SPORTS GALA

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20690, 28 December 1938, Page 7

SPORTS GALA

MORRINSVILLE FIXTURE

COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME HEAVY ENTRIES RECEIVED An unusually comprehensive programme has been arranged by the Morrinsville Athletic and Cycling Club lor the third annual sports meeting to be presented at the Morrinsville speedway next Tuesday, a wide variety of sports being included. In an endeavour to make this season's meeting greater than any of its predecessors the club has spared no effort in securing the best available exponents in all the sports represented on tlie day's card and the resulting programme should be worthy of the district. In the past the Morrinsville club has enjoyed a reputation for presenting bright and spectacular programmes and the one to be deckled next week should further enhance that reputation. Cycling, shooting, midget car racing, wrestling and motor-cycle racing are included and, W’ith the 518-yard clay track in good condition thrilling racing should be the order of the day. An indication of the high standard prevailing among the professional cyclists this year was gained at Springdale on Monday when, with heavy entries forward from all parts of New Zealand, there was keen competition and fast finishes. A number

of riders who were in the junior class last year have graduated into the senior ranks and are showing out well. The Auckland Province is well represented in the entries so far received, and contingents from Christchurch, Wellington and Taranaki are expected to take part. An interesting section of the cycling programme will be the match races between G. R. Giles (Christchurch) and W. Pratney ‘Auckland), R. E. Slack (Christchurch and P. H. Bicknell (Auckland, and Jack Bicknell (Auckland), and A. Moffat (\Vaihi).

Midget Cap Racing The suitability of the Morrinsville speedway for midget-car racing was demonstrated at the last meeting when Gerry Mafhieson, the well-known Auckland driver, competed with Dwight Carter, of America. In addition to three New Zealand drivers, one of whom will be Mathieson, the club has engaged the services of two Australians, and the racing should be fast and spectacular. Five motorcyclists will also appear and here again the banked track should lend itself to high speeds and fast finishes. The . professional wrestlers, Rod Douglas and J. Irvine, are two of the leading exponents of the sport in Auckland, and their appearance will arouse added interest. Owing to the extent of the programme it has been found necessary to start the sports at 10 a.m. and it is hoped to have the card completed by 4 p.m. In order to assist the club officials to run the events to schedule the public will be excluded from the inside enclosure throughout the day but they will be allowed in when the professional wrestling takes place. Three luncheon booths and three hot water systems will be in use to citter for the needs of visitors, and in order to avoid congestion four gate entrances will be available. The parking space available to motorists will be about 25 acres.