AMALGAMATED FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' SPORTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2201, 23 January 1886, Page 2

AMALGAMATED FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' SPORTS.

Maishal—Mr E. McEwen ; Judges— Messrs McEwen, Jones, Foy, F. Pelling, Russell and Mitchell; Starters— Messrs W. Kibblewhito and S, H, Wiekerson ; Handicappers—Messrs Kibblowhite, Wiekerson, andO'Counor. Ground Committee—Mesais Chardon, Pelling, Spackman, Fogden, Selby, Cullen, and McKenzie; Secretary— Mr W, McKenzie. Treasurer— Mr S. H. Wiekerson. General Committbe—Delegatoß from Societies. •

Almost as soon as it became known that the Friendly Societies had resolved to hold their annual sports on Anniversary Day, and that a strung committee had been appointed to entry,out the necessary details, tho public as woll as members of tho Society'began to take an interest in the matter, and as Anniversary Day had never been celebrated in Masterton as a general holiday, a good deal of additional interest was necessarily lent to thu undertaking. If anyono doubts this we can only refer him to the numbor of entries received for the chief handicap •vents, those for the Anniversary Handicap tvonts exceeding in number anything known in the provincial district. With such a number it was, of course, extremely unlikely that tho handicappors should give satisfaction to overyhody, and that a considerable number should drop out. They, however, had the pleasure of seeing very large fields in every instance, the maximum being reched in tho 100 yds handicap, in which no less than eighteen competitors faced the starter. But to begin at the beginning. The day broke beautiful and fine, and had it not been for the smoke that has been hanging over the country for weeks past, the sky would have been beautiful and clear. A moderate easterly breeze tempered the atmosphere, which would otherwise have been disagreeably hot, At half-past nine in the morning the members of tho various Friendly Societies met at the Post-office corner and marched at their ease to the railway station, to meet the 10.10 a.m. train. The passengers by this were, however, very few in number, and they therefore returned without having obtained any very material accession to their ranks. The order taken up in returning to town was Volunteer Band , United Friends Foresters Juvenile Foresters Oddfellows Druids.

The proiession marched down Lincoln Road, through Hall Street, along Chapel Street, down Renall Street, turning thence into Queen Street, which was followed to the Post Office corner, where a movement to the right brought it into Church Street A further turn to the left reached Dixon Street, which led to tho Park gates. In the Park everything looked exceedingly gay, and had it not been that a considerable number of trees had been scorched, a lot of grass' burned off, while the remainder of the turf lp'oked exceedingly parched, the whole' 1 scene would have presented a most pleasin? appearance. Near the Oval everything looked exceedingly gay, The first' object to Bcrike the eye ot those entering at the gate from Dixon Street was a large framework, from which four (wings were suspended. These were made on a; new principle, and enabled the occupier of the seat to Bwins; himself backwards and forwards by merely pulling a rope at'proper intervals. These were freely patronized by old and young. Next to this was Mr Ward's fruit stall, which was followed by Mr Polling's luncheon and refreshment booth..' A, little'fur'ther spy. close, to the railing of thV'Oval Wore'two tents, ou« of

while the other was used as a Committee room. A few yards .removed from this, was the only publican's booth on the ground, This was in the hands of Mr R. fl.ißlliotte, of the Mulgrave Hotel, who, judging by the crowd which continually occupied the ground in the front, must have, done a very fair business. Judy, the Maori had n tent in which he exhibited a young deer, and a player of a concertina. Ho complained that he did not do much business, but on tho whole he had little reason to complain. There was a shooting gallery on the ground, which did moderate business, and a sort of wheel of fortune, run by a manof adecidedly Hebrew type of features, who we are afraid did not clear expensesr The Volunteer Band was- accommodated in a very good open tent, and played at intervals, to theenjoymentoftheaudience. Mr Polling and Mr Ward appeared to do very good business at their booths, and the former mußt be complimented on tho excellent luncheon which he supplied. Mr Ward, when the day was over, distributed a considerable quantity of lollies and nuts amongst tho boys and girls present, and though the ground was exceedingly dusty, the juveniles appeared to enjoy tho fun very much.

