Patriotic Funds Benefit From Titoki Gymkhana

Northern Advocate, 26 May 1941, Page 3

Patriotic Funds Benefit From Titoki Gymkhana

Conducted by the Mangakahia Patriotic Committee as a wartime effort, the mounted gymkhana at Reid’s farm, Titoki, on Saturday yielded £145 net. Exceeding all expectations in attendance, competition and weather, the sports yielded £45 in gate takings, the balance being made up by proceeds from a variety of competitions conducted with enterprise and enthusiasm. If the fortune of war favours the British cause to the same extent as the weather favoured the gymkhana, all will be well. Brilliant as in summer, but warm without summer’s oppressive heat, the weather proved an incentive for a large attendance, patrons being present from a wide area. The entertainment, too, was on a par with conditions and there was never lack of interest.

High Standard

Indicative of the high standard of competition and the competitive patronage afforded the gymkhana, was the number of horses which took part .and the distance travelled for that purpose. Ninety-six horses, from places as far distant as Hukerenui, Parua Bay, Kamo, Maungatapere, Opokeno, Tangiteroria and Awarua, as well from near districts, took part. The judges (Messrs. E. Morfette and D. Bowers, of Kaikohe) were enthusiastic on the manner in which competitors brought forward their mounts. They slated that the mounts had been well prepared and illustrated the interest which the people had taken in the gymkhana. Horsemanship also was of a high standard, both among adults and children. The little girls, especially, had ridden well, the standard displayed showing that parents had paid attention to riding education. The jumping had been of a high standard and competition had been keen in all events.

Well Organised

Although the organisation of the gymkhana was carried out by the men of the district, the ladies also played a large and important part, not only catering for the gastronomial requirements of patrons in a manner which was a high recommendation for country cooking, but in inducing patronage at stalls and in competitions. Under the direction of the chairman of the patriotic committee (Mr. T. N. Blake), the secretary (Mr. S. Pearson) and the organiser (Mr. R. Birdsall), a large band of assistants carried out an extensive programme expeditiously.

Novelty Events

In compiling the programme attention had been paid to the staging of a number of unusual novelty competitions on horseback as well as to events common to a mounted gymkhana. the whole combining in providing humorous and interesting entertainment.

“I would like to express my appreciation of the assistance given by the committee as a whole,” said the chairman (Mr. T- N. Blake). “Special mention is duo to the ladies for the manner in which they have worked both at home, preparatory to the function, and with their various stalls, to the organiser (Mr. R. Birdsall), the secretary (Mr. S. Pearson), who carried out their duties in a very efficient manner, to the judges, timekeepers and officials who travelled long distances to assist us in a good cause.

Expectations Exceeded “The committee has asked me to express its appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Reid, who placed such an admirable ground at our disposal. “As a financial venture the gymkhana has turned out far in excess of our expectations, a great deal of credit being due to the competitors who travelled from far and wide to Titoki. I trust that our many visitors enjoyed their day’s outing and will return with their friends to future similar functions.”

Principal officials conducting the gymkhana were: Chairman, Mr. T. N. Blake; organiser, Mr. R. Birdsall; secretary, Mr. S. Pearson; assistant secretary, Mr. F. Platt; treasurer, Mr. A. Farrow; assistant treasurer, Mr. A. Alexander; referee, Mr. C. Fraser; starter, Mr. R. D. Finlayson; judges, Messrs. E. Forfette, W. Bowers; timekeepers, Messrs. J. G. Draper, C. Jones; ring stewards, Messrs. W. McCarale, C. Courtney, L. Hill, A. Liddiard, J. Alison, J. Gavin, G. Hunter and G. Alexander. Competition Results Results: Bending, children under 16: D. Fraser 1, N. Morgan 2. Time, 44 3-ss. Ten entries provided good competition. Bending, open: B. R. Hill 1, I. Fraser 2. Time, 39 2-ss. With 16 entries, competition was keen. Competitors, as in the chiloren’s competition, were required to bend round six stakes each 10 paces apart and weave between five stakes on the return journey, places being awarded on time.

Tug-o’-war.—Alison’s team 1. Two teams entered, Alison’s beating Breslin’s in two straight pulls. . The competition was bare-back, without spurs, on horses no heavier than heavy hack, the pull being taken on a straight rope without anchor man. Spectators were highly entertained, especially when the puli was sufficient to unseat completely the opposition. Flag race: E. Finlayson 1, S. Alison 2. Nineteen competitors took part, collecting ilags stirrup high on sticks, time and number of ilags giving the winner. Horseback relay, children under 1G: P. Richards. G. Brown, N. Martin, r'. Christie 1. Three teams contested this event, the girls’ team being successful. Team members were placed two at each end, and. were required to carry a ribbon, competitor dismounting 15 yards from partner and to lead partner to transfer ribboh, partner receiving ribbon dismounted and leading to limit line before mounting. » Hurdles, pony under 14.2: G. Baldwin 1, T. R. Langton 2. Jumping of good standard was shown by the majority of the 11 competitors over three hurdles. Victoria Cross race: I. H. Finlayson 1, A. Christie 2. Time, 55 2-ss. Required to clear three hurdles, dismount, pick up a dummy each, and return with the dummies over the hurdles. 17 competitors provided an excellent display. The event was won on time from start to The finishing line. Wrestling on horseback: P. Patterson, C. Clotworthy, C. and T. Brown 1. Stripped to the waist .and mounted bareback. three teams of four men each provided plenty of mirth and as the contest waged hot the spectators crowded round the competitors. „ Maiden hunter: T. Brown 1, W. Martin 2. The majority of the 11 competitors

fenced well to give an entertaining display.

Open hunter: Mrs. J. N. McLean 1, Miss K. McDonald 2. A field of* 10 provided competition of a high standard. Tyre race: B. Russell 1, G. Brown 2. Twelve children rode 50 yards each to a tyre, dismounted, released the horse and bowled the tyre back to the starting point. Thread the needle: W. Martin l, D. Fraser 2. In this competition, which drew an entry of 13, contestants had to race, dismount, walk 15 yards to lady partners who threaded needle, lead back 15 yards, mount and race to finishing line. Musical chairs, children: P. Russell 1, N. Breslin 2. Riding bareback 12 competitors had to canter, dismount when music stopped and lead to peg. Musical chairs, open: I. Fraser 1, G. Edge 2. Ten entries in a competition conducted the same as for the children. Polo race: E. Finlayson 1, I. H. Fraser 2. Nine competitors each carried bridle and saddle to a held horse, saddled up and raced round pegs to saddling point, unsaddled and carried bridle and saddle to finishing line. Cigarette race: W. Martin 1, E. Finlayson In a field of eight entries, competitors had to race in a similar manner to the thread the needle race.

Stockmen’s’ competition: T. Clotworthy 1, C. Brown 2. The final event of the day was well patronised by the riders, 25 competing for whips presented by Mr. T. N. Blake (first) and Mr. R. Fraser (second).

INCIDENT AT BRIDGE PARTY “Two diamonds” . . . “Two spades” . . . “Three diamonds” . . . “A-tishoo!” “Take Pulmonas for that cold,” advised the hostess. “Here you are. They give 2-way relief—by inhalation of antiseptic vapours through the air-passages and absorption through the blood. I am never without Pulmonas.” Pulmonas in purse or pocket are handy to quickly relieve Coughs. Colds, ’Flu. 1/1, 1/7, 2/7. 5.4