CALEDONIAN GATHERINGS.

Evening Star, Issue 4010, 3 January 1876, Page 2

CALEDONIAN GATHERINGS.

AT DXWEDIN. First Dat. The fourteenth annual gathering of the Caledonian Society of (Hugo commenced on Saturday very successfully. After ihe tempestuous weather <<£ the week it was a treat to have so fine a day as Saturday turned out. and though the ground was necessarily rather damp it was not very bad '1 here were ab>uh 8 500 people on the grounds altogether, and Brand, in particular, was crammed full. Tho arrangements were muoh better than usual, tie c >m ; e-titor-i' dr.snng booth being placed near the sta ling 2>oint, marking hoards being used for hoisting the starters' tnd winners' numb.-rsytho at its ftiven in the races were ready chalked and ticketed, and a s-taud erected for the ju 'gasand tho PrcM. Still thtre was room for improvement, for the marking boards frequently did not t how the starters numbers, and as fctquently contained those at the hist two or three winners in cases where four priza* were awarded Ag-un, the judge*' stand was really devoted to an un-

ruly mob of children, who dtd nothing but tuck lollies and took very littlo notice of the 4 'Hies. It is tho first time we ever saw th> directors rail off a valuable part of tho ring for the benefit of a lot of youugs'ceia, who would pet a better view from the grand stand, The othtr grounds of complaint were, that three nr four hundred peoplo were a'lowed continually withe running giound, in front, and at the stilts of tho competitors' booth, and tha» in the wrestling matches there was no poasibl.-. means of distinguishing one man from another. (.in the cud they were set down as wearing rosettes, but we could see none on uny of the competitors, and if they had worn them it would have been impossib'e to hive mads them out. The Artillery Band played sjme c.vpit-d music throughout the day. I'hi ; y were in a \ei5 r position, in a place specially fence.! off I'or them. The particu'are of the sports themselves will be noticed by us at the conclusion of tho gathering; iu the meantime the following are the rebults of the fir3t day:— Handicap Bace, 220 yards. Prizes, L7,L 3, L2, XI. 1 ive heats ; the first and second in each heat to run off in two final heats, and the first and ' second in theso to run off for tho prizss, entries. » * M. 8.-Wtson i'l2yds) 1 W. J. Burke (4yds) fi F. Wain (Byds) ,„ a G. AtU'oiis flOyds) 4 Iu tbe first heat six startod. F. Wells (llj ds) cut out the ru.minc, but was booh supplfmtedby W. Nightingale (Byds). C. Bennett (syds) and A. Gillies (4yds) then went to the front, the former winning by a yard, Gillus second, the rest close up. Time, 27iscc3. In the second heat six started. Aarous and Wain startod off with their lead and kept it all the way round, Wain coining in flret. J. Murdoa'. ('syds) came well in the last fifty yards, but could not reach the leaders. Time, 26Jseo. Six started for tbe third heat, a capital race. Half way round all were together, J. Gobbio (9yds) and J. Donaldson (7yds) having a littlo the beßt of it. riiou Donaldson too'.c tho lead and boat Gebbio for first plxce by half a yard, the rest well up. Time, 2<isscs. Six started for tho fourth heat. Eobeit-

son and Birch (12yds) were each put back a yard for a false start. E .bartson kept his sta.t three quarters round, when Burke came through his men mid up on the inside, winning by two yards, Robertson second. Time, 26£secs. Four started for tbe fifth heat, the best contested of all for seoond place. J. -Smith (9yds) kep. his start throughout, and won ns he pleased, but meanwhile there was a fine race for second. G. Lindsay (syds) . and G. Murdoch (Byds) gradually passed L. Israel (oyds), Murdoch having a slight lead; but Lindsay gallantly collared him on the post and made a dead heat for second place. Time, 26$Eecs, Instead ot running off, both men ran in the second sonea. For tho first of tho deciding heats the competitors keut their respective positions all round, excepting tnat Wnin made a dead heat witli Aarous for first place. Time, 26isecs-, In the second there was a grand race. Smith was put back a yard. Robertson dashed oft with the lead, but when at the further side Of tho course Burke came round his men, got on terms with Eobtrtsou, and the two breasted the tape siinultoneouslv. Time, 2<?ssc3.

