OMANAWA FALLS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LX, Issue 11087, 10 April 1933, Page 3

OMANAWA FALLS

Sports Gathering and Dance , A SUCCESSFUL DAY. I Saturday was a great da.y at Omauawa Falls, as it marked the re- | vival of the popular Omanawa sports, j The last meeting of any size was nine years ago, and it is a great credit to the Committee with Mr Victor Bannatyne at the head, that after the long interval they revived the meeting with such great success.

A long programme had been arranged and fortunately the day was fine with the exception of a. shower about four o’clock, hut as most of the events were over it wait of little consequence. Precisely at eleven in the morning the children’s races commenced, all being completed by lunch time. In some races there were up to twenty children and in one—"standing on one fool”—there were at least thirty, all possessed of such endurance that it became necessary to add further tests as the competition progressed. For the chopping there were some ten to twelve entries for each event and it was undoubtedly the chief attraction of the day. Old and young joined in with enthusiasm and in the “Old Men’s Race” Mr Johnston of Omanawa, a sprightly young athlete of something more than three score years and ten, with a handicap that became hie years and with the aid of his stick —used kangaroo fashion —romped home an easy winner from Ike Stephens, of Kaimai, with Mr Jensen, Mr Taylor and several other well-known identities finishing in a hunch. The ladies were not to be outdone and in the “Sawing for Ladies” there were about ten entrants, Mrs Crawforth and Miss Olsen proving too professional for their opponents. The sports were held in Mr H. Petersen’s paddock and many visitors were present from Kaimai, Tauriko, Oropi, and Tauranga, and all were hospitably entertained by Omanawa Fans settlers. The Committee responsible for the arrangements were: Mrs Crawforth, Mrs Browning, Miss Bannatyne and Miss Olsen, and Messrs Bannatyne, Crawforth, W. V. Prime, J. Taylor, H, Petersen, J. Peers, J. P. Jensen, A. C. Jensen, W. Jensen, P. Jensen, J. Walker, A. Jensen, E. Hoke, R. Gavin, and many helpers. Results in detail were as follow: —■ Tossing the Sheaf (men).—M. Petersen 1, J. Heke 2. Girls’ Race, under 5 years.— N. Belk 1, D. Bel’k 2.

Boys’ Race, under 5 years.—K. Jensen 1, C. Heke 2.

Girls’ Race, under 10 years.—M Petersen 1, E. Petersen 2. Boys’ Race, under 10 years.— B Dihur 1, R. Peers 2.

Girls’ Race, under 14 years.— E Standen 1, E. Crawforth 2. Boys’ Race, under 14 years.— J Barrowman 1, D. Peers 2. Girls’ Race, under 16 years.— B. Petersen 1, E. Standen 2. Boys’ Race, under 16 yeans.— J. Barrowman 1.

Three-legged Race for Children. — I. Currie and J. Barrowman 1, E. Standen and C. Heke 2.

Single Men’s Race.—A. Jensen 1, A. Prime 2.

Single Ladies' Race.—Miss Moreland 1, Miss Olsen 2. Standing on One Foot. —M. Wade 1, J. Barrowman 2. Tilting Horses for Boys and Girls, —C. Heke 1, J. Keith 2. Sack Race for Boys and Girls. —I. Currie 1, R. Grant 2. Married Ladies’ Race. — Mrs A. Jensen 1, Mrs Crawforth 2. Relay Race for Adults. — Kaimai team 1.

Horses Flag Race for Boys.—D Peers 1, E. Standen 2.

Standing Chop, 15in., open.—A Scott 1, H. Petersen 3; Horses Flag Race for Men. — J, Peers 1, J. Ormsby 2.

Underhand Chop, 15in., open.—R. Stevehs 1, J. Ormsby 2. Sawing Event for Ladies. — Mrs Crawforth and Miss Olsen 1. Local Chop, 15in. —D. Stevens 1, W. H. Jensen 2.

Thread the Needle. —J. Heke and Mrs Scott 1.

Cigarette Race, Horses. —J. Heke and Mrs Williams 1.

Flag Race; Motor Cycles.— P. Prime 1, L. H. Hammond 2. Bending Race, Motor Cycles.— L. H. Hammond 1, R. Gavin 2. Tilting the Ring, Motor Cycles.—L. H. Hammond 1, Smith 2. Tilting the Ring, Horses.— R. Prime 1, T. King 2. Married Men’s Race. —J. Ormsby 1, N. Prime 2.

Old Men’s Race. —M, Johnston 1, I. Stephens 2.

The Omanawa Falls school room had been very gaily decorated by the Ladies' Committee for the dance in the evening. Streamers and bowls of dahlias and chrysanthemums filled every corner.

Music was supplied by a small orchestra from Tauranga—J. Trigg (piano), L. Hardy (drums), and R. Gavin (violin) —extras being played by Mrs Browning, and Mr A. Scott with his accordeon.

Mrs Browning, Mrs Connor, June Browning, and Mr A. Stephens, of Kaimai, entertained between dances, the items being much appreciated, and a very nice supper was served about 11 o’clock. At the conclusion of the dance Mr Johnston, of Omanawa, thanked all who had helped to make the day so successful, especially Mr Victor Bannatyne, who had worked so hard reviving the sports, and making the necessary arrangements.

The dance was a happy ending to a successful day and should ensure the Omanawa Sports becoming once again an annual fixture.