BUSHCRAFT EVENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21195, 23 September 1930, Page 2

BUSHCRAFT EVENTS

TESTS AT TOKANUI. SOME EXCITING CONTESTS. Tho Coronation Hall at Tokanui was filled to overflowing last Thursday evening when the Tokanui Caledonian Society staged a number of bushcraft events as “tests” preparatory to the selection of a Southland team of axemen and sawyers to compete at the big carnival in Tasmania. Great excitement prevailed throughout the evening and some wonderful performances took place, notable of which was the record of Fraser Bros., in the 18in. double-hand tests against Blanks and Newman, when their saw flashed through the 18in. kamahi log in 14sec. dead, and Geoff Blanks in his match against W. Bone in the same logs single-hand in 39sec, 2sec inside his New Zealand record established at the big exhibition carnival four years ago. Bone reversed the verdict in the 174 in. underhand chopping test with Blanks. Both axemen showed improved form since the winter function, Bone winning by 24sec in the good time of 1 minute 7 2-ssccs. The profit from the evening amounted to close on £2O. Mr W. Anderson, president, and Mr W. Shirley, secretary, had matters well organized, and the other officials were: Timekeeper, Mr W. Young (Invercargill); judges, Messrs W. Anderson and W. Young; starter and announcer, Mr A. E. Cocker. The following were the results: — 14IN. LOGS, UNDERHAND.—W. Tillard v. R. Scott.—Won by Tillard in 64sec. 11. McDowall v. H. Fraser. —A great tussle. Both wooded badly. Fraser gained the verdict by three blows. Time, lmin 22 l-ssec. Newman v. R. Fraser. —The former has a fine stroke and cuts very clean. He won in 66sec. Fraser did not finish. 174 UNDERHAND LOGS—W. Bone v. G.| Blanks. Bone started chopping like a champion from the start and soon estab,' lished a commanding lead. He turned 15sed before Blanks. In the back scarf the latte 1 increased the speed of his strokes and hinting blow for blow with his opponent socn began to decrease his big lead. Bone tirjd slightly at the finish. Bone won and male the excellent time of lmin. 17 2-ssec. SINGLE-HAND SAWING, 18IN LOGS— G. Blanks v. W. Botie. Won by Blanks in the record time of 30sec. H. Fraser v.iR. Kyles—Won by Kyles in 54sec. i DOUBLE-HAND SAWING, 18IN. LCDS —Fraser Bros. v. Manson and Thoma:— Won by Fraser Bros.; time, 15sec. Blinks and Newman v. R. Scott and C. Boie.— Won by the former; time, 16sec. Faser Bros. v. Blanks and Newman. —Fraser Bros, sawed a wonderful race, flashing thpugh their log in 14sec. amidst great excitement. TESTS AT EDENDALE. The amended schedule of bushcrat tests for Edendale on Wednesday is as foliws:— 4ft. Girth Underhand Logs—Joh( Pont v. W. Bone; J. G. Hunter v. Geoff. blanks. 3ft. 6in. Girth (underhand)—C. Jone v. W. Ackers; J. G. Hunter v. W. Tillird; H. Fraser v. Newman. ( Single-hand Sawing, 18in. Logrf-Geoff. Blanks v. R. Fraser; W. Bone v. R ; Kyles; A. Fraser v. H. Fraser. Double Hand Sawing, 18in Lop—Manson and Thomas v. Blanks aid Pont; Fraser Bros. v. Hunter and Br>*wn; R. Kyles and R. Fraser v. C. Bond and R. Scott. | i