GERALDINE ST. PATRICK’S DAY SPURTS ASSOCIATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2177, 19 March 1891, Page 3

GERALDINE ST. PATRICK’S DAY SPURTS ASSOCIATION.

Preuident-R. H. Pearpoini. Stewards— N. Dunlop, J. Turner, B. Taylor, G. Ward, J. W. Pye, J. Mundell, A. White, W, K. D. Lawson, M. Connolly, F. Wi'son Smith, D. , M'ledooald, W. Shiers, B. B. Macdonald, J. Farrell, P. Kyuo, KBrophy, J- H. Dean, junr., J, Mcllrey, H. R. Morton, A. F. Thomson, J. Albert, R. Skinner, W. Beattie, B. Cochrane, R. Goy, A. E. Oox, A. G. Cox, and W, Turne-, Hon. Treasurer A* While. Secretary —A. Fisher. Judges Running and Walking’. R. H. Pearpoint. Jumping : A, F. Thomson, Wrestling and Tossing the Caber: W. Mason, M. Duggan, and D. Henry. Dancing : K. Brophy and T. Connolly. Haodictppers—

J)' J 5, Lewis and E. S. Smith. Starter —B. R. Macdonald. Timekeepers— A. E. Oox and J. Mcllroy, The fifth annual sports gathering of the above Association was held, as usual, on St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday last, in the Domain, Geraldine. Since the inauguration of the Association in 1887 their gathering have been unqualified successes. The result of the first meeting was a surprise to everybody and greatly exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine. Profiting by each year’s experience the committee have gone on improving their meetings, until now the St. Patrick s Day Sports gathering at Geraldine takes rank as one af the best fixtures in South Canterbury. The 17th of March is now certainly the red letter day of the year at Geraldine. No other event in the year causes one half the stir and excitement in the town as the Sports Gathering, while among i athletes from Ashburton to Timarn it is looked upon as a thoroughly good meeting, where big prizes are given and a good running track is to be found. The consequence is that the number of is always exceptionally large. KThe Association, too, are fortunate in their choice of handieappers, as shown by the fact that nearly all the competitors appearing on the card on Tuesday, cried content and faced the starter. Messrs Smith and Lewis are to be congratulated upon their handicapping, as the finishes were in every case well fought out and exceptionally close. The day was observed as a close holiday, all the places of business being closed. The weather was beautifully fine, but in the early part

lof the part of the day just a trifle too warm. The course, though hard, had a good sward of grass, which* being well cut, made a springy and good running track. The attendance was good, the amount takes at the gates being £32 Is 6d. In addition to this there was a large number of members tickets at 10s sold, The arrangements were of the usual first-class order. The 100yds course was in a straght line, and the straight proper was well roped off on bath sides. A large circle was roped off in the centre of the ground for the wrestling, which arrangement was found Vo answer admirably. The stage for the dancing was erected close by. The Geraldine Brass Band, reinforced by some members of the Timaru Garrison Band, were on the ground. Mr J, Biordan had the refreshment booth and drove a roaring trade, Mr J, »J. Ellis had a stand for the sale of fruit upon the ground. The officials, without exception, did their best to make the gathering a success and succeeded thoroughly. Despite the rush ana worry to which a secretary is always subjected on such occasions Mr A. Fisher proved an obliging and courteous secretary. Messrs A. E. Cox and J. Mcllroy proved efficient timekeepers, and our thanks are due to them for the assistance given in reporting the meeting. With regard to the reporting it would be of great assistance to our representative if the starter were furnished with, and would keep, a list of starters in each event and heat, as when two or three events are going on at the same time it is impossible for one reporter to give an accurate account of them all and at the same time be present to ascertain who are the starters in a race and also note the finish. Mr B. E. Macdonald proved an efficient starter. Though keeping the men on their marks perhaps a trifle too long he invariably sent them away well together. The following are the results

Tossing the Cabee First prize £l, second 10s. N. McKinnon (23ft Sin) 1 3. Thorn'ey (18ft llin) 2 These were the only competitors. 100 Yaeds Maiden Race First prizi £llos, second 16a. First Heat. W. C. Weaver I G Fiddes 2 H. McLeod 3 S. Thornley and J. Duncan also started. Time—ll 4-sth sec. Second Heat. J. Polaschek 1 E. Wagslaff 2 A. Aitkon ••• ••• »»» 3 H. J, Jefcoat and W. Davie also started. Time—l2secs. Final Heat. J. Polaschek 1 E. Wagstaff ... ... ••• ••• 2 W. C. Weaver ... ... 3 Time—ll 3-slh secs. A penalty of one yard in every hundred was infidedon the winner of Mie Maiden Race.

