BOXING DAY AT TIMARU.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6501, 28 December 1881, Page 6

BOXING DAY AT TIMARU.

On Boxing Bay holidaymakers at Timaru had fine weather for out door amusement#, though the temperature was rather on the uncomfortable tide of the index pointing to “ warm." 'Xitnaru was almost entirely empty daring the day, picnic# in the country, sports gatherings in the suburbs of Timaru, Watmale, and Temuka, and a race meeting at Albury, sufficiently accounting for the emptiness of Die street#. The early train for Waimst# took a large number of visitors to that neat little township, the branch train baring to take carriages from both the Forth and (South trains, and then add an open truck, in order to accommodate the extra traffic. The Caledonian sport# (fixed for Boxing Day so a# not to clash with the Timaru and Oamaru Caledonians), held in a paddock in the township, were the chief attraction no doubt. They were largely attended, and were well worth witnessing, the best of our local athletes competing. The Waimato floral and Horticultural Society’s bbow formed a second attraction. This was held In the schoolrooms, which were liberally and skilfully decorated with fronds of the tree fern, green foliage, and flowers. The exhibition was a very pleasing one, not so much for it# extant, but for the excellent manner in which the various exhibits were arranged. In the evening, a ball was given by the Volunteer Fire Brigade, which was well attended. At Temuka, a sports meeting was held by the Loyal Alexandrovas Lodge of Oddfellows, in the Hark. These were very enjoyable, the Committee motk.Bg hard to please old and young. The Temuka onus band, and the fife and drum band of the Volunteers were on the ground, and ndded much to the pleasure of toe day by their lively strains. The race meeting at Albury was also a success, pood fields starting for each event, and in most cases good contest# taking place for the first honours. The Hurdle Handicap, of 12 son, was won by Mr Stock's Leap Fear, carrying list 101 b, beating five other*, his moit formidable antagonist being Mr Butberforu'a well-known . hunter Pickles. The Albury Cup, of 16 son, fell to Mr Hammond's Dalesman, who beat four others. One of the items wav a Hovel Race, half a mile cash of walking, trotting, ana galloping. The winner got along way ahead m the walking, and was never overtaken. At Timaru the chief amusement of the day was the Friendly Societies* Sports Gathering, which was attended by about 1600 people, who evidently enjoyed themselves, though the programme dragged somewhat. In toe evening the Forester* held their annual banquet, which was wejl attended by mem* bars of the Order and of other friendly Societies. The Christchurch Operatic Society’s presentation of “ The Chimes of Normandy ” offered to others a pleasant mode of winding up the holiday, and this was taken advantage of by a good many. Yesterday was also generally held as a holiday by the offices and stores, and the town was very quiet in consequence.