CHRISTMAS SPORTS.

Kumara Times, Issue 705, 2 January 1879, Page 2

CHRISTMAS SPORTS.

Notwithstanding the repeated postponements in consequence of the inclemency of the weather, the Sports Committee succeeded in carrying out their programme most successfully on Tuesday and Wednesday, under the nioat favorable circumstances. During the first day the attendance was very large, each event Leiug keenly coutested, more especially in the wrestling and running matches, the splendid playing of the Dillmau's Towu band during the intervals being highly enjoyed. Ou the sec »nd day (yesterday) the attendance was not so numerous, as a large number of persons attended the children's picnic during the afternoon, which greatly curtailed the crowd of the previous day. Taken throughout the Committee niav be congratulated on the very successful and satisfactory maimer in which ilie whole programme was faithfully adhered to, with the exception of the Devon and Cfowtish wrestling on the second day, whwh'/as there were n--t sufficient' entries in time, the Coimnitt'T. substituted a one mile handicap foot race, and which proved to be one of the most exciting events of the day, als-o, being run late, it gave those who had attended the picnic the pleasure of witnessing it on their return. Mr John Peain, as usual, pnved a must efficient secretary, and his efforts in conjunction with Messrs O'Hara, O'Brian, King, and some other members of the Committee tendered in no small degree to make the Christmas sports of tiiis year quite as great a success as they have been heretofore.

The following are the various events aud the names of the successful competitors : FIRST DAY—TUESDAY.

Quoit Match : distance, 21 yards. Entrance, Is.—First prize, £1 10s ; second, £l. Barnett ... ... ... \ Marks 9

For this event thtre were eight entries, viz., 11. Bell, J. Barnett, Marks, Kobinson, Jones, Macnamara, Haigh, Sinimonds.

Standing High Jump : Entrance, Is. — First prize, £1 10s ; second, 15s ; third, 10a. Six entries. Stanley, 4ft. 3in. ... ... ... l Hamilton, 4ft. 2.Vin 2 Doyle, 4ft. lin. " 3 Wkestling : C .unberland and Westmoreland. Entrance, 2s 6d.—First prize, £4; second, £2 ; third, £l. Eight entries. Natfcrasa ... ... ... i Corbett ... ... ... 2 Fealier ... ... ... ... ... 3 Half-Mile Race (Handicap). Entrance, 2s. First prize, £2 ; second, £l. Five entries. Jenkins, scratch 1 Doyle, scratch 2 Stanley, 70 yards 3 Putting the Stone : weight, 211 b. Entrance, Is.—First prize, £1; second, 10s. Six entries. O'Connor, 38ft. Gin 1 O'Loary, 35ft. Gin - ..[ 2

Sack Race. Entrance, Is.—First prize, £1 ; second, LOa. Mansfield ... ... ... ... 1 Hamilton ... ... 9

j SECOND DAY—WEDNESDAY. : Quoit Match : distance, 18 yards. Entrance, Is.—First prize, £llos ; se--1 cond, £l. Smart ... ... ... ... ... j Ixnirke ... ... ... ... . 2 For this there were sixteen competitors, viz., .Smart, Mullndl, Ihigh, Jones. Holdnson, Hamilton, Barnett, Benton, Knife, Ward, Marks, R. Bell, Nuit.aaai v Bourke, M. Bell, Murray..

Collar and Elbow Wrestling. Entrance, 2s Gd. —First prize, £4 ; second, £2 ; third, £l. Eight entries. Flaher 1 Hopkins... ... ... ... ' ... 2 Bourke ... ... ... ... ... 3 Running Hop, Step, and Jump. Entrance, Is.—First prize, £1 ; second, 10s. Six entries. Thompson, 37ft. 9in 1 Stanley, 34ft. Bin ... 2 One Mile Foot Race (Handicap). Entrance, 2s 6d.—First prize, £4 ; second, £2 ; third, £l. Four entries. Jenkins, scratch ... 1 Hopton, 120 yards 2 Boyce, 120 yards 3 Doyle (lOOyaids), Morgan (120 yard-), Wells (130 yards), also entered. Tins race terminated the programme, and, as we have previously mentioned, was a race of a most exciting nature, as, although several well-known athletes were entered, the distance told greatly. The winuerj Jenkins, covered the ground in 5 niiits. 40 sees., which is splendid time, as, considering that he had virtually won the race one hundred yards from the post, he quietly walked the remaining distance. During the two days, the various distances in the Kumara Handicap Foot Race wei*e run off. The following is a list of the entries, and the handicap:—

Kumara Handicap Foot Race : distance, 100, 200, 300 and 400 yards ; points, 6,3, 2, I.—First prize, £5; second, £2 10s; third, £1; fourth, 10a. Nominations, 2s ; acceptances, 3s.

Of these, however, only four accepted or came bo the post, and, as it will be seen from the number of points allowed for the respective distances, Doyle carat in first in three of the four distances, Jenkins second, and Adams->n third.

The running of Jenkins throughout this handicap was greatly admired, and we understand that soinn of his friends are eager to back him against the winner, ami that in all probability a very interesting )im\ clo-ely-contested match will shortly take pla<:<\

100 200 300 400 yds. yds. yds. yds. T. Coy . scr scr scr scr D. Doyle . 5 6 5 scr Adamsun . 5 6 8 15 Jenkins . 6 8 12 15 D. Callaghan .. . 7 10 14 22 M'Namara .. . 8 12 15 25 Stanly . 8 12 15 25 Woods . 8 12 15 25

100 400 300 200 Points Doyle . 5 5 5 3 — 18 Jenkins .. . 3 3 3 5 — 14 Adainson .. .. 3 2 2 2—9 Stanley .. 1 1 1 1—4