PUKEKURA PARK.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1918, Page 7

PUKEKURA PARK.

/YESTERDAY'S GYMKHANA. A SUCCESSFUL FET& In contrast to the prevailing winds' of the past week, the weather yesterday was as calm as it possibly could be, ami was particularly favorable for the Pukcknra Park gymkhana. It is now many years since the board held a fete in the park for its own benefit. In the early days this means of raising money was often adopted, and with invariable success, and with the funds thus obtained much important work was done. On the present occasion the board was encouraged by the hearty offer of assistance from Mrs. Burgess (the Mayoressl, and ladies associated with her. The ordinary revenue of the board is not sufficient to warrant the employment of necessary men. The staff of the board consists of the curator, one man and a. junior hand. Lately an extra man has been put on to cope with pressing work. Even now little more than maintenance can be expected. There are, however, 'many works which the board would like to take in hand, such as the proposed fernery, the completion of the new lake and swimming pond for beginners, modern sanitary conveniences, a sports pavilion with dressing rooms, a curator's lodge, and concrete steps leading to the terraces. The object of yesterday's fete TOts to raise money with which to carry out some of the proposed improvements. That the public approved the progressive policy decided upon by the board was evident from the manner in which yesterday's effort was supported. A strong committee of citizens was appointed to assist the board with the arrangements, and the whole thing was conceived and carried out in a manner that reflected great credit on those concerned. The secretarial work was undertaken jointly by Mr. A. Gray (secretary of the Park Board) and Mr. A. Bullians. Mr. P. E, Stainton was appointed marshal for the day. Strong sub-committees were formed to carry out the various sections of the programme, and all performed their tasks in sUeh a way as to ensure success. The offer of the Mayoress (Mrs. Burgess) to organise the afternoon tea arrangements was a generous one, and the ladies under her direction yesterday did excellent work. Four tea stalls were set up, and all had a most busy time during the afternoon. The sweets stalls and ice creams were in the charge of the different schools, and these and the soft drinks were quite besieged, and had to have their supplier replenished several times. Throughout the afternoon the Junior Baud added to the general enjoyment by contributing a programme of selections with iis usual efficiency. Mr. I'\ W. 0. McLeod conducted. The Park Board is greatly indebted, and desires to express its thanks, to all who assisted with the fete in any way, cither by services lendcred, goods supplied, ur appliances loaned for the occasion.

Proceedings commenced with a procession of motor ears and motor cycles. Headed by the Citizens' Band, the procession left the Melbourne corner shortly after 1.30 p.m. Tlie Mayor's ear, driven and occupied by returned soldiers, was in the van. In nil, some 27 cars and motor-cycles took part, a touch of humor being added by a car from the Criterion garage, called the "Hun-Known," B.C. fi'2s, and a number of riders of motor cycles were in fancy costume.

MOTOR EVENTS. The motor . events, as was expected, being something in the nature of an innovation for New Plymouth, created a great deal of interest. The first teat consisted of driving a car through twelve obstacles, after which, three pegs set in row had to be knocked down by the front right wheel, following on into a .sheep race, from which competitors were required to back their cars out, the gentlemen being required to reverse over the whole of the course. A time limit of 2min losoc. was alloi.ved for completing the course. Competitors were awarded points for reducing the time, while to exceed the limit meant disqualification. Points were also given for missing all the obstacles, and for general style in driving. In.the ladies' class there were four entries, all the competitors showing considerable skill in handling their cars. The winner (Miss Hughes, of Waitara) covered the course in lrnin 3seo, ami succeeded in completing the test without touching any of the obstacles, and in knocking down the three pegs. Miss Tarry (Inglewood), second, covered the course in fmsecs, but lost points through knocking clown two flags. In the men's class there were twelve competitors, and a wide variety of styles in. the handling of cars was displayed. The time taken over the course varied from lmin 32sec to 2min 24sec. Only one competitor (l'\ Duckworth) succeeded in going round without touching any of the obstacles, and his time for the dis tance was ?.min Kl.lsec. S. Holk.ii covered tiie course in lmin ~>2 2-ssec, but knocked over one flag, and the judges considered the dill'erence in the time of the two competitors was equalised liy the fouling of the obstacle by Holah, and a tic was declared. Tn the final bout each of the competitors knocked down two Hags, and the test was, won practically, therefore, on time, I'. Duckworth being first (lmin 54. ; |sees) and 8. Holali second (lmin ySjsccj.

