HAMILTON ATHLETIC CLUB'S BOXING-DAY SPORTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 375, 29 December 1898, Page 4

HAMILTON ATHLETIC CLUB'S BOXING-DAY SPORTS.

„ »V. Lang, Esq., and -W-. H. Patrons: M's.H.R. President:: I. H er SfEsq. Vice-Presidents: W.'-Dey, SK, Dr. Brewis, Geo. Edgecumbe, Esq., A. F. Sandes, Esq., W. Bright, Esq., and J. Smith, Esq. Starter : Mr J. ■Hammond. Judge : Mr I. Coatcs., Treasurer : Mr Thomas Sladc. Secretary: Mr C. J". W. Barton. Handicappers: The Committee. Timekeepers:„• Messrs Howden and S. Harker. Committee: Messrs J. Hammond, J. Steadman, H. H. Howden, C. Speight, E. L. -Hope, R. J. Gwynne, W. von-Stunner, W. Crawford and S. Parlour. Notwithstanding the strong counter attractions and the threatening appearance of the weather on Monday morning, the attendance at the Hamilton Athletic Club's Boxing-Day Sports held on Sydney Square was almost up to that of laßt year.- Unfortunately, the high north-easterly wind which had prevailed during the morning and earlier part of the afternoon dropped about 4 o'clock and heavy rain set in, and although this did not materially affect the carrying out of the sports, it must have considerably marred the pleasure of many who had ventured out in summer array and who had to face the homeward journey without wraps of auy kind. Before the rain commenced there must have been quite 1100 people on the ground, and it says much for the arrangement and management of the committee that the gathering passed off without a hitch of any kind. A start was made sharp at half-past eleven, and throughout the day the events were all dispatched up to time, all the officials as above working energetically to secure this end, As starter, Mr Jno. Hammond cannot be described &3 ether than most successful,. his large fields being despatched as if shot from a gun. As showing the excellent work done by the handicappers, it is only necessary to state that the judges, Messrs I. Coates and Geo. Edgecumbe had come exceedingly close finishes to decide, but in no case were their decision disputed. As is usual in all undertakings of this kind, the bulk of the work centres round the Secretary, and the Club are fortunate in retaining the serricesof one so up to and capable of performing his multifarious duties as Mr Barton. During the day the Hamilton Brass Band under Bandmaster Jno. Munro, performed an excellent selection of music, and, judging from the numbers who crowded rouud the Band stand, their efforts were highly appreciated. At the refreshment and luncheon booth Mrs McConnell appeared to be doing a good trade, while Mrs Hamilton's hotel appeared to have an attraction for many across the way. The various events were all well contested, the 100 yards (open and amateur), ladies' bracelet (amateur), mile (open), and the various bicycle events parti"cularly so. The meeting opened with the Maiden Race of 100 yards, in which Hadden scored an easy win. The Open 100 yards handicap, run in two heats and a final, fell to W. H. Saunders, with W. Bainbridge second, and, after a similar contest in the amateur 100 yards handicap, G. Bridgman was declared the winner. The maiden bicycle handicap brought out some new riders, and B. Housley scored the win, with F. W. Medland second. Four laced the starter in the Waikato blcyclo championship, and the winner was found in H. A. Coates, who, despite the fact that he was riding a roadster machine, had not much difficulty in again coming to the front. The open Half- mile Handicap proved a soft thing for J. Tanner, who came strong in the last round and won with a good deal in hand. The Half-mile Bicycle Handicap, run in heatß, was a good go, and the winner was tound in F. Hobbs, who beat Medland in the race up the straight by about a wheel. The contest for the Lady's Bracelet was a keen one, and 50 yards from home it looked as if Pike had it at his mercy, but G. Bridgman came with a strong run .aud won by about a yard. W. Bainbridge had little difficulty , in disposing of the field in the open ,440 Yards, as coming away strong from the pistol-shot he made every post a winning one and simply romped home. The scratch man, H. A. Ceates, did not leave the fate of the Two Mile Bicycle Handicap long in doubt, as, closing up with his men in the third lap, he lay in a good position and eventually won with ease. Kirk had the softest of soft things in the Mile (amateur), as, catching his men in the second round, he just dodged along until the last lap, when he went to the front and won as he liked by about 50 yards. The 220 Yards (open) proTided an excellent finish, Bainbridge winning by about a yard, but the judges were unable to separate Fielder and McKinnon- for second place. The 440 Yards Bicycle Handicap, after two well, contested heats, was won by J. C. Pond in a hollow manner, as, shooting to the front at the start, he soon established a long lead and was never caught. The One Mile (open) was .a good race between Beatson and Roberts, the latter coming to the front in the run home and winning by a few yards. Smith, one of the back mark men, made good attempt to make up his handicap, but failed. The meeting was brought to a cloee with the Trot, in which Mr Tucker's Linda scored an easy win, with Mr Carr'a Vulture second and Mr E. Williamson's Shoeclip third. Two protests were entered, but after hearing the evidence neither was sustained. The followiug is a detailed account of the various events : Maiden Race, 100 yards.—Hadden, 1 ; Bishop, 2. Won easily. Boys' Rack, under 16 ; 100 yards handicap.—Allwood, 1 ; Callaghan, 2 ; Wyman, 3. 100 Yards Handicap (open).—First heat : M. Sexton (syds), 1 ; C. Fielder (syds), 2 ; J. Cogswell (6yds), 3. Won by a yard. Sccoud heat: W. H. Saunders (4yds), 1 ; W. Bainbridge (syds), 2; A. McKinnon (6yds), 3. Won easily. Final heat : W. H. Saunders (4yds), 1 ; W. Bainbridge (syds), 2 ; C. Fielder (syde), 3. Won by over a yard. 100 Yards Handicap (amateur).— First heat : G. Bridgman (4yds), 1 ; F. Hill (9yds), 2. Won on the tape, the rest in a bunch. Second heat : J. Campbell (2yds) and T. Bintou (3yds) dead heat ; W. H. Draffin (Byds), 3. A grand finish. Final heat : G. Bridgman (4yds), 1 ; F. Hill (9yds), 2 ; J. Campbell (2yds), 3. Bridgman won fairly easily. Girls' Race, under 12 ; 50 yards handicap.—Jean Graham, 1 ; A. Davis, 2 ; H. Burke, 3 Maidkn Bicycle Handicap, U mile. -B. Housley (120yds), 1 : F. W. Medland (150yds), 2 ; C. Griffiths (50yds), 3. Time, 3min. 54 3-sths. sec. Housley caught Medland in the last lap, and after a good race won by a couple of wheels. Waikato Bicycle Championship ; ono mile.—H. A. Coates, 1; F. Hobbs, 2; A. E. Coomber, 3 ; W. Dcy, 4. These were the only starters. This proved an easy win for Coates, who, despite his handicap of a heavy machine and an injured hand, had little difficulty in holdown. Time, 2min. 35 2-sths sec. HliF -mile Handicap (open.)—Jesse Tanner "(40,vds), 1; "W. H. Capper (35yds), 2.—The?*?, were the only ones to finish. Tanner lay* .'ft- a ,good position till entering the lust lap, wheiiiie drew away and won as he liked. Time, ZCDIfiU 5 4*sths sees. Half-mile Bicycle Handicap, first heat.—F. Hobbs (45yds), 1 ; A. E. Brown, (40yds), 2. Hobbs won rather easily. Time, lmin. 13 l'Sths sees. ; second heat: F. W. Medland (90yds), 1; A. E. Coomber '(4syds), 2. Medland maintained his lead from the start, and won with a bit in hand. Time, lmin. 12secs. Third heat: B. Housley (60yd&), 1 ; W. Dey (30yds), 2. Housley was never caught. Time, lmin. 10 25ths sees. Fiual beat; F. Hobbs (45yda), . 1; F. W.

