THE MASTERTON SPORTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2863, 3 April 1888, Page 2

THE MASTERTON SPORTS.

Judges.—Fire Brigade Events-Messrs A. Smith, T. Creswell, T. Dixon, and E. McEwen, Football Events-Messrs F, O'Connor, E, M, D. Whatman and Eev. McKenna, Sports-Messrs J. Muir, B. Hounslow, "W. Thomas, a. Foy, Walter Perry, E. M. D. Whatman, J. Wickens, T. D, Thompson, Ground Committee-Messrs F. Bacon, B. Hounslow, 6. Ward, C. Ewington, W. Thomas, J. Emmett, and P. H, Cox, General Committee-Delegates. TKEASUEEit-Mr P. H. Cox, STAKTEit-Mr A. A. Elkins. Handicappee—Mr F. O'Connor. The sports and competitions held yesterday, on the Park Oval, under the auspices of the Masterfcon Amalgamated fire Brigades and Football Clubs, may be said to have passed off very successfully. As far as competition went, there were, at any rate, fair fields in all the events, and, from an athletic point of view, the close finishes which ruled throughout the day must been very gratifying indeed, The attendance of the public was hardly large, and thfa can only be put down to the fact ihat recently, from a

spectators aspect, there have been rather many exhibitions of this nature. The number of persons present yesterday has been variously estimated at from 500 to 700 persons. The prize moneys in some of the more important events were hardly as large as.one would like to see them, aud for mile and half-mile races it is desirable, if possible, to encourage competitors for their trouble in training, their expenditure in entrance and acceptance fees, and their fatigue in the events themselves, by more liberal awards. •At the same time, we are aware that as far as the Committee tvere concerned they evinced every disposition' to apportion their funds lis satisfactorily as possible, and it is more a matter of regret than of censure that they had not more money at their disposal. The arrangements throughout were very, good indeed, and reflected creditably upon the officials who managpd affairs on the occasion, There is only one direction in which a suggestion for improvement might we think be applied, and that is in the matter of keeping the course clear. Yesterday a great number of people were allowed on the track and in the,, centre of the ground who could have,-no possible business there, and they at times materially interfered with the comfort and operations of the competitors. Although, strictly speaking, the police are not in duty bound responsible in this direction, we feel sure, with their ever-ready response to any call which is intended to preserve order, they would help in improving matters in this respect in future.

The amusement and the comfort of visitors were ably supplemented in the usual way by the presence of the Masterton Volunteer-Band, which played a selection of lively and well-rendered music, and by the .provision of publican's and refreshment booths, the former under the proprietorship of Mrs Wagg, and thiv latter under Mrs Corbett. There were also various games, a swing boat, and a patent totalisator, on the bagatelle principle, run-by Mr Louis Holmes, In concluding our introductory notice, we must pay a compliment to the handicapper (Mr F. O'Connor), whose good judgment was amply borne out by the invariable close finishes; to the first-class starting of that veteran, Mr A. Elkins; and to the exceedingly satisfactory and able manner in which the arduous duties of Secretary were discharged by Mr Frank Felling, and to whom we"are indebted for much kind and ready attention to the wants on the field of our representative,

ROGRA ME 1. Maiden Race, 200 yards. Nomination 2s First piizo 30s, second IBs, F, Bacon 1 E, Darley „. ,„ 2 T. Thompson 3

Nine started. There seemed to be a good deal of jostling in this race. It was a hotly contested event from start to finish. Time 26|secs.

2, Drop Kicking, nomination 2s, First prize 20s, second 55,.

A. D'Arcy (56ft) ~, 1 H.Perry(ss l-3rdft)... -2

Seven contested. Three kicks each were allowed, the' best distance of the three taking the award. The direction was across the wind. The kicking was neither clean nor good.

3, Ist Event, Easter Handicap, 120 -yards, nom. 2s Gd, accep. 2s Gd. First prize 20s, second 10a.

J. E. Johnston (12yds) 1 P. Olsen (Byds) ' ... 2 Reineni (scr) 3

Nine started. A close race was won by a foot. The. second man also was hard pushed by Remeni, Time 12 sees.

