BOXING DAY,

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2411, 27 December 1881, Page 3

BOXING DAY,

Yesterday was observed as a close holiday. A large number patronised the steamer excursions, and Sumner also was well filled with picnic parties. The Lower Heathcote Races and the Friendly Societies' Sports drew a large company of visitors to each, and at night the Theatre was well patronised. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' FETE. President, W. E. Samuels, tT.A.O.D. ; Vice, Preßident, H. Cowper, 1.0 0.F., M U.; Treasurer, E. Watts, A.0.F.; SecretaryJ. 8. Williams, A.0.F.; Handicappers; Messrs S. P. Andrews and J. Hebden, Judges, Messrs Wynn Williams and' J. Ollivier.

The day was most propitious. A cloudless sky, with a brilliant sun, whose rays were tempered by a moderate N.E. breeze, together with the almost total absence of dust, combined to make things more pleasant than is usual at this season of the year. The arrangements of the caterers for supplying liquid and solid refreshments seemed to meet all requirements, Messrs Freeman and Toovey with their bars and several fruit and confectionery booths, doing a fair business. There were the usual lung and strength-testing maohines, galvanic battery, rifle gallery, skittles, &0., but Aunt Sally was absent altogether, and the others seemed to pine for want of patronage. A merry-go-round was tolerably well worked, and towards the close of the day had, from hard work, a very strong list to starboard. Several select parties went in for vigorous, if not graceful, dancing to the strains of the bands, or of an eooentric aocordeon. The bands, by the way, discoursed alternately excellent music, though between them unfortunate " Pinafore " was torn to tatters. The small girls and boys, above the perambulator age or stage, had a corner to themselves, where Mr Crooks, who is a wonder and a joy to the juveniles on such ocoaaions, organised some of the grandest events of the day, events in whioh all the competitors were winners, their prizes being toys of a most useful and tempting description. The utmost order and decsnoy were maintained throughout by the visitors. Our friends in blue were oertainly there, but with their accustomed modesty, did not oourt observation. There was one notioeable want on the ground, whioh was a method of supplying pure drinking water. An eager crowd hung round the artesian well all day with bottles, &c, which they found it very hard to fill, as the flow of water does not reach the surface of the ground, and the well tube was without a tap, A little trouble in providing some better accommodation in this respeot would, in future, be well spent. The racing taken altogether was up to the usual mark. The programme was not gone through with the regularity and despatch that has been achieved elsewhere, and the events on the card were far too many to be got off satisfactorily within the time at the disposal of the committee, who however evinced the greatest zeal in their endeavors to please the public, and it may be said they fairly succeeded. The following is an acoount of the various items on the card :

Boys' Race under sixteen, 440yds. First prize, 21s; second, 14s; third, 7s (presented by Dr. Deamer). Entrance Is. A. Scrimshaw 1 A. Mummery 2 M. McCormick 3 A good start was effected and the paoe was merry throughout. Scrimshaw lay behind till the turn coming into the straight, when he came away and won as he liked. One Mile Walking Bace Hnndioap ; boys under eighteen. First prize, £3 3s (presented by Mr Buddenklau); second,.2os ; third, 10s. Entrance, la. Eire started—J. 0. Wilson from sorateh j J. MoOourt, 60 yards; H. J. Shaw, 100 yards j W. Speight, 120 yards ; J. W. Johnston, 130 yards. In the third lap Johnston was pulled off for unfair walking, after whioh a not very fast race was concluded in the following order:— Wilson 1 McCourt 2 Shaw 3 Grand Handicap (three events); distances—lso, 220 and 440 yards. Open to members of Friendly Societies only, viz. :—Foresters, Oddfellows, Druids. Post entries. To be run in costume or otherwise. Competitors to produce evidence of membership. First prize, £5 ss; second, £3 3s; third, £2 2s. Entrance, 2s 6d. Twelve ran. The result of the first event was : J. O. Butler (Drnid), 14 yds ... 