THE HOLIDAYS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 35, 27 December 1878, Page 2

THE HOLIDAYS.

The weather during the Christmas holidays in Munawatu has been extremely hot and sultry. On Christmas Day, in some of the churches in the Upper District, Divine Sirvice was conducted. Boxing Day was superbly fine, although the intense heat was very trying. The interest of tho district was divided between tho two inland centres of Palmerston and Feilding. Trains fiom Foxton und Wanganui were crowded with visitors to ono or other of the planes named, and all spent a right pleasant day. FEILDIfIG SPORTS. A first-class programmo had been arrauged by the committee, and the gr at body of the settlers gathered at FciUliug. The up-traius from Foxtou, and tho downtrains from Wanganui wero all crowded with passengers, and tho railway authorities consented to stop the trains at the crossing about H half miles north of Feildiug, to enable tho pleusuro-seelei s to alight at the paddock Mr Halcombe had kindly leut for tho occasion. Thcro must have been considorably over 2,000 persons present. Iv addition to tho sports, the usual accompaniments of Aunts-Sally, swing-boats, &0., I were in full operation. Tho gates are said to have proved highly profitable to the pur- j chaser. The Committee had tukon the precaution to allow no alcoholic liquors to ho sold on the ground, though it is said " giagor wine" was in great requisition in certaiu quarters. The proceedings were most orderly and quiet, no disturbance whatever occurring, except ono small " abusing match," which was soon stopped. Tiio various officials worked vigorously and every credit in duo Mr Sherwill (Secretary), Mr Callamiu (Treasurer). Messrs Macmahon and Worsfold (starters), Dr Johnston, Messrs Halcombe, Druminond, Macarthor, Haybittle. Bradley, and other gontlemcn who acted as Judges and members of tho committee. Tho sports started punctually at 10 a.m. Quoits — First prize A3, second £1, third 10s. Ten entered, and after a long contest Evans took first place, D. Younger second, and G. Younger third. Boy»' Race — 200 yards — under 14 First prize £1, second 10s, third ss. Hackot and Lundon came in as winners, but were protested against on the ground of being over age. Elvidge and Pain claim second pi tees, and Belfit takes third prize, 6 started. Time, 33 sees. Handicap Walking— 2 milea. First prize £6, second prize, £1. 6 started. This match was well contested throughout, the winners coming in neck and neck, though

the others were out of it soon after the start. Sexton, 1; Carlisle, 2. Time, 21 i ' minutes. " i Steeplechase in sacks— First priite £1, 1 second pri^e oa. 4 started. Lang, 1 ; i Mclaughlin, 2. 100 yards Handicap— First prize £7, 85- i cond £-2. 9 started. Chaldicott, scratch, i 1 ; Henderson, o yards, 2 ; Parkinson, ti ! yards, 3; Delaney, 2 yards) 4. Theraco ] was wellieontostcd, tile nieii riishing' in iii a mass, though Ohaldicott was evidently not put upon his mettle. Time llsocs. Vaulting with pole— First prize £5, se coud £1. 7 started, and a gpdd contest ensued, i gradually dropped out) and eventually F-. J. JmikSon was declared first, with Carlisle second, Henri, a Maori, taking third place. Height, 9ft 8 inches. Champion Race— 200 yards— First prize £10, second £2. This was a gift to Chaldicott. Only 3 entered, and Delaney took ••wcond money. Time, 2lsecs. j Starivlinjf i(i K h Jmup — Kir.flt pri^o £3 ; i spfiond 10.M-. .) .-taritHl U. Uwwii-. I', m-t'ond : ! money divided Uniollrfst Other coiiiilotltorS. ; ' Standing Lo:ig Jump— First prize £3, I second prizo 10s.' 4 started. J. Carroll, 1; ! jG. Hrown, 2. Distance, Oft 2in. ! ! Manchester Handicap— 1 mile- First i i prize £1:3, second .t's. 0 started. Jones, of : • Keilding. 2o yards, 1 ; Has' ings, of Wei- ' ! liugton, 15 yards, 2; Thompson, of F.dld- I ; iuj;, 10 yaidx, 3. The other competitor* | | who started were Johnson, !0 yiirclp, t)e- ' j laney, settttcl!; \,ntl Patlcpr; t>o yards. \ , BoJ-s' liitbe- 1.30 yard's - under 12. First j prize £1, second JOs, third »s. 5 started.! j U-. Foster, 1 ; Chamberlin, 2 ; Keen, 3. i ! Throwing the Cricket Hull. First prize i £3, second 10s, Robinson, of Foxton, who | ! evidently took little trouble, did 101 yards : with ease ; F. Williams, 2, with 96 yards. District Cup— quarter-mile— First prizo, I ; £7, swoud£.l, third .XL *'. stnitcd. John-! : son, 1 ; a Huiatt. PDiitest. enstied for f-erond ; '< place, but Taylor made a rush and soenrid \ it, leaving E.Jacksnn ihiid. Time, i ! 2.-icos. ! ; Hop, Stop, and Jump. First, prize i."i, .second 10s. Centered. Hood, li Par*! i kinson, 2, : ! Mliudicap Hurdle Race— 22o yards— lo | hnrdlcs, 3ft G in-ihes. First prizu i'lo ; so- j ! eoud piize £2. 3 entered. Chald'eott, of , i course, took fir9t place, his manner of taking ' i tlic hurdles being very pretty indeed. JacUtou 2, Thompson 3. Running Long Jump — First prizo £3, second 10s. 5 entered. CUaldicott 1, Henderson a. Distance, 17ft. Throwing the hammer— First prize £3. second £1. Cameron 1, Jackson 2. Distauce, 07 feet. J Running High Jump— First prize £3, secend 10s. 5 entered. Tho contest lay between Barton and F. Jackson, tho formor taking first, and tho latter second prize. It was quite evident Barton could have done several inches higher than that reached, viz, 5 feet 3 inches. Consolation Race — 150 yards — First prize £5, second £2. Three entered, and a good race ensued. Delaney 1, Laird 2, Hendcr--1 son 3. Tilting at the Ring— First prize £10, 1 second £:). For this event no less than 23 entered, and for some time the ring was crowded with horsenr.en who galloped round to practice for the event. After a leng contest, Hector Booth was declared the winner, with 10 rings for three tries, J. M'Dohald second, with 8 rings. A greasy pice chase caused considerable amusement. The porker was soon carried off. The sports were highly successful throughout, and the Committee are to be congratulated upon having carried them through in so succesjful a manner. They were undoubtedly, so fur as numbara, prizo3, attendance, and evsrything else were concerned, the best yet held in Manawatu.