GREAT SPORTS GATHERING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 December 1924, Page 4

GREAT SPORTS GATHERING.

SOUTH TARANAKI PRIMARY SCHOOLS. DIXON BANNER. BENNETT AND SUTTON CUP. RECORD ENTRIES. It was a happy idea that led to the institution of Dixon Banner sports competition among the primary schools of South Taranaki. The most sanguine expectations of the donor and a band of enthusiasts who have so capably managed the sports gatherings must have been exceeded.

This .year the entries constitute a record, being no less than 887 individual entries and 51 entries of teams of foiur for the relay races. The sports will be held on Wednesday next, 10th inst., in the Show Grounds, and what is wanted now is a record gate. In the past the public of the town have not attended as they should. There are several good reasons why the townspeople should turn out in force. In the first place, unless local patriotism is dead, it should be evident that these gatherings are, a splendid advertisement for Hawera. Hundreds of school children from all over South Taranaki will he on the ground, and the impression made on the young minds by a large attendance of spectators will have a distinct advantage as the years pass by. More than one schoolmaster has informed the committee that this sports gathering is the red-letter day of the year for the pupils of his school. One has only to read a list of the schools which will he represented to realise that there is a golden opportunity afforded to impress on the children over a very wide area that Hawera is a place of some importance, and the gathering together of these children is looked upon as an event of some importance in the town. Another reason for there being a large attendance is that tlje. quality of the sport warrants it. We have not seen a better managed sports meeting. Event follows event with a rapidity that keeps the spectator on the qui viVe the day through, and there can be no doubt about the eagerness of the contestants. They are not so much battling for individual supremacy as for the .honour of the school. This is a fine spirit, and it should be encouraged. We hope these words will be taken to heart and the committee encouraged in their good work. There is noi good purpose served in hiding the fact that the. at tendance of the public at previous gatherings has been disheartening to the committee, though the children have had a royal time.

The schools represented next week will be Mokoia, Patea Convent, Hawera Convent, Tokaora, Fraser Road, Normanby, Otakeho, Pihama, Tawhiti, Mangatoki, Auroa., Hawera Main School A and B teams, Manaia, Ararata, Ohangai, Manaia Convent, Matapu, Okaiawa, and Te Roti. The rules provide that not more than three competitors from one school can enter for each event. Hawera Main School, by reason of having over 4(X) scholars is compelled to enter two teams, but is not allowed to make the A team a first selection from the cracks, and the B team a secondary' selection. Working from the school register, the A team is picked from the odd numbers and the B team from the even numbers. This method has the effect that either team represents half the pupils only.

The Dixon Banner is a perpetual challenge competition, but the Bennett and Sutton Cup becomes the property of the school winning it twice in succession or three times a,t intervals. This cup competition is confined to schools of not mo/re than 150 pupils. The present holders of the banner are the Hawera Main School B team, and of the cup the Manaia Convent School team. The competitors and their fellowpupils bring their own solid refreshments and drinking vessels, the committee providing the liquids, for which several of the Hawera grocers are providing the materials. It has _ been decided this year that points prizes only will be given, as follows: Senior and junior boys respectively, and senior and junior girls respectively. The entries foir the various events number as follows:

Senior boys.—looyds, 50; 220yds, 48; 440yds, 49; half-mile, 40; 220 hurdles, 49; high jump, 35; long jump, 43; hop, step and jump, 47. Junior boys— 100yds, 50; 220yds, 43; 440yds, 42; high jump, 35; long jump, 3/; hop, step and jump, 37. Senior girls.—7syds, 46;*100yds, 46; 120yds, 42.

52: 100yds, 49; 120yds, 47.

Relay teams (four in team). —Senior boys; 19; junior boys, 15; girls, 17. It is easily seen that the committee has a tremendous task before it to get through such a programme, but with five sets of Standards for the high jump and a similar number of pits for the long jump, these competitions, which might he thought' a source of delay, are completed with surprising rapidity and the competitors thoroughly tried out. The boys from the Salvation Army Home at Eltham will, as last year, be brought down through the good offices of the members of the Hawera Club, and the hoys’ hand will add to the pleasure of the day by providing music.