CALEDONIAN SPORTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 59, 3 December 1919, Page 10

CALEDONIAN SPORTS

revival on boxing day A\ith the revival of the Caledonian Society s activities there lias come a desue to renew the annual Caledonian sports meeting, once one of the events ot the year. All active committee has been set up to make the nwe&sn-y arrangements, and the results are so encouragmg that on next Boxing Day the society promise to provide one of the biggest gatherings of its kind ever held 111 the Dominion. The Basin licservo has been scoured for tlio occasion, this being 11 big litt towards the reorganisation of tlio Caledonian sports, and most essential in view of the big programme which has been drawn up.' Among those actively interested is Mr. "Dorrio" Leslie, and his progress reports are most encouraging. From the point of view of athletics, the programme is the biggest that has been drawn up-tlie list of events eclipsing those of a New Zealand championship meeting. Splendid provision has been made for dancing, etc., and with the two classes combined the public should bo provided with a really fine entertainment for the holiday. Added interest will be given the gathering by the appearance of tho athletes who achieved such remarkable success abroad. 11. E. Wilson, who holds tlio English hurdles championship, is to compete, this being tho iirst occasion on which the holder of that title has competed in Now Zealand. Many other championships wero won by this young Wellingtonian whilst on active service, and tho only defeat iio suffered was by the Olympic champion. Also to compete is J. Lindsay, who, prior to returning to New Zealand, defeated Applegarth, the world's champion, over a hundred yards. J. Wilton, who lias likeiviso performed with distinction ia notable JlO yards events abroad, and who holds the New Zealand championship for that distturco, will be seen out, and it is almost certain that D. L. Mason, recognised as tho world's best halfmiler, will reach Wellington in time for tho gathering. Constable 31 unroe, who, whilst a member of the Expeditionary Force, won every putting-the-shot event in which lie competed in England, is to appear, and another competitor will bo Sergeant M'Holm, of tho Police Force, tho Australasian champion hammerthrower. Bradbury, the former lialfmilo and mile Wellington provincial champion, is expjeted down with a strong team from Masterton,' while Sievwriglit, Now Zealand's mile-walk champion, is also in training. The mile-walk event should bo one of the most attractive of tho day, in that other likely competitors aro Casliman, M'Kenzie, tho Hickling brothers, and Leslie (son of

"Dome" Leslie), nil well-knokn walkers. M'Kenzie, although only nineteen years of age, is 0110 of the finest walkera elington has seen for many years. Not the least important events will he the wrestling and tossing tho caber. Provision is made for a Caledonian Grand Handicap of four distances—loo yards, 220 yards, 440 yards, and half-mile —tho winner to hold tho Gillies Cup (valued at £10) for ono year, and to receive a gold medal. Another important event will bo a 200 yds. provincial championship, which has been specially authorised by the Wellington A.A.A. Barker, Ilealey. Lindsay, Wilson, and other notable sprinters arc expected to participate in this race, for which the track' will bo specially surveyed. A race for returned soldiers is also set apart. Tha only professional event will be a tug-of-war, for which the first prizo is .£lB and the second .£l2.

In view of tho coming New Zealand and Australasian athletic championships, it is pTobablo that the team to represent Wellington will be chosen on tho performances of competitors at this gathering. Regarding tho dancing, it has been found iiccessnry, on account of the largo number of intending competitors from various parts of tho Dominion, to provide three dancing boards. There will be fivo sections, and (ill competitors over fourteen years of ago will compete in separate sections—malo and female. The judges for dancing ar 0 being (specially imported. A competition for pipers will also bo held.

Tho winners of the npgreKato in each of the adxilt dancing sections will appear at the evening's entertainment in (ha Town Hall, to decide the holder of the M'Gregor Challenge Cup and medal. Messrs. W. M'Kee, tccretary, and Leslie, convener, with a strong working committee, aro devoting much time and attention to tho evont. Entries' close w'itli Mr. A. C. Kitto, Manners Street, on December 13.