ANNUAL HOSPITAL SPORTS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8684, 1 December 1899, Page 4

ANNUAL HOSPITAL SPORTS.

Yesterday (St. Andrew's Day) was observed as a public holiday in town from 11 o'clock, and a large number of townspeople and country settlers took advantage of this to attend the Hospital sports, which were held on the Park Company's grounds, Te Haparn, under the most successful circumstances. These gatherings have in past years always been looked forward to with great interest, and their revival yesterday, after a lapse of two or three years, is a step in the right direction. The weather was gloriously fine for the function, and tho pretty grounds of the Park Club looked at their best. The attendance, which was rather poor in the morning, increased as the day wore on, and at three o'clock it was estimated that from five to six hundred spectators were present. A large number of ladies were amongst those present, and the scene on the lawn mid grandstand during the afternoon was a bright and animated one. The members of the Hospital Board were in full force, and took a great interest in the proceedings. His Worship The Mayor (Mr J. Townley) and the Hon. J. Carroll were also present. The arrangements made by the Sports Committee were all that could be desired, and the programme of events was run off without the slightest hitch occurring. The General Committee consisted of the following, most of whom were in attendance :— Messrs J. Maynard, J. R. Little, H. McGonan, G. P. Henderson, J. Stewart, T. Moirison, E. Suurdle, A. Sawyer, J. Rosie, R. N. Jones, W. F. Stephenson, J. H. Martin, W. J. Quigley, R. Cole, P. Maher, G. Wildish. J. Eaton, H. J. Burns, G. Adams, W. R. Morell, F. Harris, T. J. Dickson, W. Webb, W. J. Hennessy, D, Thomson, F. S. Desßarres, C. Neenau,. G. White, W. Gault, W. Currie, J. Sheridan, W. Mapon, J. Millea, W. J. Spiers, H. Martin, J. Georgeson, and C. Nicholson. Messrs J. W. Nolan, A. W. Rees, and E. P. Joyce discharged the duties of judges, whilst Messrs W. Miller and C. Clarke undertook the duties of starter, the former officiating in the athletic events and the latter in the horse races. Mr A. Pritchard, as usual, made an excellent clerk of the course. The timekeepers were Messrs R. T. Seymour, C. F. Lewis, and D. Hepburn ; and the handicappers Messrs Primrose, Nesbilt and Fraser for the athletic events, and Messrs J. A. Harding and C. Clarke for the trotting handicap. Messrs J. M. Cumming and H. McKay jointly undertook the duties of Secretar}', and upon their shoulders fell a full share of the work, which, needless to say, they were fully equal to, both gentlemen doing their utmost to make the gathering a success. The Whataupoko Band, under Bandmaster T. V. Aston, were stationed on the lawn during the day and played a choice selection of pieces, which were splendidly rendered and much appreciated by the large number of spectators. The following programme was contributed : March, " Battle of Eureka ;" Waltz, "Peacefully Dreaming;" Polka, "Queen of Beauty ;" Overture, "Grecian Goddess;" March, "Sympathy;" Cornet Solo, " Alas, Those Chimes ; " March, " Peace With Honor ; " Selection, " Gems of Columbia;" Schottische, "Jolly Sailors;" .March, "Constellation;" Waltz, "Ever Thine;" March, "Peace With Honor;" Selection, "Ora Pro Nobis." Mr James Erskine provided an excellent luncheon in the dining rooms under the grandstand and also had charge of the refreshment booths. The publican's booth was under thfi supervision of Mr C. Clarke, of the British Empire Hotel. The racing throughout was full of interest, the finishes in many of the events being very close and leflected very creditably upon the handicappers, Mr P. Maher arrange! n number of races for the children on the lawn, and distributed a large number of tu3's and prizes. The following are the detailed results : —

Maiden Race, 150 yards. First prize, Trophy value £2 2s, presented by John Townlcy ; second prize, pair Tweed trousers to measure, by H. Sandknt and Co. ; third prize, Hat, presented by Hallenstein Bros, and Co. — A. Atkins 1, S. Riley 2. These were the only starters, and Atkins won easily. Time, 17 3-sth sec?.

Boys' Handicap (under 16), 150 yards. — First prize, pair Trousers presented by W. Pettic, and pair Boots by J. Rosie ; second piize, 501 b Flour by W. A. O'Meani ; third prize, Christinas Cako by J. Krskine. -C. Norris 1, P. Green 2, P. Gallagher 3. Won easily. Time, IS l-sth sees.

Open Handicap,' 150 yards. First prize, £2 and ft Medal value £1 Is, presented by \V. Good ; second prize, £1 ; third prize, Hat, by R. Robertson.— First heat: J. \V. Price (9yrls) 1, H. Atkins (scratch) 2, G. Goldsmith (7yds) 3 ; time, 16 seconds. Sccund heat: A. Atkins (syds) 1, M. W. Craig (oyds) 2, H. Hecney (12yds) 3; lime, 15 3-!>th sees. Final : M. Craig 1, .7. W. Price 2, A. Atkins 3. Won easily. Time, Id 4-oth sees.

Hop, Step, and Jump (handicap). First prize, trophy value 10s Gil, presented by 11. R. Smith, and trophy value 10s, by T. Dalmnple ; second prize, hat, by E. Kuic — Leah, 3Sft Sin, I ; \V. Roderick, 3Sft lin, 2.

