FORESTERS SPORTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 878, 28 December 1888, Page 13

FORESTERS SPORTS.

The Foresters fhto and athletic sports at the Basin Reserve were the principal attraction in town on Boxing Day,and drew a very large numbbr of spectators. The business of the day was commenced in the morning by a procession, which started froii St George’s HaU shortly after 10 o’clock and marched through the town, Headed by the Qrange band. The route taken was through the grounds at Government House and then by way of Willis, Manners, and Quba-streets, to the Basin. The procession itself was well marshaled by Bro. Gillespie, and. the tableaux (one representing Britannia, guarded by members of the Order, and by the Army and Navy, and the other emblematical of the Shepherd’s Order) were well designed and dressed. The procession halted in front of Government House, where his Excellency complimented the lodges on their turn out, remarking that he took a great interest in Friendly Societies. Cheers were given for the Governor and the members of his family, and the procession moved on. Arrived at the Basin Reserve the sports were promptly started. One event had been decided at St George’s Hall, the competition for the best dressed horsoman (Forester), in which the prize was awarded to E. Turner, Court 5084, Sir George Bowen. The various events on the programme were carried out with all possible promptitude,' and the officers deserve credit for their management; although there were many unnecessary delays. Messrs A. Whiteford and J. T. Webber acted as judges, Mr J. T. Bovis as referere, Messrs C. B. Purdy and C. Tandy as handicappers, Mr G. Payne as starter, and Mr S. Webb as timekeeper. Mr H. J. White, as secretary, upon whom the greater part of the work fell, carried out his many duties admirably. In addition to the programme of events there were a

number of “ side-shows ” in the shape of games, merry-go-rounds, and so on, also there were several booths at which refreshments, liquid and solid, were to be obtained (Mr Casey having two booths and Mr Mason one) ; and, on the whole, a capital day’s entertainment was provided. The attendance was very large considering the number of counterattractions, and, during the afternoon, it must have exceeded 2000. The Boxing Day Handicap was won by A. D. Mahoney, T.O’Brien, whowas running “in pocket” with him, being second. ‘ Mahoney also won the Mile race. The feature of the programme, however, was the Baby Show, for which there were a large number of entries, Dr Gillon being prevailed upon to act as judge. Great interest was evinced in the proceedings in connection with, this competition, and, after lialf-an-hour’s intense excitement, the first prize was given to Mrs Fearn’s infant ; two progeny of the same name (Hayes) were bracketed equal, second, and Mrs Parsonage’s baby third. Twelve mothers were distinctly of opinion that the decision of the judge was not justified by the facts. The greater number of the events were well contested, from the Boxing Day Handicap down to the Married Women’s Race. During the day Mr King’s band made the intervals less dreary by playing selections. Following are details of the various events : Maiden Race, 220yds ; first prize, 30s ; second, 15s—T. O’Brien, 1 ; J. T. Nidd, 2 ; E. P. Lister, 3. Time, 25 |sec. Five others started. Won easily. Boxing Day Handicap. First prize, LlO ; second, 50s ; third, 30s.—First heat, 100yds : This was run off in heats, the first being won by O’Brien (11yds) in 11 3-ssec, with A. D. Mahoney (4yds) second, and G. Watson (6yds) third ; and the second by J. T. Nidd (9yds) in 12sec, with R. Gilkes (7yds) second, and H. J. Oakley (6yds) third. The starters for the final were O’Brien (11yds), Mahoney (4yds), Nidd (9yds), and Gilkes (7yds). Mahoney won easily, O’Brien second, and Nidd third. Time, 11 2-ssec. Juvenile Foresters’ Handicap, 150yds ; first prize, 10s ; second, 5s ; third, 2s 6d. —J. Condor, 1; A. Petherick, 2 ; J. Pyke, 3. Foresters’ Handicap (in regalia), 220yds ; first prize, sash ; second, horn.— P. Walters (3yds), 1-; J. Flaws (11yds), 2. Five others started.

Boxing Day Handicap (second heat), 220yds.—A. D. Mahoney (9yds), 1; T. O’Brien (20yds), 2 ; J. T. Nidd (18yds), 3. Won by a foot. Time, 23see. Boys’ Race (under 14 years), 150yds ; first prize, 7s 6d ; second, 5s ; third, 2s 6d.—W. Mahoney, 1; A. Duncan, 2: A. Petherick, 3. Forty started. Shepherd’s Handicap Rice, 120yds; first prize, 20s; second, 10s.—A. J. S. Whito (Byds), 1 ; W. Reese (syds), 2 ; F. Beaumont (2yds), 3. Three others started. ' ‘

Friendly Societies’ Handicap, 300yds ; first prize, 20s ; second, 10s ; third, ss. W. H. Bennett (12yds), 1 ; F. Cooper (scr), 2; P. Walteis (3yds), 3. Time, 38jsec. Girls’ Race (under 14'years), 100yds ; first prize, 7s 6d ; second, 5s ; third, 2s 6d. —Annie Capper, 1; Kate Barry, 2 ; M. Fletcher, 3. About fifty started. Boxing Day Handicap, third heat, 440yds.—T. O’Brien (35yds), 1 ; A. D. Mahoney (11yds), 2 ; J. T. Nidd (28yds), 3. Won by nine or ten yards, Nidd a poor third. Time, 52 3-ssee. Mile Race Handicap ; first prize, L 3 ; second, 30s.—A. D. Mahoney (scr), 1 ; T. O’Brien (70yds), 2; W. H. Bennett (40yds), 3. J. Hutchison (60yds) also started. Mahoney won easily, spurting well in the last quarter of a mile. Time, Bmin 7 3-ssec. Tug-of-War (seven men a-side), for members of Friendly Societies only ; prize, 42s.—Two teams entered, and after an exciting contest the team captained by Petherick beat that captained by Skinner.

Boxing Day Handicap, fourth heat, 880yds.—The only starter wa's Nidd, who ran the distance to qualify himself for third place in the handicap. Mahoney won first prize with eight points (two firsts and a second), O’Brien being second with seven points (two seconds arid a third), and Nidd third. Sailors’ Race, for men belonging to ships in the harbour ; first prize, 20s ; second, 10s ; 220yds.—T. Ticlibone,"l ; J. Wilmott, 2; D. Pollard, 3. Wbn easily. Baby Show (under 12 months) ; first prize, 50s; second, 20s. Sixteen entries.— Mrs Fearn, 1 ; Mrs C. Hayes and Mrs M. Hayes (tie), 2 ; Mrs Parsonage, 3. Tile committee agreed to give a third prize, and Dr Gillon gave a prize to Mrs Parsonage’s baby. Consolation Handicap, 220yds ; first prize, 40s ; second, 20s.—G. Watson (syds), 1; E. P. Lister (syds), 2 ; F. Cooper (12yds), 3. Winger (scr) was the only other starter. A good race between the first two. Time, 25 3-sth sec. Smoking Contest, prize 20s.- —This was an amusing event, the prize being given to the competitor who smoked a: pipe of tobacco quickest. Four "men entered. O. Gini and Watson tied, and agreed to divide. \ ‘ " Women’s Race, 100yds ; first prize, box of tea ; second, a bag of sugar ; third, a'bag of flour. : —Mrs Bailey,-1 ; Mrs Ryan, "2 ; Mrs Peat, 3. Four ‘others started. Won easily. No time taken.