440 Yards Hurdles First priza £3, second £l, third 10*. A. J. Daly, 18yda 1 R. Logan, scr ••• ... 2 J. Austin, 14yds .. 3 W. Da»/e, 7yds, and S. Thornley, 30yds, also started. Thornley was allowed to keep the lead to the back of the coarse, when Daly went to the front and was never headed, winning comfortably, Logan, the scratch man, ran through his field well, and finished a good second. Da we and Thornley got mixed up at the last hurdle and allowed Austin to secure third place. Time— BOrecs. Vadltin® with the Pole First pnza £1 10s, second 15s. 0. Pye, ISin (10ft 4i0)... ' 1 J. Hoskins, Scr. (10ft 3m) 2 F. Macdonald, lin, and J. Scott, 18 : n, also competed. This event brought out some very pretty jumping, Hoskins and Macdonald being loudly applavided for their fine exhibition. Pye cleared Bft Sin which hia handicap made 10ft 4m, When trying to reach this height Macdonald’s pole broke, and he received a severe shaking and retired. Hoskins could only manage to reach 10ft Sin, which, although not sufficient to give him first place, was an exceptionally good jump, and Jie received well-merited applause for bis performance. 100 Yards Handicap—First prize £2, second £l. First Heat. G. South, 4yds 1 E. Wagstaff, 7yda J g A. Aitken, 6yds J. A close race, the men finishing in a Time, 10 2-sths sec. Second Heat. L. Padget, 4yd 1

H. McLeod 2 This was a very c'ose race. It would have been belter if this handicap had been run in three heats, as there were too many men running in the two heats ; in this as many as ten. In the second Polaschek and Radford both came up to their men twice, but failed to get through the crowd. Time, 10 3-slhs sec. Final Heat. G. South, 4yds 1 L. Padget, 4yds 2 H. McLeod - 3

This was a splend'd race, South just managing to secure first place by a very iule right on the tape. Time, 10 i-sth. Running Long Jump—First prize £l, second 10s. J. Collins, scr. (20ft 2in) 1 J. Murphy, 2ft (17ft 4in) 2 These were the only competitors. 150 Yards Handicap (for boys under 14) First priza 15s, second 7s 6d. J, Tangney, scr. ... ... ... 1 J, Dean, 10yds ~, ... ... ... 2 Tindall, 10yds 3 Macdonald 4yds, Beattie 7y^ B > QQ d Webster 16yds, also ran. This a was a oapitnl race, all the three placed boys, with Macdondd, finishing in a bunch. Time, 103 PO. 880 Yards Handicap— First prize £3, second £l, third 10*.

F. J, Leggett, 12yda 1 G. King, scr ... 2 R, Logan, 15yds - , 3 B. T. Evans 15yds, W, Dawe 18yds, A. Aitken 30yds, H. J. Jefcoote 30yds, and W. Johnstone 30yds, also competed. 'Hie finish for this was a good one, Leggett having very little to spare from King.

Logan and Da we c»me with b rush foi third pl«c«, the former just managing to secure the position in the last stride Time, 2min 7 4-sihs sec. Wrestling ( border Style)—First prize £6, second £2.

J, McKinnon 1 S. Thornley 2 F. McKinnon and Hullen also cotnpetted. Although a good prize war offered only three men entered at first, but on it being pointed out that the committee’s inles provided that there must be four entries or no first pnz N. McKinnon entered to make up the number. Thornley and Hullen were drawn, and the former secured the two necessary fails. J. McKinnon disposed of his brother Neil very quickly, and then Thornley »nd McKinnon met for the final. The contest was a moat interesting one, the men being well matched. Thornley secured the first fall, but in the nest tussle his feet slipped from under him while he was trying to cross buttock his opponent and McKinnon stood. The two men, eaoh with a fall to his credit, met egain for the final bout. Both were wary, and both evidently determined to win the larger amount if possible. The tussle lasted for a long time, some capital wrestling being shown. McKinnon finally secured the fall amid loud cheering. 150 Yards Handicap— First prize £2, second £l. L. Padget, 6yds 1 E; Beckley, svda 2 J. W. Radford, 3yds 3 J. Oollina scr., J. Murphy 3yda, G. South, 4yds. J, Polaschek, syds, and VY, 0. Weaver, 6yds, also started. The r ice was a good one, but Po'aschek and Rtdford again had a very big slice of bad luck. In coming up to the corner for the straight Padget was first, B'ckley second, with Polaschek coming fast on toth. In turning the corner Beckley got in Polaschek’t) way, and the latter ran right on to him, receiving a nasty spike in the foot. South, who was running strong, unavoidably pushed him oyer, and hreceived another spike in the shoulder, patting him out of (he running for the rest of the day. He wou'd, without doubt, have won the racs were it not for this mishap. Radford received a very ugly spike in the left foot, the flash being vary badly torn, Time—l 6 3-sth secs. Maiden Wrestling, Boeder Stile—

