THE MILITARY SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11679, 14 June 1901, Page 6

THE MILITARY SPORTS.

Yesterday morning broke dull, with a threatening aspect, still quite 1009 persons journeyed to Potter's Paddock in order to witness the grand military gymkhana inaugurated by the members of the Auckland Mounted Rifles, who had made preparations for the event on a lavish scale, and had also secured the attendance and participation in the programme- of the various mounted rifle companies visiting Auckland in connection with tho Royal reception. Both spectators and competitors were doomed, however, to disappointment, for shortly after the proceedings were opened a heavy north-easterly gale sprang up, followed by a continuous downpour of rain, and after the first three items had been disposed of under difficulties, the committee recognised that it would be useless to proceed in the face of the weather, and accordingly postponed the sports till this morning. The company afterwards entertained the officials wid various prominent patrons to luncheon in one of the course anterooms, and expressions of regret were general at the unfortunate circumstances with which the competitors had had to contend. For the, events that were disposed of the Hon. E Mitchelson, Colonel Viret Shepherd, and Captain Cholmondeley Smith acted as judges, and Messrs. Geo. Cutts and ,1. S. Kidd as starters. The committee were Captain Holgate, Lieutenants Wynyard. White. Jones, Sergeants Cockerton, Boole, Corporal Salmon, Lance-Corporal Meuzies, Troopers Howden, Dick, Taylor, and Rollett ; Sergeant Jas. Browning being secretary. The Garrison Band were also in attendance, and discoursed some choice music. Appended are details of the events disposed of: — LEMON SLICING COMPETITION. First prize, trophy, presented by Mr. ,7. H. Dalton;. second prize, £1 Is, presented by Mr. J. H. WHheford. Sergeant Barriball (Waiuku Mounted Rifles) 1 Sergeant Geo. Watt (No. 3 Waikato Rifles) 2 Lance - Corporal Atkinson (Auckland Mounted Rifles) 3 This event attracted seven competitors, who were required to slice two lemons suspended from triangles at an interval of 20yds. Sergeant Barriball scored eight points by taking both lemons in one ran, and thus secured the trophy. LEADING RACE. Distance three-quarters of a mile Prizes: First, £2 2s, presented by Mr. .las. Kirker: second, trophy, presented by Messrs. J. Wiseman and Son; third, 10s 6d, presented by Mr. H. Choyce. Trooper Parker (Waiuku Mounted Rifles) 1 Sergeant Barriball (Waiuku Mounted Rifles) g Sergeant Coates (Otamntea Mounted Rifles) 5 This .-vent was run in heats of five sections each, owing to the large number of competing sections. The men were required to be fully equipped, and during the race ride one horse and lead three. Many of the sections did not finish at all, the loading gear of some becoming hopelessly entangled with their rivals, while in one heat several animals fell and one of the riders received a nasty spill. He was taken to the grandstand, but beyond receiving a sprained ankle and a severe bruising, there were no very serious results. In the final Trooper Parker won easily. TILTING THE RING. Prizes: First, £2 <fc, presented by Mr. Jas. Kirker; second £1 Is presented by Mr. Geo. Fowlds: third, trophy, presented by Mr. W. Abbott. Trooper Dromgool (Waiuku Mounted Rifles) . Lance - Corporal Atkinson" (Auckland Mounted Rifles) ... 2 Sergeant-Major Lowe (Waiuku Mounted Rifles) , The competition was large, and keen interest was taken in the event. The men were required to ride down tho line at a fair turn of speed, and take out their swords and drop at once each of four rings, which were suspended at distances of 15 paces apart. C vF r L J S DESPATCH RACE. Prizes: -iMrst, £1 l. presented by Mr. J. T. Finlavson; second, 10s. y There were four starters only, these beine members of the Auckland Volunteers Cycle Corps, and the proceedings caused much amusement to the spectators. The competitors were required to start dismounted, and ride to two flights of hurdles, dismount ground cycles, advance to a given lice, fire three rounds from their carbines, and race back to the starting point. Sergeant Henmug looked a likely winner at the last hurdle, but was scarcely quick enough in overcoming the obstacle, and the event resulted as follows: — Cyclist Smith ... . j Cyclist Macnherson ... ."" "' • Sergeant Henning ... '..' ]"' '" 3