ATHLETICS.

Mataura Ensign, 30 November 1912, Page 3

ATHLETICS.

MATAURA SOCIETY. The annual sports gathering lieldi under tho auspices of the Matauva Athletic Society will be held on Boxing Day, December 26, for which the programme has been issued. If money will •attract entries there should be record nominations in &11 events as good prizes are being given, the total amount to be distributed being over £IOO. The chief attraction is the Mataura Sheffield Handicap of 120 yards, which is of a total value of £3O allotted as follows: —First £2O, second £6, third £3, and fourth £l. The mile, half-mile, 440 yds, 220 yds, and 75yds handicaps are each worth £7. The cycle events include a 2-mile handicap of £B, 15mile handicap of £6, and a mile handicap of "£4 10s. Jumping events are ialso provided for. Piping and dancing should form an attractive part of the programme, marches and strathspeys being provided for the pipers and Highland flings, Irish jigs, sword: dances, 'and sailors' hornpipes for competitors of 16 years and under. That the children have not been forgotten is proved by the fact that the committee has made provision for numerous races for them throughout the day. Nominations for tho Sheffield will close with tho secretary (Mr Allen Heid) on Monday, December 9, and acceptances are due on Monday, December 16, entries for all other events closing on. the latter date. The Brass and Kilties Bands have both been engaged, to provide music during the day and in the evening a dramatic performance will be given by the Mataura Amateur Dramatic Club in the Horticultural Hall.

BALFOUR CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. The programme for that annual popular fixture, the Balfour Caledonian Society's sports, which will be heldi 011 the society's grounds on Boxing Day, December 26, has been issued. The list of events is a very attractive one and cannot fail to draw record nominations. Running events of all distances are provided for, quoits, stone and hammer throwing, jumpingj wrestling, and tilting at the ring all going towards making an excellent programme. The principal race is the Longridge Sheffield Handicap of 135 yards, which is worth £25 this year. The entry fee for this event is 10s audi it is quite safe to say that some of the best professionals in the Dominion will compete for the prizes. The - mile handicap is worth £5 10s, half-mile handicap £5 10s, and 440 yds and 220 yds £6 10s each. The piping and dancing is always a special feature of the gathering I and ample provision in this respect ha* I been arranged. The piping includes ' reels and strathspeys and marches while the dancing is made up of Highland' flings, sword dances, jigs, horn- | pipes, reels, etc., for competitors of all ages. Nominations for the Sheffield, mile, half-mile, 440 yds and 220 yds handicaps will close with the secretary (Mr J. H. McMath) on Friday, December 13, at 8 p.m. All the other events are post entry. A band will provide music during the day and special trains will run from Gore and Lumsden to convey patrons to the sports. The usual dance will be held in the Balfour Town. Hall in the evening.