SUMNER GALA.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9988, 18 March 1898, Page 3

SUMNER GALA.

St. Patrick's Day was celebrated yesterday in an attractive style by the people of Sumner, who on the occasion held their second annual gala, which comprised water and land sports. The gala drew a big attendance, there being several thousand people scattered about the beach, dividing their attention between competitive and amusing events and exchanging compliments with their friends. The weather was fine, the Committee energetic, and the fete a success. The Woolston Band, whose services had been engaged for the afternoon, played the early excursion trams to their destination, and afterwards added to the enjoyment of the outing by contributing a good deal of music. The gala was under the patronage of the Mayor and Councillors of the Borough, and the items comprising it were grouped into sections under speuial committees, who attended closely to ■ their respective x duties. A special committee looked after the enjoyment of the children, and for the amusement of other folk there were donkey races, a freasy pole climb, and a tug of war. The ay's festivities closed with a dance in the town hall in the evening. Appended are the results of the competitions :— Sailing Race, prizes £2 10s and £1— Waterwitch (R. Kennett), scr, 1; Water Lily (G. Perkins), lmin, 2. Four competed. Won by limins.

Sailing Kace Handicap ; prizes £2 ss, £1 and 12s 6d—Purera (Messrs Smith and Wanklyn), 3min, 1; Waitangi (Brighton Sailing Club), 7min, 2; Water Lily (G. Perkins), scr, 3. Eleven entered.

Inter-club Scratch Double Scull Race, about one mile ; prize £4—First heat—C. Ebert stroke and J. Duggan bow 1, A. Nicholls stroke and C. Hawkes bow 2. Second heat—F. J. Brooker stroke and H. Houltbowl, R. F. Crosbie stroke and'F. A. Moore bow 2. The final heat was won by Ebert and Duggan. Ladies' Double Sculls, quarter mile; prize £2 trophies—Misses E. Anderson and Sinclair 1, Misses M. Day and Budden 2. A good race and close finish. Inter-club Scratch Double Sculls Race, about half a mile ; prize £4—First C. Ebert stroke and F. A. Moore bow 1, R. F. Crosbie stroke and F. J. Brooker bow 2. Second heat—A. Nicholls stroke and J. Duggan bow a bye. These two rather easily won the final. 50 Yards Handicap Swimming Race; prizes, gold and silver medals—F. Truscott, 3seo, 1; J. Fox, scr, 2. Won on the tape. Six competed. 75 Yards Flat Handicap (amateur); prizes value £1 and 10s—H. A. Hoult, 4yds, 1; J. F. Fiesher, syds, 2. Ten entered. The finish was very close.

76 Yards Flat Handicap (open); prizes £1 and 10s—S. German, '6yds, 1 ; A. Wilson, 6yds, 2. Five started. Won by about a yard.

Married Ladies' Race, 50 yards; prize box of tea—Mrs Key 1, after a dead heat with Mrs Wearne.

Three-Legged Kace Handicap, 75 yards — Collins and Jerman 1, Smith Bros. 2. Three couples started.

Boys' Kace (under fifteen), 100 .yards; prizes 5s and 2s 6d—Patterson 1, Merritt 2. Sumner Amateur Challenge Cup, threequarters of a mile flat—A. S. Monck 1, R. Brown 2. Monck won by about eighty yards. Girls' Race 50 yards; prize lady's handbag—Miss Monck 1, Miss Harper 2.

Residents' Handicap, 100 yards ; prizes value 10s and ss—R. Eaton 1, A. S. Monck 2.

Fishermen's Boat Race—Heaton Bros, and Hiorns Bros, dead heat.