AXEMEN'S CARNIVAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 220, 28 December 1910, Page 3

AXEMEN'S CARNIVAL

TEXTH ANNUAL GATHERING. I The management have so gained the I confidence of the public by the sport provided during the nine years since the inauguration of the Axemen's Carnival at Eltham, that it only required favorable weather to ensure a large gathering when the tenth carnival opened on Monday. That the sport-loving public appreciate keen, clean, healthy competition of this nature is evinced by the reputation that this Association has made for if self as the home of chopping and sawing throughout the Dominion and the Commonwealth. Eltham has been fortunate in possessing a set of progressive officials who worked on right lines, and were not afraid to launch out, a policy which has brought'about this result. r They have been particularly fortunate in having Mr. F. E. Hardy as secretary since the inception. Mr. Hardy has given of, his best to the Association, and his powers i of organisation and grasp of detail-must have proved ihva'luaJole. This year, although lie has been dangerously ill for some months, he has still directed the organisation from his bed in the hospital, and handicapped as usual. There : were numerous enquiries yesterday from i competitors and public alike as to his well-being, and the main topic of conversation was rejoicing that the genial "Fred" is now well on his way to recovery. The following telegram was posted up on the grandstand, and was read with interest: "Congratulations on weather. Hope for fresh record attendance.— Hardy." Despite the absence of the secretary, every detail had been attended to and every tiling worked smoothly, Sev-. eral of the officers have also been connected with the Association from the start, and with the advice given by Mr. Hardy, and a little extra push themselves, they managed capitally.. Messrs T. C. Stanners, A. Hansen and F. Amoore did the bulk of th'e work, whilst Mr. Jas. McLeo.d assisted at the meeting. The weather, which had been Very doubtful during the preceding few day's, was in a good humor on Monday and Tuesday and provided fihe days, the heat of the sun's rays being tempered with a nice breeze. Accordingly there was a record attendance.. The gate takings were £169 lis (first day) and £B7 2s 3d (second day), against £155 14S''3d and £B4 4s 3d last year; and the stand accounted for £73* 17s Cd, against £73'Lis. 3d' last year. The sawing and chopping events were, as last year, held in the main' ring, the dummies being set up in a long line in front of the stand, and everyone around the ring could get a good vjew. The .officials were most assiduous in keeping the ring clear of all but competitors'and officials, a very different task, which would be much simplified if every competitor -were given a badg'e and cpihpelled to \<feaf ii. The numbering of competitors was distinctly good, but a "scratching" .board would be a vast improvement, and.enable the public t8 appreciate, the- books more. The result board also could be' improved. At present the names of IvinrieYs are written, on the board with chalk, and are indistinguishable at a distance. This could be obviated if the competitors' numbers, were used. Mr. Hill, the> result. board official, was most attentive'to "his duties. The chops provedmost interesting, as was expected from the calibre of the champions who had entered. The timber used this year was white pine—last year red birch was used. The times, therefore, were better this year, although no records were put Up. 'The 'world's champion chop fell to D. Pretty, of Hamilton, who has won this event for tlie last three years. T. West, of Waitotara,: came second.' G. Miley,- champion o'f the Commonwealth,'struck a bad fog, and did not finish. The heats of the I2in championship, decided on the first dav, left the final in a very "open state, as D. Pretty and C. Miley Were left in, Miley pulling off the final on the second day. , The double-handed sawing championship "fell to Johnson and Johansen, from Dannevirke and Ohakune respectively.' They won rather easily, making the thwd-time in .four years they have won. Last year they did. not compete. Carlson and Sullivan, last year s winners, who intended to conipete, just arrived in time tp hear the applause. A. E. Sullivan again won the single sawing handicap. The underhand handicap chop fell to McKay, who also-won ithe special of £2-5, On the second day the New Zealand Axemen's Cup fell to W. Weston, who was on the 20sec. mark. He hails from Daylesford, Victoria, but has lately been residing at the Upper Hutt.. In 1906 he came third in the same event. The.eyent was worth only £SO to him, as he did not enter for the special £SO. This is only the second time in eleveil years that the ■Association has been saved this expenditure. The Visitors' Handicap Chop went to T. West, of Waitotara. The singlehanded sawing championship (2ft logs) produced a great "go." The two champions, A. E. Sullivan (1008) and D. Johnson (1809) fought hard for supremacy. A dead heat resulted, and the committee decided to award each a championship medal. j

■The bicycle races were also interesting. .There were good fields and close finishes —a tribute to Mr. Hansen's handicapping. l'. The refreshment booth was in the cap. able hands of Mrs. Brooking, who was kept busy. The various side-shows also did well. The excellent programme rendered by the Eltham Brass Band, under Conductor Beesley, added much to the enjoyment." Results:— CHOPPING SD SAWING.

