KAPONGA SPORTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1921, Page 3

KAPONGA SPORTS.

HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. T GOOD SPORT PROVIDED. The Kaponga Athletic Club was favored with ideal weather conditions for its annual sports yesterday, and the large crowd which gathered on the Domain was treated to a most enjoyable day’s outing.

For weeks prior to yesterday an energetic committee had been working to make the function a success, and their efforts were amply rewarded by tte large attendance, the excellent entries for all events, and the satisfactory weather cdhditions. The athletic events were conducted under the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union rules, and exprize money was awarded. Kaponga township has a population of a little over 400, and its affairs are managed by a Town Board, which has attended to the requirements of the people in a most creditable manner. The town has splendid tarred streets and foothpaths, is reticulated throughout with' electricity, has a sewerage system, high pressure water* supply, efficient fire brigade, and a municipal cinema theatre, which is a most profitable concern. In fact for ifs size, Kaponga is one of the most progressive and up-to-date townships in the Dominion, and as evidence of the spirit which animates the Town Board, it should be mentioned that the board is installing a new hydro-electric plant and intends to supply farmers with power in a portion of the Stratford County, being already supplied to a portion of the Elttam County. It was only natural, therefore, that the sports meeting should be similarly well conducted, and the committee deserve to be congratulated on the successful result of their labors.

The proceedings were enlivened by the presence of several side-shows, which) did splendid business. The Kaponga Town Band, which was recently resuscitated owing to the energy of Mr. F. Bertie, played selections throughout the day under the leadership of Mr. A. H. Guy. The band music was thoroughly appreciated, and the band shows every sign of developing into a splendid combination. The principal officials were as follows: President, Mr. H. A. Casey; vice-presidents, Messrs. D. Malone, C. D. Betts and P. W. Allen; secretary, Mr. A. Melville; assistant secretary, Mr. H B. Gibson; judges, Messrs. Lyall, J. Guy, C. Crowtey, R. Law, and J. ;Candy; starter, Mr. J. O'Dea; handicappers, Mr. C. Burke and Mr. J. Malone; referees, Messrs. B. Fearon, A. H. Guy, C. Crowley and Edwin Burke; cull steward, Mr. C. Evans. A special word of praise is due to the secretary, Mr. A. Melville, who worked assiduously throughout the day, and to whom much of the credit for the smoop? working of the function is due.

During the afternoon a seven-a-side football tournament was held, the following teams competing:—Kaponga A, B and C, Kaponga Hockey Club, Waimate, Te Ngutu, Eltham, Clifton, * and Waimate Hibernians. In the first round Waimate beat Kaponga B by 3 points to nil, Kaponga Hockey Club beat Te Ngutu by 6 points to nil, Clifton beat Eltham by 11 points to nil, Kaponga C beat Waimate Hibernians by 8 points to nil, and Kaponga A had a bye. In the second round Kaponga Hockey Club beat Waimate by 3 points to nil, Kaponga A beat Kaponga C by 12 points to nil, and Clifton had a bye. In the third round Kaponga A beat Clifton by 6 points to nil, Kaponga. Hockey Club having a bye. The final between Kaponga A and Kaponga Hockey Club was a very close and hard-fought game, the excitement being intense. The laurels went, to Kaponga A by 8 points to 5. The winners will each receive a gold medal, and the team will hold a challenge shield presented by the president, Mr. H. A. Casey. Unfortunately the challenge shield had not arrived yesterday, but is expected within a few days. Following are the results of the various Boys’ Race, under 14 years.—F. Lichtwark I, D. Benton 2, J. Hanson 3. Eleven starters.

Maiden Handicap, 100 yards. First £2, second 10s—E. Foster 1. Penningtoa 2. Ten starters. Time, llsec.

Boys' Race, 17 and under.—C. Harrison 1.. McCrae 2, W. Bradford 3. Nine starters. 100 Yards Open Handicap. First £B, second £2 10s, third 30s.—First feat: W. Minhinnick 10yds 1, E. J. Hickey 10yds 2, J. W. O’Byrne 12yds 3. Time, lOsec. Second heat: Beckbessinger 7yds 1, A. W. Jones 12yds 2, Pullon 7yds 3. Time, 10 l-ssec. Third heat T. Fowler 12yds 1, J. Jones 9yds 2, C. Rye Byds 3. Time, 9 4-ssec. Final: Fowler L, Beckbessinger 2, Pullen 3. Time, 9 4-ssec. School Boys’ Championship, 100 yards.—C. Kehely 1, C. Hoddinott 2, G. Noonan 3. Time, 13aec.

Open Wrestling. First £1 10s, second 10s. —J. Malone 1, E. Norman 2. Double-handed Sawing, 15-lnch. First £3, second £l.—C. Volzke and C. Eickstead 1, J. Poynton and Marrlner 2, Briscoe and Hockett 3. Time, 15sec.

220 Yards Open Handicap. First £7, second £2 10s, third £1 10s.—First heat: E. J. Hickey 20yds 1, J. Jones 14yds 2, C. Colton 3. Time, 23sec. Second heat: J. W. O'Byrne 24yds 1, W. Minhinnick 20yds 2, E. Beckbessinger 16yds 3. Time, 23%sec. Final: Beckbessinger 1, Minhinnick 2, O’Byrne 3. Time, 23sec.

Schoolboys’ Championship, 220 yards.—C. Ketely 1, C. Hoddinott 2, W. Pitcher 3. Time, 30sec.

High Jump. First £1 10s, second J Os.— Minhinnick scr sft 3*4in 1, Frank lin. sft. 2in. 2.

Chopping, 15-inch. First £4 second £1 10s. third 10s.—C. Eickstead 12seo 1, C. Volzke scr 2, J. Poynton 20sec 3. Time, 16%sec. Sixteen competitors. Motor Tyre Race, boys under 10.—R. Noonan 1, R. McCarthey 2, P. Gargin 3. 440 Yards Handicap. First £B, second £2 10s, third £1 10s.—T. E. Taylor 30yds 1, E. Pullen 35yds 2, Tempero 37yds 3. No time taken. Schoolboys’ Championship, 440 yards.—C. Kehely 1, C. Hoddlnett 2, R. Foreman 3.

440 Yards Boys' Handicap. First gold medal presented by Mr. D. Malone, second 10s.—C. Hanson 1, E. McCrae 2, W. Kenny 3. 880 Yards Handicap. First £5, second £2, third £l.—C. Coulton 70yds 1, T. E. Taylor 25yds 2, Pennington 35yds 3. No time taken.

Instead of the usual dance which is held on the evening after the sports, a picture benefit was held last night, from which It is expected the club will receive a considerable amount towards the expenses of the sports gathering.