SCHOOL SPORTS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 2767, 5 April 1927, Page 4

SCHOOL SPORTS

CAMBRIDGE SCHOLARS' AT PLAY. ■'SUCCESSFUL AND ENJOYABLE FUNCTION. The Cambridge District High Bchool annual sports held on Victoria Square on Saturday last proved a most success- ~ ful function, the Cambridge • scholars, fully 500 strong, together with a number of visiting children - from the outlying schools, having a whole day of joyous play. Owing to the length and generous, nature of the programme - cf events the sports were commenced at 10 o'clock. Despite this early hour there was a good sprinkling of parents present, but during the afternoon par- . tints and the general public were present in strong force, there being fully 1000 in attendance during the early portion of the afternoon. Right royally the children entered in the various events, and the manner in. which they took their wins and defeats did them credit. The programme was a verv ambitious one of no less than 70 events/ It was of such a comprehensive nature that scholars from 5 years up to 14 and over were /fully catered for. While the fixture was primarily a Cambridge school sports, provision, was also made on the programme for special visitors', events, which werQ liQtiifity supported. Then again the adults wore not forgotten, married and single men’s and ladies’ races -being included. For the time being parents wore content to cast aside dull caTC and ’ give themselves to encouraging the children on to further endeavours in their various events, when some of the parents themselves were not truing to set them an example.

A school sports Would not be complete without some provision for refreshments, and in this direction the

committee in charge were not found

wanting. The touchers and assistants in charge of the ice-cream and sweets stalls had a particularly busy time coping With the wants, of the children. Assisted by the chairman (Mr A. N. Macky) and members of the school committee, the headmaster (Mr H. D. Prichard) /and his staff are to be heartily congratulated on the entire success of the’ fixture.' Despite the record gramme of events, only about three minutes being allowed between each j rhee throughout the day, everything went; along without a hitch. With a noticeable keenness that was good to see the children were in prompt attendance for their various events, which were got off to the schedule. There was no lack of competition, only one or two of the events having to be struck off the programme. . The behaviour of the children throughout the day was exemplary, especiallv in connection with the starting, of events, a feature which reflects much credit on the hcadmasei* and his assisants.

Good fields were the ordor of the day and. at tlie conclusion of each event the placed competitors marched off with, beaming faces to a table nearby where they received their prizes. To , save much trouble and some possible disappointment the children received smaiF cashj prizes, a goodly portion of which immediately,, found its way around to the •;ice-cream and sweets stall. It was also a happy thought to give each primer competitor a penny, win or lose.

To the;, children no one event was more important than the other. Suffice, it to say that the efforts, of the scholars as a whole- were worthy of comjuendation. mention might be . made of the one mile handicap foot race in which all the competitors did well, especially a Jittl'e lad named H. Carter, who finished third, and received special prize! from admirers. The cycle, hurdle, and relay races were , very popular, the enthusiasm of the l children as they urged on the teams

presentative of classes being a delight to witness. v .'

During the afternoon the local Municipal Band rendered several items which wero appreciated.

Shortly before five o’clock the big programme was brought to a close and tired but happy troups of childrenwended their way homewards, all voting the school's first annual sports a great success, which undoubtedly it proved. Great credit is due the headmaster and his assistant's in connection with the general arrangements, the children as a wholo being admirably catered for in every possible way. ‘ <4 It must be gratifying to the teachefs that the, fixture was a-financial' success. After providing for prizes, about £2O, rand other-expenses, there wiil be a bal-, nnee of about £S, which will be added to the school’s sports fund.