CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S GATHERING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 2, 2 January 1878, Page 2

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S GATHERING.

The amusements provided by the Caledoniau Society for the public on New Year's Day were again largely patronised yesterday, when the attendance must have been somewhat in excess of 200;). A considerable falling off in the attendance was, however, exhibited as compared with the previous year, as was shown by that very reliable telltale, the amount of ,money taken at the gates, which in 1877 was £102, aud yesterday only £78. This falling off is no doubt very largely owing to the reduction of rates ou the railway, and to the fact that people are year by year becoming more alive to the facilities afforded by the traiu forgetting into the couutr/, which was yesterday visited by numerous picnic parties. Tijere are few places, however, that for piefcuresqucness cati beat the Maitai Valley, and'that alone proves an attraction to many. Yesterday was a perfect day, and the holiday appeared to be enjoyed to the full by all those who visited the grounds, the Artillery Band, under the conductorship of Mr Oakey, largely contributing to the success of the Gathering. The following is a summary of the day's proceedings : — Flat Kace for Boys under 12. Ist prize, ss» 2nd, 3s^Pearce, i; Bait, 2; Arnold, 3,. Sunning High Leap for Boys under 15. Ist pri?e, 10s ; 2nd, 5.5-W. Currin, 1 ; J. Arnold, 2; E. Boyce, 3. Flat Race for Boys under 15. Ist prize, 10s; 2nd, ss— JJoyce, 2 ; J. Akeraten, 2: C. Cotterell, 3. ' ' ' Flat Kace for Men, 220 yds. Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 103— Russ, 1 5 Siggelkow, 2. Running Flat Leap. Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s — E. Arnold (17ft loin), 1 ; R. Hall (17ft 7in), 2; J. Arnold (15ft Bin), 3. Putting the Stone, 221bs. Ist prize, £1 lOs; 2nd, I 5s — Silcock (29ft8in),l; Jennings (28ft Bin), 2. 6 FlafHacg for Men, 440 yds. Ist .prize, £2--2 nd, £1-Russ, I ; Inching, 2 ; Akersten, 3. '. ' ' Wrestling, Cumberland style. Ist prize £2--2 nd, £1- Morrison, l ; c. Lines, 2] Jtettlfcj 3. Morrison's victory wa3 an easy one, his opponents going down before him in no time Running High' Leap. is,t prize, £1 • 2nd, lOa-h Arnold, 1; A. Arnold, 2. Gymnastic Feats. Ist prize, £i; 2nd, 10sDownes, 1; Hall, 2; Lloyd, 3;

This was, as uaual, one of the most interesting events in the programme, and the clever performances of the three competitors called forth repeated rounds of applause. Hat Eace. Ist prize, 10a ; 2nd, 5s —J. .Akersten, 1; L. Akersten'i 2. Two others started. Asi stated on the programme this race was intended for Maoris only, hut as there were none on the ground it was thrown open to the public. Walking Match, 2 miles. Ist prize, £3; 2nd, £1 l(h— Frazer, 1; Arnold, 2. Akersten, Skellie, and Williams also started. This was beyond all questiou the event of the day. Williams, a burly digger from the Coast, went off at a tremendous pace, leaving the others a long way in the rear, but his career was cut short by the judges deciding that his pace was not a fair walk. He therefore retired. Erazer, a slim but wiry young fellow who had arrived from Wellington in the morning was soon left behind, and as in the second lap something went wrong with his shoes, and he had to stop to put them right, it was thought that he was out of the race, but ; as lap after lap was completed he gradually drew nearer and nearer to Arnold, the leading man, who at the last lap but two was also compelled to halt for a second or two to adjust his foot gear, which had got out of order. With a politeness that was most exemplary, but under the circumstances decidedly exceptional, Frazer waited too until his opponent had made himself comfortable, when he seemed to think that any further consideration for him was not called for, and he then walked past him with about as much ease as a steam engiue would pass a bullock dray, coming in a winner amid loud cheers, franr the spectators. Hurdle Race,' 44oyds. tat prize,! £2; 2nd, £I— -Russ, 1; E.Arnold, 2. j Toss will and Batching came to; the post, but the race was Russ 1 from the commencement, Arnold being a good second.; Sack Race. Ist prize, 15s; 2nd ss. The grotesque figures of the competitors, of whom there were six, with their bodies wrapped in sacks and their faces concealed by the most comical looking masks to be procured in the town created immense amusement. A wee little mite named Charlie I3all, who evidently had been in a bag before, was the winner, Adams being second. Mile Champion Race. Ist prize, £5; 2nd, £2 10s— Skellie,.!; Arnold, 2;. Akersten, 3. Jones went away with the lead, but at the third lap was caught .by Skellie, j who seesawed for a few seconds, first one and then the other being ahead. At the fourth lap Jones was passed by all the others and retired, and at the fifth lap Akersten took the lead, but was soon deprived of it by Skellie, and shortly afterwards gave the race up as a bad job. Arnold made a capital second, Skellie winning by a couple of 'yards only. Time, sinins 55secs.

Vaulting with the Pole. Ist prize, £2 10s ; 2nd, £1 ios— B. Arnold (9ft lin), I; A. Arnold, 2; J. Arnold, 3. Hop, Step, and Jump. Ist prize, £1 10s; 2nd, 15s— E. Arnold (36ft loin), 1; J. Arnold (32ft 4in), 2; Hall (32ft 2in), 3. lhree-legged Race. Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s. Won easily by E. Arnold and Rasa two other pairs started. Half-Mile Plat Eace for Men. Ist prize, £3; 2nd, £1 ios— Kitching, 1; Russ, 2; E. Arnold, 3. This was a capital race. Rnss went away with the lead, which he kept until the last lap was half completed, when Kitching, who had been carefully nursing himself, let out, collared Arnold and soon passed him, and then went up and challenged Kuss, who stood no chance against him. As he passed, Kuss fell, and there was some little dispute as to the cause of his tumble, but after making enquiry, the judges decided that Kitching was fully entitled to the prize. Tilting in the Ring. Ist prize, £5; 2nd, £2 —Wilkie, 8 rings; Newport, 8 rings; A. Lines, 7 rings; Holland, 7 rings. For this there, jverg-.se yenf competitors, some of whom did not ichstinguish themselves either by their horsemanship or skill in handling the lance. Wilkie and Newport having tied, necessitated another round, which resulted in the former taking the first prize. Best Highland Costume. But one competitor appeared for this, and consequently no prize was awarded. The dress, howerer, of the little fellow who put in an appearance was remarkably handsome and perfect in every respect, having ]ast been imported from Scotland. During the day: there were two scratch races for boys, one of which was won by Adams, and the other by C. Cotterell.