1 H. Lowry (Forester), 8 yds ... 2 A. Scrimshaw (Forester) ... 3 Bicycle Bace; two miles, handicap. First prize, £1 2s; second, £1 Is. Entrance, Is; acceptance, la. Dunsford 1 Alison 2 Preece 3 Myhre and Oakey also ran, and a very good raoe took place, Myhre getting away with the lead, which he held till the third lap, when he was passed by Preece and Dunsford ; and afterwards by bard pumping Alison managed to secure second place, Freeoe a bad third. This race was the second event contested, although it was numbered as the fourth, a circumstance whioh gave rise to some complaint from one competitor, who did not arrive till after the start had been made. Boys' Bace, under fifteen _; 440 yards ;_ open to sons of members of Friendly Societies only. First prize, 21s; second, 14s; third, 7a (presented by Mr Cawlishaw). Entrance, 6d. E. Scrimshaw 1 W. Haywood 2 J. Stapleton ... 3 Scrimshaw won easily, although run pretty hard by Haywood when near home. Girls' Race, under sixteen ; 100 yarda. First prize, workbox value 15s ; second, dress piece value 7s 6d. Entrance free, E. Stewart 1 J.Shelton 2 E.Kerr 3 Ten started, and made a most amusing race from start to finish, all ooming together in a ruck. Grand Handicap (second event), 220 yds. W. Penticost, 7yda 1 H. Lowryf 12yds 2 A. Scrimshaw, Bydß 3 Two Mile Walking Handioap; open to all c ruers. First prize, JBS 5a ; second, £3 3a; third, £2 2a. H. Lambert, scratch 1 C. H. Pierce, 150 yards ... 2 J. C. Wilson, scraioh ... ... 3 0. J. Lawrence (30ydi) and G>. P. Boberts (80yds) also started. Lawrence went away at a good pace, and at the end of the second lap he had gained slightly on Pierce, Boberts being about twenty-five yards in his rear, and the two scratch men together, about the same distance behind Boberts. In the third lap Lambert and Wilson, who were still spurting together, passed Boberts, and in the next lap overhauled Lawrence also. At tie end of the first mile Pierce was about sixty yards in advance of the two scratoh men, who were about the same distance ahead of Lawrence. By the time the fifth lap was concluded Pierce's lead had been reduced to about ten yards, Lambert being second, and Wilson five yards behind him. Lambert continued to improve his position, and when the post was passed at the end of the sixth lap he was level with Pieroe, Wilson having dropped about thirty yards behind. The two leading men continued together for nearly threefourths of the seventh lap, when Lambert, who walked well and fairly throughout, assumed the lead, and passed the post about ten yards in advance of Pieroe, who also walked very well. Wilson Bt this stage was about seventy yards behind Pierce. In the last lap Lambert increased his lead, and won easily by about twenty yards, Pierce being about eighty yards in advance of Wilson. Lawrenoe finished the distance, being about 150 yards in reaT of Wilson. Boberts retired at the end of the sixth lap. Time — 16min. 4 4 sth sec. Grand Handicap (third event), 410 yards. W. Ponticoat (Druid), syds ... 1 A. Scrimshaw (Forester), Byds 2 H. Lowry (Forester), 14yds ... 3 P. O. Purchase (Druid), scratch, and O. Toomb (Druid), Byds, also started for this event. After an exoiting race Ponticont won by about two yards, Lowry being a good third. The winner was very much distressed at the conclusion of the race, and had to be vigorously rubbed down ar.d dashed with water before he recovered from the effeots of his exertion. Time— 59sec. Half-milo Handicap Race—Open to past and present officers of Oddfellows, Druids, ond Foresters. First prize, Mr Berti's cup, value ils 15s (to be won twice); second, two-thirds of the entrances and acceptances ; third, one-third of the entranoes and acceptances. D. Mcßeth (Forester), scratch 1 D. O- Butler (Druid), 15 yds ... 2 F. Keata (O.ldfellow), scratch 3 W. Harrington (Druid), A. Hill (Druid), and T. Holland (Druid) also ran. The race was won easily by Mcßath, after a somewhat uninteresting finish. Time, 2min Jffiieo,

