KAIAPOI SPORTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 196, 29 December 1868, Page 2

KAIAPOI SPORTS.

These annual events came off yesterday in the Kaik.'iinui paddock, and were attended with their usual measure of success, the committee expen ling the rather scanty f uuda at their disposal to the best advantage, and (jiving general satisfaction in all their arrangements. The attendance was large, though rather less than in former years, owiiiir to the sports not taking place on Boxing Day. Most of the stores closed at noon. The weather was all that could be desired, though at times when the breeze lulled rather too warm. A noticeable improvement on former programmes was the introduction of* larger number of children's races, bell hunts, &c. The children, as usual, were treated to a gratuitous supply of cake ami milk kindly given by Messrs Powrie and Skinner. Another innovation was the substitution of a steeplechase in lieu of a hurdle race. This, in addition to a large saving of trouble in pitching hurdles, was much more exciting and amusing, and was capitally contested. The mile race for men was also a wry smart affair. Bet wen the events dancing was indulged in io the strains of the Kaixpoi drums and fifes. In this, young and old of both sexes derived considerable enjoyment. The course, about 500 yards in circumference, was marked out with flags of gay colours. These, with others round the dancing ring, contributed not a little to enhance the gaiety of the scene. Refreshments were provided by Mr Harris of the Knikunui Hotel, and Mr Wilson, confectioner, in booths on the ground, and it is creditable to all concerned to be able to say that not a single disorderly person was visible on the ground. Shortly after one the bell was rung for the first events, — a succession of girls' races. The following were the results: — Fourteen years and under— Annie Powriu, 1; Miy Moody, 2. Kit- yen years and under — In this race a large number started, and a dead heat for first place was the result; this was run off at once, and the winners were, Eliza Monk, 1; Jane Wyatt, 2. Eight years and. under — Harriet Juck«on, l ; Annie Burridge, 2. lhe first men's race on the bill, distance 200 yards, attracted four competitors, — Jeffs, Pentecosr, Cook, and Burnett. Cook got away with a lead which he maintained for 150 yards, when Pentecost collared him, talcing first place, and Jeffs second; in this order they passed the post. After a dance, races for boys were run.— 15 years and under ; thirty started : Charles Moody, I; George Latto, 2. Private prize given by the starters to boys picked from the race as being too large to compete. J. Brown, I ; John Moody, 2. Twelve years and under; twenty ran: T. Keetley, 1; A. Jtgoe 2. Nine years and under; thirty-five r-tn : D. Latto, I ; 11. Moffat, 2. Private race (prizes givin by W. H. Walton). Seven years and under: J. ("rook, 1; Obed Giles, 2. The next men's contest, a 500 yards Flat Race, now took place, the competitors being Mellor, Jeff*, Hartley, and Pentecost. Hartley went off in fine style, with a considerable lead, and apparent ability to maintain it. Having the misfortune to step into a hole &:u\ hurt bis ankle, he was obliged t» give in after running a short distance. Mellnr led till the last 100 yards, when Jeffs pa-si-d him, after which he fell, Peuteco9t tumbling over him. The latter picked himself up smartly, and secured second place. A Private Hace for Girls was then run. Annie J-tckson, though first, was diaqual fied, as being a previous winner. The prizes were therefore given to Charlotte Beswick, 1; Mary Ann Crook, 2. A Private Race for Boys was also run, four prizes beincr given— J. Todd, 1 ; C. Crooke, 2 ; W. Cox, 3 ; Frank Clark, 4. The next noteworthy event was the Steeplechase. The course was fixed from the starting-point to a pole, to reach whiuh three gorse hedges had to lie crossed, and buck again, making six leaps. Two prizes. Pentecost, 1 ; Jeffs, 2 ; Mofitt, 3 ; Burnett, 4. This was a well-contested race ; Pentecost, taking his fences flying, distanced his competitors, who scrambled over. Jeffs ran a good second. Two Three-legged Races for Boys next, took place. The first was won by JfpSrev' and Moody; the second by Perrinajj^^jgjjj This description of race a l w aYj*causes s »me fun A Three-legged IW"f or Men> 200 yards, was won by Maeftg^n and Mellor. - A Mile liajeeforjggn attracted five entries — Pentecost, C. E. Dudley, W. Burnip, Burnett, and Jeffs. Burnip led for the first time round, «nd then gave in, not being up to a mile. Dudley, who had been running second, then took first place, which he maint lined till within 50 yards of home, closely waited on by Jeffs, who at that time spurted, and pa-sing him, came in first. He was disqualified by the rules from receiving first prize, having won one before ; Dudley therefore, got first prize; JeTs,,s«cond. The Men's Kuoning High Leap was won

by Moderate, 1 ; Dudley, 2. For Boys— Qeo. Spillard, 1 ; Perrin, 2. These, with some Bell Hants for children, brought the programme to a close. In the evenine, t'^e ball-room at the Kaikainui was well filled, and dancing kept up with spirit till an early hour this morning.