AXEMEN THRILL CROWD

Southland Times, Issue 24054, 19 February 1940, Page 6

AXEMEN THRILL CROWD

Exciting Bushcraft Events RUNNERS AND CYCLISTS ON SLOW TRACK (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 18. It was the unanimous opinion of the 3000 spectators who assembled to see the second and concluding day of the New Zealand Athletic, Cycling and Axemen’s Union’s centennial championship meeting at the Basin Reserve on Saturday afternoon that better entertainment has not been placed before the Wellington public for many a long day. Though the leading cyclists and runners of the Dominion provided many exciting contests it was the spectacular work of the champion axemen which thrilled the crowd. It was something new for city dwellers to see expert bushmen swinging their axes with power and precision and causing huge chips to fly off the poplar logs in standing and underhand chops. The crowd several times was worked up to the highest pitch of excitement as the contests proceeded and often three blocks would fall off the stands almost simultaneously. Frequent applause, often prolonged, showed how the crowd was enjoying the spectacular displays. , SAWING THRILLS Little less thrilling were the sawing competitions in which the brawny competitors literally made the saws hum through the logs. How expert New Zealand axemen are was proved by the displays given by A. Curtain (Waipawa) and A. E. ’Olliver of jigger chopping and by C. T. Organ (Wanganui) and J. D. Goodin (Pahiatua) of jigger sawing. In these demonstrations the men had to cut 15ft high poplar trees. To reach the block at the top they had to cut niches in the trunks of the trees in which _to insert the jigger board. Climbing upon this board they then had to work their way by the same process until they reached the top when they made the chips and sawdust fly. These demonstrations were followed by prolonged applause and cheering from the crowd. The cyclists and runners were handicapped by a slow track and a fairly stiff northerly wind. Christchurch riders took most of the prize money in the cycling events, J. H. Newlove being in fine form. W. Pratney, a Maori rider from Manurewa, however, stole a march upon the South Islanders in the mile championship. Finding an opening halfway through the last lap he darted through to win comfortably. Newlove and D. A. Morland (Sumner) in trying to get through the same gap as Pratney had slipped through collided and fell. TRACK EVENTS In the running events the mile championship was won by W. Preston (Paihia) off 50 yards, who covered the distance in 4min 25 l-ssec. The halfmile championship was won by D. E. Flanagan (Christchurch) in the good time of 2min 1 2-ssec, and the 220 yards championship by L. A. Bench (Christchurch) from H. W. Milne (Gore). After the championships had been decided the Mayor of Wellington (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) presented sashes to the winners who were heartily cheered by the crowd. Results:— CHOPPING AND SAWING Australasian Championships 18-INCH UNDERHAND CHOP.—D. Hoey (Auckland) 1, Whata Green (Johnsonville) 2, T. M. Jackson (West Coast) 3. Time, 1.12. 24-INCH DOUBLE-HANDED SAWING (two cuts).—M. Lockyer (Mangaweka) and W. Wright 1, C . T. Organ (Wanganui) and H. R. Standen (Wanganui) 2, M. Jensen (Matau) and R. M. Bartie (Taranaki) 3. Time, 1.25 1-5. CYCLING ONE MILE N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIP.— First heat: K. E. Johnston (Christchurch) 1, L. Sutherland (Christchurch) 2, J. H. Newlove (Christchurch) 3, N. L. Moffatt 4. 2 48. Second heat: W. Pratney (Manurewa) 1, R. Sutherland (Christchurch) 2, D. A. Morland (Sumner) 3, L. Sanders (Wellington) 4. Time, 2 34 Final.—Pratney 1, L. Sutherland 2, Moffatt 3. Time, 2.38. FIVE MILES POINTS SCRATCH RACE.—D. A. Morland (Sumner) 24 points, 1; J. H. Newlove (Christchurch), 20 points, 2; W. Pratney (Manurewa), 7/points, 3. TRACK EVENTS N.Z. 880 YARDS CHAMPIONSHIP.— D. E. Flanagan (Christchurch) 1, W. Preston (Paihia) 2, J. L. Bowman (Putaruru) 3. Won by 15 yards. Time, 2.1 2-5. N.Z. 220 YARDS CHAMPIONSHIP — L. A. Bench (Christchurch), 1, H. W. Milne (Gore) 2, E. W. Collins (Christchurch) 3. Time, 0.23 2-5.