TAKINGS £260

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 55, Issue 32673, 6 February 1946, Page 7

TAKINGS £260

SPORTS AT OPOUTERE VERY SUCCESSFUL DAY EXCELLENT ORGANISATION New Year’s Day, on the Opoutere farm, Whangamata, formerly owned by Mr F. H. Durrant Snr., and now occupied’ by Mr O. P. Liddell, the most successful sports gathering’ in the history of the district was held. Quite a large crowd had queued up at the entry office half-an-hour prior to the official opening time <and the gates had to be opened to avoid congestion. A traffic officer was speedily arranged to control the parking area, a task which was most capably handled by Mr Tom Dixon who worked quickly and efficiently in arranging dozens of cars and buses which kept arriving in quick succession. It was early realised that the refreshment counter with a provision of several loaves in sandwiches as well as some 160 dozen cakes would be ’hard put to meet the requirements of the day. Although the ladies in charge made heroic endeavours to supplement the supply the demands for refreshments could not be met. Soft drinks were quickly prepared, fruit and biscuits gleaned from surrounding areas, but still the supply was insufficient. From the grocery stall several dozens of Weet-Bix and Vita-Brits, donated by the manufacturing companies concerned, were called upon and greatly assisted in meeting the demand for eats.

No difficulty was experienced in providing for the sporting appetite and the sports committee responsible is to be complimented on providing a variety programme of high entertaniment value to which was attached a generous list of cash prizes. One of the outstanding attractions of the day was the fine display of goods on the advertising counters, all of which were donated by New Zealand manufacturing firms and comprised) groceries, cosmetics, toys, medicinal and veterinary supplies, drapery, etc. All the stalls were cleverly housed under

a roof of nikau beautifully plaited, with frontal decoration to match. This display of native art was a credit to the local residents of the native race, the major work being: performed by Mr T. Douglas and- Mr C. Tua. The following ladies in charge of the stalls were:—Mesdames Te Hau, September, Autry, Napia, C. Wareipo, Dixon, Keenan, W. Wareipo, Murray and Liddell who are deserving of praise for the excellent manner in which the goods were displayed as well as for the efficient service at the counters. Mr Peter Keenan in charge of the hot water and tea supplies well deserved the compliments that were paid to the efficient service provided. Mr C. Wareipo in charge of the racing events and Mr W. Wareipo at the entry office, handled a difficult task with credit, while Messrs Tom Douglas and J. Prescott, super-

vising the chopping events did a great job. A half-hour auction, conducted by Mr James Hamilton of Whenuakite was by no means the least entertaining item and Mr Hamilton added lustre to his reputation as an efficient and entertaining auctioneer. A pleasing feature of the day was the children’s events, conducted entryfree, by Messrs P. Phillips and Bridson who proved New Year favourites with the juvenile patrons. During the luncheon adjournment the chairman, Mr O. P. Liddell, thanked the patrons, friends and committee for their contribution to the success of the day the proceeds from which were to provide £5O. towards a phone installed in the isolated units of the district, the balance to create a fund for the purpose of building z a Maori Sunday School social hall.

The Rev. Ivory of the Methodist Church, Waihi, expressed a hearty vote of thanks to the committee for the splendid manner in which they had organised the d'ay. The total proceeds of the effort were £269 18s '7di with expenses at £6'4 12s sd, leaving a net profit of £205 6s 2d. Results of the sports were as un-

der: — ■Married ladies’ race, 75yds.—Mrs Beach 1, Mrs B. Hamilton 2. ’Potato race.—Cowan 1,.R. Te Hau 2.

Three-legged race. —B. Tapiata and W. Wharepapa 1.

Tilt in the ring.— A. Hollis 1. Single ladies’ race, lOOyd's.—Marie Aubrey 1.

Stockman’s competition.—W. Hollis 1, F. Durrant and' L. May, dead heat,

Men’s 100yds.—C. Brant 1, P. Beach and B. Tapiata, dead heat, 2. Maiden chop.—W. Rapson 1, Mar-, iner 2, F. Rapson 3. Addition race, horse event. — W. "Wharepapa 1, R. Te Hau 2. 'Open lOin. chop.-—K. Douglas 1, W. Rapson 2, R. Te Hau 3. Men’s 440yds.—Brant 1, B. Beach 2, Farmer 3. 12in. chop.—>o. Mariner 1, Lapp 2, W. Rapson 3. Dead man’s race. —Charlie Douglas 1, W. Hollis 2. DANCE IN EVENING FUNCTION AT HTKUAI The concluding item of the New Year sporting programme at Whangamata was a dance held in the evening at the Hikuai Hall and upheld the high standard of the day’s event both in attendance and entertainment. The music, provided by Mr Shaw at the piano and Mr Bruce on the drums, went with a swing and coupled with the capable services of Mr C. Wareipo as M.C., provided an excellent programme which gave a fitting conclusion to a <Jay that will be long remembered in the district.