CHRISTMAS SPORTS.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 616, 28 December 1869, Page 2

CHRISTMAS SPORTS.

This year we have been favored with the most magnificent Christmas weather — had it been made to order it could not possibly have been exceeded. Christmas Day on Saturday was bright and warm, with a gentle Seabreeze, sufficient to make the hesit enjoyable. Business was entirely suspended, and in the early part of the day the churches, were crowded. During the afternoon and evening the streets literally swarmed with visitors from the outlying mining districts. We believe we had as many if not more visitors in town than on any occasion since the first rush to the Grey, yet the streets were remarkably orderly, and although a vast amount of money was spent very little drunkenness or disorderly conduct was observable. Sunday was a pouring wet day, and it was at one time imagined that the Boxing-day I sports would be spoilt, but towards evening the rain clouds cleared away, and wave j place to a most magnificent sunset and the promise of a fine day, which was amply verified yesterday, which broke bright and sunny, and proved to be one of the most magnificent summer days that have ever been experienced in Westland. The morning sun rapidly dried up the ground of the Camp Reserve, where the sports were destined to take place, and brought it into splendid form ere the appointed hour. Early yesterday morning the crowd began to assemble in a quiet and orderly manner, and it was particularly noticed by many town observers that the Westland miner in this district has of late assumed a well-to-do appearanoe, for instead of sash and shirt, he now turns out upon holidays in blaok or blue broadcloth, while moleskin has given way to light tweeds. In this respect the miners must be conajratulated, and also in another, that, although money appeared to be plentiful, their conduct has throughout been of the most quiet and orderly description. Yesterday, there must have been about two thousand persons present on the Camp Reserve to witness the sports got up by the town committee for their amusement, and the greatest interest was taken in the proceedings. The following are the results of the various events : — Quoits.— lst prize, L 4; 2nd do, LI ; entrance, os ; 21 yards. — South worth 1 0. Hedley 2 The following also entered and played : — W. C. Shepherd, J. M'DougaU, E. Heaphy, S. Simmons, — Clark, jun., John Ross, James Hair, W. Simpson, — Abrahams, and — Levy. Flat Race, 100 yards.— lst prize, L 4; 2nd do, LI. William Wright ... 1 R. Howe 2 Rankin, Kerr, and Manson also ran, but Wright took the start, and held the front place, winning very gamely. Hurdle Race, 440 yards, over S hurdles, 3ft. high.— lst prize, L 5 ; 2nd do, L 2. R, Howe I W. Wright 2 J. Vaughan ... 3 The following also ran : — Rankin, Kerr, Fleming, and Ormond. Howe, as usual, was all eager at the post, sprung off as the flaw fell, and continued in advance, closely followed by Vaughan. The rest followed well up, Wright running strong up to the last moment ; putting on a spurt at the last he came in a few yards in rear of Howe. A protest was immediately fintered by Wright against Howe for running inside one of the posts. Hitch and Kick. — No entries. Vaultixo with Pole. — Ist prize, L 5 : 2nd <10, L 2. R. Howe I— Sft. Joe Heaphy 2— 7 ft;. lOin. The other entries were W. Corbett and W. Fraser. Heaphy, who is only a lad, led from the commencement, and vaulted in such a graceful manner as to elicit the applaiise of the whole ring, and continued clearing his jumps as inch after inch was raised, in a manner remarkable for so young a lad. Howe, however, with that easy manner which characterises him in vaulting, continued to clear the bar so "easily as to make it almost a certainty that he would gain the prize. Frazer maintained his position well for a considerable time, but was compelled from " a stitch" to give in. Wrestling — Cumberland and Westmorland—lst prize, LlO ; second do, L 5 ; third do L 2 10s. For this event there were six entries. In the first bout Walter Invin threw Allerdyce easily. For the second bout the t^o brothers Peden were drawn, when Peter Peden lay down to his brother John. The last turn between Scott and Malinson produced a nice display of wrestling on the part of Scott, who threw his man cleverly. In the second round Peden and and Scott met, when, after some pretty play, shown by Scott, he had to succumb to the superior strength of his competitor. In the final round a very good deal of unsatisfactory conduct on the part of Peden was exhibited, as he did not seem inclined to take hold of his opponent except at an advantage, and consequently, after the loss of much time, the decision was left in abeyance until this morning. Putting thk Stone, 2llb, Irish style— lst prise, L 5 ; second do, Ll. P. Cooney ... , ... 1 Mcinnison ... 2 J. Flemming, M. Brennan,and — Brennan also entered. Handicap Flat Race, 880 ynnls, Ist prize, L 6 ; 2nd do, L 2 10s ; 3rd do, Ll. W. C. Shepherd 1 Kerr ... 2 J. Rankin 3 Ranger, Howe, and Wright also entered. Howe, at starting, was much interfered with by the crowd of men who broke in upon the course, which militated much upon the result of the race. Through this mishap he gave in on the second round, leaving the contest to be decided by Shepherd, Kerr, and Rankin, the latter of whom, for the first three rounds maintained the previous position. In the last round, however, Shepherd (who has won a champion race in Otago) came up at a great pace, and won easily, Kerr also came with a rush at the last, gaining second place. STAxniNfi Flat Leap.— lst prize, L.S ; 2nd .K 1.1. I>. T ••lull ... I— ,loft. Din.. J. Thomas 2— 10ft 7in. John Sullivan, E. Heaphy, -^- Johnston, and S. Hare also competed. A good deal of interest was taken in this Q.yenti from th,e fact of all the competitors

r. ti

being local men, who had, aa uaual, their own separate supporters in the betting. Ruhnixg Flat Leap.— lst prize, L 4; 2nd do, LI. W. Wright ... I— l7ft. 4^iu. ) — McCarthy ... 2— l7ft. 4iu. H. Howe 3— l7ft. 4in. The other competitors were J. Beaphy, D. Heaphy, and J. Thomas. This ended the day's sports, which will be continued to-day, as per programme in another column.