Iu the final tussle Robertson got off well and kept his advantage half way round. Then Burke passed Wain and Aarons, and mado a desperate effort to catch Robertson, who, however, won by half a yard. Wain, who had fallen back to the rear, came at the finish, and snatched third place from Aarons. Time, 25$socb.

Ghand Highland Eeei,, in costume. Prizes, L 3, L'2, LI. W. A. Spiers 1 J. Ogg 2 J. Murray, jun , ... 3 Six entered, and the first prize was deservedly awarded to Spiers. The winn r, who is a pretty dancer, is a new arrival from Home. Ho is a pupil of the great M'Neil, of Edinburgh, and wears several prize medals obtained in competitions in the Old Country. Ilis, dancing was the best ever seen on the* ground. Eunnino High Leap.—Prizes, £3, £2, £l. H. Ackers (Sft.l 1 J. F. Walsh ' 2 K. 0. Birch 3 Six entered, but only the above and J. Murdoch competed, 'i he latter, who at first appeared to be jumping in better style than any of the others, lailed three times at 4ft Bin. Birch was the next to give in, at 4ft lOiu; then Walsh This height was cleared by Ackers, who jumps well, but falls on all-fours. Throwing 101b Hammer.—Prizes IS, L 3, L2. D. Chalmers, champion (103 ft 7in) ... 1 J.Ore(Bßft3iu) 'J D. bt-Herracher (97ft 3iin) 3 W. Matheson aid W. Nicoll ulso throw. In the first round Chnlmers threw 100 ft S'tin; Ogg, 9'ft Oiu } il'Hoi.i evulicr, trTii> OJlu. Iu tlir Autvl ooalcai it will be seen the first two improved on these distances . ( BaGl'lfb Music, consisting of pibrochs, marches, I strathspeys, and reels. Prizes LlO, Li, L2. Henry Uaokay 1

Duue:iiT M'Coll also entered but did not put in an appearance. How tje matter will be arranged wo are unaware, Inn believe the competition will be J kept open throughout to-day. BAii-nrE Music, for Young" Pipers. Prizes, L 5, L2, Li. J. Finlnyson ... 1 Archibald M'Coll entered for thia but did not show up, so the same remarks apply to this as in the previous event. | Quoiiino. Trues, L 5, L2, LI. ; Twelve entered and competed during the day, J. i M'Lauohlnn, J. M'Uorie, and J. Smeatou being left ! best in. These three will play off to-day. \ Youths' Handicap Eace, 410 yards: Handicapped j on the ground. Prizes, LI 10s, LI, 10s, ss. Sixteen entries. Two heats ; the first, second, I and third in each heat to run off in the final. D. Duncan , 1 I W. Cameron ... 2 1 J. Gow 3 ] W.Lee 4, ! TCight started for the first heat. A mite of a fellow named J. Clark kept the lead he had given hiui for nearly -100 yi.rds, hut then tired and was passed by Gow and J. Lindsay, these two coming in iirst and second, Cameron third. Time, lmin. Ksoo. For the second boat eight also started. Duncan, who had ai>out ilfteen yards start, rushed ; oft'with the lead and won at his ease; Leo second, D. Grater third. Timo, lmin. CJsee. j In the final heat Duncan, who ran in five profes- ■ sional style and proved to have been too favorably handicapped, won all the way with ridiculous ease. , Cameron-was a bad seeGud, Gow and Lee, close up, : third and fourth. Time, lmin 3Jsec. j ifi<nn.A!ro Fliso, in costume. Prizes, L 3, L2, LI. W. A. Spiers .-. 1 I J. Murray, jim ... 2 i J.O-fg 3 I There wore six entries, though tho mine of Muri ray, jun., did not appear on the curd. Tho dancing ■ of Spiers vrac again much admired. ' j "WRE3Ti.iKd, North Country stylo, 13 stono and under. Prizes, £B, &Z, £2; 10s each givon to standards. T. Fcthergill 1 G.Carlyle 2 K, Tys.ni 3 j Nine entries. Crring to the absence of any distinguishing colors Oil the competitors, it was entire guess-work as to who they wore. As near as wo I could judge. W. Tyson (the old man) threw R. j .-itevens, and Fothergill disposed of J. Ogg in a twinkling. A man with a blue shirt (G. Coiiyle ?) then thi'tw AV. Tyson and E. Tyson; but ho himself eamo twice to an untimely end (after a gallant

