Boxing Day Sports.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 101, 31 December 1897, Page 2

Boxing Day Sports.

The ominous aspect of the sky that heralded the morning of Boxing Day, caused grave apprehension as to the success of the day’s enjoyment, and the actions of the Committee that had the Athletic Sports in hand, were eagerly watched by intending competitors and the general public alike. As the morning drew on, and there seemed scarce likelihood of ihe inclemency of the weather being relieved, the members of the Committee were seen in knots casting anxious eyes skywards, and at 10-80 a meeting was called for the purpose of deciding as to whether postponement was advisable. After consideration, it was decided to adjourn the matter until noon, apologies being made to the public, who were straining the patient by incessant

enquiries on the matter all were interested in. A full meeting of the officers was held at noon, and, there being every appearance of the weather lifting, it was decided to proceed with the Sports at 1 p.ra.., With this announcement the gloom that had apparently settled upon the awaiting public appreciably altered to active animation, and -a ray of sunlight athwart the leaden-hued firmament predicted a successful issue following on the sullenness of the early hours of the day. The Sports, which were carried out with precision, drew a large attendance, and the Committee is to be congratulated upon the manner in which the programme submitted was proceeded with in its entirety, whilst the results augur well for the re-habi-litation of the much regretted moribund state of sport that has lately prevailed in Havelock. The feature of the day was doubtless the high jumping of the boys under 16, and the style of the winner, N. Wells, was deserving of a larger prize than the Committee had deemed a fitting reward for this item of the programme, whilst the competition between Wells and Hart was a fine exhibition of athletic strength and good feeling. Notwithstanding the bad auspices of the early portion of the morning, a most successful day’s sport was supplied, and all concerned must feel highly gratified with the concurrent result of the good management. We append the winners of the several events, but as no official times were kept, are unable to procure the space of time in which the items were negotiated.

Boys’ Race (under 7), 100 yards— S. Reader. .. i J. Wells .. 2 Boys’ Race (under 10), 100 yards— D'Arcy Reader .. ~ .. i , Raymond Wells 2 100 Yards Handicap— Arthur Wells (scratch) .. .. 1 Frank Rush (7 yards) .. .. 2 Boys’ Race (under 12), 100 yards— Frank Reader 1 Leonard Smith , s .. .. 2 Girls’ Race (under 121), 100 yards— Edith Bignell ... .. .. 1 Elsie Gwillim .. ~ ~ 2 220 Yards Handicap— Arthur Wratt (15 yards) ~ 1 Arthur Wells (5 yards).. .. 2 Boys’ Race (under 14), 100 yafrds— Frank Reader 1 Fred. Wells a Girls’ Race (under 14), 100 yards— Lucy Jarvis .. .. i Edith Bignell .2 Quarter-mile Handicap— John Wells (xo yards) .. ~1 Arthur Wells (15 yards) 2 Boys’ Race (under 161,100 yards— Norman Wells .. .. .. 1 L. Cooper .. .. ~2 Girls’ Race (under 16), 100 yards— L. Jarvis 1 A. Krieg 2 Half-mile HandicapJack Wells (10 yards) ~ ~ 1 James Glover (35 yards) ~ 2 Threading the Needle Race— Alfred Scott .. .. ~ 1 John Wheadon 2 Boys’ High Jump (under 13) — William Webb ) T . -r, . • Fred. Wells J Tled at 3 ft loin - Boys’ High Jump (under 16) — Norman Wells (4ft. 3,|in.) .. 1 E. Hart (4ft. .. ~ 2 Men’s High Jump— Arthur Wells ] «.. . r. .• John Wells ) lied at 4ft 9 * m ‘ One Mile Handicap— George Glover (80 yards) ~ x John Wells (scratch) .. “ .. 2 THE DANCE. On the evening of dance in the Town Hall, to a fitting close the t jJ a t bad, during the day, been sup^- e g by the Sports Committee. It \ more than justice to say that meats were complete kept up until the early T. H. Scott, C. acted as Ms.C. Dowsing supqlying understand that aspect, the dance Sports Committee, was equal to the proceedings of the earlier part of the day.