BOXING DAY, 1875.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 477, 28 December 1875, Page 2

BOXING DAY, 1875.

The conclusion of what may be termed the Christmas holidays proper took place yesterday, and was observed in various ways. The weather being somewhat threatening prevented so many persons attending the sports at the Agricultural Grounds and the Foresters' Fete as under other circumstances would have been the case, but still a very large number took advantage of the holiday for a day's outing. In addition to the sports there were several private pic-nics, and generally people eeemed to give themselves up to the holiday feeling prevalent at this time of year, and go in thoroughly to enjoy the amusements provided. We append a detailed account of the day's proceedings : THE FORESTERS' FETE.

Despite the theatening aspect of the weather in the early part of the day, the Foresters' annnal fete attracted a large number of visitors. The locality selected was a paddock near the Sandhills in Cashel street East, and the ground, notwithstanding the rain, was in fair goiDg order. The committee to whom the arrangements for the fete had been entrusted, discharged their duties admirably, everything being doie to conduce to the comfort of the visitors. The Christchurch brethren mustered at the Foresters' Hall early in the day, and proceeded in procession to meet the Lyttelton contingent, of which a goodly number arrived by train. The united courts formed into procession and marched to the ground. In addition to the sports, the committee had arranged for a Richardson's Show, and for this a very excellent canvas theatre, complete with the traditional parade in front, had been erected. The proscenium and wings were very artistically painted, though from the fact that the dimensions of the building did not allow of much scope. The scene depicting the mountain home of the Brigands of the Abruzzi, which formed the first piece, suffered somewhat from want of perspective. The various pieces represented are spoken of below, and it only needs to say here that the corps dramat\t[iie acquitted themselves admirably. The various athletic events were got off promptly, and generally were well contested. The walking race, we may say, was remarkable in one thing—viz, that some of the competitors, by way of variety, probably, introduced a little running. Kiss in the ring and dancing to the strains of a remarkably good band, was kept up with great spirit during the day, and generally everyone seemed to enjoy themselves most thoroughly. After strolling round the ground, interviewing Host Maples, and viewing the running contests, the next item claiming the attention of the visitor was RICHARDSON'S SHOW.

Here on the platform were the representatives of this old English institution, Mr Richardson, the burly proprietor, inviting the British public in stentorian tones to come and see the wonders displayed within his canvas theatre. Then there were the two clowns, between whom and Silly Billy, clad appropriately in pinafore, war was continually waged. The fairer portion of creation was represented by a person who boasted of a pronounced moustache, which was vainly endeavored to be concealed beneath a veil of powder. Of the performances of the troupe on the platform, suffice it to say that they were diverting in the extreme, especially the tournaments on two fiery untamed steeds by the clowns, which

