SPORTS CARNIVAL

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 80, 13 March 1931, Page 2

SPORTS CARNIVAL

STRATFORD A. AND P. ASSOCIATION A POPULAR GATHERING The result of the sports carnival yesterday must be deemed satisfactory by the executive of the Stratford A. and P. Association, especially from the point of view that the gathering proved to be popular with the public. The attendance was large, numbering in the peak close on 1,500. The gate takings were £BO, and taking into consideration the number of women and children who were present, the total artenoance would not be far short of the estimate. Further, the variety of the programme was very pleasing, and the officials worked splendidly in adhering to the time-table. In this connection they made up time after a little delay in starting, and at The finish were close up to schedule. Such efficiency among the various heads of sections is seldom met with in sports management and the executive and their supporters and workers are to be congratulated on the success achieved. The trotting events, which were not run when the Stratford “Post” had to close down to go to press, were most popular with the crowd, and as the track was only a quarter Inile in length, the competitors were under the close observation of the spectators, which contributed to the interest in the several races. Invariably the winners were cheered as they passed the post, the local or district horses coming in for the greater share of applause, Trotters, in particular in the racing world, run in all shapes, condition, and sizes, and yesterday’s collection was no exception; in some cases style and action of both horse and rider were the cause of much amusement. The Highland dancing was ani other very interesting section, and the competitors were watched keenly in their steps. Mrs. P. Wilmhurst, of New Plymouth, carried out her intricate duties with every satisfaction to the competitors. Pipers I. J. Campbell (Hawera) and N. Watt (Stratford) played the pipes for the dances. , In a corner of the ground near the cattle pens, the Stratford Gun Club held a programme of shoots, and the sport was the subject of keen attention by many of the public, who had not previously seen an exhibition of claybird shooting. A report of the shoots appears in another column. Additional results of the events were as follow: — Chopping ,

12-inch A. and P.—L. Wooldridge (20sec), 1; C. Volzke (16sec), 2; M. Corbett (16sec), 3. Time, 43 2-ssec. National Dancing Highland Fling.—Doreen Nairn, 1; Margaret Lawrence, 2; Phyllis Lee, 3. Sean Truibhas. —Doreen Nairn, 1: Margaret Lawrence, 2; Jean MeAsey, 3. Sword Dance. —Margaret Lawrence, I 1; Doreen Nairn, 2; Jean McAsey, 3. Irish Jig.—Jean McAsey, 1; Doreen Nairn, 2T Margaret Lawrence, 3. Hornpipe.—Phyllis Lee, 1; , Margaret Lawrence, 2; Eileen Peebles, 3. Highland Fling (under 12). —Phyllis Lee, 1; Jean McAsey, 3; Eileen Peebles, 3. Trotting One Milo -(milk carters). —R. J. Laird’s (Midhirst) Cervine, 1; A. Davidson’s (Ngaere) Sox, 2; T. Perry’s (Mangatoki) Lady Down, 3. Time, 3£min. One Mile Maiden. —T. Perry’s (Mangatoki) Lady Down, 1; W. Aird’s ((Stratford) Barney, 2; A. Hobson’s (Inglewood) Gypsy Marsh, 3. Time, Smin. One and a-half Mile Open Handicap.—W. Aird’s (Stratford) Barney, 1; E. G. Hasler’s (Kiore) Black Thorpe, 2; L, Bunn’s (Puniwhakau) Real Todd, 3. Time, 4min IGsec. One Mile Consolation (for horses that had not taken a first place).— L. Bunn’s (Puniwhakau) Real Todd, 1; E. G. Hasler’s (Kiore) Black Thorpe, 2; T. Perry’s (Mangatoki) Wee Bess, 3. Time, 2min 48sec. The date of entries for the Midhirst. sports has been extended till to-morrow. The evening’s proceedings were rather tame for the public, as no entries were receivd for tlie wrestling-on-borseback and tug-of-war events. The side-shows were in full swing and good business was done. The fancy dress dance in the luncheon hall was well attended and excellent music was provided by Davidson’s Orchestra.