CHRISTMAS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4296, 28 December 1874, Page 2

CHRISTMAS.

Christmas Day—Friday last—was observed in Wellington in the usual way. The weather was remarkably fine ; and every place of business, of course, was closed. The English and Roman Catholic Churches, where services took place, were well attended; -while hundreds found their way to the Hutt by train, and the walks and places of resort in the neighborhood had many visitors. Throughout the day the streets of the city were remarkably quiet, hut the cool and beautiful evening drew out many to enjoy the beauty of the night. IN THE CHURCHES. The Christmas decorations in the churches were more than usually successful this year, regarded purely from an artistic point of view. The floral display in the interior of St. Paul’s Cathedral particularly was very tastefully arranged, and interwoven with appropriate Scriptural selections. The choral service consisted of the Christmas carol, “See the Morning Star,” "Jackson’s Te Deum, Hatton’s anthem, “ H&sanna, to the Son -of David, the Kyrie, Goss in D, and the 29th Hymn. Mr. Warren, the organist, played the “ Hallelujah” chorus as a voluntary. BOXING DAY. On Saturday holiday was kept by all but a very few .of the shopkeepers, and the streets presented a marked contrast to their aspect on the previous day. From an early hour cabs rattled along to the Railway-station crowded with passengers for the train; while later in the day crowds followed the procession of the Foresters to the Basin Reserve, where the sports were to take place. The excursion steamers also drew crowds to the wharf throughout the forenoon. The ships were gaily dressed with flags j and the Soukar, the Howrah, the Edwin Bassett, and others were decorated with bunches of evergreen on the trpck of every mast, the yardarms, the jib'boom end, &c. j and the Soukar exhibited the wish of the season “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” in large letters on painted canvas ,on her stern. Some of the hotels also were gaily decorated with bunting. Altogether the day was well employed by holiday makers. The chief event of the day was

FORESTERS’ FETE. The chief of the. Boxing Day attractions was the Foresters' fete held on the Basin Reserve. The members of the Order were early on the move. At 11 o’clock they assembled at the District Chambers, Commercial Hotel, and proceeding through the principal streets of the town with banners flying and bands playing, heralded the object of their march to such as were unacquainted with the fact. The procession then wended its way to the Basin Reserve, where the managing committee had already been actively engaged preparing the running-ring for the contests of the day and settling other- preliminaries. _ The arrangements, as a whole, were very creditable, and in proof of the growing popularity of the fete, it need only be mentioned that at about 3 o’clock, there were fully 3000 people on the ground, all of whom found plentiful entertainment, either in watching the sports proper, or in talcing part in one or other of many diversions, such as Aunt Sally, skittles, kiss-in-the-ring, or quadrille dancing, which latter found by far the greater number ,of patrons, the Veteran Band furnishing the music. The weather was delightful, and the fete regarded from any point of view was the most successful yet given under the auspices of the Order. As an athletic meeting, it was an undoubted success —and so it deserved to be—for the managing committee had left untried no means of averting failure. Every endeavor was made to study the interests of the competitors as well as those of the public, and the general result is one upon which the Order may fairly be congratulated. The committee deserve to be complimented chiefly upon the success of their efforts to encourage athletics, pure and simple, upon a basis which cannot fail, in future years, to raise the character of their meetings to the highest standard. The handicapping of the competitors was entrusted to gentlemen whose past experience in pedestrianism qualified them for the office ; the running-' ground was carefully measured off, and the time of each of the principal events taken, so as to give, the competitors themselves an accurate knowledge, of their capabilities as well as to furnish material to aid future handicappers ; and unquestionable impartiality was secured by starting the races by pistol-shot. These are undoubted improvements, the benefits of which may not become apparent for a year or two ; but as soon as pedestrians in other parts of the province and of tho colony become aware that things are managed in such a systematic manner, it will only require a reasonable increase upon the present low value of the prizes to bring together large fields of competitors. As it was, several names altogether strange to the handicappers were amongst the lists of entries, so that the duties of the position, always difficult and thankless, were somewhat increased. These difficulties were further added to by the presence amongst the competitors of two professionals, who were, of course, kept at a respectful distance from the amateurs in the starts. The results proved that their powers were considerably overrated; or rather, they proved this ; that upon such a circumscribed course (220 yards round) with several abrupt turns, a man placed at scratch has little chance of overtaking those in front of him. Sufficient allowance was not made for this disadvantage in the handicapping, which was further at fault in giving Coppin such long starts in tho Open Handicap. But Coppin, though evidently not an untried man, was new to Wellington, and his capabilities were therefore unknown; besides, he was entered for the 200 yards Maiden, and the handicappers were quite justified in believing that he was nothing superior to those placed on the same mark with himself, having no evidence to the contrary when the handicaps were framed. As a matter of fact, the handicaps were carefully considered, and would, beyond doubt, have produced capital races but for the inferiority of ground, which does not admit of fair racing. Competitors, unless very fast indeed, never will win upon their merits until the running circle is increased to a quarter of a mile, an improvement which could, easily bo effected if (the trustees of tho ground and the directors of the Caledonian Society really felt in earnest about the matter. As already indicated, Coppin carried away the prize for the Open Handicap by winning the 200 yards and the -410 yards

