THE AXEMEN'S CARNIVAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 188, 28 December 1912, Page 3

THE AXEMEN'S CARNIVAL.

SECOND DAY. IIO!']', WINS THE BIG iIOXEY. The New Zealand Axemen's Association's carnival concluded yesterday in splendid weather. The attendance was not up to expectations. Can it be that the evident waning popularity is due to the absence of those "seconds," who took such tremendous risks by pulling out the chips from under the very face of the axe, and made picturesque, even lurid exhortations to spur on their "man"? If bo, it should be easy to replace the "seconds," though difficult to polish the language. The executive are already considering schemes to make the meeting still as attractive as ever. The carnival has been the great Christmas attraction in Taranaki for many years for the non-racing public, and it will continue to be for many years yet. But if each year's takings are to be better than the previous year's, then the programme must be enlivened. Various suggestions are made, of course, among them, being the offering' of big prize money for a tug-o'-war. One that suggests itself to every pressman is that the "k'rect card" should be made even more correct. Yesterday it was a delusion and a snare. The officials worked like Trojans, and the management of such a meeting is work for Trojans. Tiie foremost workers are the men who engineered the first gathering twelve years ago. when tae association had its small beginnings. Since then the prize money, attendance, and entries, have enormously increased, and, the- association is in a strong finan- • eial position—strong enough to warrant j a big forward move in catering for the ; public. The long series of successes, year after year, have been little short of marvellous, and a tribute to the zealous efforts of the men in charge. Results: —-

NEW ZEALAND AXEMEN'S CUP, of £l4O. 15-inch blocks. First prize, Axemen's cup and £SO (and additional £SO if special acceptance fees are paid) : second, £ls; third, £10; fourth. £5; fifth, £3; sixth, £2; seventh and eighth, £1 each.

First heat: J. E. Richardson (scr.) 1, R. ft. Harris (22sec.) 2, J. Dodd (ISsec.) 3. R. A. Sliewry (18sec.) 4. Time, lmin. 16sec.

Second heat: .T. Xewstroski (12sec.) 1, J. E. Sliewry (scr.) 2, C. Volzke (25scc.) 3, A. M'Rae (22sec.) 4. Time, lmin. 38sec.

Third heat: C. Sims (ISscc.) 1, S. D. Smith (ISsec) 2, J. Hancock (23sec.) 3, S. Johnson (4sec.) 4. Time, lmin. 2Gsec.

Fourth heat: K IT. Home (23sec.) 1. P. D. Hope (14sec.) "2, B. Xewstroski (22sec.) 3, >S. Morris -(l2sec.) 4. Final: L'. D. Hope (14sec.) 1, C. Sims (ISsec.) 2. .S, D. Smith (lOsec.) 3, Joe Xewstroski (12sec.) 4, J. Dodd (lOsec.) 5, E. A. Shewry (18sec.) G, S. Morris (12sec.) 7, J. Hancox (23sec.) 8. Time, lmin. .'sec. The final was chopped at one o'clock, though the programme fixed the time for 1.30 p.m., which was stated to be in error. Home was first into the back scarf, with Smith next. Hope chopped splendidly into first place, with Sims four or five seconds away. Hope paid the special acceptance, and lifted the £IOO prize. Smith and Dodd had both been handicapped- for good wins up the Main Trunk line.

Supplementary Underhand Handicap. 15-inch logs. First £lO, second £4, third £l. First heat; D. Pretty (scr.) 1, B. Xewstroski '(lCsec.) 2, J. Heron (20$ ec) 3. Time lmin. '2flsec.

Second heat: J. E. Shewry (16see.) 1, A. O'Neill (22sec.) 2, S. Morris (]3 sec.) 3. Time, lmin. 29sec. Tliivil heat: Sullivan (ssec.) 1. Weston (6see.) 2. .Richardson (lOsec.) 3. Time, lmin. Gsee.

