PAHIATUA ATHLETIC SOCIETY.

Pahiatua Star and Eketahuna Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 366, 24 January 1890, Page 2

PAHIATUA ATHLETIC SOCIETY.

JUBILEE &POBTS. President: E. Rauck’e. Vice-President: G. Avery. Marshal: A. Birnie. Secretary and Treasurer : Win. Tosswill. Committee : C. Avery, A. Black, H. W. Briggs. J. Gregory, F. J. Hamilton, V. Mekalick, J. \V. Beaufort, A. Tuckey, H. Sedcole, I’. Simpson, and W. Souness.

The 22nd January, 1890, the fiftieth anniversary of the landing of the first settlers in New Zealand, will long be remembered in Pahiatua as a Jay on which a very large proportion of the population of the district assembled together to witness tlie annual sports of the Pahiatua Athletic Society. For weeks past the weather has been most unfavorable, but although early on Wednesday morning the sky was cloudy and threatening, the sun burst forth in all his glory about 9 o’clock, and the remainder of the day was most beautiful. In accordance with previoue arrangements, a gathering of children took place at the northern boundary of the town at 10 o'clock, fully 300 girls and boys assembling. The Pahiatua Foresters also marched down from the hall to join in the procession, which started at about a quarter to 11 in the following order:—Mr Birnie (marshal) in Highland costume, supported by flag bearers; Pahiatua Band; Foresters ; children ; and general public. We were sorry, however, to see that the latter did not turn out in such numbers as might have been expected ; but nevertheless the procession was a great success, and it formed not the least important event of the day’s proceedings. Great credit is due to those members of the committen who undertook and so succesfully carried out this portion of the programme. It was not a light task, but they must way. The children who took part iu the procession were not forgotten on tho ground, for they were liberally supplied with cake, buns, and biscuits at intervals. We must here offer our congratulahave felt amply rewarded at seeing so many little ones with happy faces joining in the procession. Arrived at the ground the procession broke up, and each one set about enjoying themselves in their own (ions to the Band for the manner in which they played daring the march, and likewise at intervals throughout the day. The members have mode rapid progress during the last few weeks, and really the music was capital. There must have been fully 800 people on the ground, including a sprinkling from Woodvilie, who arrived during the afternoon, which is undoubtedly by far the largest assemblage that has ever taken place in Pahiatua. The greatest good feeling existed throughout the day, and there was Dot a single disturbance to mar the harmony. The Committee exerted themselves to the utmost to make the gathering a success, and we feel sure everyone who attended the sports will join with os in saying they succeeded remarkably well. There wee certainly a little misunderstanding about starting the running events, but even this was not the cauee of complaint amongst the comps-

Mora no far M wo know. The jnd.te were also fortunate in having no appeal, againat their tier aiona ; anti it wat generally admitted that the handicoppera had made tiie beat ol an awkward aitnatinn. inasmuch aa the competitors were principally strangers, with no previoua performances to assist in their correct measure being taken. J. Ellis' case was a very -rood illustration of this. He entered for the handicap events, without any previoua performances, consequently he to'. a verygood stait; hut the manner in which he ran and won the Maiden opened the eyes of the handicappors—they discovered when too late that Ellis was not entitlcxl to a start in any event. However, he has now to Csce a protest, and it behovee the Committee to investigate the matter thoroughly, so that if guilty of misrspresentation Ellis may receive his deserts. Last year the first prize in the Maiden race was won br a man with a record ; it won't do to allow this sort of thing to go on any longer. An example must be made of the next who plays tricks with the Society, let him be os big as a mountain. The idea of roping in the whole of the course was a step in the right direction, as by this means the ground was kept clear, and the stroug ami weak alike could see what was going on. In previous years the rushing of spectators all over the ground to witness events prevented a large number from seeing anything. and dissatisfaction was the result. Mr \V. Bogle, who is a prominent member of the Hawke's Bay Caledonian Society, rendered valuable assistance to the Committee during the day, for which thoy desire us to tender him their heartythanks. We must not forget the energetic secretary, Mr Tosswill; his duties wore very heavy, but he carried them out to perfection.

