ANNUAL SPORTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 30, 6 February 1939, Page 10

ANNUAL SPORTS

HUNTERVILLE FIXTURE HIGHLAND GATHERING SATURDAY’S SUCCESS Well organised, well advertised and ably controlled by an efficient committee, the Hunterville Sports Club’s annual athletic fixture and Highland gathering proved one of the most successful in the history of the club. Upwards of 2000 spectators gathered on the Hunterville Domain and enjoyed a programme of Highland dancing and piping, athletic and field events, hunting events and chopping and sawing competitions, taking up the greater portion of an ideal summer afternoon. The children were not forgotten, for a length}' programme of running events was held in the morning and attracted keen interest. Among those present at the gathering were Mr. James Bull, president of the club, when the initial meeting was held 45 years ago, and Mr. J. A. Pawson, who was secretary at that time. Mr. Pawson donated a cup for the maiden hunters’ competition on Saturday and was heartily cheered when making the presentation of the trophy to the winner, Mr. N. Williamson. No small measure of credit for the success of the gathering, the “gate” for which showed an increase of 50 per cent, on last year’s figures, must go to the officials, including Mr. Lindsay Bull (president), Messrs. J. Hill-Motion (director of sports), Mr. C. D. Barford of duties), Mr. 1. V. Aidworth (clerk of the course) and Dr. L. M. Burnett (hon. surgeon). Messrs. Barford and Aidworth were treasurer and secretary respectively. The chief stewards in the respective sections were as follow:—Horse events, Mr. Lindsay Bull; athletics, Mr. J. E. Biggar; chopping and sawing, Mr. D. Bamber; highland events, Mr. Grant Simpson; dancing, Mr. C. Chisholm; piping, Mr. J. McAbel; field events, Mr. D. Cameron; gates and enclosure, Mr. G. Coleman; children's events, Messrs. G. Conland, J. D. Joll; groundsman, Mr. C. Stratford. Throughout the afternoon announcements were made by means of the loudspeaker course broadcast. A St. John Ambulance unit provided efficient service in first-aid duties when required. The generous-sized 36-page programme, issued free of charge to natrons, provided one of the features of the gathering. Following are the results: Highland Events For lhe Highland events the large number of entries in the national dancing was evidence of the keen interest displayed in a typical Scottish community. As many as seventeen and eighteen contestants came forward for some of the classes, and an improved standard, particularly among the younger dancers, was remarked on by the judge, Mr. Hilary Glasgow, of Turakina. There was little between the competitors in some sections, said Mr. Glasgow, but he suggested that dancers would add to their displays if they put a little more vivacity into their facial expressions in order to portray the spirit of the traditional Highland dances. Mr. Neil Cruden, of Palmerston North, who was judge for the piping events, expressed the opinion that the standard of piping was as high as any he had experienced in New Zealand. In the New Zealand championship for Highland slow airs the three placed pipers were separated by two points only, and but for the masterly playing of “The Unknown Warrior,” by Mr. John McKenzie, of Masterton, an award would have been difficult, so closely were the competitors placed on points. The veteran Pipe-Major Murdo McKenzie gave an equally brilliant display in the open competition for strathspeys and reels. Mr. Cruden also had a word of praise for Pipe-Major W. Budge, of Wanganui, whose playing in the Highland slow airs was worthy of being placed within two points of the winner. Results were:— Dancing Under 10 Years.—Highland fling: B. Stedman 1, M. Morgan 2, R. McDowell 3. Sean truibhas: P. Turner 1, R. May 2, M. Morgan 3. Under 12 Years.—Highland fling: F. Rees 1, N. Ganway 2, J. Burston 3. Sword dance: N. Ganway 1, F. Rees 2. L. Hepworth 3. Irish jig: I. Anderson 1, P. Turner 2, N. Ganway 3. Sailor’s hornpipe: I. Anderson 1, F. Rees 2, L. Hepworth 3. Twelve Years and Under 14 Years. —Highland fling: I. Lynch 1, N. Cooper 2, E. Hawke 3. Sword dance: I. Lynch 1, J. Ralph 2, N. Cooper 3. I Fourteen Years and Under 16 I Years.—Sean truibhas: D. McLean 1, I G. Moss 2, I. McLeay 3. Sword dance: I D. McLean 1, G. Moss 2, V. Anderson 3. Twelve Years and Under 16 Years. —Reel o’Tulloch: D. McLean 1, I. Lynch 2, V. Anderson 3. Sailors hornpipe: G. Moss 1, D. McLean 2, I. Lynch 3. Sixteen Years and Over.—Sean truibhas: Miss Hazel Neil 1. Sword I dance: Miss Hazel Neil 1. Piping Events Highland Slow Airs (New Zealand championship).—Piper John McKenzie (Masterton) 1, Pipe-Major Murdo McKenzie (Masterton) 2. PipeMajor W. Budge (Wanganui) 3. Strathspeys and Reels (open).— Pipe-Major Murdo McKenzie 1, PipeMajor W. Budge 2, Piper J. McKenzie 3. Marches (Junior). —Piper W. D. Finlayson (Ruahine) 1, Piper L. Stewart (Wanganui) 2, Piper F. H. Mclntyre (Hunterville) 3. Marches (novice), for Hunterville Pipe Band’s special challenge cup.— i A. Ross 1, F. H. Mclntyre 2, W. G. ' Purvis 3. Slow Marches (junior).—Piper W. I D. Finlayson 1, Piper L. Stewart 2. CHOPPING AND SAWING EVENTS Good competition was seen in the chopping and sawing events, in which there were large entries. These events retained their popularity, said the

