CALEDONIAN SOCIETY OF OTAGO.

Evening Star, Issue 3080, 2 January 1873, Page 2

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY OF OTAGO.

ANNUAL CATHERINE. The first day’s sports in connection with the eleventh annual gathering of the above aocie-y took place yesterday on the North Dunedin Recreation Ground, The day b ing exceedingly fine and warm, the concourse of pcop'e was very large, numbering between four ami five thousand. The fraud stand was well patronised by the fair sex, whose gaily col.-ml dresses bad a very pleasing' effect, while the Batta i.m Baud, and two pipers enlivened the proceedings with music. The an alignments made by the Directors were complete, and the result was that everything went smoothly. The various cveins composing the programme differed little from those of last season, hut the number of competitors who entered for them was not so numerous. This may he attributed to the fact that similar sports have been got up this season in several country districts which have served as counter-attractions to those who otherwise would have competed. In wrestling (northcountry stylo) and racing, particularly in the hoy-contests, there was a marked improvement on former competitions. The first event of the day—the Youths’ Handicap race of 220 yards, in heats—excited considerable interest, not so much bv thestyleoi miming exhibited as by the swiftness of the competitors. The first heat was performed in 30 seconds, and the third in twenty-nine, Martin taking the first honor. The Handicap 100-yard Race in hj ats was well contested and well won by M. Fox, who did the last heat in 10<» seconds. The principal race of tiie day, however, was the One-mile Handicap for a gold medal, valued at Lib. Five came to the start, and were led off iu splendid style by Pollock, who for a time was the favorite, but a youth named Bourke, during the last round, put on a magnificent spurt and came in winner, Pollock being a good second. The distance was covered iu 4miu 42sec. The Hurdle Race (44U yards) deserves notice for the graceful performance of the competitors, while the Youths’ Wa king Pace was remarkable only for the diflerencc in height of the winners. The second prizetaker, A. B, Mercer, was fully live inches over D. Mitchell, the winner, but evidently he had not the training of the latter, and length of leg, therefore, went for little. f l his was his first performance, and it showed that, with training, he has the stuff iu him to make a swift wa'ker. The running long-leap was a rcinirkabie feat by M. Fox, who covered a d'stance of 20ft 7in. Ihe longest leap of last meeting was 18ft 11 in. The wrestling Avas pronounced superior to anything of the kind yet witnessed at these 'gatherings, particularly the contest between John Tyson and George Robertson, a halfcaste. For some years past the latter has been a successful competitor, but on this occasion lie met a more than equal antagonist - in skill, if not iu strength. The dancing Avas equal to former exhibitions, es, ceially that of the more youthful performers. James Murray, jun., and William Allan deserve notice for grace, rapidity, and beauty of execution of the Highland reel. A little after two o’clock His Excellency Sir George BoAven, Lady Boavcii and suite arrived on the ground, and Avere received by the President (Mr Keith Ramsay) ami the directors of the Society, and conducted to the grand stand, Avhcre a place had been specially prepared for them. The President then read the folloAving address : To His Excellency Bir G. P. Boavcii, G.C.M.G., Ac., Ac. The directors and members of the Caledonian Society of Otago beg respectfully to appiuach your Excellency with expressions of loyalty to the throne, ami congratulations and Avelcomc to your K/\celleney and Lady Boavcii on your visit to Otago. We do ourseh'es the honor to lay before your Excellency the book of mu constitution and rules printed for the use of our members, from Avhich avc take leave to make the following extract, setting forth the objects of the Society The object of the society shall be the promotion of benevolence, national literature, customs and accomplishments (1) Benevolence to be promoted by contributions to the funds of such charitable institutions as the directors may do ermine, by giving information and advice to m-wly-an ived immigrants, and by affording for special cases of destitution such temporary relief .is to the directors may appear practicable and expedient. (2) Literature to be promoted by offering prizes for the greatest proficiency of pupils attending the various educational institutions, and also by procuring and disseminating information regarding the poetry, history, and archmology -of Scotland. (3) Customs and accomplishments to be promoted by offering prizes for excellence in the performance of national feats, games, anil exercises to be exhibited at _ the annual gathering of the society.” We rejoice to Icuoav that our beloved Sovereign has accorded her special patronage to similar societies at home, and that there annual gatherings are honored by the presence of Her Majesty and the Royal family, and avc beg to express our gratification at your Excellency and Lady Bowen’s presence amongst us at the present gathering, affording as it docs proof of your Excellency’s belief that our Society, although constituted on a principle of nationality and to perpetuate national traditions is ever as ready as its means permit to extend its benefits Avitlmut distinction of race or class. .Renewing our expressions of unabated loyalty, and congratulating and Avelcmniiig your Excellency and Lady Bowen on your visit to Otago, and respectfully soliciting the honor of enrolling the name of your Excellency as a patron of the Caledonian Society of Otago, avc. have the honor, &e. fllero followed the signatures of the principal office-bearers.) His Excellency replied as folloAvs : Gentlemen, -I thank you lor this address, which is very gratifying to me; iu toe first