struggle'* at the hands of Fothergill, who al3o dbj- • posed of It. Tyson. The result of this match rathor took the knowing ones aback, for the Tysons were reported to bo able to sweep all before thorn. W. Tyson ami J. Ogg obtained prizes as standards. QuAKTKR-iuti: Handicap Back.—Prizes L 7, L3.L2, LI. Twenty-six entries. Three heats; the first and second in eachhoat to run in the iinnl. G. Murdoch J. Murdoch <sydsJ 2 J. C. .Smith (12yds) 3 S. Brooks (Byds) 4 Seven started in the first heat, W. J. Burke 3 ofc showing up, but reserving himself for the mile race. L, Israel (12 yards) made the running, and in the second round, J. F. Gough (scratch), who got off badly, passed three or four of his opuoents, but could do no more. Brooks had in the mean timo come with a rush, and won 1 y ten yards from J. Jumieson (6yds); J. Frier (liiyds), third. Gougn pulled u,>a deal distressed. Time, 6uj Decs, lu the aeeom; heat nine started. Smith ran away from the jump and was novor headed. J. Murdoch ran well within himself, and passed all but Smith easily, coming in a ,good second. Timo, 594 sees. £evt"n showed up for the third heat, which requires but little notice. • Q. Murdoch steadily worked his way to the-front, and won as he liked; 31. Gibbons (Iyd), and W. Henderson (Byds), making a dead heat for second place. Time, 59secs. For the final, contest Smith cut out the running, but when half tho distance was gone G. Murdoch shot ahead, followed by his brother, and nothing could touch the two " long 'una." G. Murdoch won by three yards. Smith a poor third, Brooks fourth, lime, 57isec.3, Eunnixg Long Leap.—Prizes, L2, LI, 15s. I

J. F. "Walsh (17ft, 3iu.) 1 H. Ackers (17ft, lin.) 2 H. Carey (16ft. lliu.j -3 Seven entered, but only four competed, C. Smith being the fourth. Tho jumping was not very superior, the winner clearing only a little over 17ft. WnESTLiNO, North Country Btyle, open to all comers. First prize, Champion Belt (worth L 80) and LlO in money ; 2nd, Lt j 3rd, L2. Standards receive 10s each. G. Boborison ... ... ... ~, f T. Fothergill ... ... f E. Tyson ... 3 Nine entered, but two or three did not compete. This contest; wua looked for with great interest, especially after the breakdown some months ajjo oi

