AT THE DOMAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14819, 24 October 1911, Page 4

AT THE DOMAIN.

A RECORD GATHERING. EXCITING ATHLETIC CONTESTS. The threatening clouds had passed away when the procession reached the Domain, and with the outbreak of sunshine the spectators began to gather on the grassy slopes of the natural grandstand round the sports arena. The freshness of the air and the leafy shade of the oak trees made for pleasant conditions as the day wore on, and the immense concourse was not inconvenienced by the crowding and the heat of the brilliant sunshine. It was conservatively estimated that by throe o'clock the

attendance was fully 20..000, the rain of the morning thus proving a blessing in disguise, many persons who intended spending the day out of town being prevented from going far afield by the weather. The sports on the arena were worthy of a record attendance, a. large and varied programme being carried out without a hitch, and right up to time. The events —running, cycling, dancing, and marching—so held 'the interest of the crowd that fully 10.000 persons remained until the last" event was decided, shortly after five o'clock. The arrangements of the sports committee, under the guidance of Mr. H. Wilson (chairman), were excellent, a noteworthy feature being the complete manner in 'which the crowd was kept off the enclosure by a wire-netting fence. The secretarial duties, which were exceptionally heavy, were well carried out by Mr. W. P. Farquharson. The organisation was very good, and at times three classes of events were carried on at the one time, thus avoiding the tedious waits which often seem inseparable from this class of gathering. The athletic events attracted very largo entries, and some splendid racing was witnessed. In one racethe professional half-mile 27 out of a nomination of '3) faced the starter. The exceptionally large proportion of acceptances was a tribute to the popularity of the work of the handicapper, Mr. F. H. Burbush, by the men most affected. The finishes were also good, and the judges on occasions had difficulty in selecting the winners. The starting was well carried out by Air. W. Elliott, who got the large fields away in good style. The amateur lOOvds handicap was won by R. Clark, the *300 yds by C. N. Creeks, and the two mile steeplechase by G. F. Smith. The Labour Day open handicap was won by H. C. Burns, the 220 yds open handicap by A. C. Ycllnud, the halfmile open handicap by J. French, and the one mile open handicap by H. King. The Trades' Union handicap was won by W. Aldred. The Labour Day Committee*wero given considerable assistance in carrying out the sports by Mr. ,1. P. Jerrat, secretary of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club, and Mr. J. Trinnear, secretary of the Auckland centre New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union. The cycle events created great excitement, and there were some splendid finishes, in which limit men, middle-mar-kers, and scratch men took part. G. Horscroft won the half-mile. J. Adlam the Labour Day wheel race (three miles), E. W. Burton the Continental tire race (two miles), and B. McNeil the Rudge Whitworth shield race (three miles). The dancing and children's events were greatly enjoyed by the spectators, who freely applauded the evolutions of the squads of neatly-dressed girls as they did their wand, club, dumb-bell, and scarf drills. The dances were given /.est by the bagpipe music, and some of the juveniles —-particularly one flaxen-haired Irish lassie in national —elicited great applause by her spirited dancing of a jig. This year's Labour Day sports meeting can safely be put down as a. record in every way. and it will remain long in the memory as a successfully-managed and interesting gathering. The officials who go ably controlled the sports were as follows ßeferee, Mr. K. A. Lendrum : chairman, Mr. H. Wilson; starter, .Mr. W. Elliott; handicapper for all events. Mr. F. H. Burbush : marksmen, Messrs. .]. Elliott, T. Boyle, M. Saunders, R. Scelly; call steward's, Messrs. J. E. Nelson. Si. Oallaghan; judges, Messrs. F. J. Ohlson, M. Weaver, E. Phelan; timekeepers, Messrs. F. Pickford and S. Heald ; result-board steward, Mr. E. O. Smith; secretary, Mr. W. P. Farquharson; as-sistant-secretary, Mr. C. Davis: stewards, Messrs. Weston, A. Smith. W. Wilson, Bashley, P. Chapman, J. Mason, Winks; dancing judge. Mr. M. O'Loughlan; judges for baby show. Nurse Schercr (Epsom Nursing Home), Mrs. G. Wahstram (Upper Union-street). The prize-list follows: —

