THE CHRISTMAS AMUSEMENTS.

Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 151, 29 December 1866, Page 2

THE CHRISTMAS AMUSEMENTS.

The sports on Thursday attracted a much larger number of people than was expected; aud the ground and streets were thronged with holiday folks. The sports were held on the strand near the entrance of the Blaketown Lagoon, and the site was in every respect a well chosen one. The ground was well adapted for the purpose, being firm and j sandy. A large ring "was enclosed, and the hotel booths were ranged in a semicircle on one side. The woathor was, with tho exception of being intensely hot in the morning, very favorable, and the sports passed- off with cclfit. The following is a report of the first day's progvamino' : — 100 yards r.ice, open to Jill coiners — prize, L 4. There were 8 entries as follows : — W. Wright (I), J. Payne (2), W. Leatham, John Thomas, I. Wallacp, D. Duncan, A. Aarons, J. Koss, I. Henderson. ■ This was a remarkably well contested race, the running of Wright being splendid. Ho was behind at starting, but passed his competitors within six yards of tho winning post. The nevt on the list was Cumberland and Westmoreland wrestling, in which live competitors appeared, viz., Joseph Nuttress, John Pe-mlon, Thomas ■Pcard, John Fisher, and W, Robertson. The first prize, LlO, was won by Nuttress, and tho second, L 5, by Peardon. Some good wrestling was exhibited (luring this contest. For the quarter-mile race there were seven entries, viz,, W. Wright, D. Duncan, Hy. Keiil, A. Aarons, Leatham, J. Koss, J. ; Dixon, anil some A r ery good runnii.g was shown. Wright was again winner of tho, •first prize (Lfi), and D. Duncan came in second best. Throwing the Hammer — There were five entries, K. Alexander,' James Law, Campbell, D. M' Donald, A. Matheson. lv. Alexander threw (51 feet and got the prize (L 4), and James Law, who was only 1 foot G inches short of his rival, was awarded the second prize. The 300 yards hurdle race was an excellent one, the running and leaping being alike good. There were live competitors, W. Wright, I. O'Donnell, D Duncan, G. Done, and J. Thomas. Wright was again winner, O'Donnell coining in second. Thomas fell at the last leap. For the running high jump there were 7. entries, viz., I. O'Donnell (Ist), W. H. Campbell (2nd), James Donne, William Easson, Calmady, Thomas, Bowncr. O'Donnell won, his leap being 4 feet S inches. An extra race, " Hop, Step, and Jump," concluded the day's amusements, and was won by W. IL Campbell. Yesterday the attendance in the forenoon was only limited, but the number of spectators increased considerably in the afternoon, I although the weather had become showery. The first match of the day was Tossing the Caber, in which there were six entries— Jas. Law, 11. Alexander, D. M 'Donald, W. H. Campbell, Henderson, Cotton. The match was not decided, and is to be contested again to-day, a fair throw not having been accomplished. Vaulting with the pole— 5 entries, viz.. Pvobson, Flint, Dixon, Chesterrnaii and Paul. Sonic good practice was shown, and the first priao was won by l>obson, who made a height of 7ft Gin ; Flint was second, his leap being only 4in short of the winner's. Cornish and Devonahire Wrestling : six entries- Bennett, Eow> Gribbl-i, Kitts, Oarthen, and Ilobson ; won by Bennett. The One Mi'c Champion Race was a very good bit of running, and was won in splendid style by D Duncan, and McKay came in a good second. There were seven entries— Duncan, McKay, Thomas, Wright, Ecid, Mackiutyro and Griffin. The Boy's llace was won by Monroe, Murphy being second, and Parkinson third. The ThreeLegged l»ace was a novel and laughable affair Two men arc strapped together by the inside legs, and have to run on the two outside ones, hopping with the tied ones. The competitors Avere coupled as follows : — Aaron and Abrahamsj Wright and Cohen, McKay and Trans, Leatham and Thomas. The race was Avon by McKay and Trans, Leathaui-and Thomas being second. Li the Consolation Race, Aarons, Abrahams, Cohen Reid, I'ay lie, Dove, and Thomas ran.. Aarons being the winner. The Quoit Match was not decided, aud is to be tried over again to day. In addition to the two undecided matches, the Puttiug of the Stone will come off to-day should the weather prove favorable. The Committee expect lo have enough funds over to provide a programme of sports for New Year's Day. Pablo Fanque's entertainment at Kilgour's Theatre is a\ ell worth a visit. It consists of tight rope performances by Pablo Fanque, gymnastics by his son, dancing, and the tricks of some clever performing dogs. The boy is very clever on the trapeze ; and the tightrope dancing of Pablo Fanque is also very good. The Irish reel by the boy and girl calls down uprorious encores every night. The dogs are very sagacious, and their tricks are amusing. The house was full. The dramatic Company at Sweeney's: Theatre were well patronised, and "the performances were fairly successful.