RECORD ENTRIES RECEIVED

Southland Times, Issue 23407, 14 January 1938, Page 5

RECORD ENTRIES RECEIVED

REVIVED CALEDONIAN GAMES STRONG COMPETITION FOR TOMORROW The Invercargill Caledonian Games tomorrow will be one of the biggest athletic sports fixtures ever held in Southland, and in importance its only rival will be the annual meeting of the Tuatapere Axemen’s Athletic Society on New Year’s Day. A record total of 659 entries has been received, and among the competitors will be champions in every branch of athletics. Apart from the interest attaching to the varied athletic competition, there will be enough colour and spectacle in the games to provide an afternoon’s entertainment in itself.

A parade of past and present athletes and a display of model aeroplane flying will be features of a programme which includes 50 events. In spite of the size of the programme, officials of the Invercargill Caledonian Society expect that it will be despatched between noon and 5 o’clock. Their anticipation is based on the complete arrangements they have made both for the lay-out of the ground and for the running of the different events. Always a feature of Southland sports meetings, the bushcraft section at the games tomorrow will provide one of the best displays of the art of the axeman and sawyer ever given in the province. Among the competitors are men who can hold their own with the best in New Zealand, and record entries have been received for every event.

Equally interesting will be the professional and amateur running events. For the professional runners the meeting will be the last big event of the season and no thoughts of the handicapper will intrude to make them wary of giving of their best. The result should be strong competition and keen finishes in all races from the 75 yards to the mile. For amateur runners the meeting will give a useful trial before the Southland track and field championships next month, and the fields for the different events include all the aspirants for championship honours. Both the professional and amateur cycling events will be followed with interest. There are two professional events on the card and in these some well-performed riders will be seen. The fields for both races are big and the finishes should be strenuously fought. The competition will be no less keen in the amateur events, in which the pick of Southland amateur cyclists will be seen in action.

The piping and dancing sections are very strong and here again the public should see performances of a very high standard. Generous prize-money and handsome trophies have been offered for all events. ’