• The Committee, Secretory, Judges, and other officers performed their duties in a manner that loft no cause for the grumbler to exercise his art. Them were, of course, a few grumblers among the competitors, but the growls were one and all of an unimportant nature. One feature in connection with the sports was that as soon as a race was run the money was roady for the successful competitors, We see no reason why racing clubs should not follow such a laudable ex >mple. With regard to the various ovents which touk place, it is not necessary to say much for their description explains them. Hunt, the professional runner, did not como up. and F. Fairbrother was therefore loft to start from scratch in the Anniversary Handicap. He more than justified the opinion the handioappen had of him, for he won the three events right out. The vaulting with the pole, which was confined entirely to Maories, was also well worth witnessing. The obstacle race, a now feature, created an immense amount of amusement, and is sure to find a plaoe on future programmes The manner in which a little Maori youngster baffled his older opponents was alone worth seeing. The following are tho events :-- Boys' Race, under 12, 100 yds; first prize 10s, second ss—P. Galloway 1, H. Vile 2. There were 14 starters. The two winners soon assumed the lead, and came in a long way ahead of their opponents.

Maiden Race, 120 yds; first prizo 30s, second 15s—R. Thompson 1, R. Rosa 2, W. A. Wilton 3. There wero twelvo starters, Almost from the beginning R. Thompson singled out, followed by Rbßa. After going half way, Thompson had a lead of a yard, which he kept comfortably to the eud. About the same distance separated Rosa from Wilton, who barely beat W. Greathead. Time, 13 l-sth sees. Juvenile Forester's Handicap; first prize, a fishing rod, presented by Mr Dalrymple, second' prise fis—Minifie 1, Sykesil. Eight faced the starter. Minifie who had been placed in the middle, immediately got the lead, and kept it to the finish/the rest beinp nowhere.

Throwing heavy hammer; first prize £l, second lOs-Ulyn, 72ft 2|inches, 1, W. Welch, 70ft 4jinches, 1. There were three entries, and after a prolonged contest, Glyn made a big throw, which his opponent could not reach. Hop stop-and-jump; first priso £l, second lOs-Hunia, 39ft 11 inches, 1, Barret, 39ft Sincb.es, 2, There wore five entries, three of these being Maories. Barrett looked like winning, but when Hunia made 39ft llinches, he gavo up, after two tries, tho ground being too hard for his bare feet.

Sack Raco-T. Welch 1, E. Yateß 2. Out of a crowd of eight these boys ran clean away from all the men, Welch winning by three or four yards. Anniversary Handicap, 120 yds, first event; first prize £5, second £3, third 20s— F. Fairbrnther; scratch, I,R.Rosa, 5 yards, 2, R. Hornblow, 4 yards, 3, There were about a dozen starters. Fairbrother, from last man, though he had a bad start, ran clean through, and won by a foot. The time was not taken.

Tossing the caber; first prize 255, socnnd 10-Glyn (30ft 3in) 1. Kibblewhite (30ft liu) 2, Welch (29ft 4jin; 3. 4 entries. Glyn,.after winning, went and throw 31ft Sin.

Walking Handicap, 2 miles; first prize 60b, lecund 20a—H. Hodge (25vds) 1, F. Morshcad (50yds) 2, J. Bambry (2oyds) 3. There were siven starters. Fo: the first lap the competitors kept their positions. and then Hodge and Bambry commenced to improvo their positions. Mawliinay, with a start of 250 yds, kept well ahead for three laps, and was then passed by Neary, who, however, gavo up when collared by Morihead. Hodge gradually got towards the winners, and eventually secured first place, winning by about 20 yds fiom Morshead, Bambry being a bad third. Collier retired when he saw he had no chance. Time, 15min. 23sec. Anniversary Handicap, 220 yds; second event.—F. Fairbrother, scratch, 1, R. Rosa (9yds) 2, A. G. Thompson (4yds) 3. There were 9 starters. Fairbrother again ran through and won a very hot raco by a yard. Rosa, who wascannoned, lost ground and got second place, A, G. Thompson a good third. Time, 2min 25 two-fifth seconds,

Running high jump ; first prize 20s, second 10s,—Sam (4ftllin)l, Ngaturo (4ft 10in)* Hunia (4ft 10in)* There were four entriea. Ngature and Hunia tied for Becond place, and agreed to divide the money. 1 Mile Handicap, first prize 80s, socond prize 303.-J. Kennedy (150 yds) 1, A. E. Gardener (flOyds) 2. G. Bain, scratch, retired. There were only the three starters, and they kept their respective positions throughout. After finishing half of tho last round, Bain retired, Time, 4min 42 two-fifths seconds. Putting tho stone; first prize 20s, second 10s.-D. 0. Glyn (36ft 4in)l, W: Welch (34ft 7in) 2. Simeon also entered, but soon retired.

