STAR FOOTBALL CLUB'S SPORTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 91, 14 April 1903, Page 2

STAR FOOTBALL CLUB'S SPORTS.

OFB'ICEBS. Condwotob op Sports: B. Dockrill Esq., Committee: A. Humphries, W. Humph-1 lies, V. Giorgo, K, George, F. Hammond, F. Belliinger, T. Oallaghan, J. Kiliot, and L. Allau, Referee: F. Bellringer. Judges: W. T, Jennings, M.H.8., K. ii. F. Oarrington, 0. Olarke, D. O'Brien. Timekeeper: J. H. Parker. Handicappor: H. V. Kivell. Starter: K. Humphries. Secretaries: J. Elliott and K. Ueorge. LThfoetunatMiY, for all concerned, thd wea'.her broke goon after midnight on Sundiy, and by the time the sports 'commenced a good deal of rain had failor, completely sowing the running track, nuking it very heavy. Light, tut continuous rain fell all day, which, not sufficient to justify the committee in abandoning the sports, was sufficient t® make it very unpleasant for everybody, Notwithstanding this, theattendanee was very fair, particularly on the part of the country. There is very little donbt but Lad the day been fine and the townspeople turned out in proportion, that the Olub would have had a record gate. The train which reached town at ll.fi cm. had, it is estimated, over 800 psople on board, many of whom intended going to the sports, but were deterred by the rain fiom doing ro. In spite of this drawback the sports were a success, the fields being large and the running good, some exceptionally close finishes beiDg made, and, considering the heavy state of the track, the times were good. Although the committee had made very complete arrangements, and everything worked smoothly, the arrangements were exceedingly primitive, and not worthy of a metropo'itau meeting. The ticketsellers at the main entrance had to sit out in the rain all day, two j chairs and a table constituting the; ticket-box, The secretary also only had a very small tent, about five feet square, and the committee had a slightly larger : on», and, needLss to s=iy, bo?h proved i extremely unsuitable, and no time) should be lo't in replacing them wi'h \ a suitable and substantial building. If, | as we are informed, it is true th*t tha j Recreation Eeserve Board take 25 per cant, of the gate money, they should prjvide the necessary accommodation, as many of the committees of country meetings have far and away better accommodation. The whole of the cjiamittee and officers, by fchnir enargy, 6*c -, »»nd ability, minimised these drawoacks, and deserve the greatest credit for the minner in which the meeting l was carried out, the secretaries in par■icular (Mr John Elliott and Mr K<n. George) did yoemen servic?, •asisted by Mr Oallander, and were mo it courteous and attentive to the numerous calls upsn them and the amount of work they got through under the circumstances was simply surprising. The refreshment booth, run by Mrs Dockrill, Mw E. M. Smi'h, aod a number of other ladies, assisted by a number of fair waitresses, was well looked after and plenifu'ly supplied, and did a oipital business, and, as the provisions were all 'given by the lady friends of the Olub, should materially assist the finances. Of the various &vents it would not be fair under the circum stances to particularise as men are ntver at their best in wet woither; Hill all the competitors w«ra in good ft rm. Indeed there was hardly amm oa the ground who did not jus'ify his entry and most of tl.e CJtnpe'itors were in the pink of condition and showed evidence of cireful and systematic training. The handicapper is also entiled to a word of prjiue for themy he brought Lis men together which is the more gritifyii'g iu view of the adversa criticism to which he has ktely been subjected to. The starter on the vbo'e go" his fields away in a very satufjctory manner, at time* tho patience of the competitors was some what tried but it was genera'ly the fault of one or two who persistently •iruks eff their mark. The judges had very little trouble, although the finishes w?re in nearly every event pretty close. The programme itself was capable of some improvement and should be a rifl* mora varied to make it interesting from a spectators point of view. A few step and sword dances, wrestling and wood-chopping migkt be introduced with advantage on another occasion. Indeed considering the large Scotch element which there is amongst the country population a few Caledonian items would, we feel sure, be very popuhr. The following are the results :

Maiden Rice, 150 yards: J. Dixon 1, H. B. Elder 2, R. Ulimie 3. Time, 17 4-saeo. Sheffield Handicap, 120 yards: First heat: W. A. Wocder, Byds, 1; E. Brewer, 10yds, 2 ; H. Hurcomb, Byds, 3. Second heat: J B. 9yds, 1; W, D. MoPikp, 9yds, 2 ; J. H. Barry, 10yds, 3, Third heat: E. Gilmour, 9yds, 1; 0. Williams, 7yds, 2; Wilson, .'2yds,3(. Final: K Brewer 1, J. B. Scott 2, E. Gilmour 3. Time, 12sec. Boys' Race, 120 yards: V. O. T«it 1, S. McMillan 2, T. Tuke 3. Tim", 15secs. One Mile Bicycle Handicap, first heat: A. McPhail, scr., 1; A. George, 70yds, 2; O, A. Lambert, 110 yds, 3, Second heat: W. Scott, 40yd*, 1 ; W, E. Dymond, 90yds, 2. Arnold wa* the only other starter and he fell, Final : W, I£, Dj'mond 1, A. McPhail 2, A. George 3. Time, 2min 52sec. Half Mile Handicap: A. N. Morey, 35yds, 1; S. Barnes, 15yds, 2; D. English, 45yds, 3. 220 Yards Handicap, first heat: E. Biewer, 2yds, 1 ; O. Williams, 12ydH, 2;' W. 0. McPike, 15yds, 3. Second heat: K. Webster, 19yds 1; W. Pycroft, 20yds, 2; W. A. Woofer, 14yds, 3. Final: E. Brewer, 20yds, 1 ; W. O. McPiko, 15yds, 2, K. Webster, 19yds, 3. Time 2min 2 l-sth sec. Footballers Rice, 440 yds: W.Pycroft, 1; H. Oameron, 2, W, Everis?, 3. Time 65pec. Publicans' Handicap, one mile: A. Whiting, 75yds, 1 ; W. Wilson, 55yda, 2, 0. Hutfcon, 10yds, 3. Time 4min 37 2-sth sec. 120 Yards Hurdles: W. D. McPike, owe 7yds 1; J. Purdie, Iyds, 2 ; A. Walker, 6yds, S. Time 19sect>. Two Mile Bicycle Haudicp : A. McPhail, scr,, 1 ; W. Scott, 90yds, 2 ; W. •Tones, 300 yds, 3. Ten Btaited. Tim >, 7min 52sccs. ! 440 Yards Handicap: S Barnes, 22yds, 1 ; W. Everess, 30?ds, 2; K. Webster, 30yds, 3. Thirteen started. Obstscle Race: Purdie 2, Ohorg 2, Climie 3. Five Btar'ed. Ported Handicap: Cameron 1, Williams 2, Ca'hro 3. Nine started. Three protests were entered durii g the day, against Brown and Scott in !the Sheffield Handicap, and against Whiting in the Mile Handicap, t'te ground of protest being for not putting in all their performances, The Obstacle Race protest was withdrawn, and the other protests hsvo been held over pending inform'ion from the handioappor. The takings at the gate totalled £56,