evoked roars of laughter. But what shall we say of the performance proper 1 The first piece was of the melo-dramatic order, and of the heaviest. There was a patriotic and picturesque brigand, with a quantity of ribbon and steeple-crowned hat, a friend of the aforesaid brigand with a sheepskin coat, who defied the ruffian soldiery sent to arrest him, and killed three or four in single combat after the approved melodramatic fashion. There was a good deal of declamation, much firing behind the scenes, a general melee, in which the soldiers were defeated, and strewed the stage with their (apparently) dead bodies, and the green curtain descended amidst the huzzas of the victorious brigands. If one were to say that the audience all through this exciting drama were perfectly oblivious as to what it was all about, it might be considered hypercritical, but the fact remains nevertheless. However, everyone laughed consumedly, and this being the end and aim of those on the stage, we can pardon any departure from the strict precepts of the dramatic art. Then followed a local song, well sung by the clown (Mr Stapleton), and the whole concluded with a ballet, the funny part of which consisted in the various performers audibly prompting each other in the business of the piece, and occasionally indulging in a little friendly chat. But our friends' ambition stayed not here. It was not enough that they should give their patrons a full-flavored melodrama, a comic song and a pantomimic ballet, in the short space of a quarter of an hour. There were enthusiasts in their art enrolled in the histrionic band, and nothing less than the divine Bard of Avon would content them. So the melancholy Dane in full suit of sables took his place on the parade, and in sober earnest, which made the joke infinitely more to be relished by the audience, a portion of "Hamlet"was played, and played remarkably well too, although one of the minor characters was somewhat shaky as to the text, and gave us a good deal more of the vernacular than of the sweet Swan of Avon. The Ghost, looking however in the daylight somewhat too substantial for a spirit, was well played by Mr J. Stark, and Mr Addison deserves credit for his rendering of Hamlet under difficulties. Altogether the " show" was a very good one, and no doubt will add considerably to the receipts of the day. We append the results of the various events on the programme : 100 yards, for Foresters only—To be run in regalia, private clothes; Ist prize (Bro. Murphy's), Smoking Companion, value £2 2s ; second (Bro. Ayers'), Pipe, value £1 101, H. Tulley 1 Crowe 2 Five started. Tulley took the lead from the start, and was never headed, winning by about five yards. Boys' Bace, 150 yards—Under 12 years of age; Ist prize (Bro. Ringwood's), value £1 ; 2nd, value, 10s. Mann 1 C. Lake 2 Quarter-mile Handicap Flat race—Open to all comers; Ist prize (his Honor the Superintendent Bro Rolleston's), value £2 2s ; 2nd, value IBs ; 3rd, value ss. J. Anderson 1 A, Ander.-on 2 H. G. Sheppard 3 Eleven entries; First heat 150 Tards Flat race—open to all comers; Ist prize (Bro H. Allwright's), silver cup, value £3 3s ; 2nd, value £l. A. Anderson 1 H. Tulley 2 Six entries. 200 Yards Fiat race—open to Friendly Societies only, to be run in regalia; Ist prize (Bro McDonald's), pipe, value £1 ; 2nd, value 5s A. Wilson (1.0.0. F., M.U.) ... 1 H. Ford (A.0.F.) 2 Five entries. One Mile Flat race—Foresters only ; Ist prize (Bro W. H. Ford's), silver cup, value ! £2 10s ; 2nd, value £1 ; 3rd, value 7s 6d F.Clark 1 E. J. Piercy 2 S. Bamford 3 Eight entries. Final heat 150 Yards Fla*. race. Anderson 1 Gahagan 2 Tulley 3 100 Yards Flat race—for boys under fifteen years of age; Ist prize (Bro Swindell's), silver cup. value £1 10s ; 2nd, value 10s. P. Kerr 1 F. Aynsley 2 H. G. Sheppard 3 Eleven entries. One Mile Handicap Walking race—Open to all comers ; Ist prize (Bro MeGuinness'), cup, value £1 ; 2nd, cup, value £1 ; 3rd, save bis stakes. ! W. Newton 1 H. F.Haddrell 2 H. Potton 3 Haddrell came in first, but was protested against, and the committee, after considering the protest, made the above award. Quoit Match; Ist prize (Bro H. Wynn Williams'), silver cup, value £2 2s ; 2nd, value 10s 6d. Peart 1 Ness 2 * Young Ladies' race, 50 yards ; Ist prize, handsome workbox ; 2nd, box scent. Annie Burton 1 A. Clarkaon 2 Six e: fries. Boys' Three-legged ract, -o be run in masks, 200 yards ; Ist prize, 15s ; 2nd, 7s 6d. Loekwood and Mann 1 AyDsley and Crocker ... ... 2 Old Ladies' race, 50 yards ; Ist prize, a box of tea. Mrs Weston 1 Seven entries. Extia race—(Bro McWilMams), Meerschaum Pipe, value 30s ; 300 yds. Wilson 1 Anderson 2 Nine entries. Mr Maples catered for the creature comforts most successfully, and though Sergeant Wilson and several of the police were on the ground, their duty, professionally speaking, was exceedingly light, and seemed to consist in enjoying themselves as much as possible.

