THE WAIRARAPA DEMONSTRATION.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8964, 30 November 1894, Page 5

THE WAIRARAPA DEMONSTRATION.

OPENING OF SYDENHAM PARK.

The outdoor demonstration; in aid of the funds for the relief of sufferers oy the recent wreck of the s.s. Wairarap* was held yesterday at tho Sydenham Park. The weather was perfect for the occasion, but on the grounds the dust was rather unpleasant. Tbe procession was one of the chief features of the demonstration. It was formed in the Market square and marched down Colombo street to the park, a large crowd of spectators lining the footpaths to see it pass. The marshals were Messrs R. C. Bishop and E. Smith.

The order of the procession was as follows :—

Cyclists. Sydeuham Band. Oddfellows. Hibernians. Garrison Rand. Foresters. Druids. Engineers' Bind. Fire Brigades. Stanmore Band. Local Bodies. Sfc, Albans Drum and Fife Bond. Other Bodies. There was a very large gathering ot people at the Park, both youug and old having turned out in full force. On arrival of the procession tho fcrnial ceremony of opening the Park to the publio took place. The Mayor and Councillors of Sydenham, the Mayor of Christchurch, aud several members ot the Wairarapa Relief Fund Committee assembled on a platform erected for the occasion.

Cr. Fobkester said that before proceed- . ing with the formal ceremony of opening the Sydenham Park, he had to say that he had beon honoured by tho members of the Borough Council with tho carrying out of a very pleasant task. It was a pleasant task to him, considering that ho had for years worked with his Worship the Mayor. The task he had been asked lo perform was the presenting of an address to the Mayor, expressive of the Council's satisfaction with the manner in which he had carried out his duties during the time he had be .v in the chair, md more especially in acquiring that magnificent park for Sydenham. (Applause.) H. then read tbe address, which was as follows :_- ---"To William Jacques, Esq., Mayor of Sydenham—Your Worship—As members of the Council and on behalf of the burgesses of Sydenham, we desire to present you with this address as a memento of tho opening of the Sydenham Park. In doing so we place on record our appreciation of the indofattgable efforts that have secured for the borough a recreation ground that must conduce to the health and wellbeing of its inhabitants, and gratefully recognise that to your */.oal and fidelity to the Council's instructions we are largely indebtod for the Park. We trust that yourself, Mrs Jacques aud family, may for many years remain amongst us in health and happiness ; also that you may realise to the full your anticipation of the usefulness and advantage to Sydenham of the Park which you this day open." Three hearty cheers were given for-his Worship and one for Mrs Jacques. The Mayor said that the very kindly feellugs that had been expressed towards himself and his family were not what he had expected for carrying ont the duties devolving upon him. There Were one or. two things he wished to allude to whioh were of vital importance tithe- borough and its inhabitants. Some years ago Sydenham was looked upon throughout New Zealand as a most undesirable spot for residence, its death rate being something like 16 per 1000. The Council had borrowed £25,000 for carrying out Works to better the sanitary condition of the borough, and according to the re turns for last year -they {found that Sydenham, with its 10,583 inhabitants, the filth largest centre of the colony, was the best of the five as regarded the health of its inhabitants. He alluded to the difficulties that had been in the way of acquiring that piece of land, and pointed out that' the Council b%w up a very Important, factor In tbe healthiness of the" borough would be done s bwhy with.' They were determined, therefore, to acquire it, and appealed duceessfully to the Government for assistance. . Jh conclusion, he said he would value the address, not for its intrinsic value but for the kindly'feelings tbat had been expressed, and whioh he conld not find words' to reply to. He then declared th_ park open to the people of Sydenham for all time. (Applause.) <

The address was tastefully illuminated by Mr Donald McLennanj; of Sydenham. It is surmounted by the Union Jack, Southern Cross, aud flags under which reclines the Council's motto " Deeds not Words" on a bed of toi-toi. The lettering is well-illumi-nated, and the whole is -nicely brought to- . gether by ferns,' creepers, and sprigs oi flowers.' The address-is placed in an inlaid, frame of New Zealand woods comprised *ol fifteen varieties and 164 pieces. ' The frame was artistically designee! and executed by Mr B_ Norrie, of Colombo street, Sydenham.