APPRENTICES" HANDICAP (Amateur), IGOyds. First Heat: W. E. Ornntein. 3vds. 1: W. Wilham*. 2yds. 2; W. T. Kielty,'3vd*. 3. Five started. Won by inches. Time. 10 4-s#. Second Heat: O. Stewart, 6yds. 1; W. Gooch. syds 2: J. J. JJillijran. syds, 3. Five started. Won, by a foot. Time, 11«. Third Heat: W. Harris, 6yds, 1; D. Kene*lr, 6yds, 2: J. 1,. Bel*hain, 6yds. 3. Five started. Won by a yard. Time, lis. Fourth Heat: R. Clark, 6yd», 1; C. Nicholson, 6yd*. 2; I). Steel, 6yds, 3. Seven started. Ron easily. Time, 10 2-s*. Fifth Heat: H. Dee, 7yds, 1; 11. Dcvinr, '/vtl», 2; (I. N. Reid. scratch. 3. Bight. Parted. Won by a. yard. Time, 10 3-5-<. FIXAL HEAT. O. Stewart, 6yds ... i W. Harris, 6vds . ... ... "„ ".* i W. K. Ornsteiu, 3yds ... ... "' o .■ R. Clark, winner of the fastest heat, did not start. Won by half-a-yanl, with inches between the second and third. Time. 10 4-ss. APPRENTICES 1 HANDICAP (Professional), lOOyds. H. 0. Burn*. Iyd x H. Greenland, syds '. ... ... a Only starters. Won easily, AMATEUR HANDICAP, 100 yds. First. Heat: J. J. Mulvihill, 4vds. 1; t. C Castleton, Byds, 2; X. R. Jacobsen, syd?. 3 Six started. Won by inches after verv elose- finish. Time, 10 2-55. Second Heat: C. N. Creeks. 9vds, 1: S. A. Patten, 9ych. 2: G. N. Re.id. Byds, 3. Six started. Won by half-a-vard. Time, 10s. Third Heat: W. T. Kielty, lOvds, 1; C. R. Hill, 11yds, 2; A. Cornag-o, 10yds, 3. Three starters. A very elope finish. Time. 10 1-58, Fourth Heat: R. Clark, llvds, 1- O. P. Ol.en 9yds, 2; R. H. W'hitten, 11yds, 3. Five starters' Won very easily. Time, 10 1-5* FINAL HEAT. R. Clark, llvds I O. X. Creeks, 9yds ... ... d S. A. Patten. 9yd» ... 0 Won easily, the other pieced men being close together. Time, 9 4-s*.

LABOUR DAY HANDICAP. 120 yd* First Heat: W. R. Hogg, Syds, 1; W. Aldred, 4yds, 2; W. J. McManas, 10yds. 3. Seven started. A very clow? iinisli ; won by a foot,. Time, 12s. Second Heat: A. Kay, 12yd«, 1; U. Johnston, 11yds, 2; 11. Baxter. 11yds, 3. Seven started. Another {rood raw. Won !>y a foot. Time, 12« Third Heat: H. C. Burns, 12vUx, 1; \V J Burns, 12yds, 2: H. K. Stanton, 12yds, 3. Seven started. Won by a yard. Time, 11 3-s*. Fourth Heat: A. C. Yelland, 13yds, 1; A. H Gyllies, J3yds, 2; I*. Cuilame, 13yds, 3. .Seven started. VVon by half-a-yard, the others bein«well beaten, lime. 12s.

