FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' SPORTS AND PICNIC.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 9035, 2 January 1901, Page 4

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' SPORTS AND PICNIC.

The United Friendly Societies in the district held their annual sports and picnic yesterday, the fuuction taking place on the Poverty Bay Cycling Club's crack, in Mr A. Gregg's paddock, Te Hapara. There was a very large attendance, fully eight hundred people being present, and the gathering must be voted the most successful yet held. Everyoue seemed on pleasure bent, and the numerous picnic parties which congregated under the weeping willows from the shade of the sun's rays, spent a most enjoyable day. Now that this annual gathering has been placed on a sound footing, there can be but little doubt that it will prosper and go ahead and be the premier picnic of the year. The management are to be heartily congratulated on the excellent arrangements nfade, and the way in which the committee gave up their time to the comfort of their guests was a commendable feature. The committee 1 ran the refreshment booth themselves, under the management of Mr T. Cotter, with willing assistants, and supplied everything at town prices, which was grealy appreciated by alt. The cycling track was used for the first time, and gave entire satisfaction ; and what's more, not a single spill occurred in the four bicycle v&cea. A great future is, w* opine, in view for this kind of sport in Poverty Bay, and the Cycling Club, who have gone to great expense and spent a lot of time in getting the track banked np, are to be applauded for their efforts. The first meeting of the club, at which, we understand, it is the intention to get several outside riders to compete, will be anxiously looked forward to, and a large attendance is sure to be the reßult. The club deserve every success, and the public, judging by their enthusiasm yesterday, will go a long way to see such splendid finishes, as were witnessed at the above sports. The persons who took a prominent part in the reunion were :— Bros. H. Burns, A. W. Kirk, M. G. Nasmith (jun.), A. Pool, H. Webb, A* Georgeson, G. W. Markie, J. Eaton, W. Burnand, H. Miller, 8. H. M. Qnigley, E. File, C. F. Lewis, W. Cole, W. H. Hamblett, J. Allen, J. Griffen, M.Craig, J. Sampey, T. Spiers. The judging waa done by Bros. D' Hepburn, T. Ellerey, W. Webb, and G. H. Hendereon, in faultless style, and to the' latter an extra need of praise is due for the marking off of the 'distances, etc. Bros. Seymour and Fraser acted as timekeepers, whilst Bro., C. F. Lewis started the different races with credit. The handicapping was entrusted to Bros. W. Fraser, G. Primrose, and Mr Eure, and the close finishes, especially in the bicycle races, must have been very gratifying to these gentlemen. Bro. M. Nasmith, (jnnr), performed the duties of secretary in his usual satisfactory stylo, and to the treasurer, (Bro. H. Burns), who worked hard throughout, and on whom most of the work fell, a special word of thanks is due. Following are details of the racing : Boys' Race, under 10 years, 75yds t Percy Hepburn 1, Ashdown 2, Wildish ». Twelve started. A good race. Girl's Race, under ten years, 75yds : Miss Moore 1, Miss Gregg 2, Miss Hart 3. Eight started. New Year's Day Handicap, 100yds : B. Siddells (Byds) 1, J. Newton (Byds) 2, J. Parsons (7yds) 3: M. Craig (2ydsH A. Hepburn (4yds), L. Bolton (sydß), A. W. Kirk (7yds), and F. Brown (7yde) also started. Woo by a couple of yards after a good race. Time.llseo. Boys' Race, under 16, 100yds : J. Roderick 1, Broughton 2, Te Rangi 3. Seven started. Time, 13 l-sseo. > Bicycle Handicap, half-mite : "C. Crone (10yds) 1, R. McGillivray (40yds) 2, C. Kirs (40yds) 3. W. Andrews (Bcratoh), J. Moir (30yds), and P. Keiha (60yds) also started. This, the. first race on the new cycling traek, was looked forward to with a large amount of interest, and all vantage points were occupied in order to get a good view of the contest. The spectators were not disappointed, for a roil ding-, dong race ensued, four of the competitors beiDg close together as they pedalled into the straight, O. Crone only securing the judge's verdict on the post. Andrews lost his chance owing to his tyre being-punc-tured. Time, lmin 27 2.saec. Girls' Race, under 16, 100yds : Hilda File 1, Mabel File 2, Miss Griffin 3. Seven started. , - Friendly Societies' Handicap,. 150yds: A. Hepburn (6yds) 1, E. File (10yds) 2, Robertson (6yds) 3. Six other ran. Time 17min l-sths sec. ~ . ; Men's Handicap Race, over 40, 50yds : F. Brown, 1, Howßon 2, File 3. Won easily. Time 7 2-sth,seo. ■ ; Half-mile Handicap : T. Sharp (20yds) 1. W. Sharp (45yds) 2, W. H. Harding (10yds) 3. Five others ran. Won by three yards. Time, 2min 20 4-saec. Bicycle Handicap, 1 mile: C. Kirk (85yds) 1, C. Crone (scratch) 2, W. Andrews 3. Three others started. This was also a close and exciting race, and it was bard to pick the ultimate winner as they neared the turn for borne, where Crone and Andrews closed on Kirk. The latter, however, was not done with, and by a brilliant spurt maintained his lead, winning by three, or four lengths, amidst loud cheering. Time 3min 7sec. Costume Race, run 60yds, pub on coat and hat, and finish at winning post with I coat buttoned : W. Fraser 1, Browu 2. The latter had the most pace and looked all over a winner, but failing to get his coat buttoned in time, Fraser rushed past and secured the prize. Hurdles Handicap, 220yds J. Newton (20yd) I,G. Ball (scratch)-2, G. Holmes (12yds) 3. Burns and Ball fell, but the latter regained his feet and finished second. Seven started. Time 3min 4-s ths sec. Three-legged Race : J. Charles and A. Sharp 1. There were seven entries and the race run in heats. New Year's Day Handicap, 220yds : B. Siddells (l2ydß) 1, J. Newton (12yds) 2, M. Craig (syds) 3. Kirk, Myers and Parsons also competed. Siddells was never headed, and won by two or three yardß. Time26min. Forced Handicap, 150yds: G. Brown (9yds) 1, J. Newton, (scratch) 2, A. Hepburn (Byds) 3. Five started. Won easily by a conple of yards. Time 17 l-sth sec. Besides the above a large number of races for children were got off under the control of Mr P. Maher, who had the happy knack of being quite ac home in this part of the programme. He was in great request with the little ones, who followed him everywhere. The Whautaupoko Band enlivened the proceedings to a great extent by selections from their repertoire.

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