OVER 200 VISITORS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18988, 13 April 1936, Page 6

OVER 200 VISITORS

TRIP TO TE PUIA YESTERDAY'S OUTING MARIST FOOTBALLERS Te Puia yesterday entertained over 200 visitors who travelled from Gisborne, most of them being players participating in the Marist Eugby tournament. Four big buses, service care and many private cars were used to transport the visitors, and for a time it was difficult to secure parkingi places close to the hotel. All the visitors enjoyed their trip, and general surprise was expressed at seeing such beautiful surroundings. Those who had seen the place before were also surprised at the many improvements carried out since their last visit. Fine, weather, prevailed throughout the day, and the conditions were warm and pleasant. The weather was a striking contrast with the occasion about eight months ago when the visiting lady liockev players made their visit; then cold showers swept Te Puia throughout the day. LUNCH FOR- VISITORS The road up the Coast was not in the ";est condition. The effects of the recent floods were visible in cleared slips, while the surface in many places was rough, particularly where' it had been under water. Upon arrival at Te Puia the visiting players were given lunch in the hall by the licensee of the hotel, Mr. G. Clarke, and for a brief period following the meal representatives of each team gave an item, and for these the accompaniments were played by Mrs. Thomson, Gisborne, and Miss Kara Beale, Waipiro Bay. Miss Beale also gave a Maori action song, for which she was enthusiastically encored. Mr. Ireland, Napier, acted as stage manager. Before leaving the hall, Mr. E. O'HaJloran, on behalf of the, Marist tournament committee, thanked Mr. and Mrs. Clarke for their hospitality, and at his call the host and hostess were cheered heartily, and accorded musical honours. SWIMMING BELAY Following lunch a brief aquatic carnival was held, the principal event being a relay race among teams of four representing the visiting clubs. This resulted in a win for St. Patrick's, Palmerston North. Results were : First heat.—Palmerston N.. (Dawick, Fitzpatrick, Sears and Simmons), 1; Hastings Celtic (M. Kelly, J. Caiman, D. Pollen, and W. Lewis), 2. Also started: Gisborne Celtic (Williams, McAneny (2), and Hargreaves); Wanganui Marist (L. Smith, B. Dow, McCashin, and Dow). Second heat.—Napier Marist (Ireland, Sinden, Moss ad Mclvor), 1; Hamilton Marist (Cassidy, Belgrabe, Kearny, and Sweeney), 2. ' Also started : Wellington Marist' (Condon, Bacon, Burke, and Donoghue); Gisborne Marist (Griffin, Quinn. Kirkpatrick, and Sceats). The final resulted as follows: — Palmerston North ... ... 1 Hastings 2 Hamilton ... 3 The race was an even one, until the third length, when Palmerston North obtained a. good lead, which the last man of this team increased to half a length of the baths. The race for second place was a close one, Hastings getting the. decision by a touch. . ~.. , PRESENTATION OF TROPHY In presenting the trophy to the winners, Mr. A. J. H. Kirkham, chairman of the Waiapu Hospital Board, referred to it as the Te Puia "gold" cup, which was made from plumber's material. He recalled the visit of the lady- hockey players last year, and said it was a pity that the two trips could not have been arranged for the same day. Speaking more seriously, he congratulated Mr. D. J. Barry on liis initiative in making such a pleasant and beautiful spot. For the swimming events, Mr. Hickey, Palmerston North, was starter and announcer, and Mr F. Tolerton, Gisborne, officiated as judge. An exhibition swim was given by L. Smith,' breaststroke champion, while a special race was staged between Mr. H. Bowman, Wellington, chairman of the Marist Advisory Board, and Mr. Cleary, a member of the board.