ATHLETICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 281, 24 May 1912, Page 7

ATHLETICS.

EGMONT ROAD SPORTS. A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. Yesterday the settlers of the Lower Egmont road made holiday on the occasion of the annual picnic and sports. This is hardly the time of the year that one associates with picnics, but the summer is the dairy farmers' busy time, and a holiday at that season entails such a rush to make up time in the evening that it detracts from the pleasure. At this season there is no need to rush off home to milk just as the enjoyment begins. The clerk of the weather was kind, and, as a result, the stm smiled benignly on the gathering. The wild was particularly keen out in the open,, but the picnic was held in an ideal spot, a beautiful flat paddock on Mr, H. C. Sampson's property, which , was reached by a pleasant walk through native bush, and which was almost surrounded by picturesque native bush, was practically free from any wind, allowing the rays of the sun to warm and gladden the hearts of all present. There was a very good attendance, including many from New Plymouth and surrounding districts. All competitors and spectators alike were out in holiday spirit, consequently the committee, who worked so hard to entertain them, found the task a pleasant one, which added zest to their efforts. The events, particularly the local and novelty ones, filled well and provided much enjoyment. The open athletic events did not fill well, and the committee would be wise to consider the deletion of these from the programme, and the substitution of some more horse or novelty events. There was much to amuse, and it is hard to say what amused most, but perhaps the prize would be awarded to the menagerie race, in which the competing animals were ducks, roosters and goats, the latter being completely outclassed. The two pigs also led their fields merry dances. The sheaf-pitching provided keen competition, no fewer than six out of the 28 competitors succeeding in tossing the sheaf over a bar 20ft high. The winner, L. Longstaff. ultimately threw the sheaf 23ft Cin, apparently without an effort. The ladies and gentlemen's naildriving provided good sport, and the ancient myth regarding ladies being unable to drive a nail without hitting their thumbs was exploded, as some of them easily outclassed their husbands. The boys' and girls' races produced keen competition. All the running events were closely contested, but in some cases the smallness of the fields detraoted the interest. The committee all ivorkedhard, Mr. IT. C. Sampson, president, ably controlling affairs., whilst Messrs. J. R. Hill (treasurer) and L, W. Bishop (hon. secretary) kept busy, the former nimbly gathering shillings from all and sundry for various competitions, which must have considerably swelled the club's exchequer. The latter attended principally to the athletic entries and the thousand and one details .(that t crop up, and was courtesy and promptness personified. The officials, of whom the principal were Messrs. D. ißishop and L. B. Webster (starters); L. Broadmore and E. March (judges, in the unavoidable absence of Messrs H. Okey, M.P.. and J. S. Connett); F. Davey, N- W. Hill and Jas. Garcia (handicappers); N. W. Hill (event steward); L. A. Marsh, clerk of the course); and T. Smellie and F. Davey (horse events), attended to their duties satisfactorily. Too much praise cannot be accorded the ladies who waited at the tables, and catered for the wants of the kungry multitude with dainty viands. Although the committee kept the events moving, it was well past sun down before the long and, varied programme was r 'Qoraplete'd: J the following are the results:—

100 Yards (open).—C. Smith oyds, 1; E. Locke, 6vds, 2. H. Copestake 6yds also started. Smith was left at the post, but coming with a rush got up and won by six inches. Territorial Race, 100 yards.—E. Bishop 12\<ls, 1: P. Hoby oyds, 2. C. Smith scr and R. Hoby 9yds also started. The ' wiiinerhad too big a start and managed toreacti'the post a yard ahead of his neiire'St attendant. Smith did not finish. Boys' Race (under 14 years). 100 yds C. Hill 1, D'Arcv Bishop 2. Six started. ■"MO Yards, (local event).—C. Smith Syds, l;i«T.' Smith 12yds.. 2. E. O. Stanley ,scr,, E. C. Locke 4yds and E. Hamblyn 6yds also started. Won by a foot after a good race, with Locke two.yards away third. I Girls' Race, 50yds.—Rene Thompson 1, Violet Bishop 2. Six started. i Ladies' Nail-driving.—Out of sixteen entries Miss C. Chard and Mrs. H. T. t Bishop tied, each driving their four-inch nail home in 2 3-ssec. In the drive-off, Miss. Chard won. The times of the other eompetitors varied up to 8 2-ssec. ■j Half-mile Cycle Race (open).—J. Slight scr, 1; H. Bishop 20yds 2. T. Hook 10yds, C. Hamblyn '2oyds, E. ■Bishop 20yds and E. Barriball 40yds also started. Won easily,