CANTERBURY TRADESMEN'S ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Yesterday morning's drizzling: rain had a very depressing effect on the first anniversary sports of the Trade«nen's Athletic Club, the attendance being very meagre at midday, the advertised time for the first race, and it was deemed advisable to defer starting the events until a later hour. The walk from the gates to the course, through the long wet grass, was very un-

pleasant, and the necessity of standing in this throughout the afternoon was, no doubt, the reason of the attendance of visitors being very much thinned at intervals. The running track was in excellent condition, as, in addition to being mowed, it had also been trimmed with spades, levelling the knots, and making a nice travelling course, with, however, one defect—that it was rather narrow for the sprint races. On no occasion of sports being held on these grounds was the course so well defined as it was yesterday with ropes and flags. The committee, however, made one mistake, and that was making the winning post for many of the races at the southern portion of the course, which could only be reached by the public after wading through exceedingly long and very wet grass. The arrangements for keeping a clear course were by no means good, and the contingent of police who were present must have no doubt believed this to be no part of their duty, as no great display of energy on their part was observable in this direction. This seeming lethargy, however, particularly refers to the earlier portion of the afternoon, when instructions were taken from an acting sergeant, but the presence of the inspector at a later hour immediately remedied a state of things of which occasion is so seldom given to refer to here.

Mr Oppenheim's band was present throughout the day, agreeably varying the monotony of the forenoon by playing popular airs, but at a later hour, when the weather became fine and the attendance larger, an adjournment was made to the south-west portion of the grounds, where a circular piece of the paddock had been enclosed and the grass nicely mowed, the band here adding to the enjoyment of a large number of young couples by playing polkas, waltzs, and quadrilles, with but very short intermissions, while three speculative proprietors of table 3 of chance, and an enterprising Cheap John seemed to be greater objects of attraction to visitors than the confectioners' and publicans' booths. About five hundred persons were on the ground at one portion of the afternoon, and £23 2s were taken for admission at the gates. The events as a whole were well contested, though several of the entries did not put in an appearance, thus lessening the interest. The sprint spin of 100 yards between Gough and Gibbens for £5 a side resulted in a win for the latter after a well contested race, and to the surprise of many who, while crediting Gibbens for possessing staying metal, hardly thought him good enough for Ja short turn. The Tradesmen's cup was won by T. Smith, who, being a dark-un, with no guiding performances, slipped into the handicappers beautifully, winning two out of three of the events with plenty to spare, and showing by his running in the third, when he called on himself, that the knowledge of his ten points in hand had prevented him putting it on sooner to at least secure a place. The two mile walking handicap only produced two of the five entries, resulting in an easy Win for the veteran Bowley, who, as usual, walked fair as a die, showing on *he slightly heavy ground his free hip movement, with his good knee action. Grainger, his opponent, is a young beginner, and has a good stride, but at intervals walks three quarter foot, which, with the limp he tries to straighten up with, would cause him to be disqualified at a finish. He must also get out of that loose play from shoulder across to shoulder, and hold his elbows nearer his side, which will give his chest more play, and allow him to throw his head well back. Given attention to these failings, and we predict that be will make a name for himself as a ped before many seasons are over. The Bycicle race was a gift to one entry from the start, and the Quarter Mile Handicap Hurdle event resulted in a tie between Pentecost and Gough, after a splendidly contested race. The great feature of the programme was the feat of Edwards, to walk seven miles in fif y-nine minutes, and it is to be regretted that old Time only beat him by fifty-seven seconds, as he walked pluckily and well, with the track already heavy, made more so by the bycicles having cut up many of the grass roots im mediately before he started. A purse was collected on the ground for Edwards in recognition of his plucky walking to the finish Official time was only taken for some of the events. Mr W. T. Davison acted as starter, and Mr Cogan as judge. Appended are the events. Private match for £5 a side, between J. F. Gough and M. Gibbens; distance 100 yards. M. Gibbens 1

The men started well, Gough if anything having a shade the best of it, keeping up this advantage until 75 yards had been travelled, when he lost way in a slight indentation of the track, Gibbens coming up, parsing him, and running home about a foot the winner. Time, lO^sec.

