FORESTERS’ SPORTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 931, 3 January 1890, Page 11

FORESTERS’ SPORTS.

Committee —Messrs Saviori, Grazzini, Smith, Woods, Braitbwaita, Edwards, Clark, Robinson, Bedill, Cooper, Cole, White, Mo Vicar. Gouverin, Gregory, Piercy, Pike, Payne, McAuley, Swan, Sargent, Cairns and Fern ; starter —G. Payne ; judges A. Whiteford and J T. Webber referee J. T. Bovia ; timekeeper—F. W. Cole; handicappers —C. Taud}’ and W. bennetc ; secretary—H. J. White.

The principal attraction on Boxing Day wa.3 the sports gathering held by the Foresters at the Ba&ia Reserve. The early morniag having been anything hut promising large numbers of people who might otherwise have gone into the country or on the water, stayed in the city and patronised the sports. The attendance was therefore very large, uearlv 4000 people being present during the afternoon. The sports themselves went off very well, the eventa being for the most part well contested. The general management was alao exceedingly good, for which every praise is due to the Secretary (Mr H. J. White), and the members of the committee. All the members of the order, in fact, did each his little beat to make the thing a success, and the result of their efforts will probably be a handsome surplus - in aid of the Free Public Library. In addition to the events on the programme there were numerous fascinating side shows, in the shape of merry-go-rounds and games of various descriptions. Mr Jenkins’ band, who looked very gay in a set of new uniforms, headed the procession in the morning aud subsequently played excellent music during the day Pressure of holiday news prohibits extended comment on the several events, but it will be seen from the details appended that the Jubilee Handicap was easily won by W. Brarmigan, a vastly improved runner who, with a little more experience, will be a very difficult one to beat, Branigan scored 11 points, C. H. King being second with G points, and R. Gilkes third with 4. Following are the details of the various events :

Best dressed horse and rider—J. Ellison, 1, £2 10s ; F. McGregor, 2, £1 10s. _ Best dressed Forester —George Wood, 1, £1 10s.

Maiden Race, 220yds—R. Gilkes, 1, £1 10s ; C. King, 2,15 s. Six started, but only these two finished, the others falling through one of them tripping at a rather sharp turn. Time, 26 3-sth sec 3. Juvenile Foresters’ Handicap, 150yds— F. Lawrence, 1,10 s ; .T.'Condon, 2,5 s ; A. Grazzini, 3,2 s ed. Seven others started. A close race between the first two. m Jubilee Handicap (four heats). First prize, £lO ; second, £3 ; third, £2. First heat, 120yds—R. Gilkes (9yds), 1 ; W. Brannigan (scratch), 2 ; C. H. King (9yds), 3. Won by four or five yards. Time, 12 3-sth sec. Foresters’ Handicap, 220yds. In this event, W. Fox (scratch) finished first, H. Parker (syds) second, and C. Grazzini third, A protest was entered against Fox on the ground that he had won a prize previously, a condition of the handicap being that it was a rac9 for all who had not won a prize. The protest will be considered at the first meeting of the Committee. The first prize was £1 10s, and the second 10s. Wheelbarrow Race, 80yds.—W. Fox, 1, £1 ;J. Cooper, 2,10 s. The latter entered a protest against the winner on the ground that he did not adhere to the conditions of the race.

Jubilee Handicap (second heat), 220yds. —W. Brannigan (scratch), 1 ; C. H. King (18yds), 2; R. Gilkes (16ydB), 3. Won by a few inches after a magnificent race. Gilkes a fair third. Time, 24 l-sth sec. King entered a protest against the judge’s decision, which will also be considered at the first meeting of the Committee. Boys’ Handicap (under 12 years), 100yds. —Kelly, 1,7 s 6d ; Levy, 2,5 s ; Cowan, 3, 2s 6d. Shepherds’ Handicap, 100yds.—H. Mills, 1, £1 ;J. ,T. Bovis, 2,10 s; J. Leadbetter, 3.

Girls’ Race (under 12 years), 100yds. About forty little women started for this event, the winner turning up in Lily Howe, who received a workbox. Connie Briggs took the second prize (an album), and Bridget Kelly the third bag). Jubilee Handicap (third heat), 440yds.— W. Brannigan (scratch), 1 ; C. H. King (20yds), 2 ; O. H. Gini (36yds), 3. Brannigan, who ran in splendid style, had passed all his men a hundred yards from home, and won as he liked. Time, 56 3-sth sec. Friendly Societies’ Handicap, 330yds.— W. Brannigan (Druids, scratch), £l, 1 ; G. Reid (M.XJ..1.0.F., 25yds), 2 ; H. Parks (A.0.F., 14yds), 3. Time, 40 3-sth sec. Bun and Treacle event.—McGregory, 1, 10s. Baby Show (for babies under 12 months). Mrs Herbert, £2, 1; Mrs Peak, £l, 2; Mrs Miller, lOs, 3. Eleven competed. Skipping Rope Race, 100yds (for girls under 12 years)—Connie Briggs, ss, 1 ; Maggie Purcell, 3s, 2 ; Emily Fogarty, 2s, 3, About 20 started. Obstacle Race, 440yds—H. Parker, 1, £2; J. Doyle, 2, £1 ;W. Parker, 3,10 i. Five started.

Young Ladies’ Race, 150yds (handicap)—• C. Briggs (20yds), 1,25 s ; E. Fisk (20yds), 2,15 s ; C. Swindale (syds), 3. Jubilee Handicap (fourth heat), SSOyds— W. Branigan (35yds), 1 ; B. Mahoney (scratch', 2 ; C. H. King (30yds), 3. O, Gini (55yds), also ran. Gini led for about 600yds, when he was challenged by Mahoney. The pair raced together for a short distance, and then Gini fell. Mahoney then led until about syds from the post, when he allowed Branigan to come up and take the lead without making the slightest effort to retain his position. Time, 2min 25 3-sth sec. Married Women’s Race, 100yds.—Mrs Ayres, 1, box of tea, ; Mrs Gray, 2, bag of sugar ; Mrs Williams, 3, bag of flour. Old Men’s Race (over 50 years), 100yds. J. Kilminster, 1, £1 ; W. Marshall, 2,10 s ; J. Power, 3. Five started. Consolation Handicap, 220yds.—McGinnis (4yds), 1, £2 ; C. H. King (12yds), 2, £1 ; Watts (scratch), 3. Seven started. In the evening a dance was held at the Hallj Tory-street, There was a

good attendance, and the affair passed off very successfully.

The prizes were presented at the Foresters’ Hall on Saturday ereniug. The total amount of the prize money was about £SO 10s, the principal priz3 winners being M . Branigan (winner of the Jubilee Handicap), £ll ; C. H. King, £4 15s ; and R. Gilkes, £3 10s. The protests entered against W. Fox, winner of the Foresters’ Maiden Handicap and Wheelbarrow Race, wore considered by the Committee, who decided not to entertain them. Fox therefore received the prize in the events mentioned. The total proceeds of the gathering are not yet known.