CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S GATHERING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 2, 2 January 1875, Page 2

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S GATHERING.

Our report of yesterday's Gathering must necessarily be brief in proportion to the duration of the proceedings. Many were there who, as the moon rose^lateon the previous evening, or perhaps it would be more correct to say, early on New Year's morning,predicted a wet day for the sports, and their weather wisdom was proved by what followed. The few drops that fell in the earlier part of the morning were sufficient to damp the spirits of the stewards, and of those who had hoped to make a good thing out of the booths, for they seemed to be but the forerunners of a more decided fall of rain, but a little later the clouds partially dispersed, and hopes were entertained that, after all, the day might turn out as fine as the New Year's Days to which we have for so long been accustomed. And so the country folks in large numbers donned their holiday attire, and started for town, and the Waimea Roid by eleven o'clock aimost made one believe that one of the race days of old had returned, the long string of traps and horsemen being suggestive of a crowded attendance in the beautiful Maitai Valley, and at the same time proving a most gratifying sight to the toll-keeper. Well filled cabs soon begin to run in the direction of the "Val'ey, aud several hundreds of people were on the ground by a little after eleven when the sports commenced,- while still more continued to arrive up to noon, when the rain at last began to come down as though it meant it. Three events of minor interest — including "Tossing the Caber," wearying alike to those who take part in it and those who are looking on— having been decided, preparations was made for the 100 yds race in which a larger amount ofinterest than usual was displayed, as the far-famed runner J. 801 lon was to take part in it, while a few were ot opinion that E. Blundell, who had on several previous occasions shown that he could " travel " pretty speedily, would cut out all his work for him. The race and it) result will be found described below, and we would here take tbe opportunity of suggesting to the Sports Committee that for the future they should adopt the plan of starting the competitors, in short races at least, by firing a pistol instead of the drop of a flag. The desirability of a change from the present system was clearly shown y esterday by the numerous false starts for this particular race and needs no advocacy on our part . By this time the intermittent showers had ceased and the clouds began to pour forth their c intents in a stolid, persevering manner, so that after ihe throwing the cricket ball was over, the Secretary gave notice that the sports would be postooned until Monday at 11 a.m , when they will be resumed if the weather permits. The results of such of the events as came off will be found below : — 1. Flat Race for boys, 200 yards — First prize, 10s; second, 5s. — Merabrey, 1; Say well, 2. 2. Running High Leap— First prize, 30s ; second, 12s. — C. F. Russ (sft. 1 in.), 1 ; E. Bluodell (4ft. Ilia.), 2. 3. Tossing the Caber — Prize, 4Ts. — There were two competitors but the prize was won by Ke ling. 4. 100 yards Flat Race for men — First prize, 40s ; second, 20s. — E. Blundell, I; J. Bolton, 2; Norgate, 3; H. Haycock, 4. The flag dropped before all were ieady, and Bolton and Norgate ran the whole distance, but it being allowed on all sides that the starter was too hurried, it was agreed to run the race again. After five false starts the flag again dropped, Bolton getting away with a lead a little ahead ot Norgate, who was followed by Blundell and Haycock. This order was preserved for about three-quarters of the distance, when Blundell put on a tremendous spurt, and won a most exciting race by about half a yard, Bolton being second. 5. Throwing the Cricket Bnll— First prize, 20s ; second, 10s.— E. Blundell (101 yds. Bin.), 1 ; F. Sigglekow (92yds.), 2.