ASHBURTON CALEDONIAN GATHERING.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1825, 27 December 1879, Page 3

ASHBURTON CALEDONIAN GATHERING.

The first annual gathering of this association took place yesterday in a paddock ef Mr Hoy T. Smith’s, under most disadvantageous circumstances, the weather being very unpropitious. About 8 a.m. the first shower came on, and about ten rain set in steadily. Undeterred however by the weather, the hardy Caledonians gathered to the stirring music of the pipes at the Ashburton bridge, and marched through the town preceded by four pipers and two drummers. When the ground was reached however, it was found that owing to the dampness a number of the events would have to be postponed. The ground had been admirably prepared by the committee, who must have worked hard, and hal the weather been fine the first meeting of the association would undoubtedly Lave been a grand success, as in spite of the weather fully 800 were present. Mr Mark Scott of Tinwald had the publican's booth, and Messrs Davidson and Savage had each of them a confectioner’s stall. All were well served, and the public were much pleased with their preparations for the bodily comfort of the spectators, and universally regretted that owing to the weather their services were so poorly requited. The Ashburton brass band was on the ground, and played manfully. Fourteen events came off, the rest being adjourned till to-day. We must thank the very courteous secretary, Mr J. E. Hyde Harris, for his extreme courtesy to our representative. Another rope to close in the other side of the course would be a great improvement. The various tartans were very picturesque, and some dances by our kilted friends were well executed. LIST OF OFFCBRS. President: W. C- Walker, Esq. Vice-Presi-dent: John Grigg, Erq. Directors : Messrs F. Macbean Stewart, M.D. ; Donald M’Lean, Esq.; M. Stitt, Esq. ; James Fraser, Esq. ;W. St. G. Douglas, Esq.; E. Saunders, Esq.; Hay T. Smith, Esq. ;R. E. Pullar. Esq.; William Anderson, Esq.; Thomas Quill, Esq. ; J. M. Cambridge, Esq.; John Fraser, Esq. ; Charles Reid, Esq. Hon. treasurer : Thomas Quill, Esq Secretary: J. E. Hyde Harris, E'sq. Judges: Music—Messrs D. M’Lean, A. M’Coll, and John Fraser. Quoits —George Robinson, Esq. Caber, stone, and hammer —Messrs M. Stilt, Macfarlane, and Hay Smith. Dancing and best dressed Highlander—Messrs George Kidd, John Fraser, and Dr. Stewart. Vaulting and jumping— Messrs Baldwin. Quill, and Reid. Wrestling —Messrs Stitt, Pullar, and James Fraser. Singlestick—Messrs E. Saunders and Maofarlane. Handicappers—Messrs M. Digby and William Anderson. Judge— F. Macbean Stewart, M.D. Starter -S. Saunders, Esq. Quoits : First prize, £1; second, 10s. W. Compton, Burns, McLeod, H. T. Winter Lindsay, J. Walsh, S. Simpson, G. Kidd, and Smith were the competitors. Compton 1 Burns 2 Tossing the Caber. First prize, £2; second .£l. W. Compton, MoDonall, M. Stitt, R. Mcßae, R. Claydon, J. Cairns, J. B. Wright, and W. Furneanx competed. M. Stitt, 20ft 2in 1 R. Mcßae, 19ft 2in 2 Men’s Open Handicap Hurdle Eace, 440 yds. First prize, £S; second, 30s. Risely, Simpson, Organ, and McDonald competed. Organ 1 Risely 2 Organ, who started from scratch, won easily, but was protested against for running off the course. Simpson came in third. Running High Jump. First prize, £1; second, 10s. McDowell, 4ft 9in ... ... ... 1 McParlane, 4ft 7in 2 Moorshoad, Anderson, and Collins also competed. Standing High Jump. First prize, -£1; second, 10s. Organ, 4ft 2in 1 Brown, 4ft 2 McFarlanc and Moorshed also competed. Handicap Race, 100 yards. Prize, £3. Compton, Onghten, Robertson, McFarlane, Moorshed, Gi[monr, Gny, Stewart, Organ, Eiseley, and Simpson ran D. Gilmonr 1 R. McFarlane 2 The race was a good one from start to finish. Risely entered a protest on the ground that he came in first, at what was decided by the judges to be a false start. Grand Handicap Flat Race, 200, 300, and 440 yards. First prize, £G ; second, ,£3; third, £l. First heat, 200 yards. D. Gilmonr 1 Simpson 2 Organ 3 Nine ran. Vaulting with a Pole (men). First prize, £2; second, £l. Fowler. Bft. 3in 1 Moorahead, Bft. 2 Vaulting with a Pole (boys). Price, Oft. Jin. 1 Hrysmith, sft. llin. 2 Hart, sft. lOin ... 3 Handicap Flat Eace (men); half mile. First prize, £3 ; second, 30s. Groves, 60yds. 1 T. Organ, scratch ... ... ... 2 The rest nowhere. Music (Bagpipes). First prize, £5; second, 50s. Murdoch Elder (pibrochs) ... ... 1 Marches and Strathspeys. First prize, £5 ; second, 50s. Murdoch Elder 1 S. Forbes 2 Putting the Stone (IGlbs). First prize, £2 ; second, £l. J. Quinlivan, 34ft. 6in 1 M. Stitt, 33ft. Sin 2 W. Furneanx, 32ft. 3in. ... ... 3 Tilting in the Ring. First prize, £5. John Smith 1 Smith took six rings off out of a possible twelve. The remainder of the events are to come off to-day.