Kicking the Football.—E. Stanley 1, L. Longstaff 2. Thirteen competed. 220 Yards (open).—L. Longstaff 18yds, 1: J. Slight scr 2. E. Taylor syds also started. Slight, after breaking three times, ran well and made up much ground, but Longstaff lasted long enough to win by a yard. Time, 28 3-ssec. Slow Bicycle Race, 50yds.—W. Barriball 1. Four started, but only the winner finished. Three-part Race, on horseback, walk, trot, and gallop.—A. Marsh's Mick 1, Kienner's Chestnut 2. Five started. Won easily. Tossing the Sheaf.—L. Longstaff 23ft 6in, 1; H. Copestake 22ft 6in, 2. Twentyseven competed. Greasy Pig (boys).—W. Barriball 1, I. Hamblyn 2. Twenty competed. After a good race the two boys named simultaneously caught the pig, the former winning in the run-off. Half-mile Race. —Taylor scr and Slight 15yds, dead-heat, 1. E. Stanley 40yds, E, Locke 50yds and C. Klenner 80yds also started. Only the placed men finished. Slight set out and overhauled the field early. Taylor, who was running well, caught him entering the straight, and a good finish resulted. Stepping the Chain (men). —C. Greenway (half an inch short),. 1; L. Long- j staff (one inch short), 2. Twenty-nine ' competed.' Stepping the Chain (ladies). —Mrs. "NT. I W. Hill (four inches out), 1; Miss Milroy (six inches out), 2. Eight competed. ! Menagerie Race. —C. Hill (duck), 1; J. Sampson (Langshan rooster), 2. Two goats and another duck also started. The rooster was going strong, but baulked when within three yards from the post, and was beaten by the duck, which waddled gracefully along in response to the urgent coaxing of its youthful "chauffeur." Gentlemen's Nail-driving.—L. Longstaff (4-sscc) 1, T. Aroa 2. Won after a I dend heat. Twenty-six competed. Horse jumping—A. Marsh 1, W. Barriball 2. Tilting in the Ring.—A. Marsh 1. C. Barriball 2. W. Barriball, T. Smellie and L. B. Webster also started. Young Ladies' Championship, 25yds.— Miss Hale 1, Miss Hilda Bishop 2. Misses Earp and Milroy also started. A good race, won by six inches. Greasy Pig (men).—This provided an amusing interlude. The porker was particularly nimble, and eluded his pursuers for ten minutes, being ultimately run to

earth when safety in the shape of itown sty was within sight. • . ffug-of-War—After three good pulls, the World proved too much for Hillsborough. . Sheep Guessing, actual weight 081b.— I. Aroa 99y 2 lb, 1. There were 39 competitors. ' Officials' Race, 75yds.—D. Bishop Byds, I 1; C. Barriball 6yds, 2; H. Sampson ' 9yds, 3. L. B. Webster owe syds, E. C. Locke scr, H. C. Marr 3yde, L. W. Bishop syds, W. Barriball Byds and F. Davey 11yds also started. A good race, very little separating the placed men. Pat Webster ran well, but the handicapper was too severe on him, and he could not get among the placed men. The Egmont Road Hall was crowded for the concert and dance in the evening. The hall funds should benefit considerably, as the sports should show a good profit, many of the winners donating their prizes to the committee.