First prize £2, second £l- - McLeod 1 C, Wright 2 No leas than eleven competitors entered for this event, namely, tl. McLeod, J. Heffernan, J. Duncan, G. Davie, N. McKinnon, W, Gray, W. Solomon, J. J. Wooffanden, C, Wright, J. Kyne, and J. Counihan. In the first round McKinnon threw Heffernan, Duncan threw Davie, McLeod threw Solomon, Kyne threw Wooffendeu, and Gray threw Counihan. Wiight had a bye. In the next round Duncan, Heffernan, Counihan, Kyne, McLeod, and Wright were left, Gray retiring, hafing hurt hie side. In the next bout Kyns, McLeod, Wright, and Heffernan stood. The next contest left McLeod and Wright to try conclusions for the final. Of the final round McLeod secured the first fall, Wright the second, and McLeod the third, McLeod’s win was very popular, as, although only a small man, be wrestled remarkably well. Some of his opponents must Lave been nearly double his weight, and he received deafening rounds of applause as he put down man after mao. flia winning the final was received with great enthusiasm, and he was heartily congratulated on all sides for his splendid wrestling. Had he Iwo or three more atone in weight ho wou'd take a very great deal of beating. Wright, the second man, also ahowed that he was by no means a novice in the science. The event took a long time to gel off, and the final rounds between McLeod and Wright were particularly interesting. Running High Jump-First prize £llO s,

second 15*. S. Thornley, 2in (sft sin) t A. McKay, 3m (sft sio) + J. Collioe, scr, V. B. Blake, 2in, and J, Scott, Sin, also competed. Tjiere was a very good exhibition of jumping. Thornley cleared sft 3io, and McKay 6ft 2in. Tbe handicaps of 2m and 3m respecively made them equal at sft sin, and (hey agreed to divide first aqd second money. 120 Yards Handicap, for local Firemen in fall uniform First prize £l, second 10s. J. Mcllroy, 3yds ... 1 W. Stonehonse, 3yds 2 F. Fronting, Byds, W. H. Walton, 7yds, J, Brown, 9yds, C. Groves, 14yds, also lan. Considerable interest was tsken in this race, the public evidently b ing anxious to see how the local firemen would acquit themselves. Mcllroy went out a warm favorite, and fully justified tbe opinion formed of him. Time—ls*ecs. 1 Mile Walk— First prize £3, second £l, third 10*. I. A. Blissett, scr. ... .... ... 1 J. Austin, 15yds 2 Won easily. Time—7mln 35sec. 440 Yards Handicap First prize £3, second £l, third 10s. G. Fiddes, 20yds ... 1 L, Padget, Byds 2 Seven started. This was a well contested event, Fiddes took the lead from Beckley when about three parts of the distance was covered, and Padget, who

had been going strongly, ran up to the leader at the entrance to the straight, challenged, and led him for about two strides, but Fiddes answering gamely came away again and won as above. Time—ss l-stb sees. 200 Yards Handicap (for youths under 18) —First prize £l, second 10s, J. Tindall, 25yds ... 1 Beattie, 17yds 2 Tangney, 3 Six started. Time—27 4-sth secs. 200 Yards Handicap First prize £2, second £l, Vv. C. Weaver, 10yds 1 G. Sooth, syds ... ... ... ... 2 Time —28 2 ; sth s f cp. Irish Ji«t—First prize £llo*, second 10sM, Aoglund • 1 P. Power ... ... ... 2 These \yere jihe only competitiors. The dancing was of a very first-rate order. Mr Goodwillie, of Temuka, supplied the music. 250 Yards Handicap First prize £2, second £l. G. South, 6yds ~, 1 E. Beckley, Byds ... ... ) L, Padget, syds... ... ... ) R. Logan, scr., A. J. Daly, 6yde, nod J. .Polaflchek, Byds, also started. This . was another very good race, The finish between the two second men was very close. To onlookers it appeared as if

