TUATAPERE SPORTS.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 42, 7 January 1921, Page 15

TUATAPERE SPORTS.

LARGE A.TTENDANCE. The Tuatapere Athletic Society had good weather for their annual gathering on Saturday, and the attendance was on a large scale, the gate takings amounting to £92 10s, as against £77 3s last year. To those who have not seen the Waiau and its surroundings such an occasion affords an opportunity of paying a visit under the most auspicious circumstances, and many no doubt travelled west not to see the sports alone, but this most recently settled district of Southland. In former years the sports ground has been on this side of the river, but the committee has chosen anothei* area on the west, which in course of fime should meet all the demands the Society is likely to put upon it, but which at present is not in a condition to permit of the best perfoimances by athletes. It is certainly an ideally situated spot, and with a little expenditure shculd meet all requirements. A long pi'ogramme had been arranged, the principal events consisting of chopping and sawing, and the substantial prizes attracted compet-itors from long distances. Perhaps nothing better has been seen in the district outside Invercargill in the way of sports of the kind. The entries were numerous, involving heats in every instance, and tbe choppeTs and sawvers knew their business, the result being fast times. The sprinting and running generally was affected, as before stated, by the roughness of the track, still the. races were interesting. A. J. N. Brown, of Otautau, won both the Sheffield and 220 yards, and ran a dead-heat in the 75 yards. H. G. McLeod, at one time New Zealand mile champion, gained a first and second. The juvenile dancing revealed some clever young performers. To get the programme through in the scheduled time required the eommittee to start out with a set purpose and adhere i to it throughout, and the secretary (Mr l M. Dowling) and the others who undertook the management deserve credit for the way the programme was carried through. The sawing and chopping events, which were largely under the control of Mr T. O'Byrne, were efficiently managed, and generally the Tuatapere Society's 1921 gathering was one that should give satisfaction to all concerned. The local Pipe Band and other pipers were present, so tliere was ample music. Following were the xesults of the events : CHOPPING AND SAWING. 12in Maiden Handicap Chap (underhand). — P. Scott (7sec) 1, N. Whipp (7sec) 2, W. Ackers (scr) 3. Time, 45 2-5sec. 18in Double-hand Sawing Handicap. — Phillips Bros. (5sec) 1. 18in Single-hand Sawing Handicap. — A. L. Chisholm (lOsec) 1, D. Johnston (scr.) 2, J. Phillips (2sec) 3. Plumb 15in Underhand Chop Handicap (lst £75 and gold medal, 2nd £5, 3rd £4, 4th £1 ; winners of heats, not placed in the final, £1). — G. Blanks (27sec) 1, W. Bone (12sec) 2, R. McKenzie (30sec) 3, J. Pont (scr) 4. Time, lmin 10 l-5sec. RUNNING. 75 Y^ards Handicap (open). — A. J. N. Brown (6yds) and J. Jaroieson (2^yds), dead heat, 1, J. McKenzie (6-^yds) 3. Mile Handicap (open). — H. G. McLeod (scr) 1, M. Cahill (20yds) 2. 135 Yards (open) ; lst £10 and special prize of £5 5s, '2nd £5, 3rd £2, 4th £1. — - A. J. N. Brown (lOvds) 1, J. Jaroieson (5yds) 2, P. Cahill (10yds) 3, J. O'Callaghan (1yd) 4. Ilalf Mile Handicap (open). — M. Cahill ■ Ovds) 1, H. G. McLeod (scr) 2, E. H. Diack 10yds) 3. 220 Yards (open). — A. J. N. Brown (14yds) 1, J. Jamieson (4yds) 2, J. McKenzie (16yds) 3. Ladies' Race (16 years and over). — Miss Cameron 1, Miss Grey 2, Miss McMillan 3. 100 Yards District Handicap (within 10 miles of Tuatapere). — W. Cosgriff 1, E. Evans 2, G. Flanagan 3. Girls' Race. — M. Dowling 1, B. Weir 2, L. Branks 3. DANCING. Highland Fling (boys or girls, 16 years or under). — Miss A. Mathieson 1, W. Batt 2, Miss J. Matheson 3. Highland Fling (boys cr girls under 12 years). — Miss A. Matheson 1, Miss J. Matheson 2. Irish Jig (boys and girls, 16 years and under). — W. Batt 1, Miss A. Matheson 2. Hornpipe (boys or cirls, 16 years and under).— W. Batt 1, Miss A. Mathes. n 2. Sword Dance (boys or girls under 16 years).— W. Batt 1, Miss A. Matheson 2. Sword Dance (boys or girls r nder 12 years).— Miss J. Matheson 1, Miss A Matheson 2. Special Prize: Miss J. Mathes ro.