TAIRUA ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8584, 4 June 1891, Page 3

TAIRUA ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Saturday, May 23, being the day selected to commemorate the Queen's Birthday, it was decided to hold a series of athletic sports, and, thanks to the energy and perseverance of the committee, - a first-class , programme was the result. It is impossible to give too much'' kudos •to the; indefatigable • hon.' sec'. (Mr. H. B. . Wilson), who was simply untiring iii his exertions to make the day a thorough; success.- We ; are all aware how much depends on the committee, and l think Tairua may congratulate itself that it could not ' have selected a worthier or harder working one, - and . the consequence was. that the result was. a real day's enjoyment for both participators and spectators. The fair sex, as usual at Tairua', graced the recreation ground,' and added greatly to the pleasure,of the day, for we all know how a glance from a pair of bright eyes can tempt a man almost to"• the impossible; and I ' think | this must have strongly assisted some of our ' competitors. , Mr. Raw acted as judge, Mr. R. Taylor as starter, Mr. A. E. Bennett ati clerk of the course, Mr. A. Furber as handicapper, Mr. W. Smith as handicapper for ladies ' races, Messrs. Edwards, J. Neill, G._ Moore, F. De Thierry, I. Hopkins the remainder or the committee. . Punctually, >;according to programme, at 10.30 the first event was called :— " ' Vaulting ...with . Pole, three entries; Ist prize 10s, '2nd 5s : S. Dufty, (Sft lOin), 1; H. • Bennett, 2. Maiden Handicap of 120 yards; Ist prize 255, 2nd 10s, 3rd 5s : F. De Thierry (3 yards), 1; John Bradley (scratch), 2; L. Bradley (2 yards), 3. Boys' Race of 100 yards; Ist 10s, 2nd ss, 3rd 2s 6d :W. Thomson, 1; A. Howell, 2; H. Menzies, 3 ■ > , - * • • Tairua ' Handicap, in three heats of 100 yards, 220 yards, 440 yards; Ist £5, 2nd £2, 3rd £1. y First heat of .100 yards: F. De Thierry (5 yards),- 1; H. B. .Wilson (S yards), 2; C. Cordes (8 yards), 3. •Us Girls' Race of 100 yards ; Ist 7s 6d, 2nd ss, 1 3rd 2s Gd :M. Heath, 1; S. Gamble, 1 2; A. j Kidcl, 3." ' ' ' | Hop,' Step, and Jump ; Ist 10s, 2nd os: T. Dufty (40ft 3in), 1; H. Bennett (36ft Sin), 2. Single Ladies' Race. of 100 yards ; Ist 10s, 2nd ss, 3rd 2s 6d : Miss E. Laycock, 1; Miss. • Mabel Laycock, 2; Miss 4M. * Simpson i 3.< The betting was 20 to 1 on Miss E. Laycock. - Tairua Handicap, second heat sof 220{ yards : H. B. Wilson (10 yards), 1; ■ F. De Thierry (8 yards), 2; L. Bradley (7 yards), 3. " Married Men's • Handicap 5.(35. to 50), ; 250 yards; Ist prize 20s, 2nd 10s : Ted Heath (10 yards), 1; lamati (scratch), 2. . Youths' Race (13 to IS), 220 yards; -Ist prize 10s, 2nd ss: E. Bell (8 yards), 1; N. Bradley (scratch}, 2. Tairua Handicap, third heat : F. De Thierry (17 yards), 1; L. Bradley (13 yards). 2; H. B. Wilson (20 yards), 3. This finished! the • event >cf the day, F. x)e Thierry scoring ]. 8 points, H. B. Wilson 6 points, L. Bradley 3, and C. Cordea 1. Standing Long Jump; Ist 10s, 2nd 2s 6d: D. Russell (10ft sin), li S. Dufty (10ft 4jin), 2. Married Ladies' Race of 100 yards Ist prize 10s, 2nd ss: Mrs. Moore, 1; Mrs. McGregor, 2. : Variety Race. Run 25 yards, all-fours 25 yards, hop 25 yards, run backwards 25 yards. Ist prize 20s, 2nd 10s, 3rd 5s ; H. Bennett, 1; L. Bradley, 2; S. Dufty, 3. Running High Jump ; Ist prize 10s, find 2s Gd: T. Dufty and J. Bradley divided at 4ft lliti. Half-mile Handicap; Ist prize 40s, 2nd 15s, 3rd ss" There were eleven entries :■ for this event. W. Smith (scratch), 1; W. Bradley (25 yards), 2; E. Bell (50 yards), 3. This was a moral , for G. Culpan (scratch), who passed all his men on the second round,' but, through some misunderstanding as regards the distance, he gave up— saa regret to his many backers. Old Man's Race Ist prize 10s,2nd 2s Cd : Henry Laycock, 1; R. Raw, 2. : Hurdle Handicap, 120 yards; Ist prize 255, 2nd 10s: L. Bradley (3 yards), 1; H. Bennett (7 vards), 2; J. Bradley (4 yards), 3. Standing High Jump; Ist prize 10s, 2nd 5s :T. Dufty, 1; H. Bennett; 2. Mile Handicap; Ist prize 60s, 2nd 20s, 3rd 10s: W. Bradley (05 yards), 1; F. Bell (120 yards), 2; G. Culpan (scratch), 3. _ This was a gift, the favourite (Culpan) r finishing less the distance given. ' - » ' Sack Race; Ist prize 10s, 2nd 2a Gd: A. Bennett', 1; L. Bradley, 2. Running High Jump; Ist prize 10s, 2nd 2s : Tom Dufty (15ft Sin), 1; Joe l)nfty (14ft 2in), 2. Obstacle Race; Ist prize 255, 2nd 10s, 3rd 5s :W. Smith, 1; L. Bradley, 2; J. Petley, 3. Consolation Race; Ist prize 20s, 2nd 10s, 3rd 7s 6d : Joe Dufty, 1; J. Bradley, 2; C. Cordes, 3. ■ .. According to notice, at seven o'clock the ! prizes were distributed at the Public Hall. Mr. Edwards, on behalf of Mrs. Edwards (who had kindly consented to; distribute the ; prizes) in a few well chosen and; felicitous remarks, did the honours, and I may safely: say that from beginning to end a more cordial and appreciative audience it has never been my lot to sit amongst, every successful member being greeted with rounds of applause. At the close Mr. W. Strugnell moved a vote of thanks to the lady chair, which was enthusiastically received, and after according a similar compliment to the committee the hall was cleared for dancing, and the light-footed" adherents played the prominent parts till our oldest friend {time: twelve o'clock): bid us " time to go home." We .have- had many sports in Tairua, but I think I may safely say with Butterworth in " Our Boys" that these have been , " the" sports, and, that is my " ultipotnatuin."— [Own Correspondent.! ,: