STRATFORD DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1928, Page 8

STRATFORD DISTRICT NEWS

Telephone Nos, 552 Office 718 Private

(FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTERS)

Telephone Nos. j 552 Office j 718 Private i

RATAPIKO ANNUAL SPORTS LARUE CROWD ATTENDS MEETING. SIXX 'ESS OF FIRST YEAR'S EFFORT. In a picturesque spot lieside the gleaming waters of the large artificial lake made 'by the Tariki Bower Board and backed by farm lands rising to wooded hills in the distance, the first annual sports at Ratapiko yesterday afternoon proved an unqualified suecese. The day was line and spectators were attracted from long distances. Fields in most cases were large, while the keenness of the competitors provided exciting finishes. The committee must have worked assiduously in preparing for the meeting. Not only bad they to secure blocks for the chopping events, lay down a track on' the bare paddocks, arrange parking areas, erect tents and provide refreshments. but they also had the lengthy task of catering for the equestrian events by placing poles in position for the tilting and for the turning, and by erecting sets of hurdlles for the leaping contests.

Through the kindness of Mr. J. Weils, who allowed hie property to be used, every facility was provided. A feature of the afternoon was the way in which the enjoyment of the children was catered for, and in this respect Mr. F. Julian, of Inglewood, was particularly energetic iu organising novel games and donating valuable prizes. Afternoon tea was provided by the ladies of the district in a large marquee. Representing the executive of the Taranaki Centre of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycle Union, Mr. T. Kirkwood. who was referee and starter, presented the trophies to the winning athletes. He paid a tribute to the energy displayed by the Ratapiko people and congratulated them upon having decided to affiliate with the centre and upon the excellent manner in which the sports were conducted.

In the evening a well attended dance was held in the hall, a merry time being spent by all. Officials for the day were: Chairm:’..i, Mr. J. Lepper; judges of horse events, Messrs. A. J. Davey and J. Martin; chopping judges, Messrs. J. Stachurski, near., G. Peters and J. Shorter; running judges. Messrs. W. Thompson and A. Cowley; referee, Mr. T. Kirkwood, starters, Messrs. J. Gibbs and A. Maetzig; marksmen, Messrs. E. A. Grigg and J. Stachurski, junr. (horses), J. Corbett and J. Wells (running); stewards for chopping, Messrs. A. Ganaway, F. Hill, M. Kuklinski, H. Teller, S. Martin, E. Butler, V. Stachurski and H. Moorby: stewards for other events, Messrs. W. O’Donnell. J. Moratti, M. Nolau; children’s races committee, Messrs. W. M. Williams, V. Dravitzski and W. Bennett; secretary, Mr. A. E. Grigg. Results are: —■

RUNNING AND WALKING. 100 Yards Local Handicap.—W. Aubrey (12yds) 1, A. Mcßoberts (syds) 2, F. Hill (12yds) 3. L(H) Yards Open Handicap.—A. McRoberts (6yds) 1, R. R. Mayhead (9 yds) 2, W. J, O’Bryne (7yds) 3. 220 Yards Open Handicap.—R. R. Mayhead (20yds) 1, W. J. O’Byrne (15yds) 2, P. Bottin (22yds) 3.

440 Yards Open Handicap.—A. McRoberts (35yds) 1, R. R. Mayhead (45 yds) 2, J. Boniface (4Oyds) 3, 880 Yards Open Handicap.—J. Dravitzki (sir) 1, W. Aubrey 2. Single Ladies’ Race. —M. Slater 1, E. Peters 2.

School Boys’ 220 Yards Championship. —L. Jakes (Tariki) 1, W. Martin (Rata-

piko) 2, E. Davey (Lincoln Road) 3. School Girls’ 220 Yards Championship. —Miss O. O’Bryne (Egraont Village) 1. Boys’ race, under 17 years.—H. O’Bryne 1, W. Jakes 2, R. Bennett 3, Married Ladies’ Race.—Mrs. Chard 1, Mrs. Schriebcr 2. Stepping the-chain.—J. Moratti, correct distance. Boys’ walk, half mile. —W. Jakes (T.triki) 1, W. Wells and E. Corlett (both of Ratap.Ko) tied for second. Giris’ walk. —Edith Smith 1, Doris Corbett 2. Open walk, one mile.—W. Jakes 1, S. C. Coleman 2, C. W. Coleman 3. CHOPPING AND SAWING. Maiden Chop, 12in. —B. Dravitzski (25 sec) 1, N. Dodunski (24eee) 2, J. Francis (27sec; 3. There were 17 starters. Double-handsd saw, 12in., two cute.—B. Dravitzski and mate (6sec) 1, Stachurffii Bros. (*«ec) 2, J. F. Doduneki and male (fees) 3. There were six starters. Open Chop, 12in.—L. Sehrieber (20 sec) 1, B. Dravitzski (24sec) 2, J. F. Dodunski (26sec) 3. Eighteen starters. Boys’ Open Chop, (fin.—J. Miller I, A. Wellington 2, L. Dravitzski 3. HORSE EVENTS. j Pony leaping competition.-—E. Corlett 1, J. Curtis 2. I Open Jump.—-A. Grigg 1, G. Bennett 2, J. Corlett 3. Turning competition.—J. Potroz 1, M. | Potroz 2. Tilting at rings.—R. Cutfield 1, Grigg 2, M. Karalus 3. STRATFORD GOLF CLUB. OPENING OF THE SEASON. The official opening of the Stratford Golf Club was held yesterday, there being a fair gathering of members and their friends.

Mr. R. B. Anderson, vice-president, who made the opening speech, apologised for the absence of the president (Mr. E. S. Rutherfurd), who was out of the district. Mr. Anderson welcomed the members and their friends and hoped that the ensuing season would be one upon which they could all look back with the feeling that it Siad been a success both from a playing and social point of view. The links were in good order except for two holes, the turf around which had suffered during the hot weather. In mapping out the course, the creeks had been avoided as mudh as possible, and he hoped that there would be fewer ’balls lost in the coming season.

During the afternoon, tea was provided by the ladies. The results of the play are: —Mr. R. B. Anderson and Miss D. Sangster (52 points), winners; Mr. and Mrs. Fisher (53 points), runners-up.

GENERAL. ITEMS. Another example of thoughtless vandalism occurred during the Easter 'holidays, when some irresponsible person ran a diamond rtght across the two big plate-glass windows of the Ocean Accident Company’s premises in Stratfo-rd. It now only requires a strong wind or a minor earthquake to cause both windows to snap along the cut.

A fair number of Stratford residents ■journeyed to Makahu yesterday afternoon on the occasion of the annual picnic sports held in this back district. The spot was prettily chosen and a very enjoyable time was spent, an excellent programme of interesting < rents being provided.

Mr. W. H. Gordon, of Carterton, is at present visiting Mr. H. C. Johnston, of Stratford,

That Rugby football has taken a firm hold of the Stratford primary school I boys is evidenced by the fact that besides the senior and junior teams that will ‘be entered in the inter-schools competitions, there will be a senior and junior competition within the school. Three teams will compete in the senior grade, while no less than seven teams will fight for honours in the junior section. These teams will play for trophies kindly presented by Mr. Amedbury. Already the boys are keenly interested, and on any fine afternoon after school numerous youthful players may be seen practising in Victoria Park A total of 74 motor-cars was parked in the vicinity of the Ratapiko sports - ground yesterday afternoon on the occasion of the annual xlistrict sports meeting. BOWLING. Under ideal weather conditions and on a perfect green, a competition for the Avon Stars was held yesterday on the Avon Club’s grounds, between two rinks of the club members. From the start Dickinson’s rink drew away from McDonald’s, and held the lead until the end of the game, in spite of the strenuous efforts of their opponents. The details are; — Cropton, Woods, Pickles, Dickinson (s) ••• ™ ' Jxmsdale. Jones, Masters, McDonald (s) !!) DEMAND FOR FARM PROPERTIES. With the approach of the quint season in the dairy industry the demand for farm lands is becoming keener, and a number of properties hare changed hands recently at prices varying from £2O to £7O an acre. Messrs Newton King. Ltd., report the following recent sales: Ninety acres and stock, Mangatoki, from Mr. 0. V. Marx to Mr. J. Townend, of Midhirst; house from Mrs. Tiehfoon to Mr. R. Curtis, of Stratford; 207 acres and stock, Waitoitoi. from Mr. S. Ridgley to Mr. E. Maxted. of Hawera; 62 acres, Inglewood, from Mr. A. B. Gamlin to Mr. IF. Gyde, of Inglewood; 60 acres, Inglewood, from Mr. A. B. Gamlin to Mr. C. C. Surrey, of Eltham; 65 acres and stock from Mr. 11. Watson to Mr. H. Watkins, of Mangaonoho; 07 acres, Stratford, from Mr. C. Mayhead to Mr. J. Wisnewski, of Lcpperton; 296 acres and stock, Cambridge, from Mr, C. Taylor to Mr. E. Rowe. Stratford; 111 acres at Matapu, from Mr. C. Brock to Mr. E. Beech, of Matapu; 50 acres, Hawera, from Uur- , ent estate to Mr. Standish, of Hawera; house from New Plymouth Finance Co., to Mrs. E. J. Tichbon, of Stratford; I section from Mr. E. Griffiths to Mr. John i Warnock, of New Plymouth; 87 acres, ; Inglewood, Newton King estate to Mi. G. Fenwick, of New Plymouth; house from Mr. G. Fenwick to Newton King estate; section from Mr. W. H. Wood to Dr- Allen, of New Plymouth; house and 514 acres from Mr. Leighton to Mr. Selby; 172 acres, Te Awamutu, from Mr. Moniefiore to Dr. Blackley, of New Plymouth- 120 acres, Te Awamutu, from Tavlor’ Bros, to Mr. West, of Tikorangi. The following places have been leased: House and 6 acres from James estate to Mr. A. Sawyer, of Stratford; house from Mrs. Williamson to Mrs. Inglis, of Stratford; 355 acres from Public Trustee to Mr. E. Wells, Ngaere; house from Mr. G. Taylor to Mr. J. Pooley, of Stratford; 94 acres at Matapu from Mr. E. Beech to Mr. G. Alexander, of Normanby; 606 acres, Tikorangi, from Mr. J. Foreman to Mr. H. Foreman, of Tikorangi.