Greytown Amalgamated Societies' Sports.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1809, 19 March 1886, Page 2

Greytown Amalgamated Societies' Sports.

These sports were held on St Patrick's Day (Wednesday) in the new recreation reserve. The weather, although rather threatening in the early part of the day, continued fine, and jnst the thing for the occasion. At about 2 p.m. it was estimated that there mnst have been nearly 700 persons on the ground. The races were all well contested, and nearly all the competitors, who had entered ior the several events were present. The local Friendly Societies (Oddfellows and Foresters) mustered at the Foresters’ Halt, and beaded by the Private Brass Band, formed into procession, and proceeded through the Main Street to the recreation ground. Mr Hammerioh, of the Greytown Hotel, conducted the publican’s booth on the gronnd, and did a fair trade. Mr A, Origg, one of the local confectioners, conducted the luncheon booth, and provided an excellent lunch which gaye every satisfaction, everything being well cooked and of good quality, the booth itself being very convenient for the accommodation of a goodly nnmber. Mr W. Smith, of Featherston, did a good trade in fruit. The Band, under the leadership of Mr M. Varnham during tbs day played some good selections on the ground, and the music was much enjoyed by the company present, who with one accord, acknowledged that the performers had attained a high state of efficiency, which reflects much honour and credit, both upon themselves and their energetic bandmaster. Fobmal Opening or the Bkcbxation Rbsbbvb.

At 2.30 Mr Buchanan, M.H.R., introduced by Mr W. 0. Cuff, formally declared the reserve open to the public in a neat and appropriate speech, of which the following is the substance.—

Ladies and Gentlemen—The Chairman of the Reserve Committee baa told me he does not expect a long speech from me, and that relieves me of a certain duty. Allow me to congratulate the Town Land Trnst in their having now in the possession of the town such an excellent recreation ground. I would also like to congratulate the Reserve Committee upon the good results through the energetic way in which they have gone to work. Greytown is the oldest town in the Wairarapa, and has always been to the fore in manly sports for some) years back, taking the palm in football, cricket, Ac. ; sports, which are always a pride and delight to the youth of every privileged and enlightened country. He (Mr Buchanan) was satisfied that the large gathering that day was an earnest of the success of the future. It was a great 'pleasure to him to find the Friendly Societies taking such an active part that day in the opening proceedings. The Friendly Societies throughout the world were ever distributing benefits to mankind, and much good was being done by them on every band. On one dav they were inaugurating sports, the next relieving their distressed fellow creatures. He wished to express his regret that the Railway Department had done their best to mar that meeting by running the trains at such unsuitable hours, but notwithstanding that circumstance he was pleased to see such a large concourse of spectators. He then formally declared the tireytown Recreation Reserve open for the purpose for which it had been set apart.

Pexsentation. Another pleasing ceremony followed, being the presentation of a marble time piece to P.P.G.M. Brother D. P. Loasby, by Bro Isaac Clark, Grand Master of the Wellington Provincial District, 1.0.0.F..M.U. The following address accompanied the time piece:— “ To Past Provincial Grand Master D. P. Loasby.—Dear Sir and Brother: In accordance with a resolution passed at our last annual district meeting it was resolved that a testimonial should be presented to yon as a slight recognition of tbe value of your services which you have rendered to the Wellington District as Grand Master during the past year. The committee appointed for the purpose of carrying that resolution into effect have purchased an article which they deemed would be useful as well as commemorative. " The zeal and earnestness with which you have discharged the duties of Grand Master during the past year have earned for yon tbe esteem and approbation of the Officers and Brethren of every Lodge in tbe district. The visits yon have made to the several Lodges in tbe District have been rendered doubly valuable by the instructive and exhaustive addresses which you have been kind enough to deliver to tbe members oa the occasion of your visits to them, and the suggestions in some instances which jou have deemed advisable to make, will, ao doubt, be fully appreciated by the respective Lodges, On behalf of the District I have taken this opportunity of begging yoni acceptance of this timepiece in aoknowledgenent of your valuable services during tbs past year, and earnestly wish both yourself and Mrs Loasby long life and continued happiness. Believe me, yours in tha good old bonds of friendship, love and truth, Isaac Clabk, Grand Master Wellington District.”

Brother Loasby replied in very suitable terms, expressing the pride and gratification he felt at the compliment paid him by the Brethren of the District Grand Lodge. He would bo glad if the general public appreciated more than they did the benefits conferred by Friendly Societies, and instead of having only 27 Lodges in the Wellington District, he would like to see a tar larger number.

Sports. The following is the programme of the day’s sports:— Maiden Race, 220 yards. There were 14 entries, aod in order that the field shonld not be crowded it was decided that the whole number should run in two lots, the two first in each lot to run off afterwards. In the first lot Hawkins came in first, Roberts 2. The second lot, 0 (Jdy 1, W Barratt 2. Those lour then ran off with the following result ; Clem Udy 1, Hawkins 2. J Humphries, E Udy, R Sewell, J Ryan, D Cross, Jas. Jackson, W Wilton, H J Tidswell and Branniean ran. Won easily by Clem Udy. Two Mile Walking.—H. Hodge (scr) 1, F.

