ST. GEORGE'S SOCIETY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 96, 25 April 1907, Page 3

ST. GEORGE'S SOCIETY.

ANNUAL SPORTS

Officers:—President, Mr S. J. Furness. Vice-Presidents: Yen. Archdeacon Grace, Messrs J. Conolly, H. D. Vavasour, G. H\ Bott, S. Tapp (sen.), and H. Robinson. Judge: R. F. Priddle. Assistant Judges: H. Robinson and H. R. Bagge. Referee: W. Sowman. Handicapper (foot and cycle): A. E. Thomson. Treasurer: J. A. Bottrell. Timekeepers: S. Tapp (jun.), F. Redwood, CP. Nash. Secretary: A. J. Fisher. Assistant Secretary:- S. Bull. Starter: G. Wareham. Assistant Starter: A, Sowman. Com^ iriittee: Messrs W. Carr, J. A. Bottrell, G. Wareham, G. Lane, H. Jordan, S. Bull, W. H. Green, S. Tapp, S. Tapp (jun.), R v P. Furness, A. R. Thomson, W. Fairclough, J. L. Lord, J. Strickland, E. James., Protest Committee: H. Robinson, t R. Wanden, W. Sowman, R. F. Priddle, and R. P. Furness.

Considering the weather winch has prevailed here during the last tec. days, the Blenheim branch of the Royal Society of St. George may consider itself well treated with the conditions prevailing yesterday for the annual sports.. Many were of opinion that Dame Nature had forsaken England's patron Saint, hut the day broke bright and clear and calm. Later a north-west wind sprang up, and "blew tents and hats about, but it had the effect of drying the ground, which was in yery fair order, although a trifle holding. ■ The attendance during the afternoon was very large, and it is considered that, had the day remained bright and sunny, a record attendance for Blenheim would have had to be recorded. Mr . Wareham's starting of the various events was a feature of the occasion , the men all getting off like clockwork. The finishes were also good, dead heats being recorded in two neats of one race, and in the final three men tied for first place. This bears testimony to Mr A. R. Thomson's excellent handicapping. The presence of several outside runners and riders added interest to the.meeting, but, others who intended being present were stuck up in Wellington. The officials were indefatigable in their, efforts to get the events off to time." Mr Gleeson, controlled the publican's booth, and Mr Blackburn the lawful gameß. Following are the results up to the time of going to press:—

Maiden, 120 yds.—P. Neville T, S. Jellyman 2, O. Dalziel 3. Seven starters. Won by inches, third man two yards away. Time, 14sec.

President's Handicap,, 120 yds. — First heat: F. Parker (10yds) 1, C. Mitchinson (Byds) 2, S. Jellyman (13 yds) 3. Also started: W. Terrill (6yds), J. Strickland (10yds), C. Bush (12yds), and J. O'Rourke (,12yds). Time, 12sec. Second heat: H. Mears (9yds) 1, G. Kinsey (lyd) and J. Priddle (Byds) dead heat 2. Also started: F. Coleman (12yds) and H. Priddle (13yds). Time,. 12 3-ssee. Third heat: L. C. McLachlan (owe 2yds) and P. Neville (12yds) heat 1, W- Chandler (12yds) 3. Also started: G. Gardiner (12yds) and E. Fraser (13yds). Time, 12 l-ssec. Final: Mears, Jellyman and Parker a dead heat. All the qualified men started, and all finished in a bunch. Time, 11 3-ssec.

Bicycle Race, one mile.—A. E. Parkesr<6oyds) 1, A. Toombs (90yds) 2, G. O'Brian (80yds) 3. "Also started: R. Watson (90yds), and H. Sutton (100 yds). When the bell rang Parkes " lit out," and won almost as he liked; a good race for second place. Time, 2min 36sec. Second heat: ±i. Porter (80yds) 1, H.--Si Thomson (100 yds) 2, S. Porter (90yds) 3. F. Wells (scr), S. Halswell (50yds, and L. RolUnshaw (80yds) also started. Won by a length. Wells was cautioned, by the committee, who considered that he had not done his best. Time, 2miri 40sec. Final: Parkes 1, Thomson 2, L. Porter 3. All the placed men started. The field was bunched till the commencement of the last lap, when Parkes shot out, and although challenged by Thomson, and Porter, won by several lengths. Time, 2min 39sec. .

Youths' Race, half-mile,—H. L. Ewai 'scr) 1, J. Crook (30yds) 2, E. Frase/ (.:oyds) 3. Also started: C. ■Gardinei ~syds) and P. Watson (55 yds). ,A - :lendid race. Watson led until the last lap commenced, when the three placed men passed him. A ding-dong go between Ewart and Crook resulted in the former's winning ibyayard. Time, 2min 15£ sec.