lwo xo step into the arena, but the latter waj» B. Tyson then suirily AkmisTed i.& « } me £ a V da » oodde( " of finessing ensued • butt as soon as both got a (trip the great JtwLtlTof oWMI °T^ pr f ailc i and BOa *«** down like n r fV«« Eober , t ? on then dißposed of B. Tyson after the semblance of a struggle and nrmnrvi ♦« ineet IWherrfU. The 4ctten?Vow P bSmc intense, for although the Maori was most fancied k^fT^ ter dis i , , °' tlie TysoS with snch ease) a good many knew that FothergiU would F*rV?v S Sf f ncl a ? d uot throw away a chance For three-quarters of an hour, off aud on these two were at it, only twice getting a grip, aud then to no purpose liy this like all roorto w.re over, so the contest was adjouxno&ill R. J. Campbell (90yds) 1 C- B wley (ncratah) "" o M.Macgregor (80yds) '" a A. Sims (150 yds) ... \ xZriffnti i l( PJ* s )> M - Carr (lOOydsj'. and N. ' Sent 8 nff ( i+ r s) al ?° Bter t ed - At the b&»! Sims IES™ ™> Stuart and Campbell folle£ur!lv 'STrTf r and Bo T ley ifc aore j i«™™« 7 : . , st few rowjds require no special SKS*' ? l° ept tbat Cflrr "* D o "*'" 'ona. tSS akeU , »*»«>«» they couldr«Ured. Campbell and Stuart went on together. S'l Walk V ng - 111 ft Bi ' le 4«it«ldifferent to his w5 C ,?nW be ,t* ken for running-, but this time he doubled himself into a semi-cu-cle and worked himself along m such a mauner that tho people were hooting hi m sill round, and at las' the judgea ciisqunliii'jd him. Macgregor now spurted and got a. little nearer Campbell, who had passed Sims fa.uwe a Ijoy), and at the conclusion of the first mile the order was Campbell, Sims, Macgregor, ??L y * I . u ttl ® next round Buwley cauio out a bit, and after a sharp Bet-to passed filacgregcr amid loud c'lerr-, and soon after passed buns, getting within half a lap of Campbell, who was walking inflno style. After this the race waii virtually over,.for although the Christchnrch man lessened the distance between himself and Campbell to about tO yaros.Jt jc latter won as he liked. Mae. S r l g S r ? ho ? eeni . 8 to bave losfc a ll pace, was a bad tlurd bims fourth. Campbell's time (less SO yards start) was 15min 20- ec : Bowleys, for the two miles, 15mm 39secs.

Saiioeb' HoBNnrE, in coßtume. Prizes,L3, L2,LI. D. Buchanan ... .„ i B. Anderson ,„ ,„ " t ' t '" g W. A. Spiers „ " "' 3 J. Thomson and G. Wilson also entered.' Milk Handicap uace.—Prizes, LB, L 3,1.2, LI. W. J. Burke (scratch) 1 G. Murdoch (25vd3) ... 2 8. Brooks (18yds) ... . "* 3 W. Henderson (32yd5)... '..'. '.'.'. 4 Nineteen entered, hut only fourteen stated. All went away steadily,!'. Gorman (70yda) lending, H. Avi.liDnsson (asyd») second, then about a dozen n a cluster, M. Gibbons (scratch) and Brooks bringing up the rear. In the second round Williamson had changed places with Oornian, and Brooks came up on the outside and took third place; in the fourth rounrl Brooks run second and Murdoch came u* and took third plaCe. The sixth time round saw Williainsou disappear from the front, Brooks taking nn tho running; Burke, who had been quietly passin* his men one by one, second, Murdoch third In tho seventh round Burke deposed Brooks who was also passed by Murdoch—all three drawing away from the field. In the last round, Burke, who ran with admirable judgment, let Murdoch come close tip to him eighty yards from home, but then, after coolly looking him in the face, put on a spurt and won, full of running, by twenty yards. Brookß was a bad third, Henderson fourth. Time 4 min 35 sees.

Weestlikg, catiih as catch can. Prizes: £4. £2. £l, standards, ss. S. Carlyon ,„ , 1 L. Edwards ... , ",' 2 W. Christie ,'. '.' 3 There were nine entries, nearly nil being young fellows, and a good deal of amusement was caused by tho rough-and-tumble way in which they went to work. Gbakd Highland Reel, for boys, in costume Prizes LI 10s, LI, 10s, ss. W. Allan 1 J. Caldwell ,' 2 A.Allan \ 3 Youths' Handicap Walking Eace.—One mile. Prizes L2, LI 10s, 10s, ss. Handicapped on the ground.

