CHRISTMAS SPORTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1517, 27 December 1878, Page 3

CHRISTMAS SPORTS.

THE FORESTERS’ FETE. The following is tho continuation of our report of this annual festival; — One mile handicap walking race, open to all comers. Ist prize, £3 3s; 2nd, £1 Is; entrance, 2s fid. Five entries. Godfrey (50 yards) 1 Wilson (90 yards) ... 2 Gibson (scratch) ... 3 On passing the poet the first time Wilson was leading, with McCleary close behind, Lawrence third, Godfrey fourth, and Gibson rapidly decreasing the distance between himself and the others. Passing the second time Wilson was first, with Godfrey second, McCleary third, Lawrence fourth, and Gibson last. On passing the third time the order was as follows : —Wilson first, Godfrey second, Gibson third, McCleary fourth, and Lawrence last. When opposite the post, and during the last lap, Wilson still led, closely pressed by Godfrey, with Gibson a good third, McCleary falling behind, and Lawrence out of it. Coming in the straight a splendid race resulted between Godfrey and Wilson, the former winning by about four yards, Gibson a good third. 100 yards race, open to Foresters’ sons (only) under 15, handicap for age. Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s. Five entries. E. Long 1 John Fox 2 W. Garland 3

This was a plucky race between Long and Fox, the former winning by less than a foot. It was almost a dead heat.

200 yards handicap flat race, open to mombora of Friendly Societies _ only. _ Ist prize, regalia worth 255. Five entries. D. C. Mcßeath 1 A. Mcßeath 2 A. Anderson 3

This was a capital race, and, until within a few yards of homo, it apparently belonged to A. Mcßeath, but his brother put on a spurt and won by a couple of yards. Anderson a good third. Married ladies’ race, 50 yards. Ist prize, box of tea ; 2nd, dress piece. Nine entries. Mrs Widgey 1 Mrs Nichols 2 Mrs Burnett 3

Like the single ladies’ race, this also created considerable interest; indeed now for the first time the people came on to the course, and so made it quite difficult for the judges to decide the result. Mrs Widgey won by about two yards, Mrs Burnett a good third, the others in a cluster close behind.

Putting the stone, open to all comers. Ist prize, 20s; 2nd, 10s. Twelve entries. Daniel O’Conner (26ft. 10m.) ... 1 M. O’Conner (2fift. sin ) 2 J. Hcely (25ft. 3in.) 3

This event requires no special mention, except that it took up a great deal of time, blocked up the course, and delayed tho other items on the programme, 440 yards race, open to Foresters who have not been married over twelve months. Ist prize, a cradle; three to start or no race.

This race fell through, the committee not being able to get three young married men together, their bashfulness appearing to get the better of their desire to shine in public. Horizontal bar competition, open to boys attending any public school. Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s ; 3rd, ss. Five entries. McCleary 1 Oliver 2 Taylor 3 The winner wont through the gymnastic performance very prettily, and elicited loud applause from tho bystanders. Running high jump, open to all comers. Ist prize, £l; 2nd, ss. Four entries. Lyford (sft. liu ) 1 Mcßeath (sft.) 2 The men started at 4ft. 6iu., with one inch of a rise each time. The entries were— Codyrc, Trevelean, A. Mcßeath, and T. Lvford. Codyro and Trevelean retired at 4ft. lO.Vin. Mcßeath jumped remarkably well, both feet together, but Lyford one leg after the other.

100 yards race, open to defeated competitors in the 100 yards race, open to Foresters’ sons only, handicap for age. Ist prize, £1 ss; 2nd, 10s; 3rd, ss. Above prizes _ kindly given by Bro. John Fox. Two entries. W. Garland 1 H. Austin 2 This race belonged to Garland from tho start.

Committee race, handicap for age; once round the course. Ist prize, 30s ; 2nd, 20s. Eight entries. E. H.T. Wood ». 1 S. Beath 2 J. Calvert 3

There was a good deal of shilly-shallying before this event took place, the principal obstacle seeming to be the ages, most of those who entered having as much objection as spinsters to give tho same. At last a field was entered, with the result aa above. Quoit match (entries to close at 1 p.m.), open to all comers. Ist prize, £2 2s, presented by Mr Johnston ; 2nd, £l. G. Hepburn (15 points) 1 R. Hepburn (13 points) 2 Ten started at the game, but they were gradually narrowed down in pairs until they resulted as above. Borne remarkably good play was shown, Mr A, R. Kirk was tho judge. Tug of war, Lyttelton Members v Christchurch Members, 10 a side. Prize, 50s. Christchurch 1 Lyttelton • 2 The members were as follows;—nor Christchurch—Messrs Fawcett, Smith, W. B. Hobbs, T. Hobbs, Samuels, Whitmore, Cook, Wells, Wat's, and Wade. Lyttelton—Messrs Gibbons, Heath, Hyde, McDonald, Allwright, Burns, McCormack, Rutledge, S ager and Ayers. This, as upon the Anniversary sports, appeared to bo one of tho most interesting events of the day. After a hard tussle it resulted in a victory for Christchurch. This brought the events to a close shortly before seven o’clock, and tho people at once dispersed.