MATAURA ATHLETIC SOCIETY.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1272, 29 December 1903, Page 2

MATAURA ATHLETIC SOCIETY.

NINTH ANNUAL GAMES. The Matanra Athletio Society were favored with exceptionally fine weather for their annual sports, held on Saturday last (Boxing Day). Though rain fell somewhat heavily in the early hours of the morning, by 10 o'clock the weather bad taken up and the afternoon was a glorious one. Doubtless the rain somewhat affected the attendance, but despite this there was a very large number of spectators on the ground, as was evidenced by the sum taken at the gates (£47 12s). The Society is to be congratulated upon, the success attending the meeting, which was quite up to the standard of former years. A liberal programme was provided, and this was the means of securing the presence of not only the pick of Southland's athletes, but also competitors from Otago and Cauterbury, Whilst the Society can guarantee the presence of suoh a splendid all-round display of athleticism as was witnessed on Saturday, they can always bo certain of generous public support. So long as such well-known performers as W. Black (running), F. Ford (weight-putting), and McFadzen (wrestling) are amongst the competitors at the Society's games, the public are assured of seeing something above the average. The prettily situated ground in which the games were held was in excellent order, and the track for the principal event of the day—the Sheffield Handicap of £15 —was especially conducive to fast times. This race provided splendid sport, and at least ten of the starters were given a chance of winning, a high tribute to the manner in which the Society's handicapper (Mr T. Ambrose) had brought his men together. The final heat was robbed of some interest throuuh Cook, whose chance was fancied by a. goodly number, being left at the post by bis own mistake, no blame whatever being attributable to the starter. W. Black, from the syds mark, proved how great a runner he is by gaining second place, and only being beaten by a few inches. The programme was a good deal behind time in being got through, and was not cavried out with the eauie regularity as in past years, but this did not in any way mar the pleasure of those present, most of whom stayed until the last event had been decided. A much feli want, and one that was freely commented upon, was the absence of a refreshment booth of any description, and the Society will be looking after its own interests to remedy this defect at future gatherings. A band composed of members of the Mataura and Gore bands, under Mr Henery, were in attendance, and added much to the enjoyment of the gathering. The various officials appointed for the day were in every instance specially suited for th-jir respective positions, and a word of praise is due tn the popular secretary (Mr E. J. Cameron). Besides the results set out below, a largn number of boys' and girls' races were got off, and kept the youngsters in good spirits throughout the day. Mr J. B. Nichol as usual superintended this part of the programme, and he is deserving of credit for the pains be took. Following is the priie-list:— Quoits, 21yds: First 20s, second 10s—H. Stewart (6 points) 1, A. Anderson (scr) 2. Four entries.

Maiden Race, 100 yds: First 20s, second 10s—J. Smith 1, J. G. McFadzen 2. Time--11 4-ssec. Nine entries. Sheffield Handicap, 135 yds: Firet £B, second £3, third £2, fourth £1: - First Round—First heat: A. F. Tosswill, 13yds, 1; W. Turnbull, 9|yds, 2. Time—--13 4-ssec. Second heat: T. Kirk, 13yds 1; W. Black and F. Robins, 12Jyds (dead heat), 2. Time—l 3 l-ssec. Third heat: P. Walburton, 10yds, 1; C. Cook, 12yds, 2. Time —l3 2-osec. Second Round—first heat: T. Kirk 1, P. Walburton 2. Time—l3seo. Second heat: W. Black 1, C. Cook 2. Time—l 3 2-sseo.

T. Kirk (Winton), 13yds .. .. 1 W. Black (luverosirgill), syds .. 2 P. Walburton (Christcflurob), 10yds.. 3 C. Cook (Gore), 12yds .. .. 4 Time—l 3 l-ssec. There were 12 competitors in this event, and the running was of a high order throughout. Tbe honors are due to Black, who, starting from the syds mark, ran into second place, and only lost first prize by a few inches. In the final heat. C. Cook lost any chance he might have had of winning by being left on the mark and taking no part in the race, merely tunning out the distance to enable him to get fourth money. Bagpipe 3 (marches): First 30s, second 15s —W. Cameron 1, J. McCartney 2. District Race, 100 yds: First £2, second 15s—H. Brown, JO.yds, 1; J. Sayers, Byds, 2. Time—ll l-ssec. Thirteen entries.

