Opunake Caledonian Society.

Opunake Times, Volume XXV, Issue 960, 2 April 1907, Page 2

Opunake Caledonian Society.

EASTER SPORTS. Working Committees : Chairman, C. A. Trotter; starter, W. C. Dudley; handicapper, J. O'Dea; judges, G. W. Rogers, H. Cantle, A. Clarke; chopping, T. Humphries, J. O'Dea, F. Julian, R. Warner sen,, and R. Woods; racing : Clarke, O'Dea, Armstrong, Mildenhall, W. Dudley, jun, Yardley; jumping, G. McHardy and D. Hiekey; weight-guess-ing, E. J. Dudley, Miss Dudley and Miss Warner; concert, Duncan and Ross; social, Dudley, junr, Heath and Wildermoth ; 'pumpkin guess, Miss Clare. Messrs Mann, Warner and Westoby were energetic members and did a lot of work in connection with the day's requirements.

The above society's annual bye meeting was held on the Recreation Ground on Monday. The weather was very threatening in the morning, and at 12 o'clock there was a heavy shower, but the afternoon was fine. The attendance was about 600.

The Puniho Maori Brass Band (under Bandmaster Joe) enlivened the proceedings by a varied selection of tunes, and they gave a long programme, to the enjoyment of all, who fully appreciated the music. The racing was very fair, and the fields good. There was a large number of axemen competing in the maiden and handicap chops, but the businessmen's chop was reduced to five, as a number of those who entered did not aocept on account of expert axemen entering as business men. There was a marque erected in which Prof. Thomas was giving exhibitions of conjuring and ventriloquism, " Soldier George," of Warea, acting as " Sprooker." Prof. Bates, the famous Wild West horseman, gave an exhibition of lassooing and picking a ooin off the ground while at a canter. < Mr W. A. Duffill, of the Opunake Catering Rooms, had the refreshment booth, and did good business. He supplied a splendid luncheon, to the satisfaction of all.,

The officers of the society worked well for the success of the society, particularly those in charge of the chopping and guessing,' and also the secretary, whose zeal is well known. In some of the races competitors won who had performed at Te Kiri, and as that Society had not affiliated the matter will be referred to the Association. The gate takings amounted to £22, as against £26 last Easter. The following are the results : Railway Handicap, 100 yards: Ist 403, 2nd 6s. First heat. P. Hughes, 9yda ... 1 J. Cunningham 2 . Second heat. W. Smith, 12yds .... 1 J. Martin, 10yds ... 2 Final. Hughes 1 Smith 2 Cunningham ... ... 3 Boys' Race, uuder 12 years, 100 yards ; Ist ss, 2nd 2s. R.Kelly ... § A. Brennan § N.Kelly 8 Maiden Chop Handicap: Ist, 80s, 2nd 19s ; 1-foot block. H. Magon, 85seo .$ 1 F. Kahui, 35seo '...' 2 H. Young, 20sec ... 8 Also chopped : P. Duggan, Leatherby, Baker, L. Jackush, W. Ooombridge, H. Newman, Gilmer, R. Julian, W. and A. Crawford. Won easily. The winner's block was split up on both sides. County Handicap, 220 yards : Ist

40a, 2nd 10a. P, Hughes, 17yds ... 1 S. Stronge, 17yds ... 2 W. Smitb, 24yds ... 3 Nine started, Citizens' Handicap, 440 yards: Ist 40s, 2nd 10s. Ward ... 1 Fischer, 80yds ... ... 2 Stronge 3 Six started. Schoolgirls' Eace ; Ist 3s, 2nd Is 6d, 3rd Is. May Humphries ... 1 Clara Yardley 2 Maggie Hickey... ... 8 Hurdles, 120 yards : Ist £1 10a, 2nd 10s. Hughes, owes 10yds ... 1 Fischer, owes 4yds ... 2 Cunningham, owes 2yds 8 Also started : Forsyth and Stronge. A good race; the last few hurdles were taken almost at the samestime. Tradesmen's Handicap, 880 yards ; Ist 40s, 2nd 20s. Ward, 35yd ... ... 1 C, Feaver, 60yd ... 2 Also started : Rofchery, Fischer, Smith, and Pepperill. Won easily, although Feaver made a good effort to push the winner. Cycle Handicap, 2 miles : Ist £2, 2nd 10s. W. Wallis, 200yds ' ... 1 Owens, 130yds ... 2 H. Young, 120yds ... 8 ' Sharpe also started, but failed to catch the other men. On the last lap the three placed men were close together, Young taking Wallis' place as second. Wallis fell back a little, and the people thought he was done, but when 200 yards from home he was seen to put his head down, and go into it. Then to the surprise of all be shot ahead, and won by several yards amidst the cheers of his chums. High Jump Handicap : Ist 15s. D. Deegan, 5.3, inc Sin. 1 J. Deegan ... ... 2 Hughes and Vincent also competed.

