Hints and Brett were the only entrants. The latter drew a bye. After 1 a touch struggle Iline won the first I bout, the order being reversed in the succeeding round. The final was an even go, Iline eventually winning on a neck and arm hold. Brett failed to qualify in his bout with Urquhart, Iline thus winning first honors. One of Hie most interesting items of the day's sport was a wrestling bout (catch-as-catch-ean) between Louis Robertson. champion light weight of Scotland, and Constable Melvor. middleweight champion of New Zealand. .Both being men of considerable science, an excellent exhibition ensued, honors being evenly divided in the earlier stages of the bout. In the final struggle Uobert- ! <on threw his opponent. The contest i v\ '< rai'erlv watched by all present, both

contestants being cheered. 220 yai'N amateur race.—W. A. Iloueher, IXvds.. 1: Webster, lSvds., 2. Also started: M. Ward fscr.), L. B. Webster (aer.), 11. li. Burdekiu (5). J. A. Xeilson (18). A elnse finish, ftoueher winning by a couple of inches. If. Kerr, champion walker of Australasia. gave an exhibition mile walk. His style and pace were much admired, and as he breasted tho tapes he was accorded hearty applause. One-mi'e bicycle race.- First heat: C. I'Jster. 100 yds.. 1: W. Skipper. I:!om|s.. and J. Adlnm. 100 yds.. dead lie.it 2. Also started: G. Pulford (!)0) and M. Julian (loo|. Jibt. after pa-'sing the tape Lister received a nasty fall, being I ripped by a dog. Second heat: W. Roebuck, 05yds.. 1: ('. Garliek, 100 yds., 2. Also started: S. George (1:10) and J. Skipper llrtli). Wnji with ease. Final: lloebiick 1. I.Utcr 2. Roebuck's line spurting turn again gave him a good lead, which enabled him tc. win with plenty to spare. Half-mile amateur race.—W. A. Rouclicr. 50vds.. 1: A. W. Parker, /50yds.. 2. Also started: M. Ward (40), Arnold (sft). McAHtim (**>o). Boucher won as he liked. The two placed men were the nnlv finisher*. One and a-half Mile Bicycle Race

Roebuck. l-lOvils. I: Garliek. 150 yds, 2; .1. Skipncr. IS(hd->'. tf. Other starters wen* Pnlfnrd (PISK Adlam (150), Lister

(1501, * (ienrsre (1 !HJ). M. Julian (ISO). A couple of lap* from home the field wis bunched, the pace being better than

in any of the previous cycling events. A' the commencement. of the liual lap Roebuck shot out and quieklv distanced Ihe lield. Garliek and J. Skipper set out after tho leader, but Boebnck. conat top pa* e. held the race safe, iiit'l won I> v several vards. Ouoit-. There wen i nine entries foi

f'• i- event, and some good plav wis* -'«"wii. 11 the f'niit A. .1. Ibliley beat O' l iradv bv 21 po'nts to o. N'orlh Pole e'en*. After a terrific rp.mi,. (•. oV imMi<j;inced Peary and ' * ■'c''d hi- I' '--' on t!ie summit, of the v "i-{i, Pole. "Rinek Rob." an Esquimau of singular daiiii'f. made the attempt, but n hummock of ice nullified bis effort.