ST. PATRICK'S DAY SPORTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9044, 20 March 1908, Page 6

ST. PATRICK'S DAY SPORTS.

DEPRESSING WEATHER CONDITIONS.

SMALL ATTENDANCE IN CONSEQUENCE.

Officials. —Superintendent, Mr H. J. O'Leary; sub-superintendent, and referee, Mr W. L. Falconer; hon. pipers, Messrs John Scott and W. Smith; starter, Mr R. Scott; judges, Messrs J. Lyall, M. J. O'Leary, J. Pickett, F. Haughey, J. W. Cochrane (running); W. L. Falconer, J. O'Dowd, J. Burke (jumping and wrestling; E. G. Williams, F. O'Toole (throwing hammer); J. O'Dowd, E. G. Williams, F. O'Toole (Irish Jig); Alex. Turner, J. B. McKenzie (Scotch music and dancing); E. E. Chamberlain, J. McHattie, H. J. O'Leary, G. Wyeth (quoits), J. Pickett, J. O'Dowd, J. Lyall (swimming); stewards, G. Donovan, D. Robinson, J. W. Cochrane, J. Kelliher, J. B. McKenzie, V. Darrocb, H. Sinclair, J. Cullen (running); A. Fraser, J. Pickett (dancing); number steward, Mr B. Chapman; black-\ board stewards, Messrs J. B. Emmett, C. D. King; timekeepers, Messrs J. Cress, F. Dupre, M. Kerins, J. O'Meara; handicappers, Messrs Ulic Shannon (running); T. Wyeth, J. H. Pauling (quoits).

For the second year in succession the fates have been against the St. Patrick's Day Sports Association. Last year the spurts were postponed on account of the unpropitious weather, and never took place. Yesterday a cold southerly brought rain, which fell almost continuously throughout the day. Nevertheless the sports were proceeded with, and although the weather ssriously affected the attendance of the public, the events which were got off provided the spec'ators with excellent sport. The gathering would undoubtedly have been close to a record had the weather been fine, as splendid nominations were received for the handicap running events, and included in the competitors were some of the best professionals in the North Island. The rain prevented quite a number of interesting events from being carried out, and the programme was considerably shortened. The running events were the chief items of interest, and the performance of Shivas, in winning the handicap, was a very fine one. This runner showed a turn of speed on tha treacherous track which was little short of amazing, but he has some great_records to his credit, and was a fairly safe selection for the handicap. The official time given for the final of the 10U yards was 9&secs —an almost incredible achievement on a sloppy track, although Shivas was on the three yards mark. Fast times were recorded in all the running events. The three cycling events all fell to J. Harman—ever a sterling performer—and he won the handsome gold medal presented by Mr H. Sinclair for one of the cycling races. "Roddy" Mcßae annexed the hornpipe and jig, meeting with little opposition. A member of the Opaki Quoits Club, S. Tankersley, vanquished two of his club mates in the quoits competition. Putting the stone attracted an interested group of spectators and was won by R. Templeton with a toss of 36ft sin. A protest entered by a runner in the half-mile was dismissed, but the protest deposit was returned. A "spill" occurred in one of the cycling events, but no damage resulted, and the services of the Ambulance Corps, which was present, were not found necessary. The Municipal Band played selections during the afternoon, and bagpipe music was also in evidence from members of the Pipe Band.

£An excellent lunch was provided by the Association, under the supervision of Mr J. Dawson. The officials deserve credit for the enthusiasm they displayed in their work in the face of the adverse conditions. Mr C. A. Tabuteau, secretary, and Mr W. Gillespie, assistant secretary, were painstaking in their duties, and everything passed off most successfully. Following are the results:— Maiden Race, 220 yards—R. McKenzie 1, C. O'Brien 2. Time, 25 4-ssec. Boys' Rare, 220 yards—Wheeler 1, Hill 2. Time, 30£ sec. Quoits Handicap— S. Tankersley 1, T. Chamberlain 2, K. Tankersley 3. St. Patrick's Day Handicap, first distance 100 yards (final) -J. Shivas 1, B. Collerton 2, W. J. White 3. Time, 9isec. Maiden Scotch Bagpipe Music, marches -H. L. Pickett 1, J. McPhee 2. Running High Jump Handicap—A. C.Williams, sft 3in, 1; R. McKenzie, sft ljin, 2. Irish Jig—R. Mcßae 1, F. W. Pickett 2. One Mile Handicap—H. Gahan 1, J. Kellaway 2, H. J. Bayne 3. Scotch Bagpipe Music, Marches.— C. C. McDonald 1, W. Smith 2. St. Patrick's Day Handicap, second distance 220 yards (final)—J. Shivas 1, B. Collerton 2, J. E. Johnson 3 Maiden Highland Fling—G. Smith 1, C. C. McDonald 2. Putting the Stone, Irish style—R. Templeton 1, G. Smith 2. St. Patrick's Day Handicap, third distance 440 yards (final)—J. Shivas 1, A. E. Wilton 2. J. Johnson 3. Sailors' Hornpipe—R. Mcßae 1, Dellingham 2. Throwing Heavy Hammer— R. Templeton, 81ft llin, 1; R. Scott, 81ft 7in, 2. 880 Yards Handicap—C. France 1, H. Gahan 2, J Kellaway 3. Highland Fling—G. Smith 1, T. W. Pickett 2. Consolntion Race Handicap —D. Digging 1, J. E. Johnson 2. BICYCLE EVENTS. Half-mile—J. Harman 1, J. Falconer 2, F. Boyle 3. Mile—J. Harman 1, J. Falconer 2. One mile and a-half—J. Harman 1, J. Falconer 2, F. Burt 3.