HIBERNIAN SPORTS AT GORE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 51, 23 April 1897, Page 19

HIBERNIAN SPORTS AT GORE.

(From the Southern Standard.')

The fifth annual gathering of the Gore Hibernian Society was held on the Caledonian Grounds on Easter Monday in delightful weather, and passed off most successfully. In fact, it may be said that the gathering, from point of numbers, was the largest ever seen on the ground. The sum of £55 odd was taken at the gate, and— allowing for those who held members' tickets and others whose entry was not accounted for at the gate— there must have been between 1,250 and 1 300 people present. It must be remembered that the Society made a' bold bid for popularity when they arranged for the special train on the Waimea line. The day being fine, the visitors from the Plains, Invercargill. Mataura, etc., were numerous. The committ c wisely prepared a running track on the grass, inside the cycling track, which was a great improvement so far as easy running was concerned, but it did not improve the time, as the going was somewhat slippery. In all the running events there was fully 120 yds. of a straight run to the tape, and this was a great advantage to the competitors. After a lapse of three years, a publican's booth was on the ground. Although there was no evidence of anything objection-

able as a result of this, several individuals appeared to suffer slightly from the influence — or, perhaps, enjoy the influence — thus created. Mr. D. Richardson had. charge of the booth, and Mrs. T. Fisher the fruit stall, which seemed to do a good trade. Those of the public who had a desire for things " Hielan' " had their tastes satisfied by the skirl of the bagpipes. The Gore Brass Band was as usual to the fore, and rendered a programme of lively selections in their well-known style. As far as music was concerned the publio had no reason to complain.

The various officials worked hard all day, but no one more so than the secretary. In this position Mr. P. Flanagan, junr., made his debut, and succeeded in carrying out his duties in a manner that gave the utmost satisfaction to all concerned. The officials were ably assisted by the police in keeping the enclosure clear of all except those directly taking part in an event, and thus enabling all to see the competitors.

The sports were carried out in a praiseworthy manner. The committee wisely, we think, divided the sprinting prize money into several events instead of one large prize as in former years. There were four sprinting events, with fairly large prize money, and these were well contested. There seemed a determination on the part of the competitors to run for the stakes, and as a result some close and keenly contested races took place. The running of C. Robins, B. MacGregor, and C. Green — almost new aspirants on the track — showed that the Gore boys are determined to worthily fill the positions of their predecessors. The final of the Hibernian Handicap was a splendid race, and worth going a long way to see. F. Robins is yet a man to be reckoned with, and it is a question if he has an equal in Southland over hurdles. The wrestling was a feature this year. The committee added two classes — viz., youths and a maiden class. The competitors in the former class, if they did not show much science, evidently considered the honour of more value than he money. In one instance in the maiden class, a hint from the judges to the effect that any attempt at cutting up the money would merit disqualification had the desired effect. Some good work was shown in the 11 £st. class, and although J. Dickson repeated his previous victories in this class, he had some tough antagonists. The heavy-weight class included some good men, and the tussle between A. Hoffman and R. J. Scott caused great applause, the former carrying off the honours, The wrestling events lasted from 1.30 to 4.30 p.m. The dancing was also good, and the various competitors received considerable applause. On the whole the Society is to be congratulated on the success of the gathering and the capital day's sport it afforded the public in return for the price paid. Mr. Owen Kelly's special prize for the winner of most points in running was secured by F. Robins. The following are the results of the various events :—: — Boys' Race : — W. Sheehy, 1 ; E. Sherborne, 2 ; G. Blackwood, 3. Sixteen started. Youths' Handicap : — W. Turnbull, 1 : L, Cooney, 2 ; J. Shivas, 3. Six entries. Maiden Race : — A. W. Palmer, 1 ; John Scott, 2. Six starters. Running High Leap : — A. Gibson. Jinch (oft. s^in). 1 ; F. Forde Sin. 2. Hibernian Handicap, 120 yds : — First heat — A. W. Palmer, Byds, 1! T. Reidy, ."yds, 2 ; time. U^th sees. Second heat — F. Robins, .">yds, 1; C. Green, Syds. 2 : time, 13secs. Third heat — J. Ryder, Byds, 1; G. Harris, 3yds, 2 ; time 12'^th sees. Fourth heat — B. MacGregor, 11yds, 1 ;C. Robins, Byds, 2; 12 sees. Final heat — C. Robins, 1 : B. MacGregor, 2 ; A. W. Palmer, 3 ; time, 12^th sees. Throwing Kilb hammer : — P. Murphy, 72in, (1 13 ft lO^in) 1 • J Ford, 4Sin(ll4tt ( .»in), 2. Youths' Wrestling-, under 18 years : — Cody, 1 ; Hoffman, 2 ; Lacey, 3. Throwing 141 b ball :— F. Ford, ( Jin (49ft lin), 1: D. Manson 2(!in (4(sft Sin) 2. Putting 221 b ball :— F. Ford. ISm (32ft Sin), 1; R. Scott, 34in (:Hft «in), 2. Maiden Wrestling : — John Hoffman, 1 ; D. Murphy, 2 ; D. Manson. 3. Twelve entries. Easter Handicap, 220 yd s: — T. Reidy. Syds, 1 ; J. Ryder, 14yds, 2 ; G Harris, 7yds. 3 : time 22|th sees. Irish Jig :— D. Reidy, 1; F. Hoffm n. 2. Wrestling. 11] stone and under : — J. Dickson, 1 ; M. Stevenson, 2 ; T. Burke, 3. Thirteen entries. Three standing jumps: A. Gibson, scr. (31ft. 4|in.), 1 ; M. Hanley. 7in. (2!) ft. 4iin.), 2. Ten entries. Publicans Handicap, 150 yds. : First heat — G. Cameron, syds, 1 ; J. Edwards, scr., 2 ; time 15^ sees. Second heat — C. Robins, 10yds., 1: J. Ryder. 10yds.. 2 : time 15secs. Third heat — F. Robins. (syds,' 1; B. MacGregor. 13yds.. 2 ; time 15±secs. Final heat — C. Robins, 1 ; B. Macgregor, 2. Running hop. step, and jump : M. Hanley, scr. (42ft. 3in ) 1 • E. A Reidy, 2 lin. (40ft. 2£in.)\ 2. Wrestling, heavy-weights : A. Hoffman, 1 ; R. Scott, 2 ; John Hoffman, 3. Nine entries. President's Handicap, 350 yds. : T. Reidy, Byds., 1 ; F. Robins, Syds., 2 ; J. Ryder, 17yds., 3 ; time. 40£secs. Quarter-mile flat : J. Edwards, scr., 1 ; F. Robins, 3yds., 2 ; T. Bourke, 18yds., 3 ; time. 55*ees. Mile Race : J. Sparks, 150 yds., 1 ; T. Carroll, 100 yds.. 2 ; A. Sims, scr.. 3 ; time, 4min. 42secs. Boys' Race : J. Forbes, 1 ; A. Laurie, 2 ; R. Laurie, 3. Hornpipe : F. Hoffman, 1 ; D. Reidy, 2. Quarter-mile hurdles : F. Robins, scr., 1 ; T. Burke. 15yds., 2. Up to the hour of going to press the judges had not decided the bagpipe music or Highland fling.

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