Hurdle handicap, 220 yards, (over ten hurdles) first prize 40s, second prize ?os. -W.Morria (18yds) 1,. F. Fairbrother (6yds)* W. Greathoad (21yds)* Fourteen faced the starter, For half the distance there was no change. . Then, however, Fairbrother showed up, but failed to catch Morris by a yard. The race would probably have been won by Greathead had he not fallen. As it was, he tied Fairbrother for seeond place. Time, 31f seconds.. Vaulting with pole; fint prize 20s, second prize 10s.-Hunia(9ftßin)l, Sara (9ft 6in) 2, Rawbone Mason 3. These were the only entries. Obstacle race, boys under 15 ; first prize 15b, second 7s 6d—Matthew 1, Ryan 2. Ten boys were brought to the post, a start being given to the little ones. The way Matthew, a little Maori boy, crawled under the hurdles where', the others failed to get over them, created roars of laughter, and his win was a very popular one.

Youths' race, 220 yards j under 15; first prize 15s, second7s (id—T.' Wplolt i, T. Thompson 2. About a, doz,o,n, started. T; Welch and T, Thompson rati through the rest, tho,'former winning by about a 'foot. Time2i'iieo?, Friendly Sooietie'i Handicap, 220 yds; first prize 50i,' second, 20s";' for. Society members only-W..Greathead (7y<js) 1,"

(scratch) 3. Four others started. Won by a bare inch, after a very hot .race. Time, 2H-sth sees.'..'. . .-' ' Old Men's Race Handicap, loOßjs, over 50; suit of clothes presentocTby Messrs H.Owen and. Co.-J, Smith 1. Five started, but the winner,, an exceediugly .wiry little man,- who had got a start from the rast, was never headed, .. Quoits j:; first prize 30s second 10s—W. Welch 1, V. H. Wardell 2. This was an ex«eedingly long game. There were eij»hi entries, and among those W, Welch proved himself far the best, his gamo improving as he went on. • . V 100 yards Handicap. First prize); 80s; second 10a,—J. Peters 1; D. Nicholson, 2; Sam, 3,.. Thero were no less than .18 starters, and a good deal of difficulty must have been experienced to give all « | fair. show. Just as the men were about r ready, a miachievouslurehin firedacrabkw in the rear, and there was of course i start, Tho men were, hoirevor, brought back to their places and despatched to* gether, Peters winning by about a foot, Three-legged race, under 15, First, 16» J Becond, ss. T. Welch and T. Thompson, 1; T. Ryan and Volhoim, 2. ■ Fiva entries.

Anniversary Handicap, 440 yds (third event)-F. Fnirbrother (18yds) 1, A. 0. Thompson (15yds) 2, R. Rosa (27yds) 3. Eight star ted, and for half the distano* there wis no change in their respectiw. positions, Thompson having, it anytlujM, lost a little ground. In tho turn for !pp* Rosa made his effort, but he came too siiiin, and was passed, by 'Fairbrother. The latter, however, was not to win jish© liked, as Thompson made a splendid nwh,and came within a couple of feet of tho winners; but ho had evidently held back too long. Time,.s7 and four-fifth* seconds.

Sack Race j first priza- 10a, second 5; for boys only—H. Welch 1, 0. Gunthw 2, E. Yates 3. . Consolation Handicap, 220 yds; first prize £l, second 10s—R, Hornblow 1, A. G. Thompson 2, E, Pelling, 3. Th«r» were ten; starters, and Hornblow won rather easily. Time, 15 sees.. This concluded'the procramme. Champion Prize, Tea and Coffee Service.—F. Fairbrother Ist with 18 points; D. C„ Glynn and Hugh Welch got 15 points each.

In tho evening there was aioireeatth* Theatre Royal, which was well attended, Excellent music was supplied by th» Quintetto Band. Dancing was kept up till morning. -