ATHLETICS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 13 December 1924, Page 9

ATHLETICS.

SCHOOL SPORTS IN SOUTH TARANAKI The scheme mooted some five years ago mainly as the result of the presentation of the Dixon Banner and developed and enlarged by the Bennett and’ Sutton Cup for the smaller schools has done a wonderful work in fostering the athletic side of education. It has likewise had a remarkable influence on the school life generally, and bv bringing together teachers and pupils from many districts has led to a great spirit of healthy emulation and to ah interchange of ideas and a realisation of the other man’s point of view which cannot fail to be of very great value to school life in South Taranaki. They serve also as an incentive to other parts,,of the Dominion, for they are such as would do credit to any district. The form shown by many of the pupils, and the genuine enthusiasm displayed by young and old, constitute li valuable asset to the school life and act as a powerful lever in assuring the future of athletics in the Dominion.

Though marred by exceedingly adverse conditions, this year’s gathering was a marked success. The bad weather necessitated cutting out some of the most attractive items —the hurdles and the high jump—and led to slower times being recorded. But it is a stricldng tribute to the enthusiasm of the boys and giris and to the pertinacity of all the officials connecteu with the sports and a. credit to their sportsmanship, one and all, that despite every obstacle they triumphed and so added another to the list of most successful meetings held under the auspices of the Primary Schools. From President M. F. Purser, Hon. Secretary J. E. Campbell and committees and officials to the smallest of the competitors, nothing but the greatest keenness was shown. All are entitled to the greatest commendation.

The enthusiasm shown throughout by the large number of budding athletic champions who came from every quarter of South Taranaki, many of them travelling a very long distance, and the spirited and consistent support, of the old-timers, who year by year assemble to ensure the success which the competitions merit, cannot bo allowed to pass without special mention. The older men were no doubt spurred on to greater zeal by the unaffected keenness and zest of the youthful competitors. The donors of the coveted banner and cup are deserving of the highest commendation for their publicspirited action 'in providing such fine trophies for which to striye, and would have been extremely gratified and amply rewarded bv the interest and enthusiasm shown by all. Though the weather was most unfa voru and rain fell practically all the time, no event excent the jumping and hurdles was omitted. Com net i tors and officials carried out their respective parts of the programme, despite +bo rain and deserve much credi+ for (L'7-pe’-sistence in face of unfavourable conditions. The keenness of th° competitors was likewise reflected in the large number

of supporters, who watched with the greatest interest the efforts of their respective champions and applauded in generous spirit the good work of everyone.

Naturally, however, each school had a special band of “barraekers,” whose encouragement reminded one of a Rugger contest. In practically every event there was a close finish, and the form shown was consistently good. In several cases the running of the boys and the style shown were exceptionally good, showing that in the fixture there should be coming on a number of good sprinters and distance runners.

A special word of praise is due to those who measured out and prepared the tracks. They were in capital order, and contributed not a little to the success of the meeting. The general arrangements were excellently carried through, and each event was got off promptly and expeditiously. The committee owe a debt of gratitude to the Hawera Technical High School students, th© girls for helping in the catering and the boys for assisting in the general management. The help fdven by Messrs .W. Gilbert, Bullock, Strachan, and O’Brien, in providing refreshments for the. contestants and teachers and children, and in entertaining the youngsters ’ with sweets and other goodies, ivas very keenly appreciated

The band of the Salvation Army Boys’ Home at Eltham came clown under their commandant and contributed a series of excellent instrumental selections, which were much enjoyed. The boys also gave some interesting vocal numbers. The commandant expressed his personal thanks for the way in which the material comforts of the boys were -looked after. The huge number of entries received made this one of the most difficult meetings to handle, and that every-, thing passed off so successfully speaks volumes for the organising ability of the president, hon. secretary, and committee, and the capital work of the track stewards,-' starter, and judges.

The competition throughout was of the keenest, and much, of the racing provided really excellent finishes. Each boy and girl ivas out for the honour of their school and they strove, and strove hard, with that object in view. The points were extraordinary even after the first event or two, and with one event to go, it ivas seen that Hawera B. and Tawhiti were level for banner, and Matapu and Okaiawa, very close for the Bennett and Sutton Cup. The latter secured more points, but their school roll was just over 150, and Matapu proved a very popular win. When that event v'as finished, and it was seen that Tawhiti and Matapu were the respective .winners, their success was cheered to the echo. Mr. Jackson and Mr. N. hoy of Tawhiti were given mamcongratulations, and of these the first was from the headmaster of the Hawera School. The Hawera Convent

were also warmly congratulated and it is gratifying also to note that, besides Okaiawa, Matapu did extremely well, and are also to be complimented on their good work. The smaller schools xvho could hardly expect to win, strove manfully against odds, and deserve much praise for their sportsmanship. SCHOOL RECORDS. It is very gratifying to read recently of the fine performances put up by St. Bede’s School with South in its athletic sports. In this connection Hawera people will remember that at the Hawera Technical High School sports good times have been registered. M. Gray ran the 100 yards in 10 tivo-fjfths seconds and the 220 in 23 three-fifths. Tliis latter was better than St. Bede’s and only a fraction above that for the sprint.' , The_ recent _ sports of the Hawera Technical High School were very successful, and one feature worth noting is th e good work of the girls. It was very pleasing to see the good running. SCHOOL CHAMPION.

A Southern paper reports that G. williams, who has shown such exceptional form in the long jump and hurdles at secondary school snorts here will bs lost to Canterbury at the end of the year, as he returns to his home in the North Island. It is rumoured that H. E. A\ ilson, ex-Australian hurdles champion will coach Williams. In the hands of Harry Wilson, it is possible that Williams might develop into an Olympic champion.