MEMORABLE SPORTS AT WAOTU

Putaruru Press, Volume XXVII, Issue 1373, 27 April 1950, Page 4

MEMORABLE SPORTS AT WAOTU

HIGH STANDARD OF COMPETITORS Julian' Smashes Chop Record A full and interesting programme, competitors of championship status, and a record attendance combined to make the sixth annual sports arranged by Waotu Sports Club an occasion to remember. Even the weather clerk bowed to popular demand and sandwiched a perfect day of blue sky and soft breezes between two extremely wet ones. Thanks to the excellent organisation no hitches occurred and a continuous fund of varied entertainment was provided in the pleasant setting of Mr G. Whale’s paddock for the spectators who arrived throughout the morning on foot, by car, or rocking school bus from nearby Putaruru. Record Beaten The number of entries for the chopping and sawing events was 40 per cent, greater than for last year’s meeting, as high as at Otorohanga and almost up to the figure for Putaruru’s two day carnival. J. Julian, the IJew Zealand champion, furnished the highlight by chopping a 12in pukatea block in 16 3-5 seconds, thus unofficially smashing the record of 17 3-5 seconds put up at Otorohanga in 1941 by Tori Jones. Julian, whose performances were a sheer joy to behold and whose agility belied his bulk, took only five strokes to chop halfway through the block. With a handicap of 13 seconds he finished a close second to C. Luxford. Unfortunately, no permanent record of winning times was made but the handicapper, Mr M. Pratt, of Otorohanga, assured a Press reporter that they were equal to the best at any meeting. Veterans watched enraptured the technique of such exponents as Julian, Rhodes and Honey, and the recorded plea of Phil Harris, “Woodman, Spare That Tree,” which sounded through the amplifier, went unheeded. Results Broadcast Within a few moments of the close of each main event the result was broadcast, for the first time in the history of the meetings, by station IYZ Rotorua.

The energy of the choppers was equalled by that of the colourful young dancers springing and bouncing on a raised wooden platform, to the stirring skirl of the pipes. There were over 40 contestants and the judge, Mr D. Bothwell, of Waihi, stated that the general standard of performance was good. This charming and popular attraction was organised by Mr A. Richardson. Their due quota of attention was received by the hack and hunter events, some excellent horsemanship being witnessed, while the keenly contested school athletic events resulted in the Waotu Challenge Shield being retained by last year’s victors, Tokoroa school. Pleasant diversions were provided by the side shows and local ladies rendered yeoman service at the refreshment counter. Congratulations

In a short speech the Mayor of Putaruru, Mr H. L. Martin, congratulated the organisers and referred to the hard work and effort entailed in presenting such a fine and interesting programme. The Mayor’s remarks were endorsed by Mr A. Lawrence, president of the Northern Athletic Union, who said he had been very impressed, on approaching the paddock by car, with the spectacle presented by the gathering, and tendered congratulations on the high standard of the competitors. The thanks of the competitors to the organisers were expressed by Mr J. Julian; declared he had not seen such wonderful timber anywhere else in New Zealand, he complimented the club on the standard of the blocks. Mention must be made of the industrious secretary, Mr J. S. Downs, his assistant, Mr C. Bruntlett, and Mr G. Jones, at the microphone, whose humorous comments grew more facetious as the day lengthened, and added considerably to the entertainment. Members of Putaruru St. John Ambulance Brigade and Nursing Division were in attendance but, happily, their services were not required. A well attended dance in Waotu Hall in the evening, when music was provided by a visiting orchestra, and Mr Aus Fudney was the M.C., rounded off a delightful day. The sports club have good reason indeed to be proud of the growth of an event which five short years ago was a mere picnic meeting. The prize list was as follows: Chopping and Sawing Events

12 inch standing chop, open handicap, E. Worth Challenge Cup: C. Luxford (Rotorua) 1, J. Julian 2, C. Agnew 3.

