AXEMEN'S CARNIVAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 274, 28 December 1909, Page 4

AXEMEN'S CARNIVAL.

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION'S

MEETING

RECORD GATHERING AT ELTHAM.

Ollice- bearers:— Patron, His Excellence the Governor, Lord Plunket; president, 11. W. layler, lisq.; vice-presid-ents, Hon. W. Caiucrosb, M.L.C., and Dr. Harrison; directors, Messrs G. \V. Tayler (chairman), F. Amoore, L. Hid, T. W. Keillv, All. Hansen, T. C. Stunners and W*. W. Stanners; time-keepers, Dr. Harrison, Messrs H. Kivell, I. Spurdle, A. Whiting and 11. Wolfe; staller: Mr. A. Hansen; judges, Messrs G. Cooper (Mangatoki) and T. 11. Lee (Urenui); handicapper, Mr. F. E. ilardy; referee, Mr. C. A. Wilkinson.

The ninth annual carnival of the New Zealand Axemen s Association commune- , ed on the Taumala Domain, Elthum, j i yesterday, in glorioue weather and in the presence of fully four thousand! people. All roads seemed to lead '.o Eltiiam, special trains from north and south bringing in heavy contingents. The lurth trains were crowded >■■"■■■*> and were fairly well filled when -i'.V started from Now Plymouth for the carnival town. Every livery stable ni tile town had chains of ''overiiow" vehicles along the street, and the approaches to the domain wire similarly lined with horses and traps of the conn- ( try visitors. , t Elthani was en fete, for was not ms Excellency the Governor expected? Across Bridge street, at its junction ! with Railway street, stretched an arch- : way of 'butter-boxes, Hanked on either side bv smaller arches of cheese-crates Lightly decorated with ferns, and bearing "welcome" bannerettes, the arch w;is fitted for the occasion. Near the |)o-;t office, towards the other end of Bridge street, was a second arch of ferns and Hags, with patriotic device. His Excellency was'to be publicly welcomed on the sports ground this afternoon, and a I special pavilion had been erected for the I accommodation of the vice-regal party on the second iky. The carnival has made astonishing growth. It is but a few years since the Association was started in Eltham 'or the purpose of encouraging chopping and sawing, sports which were gaining orcatly in the popular favor, as the result of the inclusion of bushmen's items in the programmes of country sports meetings. None of the promoters, even in his moments of the most fertile imagination, could have expected then that the annual gathering would attain Dominion—aye, even Australasian—importance, and include in its pro. gramme a world's champiousiiip chop. It is worth chronicling, however, that the men who have brought the annml fixture to its present state arc, for the most part, the men who carried throug'i the first gathering, and who have been keen enthusiasts and hard workers ever Bincc. It is due to this, and mainly to this, that the carnival arrangements always work so smoothly. Every director knows his work, and, above all, the | secretary, Mr. F. E. Hardy, has been, secretary right through the piece, and Ims a great g'in of detail, together with a fund of information, considerable tact, nnd an untiring energy. Thus it was that in yesterday's carnival there wis no lagging, and the last event was practically prompt to time. This year the events were contested in the main sports enclosure, and not in t.h'c smaller space hitherto reserved for i the chopping and sawing. The old nri rnngement had its drawbacks, principil , amongst them being the absence of a '. severed grandstand for the ladies; n : bewildering circular arrangement of the ■ blocks and competitors which rendered I it difficult to locate the favorites; nnd I the necessity for the public oscillating ' I between the chopping arena and the ' cycling track, where the cycling events ' w'erc held between the chopping and ' sawing contests. This year there was extra stand aceoininodation, an I ' the blocks were arranged in straight rows. The sport throughout the day ' was excellent. Entries lor the meeting ' were about on a par with last year's, ' but better for the first day's event';, ' particularly in the championship chops • and first-class underhand chopping. The fields were large, and the excitement ■ intense in most of the events, the sun- ■ flcring of the timber oy axe or saw . earning for the winner loud applause, * led oil' by the huge crowd of bushmen . on the outside stand. The wood used . I was birch. Whilst much slower and . heavier cutting than the white pine formerly used, it was freer from bad knots and, thus better for the competitors. It was remarked that the lightcolored blocks generally "chipped" better than the darker, and one axemm stated that the better of the two was really grey birch, which gave an advantage to those fortunate enough to draw such blocks, i Davy Pretty won the world's chani- . pionship chop for the second time, with . j. E. Richardson as runner-up. Pretty's time insL year in the white pine log wns 4min 48 2-osee., hut this year it , took smin 5 l-ssec. to do the deed. It was a magiiilicenl display of strength am! skill, for the block used measured two feet in diameter. The runner-up i- i young man, who has not competed before iii big company, but his performance yesterday tends to the belief amongst followers of the sport that he will be heard of before long. He had very bad luck in damaging his axe, and in not having a spare one handy, which seems to indicate that he wns rather surprised himself at his performance. The underhand championship was a fine go, but by this time Pretty was palpably tired, and couldn't stay the distance, although he worked gamely.