Fifth Heat: A. Williams, 14vds, I', S. Barnes 14yds. 2; A. J. Farley, 14yds, 3. Eight started! Won by yards. Time. 11 3-ss. I-I.'.'AL HEAT. 11. C. Burns, 12yds ... ; A. Williams, 14yds ... ... i A. Kay, 12yds ... ... 3 Also started : Hogg and Yelland. A great raw. Williams led to near the tape, where Burns caught him and won by 6in, with the third man v. foot away. Time, 11 4-ss. HALF-MILK CYCLE HANDICAP. First Heat: N. Wadman, 20yds, 1; H. W. Roberta, 45yds, 2; K. Sorensen, 60yds, 3. Ten started. A fine race, six men battling out the. finish down the straight. Wadman' came on th« outside and won by a 'cycle length. Time, lm. 12 1.55, Second Heat: R. C. Baker, 20yds-. 1; J. Adlam, 10yds, 2: C. Tonge, 70yds, 3. Seven started. The backmarkcrs came with a great dash, and a lino race, saw Baker win by a wheel. McNeil and Houston fell and were, slightly injured. Time, lm. 12 3-ss. Third Heat: U. Horsc.roft, 75yd*, 1; H. J. Lyon, 75yds. 2; H. (lakes, 70yds, 3. Seven stalled. Won very easily. Time, lm. 10 l-5». VJSAh HEAT. <;. Horacrott, 75yds i J. Adlam, 10yd» z C. Tonge, 70yds ..' j The race created tremendous excitement. Horscroft made a break, but Adlam went after him and drew level 50yds from home. Ho then eased up, and Horscroft won by about 6in. Time, lm. lis. AMATEUR HANDICAP, 300 yds, C. X. Creeks, 18yds ... ... 1 W. T. Kieltv, 24yda ... ... z J. J. Mulvihill, 9yds . ... ... ... 3 Fifteen starters. The back-markers had trouble in getting through. Creeks got a lead at. the start, which ho maintained, finally winning by a yard. The others were bunched together, Mulviliill failing by inches to catch Kieltv. Time, 32 1-s*. OPEN HANDICAP, 220 yd«. First Heat: A. Williams, 18yds, 1; W. R. Ilogg, 12yds, 2; V.. C. Branson,-6yds, 3. 'Jen started. Won by a bare yard. Time, 23 2-ss. Second Heat: A. 0. Yclland, 18yds, 1; R. Johnson, 16yds, 2; W. J. Burns, 16yds, 3. Eleven started. A desperate finish saw Yelland, by determination, last long enough-to win by half-a-yard. Time, 22 2-ss. *'IXAL HEAT. A. C. Yelland, 18yds ... 1 W. It. Hogg, 12yds ... a V. C. Branson, 6yds ... o Also started : R. Johnston. A good race. Branson got almost up to his men 10yds from home, but failed to maintain his pace, and Yelland led Hogg by half-a-yard at, the tape, with Branson the. same distance away third. Time. 22 2-ss. TRADES UNION HANDICAP, 120yd-. First Heat: W. Ald red, scratch, 1; C. E. Jackson, Byds, 2; W. G. Embllng, 9yds, 3. Won by half-a-yard. Time, 12s. Second Heat: M. Harrison, 10yds, 1; J. Shand 11yds, 2; D. McCarthy, 10yds, 3. Won by half-*-.yard. Time, 12 1-5?.

FIX AT, HEAT. W. Ald red, scratch 1 J. Shand, 11yds i 0. K. Jackson, Syria J Won tiv inches, the third man being close up. Time, 12" 3-s*. AMATEUR STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP, about two miles. (5. F. Smith, 45.= 1 T. Virtue, 50? ... 2 C. Iteid, 10s. o Sixteen started and raced out over the fence* and hills at the back of the Domain. A good finish resulted between the.two first men, Smith only catching Virtue in the straight. Keid was some distance away third, and then came a bunch of six or seven others. HALF-MILE OPEN HANDICAP. 3. French, 60yds 1 A. Williams, 60yds ... 2 ,1. McKean, 75yds 6 A field of 27 started out of a nomination of 29, and from the outset the baekmarkers had small chance, of getting through the pack. The veteran, J. McKean, led to 200 yds from home, whore ho was cut down by Williams. The latter was challenged coming into the straight by French, who won, all out in the run. home, by about 2yds, with McKean close- up. Time, lm. 59». LABOUR DAY WHEEL KACE, three miles. J. Adlam. 60yds 1 (J. Horscroft, 340 yds & E. W. Burton, scratch ... o Twenty-two started, and the race was hill of interest throughout, The baekmarkers gradually closed up the gap, and with two laps to go there was some fine riding. When the bell sounded seven riders passed into the last lap in a bunch, and great excitement reigned when Horscroft got a break on. Several went after him, and coming into the straight Adlam got level, while the. scratch man, Burton, was also making a great effort. The rim down the straight saw Adlam win a great race by the narrowest of margins from Horscroft, with Burton a wheel away third. The Flewellyn brothers fell in this race. Time, Bm. 11 3-ss. BUDGE WHITWOKTH SHIELD BACK, three miles. B. McNeil, 290 yds ... I K. Sonuner. 70yds 2 J. Lyons, 295 yds * Five starters. A good finish; won by half-a-wheel, with third man close up. MILK OPEN HANDICAP. 11. King, 140 yds 1 M. Harrison. 95rds ... ... £ U. Hall, 35yds •> Twenty-one started, and a good race resulted in .1 desperate finish between the three placed men, Hall, the backmarker, just failing to get up. Time, 4m. 275. CONTINENTAL TIKE RACE, two miles. K. W. Burton, scratch 1 (,-. Horscroft, 24Cvds ... 2 H. W. Roberts, 18'Ovds o

