Friendly Societies’ Sports.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2044, 18 March 1887, Page 2

Friendly Societies’ Sports.

Jiui".;.', ri. Uiigh and J. Mngnire ; Starter, J. Jin. 1.0 a; HunJicappera, R. Bright, C. Uf.ua, and W. iWaxion ; Timekeeper, W. Aimatioug ; Cummitteo, Messrs Loasby, Beard, Skeet, Hawke, ’Wmioriiigham, J. F. Biaiiio, Trotman, aud Webster. The weather which has been so persistently dry and hot suddenly changed with the moon at about 1 a.m. yesterday morning. About 8 o’clock until about 10 in the morning the outlook was very gloomy, as the south west wind was remarkably cold and heavy showers of raiu interspersed with hail fell at intervals. Notwithstanding that the committee pushed on with all their arrangements aud about 10.30 the “ clouds tolled by” for the time, the sun commenced to smile and matters generally began to assume a more plr ”- ' aspect; this continued until the procession had pros needed to the Recreation Reserve. The (ju.ytown Private Band of sixteen performers headed the procession which numbered, together with tuo Juvenile Oddfellows about 70. The two lodges, Oddfellows and Foresters met at the Foresters’ Hall and marched to the Recreation Reserve in that order. The two banners (which are very handsome ones) of the Foresters and Oddfellows respectively, Could not be unfurled owing to the high wind prevailing. Mr George Jones, of the Foresters’ Arms, bought the privilege of the

publican's booth and seemed to do a Mr tn-K M A Qrigg, one ol out bakers, proven I some very toothsome delicacies in the luncheon and confectioner's booth, and the members ol the committe 3 all did their duty like Britons ; they bore all the conventional

growuug uuu giuuiuuug uy tuu uuauuueisßiiu competitors as to the injustice of the handicaps, with lamblike fortitude, and upon leaving the ground looked none the worse for the ordeal. The fair sex was fairly represented, despite the weather, and with scarcely an exception the male worshippers at the shrine of Bacchus were not too elevated by the effects of their devotion to become conspicuous. The several events on the programme were run off as near to time as circumstances would permit. The Novel Race did not eventuate owing to an insufficiency of entries, and the Jockey Race had to be struck out, as although the jockeys were present, the weight carrying hacks were non at. The first event was— The Maiden Race, 220 yds. For this there were 10 entries, viz., AE D’Aroy, Petersen, W Tully, R A VVakelin, McKay, Goodman, Tweeddale, Catt, Mahupuku and Coleman. This was a good race and was won very cleverly by D’Arcy ; VV Tully was a good second, and Wakelin, who ran well, third. Time, 26secs. The Friendly Societies’ Handicap, 410 yds. D Nicholson, 7yds, 1 ; C Amos, 30yds, 2 ; Jonah Harris, scratch, 3 ; Bruggius, 35yds, Joo Ryan, scratch, Coleman, 20yds, H K Gardener, 12yda, and IV . jtt, 12yds, also started ; time, 59 l-sth secs. Braggins got a good lead, and kept it for about 2JO

yds, when Amos and Byan challenged him, and then Amos took matters in hand. Kyan collided with Braggins and threw himself out of tiie race when he was going well to the front. O’Arcy spurted when about lOlyds horn the tape and wrested the victory from A uos ; Jonah Hmrisran up a grand t iii.l hirst event, St Patrick’s Hanaivip, i2O yards—B. it. Gardener (8 yards) 1, it I'liomp ■ sou (8 yds) 2, 0 Smith (10 yds) 8. Gara-uor ! wru, proved himself to bo tire cnamHou run- i r for the day ran, through his oppeiu.ius 1 ii : o:i itr- ; ;k of lightning and won a hard on.;. Lei i.u.i t’V a Gw i mites. T.i.uup ion ran i ,;i w I race .ud O Smith was in dose attend ■nine. Tune, 18 I-Bid secs. A Buy .’ Ilm.lie. (i iiace, UOyar.is, was won by a liitio fellow named P. iUddlor (to v is), l(ai.-'>!i seated 2, Smith scratch 8. ituso i ran well. A Boys' Obsiaclo Bac* was next, with Id competitors, and tlarry Udy Was the winner,