Vavasour Handicap, 440 yds.-—L .C. McLachlan (owe 4yds) 1. W. Terrill (20yds) 2, O. Dalziel (32yds) 3. Also started: J. H. Priddle and F. Parker (23yds) and T. O'Leary (26yds). This race was a treat to witness. The field came gradualy back to McLachlan, who was^ nevertheless about a dozen yards behind Terrill and Dalziel at the home turn. Spurting strongly, the "crack" skimmed up the straight, winning on the last stride. Time, 51 2-ssec, or equal to 50 4-ssec for McLachlan for the 440 yards.

Physical Drill Competition (open to Cadet Coprs only), maximum point* 25.—High School (Sergt. Mogridge) 23 ponits, 1; Tua Marina (Lieut. Campbell), 22 points, 2; High School (Sere;t. Parker), 20' points, 3. The drill was of a very high order, the several" movements being performed with exactness and precision. High School having won the cup (presented by Mr Carr) twice in succession, it becomes their property. Mr J. Benning was judge.

St. George's Handicap, 220 yds. — First heat: H. Mears (13yds) 1, P. Neville (16yds) 2, J. Strickland (16yds) 3. Also started: G. Gardiner (17yds). Won by a yard. Time, 23 2-ssec. Second heat: F. Parker (15yds) 1, L. C. McLachlan (owe 4yds) 2, G. Kinsey (4yds) 3. Also started: W. Terrill (10yds), C. Mitchinson (11yds), J., H. Priddle (13yds), J. Casey (14yds), C. Bush (17yds), and J. O'Rourke (17yds). A very close finish; several men finished in a bunch, and the judges' task was a difficult one. Time, 23sec. Bicycle Race, two miles.—A. E. Parkes (90yds) 1, R. Watson (260 yds) w P l ? rter (iQOyds) 3. Also started: tt tT«s lscr)' L- Halswell (60yds), F. H Bell (90yds), L. Rollinshaw 140 fVTv'- C> To°o°. mbs (220 yds), and C. ° B™n, (230 yds). The handicap ES o £° much for Wells>who nev<£ limit ™Cci , I Parkes cau 6ht nS? fcv ' andi¥ all the last la P> winning by several length,. Time, 'smin

Final- IGer g M THa^di^P' 220 yds- . Li. L,. McLachlan (owe 4- r"M 1 3. . All started Another eWelfent finish, the placed men finishing within a few inches of each other, with several others m close attendance. Tirp P 23sec. c'e '

Musical Chairs (gentlempn).— D Me Ca-llum 1, W. Miller 2. Seven entries

Conolly Handicap, hrlf-mile F Parker (55yds) 1, W. Terrill (30yds) 2 O. Dalziel (65yds) 3. Also, started: J: Casey (45yds), T. O'Leary. (45yds), H

L.. Ewart (55yds), and N. Neame (60yds). Ewart led until the straight, when Parker, with a brilliant run, forged, ahead, followed by Terrill and Dalziel. Won by half a yard. Time, 2min 4sec.

Bicycle Race, half-mile.—First heat: L. Porter (40yds) 1, H. S. Thomson (45yds) 2, C. O'Brian (40yds) 3. Also started: F. Wells (scr), S. Halswell (20yds), F. H. BelL. (30yds), and S. Porter (45yds). Bell collided with the ropes, and turned a somersault,'breaking his bicycle. Won by half a wheel. Time, Imin 15sec. Second heat: A. E. Parkes (30yds) 1, K. Watson (55yds) 2.. A. Tobmbs (45yds), the only other starter, fell. Won easily. Time, Imin 18sec. Final: Parkes 1, Thomson *2, Porter 3., Watson fell. Won by a' coupls of-lengths. Time, Imin 15sec. Bohally Handicap, 100 yds. — First heat: P. Neville (10yds) 1, A. Draper (9yds) 2, J. Priddle (7yds) 3. Also started: H. Mears (Byds). Won by "\ ehes ; Time, 10 2-ssec. Second heat: C oanrdle^, (I°yds> 1 ' G- Kinsey (lyd) 2, J. O'Rourke (10yds) 3. Also started: H. Priddle (11yds). Time, 10 l-ssec. Third heat: S. Jellyman (11yds) 1 F. Parker (10yds) 2, J. Strickland (9yds) 3. Also started: C. Mitchinson (7yds), C. Bush (10yds). and F. Coleman (10yds). Time. 10 l-ssec. Final: Parker 1, Jellyman 2, Draper 3. Parker drew out in the last ten yards, and won by about two feet. Time, lOseo.

Forced Handicap, 220 yds. P Neville (21yds) 1, J, Casey (23yds) 2, A. Draper (24yds) 3. Twelve starters. A good race in the straight was won by Neville by half a yard, third man a foot away. Time,. 23sec.

Boys' Bicycle Race, half-mile.—A. Patchett (40yds) 1, Fawcett (20yds) 2, Dundon (scr) 3. Six starters.

Several boys' and girls' races were also .run, for prizes donated by the Society.