ATHLETES AND AXEMEN

Grey River Argus, 9 February 1929, Page 10

ATHLETES AND AXEMEN

PAROA SPORTS TO DAY. (By “Spike”). MEETINGS TO COME. PAROA TO-DAY. Brunnerton —February 16. Karoro—February 23. Blackwater —February 23. Runanga —March 2. Kokiri —March 9. Nelson Creek—March 18. St. Patrick’s (Grey)—March 18. Kotuku —March 23. Moana —March 30. United (Grey) —March 30. Greymouth—April 2. Hokitika—April 3. Murchison —June 3. * Rimu —Date to be allotted. i. Three Mile—Date to be allotted. Kokatahi —Date to be allotted. All roads will lead to Sneddon , Park, Paroa., to-day, and it is safe to say that the sports-loving community will travel by whichever road gets them to Paroa in the shortest time, for the Coaster dearly loves sport, and the ring of the bushman’s axe biting into the stout logs, the rip of the saw, and the spectacle of the flying athlete is something which the West Coaster admires, and He makes every effort to l>e present at such gather ings. To-day heralds the opening of a big season for axemen and athletes, and before the final carnival ie held, something like twenty clubs will have catered for the host of competitors, and approximately £2.000 will have been given away in prize money and trophies.

Paroa Sports Club lead off this afternoon with a most attractive programme, the prizes for which total £lOO. Always due to the efficient manner in which the officials conduct the meeting, all that is required to ensure a record gathering at Sneddon’s Park to-day, is seasonable weather. A glance through the list of names of the axemen who will be competing at Paroa, will satisfy the critic that the ehopping events this afternoon will be “top hole,” as the eream of the Coast will be there to cut through the logs in double-quick time. When we find such names as Bannister, Higgins, Fluety, Dawson, Eggerton, Gugieh, and Gillman, besides many other well known performers, in the list of handicaps, we can very well look forward to witnessing first class chopping aud sawing for “all will be well. ’ ’ The athletes have been in training for some weeks now, and the evening meetings have supplied the necessary tuning up to enable them to toe the mark fit and ready. The South Beach Open Handicap this afternoon will produce a race well worth seeing.

1 isitors will be able to obtain refreshments on the grounds, end every courtesy will be extended to them by the Club’s officials. The programme for to-day. is as under:—■ £4; second £l. 1- —Maiden Footrace, 100 yards; firs + 2. —Maiden Chop. 12 inch Underhand: first £5; second £l. 3. —Open Handicap .Saw. 15 inch (two cuts), aud Saw; first £6, second £2. I.—Single Ladies’ Race; first £); second 10/-. а. Paroa Open Handicap Upright Chop, 12-iuchj Gold Medal, and Plumb Axe, presented by Plumb Axe Co.; first £10; second £3, third £l. б. —Gladstone Open 100 Yards Handicap; first £10; second £3; third £2.

"•—Patron ts Handicap Underhand Chop, 15 inch; first Gold Medal, £35 and Plumb Axe Co.; second £7; third £3. 8- Married Ladies’ Race; first. £1; second 15/-; third 10/-. free. 9.—South Beach Open 100 yards Handicap; first £5; second £2; third £l.

At the Greymouth meeting to be held on April 2, the 100 yards New Zealand Championship will be run a-.id a field of at least six is expected to compete. P. J. Deere will be representing the Coast, and should make a creditably bid for the title. A. Pierson, the ex-Coaster, now of Invercargill has .signified his intention of being here, and hi spresent form appears likely to enable him to be on hand at the finish. Next Saturday will be Brunner’s day. a.id again a most attractive programme will l, e decided. A total of £9O will be given away in prizes, and four ehopping and one sawing event are ineluded. Last year, a big erowd were present at Taylorville, despite unsettled weather, and the meeting was one of the best held during the season. Next Saturday should see •he sports well patronised and visitors may be assured of the best of hospitality from the officials of the club.

Ou February 23. the Karoro Sports Club will distribute £l3O to competitors at their meeting, and 'it only requires fine weather to assure the club of a splendid meeting.

Blackwater sports will also be held on February 23. at the Blackwater Recreation Ground. All events will be run under the New Zealand Athletic, Cyehng and Axemens’ Union, and the elub have presented a nieelv varied programme, which promises to provide abundant interest for maetaters and competitors