100 Yards Handicap, boys' race,; Ist prize, silver cup, presented by Mr McCallum; 2nd, 10s. A. Isles, 6 yards I D. Scott, scratch 2 Dunbar and Henderson, who were entered, did not start.

The lads started well together, Isles leading his start to about eighty yards, increasing it by three yards to about that distance, when Scott spur'ed up strong, but could not reach the start he had given Isles, who won by about six yards. 100 Yards Handicap—open to all comers ; Ist prize, gold scarf pin, presented by Mr White ; 2nd, 10s ; 3rd, ss. D. Scott, 5 yards... ... ... 1 T. Smith, 5 yards 2 A. O. Brunsden, scratch 3 R. H. Hankins and R. W. Pengelly, at 4 yards each, also started. After one false start the men got away well together, Scott if anything getting the best of it, soon showing and keeping in front. After half the distance had been travelled Smith forged through and ran up to near Scott, Brunsden also coming through the ruck and nearing the leaders, but could not reach Smith, who landed about eighteen inches behind Scott. After this race had been run it was found that only some ninetyone yards had been travelled through a mistake, but this was not the men's fault, who had run in where told to, and Scott was very properly adjudged the winner. Tradesmen's Cup, of three distances ; Ist prize, £lO ; 2nd, £5 ; 3rd, £2 ; to be counted by points, winner of an event five, 2nd three, and 3rd two points—First event, 150 yards. T. Smith. 10 vards 1 D. Scott, 8 yards 2 A. Isles, 11 yards 3 Gibbens and Pentecost at scratch, Gough 1 yard, and Hankins 6 yards, also ran.

1 Dunbar, Smith, and Henderson, who had entered, did not put in an appearance. All the men got away fairly, with the exception of Gibbena and Pentecost, who were left behind for a second. About half way Smith forged to the front, followed by Scott, with Isles immediately behind. Pentecost and Gibbens here made a strong effort, but could not reach Ihe leaders. Smith continued to maintain his lead, and Isles came up level with Scott, crossing him when 25 yards from home, throwing him out of stride. By a splendid effort Scott made up for lost ground, coming up and landing about threequarters of a yard in front of Isles, but a yard and a quarter behind Smith. Men's three-legged race -200 yards; open to all comers. Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s. nankins and Isles 1 Brunsden and Qough 2 Those were the only entries, and each would claim a prize. Hankins and Isles went away with the start, showing by their style of travelling that this was not the first time they had been tied together, winning easily by about 15 yards. Boys' Handicap—Mile race. First prize, cup presented by Mr Sandstein; 2nd, 10s; 3rd, ss. H. Winney, scratch 1 G. Montgomery, 80 yards ... 2 C. Manning, 120 yards 3 The boys started well, Winney running a waiting race, coming up at the last lap, and winning easily; Manning, the youngest of the three boys, running hard to secure second place ; but Montgomery was too long in the legs for him, and was too near him at the start.

Tradesmen's Cup, 300 yards—Second event T. Smith, 14 yards 1 J. P. Gough, scratch 2 D. Scott, 12 yards 3 Gibbens and Pentecost, scratch ; Bankins, 12 yards ; and Isles, 16 yards, also started. Smith got away best, and at the first turn was leading by nearly four yards, with Gough and Scott lying close. On turning the second corner Smith increased his lead, with the other two running him hard. Coming up to the straight, it was evident the race lay between these three, but Smith seemed determined to keep the lead. Twentyfive yards from home Gough spurted splendidly, and passed Scott, but failed to reach Smith, who breasted the tape a winner by about eight yards, Scott being about a yard behind Gough. Time—33 seca. i'wo Miles Walking Handicap—lst prize, £5 ; 2nd, £2 ; 3rd, £l. C. Bowley, 35 yards 1 T. Grainger, 180 yards 2 No third prize awarded, Edwards, Prebble, and Grainger, who were entered, did not start,

Bowley came up to about thirty yards with Grainger at the fourth lap, and kept that distance until the last lap in the turn home, when he spurted up, and passed his antagonist winning by about five yards. Grainger, who is a young beginner at pedestrian matches, walked well, but will have to remedy the defects we have previously referred to if he hopes to shine as a ped. About twenty yards from the post, and when attempting a spurt, he broke. Time, 17min 4sec.

