THE FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' FETE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3580, 2 January 1883, Page 3

THE FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' FETE.

The choice of the recreation Ground Company's land as the place to hold the sports in connection with the above fete was abundantly justified by the very large number of persons who remained in town. Had it not been for the selection that was thus . mode, there can be no doubt but what all i those people would have spent the holiday in the country wherever the fete happened to be held. Thus the establishment of a recreation ground in Napier has been shown to have supplied a want, and whatever may be said about holiday makers preferences for green field there must always be a considerable proportion of townspeople whose time, purse, and domestic responsibilities will not allow them to get away into the country. On behalf of all such we may safely say that the Friendly Societies' fete being held in town enabled them to enjoy a holiday that otherwise woidd have been denied them. At present the ground cannot be said to be very attractive ; owing- to its recent acquisition and reclamation by which the planting season was lost, while the grass has not been an unqualified success. But, considering all things, the company has done very well to get the ground so advanced as it is, and in such a state as to enable matches to be run upon it. The grandstand is a most creditable erection, affording ample accommodation for sightseers above, with a commodious bar and attiring rooms below. Mr D.Ryan, of theTaradale Hotel, had the grandstand bar privileges, and Mr Teuelle, of the Napier Restaurant, had the refreshment booth, and the good things they dispensed were abundantly appreciated." The committee had also several swings provided for the special ' -amusement of the little folks, and in other matters exhibited a knowledge of what is required to make a holiday enjoyable to all that did them infinite credit. The programme arranged by the committee, as published by usdi Saturday, was faithfully carried out," and the procession of the members of the several societies was as well conceived as it was a fitting opening to the day's proceedings. The Artillery A'oluiiteer band throughout the day enlivened the hours by their performances. The following were the events, to which we append the names of the winners Maiden Race, 200 yards.—J. Parker, first prize, £2 10s ; J. A*. Dean, second, £1. Six entries. Boys' Handicap (under 11). 100 yards.— Lcgyt, first prize, £1 ; Dobson, second, 10s. Five others ran. Putting the Stone. IGlb.— M. Hyland (22ft Gin), first prize, £1 ;M. Quhm (21ft 2in), second, 10s. M. Geddes, J. Madigan, T. Macarthy, and F. M'Carthy also competed. Napier Handicap, in three heats, 150, 300, and 440 yards.—First heat, 440 yards: T. Murphy '(scratch), 1 : J. Parker (12 yards), 2 ; J. Dean (15 yards), 3. A. Frith, T. Lucas, H. Mullauv, and R, C. Laws also ran. Vaulting with the Pole.—AY. Hughes (7ft Tin), first prize, £1 ; J. Moorby (7ft ■tin), second, 10s. R. Jeffarcs, D. Harper, bjM. Madigan, and J. Rowley also competed. " Friendly Societies' Handicap, 250 yards. —T. Murphy (scratch), first prize, £2: R, C. Laws (12 yards), second, £1. Midlany, Mason, Dean, and Brown also ran. One Mile Handicap. -- C. Pirani (GO yards), first prize, £S : A. Fidford (scratch), second, 4: J. Moloney (30 yards), third. £1 10s. Running High Jump.— V. J. Barry (4ft 9m), first'prize, £1 ; W. Hughes and A. Pickering (4ft Sin), second, 10s. J. G. Gilberd and AY. Moloney also competed. Napier Handicap, second heat. —T. Murphy (scratch), 1 : J. Parker (0 yards) 2 : R, O. Laws (14 yards), 3. Hop, Step, and Jump- M. Moloney, (37ft Gin), first prize £1 : D. Donoghue, second, 10s. Six others competed. Girls' Handicap Race, 100 yards.--Millie Frecm, first prize 10s ; Louisa Rose, second, ss. Twelve others also ran. Napier Handicap, third heat, T. Murphy (scratch) 1 ; R, C. Laws (9 yards), 2 ; j. Parker (5 yards), 3. The result of the three heats was that Murphy took first prize ; Parker second : and Laws third. Catching the Bellman.—Higgs took the prize, £1. Three-legged Race, 100 yards.—J. Hume and P. J. Barry, fii-Nt prize ; AY. and J. Moloney, Mccond, 10s. Jeffarcs and O'Shanncssy also started. Tug of AVar, —This was competed for by teams from the Foresters, the Hibernian Society, and the Protestant Alliance. The Foresters pulled their opponents over and won. i Consolation Race, 440 yards.- Fulford, first prize, £3 ; Tucker, second, £2 ; Dean, third, £1. Tilley, Laws, and Mason also .