The motor-cycle obstacle race was, perhaps, the most entertaining item of the afternoon. Skill in riding, as well as versatility, were required by competitors. The test commenced with the removal of the spark plugs to 20 jards behind the starting point for the machines. At the word "go" the competitors had to leave their machines, get their plugs, fit them, start up and mount their machines. After riding a short distance they were required to dismount at a given line, place machines on stand, put 20 pumps of air into back tyre, and mount again. After riding another fifty yards they had to dismount, crawl under a pig net, remount, and ride over a further section of the circle. At the next stop they were required to eat a bun in the presence of an official, and when he was satisfied they had completed the operation they were allowed to proceed. The next obstacle was a hurdle, in the shape of a long strip of timber, resting near the centre auras* a bag of sawdust, and the riders had to traverse the plank. Close to that was a line on which each rider had to atop, pick up four potatoes placed in a row, gather them into a tin (iis in | a potato race), and then carry the tin, suspended by fairly long cords, to the [ finishing post, with all the potatoeu in ' it. The race was run in two heats, four | starting in each heat. Most of the competitors managed the early stagcß of the race well enough, but the bun-eating I proved a bigger obstacle than most of them suspected, and cost several of them a good deal of time. The plank riding presented little difficulty, moat of the riders simply (lying over, (Uttering the potatoes was a moro difficult proposition, however, and taxed moat of the riders,

The first and second in the two heats contested the final, which was a much cleaner and faster race than either of the hpnts. The result was: N: C. Vbokca 1, 0. Allan 2, Koea :). The slow-driving test for motor cars was not; so interesting, though doubtless was somewhat exacting for ihc competitors. The event was an engine test, as well as a test of driving skill. The course was once round the recreation ground, and the prize was for the slowest time made. Any car that stopped on the way was to be disqualified. The result was: T. G. Thompson (Smin 4sec) 1, S. R. Allen (2min 43sec) 2, A. J. Harvey 2min 2(Usec) 3. Messrs T. C. List and W. P. Nieoll were the judges. AQUATIC EVENTS.

The events on the lake were, as usual, an attractive section of the programme. The school children are always keen contestants in such sports, and the interest of parents and friends is wide, and almost as keen as that • of the children themselves. The boat race, in which there/ were nine entries, created great enthusiasm, the winners being loudly applauded. Following are the results: 100 Yards Championship (boys under 18): O'Halloran 1, McKay 2, Rawson 3. Primary Schools SO Yards Championship (girls): P. Horsup 1, Edna Wilson 2, Belle Morris 3. Primary Schools, 50 Yards Championship (boys): Watkins 1, Hoffmann 2, Downes and Oliver (dead heat) 3. Boat Race: Rawson's crew, L Mr. E. Whittle was judge. FLAT.RACES. The flat races were also enthusiastically entered into, and in every event large fields entered, necessitating them being run in heats. Messrs E. Whittle and S. G. Smith were the judges. Following are the results: Primary Schools Championship, 200 yards (boys): Mackay 1, Molloy 2, Pea 3.

220 Yards Championship (boys urdcr 18): Beckbessinger 1, Hurley 2, Huut 3. Primary Schools Championship, 100 yards (girls): Elsie Lynch 1, Apua Skipper 2, May Hayward 3. 50 Yards (girls): Winnie Reed 1, Mabel Whelan 2, Patty Milne 3. 100 Yards (girls): M. Julian 1, M. Lindsay 2, C. Knight 3. 100 Yards (boys): Boswell 1, Butler 2, Julian 3.

Potato Race (boys): Wilson 1, Miller 2, Hill 3, OPEN-AIR CONCERT. The fete was continued in the evening, when an open-air concert was given, which consisted principally of items by the Citizens' Band. There was a large attendance, the calm evening being admirably suited to sueii an entertainment. The grounds were brilliantly illuminated, the colored light effects on the bridge and their reflection in the waters of the lake being very pleasing. The band's items included the following: Quickstep, "Roll of Honor" (Lithgow); overture, "Latena" (ShersiefT); selection, "H.M.S. Pinafore" (Sullivan): cornet solo, "Oh, Promise Me" (Do Koven). soloist, Bandsman Voight; march, "Wagon Hill"; selection, "National Airs," including "Men of Harlech" by request; and finale, "Raveiiswood" (Rimmer). Several selections on the bells were given by Mr. F. Souster. The items were somewhat of a novelty to New Plymouth audiences, and were greatly appreciated. The selections included "Larboard Watch" and a number of well-known hymn tunes. Some of the vocalists who were expected to take part were unable at the last minute to do so, and the only solos were given by Mr. R. L. Cooper, who sang "Shipmates 0' Mine" and "There's a Land," for both of which he waa encored. FINANCIAL RESULT.

The takings yesterday resulted in a sum of about £132 being raised. That, of course, is an approximate figure. In addition, a number of donations were received, so that the board will have a sum possibly in the vicinity of £3OO, with which to commence work on its scheme of improvements, Details of yesterday's takings were: Gates, £47; tea and sweets, etc., £7O; evening concert, £ls.