Mr Crewe appeared to be doing a good business at the Club Hotel booth, where a substantial lunch was provided. Mr Wyeth was also kept pretty busy at the refreshment booth. Mr Clark had the games. The following is the programme : 1. Maiden Flat Hack, 220 yds (for those who have never won an advertised race) —Ist prize, L2 10s, given by Mr Crewe ; 2nd, LI; entrance, 2s Gd. J. Ellis 1 E. Brown ... ... 2 W. Dowsett ... ... 8

J. McCardle, J. A. Ordish, 11. Barker, F. J. Hamilton, and H. H. Miller also started. A very bad start was effected. Ellis getting the lead and keeping it without difficulty to the finish. A protest lias Keen entered against the winner on the ground that he has won an advertised race.

2. Hop, Step, and Jump—lst prize, LI ; 2nd, 10s; entrance, ‘2s. Jeremiah, 40ft lOiu ... 1 J. Cummings, 40ft ... 2 D. Sullivan ... ... 0 3. Boys’ Rack, under 12 yrs—lst prize, 10s, given by G. Avery; 2nd, ss; entrance, (id. G. Morris ... ... 1 H. Avery ... ... 2 A. Biroie ... ... 8 W. Yule, F. Sedcole, 11. Bickerton, P. Scully, G. Dow, and 1). Sedcole also faced the starter. 'llie raco was an exceedingly good one. 4. PAHIATUA HANDICAP. three events, 100, 220, and 440 yds; to be decided by points of 8,2, aud I—lst prize, L 0; 2nd, LG; 3rd, LI ; entrance, ss. J. Ellis, 5 yards ... ... 1 G. A. Gamtnan, sch ... 2 H. E. Williams, sell ... 8 Owing to the large field (10) this event w as run in two heats, with the above result, Ellis again winning easily. The other starters were—J. Peters 2yds, C. W. Lee 4yds, J. Kents oyds, F. J. Hamilton sch, 11. Phillips 7yds, H. B. Worthington sch, T. A. Howell syds, J. Ryan 3yds, K. Brown 7yds, H. Tobiu 2yds, H. H. Miller 2yds, and E. Doubois Byds. J. Orr was entered, but did not run. Points—Ellis 3, Gatmnan 2, Williams 1. 5. Kukniku High Jump—lst prize, LI; 2nd, 10s ; entrance, 2s 6d. E. Hughes, sft ... ... 1 . Jeremiah, 4ft llin ... 2 Tobin ... ... ... 0 0. Boys’ Wrestling, tinder 12 years—--Ist prize, 10s, given by A. Birnte ; 2nd, ss, given by V. Mekalick; entrance, 6d. There wore only three entries—G. Morris, H. Avery," and A. Morris, the first two carrying off the prizes in order. 7. PAHIATUA HANDICAP, second event, 220 yds. Ellis, 10yds ... ... 1 Ryan, 6yds ... ... 2 Peters, 4yds ... ... 8 Points —Ellis 6, Ryan 2, Peters 1. 8. Girls’ Skipping, under 14 years —lst prize, 10s ; 2nd, ss. M. Robinson... ... ... 1 J. Boyden 2 There were a large number of entries for this event. 9. Putting the Stone—lst prize, LI; 2nd, 10s ; entrance, 2s. M. O’Connor, 83ft 9in ... 1 Jeremiah, 80ft 3in ... ... 2 D. Sullivan and T. Syme also competed. O'Connor's first trial was never reached. 10. Boys' Race, under 14 yrs—lst prize, 10s ; 2nd, ss; entrance, Od. W. Yule G. Morris ... ... 2 H. Gardner ... ... 0 11. Handicap Walking Rack, one mile—--Ist prize, L2; 2nd, LI; entrance, Bs. R- V. Hahn, 50yds ... 1 L. Libean, 40yds ... ... 2 T. A. Howell, 100yds ... 0 Ellis and Nicholson entered, but did not start. 12. Boys’ Wrbstlino, under 15 yean Ist prize, 15s, given by A. Birnie; 2nd, 7s Od. given by H. W. Bnggg; entrance, Od. Z. Boyden | M. Avery This brought out eight competitors—T. Glesson. M. Avery, J. Knight, F. Bentlev, W. Mcßetb, G. Yule, Z. Bovden. and j. Bly. Boyden was far too big and heavy for the remainder, and pulled off first prize, Avery being second. The latter gave Zac. a lot of trouble, and succeeded in laying him low ouce, but size and superior strength told eventually. Yule also showed a considerable amount of skiH.