Johnson had had hard luck in his wood once or twice in the day, and his win was a very popular one. Last year the underhand championship was won by G. Puklowski in lmin 19 3-ssoc. There was not a single protest throughout tho whole of the day. The directors would do well to consider favorably the erection of a board whereon to" announce starters and non-starters. At present there is no such thing as a fixed time for scratching, and the public arc often at a loss fo kno'w which of the twelve or fourteen entrants are chopping or sawing. The absence of such a board, or of some other reasonable.means of ascertaining the "scratchings" is a sore point with the public and not one on which the newspaper reporters are apt to feel pleased. But for the fact that the Hon. W. Carncross, M.L.C., one of the' Vice-presidents, voluntarily acted as a very obliging press steward, his connection with the Association ensuring for him a ready ear, the pressmen would have had an awkward time, for they were at fiv-,1 forbidden access to the ring, the nnlv place where their information could and the nre-s table was situated in a remote enrn-r of-the "i-nndstnnd enclosure. These arc little mnltor*. however, that will don'nLI less he remedied for the next carnivil. The cycling sport was interesting, but the back-markers were handicapped out flve-niilcfi event. The pm.\iiioney was on a liberal scale, and dr<-w big entries. The Ellham Brass Band, under Conductor Beeslcy, played a rattling programme of music from a raised'stand in the tawn enclosure. The entering Wiifi in excellent hands, Mrs. Brooking, of Stratford, doing the thing in a styfe that will ensure for her a bicger demand for her services at gatherings of this sort. Soft drinks and fruit stalls drove a thriving business, and the eolleefion of side-shows appeared to be well patronised throughout the day. The following were the results:— CHOPPING .AND SAWING.

AIAHDKN CHOI'. - First prize ,a, .second n 10a, third 10s. Fifteen-

inch standing blocks. First licat: C. Day 1, I!, Richardson 2, (I. Hill 3. Also started: I'. Iloguski, P. Zimmerman, 0. Brunei, F. lliebiwski. Time, 2uiiu 27sec. Second heat: O. A. Mclvor 1. U. Xe«stroski 2, T. Benbow 3. Al»o started: K. Taylor, W. J. O'Brien, F. J. Bear, ltoy Parkes. Time, Iniin 54sec.

FINAL: fl. Xewslrnski 1 C. A. .Mclvor .. " " •) g. iiiii ;; J All qualified started. Newstroski cul Ins llr»t scarf easily ahead of the rest of the field, and had a good lead at the finish. Time, Imin 51sec. MAIDEN DOUBLE- HANDED SAWlNG.—durst prize >£4, second .fl 10s, third 10s. . W. Hodges' and mate .. 1 B. Ncwstroski and mate .. 2 B. Hills and mate ~ ~3 The only starters, Hodges Won by a few seconds. Time, 31see. »W ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP CHOP, in 12-inch standing blocks. First and second qualifying for final, Which will be chopped on second day. First heat: Sam Johnson 1. Tom West 2, J. E. Eichardson 3. Also started: A. Twining, C. Bielaws'ki, H. Young, and C. Korte, Johnson was not at his block when the gun went, and was thus handicapped by about five seconds. West was first round, but Johnson chopped into first place with a couple of smites to spare. Time, lmin ssec. Second heat: G. McCauley 1, Dave Pretty 2, J. O'Connor 3. Also started: Charlie Volzke, S. H. Admins', J. O'Connor,; aiul. JF., Dumphy. j c p'rettyv and'