lOOyda, open to all comers. First prize £2 2a (presented by Mr J. Andersoa); second, £1 Ib. Entrance 2b 6d. C. Hulaton 1 A. Anderson ... 2 Three others started. Hulston won as he pleased. Time—lll Sseos. Vaulting with the Pole. First prize, £2 2s ; second, £1 Is. J. R. McGregor, Bft 1 D. Hagerty, 7ft lOin 3 McGregor was not at all pressed, and oould evidently have jumped higher. Hnrdle Race Handicap; 440yds; over eight flights of hnrdles, 3ft 6in high. First prize, £3 : second, £2 ; third, £l. Entrance, 2s 6d. T. Vincent, 12yds 1 Clifford Toomb, 14yds 2 S. Keatß, 12yds 3 W. 8. Fagan, soratoh 5 A. Lavery, 10yds; W. McGregor, 10yds; Williams, 10yds; O. Brown, soratoh; S. K. Martin, 12yds; and A. Fearoe, 20yds ; also started. Fagan, who was the favorite, met with a mishap at the first hurdle, and he was unable to reoover the lost ground. The other men ran pretty well together, and there was a very close finish, Vinoent just getting in front as the tape was breasted. Time—lmin 5 and 4.5 th sees. Novelty Tnb Raoe; 440 yards; open to all comers. Each competitor to pass through three tubs. First prize, 20s, presented by Mr Pitts; second, 10b; third, ss. Entrance, Ib. C. Brown I A. Lavery 2 W. McGregor 3 8. Bath, T. Bradley, and O. H. Pieroe also competed. This raoe was truly described in the programme as a novelty. The passage through the tubs, although very amusing to the spectators, was not thehnost pleasant part of the performance to the competitors. There was an exciting finish, Brown and Lavery emerging from their respective tubs together, and tbo former winning at the tape by only a few inches. Half Mile Handicap; open to all corners. First prize Licensed Victuallers Cup, value 25 guineas (to be won twice) and £2 ; second, 20s ; entrance, 2s 6d; acceptance, 2s 6d. C. Scrimshaw ... ... ... I This was a walk over. 8. Hewitt, who had entered, did not oome to the post. Married Women's Race, 100 yards; first prize, box of tea, presented by Mr Rankin; Booond, 1001 b. bag of flour, presented by Mr Kerr: third, presented by Mr Bone, value 10b 6d. Five to start, or no raoe. Mrs Wakefield 1 Mrs Morrow 2 Mrs Halliburton 3 No fewer than eight fair competitors faced the starter for this event, which was gamely contested throughout, and won by only a few yards after an exoiting finish. The spectators were very demonstrative in their applause, favoring their respective friends with encouraging remarks. Five Mile Bioycle Race (handicap); first prize in value J 23 3s, presented by Dr. Moore; second, value £2 ; third, .£1; entrance, 2s 6d ; acceptance, Is. F. M. Allison, scratch 1 T. Soarell, 250yds 2 F. B. Dunsford, 150yds ... 3 A. E. Freece, 300yds, also started. This was the best raoe of the day, and was watched throughout by the spectators with the keenest interest. Preece was passed by Searell at the end of the seoond lap, by Dunsford in the sixth lap, and by Allison in the next lap. In the eighth lap Allison also passed Dunsford. At the end of the seoond mile Searell was about 150 yards ahead of Allison, who was 40 yards in advanoe of Dunsford, who was separated from Reeee by about 60 yards. In the next lap Allison sensibly improved his position, diminishing Searell's lead to about 100 yards. In the next three or four laps neither of the two first men gained any advantage. Allison, despite his efforts, eould not succeed in lessening the distance between himself and Searell, who, riding splendidly, looked every inch a winner. Coming into the straight, however, at the end of the sixteenth lap, he met with a most unfortunate accident. Without any apparent cause, but as he after* wards explained, through some unevennets in the round, he was thrown suddenly from his bioycle. Notwithstanding the violence of his fall, and he evidently received a very nasty shaking, he pluokily pulled himself together and mounted again just as Allison came up. The two men passed the post nearly together, Searell being loudly cheered by the spectators, who continued until the conclusion of the raoe to applaud both competitors at occasional intervals. Allison at the end of the next lap was nearly thirty yards ahead, but Seareil gradually recovering from the effects of his spill, improved his position. He was unable, however, to again take the leading place, and Allison won by about fifteen yards. Dunsford was third, being about a lap and fifty yards behind the seoond man. Unfortunately no official time was taken. Boys' Handicap, 410 yards; open to juvenile memberi of the Oddfellows, Foresters, and Druids. First prize, 21s; second, 14s; third, 7s (presented by Mr 0. Clark). Entrance, 6d. H. Lowry, scratch 1 E. Scrimshaw, 20yda 2 C. Whitoman, 30yds 3 Seven started. Delegate Race, 440 yards handicap. First prize. Cup value £2 2b (presented by Mr H. Thomson); second, Mr Everett's prize, value 21s ; third, canary (presented by Mr G. Triggs). To be run without spikes. J. O Butler (Druid) 1 D. Kerr (Oddfellow) 2 O. H. Pieroe (Oddfellow) ... 