EASTBOURNE GALA

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 78, 27 December 1923, Page 3

EASTBOURNE GALA

SEASIDE ATTRACTIONS THRONGS OF VISITORS FOR OPENING DAY

The opening of the four days’ gala, pi emoted by the Eastbourne Football Club, was favoured with glorious weather yesterday, a light southerly bi’eeze tempering the sun’s rays, with the result that the number of visitors attracted to the seaside suburb must have reached a record for one day. Tho three steamers owned by the Eastbourne Borough Council —the Muritai, Duchess and Cobar —were run at frequent intervals. In addition to the trips from town, facilities were given for folk from Seatoun. Karaka Bay, and Petone to make tho trip to Bona Bay, a coneession which was fully taken advantage of, over 6000 passengers being carried. Every attraction possible was provided for participants and lookers on the programme comprising athletic events on the recreation ground and the sandy beach, sand building competitions for children, including models of tho s.s. Duchess, open air dancing on a large platform, a tennis tournament, side shows, concert parties, and a brass band to entertain the crowds and to supply music for the dancing. The East Harbour tennis tournament opened at .10 a.m., under ihe auspices of the Wellington Tennis Association, and will continue till tho end of the week. There are numerous entries for the different competitions, which are being held on tho asphalt courts of the municipality. They, number 81 for the men’s handicap singles, 14 pairs for the men’s handicap doubles, 25 for the men’s championship singles, 10 for the ladies’ handicap singles, 18 pairs for tho combined doubles handicap, and 12 for tlie boys' championship singles The arrangements wore perfect and great progress was made with tho tournament. , There was no lack of provision for picnic parties. Hot water was given free to those who desired to make their own tea, while refreshments in addition to luncheon, afternoon tea, tea, and supper, were provided in the pavilion ’ adjoining the recreation ground up to a late hour at night. All the arrangements for the gala were complete, although the preparations involved unremitting labour and close attention. Spectators were well provided for and there was no difficulty, ' despite the largo attendance, in viewing the different contests. The grounds had been gaily deeorated with bunting and streamers. The various tents and stalls added a touch of variety to the scene ano accentuated the holiday feeling engendered by the pleasant harbour trips. Tho evening was spent most pleasantly. The recreation ground was illuminated with a 10,000 candle power electric lighting plant nr.d numerous coloured lanterns, while the 75ft. sanare dancing floor and band stand adjoining afforded everv facility for participants anil beholders to enjoy themselves to the top of their bent. The carnival will be continued today, when Highland sports will bo the main attraetion. Swimming and life-saving displays, under the auspices of the Wellington centre, childten's events on the beach, and cabaret dancing have al! been arranged for. The three ferry steamers will run on the same time-table as yesterday, and it is anticipated that the influx of holiday trippers will ho even greater than on the opening day.

TENNIS TOURNAMENT. Tfce following were the results of yesterday’s tennis tournament which will bo continued during the week: — Men’s Championship Singles. First round: N. Wilson beat G. 0. Lezard, 9—5; Van Borssum beat Q. Wilson, 9 —7; T. Ward neat It. V. Hooper, 11 —9; J. McDonald beat W. H. Lees, 9 —6; K. Port beat W. A. Wilson, 10 —8; Gawne beat Pankhurst, 9 —6; C. Q. Pope beat J. Paul, 9—7.

Second round: T. C. Ward beat Van Borssum, 9 —4; C. Q. Popo beat Gawne, 9 —7. Men’s Handicap Doubles.

First round: C. B. McDonald and Brown (16) beat A. K. Norris and T, Auton (20), 50 —41. Second round: Thompson and Pinckney (11) beat Perkins and Rogers (6), 50 —48; Purcelle and Catley (10) beat Grant and Q. Wilson, 50 —42; J. T. McDonald and Hooper (owe 10) beat Port and Paul (6), 50 —46; Morrison and Pearse (10) beat Connor and Poole (18), 50—39: N. Wilson and T. C. Ward (owe 8) beat Teviotdale and Pope (2), 50 —32. Ladies’ Handicap Singles.

First round: Miss Wallis (3) beat Miss Shortt (5),,40 —35. Second round: Miss Millington (8) beat Mrs. Shortt (5), 40—30; Miss James (12) beat Mrs. J. Brown (ewe 5), 40—20. Handicap Combined Doubles. First round: Shortt and Airs. Shortt (6) beat Pankhurst and Miss Newman (6), 50 —34. Second round: Wilson and Miss Wallace (owe 12) beat Teviotdale and Miss Whitwell (6). 52 —50: Williamson and Miss Bell (6), beat Hooper and Miss Henderson (scr.), 50—47; McDonald and Miss James (16) beat Van Borssum and L. Harris, 51—49, Boys’ Championship Singles. First round: Lezard beat Reeves, 9—o: McGregor beat Wilton, 9 —5; H. Jones beat T. Mahoney by default : C. M. Wheeler beat Carr, by default; C. Watt beat B. Nicholls, 9 —l; F. Hunt boat M. Connor, 9—6; R. Poole beat V. B. Russell, 9 —3. Second round: C. Watt beat C. M Wheeler, 9—2. ATHLETIC EVENTS. The foot races for the day were congned to competitors under 18 years of age, and resulted as follow:— Boys.—Half-mile, under 15: Joe Dellabarca, 1; M. Dellabarca, 2. Under 12, walk: Alex McLean, 1 : M. Copp, 2. 100yds., under 11: S. McLean, 1; A. Flynn. 2. Under 12: Geo. Orme, 1; Geo. Joseph, 2. Under 13 and 14: R. Kidd. 1; R. Middleton, 2. Under 5: W. Mills. 1; M. Dellabarca, 2. Open: G.- Riddell. 1: J. Wixon, 2. Isoyds. open: B. Nichol, 1; R. A. Comerford, 2. Under 15: W. Mills. 1; R. Middleton, 2. Under 12: G. Orme, 1; G. Joseph, 2. Three-legged race, under 15: Joe and M. Dellabarca, 1. Under 12: B. Parkin and J. Parker. 1. 440yds., under 12: G. Orme, 1; E. Pearson, 2. Under 15: G. Draper, 1; W.,Mills, 2. Wheelbarrow race, under 12: S. Mear, 1; E. Peterson. 2. Under 15: H. McEwen. 1; J. McEwen, 2. Girls.—looyds. open: M. Collins, 1; T. Glover, 2. 50yds., under 11: P. Gillespie, 1; M. Burclj. 2. Under 12: P. Shadwell, ] : Mvra Williams, 2. 75yds., under 13: W. Bennington. 1; M. Williamson. 2. Under 14: M. Williams, 1; D. Orme, 2. Open: B. Gillesp’e, 1; D. Orme 2. Three-lnn’gcd race, under 14: M. Williams, 1; W. Bcnnimrton, 2. 440yds. walk, under 14: J. Collins. T; P. Folev, 2. Open: R. A. Comerford, 1; G. Riddell. 2. Wheelbarrow race, under 14: M. Collins, 1: Ivv Shadwell. 2. Relay, under 14: W. “Bennington, N. Gillespie. D. Orme, and P. Foley, I. Under 12. W. Williams. W. Bennington, F. Reaper, and B. Gillespie, 1.