Pretty had bad wood, and was beaten by a couple of seconds. Hill chased O'Connor closely for third place. Time, lmin ssec. Third heat: Joe Newstroski 1, Esau Pretty 2, L. H. Gregory 3. Also competed: W. H. Hughes, G. Morrison, M. Griffin, and L. 11. Gregory. Newstroski and Pretty got through the first half just in front of Hughes and Gregory. Time, 57 l-ssec. The final heat is to be contested today. DOUBLE-HANDED SAWING CHAMPIONSHIP of Australasia. Firm, prize, gold medals value £4 each; second £3, third £l. Two-feet logs. A. Sullivan and A. Carlson li v olzkc Bros 2 D. Johnson and D. Pretty.. 3 Also competed: G. Morrison and T. Benbow, Bilski Bros. Won with something to spare, Volzke Bros, taking second place by a few strokes of the saw. Time, 43sec. WORLD'S CIIAMI'IONSibP CHOP, in 2ft standing blocks. —First prize ,t'.J.> I cash and gold medal value £5 as, J second prize £O, third £2, tourui £l. Present holder, Dave Pretty (Hamilton).

Dave Pretty 1 7j. E. Rieli.irdsuu (Gisborue) 2 Sam Juiuisuu (Gislmrne) .. 3 G. McL'auley (Tauuiarunui) 4 Also started: loin W'esL (W'ailota.a), A. 1 wining (l'a-riliouhoil, W'anga nui), J. O'Connor (Stratford), JO'' Newstroski (Midliirst), Esau Preu.i (Morrinsville), U. Morrison (OJakuii.-). M. Griffin (Whangarei). Scratched: W. M. Hill (Rahotu) and F. Dumphy (Cambridge). This was the big chopping event of the day. From the outset it was seen that Dave Pretty had to ue reckoned with, for he was chopping at the top of his form, and making every blow toll. Johnson seemed slow to get going, and it turned out that he had an awkward block. Richardson, who got into second place, appeared to be, going in leisurely style. He and Pretty ! turned simultaneously, but Pretty was the first into his second scan with three blows to spare. Morrison was next round, despite the fact that he .had drawn about the worst of the blocks. West, Newstroski, and Johnson were next round, in that order. Richardson sprung the handle of his axe, and was retiring, when he noticed a spare axe at Johnson's' block (three places farther on), and borrowed that, resuming his work in the same easy style. Pretty's block fell amidst great excitement. Seven seconds elapsed before Richardson cut through his wood, and Johnson and McCauley were cutting a good while after that. Time, smin 5 l-ssec.

MAIDEN SINGLE-HAND SAWING.— First prize £4, second 30s, third 10s'. Dave Pretty 1 F. D. Johnston .. .. 2 W. Hodges 3 Pretty had never previously started in a single-handed sawing event, but won easily. Time, lmin 3'/see. UNDERHAND HANDICAP CHOP, in 18-incli logs.—First prize £ls. second £O, third £3, fourth £l. First heat: F. Johnson (40sec) 1, D. Pretty (22sec) 2, M. Griffin (40scc) 3. Seven started. Won by fully twenty s'ecoiids. Time, 3ii)in Usee. heat: H. Birkett (40sec) 1, Sam Johnson (30sec), F. Dumphy (25sec) 3. Eight started. Time, 3inin 9 2-ssec.

Third heat: D. Johnston (35scc) 1, 0. F. A. Volzke (Msec) 2, T. West (30sec) 3. Nine started. Time, 3niin 33 3-oscc. PINAL: S. Johnson (30sec) .. .. 1 C. F. A. Volzko (30sec) .. 2 P. D. Johnston (40scc) .. 3 D. Johnston (35sec) .. ..4 Also started: D. Pretty (22sec), Dumphy (25scc), Duggan (3Usec), West (3Usec), Birkett (40scc). F. D. Johnston was the first into his second scarf, Pretty following shortly afterwards, with Volzke next. Pretty, however, tired before the finish. A capital contest, won in 2min 38 l-ssec. SINGLE - HANDED SAWIXG HANDICAP, 2ft logs.—First prize ±7, second £2, third £l. A. E. Sullivan (scr.).. .. 1 Charlie Volzke (20s'ec) .. 2 A. Carlson (lOsec) .. .. »

Also .started: J. H. Poyntou (lOsec), L. Smith (15sec), W. Hodges (20sec). Sullivan was the oidy man in it. Sawing powerfully, he finished several seconds ahead of the second man. Time, 2min 40 l-ssec. CYCLING JiVEXTS.

