CALEDONIAN GATHERING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1, 2 January 1874, Page 2

CALEDONIAN GATHERING.

The picturesque valley of the Maitai never presented a more animated scene than it did yesterday, on the occasion of the fifth Caledonian gathering in Nelson, Year by year these sports are finding more favor with the peopie of the town and surrounding districts, and although there may perhaps have been quite as many people collected on previous occasions, there never had been siich interest displayed in the various events, and this is not to be wondered afc, as there were so many more competitors than usual, and they not confined to Nelson men, Taranaki, Canterbury, and Marlborough all being represented in some of the races. From ten in the morning until three in the afternoon there was a continuous stream of people wending their way up the valley, and during those hours there was but little rest for tbe ticket takers. The mile race was the great feature of the day, and at the time it was run there muse bave been at least 3000 spectators on the ground. The Grand Stand bad been tastefully decorated with evergreens, and a long string of flags tbat was stretched overhead irom one side of the course to the other added to tbe gaiety of the scene, wbich was also much enlivened by the Artillery Band which was in attendance, and played at intervals throughout the day. The arrangements generally were excellent as was shown by the fact that everything went off without a single hitch occurring. There was also one marked improvement upon former occasions, namely, in the dresses of the competitors, many of whom made their appearance in orthodox racing costume, and it is worthy of the coosidera.iou of tbe Sports Committee whether for the future it would not be well to insist upon all who enter lor the principal events being so dressed, The flat race for boys, and the running high leap in which the winner topped the bar at 5 feet 4 inches, having been disposed of, the 100 yards race was signalled, and to this considerable interest attached from tbe fact that two wellknown runners were to take part in it, namely, Bolton of Waimea West, and Murphy of Marlborough, in addition to M'Coy of Taranaki, and Norman of Christchurch, and one or two others who had achieved a local reputation. The result, however, was a disappointment to the onlookers as the two former mistook the winning post, in consequence of which the prize fell to Haycock. The throwing of the cricket ball was not equal to that of last year, 100 yards 4 inches being the greatest distance that could be managed, Blundell, who last year threw 103 yards taking second money with 99 yards 6 inches. In vaulting with the pole, G. Arnold distinguished himself not only by the height of bis leap (9 feet 6 inches), but by the easy and graceful manner in which he effected it. The 440 yards flat race was a gift to Bolton, as was the Tuning fiat leap to Blundell, although the distance covered in the latter was but very trifling compared with previous occasions, tbe reason being that the ground had not been dug, and tbe consequence was that the competitors were frightened to put out their full strength The one mile and halfmile races will be found described below, Tennent, wbo as usual had bestowed considerable care upon bis training, beiog the victor in both, events. During tbe day there were at intervals some remarkably clever gymnastic feats performed on the treble trapeze and the horizontal bar by three Neison lads, named respectively Lipscombe, Downs, and Armstrong, who have been for some time under the tuition of Mr. Brind, the energetic secretary of the Caledonian Society. Tbe performances of these boys were such as to lead many to believe tbat they were professionals, and their activity and daring called forth frequent rounds of applause lrom tbe crowd by whom their really astonishing feats were watched with considerable interest. The costume of the youngsters was quite professional, even to the red boots with which they bad been supplied by Mr Maclaren. To refer at length to ail the items in the very liberal programme would occupy too much of our space, bat before giving the prize list we must offer our congratulations to the Sooiety wbich has once more achieved a decided success in its attempt to provide a pleasant recreation for all lovers of sport on the New Year's holiday. Flat race for Boys. Ist prize, 10s ; 2nd do., 5s j Entry, 2b 6d. A. Hues l Fathers 2 Coleman , 8 A Special Race (Mr Greenfield's) for boys under 12 years of age then took place — Gilford 1 Greenfield 2 Banning High Leap, lst prize, SOs; 2nd]do, 15s ; Entry, 2s 6d. Rubs (sft 4in) 1 Blundell (sft Sin) ... 2 Murphy 0 Tossing tbe Caber. Prize, 40s ; Entry, 2s fid. Kelling 1 Howard 2 . Murphy 0 Thompson ... 0 This uninteresting game, wearying alike to competitors and spectators, consisted in three or four men trying to throw a large blue gum log which was too heavy for anyone but a Samson. On their failing to do so, it was cut down until Kelling turned it, and so he won the game. Flat Race for Men, 100 yards, Ist prize, 50s; 2nd do, 20s I'ntr/, 2s 6d. Haycock 1 This race lost its interest by a mistake

