WAKEFIELD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1714, 4 January 1905, Page 62

WAKEFIELD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Our Christmas holidays are just oyer in time; the weather broke this morning with heavy rain from the north. On Christmas Eve almost all the residents went by rail to Nelson, materially helping to increase the throng in the city, the long trains in and out being packed. Everything passed off pleasantly and peacefully. There were good attendances at all the various places of worship during Christmas Day. St. John’s Church was packed in the evening. The Rev Mr Hewlett preached an interesting anniversary sermon, while the singing of the sp -cial. anthems by the. large choir, was a pleasing feature of the service. Next morning “Boxing Day” everybody was astir early. Conveyances of all kinds being requis tioued to convey pleasure seekers to their various destinations for the day. The up train brought an immense crowd, chiefly to Wakefield, where the annual sports were lield. The members of the “Church of Christ” and other parties went to Motupiko, (in the Motueka Valley), quite a number went up the Wairoa Gorge, and into the various clumps of Native bush. Although the local sports are increasing in popularity they were not quite so good as last year. The numerous soratchings in the running, and the comparatively small number of entries in the cash cycle races, reducing the number of events. The banking up of the corners of the cycle track was appreciated by the cyclists competing, and very few spills occurred. The following is a list of those who came in winners of the various events: —Wakefield Points Race Handicap (Amateur), Christie; Wakefield' Points lvaeeTTandicap (Cash), Gaynor; 440 Yards Hurdles, Williams; 220 Yards Juvenile Handicap, Newman; Cricketer’s Race, Turner; Mile Handicap, Thomasson; 440 Yards Handicap, Gaynor; SBO Yards Handicap, Olaridge. Cycling Events. —1 Milo (Cash), Batt; I Mile (Amateur), Fowler; 2 Mile (Cash), Batt; 2 Mile (Amateur), Rogers; 3 Mile (Cash), Batt; 3 Mile (Amateur), Eves; 5 Mile (Cash), Batt; 5 Mile (Amateur), Fowler. In the chopping competition H. Griffiths Ist, and in the sawing competition .'Kerr and Griffiths beat the others. Several races were run by juveniles tliroughtout the day. The Wakefield band played during the afternoon. The annual ball was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, and was a great success, dancing being kept up until two in the morning. Fourteen members of the Newtown Cricket Club, Wellington are at present staying in Wakefield. Mr Percy Smith is their manager, and Mr Fred Alpe captain. Newtown won by 13.