HALF-MILE HANDICAP. - First prize £4, second 30s, third 10s'. • First heat: W. Roebuck (40yds) 1, A. E. Parkes scr.) 2, G. H. Birch (70yds) 3. .Five started. Won easily. Time, lmiii 11 4-osec. Second heat: S. D. George (75yds) 1, L. 11. Wan (20yds), 2, C. tiarlick (45yds) 3. Five started. 'Time, lniin !) 4-Dsec. Third heat: J. Cooksley (40yds) 1, M. Scott (2oyds) 2, R. J. Jones (scr) 3. Time, lniin Usee.

J FINAL: S. D. George 1 •W. Roebuck 2 J. Cooksley 3 All qualified started. George was out on the limit of 75 yards, aad waa never headed, though Roebuck chased him harfl home, only a little more than a length separating them. Time, Imin 8 l-ssec.

TWO MILES CYCLING HANDICAP.First prize £ls, second £4, third £l. ' First heat: A. E. Parkes (scrj 1, JI. McPherson (10yds) 2, J. Cooksley (KiO yds) 3. Also started: 1). O. Seott (100 yds,'), W. W. Scott (120 yds), S. 1). George (250 yds), and G. H. Birch (250 yds). George's partner soon fell back, leaving him with a long lead. Dave Scott dropped out after going a few laps. As the hell sounded George ] was relegated to the last place. Parkes j won by a good length, Cooksley two i lengths away third. Time, smin 15 1-5 sec.

Second heat: C. Garlick (100 yds) 1, L. H. Wan (80yds) 2, \V. Koebuck (100 yds) 3. Also started: it. J. Jones (30yds), M. Scott (90yds'), G. i'ulford (190 yds), J. M. Forbes (250 yds). This was a line race, the three placed men and Jones finishing close together. Wan's was a very plucky performance. Time, smiu losec.

FINAL: A. E. Parkes (scr) .. .. t L. H. Wan (80yds) .. .. o | C. Garlick"(looyds) .. ..3 All qualified started. In the third lap McPherson and Parkes were on speaking terms- with Wan, and the Held was divided into two bunches of three about fifty yards apart. In the sixth lap the backmarkers were up, and in the next Parkes took the lead, McPherson falling away. Parkes, Garlick, Roebuck, and Wan was the order in passing the stand when the bell went. Along the back Wan made a fine effort, and drew into second place. Parkes wou by fully half-a-dozen lengths, after a well-ridden and interesting race. Time, smin 17 3-ssee.

FIVE MILES CYCLING HANDICAP.— First prize ;£lO, second £4, third £l.

W. V, Roebuck (320 yds') .. 1 J. Cookslcy (320 yds)' ~ 2 • G. Pulford (380 yds) .. .. 3 Also started: A. E. Parkes (scr), K. Jones (25yds), 11. McPherson (2.3 yds), A. Birch (75yds), L. H. Wan (lSOvds), \V. \V. ticott (240 yds), (J. Garliek "(380 yds). H. Clarko (400 yds). The backmarkers were unable to get up. 'McPherson and Birch dropped out before half Uio distance had been covered. June* was paving the back division most of the way, and the others left it to liim. With two laps to go, Jones brought his division along at a rattling pace, with the assistance ot (Scott. Roebuck saw the move, and spurted, easily heading his field, and he won by two or three lengths from Cookslev. Time, 13min 4Ssec. HOYS FOOT RACE.

l'outjis' Mile Handicap,' for youths wider 17 years of age. First' prize i'l 10s, s'econd 15s, third ss.—W. Bill scr) 1, T. Fitness (OySds) 2, Geo. Glcntworth (75yds) 3. Also started: R. R. Kirkpatrick (200 yds), A. McCraeken (50yds), S. D. 11. James (75yds), P. Walsh (50yds), Bill plugged along from scratch in a businesslike Stride, and won out from a game finish. Time, siniii Ssee.

TO-DAY'S SPORT. The Carnival is to be continued today, the first event starting at 12 noon. The programme includes the Axeinen'e Cup, of £l4O, for which there are very big entries,- the final of the New Zuilond championship chop; first-class underhand handicap; world's single-hand-ed sawing championship; the youths' mile run, and several cycling races. It is very unfortunate flTftt his Execileney the Governor, patron of the Association, is oetained in Wellington, and will be able' to be present.