THE CALEDONIAN GATHERING.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 95, 4 January 1868, Page 5

THE CALEDONIAN GATHERING.

These Sports have in former years been held at Amersfoort, but last year it was a great cause of complaint that the distance was too great for comfort, consequently this year it was determined to hold them in the paddocks adjacent to the Victoria Hotel, some of the fences being removed for the purpose of throwing them together. A Committee comprising Messrs. Bythell, Leek, Barclay, Sweeney, John Taylor, and John S. Carroll, had charge of the arrangements, and superintended the sports on Wednesday last very assiduously. Unfortunately for their entire success, the weather broke on the previous evening, and the rain continued to fall until after mid-day, which to a considerable extent spoiled the celebration. The attendance was only meagre, owing no doubt to the belief that the Sports would be postponed. The performance on the bagpipes, and the wrestling were the only parts of the programme omitted, a loss which was not universally regretted. The following were the events which came off : 1— TROTTING RtCE, from Gorse Fence, Maxwell Road, to near Mr. Hoclson’s Stable; Ist prize, j£lo ; 2nd horse save his stakes; entrance, £i. Mr. C. Eves’ Nelly (Eves) .. ... 1 Mr. Shepherd’s Liquorice (Rush) ... 2 Mr. Gunn’s Hob (Shepheard) 3 Mr. Main’s Lady Nugent (Main) ... 0 Mr. Barclay’s Nothing-thoaght-of (Haycock) ... ... --- ... 0 Mr. Neill’s Pet did not run, Nelly came in a few lengths ahead of Liquorice, closely followed by Bob, whose rider protested against Liquorice on the ground that his rider had struck Bob across the nose while racing, which caused him to break and lose his race. On being referred to the stewards, Liquorice was disqualified, and Nothing-thought-of was declared second. 2 YARDS FOOT RACE, open to all; Ist prize, £2 ; 2nd, £ I; entrance, 2s. 6d. There were four entries. The course was a straight one, presenting no difficulty beyond the wetness of the grass. Staples 1, Gresham 2. Won easily. 3 ioo YARDS FOOT Race, for Hoys under 12 years; Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s.; 3rd, 55.; entrance, Is. Five entries. Tait 1, Barry 2, Maxsted 3. I—TILTING IN THE RING; Ist prize, £5; 2nd, £3 ; 3rd, £2; entrance, ss. This was the best sport of the day, and is one of the oldest games known. At intervals of about 50, yards, four posts were erected, with a transverse-beam projecting about -9 feet from the ground, from which depended a clasp containing an iron ring about two inches in diameter. The game consisted in the 'competitors on horseback riding at a gallop, and by means of a long lance, held close to the side by the elbow, 'Carrying off the greatest number of -rings. There were nine competitors, who haff ia turn six courses, with the folio wing resiilt. Considerable interest was felt in the game, and large sums changed hands upon it.

Marshall being backed against the field. Mr. J. Gbrrie was the judge. John Kennedy ... .. 210111 6 W. Marshall ... .. 010012 4 Gaynor II10! 0 4 W. White ... , 001102 4 Cummin ... . ... 101110 ... ... 4 Ray tier I 11000 3 D M'Callum ... ... 000001 I Rore (native) ... ... 100000 1 Avery ■ 000000 0 .Mr. John Kennedy was declared the winner of the first prize, and a second heat for the second place was—Cummin 2, Marshall 1, Gaynor 0, White 0. 6—VAULTING WITH POLE; Ist prize, £2; 2nd. £1 ; entrance, 2s. 6d.. For this there were four entries. The game was well contested, H. Cundy remaining the victor at 7ft. 10in., being four ■ inches higher than last year. Jas. Robinson second. 6 STEEPLE CHASE; Ist prize, £6; 2nd, £4; entrance, 10s. The course was from the end of the paddock near Mr. Sinclair’s, in which there was a rail, round by the river bank where there was a brush fence, to the corner of the junction of the river’s, then following the bank, over a 3-rail-fence, and coming up by Mr. Sinclair’s residence. The race was three times round. The water rising had covered a considerable distance with water of great depth. The entries were, — Mr. J. Robinson’s Flying Buck (owner) 1 Mr. W. Robinson’s Matilda (owner) ... 2 Mr. Topsy (Brotherton) ... 0 Mr. Gunn's Fanny (Marshall) 0 Topsy started well and took the lead, closely followed by Flying Buck, Marshall came next, and on reaching the water was thrown, and did not get mounted again until after the next round. Topsy kept ahead, but was closely pressed by the Buck until they reached the deep water again, when her rider got unseated, and after a little floundering she sank in the mud. Brotherton called out for help, at the same time holding the poor animal’s head up, while several persons swam and waded to to the rescue. In the meantime the other horses completed the race. On making enquiry subsequently, we were given to understand that the mare was no worse for the immersion. 7 BEST STEP DANCE; Ist prize, £2; and, £1; entrance, 2s. 6d. Mr. Lewis was the judge on this occasion. The competitors were M'Quaine 1, Power 2, M'Cormick. a—POTTING THE STONE—SG lbs; prize, £2; *"■ entrance, 2b. 6d. Ten entries. Fleming was said to be the winner, but Gresham protested, and intends to urge his claim on the settling night. l RACE; 150 yards; Ist prize, £1; 2nd; 10s.; entrance, Is. Six entries. Murphy 1, Parker 2. 10—TOSSING THE CABER; Ist prize, £2 ; 2nd, £1; entrance, 2s. 6d. Ten entries; Ross 1, Staples 2. PIG WITH A GREASY TAIL; prize, the pig. Won by A. Herd. Sundry entertainments for the younger lads were got up during the day, and towards evening they got one up for themselves by practising a practical joke upon one of the spectators, around whose neck they succeeded in getting a rope and sought to make him swim in the river. The individual in question objecting to such a mode of treatment, exerted himself to drive away his tormenters, and at last with success, the young sinners crying out after Him “ Gingerbread,” and other libellous names. The. origin of the aflair was, we -understand, in connection with the Art XJniou of last week. “ Some people are never satisfied.”