HAWERA MOUNTED RIFLES' TOURNAMENT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2436, 26 May 1893, Page 2

HAWERA MOUNTED RIFLES' TOURNAMENT.

The second annual tournament of the above corps eventuated on tbe racecourse od Wednesday (Queen's Birthday). The weather, which had for come time past been decidedly broken,' proved anything but favorable for the tournament; and militated greatly against the attendance. Indeed it was so inclement tbat it was thought by miny the tournament would have to be postponed, but the troop decided to Bee it through in spite of the weather, a determination, however, whioh they could only partially follow out, and eventually it was decided to poetppne it indefinitely, j It is a regrettable circumstance that, after all arrangements having been made, and troopers having spent much time in practising and getting their horses into fettle, the weather" should have been unfavorable. However, the troop have deoided to hold tne tournament at some future date to be decided npon. Their energy in initiating military sports is.to be commended, and it is to be hoped tbat when the adjourned tournament ia held, the publio'will attend, and show their appreciation of the troop's efforts. The '.various ftems gone through showed conJclusivejy that tbe members have improved considerably on last year's form, notwithstanding the unfavorable oircumstances — (bad weather and a sloppy coarse. Tbe Wairoa Mounted Rifles were represented by only three men (Corporal Thorpe and Troopers Noake and Symes), although it was expeoted that three teams would be present, and doubtless would have been but for tbe weather. The officers and seoretary of the troop worked hard, but, owing- to the late hour at whioh a start waß made, and the frequent heavy showers, tbe programme was only about half gone through when the train arrived. It was generally remarked that the troopers possess a fine lot of horaes, and we think it is safe to say tbat the troop in this direction has much improved" on last year's turn-out. The jumping was excellent, and, although the course was extremely soft, there was no accident of any sort during the' day. The Hawera Band >was present, nnder the leadership of Mr High am, and dis« ooursed music at intervals. Appended are the results :—: — | Beat turned-out man, horse and gear, arms and accoutrements.' — Trooper D. N. Scott, 1; Sergt. Lucena, 2; Corporal Sutherland, 3. There were eight entries. Tilting at the ring (flat).— Trooper Forbes, 1 ; Corporal Linn, 2. There were fourteen competitors for thin event, which created a good deal of interest. The winner succeeded in taking four rings out of five. Eescuing Comrade. — Corporal MoLean (Sergeant Lucena comrade), 1; Trooper Buchanan (Trooper Livingston comrade), 2 ; Corporal Linn (Trooper MeEae- comrade), 3. Seven mounted men competed. Some amusement was caused ou account of several horses objecting to their burdens. Hobse Pace-Eaoe. Walk, trot, and gallop half-mile eaob paoe. Trooper Andrew Robertson 1 Corporal Archie; Robertson ... ... 2 Corporal MoEaOj 3 Ten competitors^ for this even*. The two first named dbtained a big lead in tbe walk, and had things all their own way. Hurdle Race (fij* trophy); 1£ miles; over four flights of hurdles. Corpl. McLean's Rambler (owner) ... 1 Trop. Hicks' Merman (Sergt. Lucena) 2 Trop. MoEae's Te Ari (owner) ... 3 Five starters. There was good competition in this event. A protest was i entered against Corporal McLean on the , ground of crossing, and was upheld. ' Capturing Gun. — Two teams competed, \ in command of Sergeant-Major Trott and Corporal Linn respectively,, Corporal Linn's team winning by llsecs., tbe times being 2min. 21secs., and 2mio, lOsecs. respectively. /f Tilting at the Ring (over hardies). There waß good competition for this event, there being 1 ten entries. Corporal McLean 2 rings, 16£ sees., 1 ; Trooper Scott 2 ringß, r 2os*cs., 2; Corporal Linn, 3. Flat Race (for trophy) ; | mile. Trop. MoLean's Rambler (Mcßae) ... 1 Trop. Hicks' Merman (McLean) ... 2 A field of seven or eight faced the starter for this event.