judge, Mr. D. Stent, of Ohingaiti, and the standard was really very good. Following are the results:— Open 12-inch Chop.—L. Thompson 1, H. N. Wilson 2, G. Waldron 3. Maiden 12-inch Chop.—A. Quarrie 1, J. McMann 2. Open 14-inch Chop.—H. Wilson 1, G. McClintock 2, L. Thompson 3. Two-handed Sawing, Two Cuts, 14inch Blocks.—E. Torry and Hinds 1, C. Organ and G. McClintock 2, J. McMann and H. Wilson 3. Wilson 1, J. E. Dickenson 2, C. Organ Wilson 1, J. E. Kickenson 2, C. Organ 3. ATHLETIC EVENTS Keen competition featured the athletic events, there being several heals in the respetcive running events and large entries in the field events. The 100 yards track was slightly downhill and the running track, owing to the recent draining of the ground, was a trifle rough in places. Following are the results of the finals:— Running Events. 880 Yards Open Handicap.—Christopher 1, J. Wallace 2, Hill 3. 100 Yards Open Handicap.—P. Wallace 1, E. Moss 2, R. Wing 3. 100 Yards Ladies’ Open Handicap. —Mrs. Rollerson 1, Miss Bush 2, Miss Wilson 3. 75 Yards Ladies’ Open Handicap.— Miss F. Denton 1, Miss F. Jones 2. Miss M. Bush 3. One Mile Open Handicap.—W. Hill I, R. Lamberton 2, P. Dwyer 3. 220 Yards Open Handicap.—P. Wallace 1, E. Moss 2, Mullin 3. Invitation Inter-club Relay Race (one mile). —Wanganui (E. Wallace 220yds., R. Burbush 220yds., Shewan 440yds., and P. Wallace 880yds.) 1, Marton 2. Invitation Inter-club Ladies’ Relay Race (600 yards).—Kia Toa (Palmerston North) 1, Marton 2, Hunterville 3. Field Events. Putting the Shot. T. Winwood (10ft.), 41ft. 2in., 1. Throwing the Hammer.—T. Waldron (55ft.), 110 ft. 9in., 1. Horse Events. Excellent entries were received in the horse events, and competition was keen throughout. The judges, Messrs. James Bull and S. R. Hammond, expressed themselves as being very pleased with the high standard of the jumping in the hunters’ events and the good class of hacks which came forward. A decided improvement on past years was in evidence, they said, and the riding also came in for commendation. Results were:— School Ponies (under 14 hands).— Hazel Lourie, Joan Bull and Isabel Cameron were adjudged the winners of the three classes into which this event was divided owing to the large number of competitors. Gents’ Hack Competition.—Mr. F. McLean 1, Mr. T. Baker 2, Mr. J. Duncan 3. Maiden Hunters’ Competition (Mr. J. A. Pawson's trophy). Mr. N Williamson 1, Mr. E. H. Duncan 2. Ladies’ Hack Competition.—Miss Baldwin 1, Miss H. Baldwin 2. Maiden Pony Jump.—Mr. C. L. Bull’s Rose of Tralee 1, Mr. W. Agnew 2, Mr. L. Rowe 3. Open Hunters’ Competition (Mr. T. A. Duncan’s special challenge cup).— Mr. J. Pawson’s Camouflage 1, Mr. T. Price 2, Mr. J. Pawson’s Taneka 3. Open Pony Jump. —Mr. T. Price 1. Mr. W. Griffin 2, Mr. L. Rowe 3. Consolation Hunters’ Competition. —Mr. J. Goodwin’s Nurmi 1. Children’s Events.

