STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1924, Page 7

STRATFORD NEWS.

ATHLETIC SPORTS MEETING. A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. (From Our Own Reporter.) Stratford, Jan. 31. There was fine weather and a large attendance for the first annual sports ■ meeting of the Stratford Athletic Club, 1 which was held in Victoria Park to-day. j lire grounds and appointments were in | first-class order. ; Victoria Park is an ideal place for ; such a gathering. The cycling track was | all that could be desired, and competi- ■ tors expressed appreciation of the i smooth surface and easy corners. It is significant that in one race seventeen cyclists rode in a bunch for several laps , and not one fell. The splendid finishes in nearly every event reflected credit I upon the handicapper. The judges gave • every satisfaction. During the afternoon the Stratford Citizens’ Band provided I enjoyable music. j The officials for the day were: Judges, i running and cycling. Messrs. R. Masters, I M.P.. and J. W. McMillan, assistants I Messrs. H. Good ahd B. Saunders; Highland dancing, Mr. J. T. Wade; marshal, Mr. T. Kirkwood; call steward, Mr. TAylward; marksman, Mr. A. S. Peters; starter, ,Mr. W. R. Foley; handicapper, Mr. A. Hansen; result steward, Mr. R. Wood; referee, Mr. T. Kirkwood; protest committee, Messrs. D. J. Malone, L. T. Aylward and C. A. Gray; stipendiary stewards, running Mr. A. S. Peters, cycling Mr. L. Wann: hon. secretaries, Messrs. R. Tyrer and A. Barr. Details of the events are: RUNNING. Sheffield Handicap, 120 Yards.—First heat: D. Foster (syds) 1, C. Burrows (9yds) 2, R. Patfinson (10yds) 3. Time, 12 2-ssec. Second heat: A. Amnion (13yds) 1. B. Wilson (syds) 2, J. Coyne (9yds) 3. Time, 12 l-ssec. Third heat: L. G. Wood (10yds) 1, E. H. Meuli (13 yds) 2, C. Coulton (9yds) 3. Time, 12sec. Fourth heat: L. Hoffmann (13yds) 1, D. N. Anderson (7yds) 2, J. Mansen (11yds) 3. Time, 12sec. Fifth heat: R. A. Philpotts (9yds) 1. L. R. Hodgson (10yds) 2, J. W. O’Byrne (Syds) 3. Time. 12 2-ssec. Semi-final—First heat : Meuli 1, Ammon 2, Hodgson 3. Time, 12sec. Second heat: Hoffmann 1, Philpotts 2, Anderson 3. Time, 12sec. Final: Philpotts 1, Meuli' 2, Anderson 3. Hoffmann won by a couple of yards, with the second and third inches apart, but owing to his failure to send in his previous full performances he was disqualified and the race given to Philpotts, Time. II l-ssec. Primary Schoolboys’ Handicap, 100 Yards.— J. Wright I. B. Carter 2, F. Young 3. Nine started. Won easily. Time, 12 3-ssec. Girls’ 75 Yards Race.—Alice Hale 1, Florrie Martin 2, Pattie Walsh 3. 220 Yards Handicap.—First heat: D. N. Anderson (16yds) 1, J. Mancer (24yds) 2, R. Pattlnson (20yds) 3. Time, 22 2-ssec. Second heat: R. A. Philpotts (20yds) 1, D. Foster (12yds) 2, L. Hoffmann (24yds) 3. Time, 22 2-ssec. Final : Anderson 1, Philpotts 2, Foster 3. A very close finish. Time. 21 3-ssec. 50 Yards Girls’ Race.—Louie Walter 1, Freda Olliver 2, B. Walter 3. 50 Yards Boys’ Race.—T. Huston 1. B. Carter 2, T. Lawson 3. 440 Ya.rds Handicap.—D. M. Anderson (25yds) 1, J. Coyne (38yds) 2. R. A. Philpotts (40yds) 3. A fine finish after a gruelling race, with the rest of the field bunched just behind the winners. Time, 51 sec. 880 Yards Handicap.—L. Hoffmann (55yds) 1, R. Pattlnson (50yds) 2, L. H. Page J»!syds) 3. Hoffmann came fast at the finish and succeeded In stalling off challenges from Pattlnson and Page. Won by half a yard. Time, 2min. ssec. * One Mile Handicap.—W. Chapman (50yds) 1. R. Pattinson (70yds) 2. M. Bilski (100yds) 3. Won by four yards, less than a yard between second and third. Time, 4m!n. 49see. A great deal of amusement was caused by the half mile walk for boys, which was won by B. Wiggins, with H. Croft second and L. Faulkner third. Sack Race. -Malone 1, Olliver 2. High Jump.—Foley (sft. l, Maxwell (sft. Tin.) 2. Boyd (sft. lin.) 3. Relay Race (first man 440 yards, second 220 yards, third and fourth 110 yards).—Eltliam 1, Inglewood 2, Stratford 3. Hop, Step and .Tump.—l. Walters (40ft. 2in.) 1, A. Carey (40ft.) 2, F. Foley (35ft. 71n.) 3. CYCLING. Half-mile Handicap.—First heat: G. Cavaney (50yds) ], D. George (25yds) 2, I. S. Grant (45yds) 3. Time, Imin. 15 3-ssec. Second heat: C. D. Pennlall (30yds) 1. W. J. Sharroek (25yds) 2, G. Simon (50yds) 3. Time, Imin. 15 2-ssec. Third heat: H. Were (45yds) 1, W. H. Bublitz (;50yds) 2, R. L. Lovell (30yds) 3. Time, Imin. 15 2-'sec. Final: Cavaney 1. Penniall 2. Ixirell 3. Won by a length. Time, Imin. 13 4-ssec. One Mile Boys’ Handicap.—W. Crofts 1, W. Bublitz 2, K. Penberthy 3. Won by 50 yards. Time, 2min. 19 2-ssec. One Mile Handicap.—First heat: H. Were (!40y<is) 1, D. George (55yds) 2, O. J. Platt (75yds) 3. Three fell. Time. 2m!n. 34sec. Second heat: C. D. Pennlall (110yds) 1, G. Cavaney (130yds) 2. J. Allen (80yds) 3. Time, 2min. 29 2-ssec. Final : Pennlal 1, George 2, Cavaney 3. Time, 2niln. 32 2-ssec. Two Miles Handicap.—W. J. Sharroek (90 yds) 1, W. S. Sharroek (210yds) 2, C. D. Pennlall (200yds) 3. There were eighteen starters and the field was bunched most of the time. The finish was most exciting, several riders passing the post almost in line. Time, smin. 29see. Three miles Handicap.—J. Allen (275yds) 1, C. D. Pennlall (290yds) 2, A. L. Lovell (275 yds) 3. A great race, all being close up at the finish. Time, Bmin. 13sec. 9 HIGHLAND DANCING. Highland Fling, under 16.—D. Gower 1, F. Ferguson 2, A. Walker 3. Over 16: J. Morran I. A. Walker 2, D. Gower 3. Seam Triubhias.—Under 16: D. GoWer 1, A. Walker 2, D. Walker 3. Over’l6: J. Morran ! J, D. Gower 2, A. Walker 3. Miss J. Morran gave an exhibition of dancing. STRATFORD’S PARK. A VALUABLE ASSET. OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY. During the sports this afternoon opportunity was taken to perform the official opening ceremony of Victoria £ark, which has recently been remodelled and improved. There was a large gathering of spectators, including visitors from neighbouring towns. , On a raised daie near the southern terrace were assembled Sir Walter and Lady Carncross (Eltham), Mr. and Mrs. R. Masters, M.P., the Mayor and Mayoress of Stratford (Mr. and Mrs. J. W. McMillan), the Mayor of Inglewood (Mr. J. Sutherland), the Mayor of Waitara (Mr. R. Morgan), Messrs. G. N. Curtis, P. Thomson and P. Skoglund. Apologies were read from Messrs. A. Humphries and J. McLeod (representing the Taranaki Rugby Union), L. A. Nolan, 0. Hawken, M.’P., G. Sangster and G. E. ♦lago. The Mayor explained that the function was not actually to open the park, as that had been done many years ago. The ceremony that day was to mark the transformation of the park, and he thanked fallow burgoMfiri for tho

