JUBILEE SPORTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16339, 13 May 1927, Page 4

JUBILEE SPORTS

UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS.

INTERESTING DISPLAYS.

The success attained by the jubilee sports meeting at the Oval yesterday afternoon was beyond all expectation, and the gathering was considered to have eclipsed everything of a similar nature previously held in Gisborne. Not only did the attendance exceed all records, but also the afternoon proved one of Lhe happiest spent for many a long day, and the large crowd wended its way homeward thoroughly satisfied with the fitting conclusion to the grand procession and celebrations. It is estimated that the attendance was well over 5000, and the accommodation was totally inadequate, tho ground being surrounded on all sides by lino upon line of spectators. The programme was an extremely small one, yet the crowd seemed to have set out to enjoy themselves to the utmost, and that they succeeded thero can be no doubt. The task of regulating the crowd was no light one, and on numerous occasions they were almost completely out of control, flocking on to the ground to surround any interesting item that was in progress. Tho organisation was certainly somewhat faulty, but nevertheless those whoso view of some of the events was obscured tqok it all in good part, and there were few expressions of dissatisfaction. Unfortunately tho physical drill displays could not been seen by those on tho grandstand. Thero was an amusing scene when the bullock wagon arrived more than* half an hour after the tail end of the procession had passed through the gates. The unweildly team wended its way on to the ground while a football match was in progress, and the game had to be suspended for a few minutes while the wagon was driven to the. sideline. There it was mounted by Mr. Chas. Matthews, chairman of the Cook County Council, and Mr. Ewan Cameron, together with other pioneers, and was driven past the stand. Not to be outdone by Mr. Matthews, the other members of the official party, including the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. ft. F. Bollard), Mr. W. D. Lysnar, M.P., and the Mayor (Mr. C. E. Armstrong) also mounted the wagon, amidst the cheers and good-natured chaff of the spectators. There were many such amusing incidents, and all were particularly enjoyed by the pioneers. In addition to the sports programme, the results of which were published Inst evening, interesting drill displays were given by the combined Y.W.O.A. and Y.M.C.A. squads, and by the Boy Scouts. One of the most popular items was a canoe song and poi display by the of Maori girls who took" part in the procession, and at the conclusion of their performance they had to respond to an encore. The exhibition was given in the canoe mounted on a wagon, and was in full view of everyone on the ground. A soccer match between two selected teams provided much interest, tho game resulting in a- draw, with no score on either side.

The final of tho Rugby seven-a-side tournament between Celtic and a combined High School Old Boys and Y.M.P. team was an especially good game, and in it the keenest interest and enthusiasm was evinced. Celtic were, fortunate to secure a lead early in the game, but the combined team were a good match for them, despite the diversity in weight, and had there been a little more time it is possible that the tables might have been reversed. From start to finish the contest was bright, with numerous thrills, and provided a very fine exhibition of ft.ugby. Celtic were" victorious by 14 points to 10; for tho winners Carrington scored three tries, and Berry one, Carrington converting one. Caulton and Leach each registered tries for the combined team, both being converted by Caulton. Mr. Billeliff was the referee.

Throughout tho afternoon the City Band contributed a number of delightful old-time airs, which added much to tho enjoyment of tho old identities who crowded one half of the grandstand.