Girls' Race (under 14), 100 yards. First prize, ladies' tiimmed hat, by Ailiiir Bros. ; second prize, ladies' parasol, by C. Rnsie mid Co. ; third prize, tray cl'ith, by Mrs M. Adair ; fourth piize, silver brooch, by R. T. Seymour. — E. Harris 1, M. Moore 2, J. 'Jregg .'!, .A. Law 4.

livys' Kaco (under )2), 100 yards. First, prize, plated bugle, pie&ented by Chrisp and Sou ; second prize, pair boots, hy T. Garrelt ; third prize, Boys' Annual, by T.

Adams ; fourth prize, Christmas calte, by F. J. Oatridge.— R. Wyllie 1, H. Martin 2, R. Hewston 3, Douglas 4. Nine started. St. Andrew's Handicap, 440 yards. First prize, £3 and 1 dozen cabinet photos, presented by C. P. Browne ; second prize, £1 , and goods value 103 by Parnell and Co. ; third prize, medal by W. Frascr.— M. W. , Craig (18yds) 1, W. G. Rao (20yds) 2, W. Roderick (10yds) 3. Five started. Craig, went to the front after the liist hundred yards had been traversed, and won easily. Time, 55 4-fltli sec. 1 Hurdles Handicap, 220 yards. First prize, £•■! lOf and dressed lamb, presented , i>y Mr J. Score ; second prize, £I.— H. , Burns (12yds) I, F. Slacey («y<ls) 2, B. , Sutlon (I2yds)3. H. Atkins (acr), Eaton , (10yds), and E. Heeney (10yds) also ran. Nlacey was penalised two yards for continually breaking away. Burns won easily by three yards. Time, 31 l-sth sec. Handicap Trotting Race (in saddle), twice round. — First prize, £2 10s ; second, shoeing for three months, presented by Mr J. Harold Warren, and bridle, presented by Mr W. N. Attwood.— Mr Frank Evans' eh g Charlie (ISacc) 1, Mr A. Gregg's gr m Bessie (35sec) 2, Mr J. Crimmins' b g Hippo i2osec) 3. Market (scr), Fluter (158 cc), Freda (Issec), Black Bess (40soc), and Golden Nugget (50sec) also competed. Charlie trotted in a nice even style right through, and 500 yds from home took command, and won by several lengths. Mr Frank Evans, the rider, was loudly cheered as he passed tho winning post. St. Andrew's Handicap, 200 yards. First prize, £2 IO3 ; second prize, £1. — M. W. Craig (Byds), 1 ; H Burns (10yds), 2. These were the only st:\rtors. Craig won very easily. Time, 23scc. Half-mile Scurry. First prize, £s.— Mr W. C. Walsh's Donation (Devery), 1 ; Mr J. Perdoe's Firefly 2, Mr W. Howard's Quintal 3. Warrigal, Old Judge, Cheeky, Belle, Seaforth, Czarina, Dido, Jack, Little Moral, Whataupoko, and Le Roy also ran. A grand start was effected, and the field, with the exception of one, raced well together right to the entrance of the straight. A good race ensued to the judge's box, Donation securing the verdict by a little over a length, Firefly just beating Quintal for second honors. Time, 53 4-asec. Mile Race Handicap. First prize, £3 ; second prize, £1, and trophy value 10a Gd presented by Mr Ed. Williams ; third prize, pair life-buoy frames, by Messrs Morrison Bros. —T. Sharp (60yds), 1; G. Wildish (50yds), 2 ; A. Sharp (25yds), 3. W. Roderick (ser) also ran. A.- Sharp soon caught tho two leaders, and the trio raced together for some distance. At the half-mile post T, Sharp, the limit man, commenced to draw away, and increasing his lead all the time, won easily by forty yards. Time, smin lsec. Pony Race, for ponies 14 2 and under. Half-mile. First prize, £2 10s.— Mr A. Kirk's Venus 1, Mr W. Howard's Qninta 1 2, Mr H. Burns's Madam 3. Time, 54aec. St. Andrew's Handicap, 100 yards. First prize, £2 ; second prize, £1 ; third prize, trophy value 10s, presented by Mr C. F. Lewis.— H. Heeney (Byds) 1, A. Atkins (syds) 2, J. W. Price (Byds) 3. A fine race, Heeney winning by about a yard. Time, llsrc. Sack Race, 80 yards. F ;> -st prize, ham and 251 b big oatmeal, presented by Messrs Teat and Friar ; second prize, spray producer, by Mr E. D. Smith ; third prize, 151 b bag oatmeal, by Mr D. M. Orr.— Hagen 1, Petersen 2, Power 3. Half-mile Handicap. First prize, £3; second prize, £1, and dressed lamb presented by Meßsrs McConnell and Millington; third prize, meerschaum cigar holder, by Mr S. Enrle.— W. G. Rae (35yds) 1, A. Sharp (15yds) 2, F. Parker (35yds) 3. These were the only starters. Rae won easily. Time, 2min 15sec. Bandsmen's Race, 100 yards. —Leah (scr) 1, Dawson (lyd) 2. Jump for Horses, over ricker fence, double hurdle, and brush fence. First prize, £2 10s ; second prize, 10s, and saddle bag presented by Messrs Primrose and Leslie. — This event caused a lot of interest, and attracted a good number of competitors. The old favorite, Macaroni, again demonstrated that he could jump as well as ever, and won the first prize for MrF. McKenzie, Serenade (owned by Mr A. McKenzie) being placed second.