races without much difficulty. Johuston, whoappeared to he quite as fast as Coppin, started badly in all his races, and was completely thrown out of them by the ugly turns in the course. In the 100 yards handicap (straight run) he had to give Coppin a yard, which produced a magnificent race between the two, Coppin winning by half a foot only. The two would he about equally matched on level terms, Johnston’s thorough gameness counterbalancing the evident greater strength and experience of Coppin. The second event of the Open Handicap (300 yards) produced a splendid race between Coppin, Delaney, and Moran the finest race of the day iu fact. It was the only race iu which Johnston got away well, but the distance was more in favor of the other three named, and between them it was a hard struggle, as it , became in reality the deciding -point as to which should win the prize, Coppin having already scored one event. Delaney tried all he knew to overhaul the leading men, but Moran made the most of his eight yards start, and was too good to be collared at the finish, although Delaney made a plucky effort and passed the post third, just behind Coppin, who had fourteen yards start. The quarter of a mile was a very tame affair. Coppin, with twenty yards, ran very strongly all through and was never passed, he‘and Delaney being the only two starters. Itwillbe observed that, despite all drawbacks, th e time iu the Open Handicap events was excellent throughout, proving that the competitors must be possessed of very fair speed, and that they came to the scratch in good condition. The Mile Race, in which Young Skellie (the professional) was expected to vanquish Moran without difficulty, turned out a complete surprise, for Moran won, amidst tremendous cheering, by about forty yards. An accident which happened during . the race had a good deal to do with SkClio's defeat. In going along the back of the course Moran, who was then running behind Skellie, “ spiked ” the latter in the right foot, and from that point Skellie perceptibly fell off. The occurence must of course be regarded as purely - the result of accident ; still accidents of this character have happened too often on the Basin Reserve, and it is not too late for the Caledonian Society to take such steps as will effectually prevent anything of the kind occurring at the forthcoming New Year’s gathering. Let it be understood amongst competitors that any one of them spiking another will be disqualified altogether, and they will at least do all in their power to prevent anything of the kind happening. There was not the least excuse for Moran’s spiking Skellie at the particular part of the course where the accident liappened— opposite the grand-stand. The ground there is the straightest and best out of the whole circle, and there was no reason whatever why - Moran should tread so closely upon Skellie’s heels all the way when there was room to run upon ground of his own. At last year’s sports two competitors were laid up for two and three months respectively from the same cause, and any measures that may be adopted for its prevention cannot possibly be too stringent. The Two-mile Walking Match gave rise to a greater amount of excitement than has ever previously been seen on the Basin Reserve. Four competitors were entered, but in reality the event was a match between Williamson and Purdy. Williamson was formerly the local champion, but from neglect of condition and lack of interest in the sport he fell away so badly that upon Purdy’s -arrival in the province he was easily defeated. It seemed that he had undergone special preparation for the event of Saturday, and with the thirty yards handicap it was considered that Purdy would have all his work to do to beat him. Purdy evidently thought so too, for as soon as the pistol was fired he laid himself out very diligently to his task in the endeavor to reduce the gap between Williamson and himself. Unfortunately for himself and his reputation he began to walk in a manner that looked very suspicious, and in the middle of the second lap he broke into a kind of shamble, which was too palpable to leave any doubt of its unfairness. He was cautioned by one of the referees, but Williamson, who had himself watched Purdy’s questionable style of going, became so disgusted that he stopped altogether, and Purdy walked past him. The spectators, who lined the ring three or four deep on all sides, expressed their opinion of Purdy’s style iu unmistakeable language, Williamson’s walking, on