EAST COAST MOUNTED RIFLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2655, 10 November 1909, Page 2

EAST COAST MOUNTED RIFLES.

MILITARY TOURNAMENT. Judges : Military 'events, Lieut.-Colon-el Winter, V.D., Aand Mr. W. B. Miller; troop horse, Mr. A. S. Wachsinann ; (leaping match, Mr. Frank P. Evans; ‘starter. Quartermaster Sergt. Fairlie; timekeeper, ' Sergt; 11. Cole; executive conhmittee, Captain Evans', Lieut*. C. J. Hamilton J. Povnter, Geo. Witters, Squadron Scrgt.-Major C. R. Spragg, Sonadron Q.-M. Sergt. J. W. Fairlie, Sergts. R. Cole, W. McCullough, and H. Y. Hughes, Corporals W. K. Walker. C. H. Beatson, W. L. Cole-, man, and D. G. S. MacDonald, Lance-Corpl. C. Tietjen, Troopers A. G. Lister, and Win. Witters; orderly’ officci',’ Lieut. Hamilton; orderly sergeant, Sergt. J. S. Wauchop; orderly corporal, Corpl. W.' L. Coleman'; lion, secretary, Sergt.-Major C. R. Spragg. After a lapse of five years, the East Coast Mounted Rifles revived thengrand military tournament and sports at the Park racecourse yesterday. .1 ho weather was beautifully fine, but owing to the large n'umber of counter aiti actlu> attendance was not nearly commensurate with the excellence of the programme provided. hour tom events figured on the programme, and the majority of these were of such a nature as call lor first-class hoiso* mam-hip and to demonstrate that the members' of the East Coast Mounted Rides cannot by-any means oe said to play at being Voldiers. The squadron tell' in at 11 o’clock, 70 strong, the .parade strength being as follows: Gisborne troop (Lieut. Hamilton), IS; To Kara lea troop (Lieut. T’oynter), 28; Makauri troop (Lieut. Witters), 24. ’file first event on the programme was then proceeded with, Air. A. S. Wachsmaun having the difficult task of adjudging the best horse in the squadron. A notable feature about the parade was the excellence of the mounts, and Mr. Wachsmaun had no easy task id making a decision. From then on a varied and interesting programme of events was kept, going without a break, except for an hour for luncheon, until 6 p.m. The small crowd of' spectators who were present testified to the excellent entertainment provided by fre quent and hearty applause, and there can he no question that- had the public known such a high-class exhibition of military training and equestrianslnp would have been provided they would have, been present in much larger numbers. In addition to the officers of the squadron and officials,'there were also present Captain Tombleson, SurgeonCaptain Young, and Veterinary-Cap tain Burton. The officers entertained a number of civilians at luncheon, at which the toast of “The King” was proposed by Captain C. Hellier Evans, and loyally honored. The catering was in the hands of the Gisborne Co-opera-tive Bakery Company., Ltd., and leftnothing to be desired. The following was the .programme:— Best Horse in Squadron.—For prize presented by Lieut. Povnter. To be judged for all-round qualities. -Judge nominated by donor of prize. No special entry. Horses to have been used at least three times for military purposes, and to be the bona fide property of a number of the squadron. Completeness and cleanliness of equipment to be taken' into consideration. Thife brought out a. field of 50 entries, and general admiration was expressed as the horses filed before Hie judge. Eventually the large field was narrowed down to three, and the judge finally-gave his verdict as follows:--Lance-Corn!. P. J. Sefton... I Sergt. McCullough 2 Sergt. Wauchop 3 The decision was a .popular one, and was warmly applauded The winner was a handsome gelding by Crackshot —Kirikiriroa, and an ideal troop horse. Sergt. McCullough’s mount, was also a very fine one. and took first prize for best troop horse at tlie recent show. Handicap Trot.—Once round course. Minimum weight, I2st. Prize, trophy presented by C. J. N. Thomas, Esq. Corpl. W. Coleman’s Boh (osec), (B. Malone) 1 Trouper R. Campbell’s Bey (osec) 2 Sergt. W. McCullough’s Makauri (osec) ■ 3 Bob had too much pace for the field, and came in an easy winner by about twenty lengths, Bey trad Makauri lighting out a good finish for second place. Time. 3min o3sec. Potato and Bucket Race.—Competitors start -with 6 potatoes and drop 1 in each of 3 buckets, turn a flag', and drop 3 .potatoes in buckets on return journey. First heat, Tr. Crimmins 1; second heat, Corpl. Law 1; third heat, Tr. Griffin 1. Final: Sergeant Cole 1, Tr. Crimmin and Corpl. Law dead heat for second place. Jumping by Fours. —Over 6 hurdles. To be judged by -points. Points: For command 10, dressing 10, jumping 20, general turn-out 10, and time; a standard time fixed, and 1 point added or deducted for every second or .part urn der or over such standard time. Prize, four miniature silver cups, presented by Captain A. Zachariah. Sergt. McCullough, Trooper G. Campbell, Lance.-Corpl. Tietjen, and Tr. W. Witters (Makauri), 46 2-ssec 1 Corporal Coleman, Trs. McLernon, Malone, and Hansen (Gisborne), 54 3-ssec 2 Corpl. 8. -MacDonald, Trs. T. Smith, R.. Brown, and W. MacDonald (Te Karaka), 62sec ... ... 3 This event .provided an exciting contest between Sergt. McCullough’s and Corpl. Coleman’s sections. The splendid hbrsemansblip difepflayed called forth heartv applause from the spectators. The Makauri section rode finely together, and owed) their victory to the machine-like manner in which they wheeled at the turns. . Llovd -Lindsay Competition. —Conditions: (1) Troop may enter any number of fours-: (2) Not more than one N.C. O. shall'be allowed in each four; (3) Leaders of fours must handle their men throughout, and the correct word: of command must he'given; (4) Rifle:

as on issue, and must be carried at 1 advance'; No. 3 may sling his rifle when in charge of led horses only; (o) Points will be awarded for -general appearance 10, dressing 10, jumping 30, dismounted work 10, leading 30, word of" command 10, and time. A standard time will be fixed, and one point will be added or deducted for every second -ciVpart under or over such standard time. Distance, about 800yds. Corpl. MacDonald, Trs. F. Smith, R. Brown, find W. MacDonald (73 points) -•- ••• ••• ••• ••• 1 Corpl. Law, Trs. Pitcher, H. Brown, . and Crimmin (64 points) -t Corpl. Coleman, Trs. McLernon, Malone, and Hansen ... ••• 3 This was an intensely interesting competition, and the daring riding of Hie competitors was generally- admired. A number of the horses failed to lead over the jumps through lack of training, but the plucky efforts of the No. 3's in eventually compelling the recaJcitran.t hors?s to take ‘the obstacle called forth warm applause. 100yds Foot Race. —Drill order. Tr. R. Cam]:held 1 Tr. G. Campbell ... ... - Tr. Graham ••• A field of 25 ' factkl the starter. Though the time recorded (12 3-ssoe) might not be considered remarkable, it "vas highly satisfactory considering the men had to run in uniform, and carry their rifles. Ladies Bracelet (thread the needle race) .—Competitors to .start with ribbons, gallop round flag 200yds, turning to left, dismount at point- 25yds from barrier, lead horse to barrier and hand ribbon to ladv, who will thread needle and knot the ribbon, after which competitors will lead back to mark 25yds from barrier, mount and gallop round flag (turning to left as before) to •winning post, needle to be threaded and securely knotted. -Prizes: (tor lady), Ist bracelet, presented by Captain Evans; 2nd, trophy, presented by Mr. T. A. Coleman; (for winner), trophy, presented bv Messrs Adair Bros.. Ltd. First heat : Tr. W. Witters 1, Corpl. MacDonald 2; second heat: Ir. Svunison 1 Tr. Crimmin 2; third heat: Corpl. Beatson 1. Tr. Lowther 2; final: Tr Swainson (Miss J. McLean) 1, 1 >'• Crimmin’ (Airs. W. Lewis) 2, Corpl. Beatson (Miss Newman) 3. lime, lmin 18 2-ssee. . , , Dispatell.- Competition. —0 lspatc 1 1 es handed to competitors, who will, on tho word “go,” ride to a given point am deliver ’dispatches to officer appointed to receive them. Distance, about halfmile. Minimum weight I2st. Prize: Trophy .presented by Messrs Common, Shelton and Co., Ltd. Tr. G. Campbell’s Brown (S. AlacDpnald) and Tr. Hansen’s Ruby (owner) dead heat for first place. Time, 55 1-osec. . . Physical Drill Competition. —One N.C.O. and. 8 men. Points : Accuracy cf drill 60, commands 15, time 15.- appearance and style 10 —100. Prizes: £4 4s and £1 Is (presented by Messr Williams and Kettle, Ltd., D. J. Barrv. and W. D. Lysnar). ' This event brought forth entne.vfrom tlie Gisborne High School Defence Cadets, E.C.M.R. (Gisborne troop), and Gisborne Defence Cadets. r I he competition was highly interesting, and resulted as follows: Gisborne High School Defence Cadets (Sergt. Butler, Privates Grant, Stevenson, Porter. Torrie, Broni-n-?r, Clare, Forsythe, and Me- ‘ Lend) 88 points I E. (Gisborne troop). .Sergt. Cole, Corpl. Coleman, Trs. Leslie, McLernon, Crimming, Crawford, Craig, Hansen, amH Malone), 82 points 2 Gisborne Defence Cadets (Sergt. Scents, Corpl. Gordon, LanceCorpl. Oxenham, Privates Tolley, Grant, Quigley, Mnidoon, Fielder, and Hansen), 76 points ... o The performance put up by the High ■School boys was a highly creditable one. They were led by a diminutive sergeant, who knew liis driilbook thoroughly, and the team iionestly earned the. award, as they kept better time than their’ opponents. Tent-pitching- a’nd Strikiig Competition. —-For squads of 1 N.C.O. and 6 men. Points: Pitching 40, striking and packing 40, time 15, general style 5. Prizes: Ist, £3 3s (presented by Messrs Dalgety and Co., Ltd., and W. D. Lysnar, Esq.); 2nd, £1 Is (presented by squadron). Gisborne troop (Sergt. Cole, Corpl. Coleman. Trs. Leslie. McLernon, Malone. 'Camming, and Craig)... I Makauri troop (Sergt. McCullough, Lance-Gpl. Tietjen, Trs. G. Campbell, Witters, McCreedy, R. Campbell, and A. Cameron) 2 Te Karaka troop (Sergt. Hughes. Trs. Crimmin, Graham, J. Smiim, Brown, E. Bell, and Forsythe) ... 3 This event attracted a great deal of interest. The Makauri team were much the fastest at pitching and striking, hut the judges took points oft them for not- doing the work thoroughly. The points gained by the respective teams were as follows : Gisborne 92, Makauri 80 Te Karaka 72. Gretna Green Race.—Competitors to enter in pairs. One of each paii (the “gentleman”-) to start with the two horses, riding one and leading the other, gallop over hurdle to a point about 150t/ds . away, where partners dressed as ladies'are assembled. Each gentleman to dismount and assist his lady to mount, then mount his own horse and the pair to gallop back to starting point, dismount and sign their names legibly, remount (gentleman assisting lady) and gallop over hurdle, then round a flag from right to left and .hack to winning post. The gentleman is to lead the lady’s horse throughout but lady may have use of reins if desired. Brize to most tastefully-dressed lady. Ladies will be inspected before race is run. Prizes: Two trophies presented' by Mr. Wm. Miller. Prize for best dressed lady presented by New Zealand Clothing Factory. First heat: Tr. W. MacDonald and R. Brown 1, second heat, Sergt. McCullough and Lance-Corpl. Tietjen, 1; final: Tr. W. MacDonald and R. Brown 1; Corpl 1 MacDonald- and Tr. F. Smith, 2; Tr. G. Campbell and E. Swainson, 3. Trooper F. Cumming secured the prize for most tastefullydressed lady, and thoroughly* deserved \ the award, as lie made a most attrac- ; tive-looking lady. ,