Hurdle Unco, 820 yds—T. C. Udy 1, 0. Smith 2, John Harris 8. Oliver Smith jumping gr mdly but too high held u good lead until reaching Ballast hurdle,when Udy rushed up and cobured him just in time n, do the trick, Jack Harris was a good third. Time, 3'Jseog. 'ibii Ooaiacle liuoe, 220 yds, wi- ih next on the prograimne and Paiker appropriated the liret (dice in this by his dexterity iu wrip„. mg through the bottomless bag, T, 0. (J.ly was .second. Two Mile Warning Handicap, was the next ! event and lour started., viz , Hodge scratch, | B Udy 215 yds, E Collier 10 y. s and I* Hau ! 215 yds. Tune, 15m H iicus. H Udy j shewed 1. me splendid w.iking term and kept | the lead ■■■ ul tin, Hi-veoth Up. when he , „ i,v H nlge had way round, who I camJ in tin-I by about 0 yds E Collier was ~W'tv bebied third, aud it. Had gave it best j early iu the hunt. If there was any especial

ex -I: ■■• re ■>% during the whole 'if the day’s proceedings it was provoked by the animated liiiCUisioj all over the reserve as to the mode of progression which should be approved as walking pure and simple. Some appeared to consider that the celestial trot, assumed by our Mongolian friends when balancing a palanquin on the right shoulder was not the most graceful style of pedestrianism for a European to adopt, whether in competing for a prize or in the ordinary every day walk of life. Others seemed to conclude that the style of walkiug which pertains of the limp and shuffle was the beau ideal of fair toe and heel business, and that adepts in the art should strive to accomplish this method of ambling. It may certainly be the modern aesthetic idea and perhaps recognised by athletic authori< ties, but may Providence forbid that it ever be the fashion in street walking, as the deliberate and full stride must be far preferable for all ordinary purposes. It would strike one as supremely ridiculous for instance, if our sisters, cousins and aunts, with the modern style of dress weie to do the bobbing up and down business on the public thoroughfares by the jog trot spoken of. B, Udy walked regularly and well and H. Hodge who bears a big reputation as a walker in the modern style certainly is a powerful athlete. The 100 yds Handicap, T. C. Udy (2 yds) 1, J. Peters (4 yds) 2, B. B. Gardener scratch 0. Coleman (io yds), W. Catt 6, J. Reed 7, and others started. Time, 11 l-sth secs. St Patrick’s Handicap, 440 yds (second beat). John Harris, 4yds, X; B R Gardener, 12yds, 2 ; J Peters, Byds, 3. Several others started, viz., B Udy 13yds, W Smith 13yds, R Thompson 4, W Catt 13, R Martin 8, J Ryan scratch, 0 Smith 20, D Nielson 7, Jonah Harris scratch, Q Goldsmith 12, J Terry 15, H Hodge 6 and J Reed 12. This was a splendid race, but in the last round (half way) Jack Harris waltzed to the front and could not be overtaken, although little Gardener made a supreme effort. Peters was a good third, the others came in in a string. Time, exactly 1 miu. The Half Mile Handicap. B Collier, 20jds, 1; A E Gardener, 30yds, 2 ; H Hodge, 15 yds, 3; Read retired. These competitors consistently kept at about the same relative distances from each other all the way round, as that upon which they started, Gardener, perhaps, falling back a little. Time, 2min 20J secs.

The Second Obstacle Race was won by Goldsmith 1, Q Parker 2, H Catt 3, Tinga 4. Oatt could not let himself oat of the bag in time or he might have won. The lOOyda Open Handicap. J Ryan 1, Jonah Harris 2, W Tally 3. This looked like a moral for Tally, bat Ryan shot ahead abou 25yds from the goal, and then Tally’s potato was cooked, and he came in a good third, having allowed Harris to beat him on the tape. Tally runs well. Time, lOfseos. B R Gardener, Boyd, W and H Catt, J Peters, Goldsmith, J Ryan, T 0 Udy also ran. St Patrick’s Handicap (third event) 220. A Smith 1, B R Gardener 2, W Catt 3. Time, 24}seos. As to the honors, the judges proclaimed W Oatt to be the third man. We place him third, but Peters was there about B R Gardener with 11 points was the winner of the St Patrick's Handicap, Oliver Smith, with 7 points, was second, and Jack Harris, with 2 points, third.

Hurdle Handicap, 440 yds. T C Tully 1, J Ryan 2, R Thompson 3 ; Nicholson and id also started. Time, 1m 8 l-sth One Mile Handicap. E B Coleman 110 yds. 1, B Collier, 20yds, 2; A E Gardener, 80yds, 3; H Hodge, 40yds, also started. E B Coleman, a one aimed man from Matarawa, held the lead from start to finish and won easily. Time, 4min 57Jseca. The Consolation Handicap, 220 yds, was won by E. Udy (7 yds) 1, W. Tully (7 yds) 2, Jack Harris scratch 3. O Smith scratch, H. Catt syds, W. Catt 5 and J. Reed 7 yds, also entered. Tally made a great effort and was only headed uy E. Ody when close home. Time, 25secs.

This ended a very good day’s sport. It was only a pity that the weather was not more suitable fur the visitors.