Collier (scr) 2, Bambary (35) 3. A. Udy (195), maintained tbe lead for the first mile, when he waa passed by Bambary. This distance was done in 8 minutes. At tbe fifth lap Collier went to the front, Hodge second, and Bambary third. This order was maintained antil the seventh lap, when Hodge pnt on a splendid spurt and showed first, holding this position mi to the winning post, and winning the race by abont a yard ahead of Collier. Bambnry's walking waa much admired. Time 14 min 50 secs.

Hurdle Handicap. 220 yards.—Olem Udy (9 yards) 1, 0. Smith (10) 2, J. Boydhouse (8) 3 Udy led all tbe way, winning easily. Seven others ran.

Sack race, 120 'yards. -Won by K Bayne easily out of a field of four. J Hodge 9, Jack, son 3.

Friendly Societies’ Handicap, of 440 yards—Hawkins (20) 1 ; J Humphries (14) 2 ; Amos (25) 3. J Terry, J Beard, 0 Jensen mid A Wilton also ran. Amos led until turning into the straight, when Humphries and Hawkins came on with a rush and a splendid finish ensued. Time, 50$ secs. Obstacle Race. This race caused an immense amount of amusement to tbe spectators. S Harris 1, K Bayne 2, Karatiana 3. 0 Smith, W Smith and 0 Humphries also ran. Harris led the race throughout and name in an easy winner.

Hall Mile Race—W Smith (19 yds) 1 i H Hodge (15 yds) 2 ; Wynn Williams (7 yds) 3 Time, 3min 9 3-sths secs. H Jones. J Tidswell, W Waterson, and K Bayne also ran.

Three Legged Hurdle Race—G and J Jackson 1, Harris and Dewe 2. Maori Race, 440 yards—Kxratiana 1, Manihera 9, Ropoho 3. Four] started. Raoe well contested..

One Mile Handicap—Jensen (120) 1, W Smith (95) 9. F Collier (85) 9. Fourteen

starred. Bayne, who started from ecratob, made a powerful effort to catch the leadorr, but the handicapping was against him. Jensen won by about two yard*. Tima, 4mia 40sec.

The 100 Yards Handicap was won by K Fairbrotber, who started at scratch. 19 started. This was an exceedingly interesting race, and was won by Fairbrotber ia grand style.

Fireman’s Race, 440 yards ; first prize £2, second £l.—This race was run by member* of the Fire Brigade. G. Humphries, 10 yards, 1; J. Roydhouss, 10 yards, 2. Three entries. J. Humphries, scratch, last. A good race ; the competitors having to put on their coats while running. St Patrick's Handicap, 120 yards ; first beat: R. Sewell (10 yards) 1, W. Braunigan (10 yards) 2, W. Williams (scratch) 8. J. Tidswell. J. Terry, W. Peters, W. Smith, S. and J. Harris, O. Smith also ran. Sewell won this heat easily. Second, 220 yards: Saywell (16 yards) 1, O. Smith (20 yards) 2, W. Smith (6 yards) 3. J. and 8. Harris, Williams. Peters, and Brannigan also ran. Sewell led from start to finish.

Hurdle Race, 440 yards. Clem Udy 1, K Bayne 2, Karatiana 3 ; won easily. Consolation Race, 200 yard*. There were ten started ior this race, and after a good spin it was won by Edwin Udy (12 yds), 0 Smith 2, and J Ryan 3. Moriarty’s Race (men) 220 yards ; first prize, pair of boots made to measure ; second prize, 10s; third prize, ss, to be awarded to the last man past the winning post, not more than 14 minutes to do the distance, any runner taking longer to be disqualified. John Humphries 1, F Hawkins 2. John Harris who was last, third prize. O Smith also ran.

Boy’s Races—Under twelve years, 440 yards—L Bt George 1, E Raison 2, H Beard 8. Thirteen ran. Under eight years. 220 yards—Merson 1, Hams 2. About thirty boys ran. Boy* nnder fourteen years, ter pair boots, a gift of Mr Moriarty, to be made to measure—W Smith 1, Goodin 2. Thirteen started. Another little boys race was won by Maguire, Reel 2, MoGninness 8. Sewell was the winner of the St Handicap with ten points; W. Smith second with eight points, and 0. Smith third with five points. The handicapping gave every satisfao tion, and the large nnmber of athletes from all parts of Wellington who were present left quite satisfied, whether as victors or vanquished, that they had been fairly dealt with ; also expressing their intention to return upon the next occasion and use their best endeavours to induce other competitors to do so. There was some grumbling respecting the long intervals between the events.

A dance at the Foresters' Hall finished up the day's amusements, te very large company assembled, and the room was overcrowded. Messrs Lundqvist and Vamham supplied the music.