ST. SAVIOUR'S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2348, 26 April 1892, Page 3

ST. SAVIOUR'S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

PARISH FESTIVAL. The festival in connection with the above was continued on Friday, as already notified, the main feature being the tug of war. In addition to this item, however, there was a stall for the sale of fancy and other work, a refreshment table, at which Mesdames Hay hurst and Ashwell again presided, a galvanic battery, under the charge of Mr Arthur Campbell, a bran pie, and other devices to earn for the church an honest shilling. In the intervals between the tugs several musical selections were played by lady friends, and Mr F. Colville, on the accordxan, accompanied by Mr G. Levens, contributed music to which the young people occasionally danced. The attendance was very large, and such excitement has not been witues°ed in Temuka for a long time. The arrangements for the tug of war were carried out under Mr Hayhurst’s supervision, and were very complete. Along the whole length of the drill shed battens about 6 feet long and a foot apart were nailed. The centre batten was marked, and also one on either side of it at a distance of 7 feet, this being the length of pull. The rope was knotted to correspond, that is, a centre knot and one each aide at 7 feet. There were other knots to admit of competitors getting a grip, as it was found inconvenient to get a rope sufficiently large. Teams were entered from the Fire Brigade, the Temuka Rifles, the Football Club, Tradesmen, and Natives. Mr J. T. M. Hayhurst acted as starter and judge, and Mr Gaze as clerk of the track. In the draw the Fire

Brigade had a bye, and the first to meet were Rifles v. Footballers. The latter had W. Angland as first man on the rope, while he was opposed by Sergt. A. Clinch. Captain Cutten coached ihe rifle team and Mr Gillespie the footballers. The latter were a heavy team, probably averaging something over 12 stone, while the rifles were much lighter. They showed plenty of endurance, and were only beaten after a severe struggle, last some twelve minutes. The next were Maoris v. Tradesmen. The latter had no captain, and placed their men badly, McAteer, their heavy man, being put in first place. Mr E. C. Dann took charge of the Maori team, and proved himself a capital tactician. In his team were several youths, but for practical endurance they could not be beat. They also showed that they had a good notion of bow to pull, for after a very exciting contest they pulled the tradesmen’s team all to pieces, Kokero, as first man on the rope, gave a splendid exhibition of strength, whilst Cope’s 19 stone of good nature at the tail of the rope was a treat to see. The Fire Brigade in the next draw fell to the lot of the Footballers to tackle, and the teams here were fairly well matched. Mr ' Coira, honorary fire inspector, captained the brigade, and Mr Gillespie again looked after the footballers. This was a splendid contest, lasting over twenty minutes, during the greater part of which the centre knot never shifted. The strain eventually proved too much for the footballers, and the brigade won amidst great excitement. O’Grady, for the brigade, made a capital leading man. In the final pull between the Maoris and the Brigade, the former won, their victory being due quite as much to their system of pulling as to their physique. So pleased were the general public with the fun provided that the announcement that another tug of war open to any teams would be held the following evening was received with applause. To this Mr Hayhurst promised to give a special prize of a guinea. For the better carrying out of the programme on Saturday, a committee consisting of Messrs Hayhurst, Cutten, and Pinckney were appointed, and some brief regulations were drawn up. The number of a team was reduced to eight men, and the length of pull to six feet. Mr Hayhurst again undertook the duties of starter and judge, and Mi‘ Gaze that of clerk of the track, except when he captained the tradesmen’s team. Messrs Cutten and Pinckney assisted in keeping the track, and were helped by Mr Coira. The teams that entered were Maoris, Temuka Footballers, Light-weight Footballers, Harktown Footballers, Tradesmen, and Mr E. S. Smith’s Team. The first to meet were the Footballers and Lightweight Footballers. The difference in the physique of the teams left little doubt as to the ultimate result, but the lightweights, with Findlay as leading man and Anderson as skipper, showed some very pretty play, and before they were beaten their opponents had quite enough of it. As may be expected the sympathy of the audience was with the lads. The next to meet were Harktown and Mr Smith’s team. This was as unfortunate a draw, as the latter team were picked men, and as well built a lot v as one could wish to see. Again the little fellows, all under 11 stone, pulled pluckily, and were heartily cheered. The Maoris made short work of the Tradesmen, although they were a fair looking team. They wanted unity and skill. They held, however, for some ten minutes, when they were sent bumping along the battens by a well-sustained i heave from their opponents. The Maoris were again captained by Mr Haim, and . had Kokero in the foremost place. In the second draw the footballers had a bye and the Maoris met Mr Smith’s team. This was intensely interesting, the splendid physique and generally hard condition of the latter team making a large number of the pqbUc feel confident that they would be able to pqt the Natives down. At the pistol shot the natives lost quite two feet, and _ this Smith’s team held for a Jong t™®Angland, next the knot, showed a hnil' dog determination fully equal to that Kokero. The native team kept very quiet, but their friends amongst the audience were very excited, and Parahu encouraged them with an animated war song. After some twenty minutes Angland essayed to get under the rope and haul fa.ce downwards, but a prompt and sustained pull from Kokero’s team fairly pinioned him to the track. He kept his hold, however, and was released - from his position by two of his audience. The issue, however, was never in doubt from this moment, and after a struggle f}f about 29 minutes the Maoris won. The excitement was then intense. A number of the older Maoris rushed the track, and with the wildest gesticulations proclaimed their joy. Kokero was badly done up, and it was found necessary to

• give the team a good breathing time I before they pulled the final with the footballers. When they did meet the ■ Maoris again proved their superiority, , although their opponents, with R. H. Lavery as first man, pulled well. In the intervals several single pulls took place and music was again proj vided to wile away the time. The committee managed to sustain order very ; well, especially considering the excitement. The front seats were all reserved for ladies, and no effort was spared to make the affair successful. There was again a workstall and refreshment table, while some little amusement was afforded by a dart gun, etc. In Saturday’s proceedings the Rev. Mr Hamilton took no part, but on the previous occasions he displayed his customary energy, and did much to make the gathering enjoyable. The wardens desire io thank all who assisted in any way, and have to acknowledge special cash donations from Mr H. J. Gladstone of £2 2s and Mrs H. Voyce (£1 towards the school building fund.) We understand the net results will be about £55, out of which £5 was contributed by the Christmas tree and about £6 10s from the refreshment stall.