18. PAHIATUA HANDICAP, third event. 440 yde. I’eten. 6yds ... ... 1 Gatuman. sch ... ... 2 Ryan. svds ... ... 6 Points—Ellis 6, Gaminan 4. Peters 4. The two last ran off for 2nd place, Peters winning. A protest has been entered against Ellis in these events, which will be decided by the Committee so soon as 1 the secretary lias obtained the necessary j inf iriuation from other societies. Kyar, with 8 points, stands fourth. 14. Horse Jcmpino, for horses owned in Pahiatua, Ekelahuna, and Woodvilla. which have never won an advertised raco—lst prize, L 3 ; 2nd, LI and pair of silver spurs given by Mr llodges; 3rd. pair of sours, given by Mr Knight, saddler, Woodville; entrance. Si. Adams' Pat, 4ft Oin . . 1 Haksu's Tulaekara ... 2 McKenuy’s Dick ... ... 8 Buckle's Prince Arthur, Turkey's Old Poll, Hall’s Te Whiti, Devonshire's Spot, and Knight's Charlie also tried conclusions. This was one of the most interesting events of the day. 16. On* Milk Handicap Flat Rack—--Ist prize. L 5, and cup giveu by Messrs Moller and Jenssen ; 2nd, LI 10s ; 3rd, 10s; entrance, se. B. Keats, sch ... ... 1 G. Tuck, sch ... ... 2 D. Sullivan, 50yds ... 8 J. McCardle sch. J. Keats 40vds. Cumming 40yds, Ordish 50yds, and Howell 100yds aiso started. Keats won easily. 10. Standing High Jump—lst prize, LI; 2nd, 10s; entrance, 2s. E. Hughes, 4ft 4in ... 1 Cummings ... ... 2 Tobin aud Jeremiah also jumped. 17. Wrestling (Scotch and Cumberland styles)—lst prize, 1,2; 2nd, LI; entrnuce, 3s. Both prizes giveu by W. Stewart. H. Phillips ... ... 1 A. Bayne ... ... 2 There was very little excitemont over this event. The entries were —11. Phillips, A. Bain, O'Connor, and A. Petersen. 18. Sack Race. 50 yds—lst prize. LI; 2nd, 10», given by C. Avery; entrance. 2s. A. Naylor ... ... 1 A. Bayne ... ... 2 Three others started, but they were satisfied to lie in a heap. 19. Vaulting with Pole—lst prize, LI 10s ; 2nd, 10s ; entrance, 2s. Jeremiah and E. Hughes tied at Bft 10 jin and divided. Tobin ulso jumped. 20. Handicap Hurdle Rack, 440 yards, over oight hurdles—let prize, L2 10s ; 2nd, LI, given by A. Black ; 3rd, 10s, given by 11. Sedcole; entrance, 3s. H. E. Williams ... ... 1 J. Ryan ... ... ... 2 Tobin, Sullivan, and Hamilton also ran. All tho runners started ut scratch. 21. Tuo of War, seven men in each team—Prize, LI It ; entrance, 7s each team. During this contest there was an immense deal of excitement, so much ao that it was difficult to say who captained the teams. However, after a very hard struggle, Pahiatua was beaten by the world. Quiot Match.—This was an extra. First prize i'l. given by Mr Motley; second 10s, given by Mr Simpson. H. Hayes ... ... ... 1 F. Farley ... ... ... 2 A number of children's races were got off during the day. In one of tliese Mrs Armitage offered a parasol for competition by girls under 14, which was won by Annie Kopke. Pending the settlement of the protest entered against Ellis, the Committee cannot decide which competitor is entitled to the prize for most points during the day (field glass presented by Neal and Close.) The prize for best dressed competitor (cabinet, given by same firm) will be awarded when the Committee meet, which will most likely be to-morrow evening. The amount taken at the gate was £22 10s, compared with £2l 12s last year. Of course the takings would have been far larger this year had the school children not been admitted free. There will be a substantial balance to credit after all liabilities are paid. THE BALL At the Public Ilall in the evening was only a continuation of the success of the day. there being fully 00 couple present. It was admitted on all hands to be one of the best attended and most enjovable dances over held hero. The music was supplied by Messrs G. Avery and Mills, and the refreshments by Mrs Stewart. Mr Wyeth officiated as M.C. Dancing was kept up until 3.80 a.m.