AXEMEN IN FORM

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1930, Page 12

AXEMEN IN FORM

DECISION OF CHAMPIONSHIPS

J. K. SHEWRY WINS THE TITLE. i i DRAVJTZKLS CHAMPION SAW 7 YERS. CARNIVAL AT MIDHIRST.' By winning the New Zealand championship 12-inch chop at Midhirst yesterday J. E. Shewry, ex-world’s champion axeman, proved to hundreds of spectators that his age has not limited Idm in working through a hardy block of wood. Shewry won as he liked from a field of ten noted axemen which included such well-known choppers as C. Neame, holder of the New Zealand 15inch championship, which he won last week at Waitui, L. Erni, winner of the 12-inch North Island championship at Waitui, S. Neame, W. Bertrand, J. Newstroski, L. Sehrieber. F. Erni, Al. and P. N. Corbett. Shewry’s block fell a clear six seconds before that of S. Neame, who was 11 seconds ahead of P. N. Corbett, the third ’dace-filler. The time taken in the championship was only 24 seconds—-remarkably fast time, especially when it is remembered the big handicap event, the 12-inch Midhirst Axemen’s Cup, chopped in the same timber, took 39 4-ssec. for the first heat, 43 2-osec. for the second, 30 2-sscc. for the third, 37 2-ssec. for the. fourth, and 30sec. for the final. Moreover, Shewry used exactly 20 blows to sever his block while the winner of the handicap final swung his axe 30 times. Shewry’s display was without doubt a remarkably line one and demonstrated that he is just as good a. chopper as ever lie was.

The 15-inch double-handed single cut sawina champions of New Zealand were found at the Alidhirst carnival in Dravitzki Bros., with Bakewell Bros, and Dodunski and son second and third. Dravitzki Bros, well earned the title for earlier in the day they carried off the 15-inch open sawing handicap from 4<sec. start, completing their task five seconds ahead of their nearest competitors. (’The championship event wah over alniost as soon as it started, the time being 11 3-sscc. In addition to the New Zealand championships, the 12-inch Taranaki championship was also chopped. This was also won by J. E. Shewry in 25 3-5 see. —1 3-ssec. longer than the New Zealand championship. Shewry not only won his heat but carried off the championship in workmanlike style. C. Neame and M. Corbett, were hie nearest attendants. WI NN ERS CONG RA T U LA’CE 0.

Speaking of the championships, Mr. T. Kirkwood, vice-president of the Taranaki Centre of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling .Union, who acted as senior steward, extended congratulations to the winners and complimented the Midhirst Club upon its efficient management of the meeting. He explained that Shewry had come back to the chopping, game iif consequence of the present policy adopted by the New Zealand Union’of re-allotting the championships, and stated that neither Shewry nor Dravitzki Bros, could be challenged for their title until next year. Shewry’s performance was described as a wonderful exhibition, and ■ the axeman himself as a marvellous chopper.

Air. Kirkwood said the blocks used were uniformly good, though some choppers had struck fliutlike cores in a few <jf them. Nevertheless that was all in the fortune of the sport, and even the unfortunates would concede that the blocks had proved exceptionally even. “In allotting New Zealand championships to Waitui and Midhirst and a North Island championship to Okoke, the New Zealand Union has shown commendable discrimination, there being no doubt that the officials of these clubs know the art of running chopping events,” Mr. Kirkwood concluded. The championships were decided at the Midhirst axemen’s carnival conducted by the Alidhirst Settlers’ Sports Club in the attractive grounds behind the dairy factory. It was the first venture of ‘its kind by the club, and the officials are to be congratulated upon the success of the meeting. So that there should be a minimum of delay a double row of dummies (12 to a row) had been erected within the chopping enclosure, and events were run on each row alternately. So expeditiously were the events staged that the whole programme was completed shortly after 4 o’clock..

The public patronised the carnival in large numbers, 98 cars being drawn up in the enclosure. Catering, an is usual at Midhirst, was in the capable hands of the Marble. Bar, Strafford, while other booths dotted about the grounds provided facilities for refreshment. Chain stepping, pillow-fighting for youths, nail-driving and weight-guess-ing competitions were in full swing throughout the afternoon. Officials for the day were: Chairman of committees, Mr. J. M. Shelter; handicapper, Mr. A. C. Eichsteadt; timekeepers, Messrs. J. Petrie and L. Lentell; starter, Mr. J. Petrie; referee, Mr. A. C. Eichsteadt; judges, Messrs, G. P. Harkness, J. M. Shotter and J. Edwards; protest committee, Messrs. G. Anderson, p. Anderson and D. Vickers; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J, E. Schumacher. Results are:.— Chopping Events. New Zealand championship chop, 12inch.—J. E. Shewry 1, S. Neame 2. P. N. Corbett 3. Time, 24scc. Taranaki championship chop, 12-inch. —First heat: J. E. Shewry 1, S. Neame 2, P. N. Corbett 3; time, 23 4-ssec, Second heat: M. Corbett 1, C. Neame 2, P. M. Shewry 3; time, 30 3-seec. Final: J. E. Shewry 1, C. Neame 2, M. Corbett 3. Time,- 25 3-ssec. 12-inch Midhirst axemen’s cup handicap. —First heat: L. Erni (13sec) 1, J. E. Shewry (lOaec) 2. J. F. Dodunski (23 sec) 3; time, 39 4-ssec. Second heat: J. Graham (25sec) 1, J, S. Fletcher (17sec) 2, R. W. Larsen (23sec) 3; time, 43 2-sacc. Third heM: S. Neame (18 sec) 1, 0. Holland (22ecc) 2, W. Bertrand (Issec) 3. Time, 36 2-ssec. Fourth heat: P M Shewry (l!)sec) I, A. R,

Shewry (17sec) 2, N. Dodunski (24scc) 3. Time, 37 2-ssec. Final: A. R. Shewry 1, J. Graham 2, J. S- Fletcher 3. Time, 36sec. 12-inch open ..handicap chop. —First heat: J. Graham (25<sec) 1, J. E. Shewry (lOsec) 2, P. N. Conway (23sec) 3; time, 37 l-ssec. Second heat: L, Wooldridge (20sec) 1, R. W. Larsen (23eec) 2, C. Neame (12sec) 3; time, 37sec. Third heat: S. Neame (18see) 1, N. Dodunski (24aec) 2, H. W. Henry (20 sec) 3; time, 32sec. Fourth heat: F. Erni (22sec) 1, J. Slight (20sec) 2, W. L. Larsen (23sec) 3; time, 35sec. Final: J. Graham 1, R. W. Laraen 2, S. Neame and W. L. Larsen equal 3; time, 31 4-5 sec. Sawing Events. New Zealand 15-inch double-handed eawing championship.—Dravitzki Bros. 1, Bakewell Bros. 2. Dodunski and son 3; time, 11 3-ssec. 15-inch double-handed open sawing handicap, two cuts.—Dravitzki Bros. (4sec) 1, Bake well Bros. (3sec) 2; time, 26 l-ssec. Dodunski and son were running well for second place in this event when the saw struck a knot and ran out, taking the edge off several teeth of the saw and spoiling the sawyers’ chances. . Miscellaneous Events. Married men’s race.—W. Herlihv 1. T. Henderson 2, G. Edwards 3. Married ladies’ race.—Mrs. Fletcher 1, Mrs. Neilson 2, Mrs. Leslie 3. Single ladies' race.—Miss S, Seaver L.-Miss- A. Butler 2, Miss B. Forbes 5.