An effort was then made to carry ont the programme of sports, but as no 'arrangements were made for preventing the spectators from crowding upon the running track the chief events, the bicycle r&oes, had to be abandoned. Two Of them were run off, but in the second three riders met with accidents through children running across the track, and *the cyclists decided not to start again. Among those who rendered good Bervioe in carrying out .he sports programme were Messrs F. T. Panhell, W. E. Thompson and F. Cooper, Judges ; R, L.' Adams and J. 0. Cusack, Starters; and G. R. Hart, Entry Secretary. In addition to . the sports there were attractions in the way of an Aunt Sally and swing boats, and. M» J, Robinson ran a refreshment booth. The following are the. results of tbe various events:— •' One Mile Bidycle Handicap (Under New Zealand Oy-lists' Alliance Wel- . lington, 160 yd», 1; 8. D. Hill,' !«•%(_», 2 „ C. H. EdmnndSOn, 220 yds, 3. Eight started. Hill ran to tbe front two hundred Jards from home and looked like winning, ut Wellington came again in the straight and snatched a half-wheel victory, Edmundson a fair third.

100 Yards Slat Handicap (open)*-Firs& heat—P. D. Mansell, 3yds, 1;, J. Gair,4yds. 2; W. Petrie,'syds, 3. Five started, .Second heat— T. A. Petrie, syda, 1 ; X Tarpey, 6yds, 2; T. Atkinson, 6yds, 3. [Fiaal heat—T. Tarpey 1, O. J. Collins 2, 'Wi Petrie 3. The men only trotted in, not caring to extend themselves on the hard ground.

ground. - 1 • ' Three-mile Bicycle Handicap (under New Zealand Cyclists' Union rules) —J. Boyd, - scr, 1; A. R. Barker, ear, 2} C. R. Wilson, scr, 3. Twelve started. . In the second' lap a little girl running across, tbe track caused M. Gaffhey to come down heavily, bringing G. Heawood with bim, the former getting his face badly cut. Ia .the same lap 35. "._ Rainbow was brought down in a similar way. by a little boy. The race was practically " between the scratch men, all the others having dropped out. A good finish resulted.. in favour of Boyd by half a length, f>Vi_so__ and Soanes third - and fourth, close , up* Time, Bmin 40seo. - - * Girls' Race, 100 yards, open to fifth standard scholars—Florrie Hooper (Sydenham) 1, Janet White (Sydenham) 2. Boys' Race, 150 yards, open to fifth . standard scholars—J. EL Bontkes (Sydenham) 1. 220 Yards Flat Handicap, amateurs— W. Craig, 14yds, 1; C. E. Cholmondeley, BytU, 2; S. Perkins, Ujda, 3. Six started. .Won. by two yards. * , 100 Yards Handicap, for Firemen—. Branchman J. Miller, .scr, 1; Foreman McMillan, 3yds, 2; Fireman W. Sutton, 4yds, 3. Girls' Race, 150 yards (open to sixth standard scholars)— Bella Cunningham, SydenI ham, 1; Jennie Whittt*, West Christ- [ church 2. Boys' Race, 200 yards (open to sixth standard scholars)—R. Treleaveu, Normal. 1; H. Denby, East Christchuroh, 2. Bandsmen Handicap Race, 150 yards— W. MeClnre, Stanmore, 1; F. Dunn, Stanmore, 2: J. Hopkins, Stanmote, 3. oM Yards Flat Handicap (open)—J. Matson, 19yds, 1; C. J. Collins, 10yds, 2; , T. A* Petrie, I6yds, 3. 120 Yards (amateurs.)—J. Perkins, syds, I; F. S. Harley, scr, 2; E. J. Cholmondeley, 3yds, 3. Siva, started. ' • c, - 100 Yards Friendly. Societies Handicap—. W. Petrie, 1; F. Obianali, 2; T. Atkinson, 3. ...-.-' - . - ' ■ Boy's Race (under 16)— A. J. Barrett><

West Christchurch, 1; W. Chisnall, St. Albans, 2; J. McNichol, 3. 75 Yards Committee Race —G. H. Lethaby, scr, 1; Geo. Milne, scr, 2; F. T. Pannell, scr, 3. „. Sack Race —A. J. Barrett, West Christchurch, 1; B. Lancaster, Sydenham, 2; M. Wheeler, 3.