Local Footrace.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2949, 13 July 1888, Page 2

Local Footrace.

Between four and five hundred persons gathered at the Masterton Park Oval yesterday afternoon to witness the footrace between Robert Thompson and Charles Toon. Mr Elkins was starter, and Messrs Park and O'Connor judges, The first event was 100 yards for &10 a-side, Both got well started, and the race was keenly contested, Thompson slightly leading till close on tho finish. When within a few ibet of tho goal, Thompson stumbled and fell, going under tho handkerchiefs, Toon breasting the tape at the same moment, A scone of tumultous coufusiou ousucd, tho backers of both

sides claiming, the yiotory. r .'Tho ~-ls3, judges woro appealedto,/.but'.-tlioy'■;'*;';,!4; could not agree, and the questionl of: : V,; ;running it oyer again was 'discussed; -I;'i. ' and declined. ■ Ultimately, both sides ■.■:•■"'' i agreed to add the stakes to tho second I event. For the next race of 220 | yards for £25,, fresh judges were ' ; chosen, Messrs Gray, Kennedy, and Tailored. Mr Elkins again got tho men away well together, and'l hompsou at once took the lead, which he maintained throughout, winning, by somo three yards, For the benefit'of the funds of the Masterfon Hospital a charge.of sixpence was mado at tho gates, and the sum of £i 7s 9d was realized, ' ~ *