4. 5 Men Engine Practice (wet), nom, 10s, First prize 80s, second 40s,

Masterton Municipal No 1 team ) (lmin 7sec, and lmin 13seca, I 1 total 2min 20secs). .( \ Greytown No 2 team (lmin 13 I ■ sees, and lmin lfeecs, total 2 I 2 min 29secs) j Masterton Volunteer No 1 team ) (lmin 12sec, and lmin 18| sees I 3 total 2min 30J-secs) J In this event the Masterton Volunteer No 2 team who also competed were very unfortunate. After, in the first round, successfully doing the feat in the unprecedented time of 53 3-sth seconds, they were entirely thrown out of the competition at the second trial, owing to the nozzle not being affixed when water was thrown, 5. Half Mile Handicap, nom. 2s, accep. Is, First prize 30s, second 15s, C, B. Coleman(scr) ... 1 J. Bambry (7 yds) ' ~. 2 N. Neilsen (10 yds) ~, 3 Six started. Won' very easily, Coleman having it all his own way. Time, 2min 9|sec. 0. Boys' Obstacle Race, nom. Is, First prize 10s, second ss, W. Thompson 1 T.Jackson 2 Sextant 3 Nine ran. 7. 2nd Event, Easter Handicap, 220 yards first prize 20s second, 10s, R. Martin (10 yds) „. 1 J.E.Johnston (15 yds) 2 R, Thompson (scr) ... 3 Six started. Well ran and closely finished. Time, 25 2-sth sec, 8. Place Kicking, nom, 2s. First prize 20s, second ss, T. Hawke 1 ft Perry 2 Six competed. This was a test of accuracy. The ball was kicked from the 25 yards limit, and each' man had three shots at the goal allowed him, every kick being from a different a ngle. The best ayerage secured the prize. 9. 2 Men Engine, (dry), nom, 3s, First prize 40s second 20s, H. Ewington and W.Jlawhinay (M.V.F.8.) 25sec 1 E. Pragnell and Brasch (M.M.F.8.) 25 l-sth sec- 2 10, Hurdle Race Handicap, 220 yards, nom. 2s, aceep. Is, First prize 30s, second 15s, R. Thompson (scr) 1 R.O. Smith (scr).... ... 2 Remeni (-tyds) .... -... 3 Eight started, A thoroughly good race. Hotly contested. Won by half a yard. The judges at first declared -. R, O. Smith the winner, but the pro- < test'which Thompson thereupon raised was quickly settled by the former at i

once proclaiming that he had finished second. 11. Running Long Jump, nom, Is. First

prize 15a. v , ,qh Red (16ft 11in)... \W[ Hunia (16ft 6in) ... ..TV Frank Perry was the only, other competitor. 12,1 Mile Handicap, nom, 2s, acoep. 2s. First prize 40s, second 20a. • ' '. '

J. Bambry (35yds) ... 1 0. B. Coleman'(scr) ~.- 2 \V. Barker (100 yds) ... 3

lour ran. Bambry. fisthe race'too; well in hand, and when ; 6ne hundred yards from home, Coleman had recognise that first place for him was hopeless. Time, 4min 50 2-stb sees. 14.. 1 Man Engine practice (dry), nom. 2s. First 30s, second 15.W.Mawhinay(Jl.V.F.B.) 50 l-sch sec ... 'l K. Bayler (M.M.F.8.) 53 l-sthsec .2

Mawhinay won with a particularly clean run, his work being rapid, mm very free from fumbling. , IG. 3rd Event Easter Handicap, 440 yards, First prize 20s second 10s. E. 0. Smith (scr) ... 1 J.E.Johnston(2oy'ds)... \ . R.Martin (12yds) .<tfti .'X Another man, J. Peters/lkw com- N peted, The finish was by no means close." Time 55secs. *7. Dribbling Fotball, nom, 2s. First prizo 20s, second Bs. . Albert Hoar (47 4-sth sees) 1 A.E.D'Arcy(sl3-stbsecs)2 This event, consisting of dribbling the ball through a zig-zag course of ' pegs, the quickest man securing the award. Speed was apparently the chief object. 18. 2 Men Ladder Kcscuo Race, nom. 3s. First

prize 30s, Becond 153. G.Ward and W. Mawliiuay(Mastn. Vol.) 23 2-sth sees ... 1 W. Morris and C. Ewington (Mastn. •Vol.) 25sec. ... , ... 2 . Six or seven pairs competed, ik this amusing. event the two men \M to run 50 yards, erect a 24ft long ladder against scaffolding, and one of them to ascend and rescue an innocent babe which was supposed to be in danger, the feat being completed when the infant (a "dummy") and tk man together reached the ground. /V\ 19.1 Mile Walking Handicap, nom. 2s, accep2s, First prize 403, second 20s.

J. Bambry (110 yds) ... 1 N. Neilsen (150 yds) ... 2 Only three walked, A. Campbell really came in first, but he was afterwards disqualified, a protest being lodged that he ran. / 20 Footballers'and Firemen's Handicap, 150 yards, nom, 2s. First prize 30s, second 15s. R. Thompson (scr) ... 1 ■ R. O, Smith (2 yds) ... 2: Kemeni(scr) 3 Seven or eight started, and there was a very good finish—indeed a yard would have covered the three first men. 21, Consolation Handicap, 220 yards, nom, 2s. First prize 20s, second 10s. -A J. Peters (6yds) 1 N. Neilsen (10yds) ... 2 E.Collier(loyds) ... 3 A good race and a close finish. Easter Best iAgate for thiw events; (120, 220;1kU40 yards). Prizes Ist £2: 2nd dEI; 3rd"" 10s,.

J, E. Johnston (11 points) 1 R. Martin (7 points) ... 2

R. 0. Smith (5 points)... 3 Johnston secured ono .first and tw seconds; Martin one first and one second; and Smith one first only.