Warnock could not manage more than 8 feet 9 inches, but a very pretty contest ensued between the other two, Arnold, whose leaping was graceful in the extreme, being declared the winner at 9 feet 6 inches. Putting the Stone (22lbs). First prize, 40s; 2nd

Reader went away with a strong lead, Loasby taking second place, Bolton well up. At the fifth lap Bolton retired Ir-nrin-r third place to Tennent, who was aii the time running steadily and strongly. At the seventh lap he went up and challenged first Loasby, and then Reader, wbo had been makiog the running throughout, and from that time he had the race in his bands. There was some difference of opinion with regard to tbe time, one watch making it 5 minutes and another 5 minutes 10 seconds.

This created «cuch amusement owing to the eagerness displayed by the tbree youngsters, and their determination to obtain a fair start. "Jem," however, pio ved too young and active for his opponents, and Sherwood was too old a soldier to be entrapped into running the eighth part of a mile in a burning sun when he knew he had no chance of winning, so for Avery was reserved the honor ot second place. Half-Mile Race, lst prize, 60s; 2nd do, SOs ; 3rd do, 10s Entry. 80.

Nine started. Bolton went away at score, Haycock second, but at tbe third lap tbe latter resigned, and Russ began to draw very close upon Bolton. Tennent wbo had been quietly watching the proceedings ,then pu t on steam, went ahead, and tackled Bolton and the Russ Brothers, and won a pretty race by five or six yards. Flat Race for Boys. Ist prize, 20s; 2nd do, 10sj Entry Is. A. Russ • «~ 1 Coleman 2 Eight others started. Tilting at the Bing. Ist prize, 80s; 2nd do, 40b ; Entry ss. Six rings. Distance 10 chains. Time allowed, 30 sees. Rings.

There was great fun over tbe appearance on tbe course of Mr Jacklin on a mule which would insist upon hugging the wire and being playfully active with its hind feet, somewhat to the risk of the limbs of the bystanders. Altogether it \ was found that a mule, or rather that mule, was not suitable for the game, and so a borse had to be substituted for it. Blundell, in his third round, met with ; what might have been a very nasty fall, ' as bis borse shied against* tbe wire, and , Rd a complete somersault over it, tbe i I however, beiog fortunately thrown < of tbe sprawling animal, and aa he ' n the saddle again in a second it may ■ baouneed he was not muoh hurt 1

Accident at the Wharf. — A serious accident occurred at tbs wbarf yesterday afternoon on tbe arrival of the Murray from tbe West Coaßt. Tbe tide was running in very strong at the time, and though tbe steamer's engines were reversed off Cross' wbarf sbe came on at a great speed to the inner berth of the Government wbarf, where the ketch Mary was moored at tbe lime. She was run into, and her stern completely smashed, and though she has been recovered sbe has sustained most serious and we should imagine, expensive injuries. Her cargo, too, which consisted of tbe bankrupt atock of Mr Prussing of the Karamea and Anatori,, is completely spoilt. Having cut her way through tbe ketch, the sharpbowed Murray proceeded to attack the wbarf, wbich from its complete state of rottenness offered an easy prey, indeed, had it not been for the tramway rails, wbich are twisted and bent into all sorts of shapes, the probability is that the steamer would have made her exit at the opposite side. It is a matter for congratulation that no one received any personal injury, but the pecuniary loss to the owner of the boat, we fear, will be far from trifling. Auckland Backs. •— The « Southern Cross ' of Saturday, in its report of the races, says : — Tbis concluded the day's racing, wbich doubtless would have beeu more exciting but for the absence of Kakapo. It appears that Mr Redwood entered this colt in error. Owing to the difference with regard to age between the Canterbury and Victorian rules, under which last the Turf Club run, Mr Redwood's colt was debarred from taking any part in this meeting. He was entered erroneously as a three-year-old; bnt under the Turf Club rules, who take their age from the Ist August instead of the Ist July, he was considered as a four-year-old. This unfortunate mistake tends to show tbe necessity of the various New Zealand Jockey Clubs adopting, if possible, a uniform rule with regard io age. Without venturing to offer an opinion as to whether July or August is the better month, we say without hesitation that a universal rule should be established. The point ol this remark, like those of the immortal Bunsby, lies in the application of if, and we make a present of the suggestion to the Clubs concerned with very great pleasure. Some slight sensation was caused by its being stated early in the day that, owing to Kakapo's disqualification, Mr Redwood had re-purchased tbe team recently sold by him to Mr E. Perkins. This, we understand, is a fact, butit is more than probable that Mr Redwood will offer his whole stud by auction at the termination of the last meeting. A publican named O'Connor, at Callaghan's in Westland, has been stabbed by a man of the name of Dasliem, who, when under the influence of drink, lost his temper, drew his knife and stabbed tbe unfortunate man three timeß, twice in the breast and Bhoulder and once in the abdomen. The wounds are pronounced not to be immediately dangerous.

