ODDFELLOWS' AND FORESTERS' FETE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 27, 1 February 1871, Page 2

ODDFELLOWS' AND FORESTERS' FETE.

Notwithstanding the threatening aspect of the weather, a large number of persons assembled in the Botanical Gardens this morning, to witness the sports. At 10 o'clock the Foresters, beaded by the band, left their room in Bridge-street, wheuce they walked to the Oddfellows' Hall, where they were joined by the Oddfellows, and then marched in procession through the town to the Fete ground. Our report of the sports must to-day be very brief. Up to the time of our going to press the following events had been contested : — I.—Flat Race for Boys under 15 years (Heats): Once round the Course; first prize, 7s. 6d.; second, 2s. 6d.; no entry. F. Stanton 12 1 Mathers 2 12 2.— Velocipede Handicap Race (Heats): Twice round the Course: first prize, 405.; second, 205.; entry ss. Livick 11 J Wimsett.. 2 3 Outridge 3 2 3.—Flat Race: Three times round; first prize, 205.; second, 10s.; entry, 2s. 6d. Norgate 1 I Hill ..2 | Seven entries. ! 4.—Sack Race for Boys (Heats): Once round the Course; first prize 10s.; second, ss, entry, 6d. E. Snow 12 1 B. Crisp .. .. .. ••312 Ten'entries. s.—Hurdle Race for Boys under 16 years: Twice round the Course; first prize, 10s.; second, 55.; no entry. F. Coleman .. 1 — Armitage 2Seven entries. About 70 sat down to lunch in the large booth, and after the cloth was removed, the usual toasts were proposed an.d responded to. At this point, the rain set in, and the outdoor sports ceased for the day. A oountry journal in Victoria thus pleasantly addresses its readers at the opening of the year :—" The Ovens and Murray Advertiser is now entering on the sixteenth year of its existence, and is consequently one of the oldest journals in the colony. In spita of this * venerable antiquity,' we can assure our readers that we have no intention of entering into the ' sere and yellow leaf,' but intend to retain all the force and liveliness of youth. After this hifalutin it seems rather prosaic to remind our readers that the new quarter commences at the beginning of the year j such, nevertheless, is the fact. Defence Preparations in Melbourne.—The news by the mail will not prevent the authorities from steadily, proceeding with the work of defence. The most modern military mind is urgent in favor of torpedoes, and organisation in that direction is in an advancing state. On Tuesday a sample torpedo, manufactured at a local foundry, of half-inch boiler-plate, was examined by the Government board appointed to conduct such inquiries. Its power of flotation according to the means to be provided, was the point of experiment, and a faultiness in that particular was detected. It is, however, easy to remedy now that the fact is made plain. It is probable that the Treasurer, who, oddly enough, ia the, departmental head of that branch of the public service, will now issue orders for a stock of torpedoes to be kept in store, ready to be laid whenever war news cornea., The question of shore batteries lower down Port Phillip Bay, and near its entrance, for a' sufficient defence by other means of the torpedorwires, is of course open, but the. modes of presenting boat parties searching our .channels in order to free the passage,.are very various, and the many- reasons for keeping' the? adoption of any of them secret will in all probability '„ prevent their publication. Telegraphic communication withi; the Treasury has now been established at the Victoria Barracks, where a set ..'of. Professor /"Wheatstone'a ' new patent alphabetical, dial apparatus enables an , easy interchange of intelligence.;V The... rjew iSighal; iand 'hTorpedb ; Corps; long .since completelyformed* *-is gbing'i through: ia course; of instruction• as jip the Special; idti'tSesit!?^ has been; established: at .the"- baiTacks^aniij; :He>e;;Ains||nc^oriMal'glv.e^r vby: ivCapkmi 'jScie^ifi^^^ £tlte;;us^^

of laying wires, and the various degrees of flotation required of torpedoes in reference to their location. Instruction is given not only by the black board, but by practical means, and the members of the corps seem eager in perfecting themselves. — Argus.