MILITARY SPORTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 72, 26 March 1891, Page 9

MILITARY SPORTS.

SATURDAY'S ATTRACTION.

When His Excellency the Governor suggested last year that a series of military sports should be held for our volunteers, ie was no doubt with the hope that such spoits would take piace annually. Nor is the hope likely to be disappointed, for this year the altair has been taken up with even greater enthusiasm than last year. Lasb time the movement was a new one, and people didn't quite know what it meant. Even the Committee of Management were a bit puzzled to make the aiiair go off properly. Bub there could be no doubt thab the idea " caught on " with volunteers and public. Then bhe mistakes made last time were noted for future reference, so that the Committee went to their work this timo with greater confidence, arising from greater knowledge. Everything ia now in train for an excellent day's sport on Saturday. In compliment to His Excellency and to our volunteers all other sports have left the day open, so that the military sports may have the field to themselves. The entries for the events have come in most satisfactorily ; and it is seldom indeed that over 400 competitors aro found at one day's sports. In every event there will be keon competition. And the prizes will be good, for the Committee have wisely decided to make them worth a struggle. The first event starts at 10 o'clock on Saturday morning. Tho Committee will moot to-night to make the iinal airangements for tho meeting ; and all that is now wanted is fine weather. There will be two bands on the ground, the Artillery aud the Orlando Band, so tbab there will be plenty of music to soothe defeated competitors and keep things lively lor everybody. Arrangements havo been made for the Waiuku Cavalry and South Franklin Mountod Infantry to como by special train to-morrow. The Waikato men will arrive to-day, and tho country riilo corps will come down on Saturday morning. Some dissatisfaction, according to our Waiuku correspondent, appears to exist in bhab district because the number of teams has been limited in certain of the competitions. The limitation has been made in the interests of tho public. It will be remembetod that last year some of the competitions became wearisome owing to the number of teams ongaged, and it was decided that such a result must be avoided by limiting teams to two from each mounted corps. The Committee have agreed to give third prizes if the judges recommend the same.

A number of Saturday's events should provide somo really good fun. For tho Pursuing Practice for cavalry there are two teams, each from tho Waiuku and Waikato Corps, and a cose contest is expected. The Signalling competition is always worth looking ab. The Tug-of-War will give rise to somo great struggles. For the Band Race thero aro twenty entries from different bands, and there is a race for the Orlando band, for which Mrs Endean has given a special prize. The Lloyd-Lindsay competition is a very attractive event, and the chief ono of the meeting. Six squuds aro entered. The Governor's Cup goes to tho winner of this event. The "A" Battery will meet worthy opponents from tho Orlando Marine Artillery in the field gun drill. The Musical Ride is new and atbractive. Then there aro the Victoria Cross competition, tho Alarm Match, the foot races with big entries, hurdle races, and plenty of othor interosting items. The pacing match should be good. The horses have <ii>t to bo walked round, then trotted, and then sent at a gallop. The competition for " capturing gun" is for mounted corps and is new and attractive.

His Excellency is expected to arrived this afternoon from his Urewora trip. He and -party will drive to the sports, and will probably be attended by tho Cavalry Corps as an escort.

Afternoon tea will be provided on the Grand Stand for ladies.