LABOUR DAY SPORTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 99, 24 October 1938, Page 11

LABOUR DAY SPORTS

NEWTOWN GATHERING

RACES BETWEEN SHOWERS

Though the weather outlook was anything but reassuring, a decision to carry on was made by the committee controlling the arrangements for the Labour Day sports meeting at Newtown Park. During the morning the sun tried valiantly to cqnquer the cloud, and at times succeeded, though without being ever-very warm, but for the most part with a keen southerly blowing. Conditions were not too pleasant. The ground, however, < was in fair order.

i The morning was devoted to races for married men and women, and for the children, who, as at every Labour Day sports' meeting, were present y in large numbers. The officials succeeded in running off many of the children's races before a shower swept across the ground, sending everyone scampering for shelter, but at that moment a Highland pipe band, which [had established itself in the band rotunda under the tall pine's, struck -up, and became a .definite close-up attraction until the weather ; cleared again. The luncheon adjournment was then taken. / .

The main part of the programme was set down for this afternoon, when chief interest centred in the athletic and cycling events, for which there were entries from leading Wellington amateurs. There were also races for primary school boys and girls, and for secondary schoolboys. Other items in the programme included wrestling and Highland dancing. . ~ An added attraction this afternoon was the start of the Wellington provincial marathon championship for which there were ten entries.. The runners, after leaving the park were to follow a course out to a point near Point Howard, on the Day's Bay Road, and th^n return to the park bjr the same route. The distance was 26 miles 385 yards. There were nine starters, A. B. McCallum, W. Owens, R. .Jones, R. E. McGregor, G, B. Appleby, D. Sinclair, F. B. Rowley, F. B. Silver, A. L. Stevens. The only scratching, was C. McCalman who, it was stated, was married this morning.

} The Hon. W. E; Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, and the chairman of the National Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation, started the nine runners. He wished them well on their long test of endurance, and expressed the hope that all of them would return fit arid well.

Among others present at the meeting were the Hon. P. Fraser and Mr. A. C. Kitto, president of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Centre and a member of the Physical Welfare Council. ■'■

The atmosphere was warmer when a start was made with the afternoon programme, but the rain did not appear to_be all over.

The results of this afternoon's events up to the time of going to press ate as follows: —

100 Yards Primary School Boys.— B. Sullivan (Petone Convent), 1; V. Collins (Kelburn), 2; L, Matthews (Newtown), 3. .

100 Yards Junior School Boys.—X. Dunning (Technical), 1; H, Brettell (Hutt Valley Tech.), 2; R. Hassett (St. Patrick's), 3.

75 Yards Primary School Cfirls.— June Bhodes (Newtown)', 1; Jean Stunnell (Waiwetu), 2; Dawn Jar vis (Waiwetu),3. .

75 Yards Women's Handicap.—Miss M. Nicholas, 1; Miss Ay Walker, 2; Miss M. Molloy, 3.

200 Yards Primary School Boys.*-B. McCallum (Kelburn), 1; D.Munro (Northland), 2; F. Pool (Te Aro)y 3.

220 Yards Secondary School Boys.—D. Hefford (Technical) I 1; L. Symes (Petone), 2,\R. Metcalfe'(St. Pat's), 3.

Girls' Skipping Competition.—-Mary Hickling, 1; J. Murray, 2; B. Bremner, 3. ■.-■'■ • ■■ ' .■■■ .