Padget had secured second place, but the judge was unable to separate them. Time—2B 2 6th secs. Hop, Step, and Jump First prize £l. second 10t». Bryan, 2m (44ft J. Brosnaban, 9in (39ft 7in) ... ... 2 J. Col line, scr. (38ft Sin) ... ... 3 These were the only competitors. Bryan, who is an exceptionally pretty jumper, cleared 42£t 4£in, which the others could only look at and envy. 1 MiiiK Handicap First prize £3, seci nd £l, third 10k. (4. King, Bcr 3 B. r. Evans, 30yds ... .. ... 2 L, Padget, 40yds 3 W. Johnston, 45yds, also started. This was another very good race, King, the scratch man, covering the distance in the excellent time of 4min 47sec, Sa*k Race (80 yards) First prize 15i, second 7s 6d. There were some seven or eight competitors for this event, which was won by I. A. Blissstt. 100 Yabds Race (for men over 40) —First prize 15s. O. Ramble ... ... ... ... ... 1 McNally 2 P. Moore ... 3 This concluded a very successful day’s sport at about six o’clock.

THE CONCERT. Last year the committee tried the expedient of holding a concert in the evening. The result was so eminently satisfactory that it was unanimously resolved to hold a similar gathering .this year. The concert was held in the Volunteer Hall, and was even more successful than its predecessor. The members of the committee had thrown their whole energies into the undertaking. The hall was profusely decorated with evergreens, etc, while several rows of flags were stretched across the roof. The stage was very conveniently arranged by means of curtains, and was well lighted. An attempt was made to remedy the acoustic defects of the building by stretching a piece of webbing above the stage so as to form a kind of sounding board, It could scarcely be said to be a success, as it made little or no improvement. At the advertised time for opening all the available sitting room in the hall was taken up, and peeple filed in till the audience was an exceptionally large one. This year very little fault could be found with their behaviour, as every performer received an attentive hearing. The concert commenced shortly after eight o’clock Mr E H Pearpoint, president of the association, filled the position of chairman, and asked that as there was such a long programme to be gone through encores be not demanded. In a few instances the audience would not be denied an encore, The Misses Fish opened the programme with one of their enjoyable pianoforte duets. Mr H W Moore followed with the fine song “ I Fear no Fob,” which, although a little too low for his voice, was capitally rendered. Later in the evening he sang with much effect the spirited song “ King of the Sea.” Miss Connolly, who was evidently in good voice, contributed “ The Dear Little ShamrocK,” and in reply to an imperative recall “ Mary ef Argyle.” In the second part the same young lady had to respond to an encore for the rendition of “Killarney,” and sang “ Juianita,” Mr A G Cox contributed the comic song “ The Massacre of the Phairsons ” with great effect; he also contributed the comic song “Killaloe,” and was loudly recalled, when he responded with an amusing item which created much laughter. Mrs E J Guy contributed the well-known song “Eothsay Bay ” very prettily, and received a well-deserved round of applause. “ Thady O’Flynn,” by the same lady, was another good item. Miss Andrews rendered the old favorite, “ The Harp That Once Tara’s Halls,” with much effect. Mr J Thatcher received quite an ovrtion during his rendition of “ The White Squall,” a number of the audience joining in the last few notes of this well-known song. Mias A Cox y was very successful in her rendition of the rather passive songs, “ By the Fountain ” and “By the Banks of Allan Water.” Mr H A Morton was quite in his element with the comic r songs “ Eootity Toot ” and “ All \ Nations.” For the latter he had to respond to an encore, and gave “ A Sweet Eustic Damsel.” The gems of the evening were the two songs by Sergt.-Major Jones, “ Queen of the Barth ” and “ Eileen Allanah,” the duet “ The Wind and the Harp,” by Mrs Guy and Miss Andrews, and the pianoforte overture by Misses Turnbull and H Macdonald, all of which were exceptionally enjoyable and thoroughly appreciated. Miss Ghmson also received a hearty round of applause for her singing of “ Dolly’s Eevenge.” Mr B E Macdonald took the house by storm with the two comic songs “ Where Did You Get That Hat ” and “Mush, Mush,” the pittites being espec’ally demonstrative of their appreciation of the comic songs o£ the programme.

A dance VR 8 held afterwards, which was very numerously attended. The music was provided by Messrs Sevens, Q-oodwillie and Pigoni. Dancing was kept up with great spirit till well into Wednesday warning.