place, on account of your expressions of loyalty to our gracious Sovereign, and, secondly, ou account of the assurance of your goodwill to Lady Bowen and myself. I have read with much pleasure the constitution and rules of the Caledonian Society of Otago, and cordially sympathise with its objects, winch have been carried out here with so much energy and perseverance. Indeed, it is hardly too much to say that this Province itself was originally one great Caledonian .Society. It is certainly_ a noble monument of the industry and enterprise of its founders. Tim official statistics prove the rapid strides with which it has advanced since the first difficulties inseparable from a new settlement were surmounted. It appears that the population of Otago, which in ISOO was, in round numbers, under 25,000, is now above 75,000 ; that the public revenue from allcomers actually raised in the Province, which in ISIiO was under MOO,OOO, now exceeds half-a-million sterling ; that the trade (including exports and imports) has risen in value during the interval between 1800 and 1872, from loss than LIOO,OOO to nearly throe millions ; and that the increase in live stock and cultivation during the same period has been more than fivefold Nor is it less satisfactory to observe the steady progress of education. In JfffiO, there wore only twenty schools in this Province, all of an elementary character. Now, there above 180 schools, including two High Schools for boys and girls respectively, four grammar schools and a School of Ait ; while the University of Otago, with its able and learned Prolessors from tire Universities of Great Britain, crowns the noble scheme of public instruction. These are facts andfigutes which should be made widely known its in the mother country, ami to which I am determined to give official circulation there. In this, as in the other Provinces, a continuous stream of immigration--that life blood of a new country -is absolutely necessary for the maintenance and extension of the progress already achieved, and for the success of the public works sanctioned by the Colonial and Provincial Legislatures. In conclusion, gentlemen, I accept with much satisfaction the honor which you propose to confer ou me by enrolling my name as one of the patrons of the Caledonian Society of Otago, and here permit me to congratulate you on the nationality of the gentleman appointed to succeed mo in New Zealand on my promotion to the Governorship of Victoria. Sir James Fergiissou has many personal as well as official claims to your respect and confidence. Ho is a soldier who has seen active service in the Crimea, and was wounded at lukermanii ; he is a statesman who has for several years been a member of the House of Commons, and has filled more than one administrative office of importance. Finally, lie is a Governor of large ability ami experience, whose manifold qualifications and accomplishments will not be the loss popular in this community because they arc united in a Scotchman.

The children who had successfully competed for the educational prizes were then conducted to the front of the grand stand, and Lady Bowen distributed the prizes as follows

History of Scotian A— Alice Spudding, first prize ; Selina Spedding, second prize ; W. D. Milne, third priz« ; and Jane M‘Donald, fourth prize IB citation—Robert Brown, first prize; Alice Spedding, second prize; Jane M'.amahi, third prize Arithmetic. — Richard Kinvvr, first prize ; Ah x. Sutherland, second prize ; W. D Milne, thud prize; and Alex. Bardie, fourth prize. English Grammar.—W. D. Milne, first prize; William Lang, second prize; bred Jcifc. tt. third prize ; and Mary Milne, fourth prize. General Excellence.—Alice Spedding, gold medal. Special Prize (Mr Callender’s).—John BroAvn.

Extra Prizes.—Ellen Harper and William Armstrong. The folloAving is a list of the events and prize-takers : Youths’ Handicap Race, 220 yards, heats: Martin Ist, Main 2nd, and A. M‘Cleliaud 3rd.

