CALEDONIAN SPORTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6505, 2 January 1882, Page 5

CALEDONIAN SPORTS.

To-day will be held the third and last of our large athletic gatherings for the season. But thongh last, that which takes place to* day gives promise of being by no means the least. The sports of the particular kind— Caledonian—that will be inaugurated with ns on this occasion, hare won immense popularity, not only in the land o’ cakes, but also in every other country where they have been established. In Canada, in Few York and in Australia, they have almost, if not quite, taken the front rank in athletic meetings, and to come neater home, in Wellington, Dunedin, Oamaru, Timaru and Ashburton, they have quite assumed that position. In these towns they are held under the auspices of Caledonian Societies, and in Dunedin particularly so groat is the popularity of the sports that the Society is in funds to the amount of some £IO,OOO, derived from the takings at the gate, &c. To their great credit let ifcbe said that this wealthy Society spends most of its handsome income in maintaining night schools, open to men and youths of every nationality and creed, and in supporting various other useful and benevolent institutions. There is no Caledonian Society formed in Christchurch at present, but today’s sports are promoted by a Committee of gentlemen who have taken a prominent part in our athletic matters for years past, and a number of our leading Scotch citizens who have assisted in these gatherings, either in the Old Country or in other parts of the Colony. Lancaster Park Vill be the scene of operations. The running track has been put in good order, and the high fence will gives shelter from any high winds, should such prevail. An excellent programme of 26 events has been prepared, comprising the best of the usual athletic items, and all those peculiar to Caledonian gatherings. The thought of the reels, flings, pibrochs, atrathspeys, marches and caber has already warmed the heart of many a Scot, and has excited the cariosity of many a “ foreigner.” The novel sight to most people of many men and boys in kilt* and plaids will be no uninteresting feature of the day. The very liberal prizes offered by the Committee have had the result of attracting largo fields for the oytuts for which entries have already closed. The most favoured is the 120yds race, for which there is a field of 18. The quarter of a mu« comes next with 16, the one mile and the one mile bicycle have 11 each, the 120yds hurdles has 10, the five miles bicycle has 9, and the two miles walling race has 8. These entries include nearly all our beat and well-known peds, and a very considerable amount of new Wood. Besides the good sport provided, the public will find that every arrangement has been made for their comfort and enjoyment, both in getting to the ground and on the ground* ’Busses will run at frequent m* tervals during the day from town to Lancaster Park. Bunning cards at the small oost of 6d will give every information as to the order of events and time when the prin* cioal stome will oonao off, with the handicap! tJT n#.SK«

the occasion by Mr Wood, the contractor, will be found a good position from which to see all that goes on as well as a place of rest for ladies and others. The judges will make use of one of the rooms of the pavilion, and the dressing and Secretary's tent will bo on the tennis lawn. A board will bo ereotod in a prominent position on which will be given throughout the day tbo next event, and another board will show the winners of the lastevent. Unfortunately, notwithstandingtho best efforts of the Committee, the baud muslo contest has fallen through, but Mr Button's Band, in full strength, will play throughout the day. Lastly, and of as much importance, perhaps as anything, Mr E Oookson, so wellknown as a good caterer, will supply creature comforts at the publioan’s booth, and Mr J. Knight at the confectioner's booth. Should the day be warm, the arrangement that has been made for hawking fruit will bo fully appreciated. So, with such a good programme, such largo fields, and such complete arrangements, it is to be hoped that our Caledonian friends will achieve what they so richly deserve—a thorough success. ’