ATHLETICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 272, 7 April 1911, Page 7

ATHLETICS.

UNITED LEPPERTON-SEXTRY HILL PICNIC. The united Lepperton-Sentry Hill picnic was held yesterday afternoon in Mrs. Sampson's grounds, and was very well attended, despite the fact that the weather looked very doubtful all day. The rain, however, did not come on till the evening. The gathering was a particularly happy one, because the committee that organised it worked on the right lines, not allowing the professional sporting element to over-ride the social aspect, 'but conducting a picnic pure and simple, where residents of the two districts foregathered to have a friendly yarn, whilst watching their own folks: pitted against each other in running, cycling, equestrian and various other events. The fields in all the events yesterday were good and the finishes keen. The horse events caused considerable excitement. The men did not monopolise the whole programme, for there were several running events for ladies, as well as a ladies' bicycle race, stepping the chain, egg and spoon race, nail driving, etc. The ladies' bicycle event proved very interesting, and enticed six competitors, the winner being an advanced young lady on a gentleman's bike. The officials all worked well. Mr. N. E. Sampson, the energetic secretary, very ably attended to his duties, assisted by Messrs. H. B. Lepper and W. Seamark. The handieappers, Messrs. E. Hellier and L. Jennins, knew their business, as the close finishes proved. Mr. R. Tate made a capable starter, and Messrs. J. C. Montefiore and A. B. Forbes acted as judges. Mr. W. A. Brown, the popular schoolmaster, kept the children's events going in a wav that must have further endeared him to the hearts of the youngsters. He was ably assisted by Messrs. Baker and Todd. The results of the races were as follows: 100 Yards Maiden—L. Walker 1 N. Sampson 2. Twelve started. 100 Yards Local Handicap, for gold l medal presented by Mr. J. C. Montefiore.—A. Cartwright 1, A. Patu.2, Hori 3. Thirteen started. Young Ladieß' Race (75vds).—Miss Feakins 1, Miss Cartwright 2, Miss K. Dodd 3. About a dozen started. Won by a yard. Open Cycle Race (1 mile).—W. Codd (scr) 1, B. Petersen (fiOvds) 2. Also started: S. Crowe and W. D. Roebuck (scr). 440 Yards Handicap.-C. Tate (15yds) 1. F. Sampson (35yds) 2, T. Lawrence (30yds) 3. Also started: V. Tate (scr) L. Walker (15yds), S. Hall (20yds) B ■Wells (45yds). ' ' , Stepping the Chain.—There were 35 competitors, and R. F. Giddy stepped the exact distance, N. E. Sampson coming a close second. Stepping the Chain (ladies).—Out of nineteen competitors, Miss Nisbet stepped the exact twenty-two yards, Miss Klewier beina two inches out. 100 Yards Open.-*'irst heat: S. Hall (9yds) 1, L. Walker (7yds), V. Tate (scr) and V. Holmes (sy'ds) dead-heat, 2. Also started: A. I-lopson (syds). Second heat: W. Stanley (4ydsJ 1 S Jones (Iyd) 2, Patu (9yds) 3. Also •tnrted: Thompson (Byds) and Cartwright (3yds). Final: Stanley 1, Walker 2, Hall 3. Two Mile Cycle Race.—W. Codd (scr) 1, Skipper (scr) 2. Also started: Petersen (00yds),, Feakins (150 yds). The two scratch men kept together till the last lap, when Codd broke away and woni easily. Ladies' Nail-driving.—Mrs. T .Giddy 1, Miss Griffiths 2, Mrs. Crofskey 3. Sixteen competed. Kicking the Football.—B. Wells 1 R Kopu 2. Twenty entered. ' Greasy Pig.—Ten competed. The porker put up a good go before he was ultimately run down by Percy Sole. 880 Yards Handicap.—V. Tate (scr) 1 T. Lawrence (35yds) 2. Also started: H. Sole (IDyds), S. Hall (35yds). Lawrence led till about 150 yards from home, when Tate put in a strong spurt, and won by 15 yards. Ladies' 440 Yards Cycle Race.—Miss Feakins I, Miss Klenner 2, Miss Nisbet 3. Six started. The winner, who rode a_ man's bike, was never headed, winning by three lengths, very little between the second and third. '

Rescue Race for Horses.—First heat: Patu 1, Lnmsden 2. Six started. Second heat: Percy Sole 1, J. Robinson 2. Eight started. Final: Percy Sole 1, Patu 2. Sole, on his little grey, won easily. Tilting the Ring.—Patu 1, F. Sampson 2. Xineteen competed. The winn"r took all six rings, the second man obtaining five. Horse Jumping.—Lonergan 1, A. Cliff 2. Eight competed. Pace Race, for horses.—First heat: Sampson 1, Wheatley 2. Six competed. Second heat: Putt 1, P. Sole 2. Seven competed. Final: Lumsden on Wheatley's horse 1, Putt 2. Sampson 3. This was a great race. The horses had to gallop about 600 viukls, riders had to run and lead their h»rses for 220 yards, and then trot the final 440 yards.* Hoys under 10.— W. ■cllier 1, S. West 2. Six started. Egg and Spoon Race (ladies).—Miss Crofskey 1, Miss Griffiths 2. Miss W. Taylor 3. About fourteen competed. Consolation Race (ladies) for Mr. Forbes' special.—Miss Cartwright 1, Miss K. Dodd 2, Miss Nisbet 3. Eleven faced the starter. •Long Jump.—A. Cartwright (scr) lfift. 7in., 1; W. Stanley (scr) 2. Seven competed. Goat-guessing.— Of the 103 entrants, Misses Wheatley and Openshaw and Mr. C. Mivnro guessed the exact weight, 40%1b., and divided the money.