3 J. Barrett (Druid) also ran, and maintained the lead for a considerable distance, when he dropped out of the raoe. Butler breasted the tape four yards in advanoe of the second man, Pieroe being a good third. Half-hour Go-as-you-please—Open to all comers. First prize, £i; second, £2 ; third, XI. Entrance, 2a 6d. J. C. Cusack 1 S.K.Martin 2 W. 8. Goodwin 3 A. F. Martin, H. Bedford, S. Whiting, H. P. Styohe, and W. S. Fagan also competed. The men maintained a steady pace throughout, and kept pretty well together for the first quarter of an hour. Cusack, Martin, and Goodwin ran well, the style of the former being particularly admired. The winner oovered five miles, less ninety yards, in the half-hour, Martin being about twenty-five yards behind him, and Goodwin thirty-five yards in rear of the second man. The race was watched with considerable interest. Old Men's Race (over fifty years of age), handicap ; 220 yards. First prize, £2 2b ; second, 21s. Entrance, 2b 6d. Lawrence, aged fifty-four, Byds 1 J. Bridges, aged sixty-six, 22yds 2 Two others started. The raoe was won by about ten yards. Sack race, 220 yards. First prize, 20s; second, 10b ; entrance, Ib. Geo. Whitiog 7 1 R. Whiting > x Johnson 3 Seven started. This raoe did not afford so much amusement as it would have done had the competitors worn masks, but nevertheless it was productive of a good deal of laughter. Orangoutang race. Competitors to run 100 yards forward, turn, and run ICO yards backwards ; 100 yards on all f ours, to be ran on a straight course. Six competitors, or no race. First prize, £2 ; second, £1 ; entrance, Ib. W. Lavery 1 J.Luak 2 S.Bath 3 Two others ran. This event also caused some amusement. Lavery won'easily, having evidently practiced the most difficult part of the running, namely, that on all fours. Throwing the Hammer, 161ba. First prize. £2 2s (presented by Mr Johnston) ; second, £1 Is (presented by Mr F. C. Bowler). Entrance, 2a 6d. • W. S. tfsgan, 73yds 1 J. R. McGregor, 674yds ... 2 J. Smith and O. Brown ulso oompeted. Stone Gathering Bace, open to all comers. First prize, £3 ; second, £2 ; third, £l. Entrance 2a 6d. S. JBewitt 1 I>. Hagerty 2 Pearce ... ... ... -.. 3 Hewitt won easily. Eaoh man had to collect about 100 small stones placed in line about a yard apart, making a separate trip for every stone. The race was a novel one, and attracted e good deal of attention. Fire Brigade Engine Drill Competition, eqnads of eight men. Prize, cop, value JBI2 12a. Entrance 20a per squad. Entries to be spent in purchasing trophies to the winning squad. The following were the conditions for this race :—Four men to stand 20 yards in front of, and four men 20 yards in rear of engine, in civilian coats and caps. At the order to start the men will throw off coats and caps, put on uniform coats and caps, run to and drag engine 50 yards to water, lock forecarriage, extend levers four i.i number, take one length of suction hose from off side pocket, one length with stra'ner attached from near Bide pooket j unlock levers, te.ke

50ft of delivering hose and branoh from hose box, couple on near side, and throw a jet of water 10ft high; the eight men to do the whole of the work without any assistance in dragging the engine. Chrißtchurch, No. 1, 41 4-stha sees Chriatchuroh, No. 2, 42 2-stha sees Lyttelton 44 sees Rangiora 47 4-sths sees Kaiapoi 54 4-stha seos The winning eight were the following : —J. Anderson, O. Anderson, Marsh, Johnson, Eraser, Hall, Empson, and Smith. The publio displayed a great deal of interest in this competition, and the smart manner in whioh the winning men performed the drill was universally admired. Single-handed Fire Brigade Drill CompetitionPrize Cup, value £4 4s (presented by Mr H. Thomson). Entrance, 2s 6d. Twothirds of entrance money to winner, and one-third to seoond man. The following were the conditions—Man to stand twenty yards in front