ATHLETICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 248, 29 March 1915, Page 7

ATHLETICS.

URENUI SPORTS GATHERING.

A most successful sports meeting was held on the Urenui Sports Grounds en Thursday last, the proceeds being all foi the Belgian Fund. Mr. L. Rattenbury, as secretary, and a band of willing workers were out to make things a success. Although the previous week was rough, the day held fine, and all items were got off in good time, Mr. Norman Pepperell being all there with the gun. The gate takings beat last year's, the department being in charge of Mr. W. Telfar. The club thanks the business folk for their kindness in giving trophies, donations, etc., as well as help on the grounds. The afternoon tea department was in the able hands of Mesdamcs Waitc, Fuller, and D. George, assisted by Mrs. G. Rogers, Mrs. Lucas, and Miss Taylor, and they wene very busy all day. The refreshment booth was in charge of Mr. C. Dunbar and a band of barmen, who are quite good at weighing grapes and pulling corks. One of this team temporarily forsook the lolly-tin for the tug-f fwar, and "made good" there as well. The good old sport, '-"Willie," was busy as usual with a bottle of beans for a guessing competition. He was out to get £lO somehow, and he must have been pleased with his efforts when lit handed over £lO 2s. He also gave the trophy for the winner, won by J. Manu (Waihi). 1«r. W. J. Jenkins (the mayor of Waitaraj filled and counted the beans in the bottle.. Mrs. Burke collected guesses on her bride doll, which the club must admit was a credit to both the donor and the dressmaker. The trophy offered with the bride was won by Mr. J. H. Burke. The bride's name was Isabel, and was named by Mrs. W. T. Jennings' {New Plymouth). The name was guessed T)y Mrs. Newman (New Plymouth), Mr. W. Burnett (Okokc), and Mr. Sam Johnston (Urenui), who agreed to let the trophy go to Mrs. Newman and that the gents should take the bride. Being good sports, they returned it to the giver, and Dear L:jtle Dolly brought in the record sum of £23 18s—all for a doll.

During tlie day Messrs W. MeKenzie and R. H. Pigott were kept busy at tlio tape, especially when one competitor landed in winded in the married meii"s race. Mr. C. Rumball, as usual, was successful •as handieapper. The Dniti sport, Mr. Harry Burkett, although in good condition, landed home the 12in. and 18in. cliopß. Considering the many calls on the people lately, the whole affair was a good success. Results were as follows:

Maiden Race.—.l. Bertrand 1, G. 'R. Parrington 2, C. Furze 3. Also started: Soifrc, Raven, T. White, and Young. Won by one and a half yards.

100 Yards Handicap.—First aeat: Proctor 1, Rowe 2. O. Furze 3. Second heat: George 1, Slight 2, C. March 3. Final: B. Rowe 1, G. Furze 2, H. L. Slight 3. Two-Mile Bicvcle Race. Hamilton OOOvds.) 1, A. Whitehead (100 yds) 2, E. Rook (100 yds.) 3. Also started: D. George (scr.) Wi Karipi (200 yds.), G. Coleman (150 yds). '

220 Yards Handicap.—C. Marsh {lO vds.) 1, Rowe (14) 2, J. Bertrand (20) 3. Also started: H. Phillip. J. Furze, Slight, Proctor, G. Furze, J. Jones, Alexander, George. Half-Mile Handicap.—Proctor 1, H. George 2, Slight .% Also started: W. McCaul, Soffe, J. Furze, C. Furze, J. Young, Parrington. 100 Yards Local Handicap.—Phillip 1, Bertrand 2.

Putting the Shot.—T. Carcv (Ift.), 41ft., 1; H. Phillip and T. White tied for second place. 12-Inch Chop.—Burkett (scr.) 1, G. Furze (15scc) 2, Beck (15) 3. Also started: Graham, Tamaki, R. Whitehead, J. Whitehead, C. Hansen, H. Whitehead, A. Whitehead, D: Waite. A very close finish, the scratch man just getting home. 18-Inch Chop—Burkett (scr.), Waite (45sec.) 2, E. Gibson (35).3. Also started: A. "Whitehead, H. 'Whitehead, R. Whitehead, ,T. Whitehead, Hansen, Tamaki, Graham, Beck. Won on the last cut. One-Mile Bike Race.—Sandford 1, Hamilton 2, Karipi 3. Also started: Bezzant, D. George, Pukera, J. Terriil, A. Whitehead.

440 Yards Handicap: B. Rowe (30y.15.) I, H. George (30) 2, McCaul (40) 3. Also started: Young, Slight, Alexander, C. Furze, G. Furze, Bertrand, Soffe, Phillips, Parrington. Wrestling (Cumberland).—H. Phillip 1, T. White 2. 15-Inch Chop (sweepstake).—Gibson 1, Waite 2. Also started: Beck, IT. Whitehead, E. Whitehead, Tamaki, Hansen. The best event of the day, the winner just getting home. Tug-o'-War Three teams entered, the result being a win for a Maori team, spainst Waihi and Urenui.

Married M;n ?. Race. —N. Peppercll 1, D. Ceorge 2.:. p. in bury 3. .Mso stiHed: N. SV.sii >i Vincent, and ♦'cLirnan.

Girls' Race. —Peggy Pope 1, Dossie MeKenzie 2, Elsie Glentworth 3.

Boys' Race.—T. Pukere 1, C. March 2, Tai Puke 3.

Forced Handicap.—G. Furze 1, McCaul 2.

Maiden Horse Leaping.—There were eleven entries, the event being won by Mr. Managh, Mr. Liohtwark being second.

Open Horse Leaping.—Won by Mr. Williams, IT. Peppercll, and W. McK*nzie dead-heat for second place. In the jump, off Mr. Peppereit won. The ball in the evening was another success, something like £"5 being taken at the door. The floor and supper were good, and our two popular M.C's, Messrs B'Arcy George and Ken Blundell were kept busy. Mr. A. 11. Halcombe assisted in seeing that odc and all had a good time, and handed over sixpence or a shilling on "something."