CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S GATHERING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 4, 5 January 1875, Page 2

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S GATHERING.

The sports which were resumed yesterday were remarkably well attended, considering that they had. been post poned, aad that consequently the country people did not muster as strongly as they usually do on such occasions. As the day was not a holiday, there were not as many competitors as usual, and the absence of one or two who generally come to the front in the principal events, deprived them to some extent of their interest. The performances of the lads Downes, Armstrong, and Lipscombe on ihe trapeze were exceedingly good, and excited general admiration. An unpleasantly strong breeze was blowing, but this did not seem to mar the enjoyment of those who were present. The following is a list of the various events and the winners : — Sack Kace — Ist prize, 20s ; 2nd, 10s. Four entries. A Ball, l ; George, a Maori, 2. Running Flat Leap — Ist prize, 30s; 2nd, 15s. Four entries. Nicholson, 17ft Bin, 1; E. Arnold, 1 7f t Sin, 2. Wrestling (Cumberland Style)— -Ist prize, 60s; 2nd, 30s— R. Kelling, 1; Maule, 2. Wrestling (Cornish Style)— lst prize, 60s; 2nd, 30s— T-ylor, 1 ; C. Bray, 2, Feats on the Horizontal Bar — Ist prize, 40a ; 2nd, 20s— There were three competitors, Lloyd, Lipscombe, and Armstrong. The two prizes were divided amongst the three, it being impossible to tell which was best. Mi!e Champion Race— lst prize, £6; 2nd, £3. A Silver Cup to be given in addition, if run in less than five minutes; to be won two consecutive years — H. Lines, 1 ; A. Lines, 2; Rubs, 3. There -were eight entries. A Lines Avent away with a strong lead which he retained until the last lap, the others constant]^changing their respective positions In tne fifth lap Jones, who was runuing in good form, went away from the ruck and took second place, but of this he was deprived in the seventh lap by H Lines, who at the last round went to the front, A. Lines being a good second, and Russ third. Time, smins 19SCCS. Standing High Leap— lst prize, 30s; 2nd, 15s— Hayoorfc, 4 ft, 1 ; Arnold, 3ft llins, 2. Three entries. Three-Legged Race— lst prize, 30s; 2nd, 15b — Norgate and Nicholson, 1 ; Adams and Leaper, 2. Six entries. Hurdle Race— lst prize, 50s; 2nd, 30s — "Warnock, 1; Bass, 2; Norgate, 3. Five entries. Warnock aad Russ got away together, slightly in advance of the others, and took the first two hurdles in pretty style stride for stride. Warnock then went away and kept the lead throughout, Russ being an excellent secsnd. Hop, Step, and Jump— lßt piize, 20s; 2nd, 10e— Waruock, 35ft 2io, 1; T. Nicholson, 2; Arnold, 3. Six entries. Half Mile Race — Ist prize, 60s; 2nd, 30s — A. Russ, 1; A. Lines, 2; H. Lines, 3. Five entries. Bolton went away as though he had only 100 yards to run, but in the third 'lap discovered his mistake, and had to succumb to Lines, who had been running more steadily. At the fourth lap Bolton was passed by all the field, Russ winning a pretty race by about a yard, A. Lines second, and H. Line* third. Tilting at the Ring— lst prize, £7; 2nd, £s— Rutherf >rd, 6 ring I},1 }, 1 ; Bryant, 4 rings, 2; Bird, 4 rings, 3; Trask, 4 rings, 4. In tilting for the tie Bryant won the second prize. (For remainder of News see fourth page.)