H. Duff 1 J. M'Loren \ 2 ' D. M'liwan ... , '„ 3 Nino entered. M'Laveu, quite a little fellow, walked splendidly for half a mile, leadiug all tho others. Then, however, Duff passed him, and he gradually fell back. Time, Stnin 48scc. SEAT7VNTRFITSS.—Prizes. LS, L2, LI. W. A. Spiers 1 A. M'Ken?.ie ... „. ~, ' 2 C. M'lutyro ... ... ... '", 3 Handicap Hurdle Each, SOOyds, over Bix flights of Bi't hurdles. Prizes, L 7, L 3, L2, LI. Pour heats, the first and second in each heat to run off in the final. Twenty-seven entries. J. P. Grugh (scratch) 1 L. Israel (9yds) ... 2 S. Brooks (tiyds) .', 3 W. Nightingale (oyds) 4 Sis started in the first heat. Israel darted r.ffand was never caught. Tho others ran in a cluster for two hundred yards, when Gongh singled himself out and came in second comfortably. Henderson (7yds) ran last throughout. Time, 4.7$ sees. Four came to the post for tha second heat. Wells came to grief after going fifty yards, and Nightingale (9yds) and J. Murdoch (2yds) took up the running, the latter coming in ffrst. Donaldson tried all he knew, but without success. Time, VB sees. For the third heat four started, and it proved a good contest. Frier (11yds), who is a wretched jumper, but a fair runner, led till near home, E. Birch (10yds) second, F. Wain (9yds) third, Brooks last, brooks then put on a spurt, pass?d all three at the hist hurdle, and won easily. Time, 47secs. Four started for tho fourth heat. J. C. Smith (9yds) led for 10D yards, but later on fell at the last hurdle. H. Ackers (2yds) soon got through his men and won easily, Burke (4yds) second, Gillies defeated for second place through Burke coming with one of his tremendous rushes on the post. Time, 47aecs. The final heat produced a fine race. Israel and Nightingile led half way, when BroorH mnde hin effort, but had. to fall back beaten. Then Gough came out, passed Nightingale, and gradaally got within a fovt of Israel, who would however have won the race if ho had not pulled up at a flag about five yards from tho tape. Through this unfortunate mistake he had to he content with second money. Brooks mado but a poor third, Nightingale fourth. Time, HJsecs. Gymnastics .—Prizes, L 4,13, L2.

Messrs A. Kerr, T. Booth, and E. Lookhead went through some excellent performances on the horizontal bar, trapeze, etc., and Mr Long also cxliibited soma of his best feats. The competition was to bo con: inued to-day.

Second Dav. Considering the threatening appearance of the weather during the forenoon, there was certainly a very large attendance at the snorts to-d«y. At two o’clock there must certainly have been 5,000 present. We were glad to see that the accommodation provided for the directors and the Press was not allowed to be again monopolised by children, In to-night's issue wo can only find room for the results of the va'ious events, which will bo found detailed Handicap Rack, 250 yds. Prizes, L7,L 3, L2, LI. J. Frier (13ycls) 1 F. Wain (Byds) 2 Corey (11yds) 3 Israel (10yds) also started in the Huai heat, but he was completely distanced. Frier won rather easily by about fouryds. Wain beating Cuioy by about two yards. Time, 29secs. Ebel O'Tcixocn. Prizes, L 3, L2, LI. W. A. Spiers 1 J. Ogg 2 A. M'Kenzie S YoWth’s Handicap, 440 yards, Prizes, LI 10s, LI, 10s, ss. E. White 1 J. Lindsay ... ... 2 J. M'Ewan ... ... 3 W. Cameron 4 Time, Imiu Bsec, PDTTiNe the 22i.n bah. Prizes, 16, L 3, L2, LI. F. M'Cluskey. 30ft 6Jiu.

