AXEMEN’S SPORTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3520, 10 May 1912, Page 6

AXEMEN’S SPORTS.

HELD IN WET WEATHER. SOME INTERESTING SPORT. Yesterday broke bleak and stormy and the promise of the morning was fully fulfilled, rain showers falling intermittently all day long. It was unfortunate, therefore, that the Poverty Bay Axemen’s Association had chosen the day for its initial chopping carnival and athletic meeting; but the- cir-c-mstances were such that made postponement an impossibility. The officials decided, therefore, to carry the fixture through, and a surprisingly large number of enthusiasts turned out, including a- leaven of ladies, who found shelter in the grandstand. Even under the -depressing conditions which prevailed the meeting proved full of interest, and much of the success was due to the officials, who labored assiduously and conducted the gathering in such a- way that there was something before the- spectators all the time.

The principal officials wore as follows;—Handicappers—cycling. Mr. A. W. Elliott; running, Mr W. Howard; chopping and sawing, Mr W. Wilson. Starters —running and cycling, Mr G. Downey: . chopping and sawing, Messrs Mcßae and H. McAra. -Secretary, Mr J. Bollen. Primarily a woodchoppers’ meeting, it proved a great success from the chopper’s point of view. In the maiden chop there were only four entrants. but the contest was willing. W. Blowes (on a 20 seconds’ handicap), managed to cany the medal off fairly easily. S- Johnson gavo away 32 seconds in the handicap chop, and put up a remarkable performance, winning under conditions that "ere not too favorable in lmin ssec. Although good,, this is above Johnson's best time for a standing chop with a loin. log. The same performer finished tliird in the single-handed sawing, hut was -beaten, although by the minutest distance, in the underhand handicap chop. In the doublehanded sawing W. Parsons and C. Blowes annexed the first prize rather easily. Following are the results : easily. Following are the results (the times given being those officially announced) : CHOPPING AND SAWING.

Maiden Wood Chop (12in. log, underhand), medal, value £2, presented by Mr G. K. Pasley, and silver medal, valued 15s; W. Blowes (20sec) 1 F. McKay (18sec) 2 G. Parsons HOsec) 3 D. Neenan (20sec) was the only other competitor. The winner’s time was 39 3-5 seconds, and McKay took 55 4-osec. to divide his log. Handicap Wood Chop (loin, log, standing). £5 and gold medal, valued £2 10s; £2; and £1: S- Johnson (scr.) 1 M. Spellars (15sec) 2

O. Blowes (ISsec) 3 A. Bock (osec), W. Wilson (10), J. McLeod, R. Lloyd and G. Smith and N. McKay (15), G. Hyde (28) and R. Parsons (32) also chopped. Over half-a-minute after the scratch man, Johnson, got a start that was only mediocre. But -a strong steady blow with a razor-edged axe, sliced out chunks from the pine with the greatest ease until the log was severed—and a second before Sellars, who was on the 15 seconds mark. The winner’s time was lmin ssec.

Double-handed Sawing Handicap (16in. log), £2 and £1: W. Parsons & C. Blowes (Bsec) 1 N. McKay and C. Cate (6) ... 2 W- Grantham and E.Olsen (scr) 3 M. Spellars and mate were also scratch starters, and W. Beck' and mate started with 4 seconds. The winning time was 21secs., and the runners-up. recorded 23secs. Single-Handed Sawing Handicap (Ifiin. log), £1 and fopliy valued £1 Is, presented by L. D- Nathan and Co., and 10s H presented by Mr. R. Robertson: G. Granfem (scr.) ... 1 O. Blowes (5), 2 S. Johnson (scr.) 3 The only other competitor was V . Beck (4), who was a hair’s breadth from finishing third. The times were: First 42 4-osec,- second 56 2-osec. Handicap Wood Chop (15in- log, Underhand), £2 and gold medalvalued at £2 10s; £1; and a trophy

valued 10s 6d, presented by Messrs Hallenstein Bros: M. Spellars (ISsec) i X. McKay (18) 2 1 R. Parsons (25) 3 The other competitors were WBeck- (5), W. Wilson (7), F- G. Smith (18), O. Blowes (20), G. Parsons (25) and W. Blowes and D. Neenan (35secs). Tho hurdle was a. bit high for tho scratch man, lint he was amognst the winners. Spellars also pijt up a good show, chopping his log in 43 2-ssec. McKay’s time was 4Ssec. - TRACK EVENTS. ' 1 The competitors in the above events , were at a disadvantage, owing to a somewhat sodden track, -but notwithstanding this the finishes were keen, and at least one excellent- time was recorded. Below are details:—i lOOyards Open Flat, £2, £1 and 10s ' —A. E- Davy (6yds) 1, L. C. Davy (9yds) 2, E. E. Luttrell (7yds) 3. There -were no other starters, and the finish was very close. Time: lOsec. One Mile Bicycle Race (open), racing tyres, valued £2. ss, presented by Mr P. Eishbach; pair handle-bars, valued 17s fid, presented by Mr H. Anderson ; and 7s fid. —W. Hedges (90yds) 1, N. Ingram (60yds) 2, K. Priestly (130) 3. G. Carr (40) also started, but did not' complete the course. The finish was close. Time: 3min. 14-lsecs. 440vds Elat Handicap (open), .£3 and £2—H. C. Davy (15yds) 1, A. E. Davy (15yds) 2, L. C. Davy (25yds) 3. A family affair, Luttrell ’ (20) and Morris (18) finishing some distance to the rear. Time: 55 4-5-sec. Three Mile Bicycle Race, £1 10s, presented by Boom Cycle Company; lamp, valued 17s fid, presented by Mr B. Lewis; and 10s. —F. Mawhinnev 1, jG. -Carr 2, N. Ingram 3. D. Mus--1 grove and K. Priestly also started, but withdrew early in the race. The : first two men wore only a length apart. Time: lOmin. 39 2-ssec.