HIGHLAND GATHERING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 22 January 1927, Page 6

HIGHLAND GATHERING.

TARANAKI PROVINCIAL SPORTS. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26. With many of the best pipers and Scottish dancers of the Dominion en-. tered in the Highland events and the pick of the district athletes nominated in the foot races, cycling and field competitions, the Taranaki Caledonian Sports Association offers an attractive programme for its first annual Highland gathering, to be held on the H:iwera show grounds on Wednesday next. Until about fourteen years ago the annual gatherings held under the auspices of the Hawera Caledonia m Society were for many- years regarded as being among the most popular features of the recreational life of the province, and the revival of the sports by the newly-formed association is arousing keen enthusiasm in all parts of the province. Entries in the Highland competitions total SO, and competitors will conic from as far north as Auckland and as far south as Dunedin. Among star performers who are to contest the bagjiipe events is Piper G. Yardley, the winner of the pibroch shield at the competitions held in Dunedin during the period of the exhibition, while another noted performer will be the local Pipe-Major Murdo McKenzie, who has a long list of successes in Scotland to his credit, and is at present holding second place in the progressive competition for the Inverness medal, the principal honour in New Zealand pip ing competitions. The dancers will include the present New Zealand champion, Air AV. Sutherland, of Wellington, and Mr D. Bothwell, a recent arrival from Scotland and now resident at Masterton, who is regarded as a serious rival to the champion. The athleticj field and cycling events have attracted 150 entries. The cycling events will arouse particular interest owing to the appearance of the champion Australian rider R. W. (“Fatty”) Lamb, who holds many records up to nine miles and is looked upon as Australia’s greatest amateur rider of the present day-. He is credited with having exceeded 60 miles an hour when •paced by a motor cycle. Spectators will also be given the opportunity of witness the javelin throwing prowess of Stan Lay, of Hawera, who created a fresh record when competing at the recent Australasian championships. A special invitation lo the redoubtable distance runner, Randolph Rose, has been extended by- the committee, and advice has been received that lie will appear if lie can make the ncssary arrangments concerning his absence from Masterton.

The day’s proceedings will commence with a procession, which is to leave the Post Office at 10.30 a.m., with the three Taranaki pipe bands in the van. Others in the picturesque national costume will also take part in the procession, which is expected to include approximately 80 “kilties,’.’ and another impressive spectacle will be presented by the massed bands’ parade on the oval at 2.30 p.m. Additional handicaps for the athletic events have been declared as follow: —

100 yards —L. Bourke 4yds, E. F. Cousins Byds, P. O’Grady B.vds, R. Adams 9yds, W. B. Bradley syds. 220 yards —Newton 6yds, L. Bourke oyds, E. F. Cousins 18yds, P. O’Grady 16yds, R. Adams 20yds. 440 yards —Newton scr., L. Bourke 12yds, E. F. Cousins 30yds, P. 0 ’Grady 26yds.

880 yards—Newton scr., G. 8. Fraser 25yds, J. Crawford 70yds. Mile—G. R. Fraser 45yds, J. Crawford 150yds.