A lengthy programme of children’s events was held in the morning, and there was a generous list of trophies. Running events and novelty races for boys and girls, with the tiny tots also provided for, maintained interest throughout. In the afternoon there was a distribution of sweets for the children. Following are the results:—

Boys, under 14.—Final: R. Gibbs 1. L. Bartlett 2, A. Cooper 3. Girls, under 14: Final, M. Lynch 1, J. Wills 2, P. Jones 3. Boys, 8 to 11: G. Devine 1, C. Frampton 2, L. Gibbs 3. Girls, 8 to 11: C. Potaka 1, P. Amer 2, B. Leat 3. Boys, 5 to 8: T. Duncan 1, A. Burnett 2, R. Wall 3. Girls, 5 to 8: D. Moir 1, G. Dunstone 2, Pitcaithly 3. Boys, under 5: C. Downes 1, L. Hill-Motion 2, L. Shindler 3. Sack race (under 10): G. Devine 1, N. Biggar 2, A. Walker 3. Sack race (10 and under 14): R.

Stevens 1, L. Simpson 2, T. Potaka 3. Girls’ sack race (10 to 14): G. Galyer 1, A. Rhodes and E. Andrew (dead-heat) 2. Three-legged race (10 and under 14): M. Lnch and HillMotion 1, K. Haliburton and Simpson 2. Egg and spoon (under 10): J. Scannell 1, R. Clark 2, L. Haliburton 3. Egg and spoon (10 to 14): A. A. Downs 1, H. Clark 2, C. Olsen 3. Girls’ egg and spoon (under 14): P. Jones 1, B. Moir 2, G. Coleman 3. Potato race (under 10): G. Devine 1, L. Halliburton 2, G. Rhodes . Girls potato race (10 to 14): S. Galyer 1, J. Wright 2, M. Moore 3. Boys’ potato race (10 to 14): F. Thomas 1 G. Rowe 2, R. Gibbs 3. 75 yards boys, under 14: R- Gibbs 1, H. England 2, T. Potaka 3. 75 yards girls, under 14: S. Galyer 1, C. Potaka 2 M. Willcock 3. Boys, under 12:J. J. Devine 1, R. Gibbs 2, D. Mclntosh 3. Girls, under 12: M. Willcock 1, M. Simpson 2, C. Potaka 3. Marrier Ladies’ Race. —Mrs. Rollerson 1, Mrs. F. Hammond 2, Mis. Rees 3. Miscellaneous Events. 75 Yards Race for Bandsmen and Pipers.—W. Duncan 1, A. Abel 2. 75 Yards Race for Officials—Mr. J. E. Biggar 1-