VARIED PROGRAMME

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1934, Page 7

VARIED PROGRAMME

WAIKAWAU SETTLERS’ SPORTS. SHEEP TRIALS PROMINENT. A scenic drive that has Only to be known to become very popular among motorists is the road running up the coast from Awakino to Waikawau and beyond. Ultimately it will provide an all the’ year route to Kawhia, which can be reached by motors during the summer months, but at present the metal only extends’ for 18 miles beyond Awakino. It, however, passes through glorious scenery, the winding toad passing for miles through an avenue of native bush in its pristine glory. After New Year’s Day, however, the road and district should be much better known. For years past the settlersj who have been somewhat isolated, have held a district picnic at the beach each New Year’s Day. With metalled access now available the settlers have decided to enlarge the scope of their district picnic and convert it into a sports meeting and dog trial.

held recently and arrangements have been completed that should ensure an enjoyable day for all. The site chosen for the gathering is centrally situated, being about 10 miles from the beach. The sports will be held in a paddock alongside the hall, while the dog trials will be held on the property of Mr. C. Hilgendorf, formerly owned by Mr. H. Kelly, just opposite the hall. A strong committee will run a varied programme of sports. The school committee will see that the children have a good day, whilst the hall committee will attend to the luncheon and the social and dance at night. Sheep farming being the principal industry of the district, naturally the sheep dog trials will play a prominent part in the programme, and the trials have been arranged to attract young competitors, who should gain experience. The principal officers are Messrs. F. King, president; D. Kelly, vice-president; C. Moore, secretary; T. J. Reilly, judge. The programme includes one head, pull and yard event and a huntaway, both being open to competitors who have not won more than two first prizes in open events. A course has been set that will provide a good test, particularly in the huntaway. A departure has been made from the orthodox in that the programme provides that instead of the customary three sheep, not less than five sheep will be used, and it is proposed to use either eight or ten sheep. That, it is considered, will bring the work of the trials more under natural conditions and will even up the position for the shepherd who earns his living by handling sheep. Already ten trophies have been given, all to be won outright, including a cup for the points prize, local and novice prizes, as well as a trophy given by the young competitors for the oldest local competitor, the local boundaries being the old Waikawau football boundaries.

The settlers are setting themselves out to make the gathering a memorable one, and are arranging to cater for visitors who intend staying over for the dance.