NEWS FROM TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 288, 6 December 1939, Page 2

NEWS FROM TAIHAPE

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS. A recommendation that the sports gymkhana arranged for January 18 should be abandoned and that a centennial ball should be held instead, was passed at a. meeting of the programme committee appointed in connection with the centennial celebrations. The Mayor, Mr. L. B. H. de Lautour, presided and also present were Rev. Father Doolaghty, Messrs. V. Nicholls, J. Quirk, E. Loader, and the secretary (Mr. A. M. P. Hall). After a short discussion it was decided to recommend to the Centennial Committee that the sports gymkhana which had been arranged lor January 18 be cancelled owing to certain difficulties and that a centennial ball should be held instead, possibly on the same day as the Centennial Memorial Rest Room is officially opened. FLAG DAY. A “Flag Day” will be held on Saturday next, December 9, in Taihape for the purpose of raising funds to provide comforts for the soldiers in camp. Officers of service as collectors will be particularly welcome. A special effort is being made to collect a large sum of money for this worthy cause and with this ob.il t in view a house-to-house canvass is to be undertaken. The more canvassers and collectors the better and it is hoped that many offers of help in this connection will be received. BOWLING N OTES. Five links from Taihape will visit Raetihi and Ohakune on December 10 to play two matches against the Taumarunui Club for the Rangitikei Shield. Those wishing to make the trip arc requested to communicate with a member of the match committee, namely Messrs. A. P. Seccombe, S. H. Mason, C. Murphy, as soon as possible. The team will leave by bus at 7.30 a.m. and will play at Ohakune in the morning and Raetihi in the afternoon. WRESTLING. WALKER v. CLARKE. The bout on Saturday, December 9, should provide good wrestling as when interviewed recently George Walker stated he was very lit and he certainly looked it, whilst Clarke has only to reproduce the form he displayed when in N.Z. last to make the match a fitting finale to the Rangitikei Association’s efforts. Inability to get matches, indifferent matching by the Dominion Union and other difficulties, have made it impossible for the association to carry on and it is only by the friendly cooperation of the Taihape Boxing Association that this match is being staged. It is a pity, however, that the sport should die out altogether in Taihape and it is hoped that some organisation can be formed, to promote occasional matches in the town. During its existence the Rangitikei Association managed to get some of the world’s ranking list men in Taihape, such as Earl .McCready, Lofty Blomlield, Ole Andreasson, John Spelman, Tony Catalino, Cowboy Russell, Harry Kent and others. Not a bad list for a town of Taihape’s population. The main bout between Walker and Clarke will be preceded by amateur contests, all the amateurs hailing from Wellington. Grand entertainment should attract a large crowd to the Town Hall on Saturday and it is anticipated that many of the troops in camp at Waiouru will be present to see the fun. BOOKS FOR SOLDIERS. The response to the appeal for books, magazines and periodicals for the soldiers in camp at Waiouru has so far met with a fairly good response, but more reading matter is still required. Books may be left at the town clerk’s office or the Public Library. All contributions will be gratefully received. TWILIGHT SPORTS. The following handicaps for the half-mile, three-mile and three-lap junior races have been declared for the cycling events at the twilight sports to be held on Thursday:— Kelly, scr., 30 behind, —; Graham, 15, 10, —; Walker, 35, 95, —; Quigley, 65, 265, —; O’Hanlon, 90, 365, 15; Quilter, 115, 365, 45; Lawrence, 125, 430, 65; Carrington 135, 425, 75; King, 135, 425. 75; Collins, 140, 440, 80; Hardy. 140, 430, —; Owens, 145, 440, 85; Byers, 145, 440. 85.