RONGOTEA SPORTS.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 191, 14 February 1907, Page 4

RONGOTEA SPORTS.

As a result of the beautifully fine weather prevailing yesterday, the third annual meeting of the Rongotea Athletic Club was an unbounded success. Although the attendance was perhaps not quite so large as it was the previous year, the sport provided was of an interesting and diversified nature. The Hunters' Competition, Pony leaping, woodchopping and sawing competitions filled well, were keenly contested and proved the most exciting events of the day. The officials, committee, and judges all worked exceedingly hard to make the affair a success, ar-J that they succeeded goes without spying, as it is already well known that whatever is taken up by the residents of Rongotea is almost invariably a huge success. There can be n> doubt whatever that a great deal of the Rongotea Athletic Club's site- 1 cess is due to the efforts and kindness of Mr and Mrs J. Jarvis, of - Ethelhurst" Mr Jarvis has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of the Club, and the thanks of the Committee and public alike are due to him for having placed his pic turesque grounds at their disposal for Rongotea's day out. and this is not all, for we find Mr and Mrs Jar vis 1 s private house is placed at j the disposal of the Committee, officials, judges and Press, all of whom are entertained at luncheon by Mr and Mrs Jarvis. The whole of this extra work is carried out cheerfully by Mrs Jarvis and assistants, in this, and many other respects, the owner of "Ethelhurst" and his wife and family have proved sincere friends to the Club, and deserve the very best thanks of all those connected with it. The following gentlemen acted as judges: — Horse events: Messrs T. McKenzie and Lumsden; Cycling events, Mr 6. Barry, Feilding; Pedestrian events, Messrs M. O'Reilly and J. Sanson; Wood chopping and sawing events, Messrs J. Dalton, A. Gregg. J. Lumsden, R. Murphy and J. AlcKenzie. Timekeepers, Messrs Geo. Short and J. McKelvie. Mr John Collingwood handicapped the wood chopping and sawing events, and the Forced Handicap, the close finish in the last race proving his great ability as a handicapper. The sum of £23 was taken at the gates, and the affair is an assured financial success. Several side shows were on the ! grounds, but did not do a brisk business. \ Mr Hooper, of Rongotea, had the j public refreshment and luncheon booth, and served a good lunch at a very moderate sum. There was no brass* band in attendance, but Mr White's monster phonograph, from Palmerston, filled the bill to perfection. Mr Robt. Me Clymont, as secretary, earned a name for himself by his courteous and obliging disposition, while "Dick" Major, one of Rongotea's most popular residents, and former secretary of the Club, was busy looking after strangers, making them feel at home and enjoy themselves, and he succeeded immensely in his task. Mr J. Penny, president of the Club, in a neat little speech, presented the owner j of Utah, winner of the Hunters' Competition, with the McKelvie Cup. Mr Penny said that the Club was indebted to Mr McKelvie for the handsome trophy, which had to be won twice#in succession or three times at intervals. The present Cup was a new one, the previous one having been won twice in succession. Mr Bartlett, owned of Utah, returned thanks, after which cheers were given for the horse and owner, Mr Penny, the President, and Mr McKelvie, the donor of the Cup. Mr J. Whisker made a most efficient starter. The following are the remainder of the events: — Boys' race, under 16 years, 100 yards.— H. Ehrhorn, 1 ; Carl Wright, % Girls' race, local, 100 yards. — C. Capp, 1; D. Turner, 2. { Maiden Hunters' Compeition, for i horses that had never won a competition of any description, minimum weight 12st, fiirst prize, £5; second, £2. — L. McKelvie f s Hailstone, 1; Mrs D. G. Riddiford's Benledi, 2; Cook's Koea, 3. 16 competitors. Rongotea Handicap, second events, 220 yards, first prize £4 and throphy, second £1 ss, third 7s 6d.— C. Stratford, 16 yds, 1 ; L. J. Ashworth, 12 yds, 2; W. L. Cojyin, 4 yds, 3. Time, 23sec. 16 competitors. 2 Mile Bicycle race; first prize £2 2s and trophy value 21s, second 10s and trophy value 10, third trophy value 10s.— P. Withers, 140 yds, 1; W. D. Parkes, 180 yds, 2 ; A. Donald, 60 yds, 3. Time, smin 17 3-6 sec. This was a clinking race from start to finish, each competitor doing his best to win. 12 competitors. Hunters' Handicap, hunters' style (open), minimum weight 12st; first prize £10 and the McKelvie Cup value £8 Bs, second prize £2 10s, third prize £1 Is; Cup to be won twive in succession by some horse, or three times at intervals by same owner.— W. J. Bartlett's Utah, 1 ; J. McDonald's Carpenter, 2; L. McKelvie's Pakapoo, 3. Half-mile Handicap; first prize £3 3s, second prize XI Is, third prize ss.— J. Mathers, 50 yds, 1; A. Low, 10 yds, 2; W. Mullins, 35 yds, 3. Time, lmin 57} sec. 15 competitors. Handicap Hurdle Race, 220 yards, over J) hurdles; first prize £2 10s, socond prize £I.—- C. W. Mexted, t^r, 1: £. Douglas, 15 yds, 2; A. H. White. 8 yds, 3. Time, 28 l-ssec. 8 competitors. Handicap chopping, standing '•* inch log; first prize £4, second £i 10s.— W. Mullins, 40sec, 1; W. Heine, 4%ec, 2; F. C. Burgess, 45sec, 3, J. Pretty, 30sec, 4. Time, 2min 20sec. 14 competitors. j Li>ngotea Handicap, third event, \ •140 yards; first prize £4, second i £1 ss, third prize 7s 6d.— C. Btratford, 27 yds, 1; J. Shivas, 5 yds, 2; W. L. Colvin, 6yds, 3. Time, 50 2-osec. 16 competitors. Handicap Bawing Competiti » i, two men, 18inch log; first prize £2 10s. second £1. — Pv Thompson and bi 'fcer, 3secs, 1; f. Burgess an-i J | T G\>ne, 4sec, 2; G. E. Hall i.nd ; n»t., isec, 3. . Time, 18 3-55' c. 4 competitors. ' Ladies' Bracelet Handicap, 220 yards, competitors to be nominated by a lady; first prize bracelet value £3 3s, second bracelet £1 10s.— C. \ Stratford, 16 yds, 1; L. J. Ashworth, i 12 yds, k- y A. t. Bell, 13 -yds, 3. Time, 23see. 14 competitors. •Handicap chopping, underhand, 18 inch log; first prize £3, second £I.— T. West, 45sec, 1 ; F. C. Bur- j gess, 45sec, 2; J. Pretty, 30sec, 3. ] One Mile Handicap ; first prize £5, j 5, second prize £2. third prize 15s. — ! W. Mullims, 60 yds, 1 ; A. Low, scr, 2; B. Henderson, 50 yds, 3. Time, 4min 38 2-ssec. 7 starters. j Forced Handicap, 150 yards; first \ prize £1, second ss— A. JC. Bell, 10 yds, 1; W. L. Colvin, 4 yds, 2; A. Low, 12 yds, 3. Points Prize, in the three Rongotea Handicap events, 100 yards, 220 yds, 440 yds; gold medal value £1 10s,— C. Stratford* 1.