Putting 161b ball: First 20s, second K)s John McFadzon (44in), 39ft Oin, 1; F. Ford (scr), 38ft BJin, 2. Six entries. Highland" Fling: First 20s, second 10s— J. Peart 1, W. Cameron 2. Mile Race: First £4, second £2, third 10s —H. Dickson, 40yds, 1; E. R. Cameron, 55yds, 2; J. Burk, 15yds, 3. Time—4min 53sec. Seven entries. Wrestling, Cumberland Style, 12it: First £2, second £l, third 10s—J. McFadzen, 1; J. Caufield, 2 ; T. Boyle, 3. Five entries. Bicycle Race, one mile: First £2 or trophy, second £l, third lGs—A. Humphries, 55yds, 1; E. Humphries, 100 yds, 2; S. Ladbrook, 100 yds, 3. Eleven entries. Running High Jump: First 30s, second 10a, third ss-J. Milne, 3in, 1; F. Ford, scr, 2, R. McLay, lin, 3. Six entries. Throwing Hammer : First 30s, second 10s —F. Ford (scr), 122 ft, 1; J. McFadzen (3ft), 97ft 2in, 2. Six entries. 440 yds Handicap: First, £3, second £2, third 10s—E. Kelly, 12yds. 1; J. Burk, 22 yds, 2; W. Clark, 18yds, 3. Time—ss 1-5 sec. Nine entries. Bagpipes (reels and strathspeys) : First 20s; second, 10s—W. Cameron 1, J. McCartney 2. Bicycle Race, two miles—First trophy (presented by A. Sandilands, Esq.). second 20s, third 10s —A. Humphries. 100 yds, 1; E Humphries, 145 yds, 2; J. Westacott, 145 yds, 3 Ten entries. Haif-mile Handicap: First £3, eecond £2, third £l-E. Kellv, 20yds, 1; D. McLaren, 10yds, 2, P. C. Daly, 45yds, 3. Nine entries. Long Jump : First 20s, second 10s-.T. McFadzen (3ft), 15ft llin, 1; F. Ford (scr), 18ft 2in, 2. Three entries. 220 yds Handicap: First £3 10s, second 30s, third lOs-C. Cook, 13yds, 1; P. Walburton, Byds, 2 ; W. Black, 2yds, 3. Time—--23 l-55ee. Sixteen entries. Hop, Step, and Jump; First £l, second 10s—G. C. Smitb (3ft), 37ffc 9in, 1; F. Ford (scr), 40ft 2in, 2. Three entries. 220 yds Hurdle Race: First £2, second £l, third 10s—F. Robins, 4yds, 1; W. Wilson, 7yds, 2; A. Tosswill, syds, 3. Time—32 1-5 sec. Twelve entries. A weight-guessing competition for the live weight of a cow was awarded to Mr John McCubbin, who guessed the correct weight 10001b.

The concert in the evening drew a bumper house. The programme opened with an overture by Miss Cameron (piano), Messrs Hubener (violin), Taylor (clarinet), and Henery (cornet). A glee for seven voices was nicely rendered by Mrs Jenkins, Misses Cameron, Beattie, and Clark, and Messrs Clark, West, Steadman, and Mitchell. A song, " The Gauntlet," by Mr Wilson followed. Several phonograph selections by Mr Hamilton were much appreciited. Mr Steadman's song. " The Carnival," was well received. The glee party brought the first part of the programme to a close with another selection. After an interval of ten minuteß the second part was opened by a selection by the orchestra, followed by a soce by Mr Maude. Mr A. Clarke sang " The Irish Emigrant," and in response to an encore gave "Tom Bowling." Mr Steadman then favored the audience with a solo, and Mr Hamilton took a record with his phonograph of a tin whistle solo given by Mr H. W. Stewart. Messrs Evison and Badie supplied the comic element, and another item from the glee party and the National Anthem brought the concert to a close.