TO-MORROW’S HOLIDAY.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2741, 29 November 1871, Page 2

TO-MORROW’S HOLIDAY.

Varied as are the amusements provided for to-morrow, there can be no question that the principal, and the one that will attract the largest attendance, will be the opening sports of the Dunedin Athletic Club, on the North Dunedin Recreation Ground, and judging from the programme and the number of entries for the various events, we expect to sec one of the best days sports ever held in Dunedin. We give our sporting corespondent’s “tips":—The Open Handicap is creating a great, deal of interest amongst the knowing ones, owing to tbe-fact that Fox, a crack Victorian runner, is in the race, and that he has to give some of our best local “ peds ” very long starts in each event; almost every man in the race has his backers, who feel positive that their man must win. For our* selves, we are inclined to favor the “Victorian ” with our half-crown (we never bet more than a half-a-crown at a time), although Murdoch, Muir, Auld, and Doyle will make it very warm for him. The Two Mile Walking Race is also causing some speculation, the friends of Macgregor feeling very confident, notwithstanding the 250 yards start that he has to give some of the amateurs, whose friends also feel positfve that “ Mac ” can never see it. We, however, must plump for the “veteran,” who is placed at scratch. The One Mile Walking Race will be the best event of the day, being confined to amateurs, all of whom, from their own accounts, are going to win. We will not mention names, but expect to see the “pink and black” very near the front at the finish, with “magenta and white” close up. The One Mile Handicap Flat Race also promises well, and for that wo give the “ black and gold,” or “ canary and black,” for first place. For the sprint races we must decline to give a p tip to our readers, as so much depends on the start, but we fully expect to see a dead heat or two. The Club have issued very neat cards with the names and colors of the ruu*«l’S mentioned, price sixpence, so that all visitors at the sports will know what is going on. There will be retiring and refreshment rooms for ladies only, in the grand stand, where every attention will be shown. Messrs Macfarland, Pell, and Winter, officiate as stewards for the day, Mr C. B. Winter acts as starter, and Captain Macfarland as judge. In the event of the sports proving a success, we believe it is the intention of the Club to offer a good prize for “The New Zealand Championship,” sufficient to induce runners from all parts of the Colony to compete. In conclusien, we hope the Club will be more fortunate iijthe o£ thp weather than the Volunteers were on the 9th. '

The sailing matches of the Otago Yacht Club will take place to-morrow, the following being the conditions of the matches, with the entries for each : Ist. To start fromPelichet Bayat 11 a.m., for yachts of five tons, and under. Prizes— L 5 5s and L 3 3s for the first and second boats. Distance—Twice round the course, about twelve miles. The following are tl e competing yachts Cygnet, four tons, 'J, Fordyce, white with red bar; Torment, three tons, R. Hay, white; Blue Jacket, three tons, 0, black; Foam, thpes tons, 0, Cutteu, black and red i Annie, two tons, J. Fraser, white with blue bar. 2nd. For O.Y.C. Yachts, of all sizes, to start at 1.30 p.m., three times round the courge, about eighteen miles. There will compete : Anonyma, eleven tons, W. Guthrie, red with white border; Dauntless, nine tons, B. C. Haggitt, St. George’s Ensign; Gipsy; nine tons, C. H. Street, red with White diamond ; Cygnet, four tons, T. Fordyce, white with red bar; Torment, three tons, R. Hay, white. The officers of the day are Captain Thom, son and Mr E. B. Cargill. Captain Dickie had consented to act as starter, but we are sorry to say that illness will prevent his attendance. Early in the morning there will be an inspection parade of the Volunteers, companies falling in opposite the Custom House, at iine o’clock. 1 he Fire brigade intend holding their annual picnic at a convenient spot somewhere in the vicinity of M'Glashaa’s Mill, wo believe; to wind up in the evening with a social gathering. The Harbor’s Company’s steamers will make cheap excursions to the Port and Upper Harbor, while on D.C.C. ground there will be a scratch match played; sides to be chosen ;at 11.30 a.m. sharp A special performance at the Theatre; a social gathering at the Oddfellows Hall, under the auspices of the Dunedin Mutual Improvement Association, and the Star of Otago Lodge, A. 1.0.0, anniversary dinner constitute the evening’s entertainment. 1