AXEMAN ANNOYED

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 81, 30 December 1944, Page 8

AXEMAN ANNOYED

£5O Challenge By Thrice World Champion CARNIVAL HIGHLIGHT Dave Pretty, three times world champion axeman, whose times in several types of chops have not yet been bettered, is annoyed. Yesterday at the Wellington South R.S.A. carnival at Newtown Park, he was lending a baud in the supervision of axemen’s events. Some delay, caused through having to erect cradles for the .underhand chop event, made spectators 'impatient. One went so far as to'say there was not an axeman on the ground. Up sprang Dave Pretty, indignation in every inch of his six feet five.- By loudspeaker he. challenged any man of CO or .more to'chop'for £5O aside; he will give them a- start. Mr. Pretty will be OS in two days; he won a £lOO chop at 65. Today he will be-on the ground, ■Waiting for' any man who thinks that he cannot out-chop any man in his Qwn age group.

Yesterday, his 17-ycar-old son won the maiden chop, giving eight seconds start to other competitors. A nephew was second in the first heat of lhe police underhand chop. Results were:—

Malden Standing Chop.—R. Pretty, scr., 1: L. Gordon. Bsee., 2; It. Cockburn. Ssec., 3. Final: Pretty. 1: Gordon, 2; Cdckburn, 3.

Police Underhand Cflop.—Constable G. Campbell, scr.. 1; Constable T. Pretty, 3sec„ 2: Constable L. Gordon, lusec., 3. This was a spectacular chop. The' winner put up a great performance. The logs are mounted on miniature platforms a few inches above ground. The axemen chop themselves places <Ni each end of the log on which to place their feet. All but one of them chopped with their shoes off; a slip and some toes would have been oft, tOO. • ' : '

Fifty logs were required for the events already decided, and those scheduled for today and next week. It takes a tree to provide three good logs. ' All were given by Dave Pretty, who also donated cups for the maiden chop and police chop. Mr. Pretty says he has had a lot out of the sport, and now wants to do all he can to encourage others. Bathing Beauties Today.

Weather permitting, the bathing beauty contest will definitely be on this afternoon. At least 35 entrants will face the judges nnd the public. The winner will be Aliss Wellington for 1944. The contest starts at 3 p.m., but between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. the R.N.Z.A.F. Band will give a marching display, and at 4 p.m. band items. Axemen’s competitions will be held at Intervals.; At night the band will give a further entertainment. AU the other attractions will be in full swing: Charlie the Clown, electric speedway, games of skill, the expert glassblower, refreshment stalls, tearooms, and other means of getting money for the good cause of building a Wellington South R.S.A. memorial hall ana clubrooms. „ „„ ... Tomorrow afternoon, at 2.30 p.m., the R.N.Z.A.F. Band will, give a programme of the same type which earned them such a high reputation on their recent Pacific tour. At night they will give an open-air concert. No sideshows will be operating, but the tearooms will be open. Monday will be Highland day, with dancing competitions, pipe bands, and all that goes with this type of festival.