MOTUPIKO SPORTS

Colonist, Volume XLI, Issue 9097, 15 February 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

MOTUPIKO SPORTS

Officers : — Patrons, Major Franklyn, H. F. Jones, W. H. Phillips, Dr Pearless, F. H. Smith; President, Geo. Macmahon; Vice-Presidents, T. A. Bromell, G. H. Kidson, J. L. Rolett, J. J. Corlett, R. Ellis, F.L.Holland, P. H. Bromell, S. Moffatt; Judges, H. Mead, R. H. Coleman, W. Coleman; Handicappers, W. Thomson, R. H. Coleman, D. Thomas ; Timekeeper, L. Kerr; Bellman, C. Frater; Treasurer, H. Evans; Secretary, A. E. Coleman; Committee, W. Mead, W. Coleman, F. Mead, F. Coleman.

This annual fixture was held in Mr Wm. Thomson'spaddock, near tbe bridge, Feb lst, and proved a most successful affair, both as regards attendance of spectators and arge fields and good sport. A noteworthy, and, to the "Valley" people, a very gratifying feature, was the presence of a considerable number of townspeople, who were able by means of the train running as far as Norris' Gaily to get so far away from home andTeturn in the one day. The scene upon arrival of the train at

Spooner's Range tunnel was a pretty lively one. There were in waiting for passsenger j freights a variety of vehicles, wagonettes, j spring carts, drays, sulkys, and last and greatest, two large covered goods wagons, with three horses abreast each. After a short and sharp scramble for porit^, nil were under way for the sports ground, a journey that took from half an hour to an hour and a half to traverse, according to the vehicle chosen for conveyance. The sports Committee held back the programme as far as I possible awaiting the arrival of the visitors, j but after that things were pushed along, and all events were completed before the last of the train passengers left. The officials all worked well in the discharge of their duties, and our thanks are due for attention bestowed upon our representative. The following are the results : — Maiden Race, 220 yards ; prizes 15s and ss; J. May 1, C. Ffater 3. Ten started, and a very good race ensued, the town representative winning after a good struggle. Boys' Race under 14 ; prizes 5s and 2s : T. Wilkinson 1, T. Mead 2. Motupiko Handicap (Points Race) of four distances. First prize £3 15s and Silver Cup, presented by Messrs Brown & Kerr, value £2 2s ; second prize, £1 15s ; third, 10s. First event, 100 yards : F. L. Holland, 4 yds, 1 ; L. Baigent, 6 yds, 2 ; P. Arnold, -scratch, 3. There were eight starters for this event, and the result was a close finish, the Judge having difficulty in separating the second and third men, who were at the winner's heels. The time (unofficial for this event) was 11 l-sth sees. Second Event, 200 yards : F. L. Holland, 5 yds, 1 ; L. Baigent, 9 yds, 2 ; J. May, 9 yds, 3. Eight started, and a splendid race took place. Holland, however, was too superior, and, keeping the inside running, won his way to the front, and held the lead, winning by a yard. Green was fourth. Time 22 2-sth sees. Third Event, 300 yards: F.L.Holland, 3 yds, 1 ; L. Baigent, 11 yds, 2 ; P. Arnold, scratch, 3. Six started. Holland again proved his superiority, and won somewhat i comfortably. This settled the Points aggregate in Holland's favor, and consequently the interest in the fourth event was diminished, and it was a very hollow affair. Fourth Event, 400yds : P. Arnold, syds, J 1 ; L. Baigent, 14yds 2. Only four started ] and Holland and Harwood after a sprint , between themselves gave up and the others ' came in at any pace. The total points were : Holland 15 points, Baigent 12 points, Arnold 9 points. Throwing the Cricket Ball; prizes, 7s Cd ; and 2s Cd: G. Hunter, 90yds Oin, 1; H. 1 Biggs, 80yds, 2. Seven competitors. Hurdle Race, 440yds ' prizes 20s and 10s. E. Harwood, Cyds, 1 ; O. Green, scr, 2 ; G. Hunter, sor, 3. Time lmin Bsecs. Four started and the placed men only finished Harwood winning easily. A protest by Green that Harwood jumped at the side of some hurdles was disallowed. Sack Race, 220yds, prizes, 7s 6d and 2s Cd : G Wearing, *Byds, 1 ; C Hargreaves, scr, 2. This event caused a good deal of fun, the two placed men being too good for the others. Hop, Step, and Jump, prizes 7s 6d and 2s 6d : L F Holland, 40ft 7in, 1 : W Mead, 39ft, 2. Half Mile Race, first prize £2, 2nd £1 : A Haines, Byds 1, E Harwood, scr 2, H Gay 5 syds 3. Nine of the ten on the card started and there was a fine contest. The winner who hails from Takaka, and was very successful at Riwaka, ran very strongly and early in thc third lap took the lead and was never headed, though the finish was close a fine struggle taking place for second place. Time, 2mins 16secs. Girls' Race, for all under 18 years of age, 220 yaads. First prize, China teapot ; 2nd, hand mirror, presented by Mr Rumbold: M Wilkinson, syds, 1 : E Mead, syds, 2. Nine started, and this race caused almost as much interest as any on the programme. There was a very close finish between four of the girls. Hurdle Race, 220 yards, prizes 20s and 10s : O Green, scr, 1 ; P Arnold, 4yds, 2. Green won fairly easily, gaining a good deal in his jumps. W. Mead, 10yds, also jumped well, but fell at the last hurdle, allowing Arnold to easily take second place. Time, 33 sees. Old Men's Raoe, 100yds ; prizes, first lib tobacco, seoond GBD pipe : A. Arnold, 4yds, 1 ; E. Thomason, sor, 2. Time, 11 3-536C8. Won easily, the "old men"' plaoed running very fleetly. Three-legged Race, 220yds; prizes, 15s and 58: F. and A. Mead, 10yd?, 1 ; Green and May, scr, 2. There was a large field, t:o many for oomfort, and it would have been better had the raoe been deoided in beats, as there was a little jostling. Running Bigh Jump; prizes, 10s and ss: E. Harwood, sft, 1; F. L. Hol.and, 4ft llin, 2. Five entered. Holland afterwards pat up the bar to s:t lin, snd cloared it. Mile Raoe; first priza £3 15s, second £1 ss: A. Haines, syds, 1; E. Brook, 10yds, 2 ; E. Harwood, soratch, 3. Time, Sarins 2 l-seecs. This wbb a splendid raoe, seven of tbe nine entrants faoing the starter. Haines went to the front in the fourth round, challenging F. Mead, whom he ran oat, aod then kept the lead till the last tap, when Brook close 1 np and ohased Haines home, being beaten by a yard only. Harwood, wbo ran a good race, was the only other to finish. Sack Race, 220 yards ; prizes 10s and ss : G. Wearing 1, C. Hargreaves 2. Egg and Spoon Race, 220 yards ; prizes, 7s Cd and 2s 6d : P. Arnold 1, C. Frater 2. Potato Race. First prize, entrance money and pair of spurs given by Mr Dickson ; second prize, hat given by Armstrong & Co. : E. Harwood 1, P. Arnold 2. Boys' Race, 220 yards, fo? boomerang gun, given by Messrs Wilkins A Field : L. Harford won from a large field. Consolation Race, 220 yards ; prizes, 10s j and ss : L. Baigent, scratch, and Fred Mead, 6 yards, dead heat. Four started, and there was a big tussle between the two named.