Annual sports meeting, 17 June 1896

The Australian Star, 18 June 1896, p 8:

The 11th annual sports meeting of the Sydney High School was held yesterday at the Sydney Cricket Ground. There was a very large attendance present, and many of the races were closely contested. The running of Mr. W. H. Pratt showed him to be in fine form. He won no less than four races, the 150 yards handicap, championship of the school, 220 yards school cup, and the 100 yards open handicap. Mr. H. C. Rourke, the secretary, had all the arrangements made successfully. A large number of irresponsible and shouting youngsters, probably from the public schools, made things noisily unpleasant on the grandstand and lawn. This nuisance at schools' sports is becoming rather too accentuated.

Referee, 24 June 1896, p 7:

The sports were well carried through, the masters, headed by Mr. W. Crompton, and assisted by Messrs. Coombes and Elphinstone, carrying affairs through in good time and without a hitch. Masters W. H. Pratt and H. C. Rourke, as hon. secs. to the gathering, may be commended for their efforts. The hero of the afternoon was W. H. Pratt, aged 17, who proved himself far and away the speediest boy at the school.

The Sydney Morning Herald,18 June 1896, p 3:

The weather could not have been improved upon. During the afternoon the Bavarian brass band rendered a number of selections. The various events were well contested. The following were the results:—

100 Yards School Championship for Boys under 15.—A. Murdoch, 1; C. Alford, 2; G. Madsen, 3.

100 yards Championship of School.—W. Pratt, 1; C. Moulder, 2; H. Rourke, 3.

150 Yards Siamese Handicap.—A. Berner and A. Smith, 1; V. Nathan and R. Bellemey, 2. Won easily.

220 Yards Handicap for Boys under 15.—C. Alford, 5 yards, 1; G. Madsen, 12, 2; J. Josephs, 12, 3.

220 Yards Handicap, for school cup.—W. H. Pratt, 2 yards, 1; R. Bellemey, 10, 2; C. Moulder, 5, 3. Won by two yards.

100 Yards Sack Race.—S. Bellemey, 1; J. Wason, 2.

880 Yards Handicap.—A. Smith, 45 yards, 1; G. Madsen, 100, 2; J. Green, 100, 3.

Throwing Cricket Ball Handicap.—J. Green, 68 1/2 yards with allowance of 15 yards, 83 1/2 yards, 1; A. Burner, scratch, 82 yards 10in., 2.

120 Yards Club Handicap.— G. Madsen, 14 yards, 1; C. J. Moulder, 2, 2; H. C. Rourke, scratch, 3.

One Mile Walk.—A. Berner, 30 yards, 1; J. J. Wason, 65, 2. Only two finished.

150 Yards Club Handicap.—W. H. Pratt, scratch, 1; C. J. Moulder, 3 yards, 2; H. C. Rourke, scratch, 3.

440 Yards Obstacle Race.—C. Alford, 15 yards, 1; R. Griffiths 5, 2; J. Wason 5, 3

220 Yards Ex-Students Handicap.—J. G. Bissett, 4 yards, 1; A. D. Walker 8, 2; O’Brien 15, 3.

100 Yards Handicap.—First heat: E. A. Pettitt (Sydney Harriers), 9 yards, 1; W. J. Thomas (P.S.A.C.) 4, 2; L. R. Cox (Roma Harriers), 3. Second heat: W. H. Pratt (Sydney High School) 11 1/2 yards, 1; G. M. Rowohl, (Darlinghurst Harriers) 10 1/2, 2; A. P. Humphries (Ashfield Harriers), 4 1/2, 3. Third heat: A. A. F. Luben (Balmain Harriers), 11 1/2 yards, 1; H. Docksey (Balmain Harriers), 10 1/2, 2. No other starters. Fourth heat: J. G. Bissett (Darlinghurst Harriers), 5 yards, 1; J. S. M’Gifford (Darlinghurst Harriers), 10 1/2, 2; J. Keniff (Balmain Harriers), 8, 3. Fifth heat: J. F. Johnson (Sydney Harriers), 6 yards 1; P. C. Daly (Ashfield Harriers), 10, 2. Final: Pratt, 11 1/2 yards, 1; Bissett, 5, 2; Johnson, 6, 3. Won by a yard. No times were taken.

440 Yards Handicap.—A. Smith, 15 yards, 1; H. Palmer, 30, 2; G Madsen, 45, 3.

Consolation Race.—Dunlop, 1; Paton, 2.

The various officers carried out their duties satisfactorily.

See also: The Daily Telegraph, 18 June 1896, p 2; Evening News, 18 June 1896, p 5; Referee, 24 June 1896, p 7.