MATAURA MOUNTED RIFLES.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1146, 12 February 1903, Page 2

MATAURA MOUNTED RIFLES.

MILITARY SPORTS.

Committee:—Captain Wayte, Lieuts. A. MoNab and FullartoD, Sergt.-Major Hay, Q.M.-Sergt. Gordon, Sergts. H. Martin, G. L. Eeenan, Chittock, and Keown, Corp. Beid, Lanoe Corp. Miller, and Trooper J. Soott.

Tbe military sports, under the auspices of tbe Mataura Mounted Rifles, were held on the Gore racecourse yesterday afternoon, the day being an enjoyable one, despite tbe fact that a stiff breeze blew into the stand all tbe afternoon. The attendance numbered about 500, and included a a fair number of ladies arrayed in summer costume. Major Bowler, Capts. McNab, M.H.B. (Muribiku M.8.). Stewart (Kelso M.8.), Lieuts. Herbert (Kelso M.8.), and Wilson (Muribiku M.8.) were present, in addition to the officers of tbe corps, and the Gore Brass Band discoursed Bweet music on the lawn at intervals. The management throughout the day was good, although there was a considerable period of waiting between events, and the sports were not finished until close on 0 o'clock. Tbe officials for the day were Sergt.-Major Hay (olerk of the oourse), Capt. Saunders (judge) and Capt. Waite (starter); secretaries, Sergt. Martin and Trooper Grant. As usual, mounted events were prominent, and these were extremely populnr. Mr T. Lock conducted the refreshment booth on the ground. Results : Sectional Leading: First, trophy, value 255; second, 10s. Competitors to be troopers or buglers, and lead three horses fully accoutred j to circle round a point and back to startTrooper White (M.M.8.) 1, Trooper D. Ross (M.M.R.) 2. Trooper Mcßain failed to start his team properly. This was run in the creditable time of Imin 4seo, and ihe winner kept his horses under good control. Lloyd-Lindsay: First, trophies or cash, value £4 4s; second, £2 2s. Sections start singly, jump a hurdle, and race to firing point, dismount and fire two volleys, mount, jump another hurdle and repeat practice, then mount, jump hurdle, and race to winning post.—Corp. Reid's section 1, Sergt. Heenan's section 2. Time, 4min 2Gsec and 4min 15seo. Although the latter seotion were Usee faster than the winners they were behind in discipline, drill, and dressing. Reid's section was under splendid control. Rescue Race: Fiist, trophy, value £3 10s; second, £110s; third, 15s. Dummies placed at end of run, protected by firing party. Competitors jump hurdles, place dummies on horses in natural position, mount, ro-jump hurdle, and gallop back to starting point.— First heat: Sergt. Martin (M.M.R.) 1, Sergt. L. Heenan 2; time, 48 2-ssec. Second heat: Trooper Scott 1, Corp. Boss 2; time, 44sec. Third heat: Trooper McMeekin 1, Trooper Muir (Murihiku M.R.i 2; time, 45 sec. Final: Scott 1, Muir 2, Rosa 3; time, 43 4-ssec. The winner got in front at the start, Muir not far behind, and a splendid race ensued. Scott got his dummy on board before Muir, and got away, winning by about live lengths.

Balaclava Melee: First, £2; second, £l. To be fought in sections.—Sergt. Heenan's section, 1; Corp. Ross's section,2. Sergt. Gait (Murihiku M. R.), Sergt. Kennedv (M.M.R.), and Corp Boss (M.M.11.) also entered sections. This proved a most exciting euent, though in some instances the horses were severely hit by misdirected blows, and unused to such treatment, plunged round, discomfiting the riders.

Jumping Competition: First, £1 10s. Over two flights of hurdles. Judging by points.— Corp. Reid (M.M.R.), 1; Trooper W. Muir (Murikuri M. R.), 2. Twelve entries. Bareback Wrestling: First, £4. Teams to consist of a sorgeant and 8 men. The team having greater number of men at end of three minutes will win beat.—Sorgt. Martin's team, 1; Sergt. Heenan's team, 2. Theso were the only competitors, and they furnished three minutes' royal fun. A trooper well-known for his horsemanship was hoisted-out of bis saddle early in the contest, and the commander of one of the sections was deprived of iiis undergarments to the waißt.

Ticket Race: First, £2; second, £l. Competitors to mount, rido 100 yards, dismount, pick up ticket, remount, and so on, picking up three tickets, and race to winning postTrooper Muir, 1; Trooper Spittle (Kelso M.8.) 2. Won easily. Six competitors.