Maiden Chop (loin standing blocks); first prize £5, second £ 1 10s, third 10s— First heat: G. T. Smith 1\ C. Volzke 2, W. E. Honey 3. Also started: Joe Potroz. Time, linin 34-sec. Second heat: P. O'Connor 1, E. Torrey 2. Only starters. Final: Honey 1, Smith 2, O'Connor 3. All qualified started. Honey started very strongly. He got round ahead of Smith and Volzke, and was able to finish in time to sit down and watch the others perform. DOUBLE-HANDED SAWING CHAMPIONSHIP of Australasia, of £l2; first prize, two gold medals, value £4 each, second £3, third £1 (2ft logs)—D. Johnson and Johansen 1, J. Hahu and Gordon 2, Volzke Bros. 3. Also started: Pretty Bros., M. E. Anderson and Geo. McCauley, F. Bielawski and F. Dravitski, and Kindberg Bros. The winners sawed splendidly, and won with a little to spare. A close finish resulted between the second and third men. Pretty Bros. had. bad luck. They were going well, when a chip dropped in, and jambed the saw. Time, 27 sec. NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP CHOP (12in standing blocks); first three in each heat to i|iialify. final to l»e chopped second day.—First heat: D. Pretty 1, J. Richardson 2, A. Kaspar 3. Also started: M. C. Andresen, G. McCauley, B. Newstroski and T. West. Pretty was the last to enter his block, but chopped very strongly, and won his heat by a second or two. West had 'hard luck, his block lifting. Time, 42sec. Second heat: C. Miley % W. Weston 2, W. McCraith 3. H. F. Bowman, J. O'Connor and IT. Stevenson also started. The Australian champion's chopping was the centre of attraction. Time, 41sec. Third heat: K. Pretty H, J. Newstroski 2, W. Heine 3. Also started: S. Johnson, H. McCraith and C. Volzke. Johnson won easily, but was disqualified, as hiß log had "slabbed." Time, 37sec. Final: C. Miley (Victoria) ■ 1,- 'W. Weston 2, N«wstroski 3, Kaspar 4. This was a real good go. The Australian champion was fortunate, in Jtiia timber,

J and won after a close struggle, Weston's 1 log falling shortly after. . WORLD'S CHAMPION CHOP, of £35 (2ft standing blocks); first prize a; 15 cash and silver cup presented by the Collie King Axe Company; second £O, third £2, fourth £l^ D. Pretty. (Hamilton) 1 T. West (Waitotara) 2 J; Xewstroski (Midhirst) 3 8. Johnson (Gisborne) 4 Also competed: J. E. Richardson (Gisborne), E. Pretty (Morrinsville), J. Hartnell (Ohakune)/A. Kaspar (Midhirst), C. Miley (Harrietville, Victoria), H. MsCraith, W, 3fcCraith (Northern Wairoa), M. C. Anreseri„(Te Kuiti), and,J.,O'Connor (Stratford). This was. a most exciting event, considered by many to have been the best chop ever seen at Eltham. Interest ran high, as first one and then another appeared to be in the ascendancy. Pretty was round his wood first, 3Vcst following soon after. Hartnell, Miley, Xewstroski and MeCauley were ail going strong, but the latter, struck a bad knot. It was soon evident that the struggle would be between West and .Pretty. West appeared to have the advantage, when he ran out of wood and was- delayed a few seconds. The champion also janvbed for the same reason, but d few ■blows cleared him and his log fell first, for the third year in succession. He "was accorded quite an ovation. The Commonwealth champion did riot finish. Time, smin SOsec. Underhand Handicap Chap;. first prize £ls and special allowance of £25 (if special acceptance fees are paid), second £6, third £5, fourth £l—First heat: J. Hahu (25sec.) 1, E. Home (40secj 2, C. Hutton (Msec.) 3. Also started: W. Weston (ser,); A. Salmon (40sec). Hahu won -easily.* He had nearly completed cut before the scratch man started. Time, lmin 40sec. Second heat: S. T. Smith (40sec.) I, D. Pretty (20sec.) 2, ! W. Heine (40sec.) 3. Also started; 8. Johnson (Ssec), C. P. A; Volzke (30sec), C. Volzke (3osec.) and P. O'Connor 40 see. ■ Won..rather easily. Time, 2min 7 sec. Third heat: H. Stevenson (35s'sc.) 1, W. Beck (20sec.) 2, C. Miiey (lOsec.) 3.' -Also started: W. MeCraith, *H. F. Bowman (30sec), H. MeCraith (35sec), A. Kaspar and J. O'Connor (40sec). Only the placed men finished. Stevenson chopped strongly, and won easily from Beck. ■Miley, thinking the places'were fijled, stopped, but responding to cries from,the crowd, continued, and got third. Time, lmin 50sec. Fourth heat: D. Mather (•SOsec.) I, P. McKay (SOsec.) 2, M. Andresen (30sec.) 3. Also started: lE. Pretty (H2sec.)', T. West (255ec.),. D. Johnston, J. McAsty (32sec), H. Birkett, B, Xewstroski and J. Richardson (40 sec.) Mather won by a few strokes, but some time elapsed before the third.log fell. Time, lmin 51 l-ssec. \ Final: McKay (30sec.) I', Stevenson (35seG<) 2, Miley (lOsec.) 3, Hutton (14see.) 4. All qualified started. Hahu and Stevenson 'were most fancied. • The "latter turned first, but was only able to get second to McKav, who chopped well. Miley just fceat Hutton for third place. Time,, lmin 39aec:

Single-handed Sawing Handicap, of £lO (2ft logs )>; first prize £7, second £2; third £k—A. E. Sullivan (ser.) ,1, C. Volzke (SOsec.) 2, A. Carlson (Bsec.) 3. Also'started: D.Johnson (ser.), M. C Andresen and E. Torrey (2Qsect) Volzke made good use of his 20 seconds start,, but when the scratch men started Sullivan showed his calibre, and, cuttin through his log in good style, won with a few seconds to spare. A close finish for second place.' Time, lmin 22 l-Ssec. CYCLING.

Half-mile Cycle Handicap; first prize £4, second. £ll l<)s.—First heat: J. Adlam (40yds) 1, L. H. Wann ; (2o yds).'2, A. Parkes (ser.) 3. W. T. Kofoed (30yds ,)also started. Adlam maintained his lead thrdughout: Time, lmin\9 2-5 sec. Second heat: W. H. Whettan (30 yds) 1. J. Parish (60yds) 2. W. F. Roebuck (20yds) 3. Also started. R. J. Jones (ser.), P. Grifferi (40yds)' and J. Dodunski (<ssyds)'. Time,"lmin M 2-Ssec. Third heat: A. G. Donald (10yds): 1, S. D. George (30yds) 2, L. S. Aiken (fiOyds) 3. Also started: W. R. Brady (40yds) and D. Campbell (75yds)." liniri Usee. Final: Adlam 1, Wann 2, Donald 3. All qualified started. Adlam mantained the lead.during' the first lap. At the back of the course Wann made a fihe spurt,; and got up to .the leader, who, however, stalled him off and won by a length. Time, lmin lOsec. . ,: '-

Two-miles Cycle Handicap, of £2O; first £ls, second £4, third £L —First heat: A. G. Donald (10yds):. 1, S. D. Geor<?e (120 yds) 2, W. F. Roebuck ,(70yds) 3. Also started: A. Parkes-(scrV), Kofoed (70yds) and J. Adlam' (100 yds.). Adjam fell,,,aes did Roebuck, who brought down Parkes. > Roebuck re-mounted and came jthird'. Time, smin ISsec. Second heat: Smin li7sec.' Final: Griff en 1, Whettan 2, 2, W. R. Brady (diOOyds) 3. Also started: R. J. Jones (scr,) s L. H. Wann, H. Sharp (70yds) and L. S. Aiken (240 yds). The scratch men were unable to get up. Time, Smin 17sec. Final: Griffin 1, Whittan 2, Donald 3. All qualified started. The limit men paced.each other judiciously, and it was not until the seventh lap that Donald was able to get within striking distance. Griffen and Whettan, however, were able to last, and Donald could only secure third place. Time,. smin 4 3-5 sec,