Handicap Race, 100 yards, heats.—s competed : N. Fox Ist, Pollock 2nd, and Westland 3rd.

Grand Highland Reel.—4 competed in costume : James Murray l*t, and Hugh Brown 2nd.

TliroAving Light Hammer (lOlbs) : W, Nicliol Ist, Charulcy 2nd, and A. Macdonncll 3rd. Running Long Leap: M. Fox Ist, and P, Power 2nd.

Quarter-mile Handicap Race : M. Fox Ist, Westland 2nd, and Bollock 3rd.

Highland Fling in costume ; Jas. Murray lab, ami - ugh Brown 2nd, Wrestling, North Country style, slack hands : John Tyson Ist, and Oeorge Robertsoii 2nd, Handicap Walking Race, two miles : Fadie Ist, and Thomson 2nd. Sailo s’ Hornpipe: Joseph Haig Ist, and Robert Anderson 2nd. i rand Highland Keel for boys in costume : James Murray, junr., Ist, William Allan 2nd, and Alexander Allan 3rd. One-mile Handicap Race. — Five competed. Bouvko, gold medal value LlO, Pollock 2nd, and Westland 3rd

\V heelbarroAV Competition, each boy to Avheel his barrow three times round tbe starting point, then make for the goal, and find it if he can: J. Leith Ist, Dempstcy 2nd, And K. Paterson 3rd. Running High Leap : Murdoch Ist, and David Auld 2nd

Youths’ Handicap Walking Race : D Mitchell Ist, A. B. Mercer 2nd. and W. M‘Kenzie 3rd.

Seauntreus, in Highland costume : G. Reid Ist, and Joseph Haig second. Handicap Hurdle Face, 440 yards, over eight Rights of 3-ft hurdles : M. Fox Ist, D. Auld 2nd, and F. Wain third. Handicap Sack Race for Boys : Thomas Dallas Ist, J. Lindsay 2nd, and Thomas Main 3rd.

Second Day. The attendance of visitors to day was not so large as yesterday 7, the number being about three thousand. The programme, however, was more attractive, and the various competitions Avhich eventuated before ou” reporter left the ground Avere Avell contested. The 220 Yards Handicap Race, in heats, was a splendid performance. The three heats Avere Avon by Baunatyne, R. Hogg, and Auld respectively, and it Avas remarkable that the time in each heat was 2osccs In running otl, Bannatyne took the lead and kept it throughout, coA’cring the distance in 23,', secs. The Youths’ Handicap 100 Yards Race was a respectable competition But the Boys’ Wrestling Match was a mistake, so far as the ago of the respective competitors avus concerned. It ought to be an object of the Society to encourage youths to come forward, Avho, at the ensuing meeting, might compete wi hj men. On this occasion, however, boys of from twelve to fourteen years competed. Handicap Race, 220 yards, heats : Sixteen competed. Time, Baunatyne Ist, R. Hogg 2nd, and Auld 3rd. lied <»’ Tnlloch, in Highland costume: James Murray Ist. and Hugh Brown 2nd. Wrestling, for youths of 16 aud under, loose north country style, catch as catch can : Scott Ist, and BraitliAvaite 2nd, Sword Dance, in costume : Hugh BroAvn Ist, and James Murray 2nd. Handicap Hurdle Race, 220 yards, over three Rights of hurdles. Ten competed. Time, 28 tcconds : Westland Ist, Fox 2nd, and Auld third. The race Avas run in heats, M. Fox and Auld taking first places respectively in the heats. In the running off, however, Fox had a bad start, and only took sec ml prize, Westland taking Rrst. The latter, however, had twelve yards in the handicap. .Mile Handicap Walking Race. Three ompeted. Time, 8 minutes 13 seconds : Thompson first, and Eadie second. '»his race was a more superior performance than any similar event of yesterday. Eadie was heavily handicapped, giving Smith aud Thompson 35 aud 40 yards respectively. From the first Thompson kept the lead. Smith broke doAvn in the fifth round, leaving Eadie for sccoud prize. Ihe time was 8 iniijutca lo seconds.

Grand Challenge Dance, for youths of 16 and under. Each competitor to choose his own dance.—W. Allan, first; James Murray, jun., second ; and Alexander Allan, third.