CALEDONIAN SPORTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1918, Page 1

CALEDONIAN SPORTS.

The local Caledonian Soeiely held ! a very successful day on Hie Hokitika racecourse yesterday with the New Year Day sports. Dtspite the wet 'overnight and the unpromising -weather conditions of New 'tears Eve, the morning broke line, and the •jsfiorts were looked forward to by the people. Unfortunately the interrupted tratlie caused by the Hood and.flood damage kep # t many country rpeople away, while the strange policy of the Railway Department added to , the number of enforced stay-at-homes.

Shortly after ll o'clock the Pipe Band paraded and the skirl of the pipes announced the preparations for the day had commenced The Chieftan in full uniform and with the sword drawn for Scotland led the way. and gallantly the musicians stepped it out lo the music dear to the hea-»ts of all Scotchmen The sports began about 12.30 and as the afternoon wore on the attendance grew, till finally about 1200 were present.. An energetic Committee divided up into working sections kept matters moving briskly. Some events were always on, so that the public bad something to watch and interest them all the time. The dancing was a great feature, the j’onng performeis being specially pleasing in this respect. Athletics of all kinds were held, and military and physical drill by Greymouth cadets added to the variety. A walking match for returned soldiers disclosed tnat the old lame ’oss was not too slow on the home stretch, for a returned man with a gam mi e leg led the way to the tunes. Quoiling and other games helped to fill in pleasantly for a large number who took interest in the competitions, and generally the afternoon wore a busy occupied air for all who frequented the racecourse. The Town Band enlivened the proceedings when the pibroch was not sounding, so there was not a dull moment. Old friends met and new 7 friends were found, and all were wishing each other the compliments of the season. The ladies of the Red Cross and the Overseas were attending to the amenities of life. The cup that cheers, the drink that cools and the viands that sweeten the tooth wer e dispensed to crowds of customers, resulting in good business for patriotic causes.

The Hon Secretary <Mr Jas King) had matters running very smoothily. The judges were prompt in their decisions and the organisers all worked well. The result'was a very pleasing celebration of tire national day and a warrantry to repeat the occasion when the next anniversary comes round.

THE HAY’S lIESUI.TS

Boys sack race—C. Howat 1, J. Macfarlane 2. Hurdle race - Kir wan i, T. Williams 2. Boys race, under 7 years—Sam Davidson 1, Jack Dale 2. Boys race, under 10 years—H. Staines 1, Levi Dale 2. Boys race, under 12 years —Jack Macfarlane 1, W. Gooch 2. Boys race, under 6 years —A. Parkiiill 1, Schroeder 2. 440yds flat race, under 20—I. O’Callaghan 1, E. Heenan 2. Girls race — Jean Hall ). McDonald 2, Girls race-—" Viole- Gooch 1, D. Butland 2. Qnoiting, open —las Stapleton 1, W. McLean 2. Wrestling for small boys— Butland 1, Reed 2. ‘ Wrestling lor hoys—How at 1. Meyers 2. Quoiting, section A —Jas Stapleton 1. T. Williams 2. Best Dressed Highlander, open— F. McGregor 1, W. Mol). Frazer 2, A. Barrowman 3. Highland Lassie, under 14 years - F 1 or a” Ma 3 ke n •/, i e 1. M. Maunder 2, H. Needham o. Putting the Shot —A Bennett, 31ft Sin, 1 ; Heveldt, 30ft, llin, 2. Throwing the Hammer —Blackman, 61ft 9in, 1 ; A. Bennett, 60ft din, 2. Highland Laddie—Master Inglisl, A. Wallace 2, W. Wallace 3. Vaulting, small hoys—Gibbons 1, Allan Stevenson 2. Vaulting, up to 14 years —.1. Mclntosh 1, Ri. Shore 2. Va,lilting, open —J. Atkinson 1, A. Walsh 2. High Jump, boys under 20 years Kir wan 1, Hackell 2. High Jump, under 14 years —Ken Aitkeu 1, Alex Aitken 2. Half Mile Walk, by returned soldieis - Hargreaves 1. 120yds Flat Race, under 10 years— P. Williams 1. Duncan 2. Girls’Races — .L Hall 1, B Hickson 2 ; D. Butland I,M. D linen n 2 ; M. Williams 1, V. Gooch 2. Piping, for novices—Ralph Dickson, 41 points, 1 ; J. A. King, 40 points,

Piping, for amateurs —tv. Dickson jnnr., 63 points 1 ; Hector David son 60 points, 2. Piping, Scotch selections—A. Rarrowmnn 1, G. Dickson 2. Highland Fling, under nine years, (novices). —M. Gibbons 1, A. Mclntosh 2, M. Robinson 3. Five competitors. ’ Highland Fling, up to 14 years, (novices).—M. Gibbons 1, H. King ,2,F. Mackenzie 3. Eleven competitors. Sword Dance (novices).—H. Needham I, M. Maunder 2, Irish dig, (novices), under 14 years.— J. Inglis L Irish Jig, (novices), 14 years to 20 years.—G. Inglis 1, M. Duncan 2. Irish Jig (open).—M. Duncan 1, M.

Warwick 2, A. Stopforth 3. Four competitors. Sailors Hornpipe (novices).—N. Bauson f, Al. Alaunder 2, Eric AlcAlillan 3. Sailors’ 'Hornpipe, under 20.— A . Freitas 1, AlADuncan 2. (1. Inglis 3. Highland Fling (novices), under 20 years.—AL Duncan (60) 1, 0. Inglis (;■>.")) •_>. Al. King (60). 3. Six compotitoi\s. Highland Fling (open), under 14 years.—ll. Needham 1, Al. Alaunder 2, AT. Gibbons 3. Twenty-one competitor's. 15ag Ripe Ahisie. (Three pioec s of Scotch music).—A. Barrowman T, G. Dixon, sc nr. 2, J. Dixon, junr. 3. Fourcompetitors. Scnuntruitihas. —Tl. Needham I, L. .Mclntosh ,2, Af. Duncan 3. Five competitors. Reel and Strnthsprey, (novices), under nine years.—A. Alclntosh, N. Thompson. P. Maunder and Al. Robinson 1. Reel and Strathsprey. under 14 years. —M. Maunder, Al. Gibbons, X. Dawson and AT. King .1 Reel and Strathsprey (open).—Elsie Alclntosh, Al. Mclntosh, F. Alclntosli, Ti. Alclntosh Ist. Owing to the length of the programme some of the events were held over. The judging in all the Piping and Dancing Events was carried out successfully by Sergt. Al. AY. Fraser- of Christchurch.