Sixteen started. The raoe. was always interesting. Three riders foil at an early stage. The field closed up, and starting: the last; hip 10 rider* were, bunched. They all jumped at the. bell, but Ilorscroft grot away" first. He wan finally our. down by Burton, who won a magnificently-judged race from wretch in the last 10yds. just getting his wheel in front at the. tape. Blackwell was 2yds away third. Time, sm. 17 4-6.>. FIRE BRIGADE EVENT. Five men to run 10yds, pick up four 50ft. coils of wet. hose (properly strapped), hydrant union and two branches, all to be detached and lying flat on the ground; run 25yd.s to plug, fix hydrant and connect, one lead of two 50ft lengths' of hose, fix union and connect 50ft hose to each delivery of union; fix branches, and with both waters strike discs. Time taken till Inst water strikes discs. Devon port, 64 3-5s -l Hamilton, 65 l-5s ... ii Auckland Railway, 68 l-ss. ... ... o Also .competed: Onehunga (two teams), Archliill, Newmarket, find Parncll. The winning team consisted of Lieutenant, If.. Shaw, Firemen U. Folios, H. Stevens, S. Stevens, and W, Collier.

NOVELTY EVEXTS. Sack K.icc: Johnson I, Wallhank 2. Kangaroo Maw: F. J. Ran dell 1. Soda Water ilncf : Tarsona 1. R. P. Beet. 2. Single Ladies' Race: Miss Grilles 1, Miss L. Parker 2, Miss Harris 3. ' Married Ladies' Race: Mrs. Taylor 1, Mrs. Simon 2, Mr?. Middlcton 3. HIGHLAND FLING. Men: W. (liadwiek 1, C. Cameron 2. Girls Moggie MeCallum 1, Nellie Macluy 2. This event evoked keen competition, the dancing' being really excellent. Girls (under 16): Maggie MoKcnzie 1, Frances MeDougal 2. Hoys (under 16): Halerow 1, Montgomery 2. The children in this event brought forth a regular ovation by their graceful and skilful exhibition of dancing. IRISH JIG. Adults: W. Chadwiek 1, C. Cameion 2, .1. Barber 3. Children : Eva Reid 1. Laurence Halerow 2. Attired in a. typical Irish costume, little Eva, Reid looked a true daughter of Erin, and her win was an extremely popular one. HORNPIPE. Adult-: C. Cameron 1, W. Ohadwick 2. Children : Halerow 1, Eva Reid 2. . Another very pretty event, both adults and children giving splendid displays. BABY SHOW. The judges in . the baby show (Nurse Seherer and Mrs. »mnstram) had a herculean task to perform when 59 line specimen* .of lusty youth wero presented lor judging The. judges had a hard job to decide, hut eventually made the following awards : — Babies under six months (fir.-t, prize trophy valuo £1 ss, with extra trophy added valued ss, second prize trophv value 15s): Florence Irvine (weight. 18H>) 1, Winton Turner (weight 161b) 2. Babies over six months and under 18 months (first prize, go-cart, second prize photo, value 12s 6d): Steven .larvu (weight 261b) 1, L. Jacksou (weight. 241b) 2. EXHIBITIONS BY SCHOOL CHILDREN. A feature of the afternoon's amusement was the attractive programme carried out by bquads of school children, the squads numbering from 21 to 70. Tho programme was as follows:— Dumb-bell Drill: Nelson-street girls. Wand Drill: St. Benedict's girls. Club Drill: Star of the Sea Orphanage girls and Surrev Hills girls (two events). Scarf Drill: St .Patrick's girls. Flag Drill : Msrist boys.