The agent of the famous Blondin is expeoted in Dunedin in a few days to make arrangements for the appearance of the great Frenchman, who will commence his New Zealand tour in the capital of Otago. The Wellington Post Bays :— The enormous prize bullock and prize Bheep, exhibited by Mr Gear as the central objects of his Christmas show of meat, were, we believe, purchased by Captain Stafford of the Canaille, and have been salted down, so as to enable him to take the meat over to Australia to show people there the kind of stock New Zealand pastures can produce. The bullock weighed 15cwt. and the sheep 1801bs. The Otago Witness recounts the following anecdote : — Not long ago a Mr Short delivered a very excellent lecture on " Happy Homes and how to make them." The chief object the lecturer had in view was to induce a number of young men to insure their lives. As soon as they had sent in a proposal, they - were to go before tha doctor to be examined. So far so good. It happened, however, a dozen of these gentlemen were athletes, and having recovered from a severe attack of measles, they were very anxious to know from a duly qualified medical practitioner whether they were fit to go into training for the forthcoming Caledonian sports. To get the desired authentic information would have cost & guinea, each, but Mr Short's address put quite a* new idea into their heads. They filled in the proposed form eagerly, and next morning presented themselves in due course before the doctor, who was all smiles at the thought of drawing twelve guineas from the Insurance Company as fees. The young men were carefully examined, and pronounced, as sound as bells and fit for anything. Thanking Mr Short for his lecture, and pointing out the advantages of life; assurance so plainly to them, they left. I believe they have been in active training since, but I am sure none of them has paid, or ever intends to pay, his premium. A Village of Nuns. — Although occasionally in Great Britain young ladies who are uncomfortable at home, or who find that the pleasures of life are more than neutralized by its duties, and immure themselves in convents, yet their disappearance in the world excites but little sensation outside of their own domestic circle. If, however, all the young ladies in England " took the veil " en masse, it is probable that society would rise "as one man," and protest against the proceeding. Such a catastrophe has occurred lately at a Roumanian village, Bellino, near Giurgevo, where not long ago certain Catholio priests came in for some hard Ufluage from the inhabitants. The priests, however, in spite of persecution, not only, continued preaching, but preached in such a persuasive manner that the hearts of all the ladies of Bellina became filled with pious enthusiasm. More and more eloquent became the priests, and more and more enthusiastic became their fair audiences until a religious epidemic set in with the results which, as reported by the Towns, are positively frightful. A neighboring convent was suddenly invaded by a host of village maidens, who insisted, notwithstanding the energetic opposition of their fathers, brothers, uncles, cousins, and admirers, in assuming the veil. The majority of the marriageable girls of Bellina thus disappeared within the convent walls. The religious party were exultant, while the unregenerate portion of the community were desperate. In an evil moment the priests incautiously determined to send the young novices to Bucharest and distribute them among the convents of that city. This was too much for the youth of Bellina to endure. Headed by the exasperated and bereaved relatives of the novices, the whole population 1 of the village have, by latest account, risen to oppose by force a departure which, according to the Towns " will close the door to hope, and lead to the ultimate depopution of Bellida. In a communication to the Societe Medicate des Hopitaux, MM. DujardinBeaumetz and Hardy make known the results of the employment of oatmeal oh the alimentation and hygiene of infants. According to them, oatmeal is the aliment which, by reason of its plastic and respiratory elements, makes the nearest approach to human milk. It also is one of those which contains most iron and salts, and especially the phosphate of lime, so necessary for in- * fants. It also has the property of preventing and arresting the diarrhoeas which are so frequent and so dangerous at this age. According to the trials made by M. Marie, iufanta from four to eleven months of age fed exclusively upon Scotch oatmeal and cow's milk thrive very nearly as well as do children of the same age suckled by a good nurse. Mr Samuel Wilson, one of the wealthiest squatters in Victoria, has placed the handsome sum of £30 000 at. the disposal of the authorities of (lie Melbourne University, for the erection of a hall wliich Shall be in keeping With the preeeut buildings, and shall constitute one of the architectural ornaments of the city. The letter in which he anuouces his intention to Sir Redmond Biiry, whil« it evinces the donor's anxiety to make his^gift auxiliary in the greatest degree to the welfare of the colony, explains likewise the grounds upon which, after < much careful deliberation and reflection, he J Arrived at the determination to bounty to the particular 'if^j^^p^&eji. He observes that "as

the true greatness of every country consists chiefly in (he right use of the cultivated intellects of its most gifted eons, it is to the highest seat of learning that we must look for the great men of our future history." Animated by this conviction, Mr Wilson lms wisely resolved upon dedicating a portion of the wealth which lie has acquired in "Victoria to the supply of* a great want in connection with its " highest seat of learning." By the arrival of a mail from the Cape of Good Hope information had been received in England of the landing of a number of Australians at Delagoa Bay from the Beethoven, and their departure for the goldfieids. The scene on board is described as very exciting. The diggers were told that the extent of payable ground was very limited, and not enongh to maintain a large population, and that their only chance wan to open up new country. AMr Hope — a name of good omen — who is a large landed proprietor, told them he had both seen and handled nuggets varying in weight from 21b to 81b each. The miners told him that they would give the fields a fair trial, that thousands in Australia were waiting their report, and, if it was favorable, would flock to the Cape. I spent a day lately (says a correspondent of the Evening Herald) at the new house of TamihanaTeßauparha (near Otoki), a beautifully situated residence, about three miles inland from the beach. The site commands a lovely prospect of sea and laud, island and river, lake and mountain. The house itself is furnished with perfect taste, is a most luxurious abode, aud presents a marked contrast to the dingy looking residence of Wi Parata, whoso jealousy in consequence is boundless. The son of the ancient warrior entertained me most liberally, showing me with pardonable pride oil paintings and photographs of himself, his deceased wife, his ferocious-looking father, and other celebrities! In a most, elaborately carved casket, or rather urn, of Waikato manufacture, were preserved, so I understood from him, some relics of his father, among other things a gold ring and gold eye-glass, plundered from the corpse of one who had been numbered with the slain on the occurrence of the Wairau massacre. To some perhaps yet living these relics would possess a melancholy interest. How little did the wearers thereof think that the hand of the savage was so Boon to strip their yet quivering bodies, and that far across the straits in a peaceful residence, this ring and eye-gla6s would be recounted as treasures by the son of their murderer, by whom they would be hidden from the light of day. There is a possibility, we are fold, of Australia being brought within eight days of Europe. The English Admiralty have before them a new form of steamer, with a bottom composed of two or more parallel consecutive inclines, of which great things are expected. The inventor, a Mr Ramus, states that with his model he has actually attained a speed of 63 knots an hour. From Melbourne to Sydney or Adelaide in 9 hours, to Lnunceston in four and to London in 8 days, would rather revolutionise ocean steam navigation. The Americans believe in this project, for they look to the accomplishment of the voyage from Europe to America in 48 hours. Lord Seafortb, who was born deaf and dumb, was to dine one day with Lord Melville. Just before the time of the company's arrival, Lady Melville seat into the drawing-room a lady of her acquaintance who could talk with her fingers to dumb people, that she might receive Lord Seaforth. Presently Lord Guildford entered the room, and the lady, taking him for Lord Seafoptb, began to ply her fingers very nimbly ; Lord Guildford did the same, and they had been carrying on a conversation iv this manner for sbiut ten minutes, when Lady Melville joined them. Her female friend immediately said, " Well, I have been talking away to this dumb man." "Dumb !" cried Lord Guildford, "bless me, I thought you were dumb !"