THE NAVAL ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8987, 27 February 1888, Page 5

THE NAVAL ATHLETIC SPORTS.

The athlctic sports which are to be held in the Domain Cricket Ground this afternoon promise to bo one of the most successful meetings of the kind ever held in the city. A large amount of money lias been subscribed in prizes, and the sum will bo augmented by the admission money, which, with the present line weather, should be very large. The whole affair has arisen out of the good feelings felt by the citizens towards the officers and men of the squadron, and the latter appreciate the manifestation as such. This branch of Her Majesty's service has always been deservedly popular with the Aucklanders,, to the valuable help the navy has rendered the colony, alike in peace and in war, and we trust that our citizens with their families will turn out in force in order to welcome the blue jackets, and give them a thoroughly good day's amusement. His Worship the Mayor has greatly interested himself in the affair, and obtained over £100 towards the gathering for prizes and refreshments. The latter will be provided ad lib. for the men. The programme of events set down for decision embraces twenty-one races, some of which are of a very novel and amusing kind. The first race will start punctually at half-past one. It has been arranged that a tug of war shall be pulled between teams from the warships and the local Naval Volunteers. A very large number of entries has been received, and the couple of events in which our visitors contested at the A. A.C. Club's meeting on Saturday showed that the performers are of no mean order of merit. The committee of management is one well qualified to command success, and is composed of the following gentlemen :— His Worship the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Devore), chairman ; Lieutenant Bayley, R.N.; Lieutenant Simpson, R.N.; Lieutenant Monkton, R.N.; Mr. C. H. Osmond, and the committee of the A. A. and B. Club. Captain Hammil, R.N., will be judge, and will be assisted by Messrs. J. H. B. Coates and R. Garrett, and starters will be: Commander Hamerton.R.N.; Lieutenant Simpson, R.N., and Mr. J. M. Sibbin. Mr. H. H. Hayr is honorary secretary, and Mr. 1). F. Evans is chairman of the refreshment committee. The catering has been entrusted to Mr. T. McEwen.

During the afternoon the band of H.M.s. Nelson will add to the general attraction of the races by discoursing a variety of selections. We are requested to inform the subscribers to the sports funds that the tickets issued to them are intended to admit both the subscriber and his family, and if any has been omitted from the list of invited that tickets are procurable from Mr. D. F. Evans. Ib is estimated that about 800 sailors, marines, &c. will bo present on the ground.