of engine, change coat and cap, as in eight men's drill; run to engine, look fore carriage, extend near side levers, take and couple on one length of suotion hote.with strainer attached from near side pocket; extend off side levers, unlock levers, ran out 50ft. of delivery hose, couple on branoh, and hold up hand ; suotion and delivery hose to be keyed tight; delivery hose, branoh, and key, to be taken from pooket at rear of engine. W. Harrison, Christohurch No. 2, 52 4-ssec —lst J. Anderson, Christohurch No. 1, 53 3-sses—--2nd A. H. Kelaey, Chriatchuroh No. 2, 52seo—3rd A. P. Pillow, Chrißtchurch No. 2, 59aec P. Johnson, Christohurch No. 1, 60 2-ssec R. Treleaven, Lyttelton, 62 l-sseo A. Empßon, Christohurch No, l,6ssec W. Hisoock, Christohurch No. 2,6Bsec A. Warrell, Rangiora, 66 2-ssec D. Jones, Rangiora, 67sec Grand Handicap—Distance, 150, 220, and 440 yards ; open to members of Friendly Societies only, viz., Foresters, Oddfellows, Druids. First prize, £5 5b ; second, 453 3a; Third, £2 2s. Entrance, 2s 6d. The result of these three events, as given in their respective places, was as follows 1 — W. Pentecost 6 points H. Lowry ... ... 5 „ A. Scrimshaw 4 „ The last event on the programme was not oonoluded until nearly seven o'clook, by whioh time there were comparatively few people remaining on the ground. These were soon conveyed to town by the trams. LYTTELTON. The exceedingly hot weather yesterday contributed to some extent in inducing an exodus of city people by rail to Fort. The early forenoon trains bad to be considerably lengthened, and the afternoon trains were orowded. Upon arrival at Lyttelton the people, as a rule, betook themselves to the piers to enjoy the sea breeze or booked by one of the pleasure going steamers with a like purpose in view. The steamer Titan made two trips, one to Rhodes Bay and the other to Pigeon Bay; the Akaroa oarried a fair number to Little Akaloa, and the steam launches Lyttelton and Waiwera had all their work cut out oarrying passengers to Governor's Bay and back. The harbor, alive with the bunting of the shipping, looked charming; business ashore gave p'aoe to the demands of a Boxing Day outing ; the residents either picnicked on the hillsides, in the romantio bays around the harbor, or went to the Heathoote races by the hundred. Work was given up for pleasure, and the day after Christmas Day passed off at Port with true holiday appreciation. ohristmas-timeTat ASHBURTON. Last Sunday the weather in Aehburton and the vicinity was semi-tropical, and but few people cared to enter with zest into any form of amusement that rnquired muoh exertion. On Christmas Day the Anglioan Church and the Roman Catholic Ohuroh were tastefully decorated. Yesterday a demand sprung up for buggies, a great many holiday seekers driving towards the beaoh or inland country. The Caledonian sports were well patronised, in spite of the intense heat. Many of the gentlemen visitors appeared in dress and head gear, the sight of whioh is for the most part associated with the Victorian or the " Cornstalk,"and general commiseration was felt for the athletes who had to work so hard in such oppressive weather. Indeed an opinion was not unfrequently expressed that, while from a religious point of view, Christmas is neoessarily observed in mid-summer ; yet a change might be made with a view to holding sports in a 000 l month. The Open Handicap Hurdle race (men, 440 yards), was won by J. Groves, 1; R. Maofarlane, 2; F. Betts, 3. In quoits, W. Oompton won premier plaoe; G. Stephenson, 2; G. Kidd, 3. The Open Handioap Hurdle raoe (boys, 440 yards), was won by Joseph Doherty. In pipe music (pibrochs and marches), the result was—John McKay, 1; A. Tolmey, 2; A. McKay, 3. H. Hyland won the 100 Yards Flat race, A. Kean seoond, 8. Smith was first in Running High Jump (men); and Lockhead, 2. The Boys' Running High Jump was won by J. Jones; J. Doherty, 2. D. Buohanan went to the front in the Highland Reel (in Highland dress); J. Murray, 2. Stephen Smith was best at Tossing the Caber ; and J. Murray at the Sword Dance or Ghillie Galium. The Pole Vaulting first was awarded to J. Hunt; J. Jones, 2. Mr J. Maolean Dunn, the secretary, and the other officials, were indefatigable in their efforts to get through the events with punctuality.