ASHBURTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 47, 25 March 1898, Page 19

ASHBURTON.

THE SPORTS. The Very Rev. Father O'Donnell of Ashburton and his energetic Sports Committee are to be congratulated on what we must term the artistic and financial success of their St. Patrick's Day Celebrations. It was the first meeting of the kind held in Ashburton on St. Patrick's Day, and everything moved with the ease of clockwork from start to close. With the exception of a passing thunderstorm, fine weather favoured the display ; and big crowds were drawn to the Domain and settled down to enjoy the excellent and varied bill of sporting fare provided by the Committee. Some L 45 were taken at the gate. The competitions were very keen and spirited — a result which reflects great credit upon the handicappers. Altogether the display reflected the highest credit upon all concerned and gave the St. Patrick's Day Sports the hall-mark of good management and success which will be sure to prove the best advertisement for the sports of 1899. The following officials were active on the grounds during the day :—: — President : Very Rev. Father O'Donnell. Hon. Treasurer : Mr. A. J. Miiller. Hon. Secretary : Mr. D. McDonnell. Judges : Cycling and Running : Messrs. R. G. Shearman, W. S. Mitchell, J. Miiller ; Irish dancing — Messrs. J. O'Grady, P. Devane, H. Cullen ; Scotch dancing — Messrs. D. M'Lean, G. Kidd ; putting the stone, throwing the hammer, and jumping — Messrs. C. Reid, Denis M'Kendry, John Small and James Jamieson. Superintendent of Sports and Referee : Mr. R. J. Henry. Starter : Mr. John Wilson. - - - • - Timekeepers : Messrs. S. Salek, G. Jesson, J. J. Lewis. Handicappers : Messrs. R. J. Henry, C. Reid ; for cycling — Mr. J. Miiller. Laptakers and Marksmen : Messrs. W. Shearman, F. M-Sherry, L. Hanrahan, M. Healy, Jas. Wilson. Telegraph Steward : Mr. W. Adams. Hon. Piper : Mr. M'Donald. Clerks op the Course : Messrs. W. Burns, P. Hanrahan. Pavilion Steward : Mr. S. Madden. The following are the results of the various contests : — Half-mile Bicycle Handicap. Run in three heats. — Final : H. Holland, 50yds, 1 ; W. P. Daly, 55yds, 2;W. H. Trengrove, 55yds, 3. An easy win. Time, lmin s^sec. Three-mile Bicycle Handicap. Seventeen started. — G. Sutherland, scr, 1 ; G. A. Maxwell, 35yds, 2 ; A. Holmes, 150 yds, 3. Won by half a wheel. Time, 7min ll^sec. One-mile Bicycle Handicap. Three heats. — Final : Parkerson 1, Holland 2, Davidson 3. Five-mile Bicycle Handicap.— G. Sutherland, scr, 1 ; A Holmes, 200 yds, 2 ; W. H. Trengrove, 370 yds, 3. Sutherland won by a yard or two. Time, 12min 46f sec. Tandem Bicycle Race, two miles. Archer and Trengrove 1, Porter and Maxwell 2. Time, smin 56sec. During an interval a capital exhibition of trick riding was given by Mr. Nelson, whose seemingly impossible feats were loudly applauded by the spectators. Mr. Nelson's performance was a real bonne bouche in a banquet of good things. THE CONCERT. The St. Patrick's Day concert at Ashburton has had a long tradition of success both financial and artistic. This year there was an exceptionally large audience, who crowded the Oddfellow's Hall to overflowing, many not being able to secure admission in the <riinary way. A popular pianoforte overture of Irish airs was prettily played by the Misses Brick. " The harp of Tara" was finely sung by Mr. E. Higgins, who, in response to an undeniable encore, sang " The vale of Avoca." Miss Collins, whose voice is new to Ashburton audiences, caught a strong hold on the feelings of the audience by her sweet rendering of the evergreen favourite

"Killarney" (encored). Another new voice, that of Mrs. E. T. Robinson (Chriatchurch), was also very welcome, and received warm applause for a fine rendition of "Norah, the pride of Kildare." This was also encored, as was likewise the same singer's later song, "Kathleen Mavourneen." The favourite of her encore numbers ■was " Barney O'Hea." Miss Brankin had to respond to a pressing encore for her song, " The dear little shamrock," and caught the fancy of her audience with " The bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond." Of the male soloists Mr. C. Read (Christchurch) won much applause, and Messrs F. McSherry and Burgess established themselves as favourites with the audience. Two duets were charmingly sung, the first, " List to the convent bells," by Mrs. Wilson and Miss Brankin ; the second, a highly popular number, the well-known " O'er the hill, o'er the dale," by the Dublin composer, the late Stephen Glover. This was sung by Mrs. Rouse (Masterton) and Mrs. O'Connell (Gisborne). Mr. R. Wood won plaudits from his old friends of Ashburton by his violin solo, " The harp that cnce thro' Tara's halls." There was a capital display of very clcvi r dancing by Teddy Sullivan, and by a gaily-dressed troupe of b >ys and girls, under the direction of Mr. N. Fitzgerald. The dance music wa=> supplied by Miss and Master Cullen. The onerous duties of accompanist were ably undertaken by Mrs. Claridge anil the Misses Bournique and T. Devane. The Very Rev. Father O'Donnell returned thanks on behalf of himself and his congregation to all who had aided in making the concert a success. The concert was followed by a dance, which was kept up till an early hour the following morning to the strains of Mr. Wood's band.

The athletic stems on the programme were numerous and well contested. The results were as follow :—: —

100 Yards Handicap (open) — Run in heats. Final — MoNaught, 1 ; Tarbutton and W. Huston, dead heat. Time, 11 sec.

100 Yards Handicap (amateur) —J. Davison, scratch, 1 ; W. J. Smith, 9yds, 2. Time, 10-fsec.

220 Yapds Handicap (amateur) — J. Davison, scratch, 1 ; R. Gray, 10yds, 2; C. E. Smith, 12yds, 3. Time, 2.">±sec. Won easily. 2.">0 Yards Handicap (open) —J. Stephens Byds, 1 ; J. Erankin, 15yds, 2 ; T. Tarbotton, 20yds, 3. Time, 2<.iisec. Won by five yards. 120 Yards Hurdles (open) — Run in heats. Final— McFadden, 1 ; W. Huston, 2 ; Brankin, 3. Time, l!)^sec. Sack Race, 120 yds— T. Tarbotton.

440 Yards Handicap (amateur) — T. A. Baigent, 2Syds, 1 ; J. Davidson, scratch, 2 ; W. J. Smith, 2(iyds, 2. Time, .>l J r sec. A close and exciting finish. 220 Yards Boys' Race — O'Staea, 1 : Auiop. 2 : Xolan. :s. Hammer-Throwing Handicap. — W. Dultcn (scratch), Sift, 1 ; J. Jamieson (Oft), 70ft, 2. Putting the Stone HANDICAP — Dalton (^cratch). W>ft Win, 3 ; A. Hustson (lft), 83ft .".in, 2. Highland Fling, Sword Dance and liui-h Jig — Sullivan. 1 ; Mahoney, 2. Mrs. Griffin had charge of the refreshment tent. In violin playing a little boy, Master Cnllen, shared the honours with the bag-pipe playing of Mr. Murdo McDonald.