MILITARY SPORTS AT WAIUKU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9322, 27 March 1889, Page 6

MILITARY SPORTS AT WAIUKU.

The annual sports of the Waiuku troop took place on Thursday last on the recreation ground. The day was beautifully fine, and there was a large attendance of the public from this and surrounding districts. The s.s. Manukau made a special run up, but was poorly patronised. Doctor Walker and Mr. Allen were the sole representatives of the Auckland volunteers. The troop fell in at ten a.m., and with their colours unfurled and headed by the band, marched to the ground, where all necessary arrangements had been made for the day's amusements. The troop having been divided into two parties, the one started with the First Match ("Cutting the Lemon"). — Captain Coleman and Mr. J. T. Mellsop were the judges, and there were 18 competitors. The first prize fell to Sergeant-Major C. T. Barriball; 2nd, Trooper 0. Williams; 3rd, J. Barriball; 4th, G. Hedge. The remaining six prizes fell to Green head, McDonald, Enright, Robertson, Priest, and Knight. The Second Match proceeded simultaneously with the first, Major Hamlin being judge. Running Rapidity Match :There were 28 competitors. All worked hard to get a prize, and resulted as follows: Ist prize, S. Carrie, .'SB points; '2nd, Joe Barriball, .16 points ; G. Hedge and Lieutenant A. M. Barriball, 34 points each, 3rd and 4th prizes ; 11. Honey and Sergeant-Major Barriball, 29 points each, sth and 6th prizes ; Quartermaster Sergeant King and J. Droomgold, 27 points each, 7th and Sth prizes ; W. Coburn, 23 points, 9th prize; Frank Deed, 21 points, 10th prize. Whilst the second match was being concluded, the boys' foot race was run, Mr. J. T. Mellsop being judge, distance 150 yds. There were ten competitors, 14 years and under. After a close and exciting run, the lads passed the judge as followlst, G. B. Brown ; 2nd, A. Flavcll; 3rd, W. Egan; 4th, Wm. May. Fourth Match (" Victoria Cross"). —This was one of the matches of the day, particulars as follows : Competitors will start by gun fire from a point a quarter of a mile from the dummies with swords drawn at the

engage, jump two hurdles 3 feet 6 inches high, and reaching dummies return their swords, each to pick up a dummy, and race to winning post. Dummy to be carried in a natural manner on competitor's horse. No artificial means to be used in raising dummy from ground. Major Hamlin and Captain Coleman were the judges. Four prizes, and there were 11 competitors. There being more competitors than dummies, the match was run off in heats. First heat resulted in a grand run between T. McGowan and Joe Barriball. Second heat resulted in Lieut. A. M. Barriball and J. Flex man landing their dummies first and second. These four wore now brought to the post, and a close contest ensued, resulting in—Lieut. Barriball, Ist; Joe Barriball, 2nd ; T. McGowan, 3rd ; and J. Flexman, 4th. The eleven competitors rode their horses well. The jumps were all well taken, and considerable dexterity was shown in dismounting, returning swords, placing the dummy on the horse, and then mounting and galloping home. Dinner having been sounded, all dispersed for half an hour to refresh the inner man. Quick to time the trumpet sounded to arms. '1 he troopers quickly mounted, when the "musical or spiral ride " was performed by the troop. This must be seen to be appreciated, to describe it is beyond my power. The verdict of the onlookers was that it was beautiful.

( Fifth Match ("Pursuing Practice"). — There was a slight alteration in this match. Heretofore the men had to halt immediately after passing the judges. On this occasion the men had to continue on to the foot of the hill, wheel about, and pass the judges in single tiles. This enabled the judges to see defects which were not observable when the four were working abreast. Points were given for pace, dressing, interval, time, and cuts. The Ist prize was awarded to QuartermasterSergeant King's squad, 15 points, the possible. The 2nd and 3rd prizes fell to Joe Barriball and Corporal Kirkwood's squads, who tied with 12 points each; 4th prize, Lieutenant A. M. Barriball's squad, and sth prize, Sergeant-Major Barriball's squad, the other squads close up in points. Seventh Match. —.Squad of four men are paraded with carbines only at the 300 yards range, ride 100 yards, all dismount and secure their horses, fire five rounds each, mount, tide half-a-mile, jumping three flights of hurdles, return to firing point, again secure their horses, and tire as many shots as time will permit. Time, five minutes. There were .'{"J entries for this, or eight squads. Captain Coleman was judge and starter at the firing point, Major llamlin in charge of the butts. I have seen much better shooting in past vears, and cannot account for the falling oil'. It cannot be said that more time was taken in riding the distance, for if I have a fault to find it is that all rode rather more recklessly than heretofore, resulting in two accidents, Trooper J. Codlin's horse falling at the last hurdle, but lie was enabled to remount and finish his work. Later on, however, Trooper-J. Priest's horse came down at the same hurdle, and stunned the rider. Fortunately Dr. Walker was on the ground, and was quickly at Priest's side, and had him removed to one of the tents, 'where in about half an hour Priest regained consciousness, and is now getting all right. The match resulted as follows :— Ist prize, 30s, and four silver stars, C. T. : Barriball's squad, 129 points; 2nd prize, 8. ! Curries squad, 103 points; 3rd prize, Joe Barriball's squad, ii'.i points; 4th prize, Lieut. Barriball's squad, 88 points. Kiohth Match ("Obstacle Race"), open to all three prizes. Nine competitors.—lst, F. Henry; 2nd, T. Tauroa; 3rd, T. McGowan ; 4th, G. Hill. Ninth Match ("Saddling Race"). — In this match the horses were piquetted to a rope by their neck ropes; the men, with saddles, bridles, etc., were 20 yards in rear of their horses. At a signal, they had to get to their horses, girth up their saddles with two single girths, buckle up the throat strap of bridle, untie the neckrope, ride half a mile, pull up and dismount, unsaddle their horses 50yds from the winning post, and then lead their horse, carrying the saddle on their arm past the winning post. Eleven men contested in this race, and some very quick saddling-np and mounting was performed, and then a low rein and a merry heel for half-a-mile, and then smart unsaddling, a kindly leading horse, and the prizes fell as follows : —lst, G. Currie; 2nd, J. Flex man ; 3rd, Adams. It was a grand race between the first two. Tenth Match (Tilting at Ring), for ladies only. Twelve contestants, and as a consequence there was very keen competition, a number of the ladies showing great dexterity in removing the rings, fairly astonishing the judges, one of whom gave an additional prize. The judges were Colonel Shepherd, Mr. Allen, and Mr. J. T. Mellsop. After a number of ties had been run off, Alias Smith secured Ist prize; Miss Barriball, 2nd; Mrs. Grecnhead, 3rd. Eleventh Match (Cigar and Umbrella Race). —There were nine entries, but only seven faced the starter, and resulted as follows : —M. Hickev, Ist; S. Currie, 2nd ; G. Currie, 3rd ;T. McDonnell, 4th. A protest was entered against M. Hickey for running inside of post. This concluded the Troop sports for 188!).

In the evening a concert was given to supplement the Champion Belt Fund. Tho hall was fairly well filled, and a good programme gone through. . The local talent was most ably assisted by two gentlemen from Auckland. They were a host in themselves, and had to submit to unmistakable encores. At the conclusion, Captain Barriball proposed, and Lieutenant Manning seconded, a vote of thanks to all who had so kindly given them such an evening's amusement. The curtain fell, the seats were removed from the hall, and dancing was kept up until an early hour in the morning. — [Own Correspondent, March 23.