AUSPICIOUS OPENING.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 July 1938, Page 4

AUSPICIOUS OPENING.

RUGBY CARNIVAL LAUNCHED. BURLESQUE FOOTBALL GAME. The queen carnival organised by tk« Horowheuua Rugby Union to raise funds to assist in the preparation of a ground was launched on Saturday. As a curtaitn raiser to the senior Rugbyfixture the “Veterans” met the “Old Timers” in a burlesque match. The members of the two teams, all of whom were attired in multi-coloured garments of antiquated fashion, assembled at the southern end of Oxford Street and were piped through the town byPipers A. Black and J. Frew, with Mr. R- Gettins on the drum. The procession drew a large following of spectators, who were treated to a farcical exhibition of Rugby when the teams took the field.

Two queens are contesting the carnival, and the effort will continue over a ’period of about four weeks. The candidates are: Wanderers’ Queen, Miss Evelyn Winiata; Athletic Queen, Miss Jean Goldsmith. The central executive meets to-night when further activities will be discussed. The Game.

The teams lined up in weird and awful costumes, resurrected from long forgotten days and fashions. A debate took place as to the rules to be played under, and it was eventually decided jin favour of the rules of the late I lamented Janies Rafferty Esq. Fred Pink, who Avas heavily disguised, kicked off for the Old-Timers, but the ball travelled too far and was brought back for the other side t* kick off. Owing to the absence of Coghlin, the nippy captain of the Veterans, the side was disorganised, and many promising movements broke down in their infancy. The peculiar interpretation of the rafferty rules by the referee in giving a penalty try to Old-Timers whenever the Veterans looked like being dangerous, resulted in the Old-Timers Avinning in the last minute, after an exciting game, by 3i to nil.

I The referee, who had been obviously squared, was requested to resign at half time, and another took his place, ibut he was worse, if possible. At one Time he had three tights on his hands, lir. different parts of the ground, while was conducting a flirtation with the lady with the ringlets. .Slippery Sam, (time to his name, was slipping all over the paddock, and Dirty Dick was dirtier than usual, if possible, before the game ended. Gordon Hill, as "Queen of the May, '’ started off well, but appeared to be led astray by the blandishments of the referee. Gordon should be warned not to trust that ball and dark-eyed stranger. Weaver, whether Mr. or Miss is uncertain, w’as very flirty, and put in some, good work with the glad eye, but spoilt it all by attempting to pinch and make off with the ball. On the whole there were n« serious casualties, not even one being killed. Where was that famous divepass and where was the phantom half? Spud Finnerty turned out to be a big bluff. After the first scrum ho had not enough wind to start a fight. It transpires that Coghlin thought he had got measles, like Johnny Dick, tin# Auckland All Black, but it was a falsa alarm, and to-day he hasn’t got a spot. - -Contributed.