Easier Handicap Chop : Ist £B, 2nd 105. First heat. H. Oorbett, 40sec ... 1 F. Kahui, 40sec ... 2 W. Coombridge, 355ec... 8 Second heat. Magon, 40seo 1 P. Duggan, 40seo ... 2 Coupe, SSsec ... ... 3 Final. Oorbett 1 Magon 2 Won easily. The'first and second of the two heats competed. Also chopped in the .heats: M. Hill, P. Coffey, G. Tynan, Bowman, Murphy, W. Duggan, Leatherby, M. Coffey, Gilmer, G. Jackush, Baker, Knowles, W, Crawford, E. Julian, Newman, A. Crawford.

Youths' Eace, nnder 16 years : Ist 7s 6d, 2nd 2s 6d. C. Trotter 1 Victor Warner 2 Girls' Eace, once round. Clara Yardley 2 E. Wiley 2 Footballers' Eace, 150 yards, special value 80s, presented by Mr A. Clarke. Open only to players under the Des Forges Cup competition. F. J. Warner 1 M.Vincent 2

Also started : Hall, Martin, Tiger. Football Tournamenb, 7 men a-side. AkeAke... '> 1

Opunake was the only other team which competed. Ake Ake scored 9 points to 6. Their team consisted of Hall, Baker, A. Phillips, Rua, J. and W. Rothery, and Heke Martin (captain). Opunake team : Tosland, o'Sullivan, Tito, Tiger, Wester,_ Graham, Joe Martin (captain). Tries for Ake Ake were scored by Hall, Phillips, and J. Rothery; for Opunake by Graham and O'Sullivan. Mr Westoby was referee.

Business Men's Chop; Ist 20s, 2nd

10s. W. Duggan, 25sec ... 1 H. Phillips, 30sec ... 2 M. Coffey, 25sec ' ... 8 Also chopped: H. G. Clarke and Gatenby. Weight-Guessing (sheep, 1541b5). W.Duffill, correct weight)... 1 CONCERT. A good house greeted the performers in the evening in the Town Hall, the shower df rain which fell between 7 and 8 apparently not affecting the concert-goers. The programme was opened with a selection by Messrs Knowles (piano), Duncan (violin), and Fischer (cornet). Mr Davidson (Opunake), who made his first appearance to an Opunake audience, sang "Annie Laurie," which was pleasingly given. He also contributed a humorous song entitled " I didn't like to,"' which was very funny indeed, and evoked mirth. Messrs Walters and W. S. Coombridge (Te Kiri) sang " Larboard Watch " in capital style, their voices blending well, and the number was one of the best. Miss Pratt (Opunake), who was new to ,a local audience, sang in such a manner as to meet with approval to suoh an extent as to receive two double encores, and the songs she favored the audience with were : " Listen to to the Big Brass Band," " Would you mind," " I wouldn't leave my little wooden hut for you," " Beauty's Eyes," " I'm trying so hard to forget you," and "Jessie's Dream." Mr Walters' singing of " The Snow King " was a good item, and well appreciated. Mr Coombridge gaye a very effective rendering of " The Last Muster," and received well merited recognition. The accompaniments were played by Miss Hickman and Mr Knowles.

The second part of the programme consisted of an hour's amusement by by Mr Chas. Thomas, a variety entertainer, who has.recently been performing at the Exhibition. He gave a number of humorous songs ancl stories, which were thoroughly enjoyed. He excelled in his ventriloqnial mimicry with his family of electrical talking figures, in which he introduced gags, songs and recitations. He also gave a 'fine exhibition of his power of voice-throwing from different parts of the building. Mr C. A. Trotter (chairman) thankthe audience for their patronage, and also the performers, who had kindly assisted in contributing to a splendid programme. The singing of " God Save the King " terminated the concert.

A dance was then held, tbe floor being well filled. The music was supplied by the popular orchestra— Messrs Knowles, Duncan, and Fischer —in their well-known, style. The society's .dances have now become very popular. Mr Wal. Dudley had charge of the dancing and was assisted by W. Moffifct. The committee is indebted to Mrs Heath and Miss Dudley for the trouble and time expended in preparing and superintending the refreshments. The door takings at the concert amounted to £l4 Is, and that of the dance about £4 10s.