.-• D Chalmers, 30ft 4in. '& D.M'Kerracker,29ftsiu. W. Mathesoa, i:Bft 6iu. Bagpipe Music—Prizes, LlO, L 4, ond L2. Hy.M'Kay 1 * Finlaysoa \ * 2 Only two competed. The youth's competition fell through. Handicap Bace, 440 yards. Prises, L7,L 3, L2, Ll' G. iiindsay (10yds) ... ... ... 1 F. Wells (29yds) ~M ... 2 J. Frier (16yds) „ ... 3 M. Gibbous (4yds) 4 Time, 57|sec3. Wbustuko (Cornish and Devonshirestyle.) Prizes LlO, L 4, L2, aud Ll. J. Tyson 1 R. Tyson 2 J. Thomas 3 G. Carlylo 4 Soino god wrestling was exhibited by the Brothers Tyson. Swo&d Dakcb, in the Highland fjostuaje. Prim. LS, L2,and Ll. ' w J. Ogg , ■ ... „, ... 1 J. Murray, Jan ... ... t A, M'Kenzie ~ ,„ - 3

Welsh, Bft sia ... ~ » . ♦ Mmrhead, 8f 15in ... ......'$ Hahdica* Walxiko Bacb. On»mile. PrhMfc 47. £3, «S mi. C. Bowley. scra-teh ... l J.Campheil.lOydß [ a • M. Moogregor, 85 yds ... « _. M.Corr.lOSydß 4 Woaoasiy. Ximo, rmias. i«H«cß*. '"

AT THE TAlßttl. The Taieri Caledonian Scciety’s sixth annual gathering wr a held at Moagiol onSatorday, in a grass paddock, kindly lent by Mr R Valen* fcino* c-.ose to tho township. Tho weather was very euitab e, a nice cool breeze with « clouded “ a^,n 3 the day very enjoyable. The attendance was fair, gome 80.) poisons being present. The games went off well, and each event was well contested. The prizes. £6O, were snpplnnted by gifts from Messrs Brown, & Co., of a suit of hJo'. -ii 1 twi-ed for the best recitation, and oi u pretty clock for a consolation race, by Mr K. H. Bailev. The general arrangements were well carried out under the Eupmntey.ca of Messrs Charteris, JJey, and Lees, tu ported by twelve others. A ball was held in /die evening, and everything passed off without a hitch. AT ToKOMAIIUKO. The ann ual sports, under the auspices of the I , uc , e A •’ ! were held on Saturday. ; , Bolicu Canin, Milton. I'he weather j cleared up beautifully in the morning, making i the day all that could bo desired for such a ( gathering. Ihe ground selected was well drained and perfectly level, and the whole inha atants both of the town and near districts appeared to have fathered together, there being not less th'.n from 1.200 to 1,600 people on the ground. t»ieat credit is due to the committee for the manner in.which the proceedings were conducted, although the intervals between the events were sometimes too long Appended the result of the stunts

?uoits. 21yd8—Craiir and Campbell, blowing Heavy Stone—Craig, 1; Hißlop.B rnrowing Heavy Hammer—Black, 1; M."Gill 2 M'Gili Klw>o-:D *-' ad heat between Black and Wrestling (Cnmberland)-Campbell, 1, Pooler, Three-legged Raoe-Norric and Matheson. loOydfl Boys Baca—Wise, 1 ; Gradie, 2. i-Mile Hurdle Rsco-M'Gill, 1; Norrie, 2 Eiinning High Ljmi—Campbell, 1; Wilson, 8. Walking (one mrt c )-King, 1; Grimley, 2. Tilting at Bing-Hardie, 1, Simpson, 8. ?°-?J. DB S. 0 y B liaue—Wise. 1; Philip, 3. J-Mile Flat Race—King.

lilting at th- ring was one of the best con. tested of the sports, and apweared to bo the rooßt popular, but the hurdle race produced the most excitement, the competitors being together nearly the wkolc distance The walking contest proved a very e;.sy affair for King, who possesses good Btao ioa. An iudMriiul whoß-j nama we could not obtain came in some tour laps ahead, but as ho had been indulging in a kind of shambling jog trot nearly all the way he was .tisqnaiitied. The Milton Braßß Bano, under Mr J. Grant's leadership, played some enjoyable musio during the day.