Bryant, 1, 1, 3 5 Trask. 0, 2. 2 4 W. Butherford ,0, 2, 1 3 J. Rutherford, 1, 2, 0 3 C. Bird, 1, 1, 1 3 E. Blundell. 1, 1, 1 3 Pratt, 1, 1, 0 2 Duncan, 1, 0, 1 2 Hart, 1,1,0 2 W. Nicholson, 0, 0, 1 1 T. Nicholson, 0, 0, 0 0 Jacklin, 0, 0, 0 0

R. Tennent 1 G. Russ 2 W. Russ 3

Standing High Leap. Ist prize, 30s ; 2nd do 158, Entry, 2b 6d. Blundell 1 Murpby 2 Blundell topped 4 feet 5 inches, which was too much for his opponent. Three-Legged Race. Ist prize, 20s; 2nd do, 10s; Entry, 2s. Blundell and Nicholson ... l Murphy and Buss 2 Hurdle Race. Ist prize, 50s ; 2nd do, 30s ; Entry, 3s. Once round and a distance. Warnook ... 1 Burnett ... .. ... 2 . Eu«n . -• a Murpbp 0 Norman ... ... ... 0 Warnock took the lead from the com* mencement, and kept it throughout, clearing his hurdles in beautiful style. Murphy baulked at the first hurdle, and was never in the race. Standing Flat Leap. Ist prize, 20s; 2nd do 10s Entry, 2s. M'Mu-ray (Bffc lljins) ... 1 J. Burnett (Bft 9Jins) ... 2 Old Mfn's Race, 100 yards. Ist prize, 20s; 2nd do, 10s. Entry, 2s. J. Arnold (53 years) ... 1 A very (62 years) 2 Shertrood (64 years) ... o

do, 20a. Entry, 2a 6d. M'Murray (28ft. 7in) ... 1 Kelliog (26ft. 7in) 2 Five others entered, Murphy being third with 26 feet 3 inches. Flat Face, quarter mile First prize, 50s; 2nd do, 255. Eutry, 2e 6d. BoUoq I F. Russ 2 Sack Race. Ist prize, 20s; 2nd do, 10s, Entry, 2s. J, Murphy 1 JP. Hunter 2 Running Flat Leap. Ist prize, 308; 2nd do, 15s. Eatry, 2s 6d. Blun<ie)l (16ft; Sin) ! Haycock (lttft) 2 Byan (13fD lOin) 3 Horizontal Bar. Ist prize, 40s ; 2ml do 20e. Entry, 2s 6s. Chisholm 1 Dowries 2 Mile Champion Race. First prize, 120s; 2nd do, 603; 3rd do, 20*. Entry, ss. R. Tennent 1 Loasby 2 Lines 3 Reader 0 M'Coy (Taranaki; 0 D. Tennent.. 0 Lewis 0 Bolfcon 0

Throwing Cricket Ball. Ist prize, 20s; 2nd do, 10s. Entry, 2s. Duncan 1 Blundell 2 Vaulting with the Pole. Ist prize, 60s; 2nd do, 403, Entry, 4s. Arnold 1 Russ 2 Watnock 0