progressive step which had led to the undertaking. They had had sufficient confidence in the future of Stratford to sanction the loan of £5OOO for park improvements. At that time a. good deal of unemployment existed m Stratford, and the work was put in hand mainly to provide work for these men. The money was raised by debentures. In the placing of which the Rugby Union had performed an invaluable service by taking up the first £5OO. He was pleased to say that the balance of the loan had been raised locally, and this meant that the interest would be paid back into the town. In a growing centre like Stratford this meant a great deal, for the town had no endowments nor other revenue-producing investments, which so materially assisted the finances of larger towns. The only endowments in Stratford were owned by the Railway Department, but as it was proposed to move the station further up the line, there was just a chance of securing some valuable reserves for the citizens of Stratford.

The -people of to-day, continued Mr. McMillan, could not take all the credit, for the foundation of the park had been laid oyer thirty years ago, when the splendid belt of trees round the boundaries was planted. For this thanks were due to the old Domain Board, of which Mr. Geo. Curtis was then chairman. If all sports bodies would combine with the board the park could be made a very pleasant spot indeed, and improvements could bp effected from time to time. They would thus not only be helping themselves, but the park and the town as well. The Domain Board was doing a great work, and noire regretted spending so much money to provide such a splendid asset within such easy reach of the main thoroughfare. In conclusion, he impressed upon those present that the park was their own. and it was their duty to suppress any wilful destruction. He thanked the townspeople for their confidence, and declared the park open.

Sir Walter Carncross said he unofficially represented Eltham. and he joined with the Mayor in extending sincere congratulations to StratfoFd upon possessing such a fine park, which should he kept carefully as a breathing space and a playground for children. Eltham did not envy Stratford, but it congratulated its citizens. “As I walked in the gates this after-’ noon I was particularly struck by the appearance of the park, and could not fail to note the splendid work done by the Borough Council and the Domain Board.” said Mr. R. Masters. M.P. Continuing, he said he looked upon Victoria Park as one of the' many forward steps that Stratford was making. He had undoubted faith in the progress of the town and district, for there was genuine advancement going on -all the time. Stratford was the geographical centre of a wealthy province of 65,000 people, and was surrounded by many riqjng towns. Consequently al! roads led to Stratford, and he looked forward to the time when \ L would dominate all the other provincial towns. He algo congratulated the citizens, saying they should take credit In their park, for it would prove a great asset for many years to come. On behalf of the Sports Club, the Mayor thanked all present for their support at the athletic meeting, which he hoped would he the forerunner of many other gatherings.