NEW PLYMOUTH HARRIERS

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1931, Page 7

NEW PLYMOUTH HARRIERS

ANNUAL RUN TO “MEONSTOKE.”

Excellent conditions favoured the 32 harriers who ran to the property of Mr. C.'H. Weston on Saturday afternoon. The light southerly breeze kept the runners cool and helped them to make good time on the trip but. Shortly after 2 o’clock the first pack set out,* to be fallowed about five .minutes later by the middle pack, who were about five minutes ahead of-the back-markers. When. the latter reached the top of Eliot' Street hill the firs* bunch was just in sight at the far end of the straight, with the other pack’ in between.

The first pack was caught just over Te Henui bridge by the middle-markers, while the others were making excellent progress. After running about one mile further all the packs were together and remained so until Meonstoke was sighted, when the boys became eager to get there first.

The club patron, Mr. C. H. Weston, and Mrs. Weston greeted the runners, who lost no time in “setting to” with the splendid afternoon tea provided so generously by the hosts. During tea the party was amused for a short time by a demonstration of stunting by Mr. Pankhurst, an Aero Club pupil.

Mr. Hutchinson in thanking Mr. and Mrs. Weston for their hospitality said the annual run to Meonstoke was very popular with the club members and appeared to be becoming a great attraction, judging by the number present. He called for cheers, and very hearty cheers they were. Mr. Weston replied. At about 4.30 the boys packed up and set out for home. The course taken was across country to the back*of Mr. Hale’s property and then on to the road and home.

Next Saturday the New Zealand crosscountry championships are to be held at Auckland, and there will be five runners from the New Plymouth club competing. They are Brown, Fox, Kingston, Walsham (who will represent the West Coast Centre) and Alsop (who will run individually). Those who stay home will meet at the Vogeltowu school at 2 p.m.