Victoria Cross Rare.—Competitors start at given paint, jump two hurdles, dismount and rescue dummy under lire, returning over two hurdles; dummy to be earned properly ba'ck to winning post. Prize:' Trophy presented by Surgeon-Captain Sc-ott. First heat: Tr." Swainson 1, Corpl. Walker: 2; second heat,; Tr. Courtney 1, Corpl. Law 2; third heat, Tr. G. Campbell 1, Lance-Corpl. Tietjen 2. , Final: Tr. Swainson ••• 1 ’ Tr. Courtney 2 Tr. G. Campbell 3 Time, 53see. Campbell was-The first to pans the post but lost points through not carrying the dummy in the proper manner. , . Open Leaping Match. —Over such jumps- as the committee may decide. Prizes: Ist, £2 2s; 2nd, 10s Gd. Tr. Hansen, 25 points ... 1 Sergt. Newman, 24 points 2 Tr. Malone, 20 points ... 3

The silver challenge cup, presented by squadron officers, to troop scoring jliest points at- the .sports, to he held by tlie troop leader till next sports, was Avon by tlie Gisborne troop, which scored 63 points. Te Karaka came second -with '52 points, while Makauri were third with 49 points. Before dismissing the parade, Captain Evans addressed tlie rquaoroii, and expressed bis satisfaction at the manner in which the tournament had been conducted. He < was more than pleased at the whole-hearted manner m which the members of the squadron bad entered into the sports. Cheers were given for the uisborno troop, which responded. . The squadron was then dismissed. The Gisborne City Banci, under the coiuMotorship of Bandmaster Lawrence, added greatly to the enjoyment of the day’s outing by playing an attractive programme cf selections.