AXEMEN'S CARNIVAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 152, 23 December 1911, Page 5

AXEMEN'S CARNIVAL.

The directors of the big Eltham Axemen's and Cyclists' Carnival have every possible arrangement for the success of the gathering already completed., and are now sitting tight waiting for the dawn of the usual fine carnival weather on Tuesday and Wednesday next. It is somewhat remarkable that during the past nine years this carnival has been held on no single occasion has the success of the function 'been marred by unpropitioua weather, and' it certainly seems that, their usual l good fortune is going to attend the management just when it Seemed least likely. The ground is this year in better order than ever, the cla&s of competitor is equally as brilliant, if, indeed, not more so, than in the past, and' the complete arrangements made for the convenience of the usual 5000 patrons on the first day auguir well for another record gate. Already Eltham is full of champions both of the axe and the wheel. The most notable visitor this year is probably Charlie O'Rourke, the unbeaten champion of the South Island, who is trying his prowess against the North Island bushmeni for the first time on their own ground. O'Rourke is a veritable giant of the axe, and weighs ISst. The contests between him and the big North Island axeman Dave Pretty should alone be worth going a long way to witness. There are reported to be several new champions amongst the new bloods this year attending the carnival for the first time, and amongst the cyclists are a number of the leading track men in tha Dominion, who have been attracted by the big money oflered. Special trains at excursion rates will meet, the conivenience of the public, and! the management has made very complete arrangements for luncheon 011 the grounds, which are within one minute's walk of the Eltham railway station.