Tradeimen's Cup, 440 yards—Final event. J. F. Gough, scratch 1 A. Isles, 22 yards 2 D.Scott, 19 yards 3 Hankins 19 yards, and Smith 16 yards, also started.

After several false starts the men got away fairly, Smith coming into third place at the second corner. Gough then forged through the ruck, and half wav round had taken second place, going hard, for Isles, who was leading, while Smith, who had run so well in the previous events, seem for a moment to die away. At the turn into the straight for home Gough took the lead, Isles pushing him hard, with Scott well up. Smith now took it into his head to try again, and came up with a strong spurt, but did not reach Scott, who landed third. Gough leading Isles at the tape by nearly two yards. Time, 56sec. The Cup thus falls to Smith with 10 points, Gough being second with eight, and Scott third with seven. Bycicle Handicap race, two miles —Ist prize,

£3 10s ; 2nd, £1 10s. A. Gainsford (4ft wheel), scratch ... 1 N. Oates (3ft 4in wheel), 250 ya»ds ... 2 A. Swanston (2ft lOin wheel), 350 yards 0 Gaiosford, who rode a splendid machine, overlapped his antagonists twice during the race, in addition to the start he had given them, winning at his ease Time, 9min oOsec. Oats came in about half a lap ahead of Swanston.

Edwards' Match against time—7 miles in ; 59 minutes. W. Edwards 0 Edwards started at a good bat, his style of walking being very much admired, particularly his free hip aud waist action, allowing plenty of play for the upper portion of the body, without causing him to lift his legs too high, thus showing plainly his heel impression at every stride, a decided advantage in a closely contested race. Edwards wa'ked well and pluckily throughout, assisted at intervals by Bowley and Grainger, but Old Time was too many for him at the finish by 57sec. A purse was collected for Edwards at the conclusion of the match, and he well deserved it. The following is the time for each mile :—lst, Bmin 7sec ; 2nd, Bmin 37sec; 3rd, Bmin 33sec ; 4th, Bmin 48sec ; sth, Bmin 45sec ; 6th, Bmin 41sec ; 7th, Bmin 26sec ; total, 59min 57sec. 440 Yardi Handicap Hurdle race, over eight fl ghts of three feet hurdles ; Ist prize, £2 ; 2nd, £l. W. Pentecost, scratch t J. F. Gough, 5 yards t C. Bowley, 16 yards 2 Dunbar, Reeves, Prebble, and Angarde, who were entered, did not start. The men got well away together, Bowley leading over three hurdles, Pentecost rising with and passing him at the fourth ; Pente cost now led until the last hurdle, with Gough, who had passed Bowley, coming up at a rare bat. On landing over the last hurdle, Gough put on a tremendous spurt, coming up and collaring Pentecost a yard from the tape, Pentecost touching it first with his hand, but both men breasting it simultaneously. The judge declared it to be a dead heat, and the men decided to divide the stakes. One Mile Handicap—lst prize, £2; 2nd, £1; 3rd, 10s. M. Gibbens, 45 yards 1 H. Winney, 60 yards 2 W. Pentecost, scratch 3 Gough, 40 yards ; and Bowley, 50 yards, also ran. Beeves and Augard, who were entered, did not start. There was a very good start, Gibbens leading the first round, with Gough lyin<* behind, and Winney a long third, Pentecost bringing up the rear, aud seemingly done up.

At the second lap Gough was doubled up with a pain in his side, and soon afterwards cried a go, Bowley following his good example. Gibbons now came away, and spurted through the next lap, leading Winney by about 130 yards at the finish ; but the latter ran a plucky race throughout, and landed in front of Pentecost by over 100 yards. Consolation race, 150 yards, open to all beaten men—lst prize, £1 10s; 2nd, 10s ; 3rd, ss.

Hankins ... 1 Grainger 2 These were the only entries, and the former won easily by three yards.