14 inch standing chop, J. Richards Challenge Cup: P. Silva (Rotorua) 1, C. Hirst 2, W. P. Reid 3. 14 inch underhand chop, D.H.C. Challenge Cup: R. H. Honey (Putaruru) 1, J. Julian 2, W. Rhodes 3. Local chop: C. Cherry 1, M. Reynard 2, J. Richards 3. Second class 12in standing chop: McWilliams 1, E. G. Wellard 2, A. E. Bates 3. Double hand saw, three 14 inch cuts: D. Bakelich and W. Rhodes i, C. Hirst and A. E. Bates 2, W. J. Pittams and O. Belk 3. Single . saw, one 14 inch cut: W. Pittams 1, J. Julian 2, N. Taylor 3. Two men chop: W. Pittams and P. Silva 1. Veterans’ chop (over 50 years): M. Reynard 1, M. Williams 2. Hack and Hunter Events Open hunter, Challenge Cup presented by Mrs G. and Miss G. Whale: K. O’Sullivan (Okoroire) 1, W. Sanders 2, M. Wright 3. Maiden hack: M. Baugh 1, G. Knight 2, B. Warrender 3. Lady’s hack: J. Elliot 1, H. O'Sullivan 2, M. Baugh 3. Lightweight hack: J. Elliot 1, A. Schaare 2, M. Baugh 3. Heavyweight hack: K. O’Sullivan 1, W. Sanders 2, B. Warrender 3. Maiden hunter: T. Scott 1, G. Knight 2. Maiden jump: T. Scott 1, G. Knight 2. Lightweight hunter: K. O’Sullivan. 1, J. Elliot 2, H. Sanders 3. Heavyweight hunter: G. Whale 1, K. O’Sullivan 2, M. Wright 3. Lady’s hunter: J. Elliot 1, G. Dennison 2, K. O’Sullivan 3. Wire jump: T. Scott 1, W. Sanders 2, J. Elliot 3. Lady rider over hurdles: G. Whale 1, G. Dennison 2, K. O’Sullivan 3. Gentleman rider over hurdles: W. Sanders 1, J. Elliot 2, G. Wright 3. Riding, boys and girls over fences: K. 1, G. Dennison 2. Juvenile Horse Events School pony, carry one: E. O’Halloran 1, L. Dodson 2, M. O’Sullivan 3. School pony, carry two: J. Wood 1, M. O’Halloran 2, E. O’Halloran 3. Best walking pony: J. Wood 1, M. Wright M. O’Sullivan 3Best pony: M. O’Sullivan 1, E. O’Halloran 2, M. Wright 3. Girl and boy rider over hurdles: P. Hetherington 1, M. Wright 2, M. O’Halloran 3. Maiden pony hunter: M. Wright 1, M. Hodgson 2, T. Scott 3. Open pony hunter: E. O’Halloran 1, P. Hetherington 2, B. Finlay 3. Consolation pony hunter: E. O’Halloran 1, M. Wright 2, W. Barker 3. Schooßi’ Athletic Championship Waotu Challenge Shield:, Tokoroa 1, Okoroire 2, Waotu 3. Cycling Ten miles cycle race: Malcolmn Brown 1, Roy Finch 2. National Dancing Points Cup for local dancers: Elaine Bregman (Waotu). Rolfe Cup for most points in ihe under 14 open classes: Loretta Larkin (Rotorua).

Under 9 years.—Highland Fling: Carol Campbell (Auckland) 1, Frances Hall (Tokoroa) 2, Neila Taylor (Rotorua) 3. Irish Jig: Carol Campbell 1, Frances Hall 2, Barry Gillett (Rotorua) 3. Under 10 years.—Sword dance: Carol Campbell 1, Pam Dunlop (Tokoroa) 2, Jean Ivey (Auckland) 3. Hornpipe: Carol Campbell 1, Coral Gillett (Rotorua) 2, Wendy Taylor (Rotorua) 3.

Under 12 years.—Highland Fling: Yvonne , Anderson (Hamilton) 1, Beryl Hoffman (Rotorua) 2, Jean Ivey 3. Sean Triubhais: Carol Campbell 1, Colleen McQuimlan (Rotorua) 2, Frances Hall 3. Irish Jig: Yvonne Anderson 1, Carol Campbell 2, Yvonne Coulter (Rotorua) 3. Hornpipe: Carol Campbell 1, Frances Hall 2, Coral Gillett 3. Under 14 years.—Highland Fling: Loretta Larkin 1, Elaine Bregman 2, Carol Campbell 3. Sword dance; Loretta Larkin 1, Carol Campbell 2, Noleen Riley (Tokoroa) 3. Irish Jig: Loretta Larkin 1, Carol Campbell 2, Elaine Bregman 3. Hornpipe: Loretta Larkin 1, Yvonne Anderson 2, Carol Campbell 3. Open.—Highland Fling: Loretta Larkin 1, Elaine Bregman 2, Mary Syme (Tirau) 3. Irish Jig: Loretta Larkin 1, Elaine Bregman 2, Yvonne Anderson 3. Novice Fling (under B)Neila Taylor 1, Margaret Doherty (Tokoroa) 2, Deane Serlon (Mangakino) 3, Four-years-old Gale Northover received a special prize from the judge for her performance of the Highland Fling.