THE SPORTS AT PUNGAREHU

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 90, 23 February 1881, Page 3

THE SPORTS AT PUNGAREHU

(from our own correspondent.)

Pungakehu, Monday.

Favored by splendid weather, the above sports passed off in a very pleasant manner on Saturday last. The course, having been recently made, was in some places rather heavy, in consequence of the loose soil, turned up in levelling the ground, noc having received any rain to sec it. Great attention had evidently been taken in the preparations for the sports, and everything which could be done for the comfort of visitors and facility of competitors had been accomplished. A marquee tent was erected for the accommodation of the lady visitors from New Plymouth and intervening places ; a tent for the secretary, and another for the competitors, were also put up ; fruit stalls, refreshment stands, and the games usually on race courses were not wanting; and the appearance of the whole would do credit to some of the larger towns of the colony. The committee had done wonders, and although it is difficult to select one where all were energetic, the indefatigable exertions of Sergeant Foley added in no small degree to the success of the meeting. Major Goring, as judge, did not leave the course during the whole of the day, and only eujoyed a well-earned rest when the Steeplechase had brought the meeting to a close. The gathering was remarkable for an absence of disturbance, and no disputes marred the harmony which was unvarying throughout the day, and a more perfect sobriety could not have been observed had the men of the station been all G.T.s, instead of A.C.'s. The band, conducted by Bandmaster Dixon, was present, and played many tunes from opera and anthem, whilst dance music was not neglected, and stirring marches thrilled the nerves of the auditors. Praise of the band is unnecessary — it is well known to be the best on the island.

The bugle sounded at 11 o'clock for the Maiden Plate. For this race there were six starters. Hohepa, one of the Arawa A.C, took the start, and kept it throughout the race, closely followed by Molyneux, who was second, and the remainder well up. First prize, i'l 10s; second, 15s.

The next event was the Running High Jump. The rod was placed on the standard at the height of 4ft. 4in. for the commencement, and was gradually raised to 4ft. Bin., when Honeyfield and Gilbert failed to negotiate. At 4ft. llin. Neal knocked down the rod, and C. Julian and Packer alone remained to compete, the former being handicapped to give the latter 3in. Packer jumped sft. lin., and Julian won with sft. sin.

(The order of rotation as per printed programme was not adhered to, and the present report follows the order of events as they transpired.) Egmont Cup (first event), 200 yards. — Waite, 1 ; Packer, 2 ; Riordan, 3. Five started. This was a close race, and Packer appeared to be gaining on the leading man, Waite, at every stride, which caused spectators to piok the former out as winner of future long distance events.

Throwing Cricket Ball. — This was won by Lightfoot ; distance, 97 yards.

Running Long Jump. — The prize was taken by Larkin ; distance covered, 17ft. Bin.

The next event was the Handicap Hurdles, 150 yards, over 10 flights of hurdles. As may be seen, the hurdles were rather close together. This was a very good race, and by some considered the best of the short distance events of the m eting. C. Julian crossed the last hurdle leading, but tripped between that and the winning post, and was passed by Packer 1, and Larcom 2.

After this the spectators collected round the parallel bars, where four athletes competed for the prize. There were Major Goring, Sergeant Luce, Malone, and a Frenchman named Dumai, who has had a gymnasium for some time in New Plymouth, and was said to be a professor. As Major Goring, judge of the sports, was a competitor for the prize, Captain Gordon and Mr. Chetwynd adjudicated upon this event. After half-an-bour bad been spent by the athletes in the execution of many feats requiring great skill and strength, especially the latter, the first prize was awarded to Sergeant Luce, Major Goring taking second place.

100 Yards Handicap — A.C. only. — Kerei, an Arawa Constable, 1 ; Scott, 2 ; Packer, 3. Time, ll^sec. In this race nine started; Larkin, scratch; Kerei receiving 4 yards, and Scott G.

Putting the Stone. — Daniels, 28ft. Gin. ; Reid, 26ft. Sin.

Egmont Cup (second event), 800 yards. — Three started. Packer, 1 ; Waite, 2. Kiordau also started. As Waite won the first event, the winning of the second by Packer made them ties.

Hop-Step-and-Jump. — C. Julian, (41ft. Bin.), 1 ; Eiordan, 2.

One Mile Handicap. — Eight started. Waite, 1 ; Riordan, 2. These two took the lead and kept it. Vaughan, who also ran, did not appear to lessen the distance which separated him from the leaders in the handicap, but on the fourth lap he passed two of the hindmost, and then thinking perhaps he had waited too long belore spurting, or from some other cause, he withdrew.

Vaulting with Pole (handicap). — Spurdle failed to go over first, followed by Honeyfield, who could not negotiate Bft. llin., leaving C. Julian and Larkin to compete. The former was handicapped to give the latter 10in., which was generally considered too much, but it is said that Larkin far surpassed in this contest any of his previous performances. He cleared 9ft. sin., and Julian, to show his superiority, vaulted 9ft. 9in., and declined to go for more, contenting himself with heading the score and second prize. Egmont Cup (third event), 500 yards. —Packer, 1 ; Waite, 2. This, the final

event of the Cup, awarded the prize to Packer, who started with the same number of points as Waite.

Walking Handicap, 2 miles. — Five started. Bowman led. from the start, followed by Spurdle, who gradually gained during the first part of the race, but the distance increased between the leader and himself as the race grew older. Howell dropped out of the race first, soon followed by Crawford. Vaughan, scratch man, gradually drew on Spurdle and

passed him, aud iv the last lap but two he put on a spurt aud passed the leading man, Bowman, with bpardle 100 yard*, behind. Major Goring followed the competitors round the cour«e to scrutinize the walking. Last round but one, Vaughan was still leading, with Eowixiau 3 yards behind. Spnrdle was practically out of the race, but he continued to walk in consequence of Bowman having broken iuto a run., Vaughan came in first, Bowman passing the tape 15 vxrds behind, but in consequence of a protest, which was allowed, Spurdle was awarded second place. Time, first mile, Oinin. 30tsec. ; second mile, Bmin. SOsec; or 18min. for the two miles.

Throwing the Hammee. — Daniels, 75ft., 1 ; Campbell, 73ft., 2.

Steeplechase. — This was a cross-coun-try race over many fences and two waterjumps. Distance, l^miles. Cahill, 1 ; Vaughan, 2.

This concluded one of the most pleasant, enjoyable, and orderly day's amusements it lias been your correspondent's good fortune to witness, and closed a very successfully-carried-out programme with a grand race. Five hundred persons, including some Maoris, were present.