Final: D. Pretty (ser.) 1, Weston 2, •J. Shewry 3. Time. lmin. 17sec. Championship of New Zealand; 12-inch blocks; first prize £(!, second £3, third £l.—D. Pretty 1, J. Richardson 2, J. Shewrv 3. (1. M'Auley 4. Pretty chopped liia'inificently, but had little to spare Richardson. Time,. 42 see.

Sawing Cli ampionship, single-handed; 2ft. log*: first; prize £7, second £2, third .-i: IA. E. Sullivan 1, W. Weston 2. ('. ]•'. A. Volzke'3. Time, lmin. 14see. . Won by three or four seconds. Weston struck a bad knot.

Visitor.-.' Handicap Chop; 15-inch standing blocks; first prize £(!, second £2 10s, third £l, fourLh 10s.—First heat: R. .1 obi in (24see.) 1. J. O'Sullivan (13sec.) 2. J. E. Sliewrv (scr.) 3. Time, 2min. 1 4-.'»ec. Second heat: C. Simms (Ssec.) 1. .1. Dodd (lOsec.) 2, D. Pretty (ser.) 3., Won easily. Time. 2min. 2see. Third beat: .T. E. Richardson (S sec.) 1, (I. M'Oaulcy (osec.) 2, R. G. Harris (Msec.) 3. Time, lmin. 21sec. Final: D. Pretty 1, Sims 2, Joblin 3. Time, lmin. 38 2-ssec. CYCLING EVENTS. One Mile Cycle Handicap; first prize £4, second £1 10s, third 10s. —First heat: C. Jamieson (110 yds) 1, W. Blackman (60yds) 2, H. Henderson (65yds) 3. .Second heat: S. Parker (120 yds) 1, P. Griffin (10yds) 2, A. G. Donald (40yds) 3. Time, 2min. 27 3-ssec. Final: Donald 1, Griffin 2, Henderson 3. A good race. Griffin was the grafter of f he six, but had to be content with second. Time. 2min. 22 l-ssec. Three Miles Cycle Handicap; first £4. second £1 10s, third 10s.—A. G. Donald (50yds) 1, P. Griffin (25yds) 2, S. Parker (320 yds) 3. Eleven started. Six riders were bunched when the bell went for the last lap. Jamieson and Henderson dropped out early in the lap. Griffin chased the winner home, but, eas'ng up in the last few feet, nearly 1 o-' his place. Time. 7min. 42sec. Two-Mile 'Cycle Handicap; first prize £5. second £2, third £l.—R. J. Jones (scr.) 1, L. Wann (40yds). 2, Henderson (40yds) 3. Starting on the last lap, Parker fell, and brought down the other leaders. It was Jones' opportunity, and Wann failed to head him. Henderson got up out of the scramble and rode into third place, a lap late. Time. smin. 40sec. Consolation Race. l'/L. miles.—Henderson 1, Ilill 2, Blnckman 3. Time, 3min. 57soc. Amateur Handicap Chop, 12-inch standing blocks.—lT. Julian ]. Narbey 2, Casey 3. James' .block fell first, but he was i disqualified, as the competition was confined to residents of Eltham borough. THE RAHOTU CARNIVAL.

Residents of New Plymouth and the coastal district who, owing to counter attractions or stress of work, were unable to attend the grand carnival at Eltham and witness all the champions perform their doughty deeds with axe or saw can ei'-ily remedy that by journeying to Rahotu on New Y«ar's Day, where they will find many, of the champions and prize winners pitted in competition against the embryo champions of the coast. Capital entries have been received in all events, both chopping, sawing and cycling, and as the coastal club has a reputation for strict attention to every detail that tends towards the successful carrying out of a sports gathering, a delightful day's outing should result. The fact that Mr. A. Hansen has attended to the handicapping ensures close finishes. Rahotu is within easy distance of New Plymouth by motor car along a pleasant route, and advantage will probably bo taken by many to make the trip.