PALMERSTON SPORTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 61

PALMERSTON SPORTS.

The Palmers ton Caledlonian Society hold its annual sports meeting on Saturday, under splendid weather conditions, but the attendance, though fair, was hardly what niigiil have been expected. This is attributable largely to the fact that harvesting is still in full swing in many parts of the district, thus preventing many of tho society's keenest supporters from attending. The ground is an ideal one from the spectator's point of view, but the truck u rather rough and narrow, more especially so far as cyclists are concerned. The Palmer* ston Brass Band, under Bandmaster Diack, was on the ground, and served to considerably enliven tho proceedings. Amongst those present during the afternoon was Mr E P. Lee, M.P. The majority of tho events were, well contested, and som-: good close finishes were seen The final of tho 75 Yards Handicap was a good race, all the competitors running in a bunch till just on the tape, when Bateman spin ted and won by inches. Tiio Half-mile was an interesting race, Lee winning from scratch after running atn extremely well-judged race. In the Paimerston Handicap, tho biggest race of the day, the final was partly spoiled by a collision between Lee and Puddy. The former, who ran second, afterwards entered a protest against Puddy, but it was dismissed. In the shot-putting event M. M'Caibo, tho well-known athlete, won with a put of 39ft and in another effort after tho close of the competition, achieved the magnificent put of lift 2in. Among a hard-working set of officials, mention must be made of Dr Harrison and tho acting secretary, 3lr J. M'Ritchie,

while Mr D. M'Leod was a courteous and obliging press steward. Mr R. Hobbs acted as timekeeper. Following are the results: — QUOITING HANDICAP.—D. MTntcsh, scratch, 1; A. E. M'Kean, 4 points, 2. Three other competitors. BAGPIPE MUSIC—A. M'Kay 1, A. R. Frame 2. H. M'DonaJd also competed. 75 YARDS HANDICAP.—First heat: J. Puddy, scratch, 1; J. R. Jones, syds, 2. Also competed: A. Mong 2yds, A. W. Valentine 3vds, and J. Pettigrew 3y<fs. Second heat: F. Dolphin, 4£yds. 1; .J. K. Wilson, l£yds, 2. Also raa: S. L. Robinson scratch, F. Dolphin 4iyds, N. S. Rankin 4iyda. Tiiird heat: H. L. Bateman, 3yds, 1; J. Kearney, l£y<is, 2 L '! n <- , Batoman 1, Jones 2. Puddy 3. All qualified ran in tho final and from a good start the back-markers drew level, and the men raced in a bunch till near the tape, no one gaining any advantago until Bateman forged ahead, and v.on by inches. lime, 7 4-ssec. , _ ... ONE MILE BICYCLE RACE.-W. Iload, 20yds, 1; T. Gilmour, 50yds, 2; A. Phelp, scratch, 3. Also competed: JJ. Kowan 50vd9 and E. Sturgess 50yds. lite frcnt-mark men were unable to maintain their lead after the other men had settled to their work, and after a short struggle Gilmour was forced to give way to Hoad, who won fahtty comfortably. Time, 2min 53sec. HALF-MILE HANDICAP.-D Lee scr, 1- J. Kearnev, 21ycls, 2; C. J. Wilson, 30yds, 3. Also ran: W. J Rawson (syds), H. Holmes (16yds), and A. W. Valentine (30vds). A splendid race. Lee, a stronglybuilt runner, usins fine judgment, and coming up from tho rear in the last lap, finished verv strongly, winning by three yards, with the third man close up. lime, 2min 9sec. PALMERSTON HANDICAP, Two hundred yards. —First heat: L. S. Rankin, 10yds, 1; J. Puddv, Hvds. 2. Also started: J. Pettigrew (3yds), A. Mong (6yds). Second heat: J. R. Wilson, 4yds, 1; J. R. Jones, Hyds, 2. Also started: J. Kearney (4yds). Third heat: 11. L. Bateman, 10yds, 1; S. Lee, 2jivds. 2. Also started: S. L. Robinson (sc) and F. Dolphin (9yds). Final: J. R. Wilson, 1; S. Lee, 2; Bateman, 3. Puddy was first away, but almost at the jump was overhauled by Lee, who jrot going very quickly. Puddy attempted to pass Lee again, but the two collided, and practically spoilt their respective chances of winning, though Lee went on and gained second place. Wilson won with little to spare. Time, 22 2-ssec. HIGH JUMP.—W. Smith (2in), 4ft lOin, 1; W. Wilson (scr), 4ft 9in, 2. Four others also competed. TWO-MILE BICYCLE HANDICAP G. Sturgess. 70yds, 1; B. M'Kerhan, 70yds, 2; A. Philp, scr, 3. Also started: W. Iload (10yds), T. Gilmour (50yds). Hoad had the misfortune to fall in the first Inn, and was unable to recover his lost ground, Sturgess (one of the limit men) eventually winning by two lengths after a verv fair fi ' I HIGHLAND FLING.—D. H. M'Donald 1. Two others competed. LADIES' RACE.—Miss Shaw 1, Miss Challis 2. Five starters. SAILOR'S HORNPIPE—H. M'Donald 1. 440 YARDS HANDICAP.—Puddv, 16yds, 1; J. R. Wilson. 3vds. 2; H. Holmes, 14yds, 3. Also started: S. Lee and S. L. Robinson (scr), J. Kearney and W. J. Rawson (4yds), A Mong (9yds), and C. G. Wilson (12ydr.e). Puddy led from the start, and though hard pressed by Wilson, just managed to last the distance, winning by inches. PUTTING THE STONE.—M. M'Cabe (scr), 39ft lOJin, 1; W. Wilson (7ft). 38ft lOin, 2. Also competed: J. M'Cabe, T. Ross, and J. Kearney. THREE-MILE BICYCLE RACE. W. Hoad, scr, 1; G. Sturgess, 70vds, 2; B. M'Kernan, 80yds, 3. A. Philps (scr) also started, but dropped out at the third lap. Hoad rode a good solid race, keeping well up for most of the journey, and then coming with a well-judged effort, winning by a length. Time, 3min 58sec. HOP, STEP, AND JUMP.-J. Pettigrew (lft 6in), 39ft Bin, 1; J. Kearnev, scr, 38ft Tin, 2; W. J. Rawson (3ft), 38t"i sm, 3. Three other competitors. CONSOLATION HANDICAP. E. Smith scr, 1; W. J. Rawson, 4yds, 2; J. Kearney, syds, 3. Tho only starters. Smith beat the pistol, and won easily