RAILWAY PICNIC.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12018, 23 March 1920, Page 8

RAILWAY PICNIC.

AT WILLIS’ BEND. On Snndav last a large and merry throng gathered at Willis’ Bend, the occasion being the Marton Railwaymen’s Annual Picnic, and favoured with ideal weather a very pleasant programme of athletic .events and * games was got ofE in a businesslike manner by their energetic committee. An outstanding feature was .the manner in which the children were catered for. As soon as one race was over the handicappers were busy getting the next batch of young athletes ready. The handicappers of the open events had their handicaps worked out to a line art, and many close finishes were witnessed, especially in the Loco Handicap, in which O Horgan and A Purcell, the two limit men, who looked as it they were trained to the minute, fought out a great fiinsh, only inches separating them Great interest was taken in the Railway Championship 100 yards. Before the start it was loudly whispered that the race was as good as won, as one member hac been registering record times on the track, and it certainly looked all over when the contestants faced the starter. Sad to relate the best of good things get beaten and it is now said there is a new set of running gear going cheap. The champion turned up in J Mullins, who disposed of the opposition very easily. The judgment of the handicappers was shown in the results—Mr G Horgan was first in the 100 Yards, Mrs Horgan first in the Married Ladies’ Race, and Mr A Purcell and Mrs Purcell were second in each. Tbs children were particularly well catered for, showers of apples and lollies all day long and suitable pre-' ■aenfca for all. Results: — Loco Handicap, ICO Yards- G Horgan 1. A Purcoli 2 Cooks and Waiters’ Handicap, 75 yards: Blackley 1, R Findlay 2 Single Ladies’ Race: Rita Ensom 1, May Shurstrom 2 Sack Race, 75 yards: J Campbell 1, W Murrbw 2 Visitors’ Race, 100 yards: L Holthain 1, G Blair 2 /Married Ladies’ Race, 50 yards: Mrs Horgan 1, Mrs Purcell 2, Mrs Iceberg- 2, Mr M Hehir’s Come Again 8 Hunters’ Consolation—Mr M Hehir’s Come Again 1, Mr W Scott’s Coker’s Chestnut 2 Thread the Needle—Master Roy Scott 1, H Reeve 2 Apple Bobbing—H- Wialker I, Roy Scott 2

Chain Stepping—F Boswell 1, J Began 3 , , Sheep Go easing—J Doughty and J Beay equal Gent’s nail driving—!' 1 O Raikes 1, It Alger 3 , Married ladies’ rape—Mrs M Hehir Ladies’.hail driving—Mrs Alberry and Mies Mollatt Single ladies’ race—Miss Print Returned soldiers’ race—P O’- 1 (Cfrady 1