Five-miles Cycle Handicap, of £ls; first prize £llO, second £4, third £l.—A. Parkes (scr.)' 1, A. G. McDonald (30yds) 2, Wann (2Ooyds) 3. Also started: A. J: Jones (scr.), W. T. Roebuck (250 yds),: Brady, Kofoed, George (300 yds), Sfiarpe (350y.ds), J. Adlam' (3Goyds), Griffen (380 yds), Aiken (400 yds), Parish (4&oyds). For the first four laps Adlam and Griffen led the limit men, Wann and Roebuck pacing the middle markers, the scratch, men gradually reducing their distance. When about two miles -had gone, Jones retired. Parkes and McDonald overhauled the middle-markers. With a mile to go, only six remained in the race —Adlam, Sharpe, McDonald, Parkes. Wain and Griffen, in that order, very little separating them. In the last lap, McDonald broke away, but was headed by Parke3, who came' with great dash, and; won a fine race by a wheel, the same distance separating McDonald from Wann. Time, L3min 14sec. Youths' Cycle Handicap, one mile and a-half.—Forbes (SOyds) 1, Codd (scr.) 2. Only entries. The winner, a little chap, rode a waiting race, and in the last lap spurted and won easily, amidst applause.

SECOND DAY. , NEW ZEALAND AXEMEN'S CUP (18 in blocks); first prize, Axemen's Cup and £SO, with an additional £s'o if special acceptance fee is paid; second £ls, third: £lO, fourth £5, fifth £3, sixth £2,! seventh and eighth £l,.—First round: First heat: C. Miley (scr.) 1, W. Weston (20sec.) 2. M. C. Andresen (31sec.) 3, W. McCraith (iMsec.) 4. Also competed: E. Pretty (l»sec), D. Mather (3f>soc), 11. Birkett, R O'Connor and E. Home (40 sec). Time, 2min l'Ssee, Second heat: J. Newstroski (20sec.) 1, D. Pretty (scr.) 2, H. Stevenson (32sec.) 3, C. Hut ton (18 sec.) 4. Also started: H. F. Bowman (40s*c.) Time, 2min lOsec. Third heat: W. Heine (40sec.)< li, J. Hartnett (25sec.) 2, IS. T. Smith (35sec.) 3, G. McOauley (32sec.) 4. Also istarted: S. Johnson (8 sec), W. S. Honey (32sec), A. Salmon (40sec.) Last year's'. .winner, Johnson, missed a place by a blow. Time, 2min 15sec. Fourth heat: J. Richardson (28 sec.) 1, B. Newstroski (40sec.) 2, P. Mc-i Kay (32sec.) 3, H. McCraith (32sec.) 4. Also started: T. West (17sec.), A. Kas-' par (35sec.), C. Volzke (40sec.) Time, 2min l^sec. . Second round—First heat: Miley (scr.) 111, D. Pretty (scr.) 2, Weston (26*ec.)' 3, W. McCraity (3fiaeco. 4._ .Also started;

Hutton (l'Bsec.), Xewstroski (20sec.), Andresen (SOsec.), Stevenson (32sec.) Stevenson was round first and was going well, but he struck a bad patch. The two scratch mm struck good- timber, arid chopping well, .Miley gained the verdict by a fraction! Time, tain 42 2-ssec. Second heat: "Hiirtnett (2">seo.) 1, Smith (35sec.) 2, Richardson (2cisec.) .'!, .Xewstroski (40see.) 4. Also started: MeCauley (22sec), McKay, MeCraith (32 see), Heine (40sec.) McKay was round first, closely followed hy MeCauley, who was going very strongly, when he encountered a knot. Ilar'tnett, who was putting plenty of power into his work and making every blow tell, won rather comfortably from Richardson, who had a nice log. Time, 2min 2Lstc Final: Weston 1, MeCraith 2, Hartiiett 3, D. Pretty 4, C. Miley 5. S. T. Smith 6, J. Richardson 7, B. Xewstroski 8. Xewstroski; the limit man, had got well under way' before Miley and Pretty (scratch) started. "Richardson-and MeCraith'were round on their second scarf simultaneously, closely followed by Hartnett and Weston, who were going well.' Miley- got round ahead .of Pretty. Several of the competitors found the pace too warm, but-Wes'ton la's'ted'-we.H'and won the bis? money with a little .to spare. MeCraith got ahead of Pretty, who just beat Miley. Time, 2riiin 0 2-ssec. The winner had not entered for the extra £SO.

