AXEMEN COMPETE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29153, 14 March 1960, Page 6

AXEMEN COMPETE

Thousands See Fair

Attraction

Fifteen seconds seems an incredibly short time in which to chop through a 12in log, but axemen showed how this was done at the Industries Fair on Sat urday. Although no chopping records were set, the carnival may now be rated as the biggest ever held in Australia and New Zealand. Ninety-one axemen and sawyers competed. They came from all parts of New Zealand, and two axemen came from Tasmania. They also included the complete team to represent New Zealand at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney, and the world titleholders for sawing, W. Mumm and J. Rogers. Seating was arranged for 1000 spectators, but throughout the day many more were compelled to stand.

The carnival was organised by the West Coast Axemen’s Association.

Prize money and trophies amounted to £372. Trophies included a chain saw and a racing axe. The winner of the chain saw and the £6O prize for the 14in underhand chop was T. Reid, of Kaitaia, North Auckland. This is Reid’s second year as a competing axeman. At last year’s Industries Fair he won the 12in standing chop. Reid is a timber worker at Taumaranui. He is also a member of the West Coast Axemen’s Association. Judges reported the wood was fairly good. Speeds were reasonably fast, with some exception-: ally fast times. The times were also close. In some events as many as six marbles dropped in one second. Results were:—

12in Underhand. —First heat: A. Rose (17 l-ssec) 1, J. Murray X T. Caran 3. Second heat: G. Hocquard (14 l-ssec) I, M. Mason 2, J. Hewitson 3. Third heat: R. Hunt (23sec) 1, L. Bolstead 2, J. Larkin 3. Fourth heat: D. Seymore (15 4-ssec) 1, R. McKinnon 2, C. Hayes 3. Fifth heat: W. Curtain (16 2-ssec) 1, R. Monteith 2, K. Foster 3. Sixth heat: E. Evans (20 2-ssec) 1, D. Fraser 2, J. Swayle 3, Seventh heat: R. Davidson (20sec) 1, D. Gibson 2, J. Curtain 3. Eighth heat: R. Chandler (25 2-ssec) 1, P. Robertson 2, W. Mumm 3. First semi-final: L. Bolstead (15sec) 1, D. Seymour 2. R. Hunt 3. Second semi-final: R. Monteith (15sec) 1, R. Davidson 2, K. Forrester 3. Final: Foster (Msec) 1, Davidson 2, Monteith 3.

12in Standing.—First heat: J. Creighton (18sec) 1, L. Bolstead 2, E, Mitchell 3. Second heat: T. Reid (23 2-ssec) 1, H. Smith 2, R. McKinnon 3. Third heat: D. Fraser (26sec) 1. D. Gilsenen 2. T. Mason 3. Fourth heat: J. Murray (Msec) 1, J. Hunt 2. D. Hauraki and R. Monteith equal 3. Fifth heat. D. Seymour (19 3-ssec) 1, H. Gillman 2, E. Hogg 3. Sixth heat: R. Dickson (24 2-ssec) 1, J. Hagen 2, J. Rogers 3. Seventh heat: G. Wilson (23 3-ssec) 1, A. Rose 2, B. Hale 3. First semi-final. H. Smith (23 4-ssec) 1. J. Murray 2, D. Gilsenen 3. Second semi-final:. R. Dickson (24sec) 1, D. SejTnour 2. A. Rose 3. Final: Murray (16sec) 1, Fraser 2. Rose 3. 14in Underhand. —First heat: R. McKinnon (31 2-ssec) 1, A. Rose 2. G. Hocquard 3. Second heat: J. Murray (30sei) 1. M. Carran 2, L. McNicoll 3. Third heat: L. Bolstead (27 l-ssec) 1. M. Antunovich 2. J. Rogers 3. Fourth heat: K. Foster (30 3-ssec) 1, L. Carran 2. T. Reid 3, Fifth heat: D. Seymour (24 3-ssec) 1 J. Pretty 2, R. Monteith 3. Sixth heat: D. Fraser (29sec) 1. W. Mumm 2. R. Hunt 3. Seventh heat: C. Jackson (33sec) 1. D. Gilsenen 2. H. Smith 3. First semi-final: J. Rogers (28 3-ssec) 1. K. Foster 2, L. Carran 3. Second semi-final: D. Fraser (24 2-ssec) 1. D. Sevmour 2. H. Smith 3. Final: Reid (21Jsec) 1, Curtain 2, Fraser 3. „ , . Min Double-handed Sawing.—First heat: Smith brothers (20 2-sgec) 1, Prettv and Riddell 2. Rogers and Mumm 3. Second heat: Pope and Mason (no time taken) 1, McDonald and Baldick 2. Donnelly and Carran 3. Final: Riddell and Pretty (241 sec 1, Smith brothers 2, Donnelly and Carran 3.