Medland (90yds), 2 ; B. Housley (GOyds), 2. Hobbs caught Medland in the straight and, fighting out every inch of the ground, won on the post by about half a wheel. Time, lmin. 12 S'oths sees Ladies'. Bracelet, 300yds Handicap (amateur).—G. Bridgman (10yds), 1 ; R. Pike (7yds), 2 ; J. Campbell (4yds), 3. Pike was the first to break through the crowd at the back turn, and, coming 3trong at the entrance to the straight, looked all over a winner, but Bridgman put in a claim, and won after a good race by a yard. Time, 34secs. 440 Yards ' Handicap (open.)—W. Bainbridge (18yds), 1; M. Sexton (18yds), 2; A. McKinnon (20yds), 3. Bainbridge won with somsthing in hand. Time, 53-2'sths sees. Two-mile Bicycle Handicap.—H. A. Coates (scr), 1; W. J. Andrews (100yds), 2;A. E. Coomber,-3. Coates again had no difficulty in disposing of his opponents. Time, Smins. 20secs. One Mile Handicap (amateur).—T. Kirk, (scr) 1 ; W. D*y (40yds), 2 ; ,CLimmer (80yds), 3. Kirk had a hollow win, doing just as he liked with the field. Time, omin. 32 3 sth sec. Boys' Race Under 12 j 100 yards handicap.—O. Zellman,. 1; W. Clarkin, 2; V. Kirk, 3. 220 Yards Handicap (open).—W. Bainbridge (12yds), 1 ; C. Fielder (10yds) and W. Bainbridge (14yds), t. Bainbridge won easily. Time, 22 4-sth sec. 440 Yards Bicycle Handicap. First heat: W. King (40yds), 1; C. Griffiths (30yds), 2; R. F. McQuade (20yds), 3. Won by a wheel. Time, 35sec, Second heat: B. C. Housley (40yds), 1 ; J. C. Pond (40yds),. 2 ; A. E. Brown (20yds), 3. Housley caught Pond at the turn into the straight and won by a few yards. Time, 36secs. Final heat: J. C. Pond (40yds), 1; W. King (40yds), 2; C. Griffiths (30yds), 3. Pond slipped off like a shot from the field and won easily. Time, 30secs. One Mile Handicap (open).—W. E. Roberts (50yds), 1; J. Beatsou (70yds), 2; J. F. Smith (45yds), 3. Beatson held the lead till the la6t lap, when Roberts overtook him, and after a good race won by about three yards. Time, 4min. 59 1 -sth sec. Handicap Trot ; about three miles.— Mr Tucker's Linda (30secs), 1; Mr Carr's Vulture (scr), 2; Mr Williamson's Shoeclip (35secs), 3. Linda soon went to the front, and won with the greatest of ease. ____^^_____