Supplementary Underhand Handicap (IBin logs); first £lO, second £4, third £l—First heat: C. Volzke (35sec.) 1, H. Stevenson (25sec.) 2, J. Richardson (40 sec.) 3; S. Johnson (lOsec.) 4. Also started: D. Prettv"(2osec), T. West (25 sec.) H. MeCraith (35sec.)- D. Pretty struck a'knot' after about three blows, and retired. Volzke won rather easily. Time, 2min 30see. Second heat: Weston (LOsec) 1, M. A. Andresen (30sec. ) 2 S C. Hutton (l'Ssec.) 3, A. Salmon (40sec.) 4. 'AisoW'rted: CF-j A. Volzke (32sec.) and W. M - 'on easily. Time,

48 2-ssec. Final: Stevenson 1, Weston 2, Johnson 3. Stevenson was first to turn, and won in good style with a little, to spare. A protest has been entered against Stevenson on the ground that he "started before his time. It was to be decided last night. ". SAWING CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD, single-handed (2ft logs); first prize £7, second °£2, third £l.—D.Johnson (Ohakune) and A. E. Sullivan (Koru) dead heat, 1; C. Volzke (Midhirst). 3. Also started:' A. Carlson (Koru), C. F. A.. t Vozke (Midhirst) and J. Kindberg (Tank!). This was- a most exciting go. Johnson, the present •champion, and Sullivan, last yearns champion, were tooth and tooth, and their logs fell simultaneously, Volzke being a few seconds later. Time, lmin 31 2-ssec.

Visitors' Handicap Chop (16in block); first prize £6, seeond '£'2 10s, third £l, fourth 10s—First heat: W. E. Honey (30sec) 1,0. Miley (ser.) 2, W. Heine (30 sec.) 3. Also.-started: 'S. Johnson (10 sec.),. W. T. HerroM.'J. Hahu and M: Andresen (SOsec). Time, lmin 33 3-ssee. Second heat: J. Richardson (20sec.) 1, G. MeCauley (l'Ssec.) 2, E. Pretty (ISsec.) 3. Also started: A. Salmon (303ec.), H. Stevenson (203ec..),W. MeCraith and Smith (*26 sec). Time, lmin 1 Msec. Third heat: T. West (ISsec.) 1, MeCraith (30 sec.) 2,' D.'Pretty (ser.) 3. Also started: Weston (ssec.) and Torrey (3Gsec.) Time, lmin U 3-ssec. Final: T. West 1, Honey 2, Richardson 3, MeCauley 4. West 'won with" just a little to spare. Milev had bad luck in striking a knot. Eltham Local Chop—Hay ward (ser.) 1, Amoore (30see.) 2, Whiting (lOsec.) 3, About twelve 'started.'' This event caused much hilarity. The winner chopped well, and won with something in hand. Time, lmin 35sec.

CYCLING EVENTS. One mile cycle handicap.; first prize £4, second £1 10s, third 10s: First heat: L. H. Wann (35 yds) 1, J. Adlam (40 yds) 2, R. J. .Jones (scr) 3. Also started: A. Parkes (scr), S. D. George (65, yds], E. J. Thomas (120 yds). ' Time, 2min 25sec. Second heat: P. Griffen (120 yds) 1, A. J. Donald (25 yds) 2,. W. F. Roebuck-(SS yds) 3. Also started: W. 'J.-. Koefod (65 yds), W. R. Brady (70 yds), R. J.. Clark and L. S. Aiken (12Q yds). Time, 2min 22sec. Final: Donald and Wann' (dead heat) 1, Griffin 3. All qualified started. Griffen kept the lead .until the third round. Warm gradually brought the others 'up, and Donald shooting out caught Griffin. Wann, however, could • not be shaken off, and a dead heat resulted., The runoff was won by Wann. Three mile cycle handicap; first prize £4, second £1 10s, third 10s:-4-A. Parkes (scr) 1, J. Adlam (250 yds) 2, A. G. Donald (20 yds) 3. Also started: R.. H. Jones. "(scr), W. F. Roebuck (100 yds),' L.' H. Wann (150 yds) W. T. Koefod,' ; W. R. Brady (250 yds), P. Griffen and & Thomas (400 yds). The limit men held" the lead up to the fourth lap, where "Adlani brought the middle markers up, Wann being some distance behind on his own, with the scratch men headed by Donald rapidly gaming on him. In the eighth lap Parkes brought the field together. Rfeebuck dropped out. Entering for the last, lap, the field were bunched. Wann shot out, and came down, bringing d,dwn Griffen,- The"*others managed to clear, and a 'good finish resulted in Parkes gaining the verdict by a wheel from Adlam, Donald being a wheel behind him. Time, 7min 31 4-ssec. - ; . Consolation cycle handicap, iy 2 miles; first prize £2, second 15s, third 5s: — Jones 1, Brady 2, George .3. Also started: Clarke and Adlam.