the contrary, having been perfectly fair from the start. Upon the representations of the referees Williamson was induced to go in pursuit of Purdy rather than disappoint the public, although it was decided then that if Williamson chose to claim the money he might walk over for it without reference to Purdy, who would at once have been disqualified. Williamson then followed about eight yards behind Purdy, and this distance being lessened to about two yards, the two walked leisurely on to the end of the first mile, when Williamson availed himself of a favorable moment to pass Purdy, which he did by putting on a remarkably fast spurt. Purdy endeavored to repass Williamson by resuming his former questionable style. Then the excitement was renewed. The people hooted and yelled to such a degree that the referee had again to go to Purdy, who was finally disqualified, and pulled out of his stride. He continued to walk, however, but could never catch Williamson, who, though in good condition, was rather too finely trained. Purdy, on the other hand, was encumbered with a great 'amount of superfluous flesh. To this cause his defeat is clearly attributable, as he did not walk nearly so well as upon former occasions. A protest entered by Purdy against Williamson for unfair walking was not entertained. A Boys’ Race and a Consolation Race brought the proceedings to a close. The events were run off as follows : Boys’ Race, under twelve.—About a dozen youngsters faced the starter for this race, which was won by Buchanan, with Sandbrook second. 200 Yards Maiden. W. Moran, Johnston, Coppin, Churton, Birch, Barron, and Skellie were at the scratch when the pistol was fired, Barron having the inside place and Skellie the outside. Coppin jumped off with a clear lead of two yards, followed by Johnston, Ban-on being third, a yard behind Johnston, the rest in a cluster. Iu this order they proceeded to the second turn at the back of the course, where Barron fell, and was out of the race. -Moran, a very diminutive lad compared to the other competitors, had improved his position very much, and ran into third place, Skellie —a namesake of the long-distance runner—having cried a go. From this point the race was virtually over, Coppin passing the post two yards in advance of Johnston, who failed in a plucky effort to overtake him. Moran finished a good third. Time, 22J seconds. VAULTING. Cotter, Black, and Johnston were the only contestants for this prize, but the two latter were out before Bft. was reached, and Cotter won with a vault of Sft. 2in. Cotter is the Caledonian winner who has frequently cleared over 9ft. Open Handicap. — lst Event, 200 Yards. Coppin (10 yards)... ... ... 1 J. Horan (5 yards) 2 Churton (10 yards) 3 Delaney (scratch), Skellie (2 yards), Black (7 yards), and Johnston (10 yards) also started. Skellie was put back a yard for a false start. Coppin was first away, Johnston, who was on the same mark, losing a yard by a stumble. Moran and Delaney got away well, and in the back stretch looked as if they would both overhaul the leading men, Skellie being out of it. At the second turn from home Moran got round well, and was rapidly drawing on Churton, who ran exceedingly well in close company with Johnston. Delaney was not so fortunate at the corner, for in a collision with Johnston both were put out of the race. Moran still stuck to Churton, and passed him on the post, but failed to catch Coppin, who won by four yards. Time, 21J seconds. ■ Boys’ Wallking Match.—Half a Mile. About six youthful “walkists” toed the mark for this prize, and gave the spectators some curious specimens of a walking-run. Only one out of the lot walked fairly, namely, Moran, and the prizes were awarded thus ; Moran, 1 ; Wilson, 2.

Open Handicap.—2nd I' vk.\t, 300 Yards. Moran (8 yards) ... ••• 1 Coppin (14 yards) - Delaney (scratch) 3 Black and Skellio were scratched. The race was a splendid one from start to finish. Johnson (fourteen yards) had all the best of the strut, getting- away more than a yard in front of Coppin, hut it availed him nothing, for before one hundred had been got over, Coppin passed him and led down to the turn at the back of the course where he in turn was overhauled by Moran. Delaney, who wgnt away with a bound upon the pistol being fired, looked as if he would pick up some of his ground, and ho did, in fact, considerably diminish the distance between himself and Coppin. Coming up to the turn for home he passed Johnson, and was gaining so fast upon Coppin in the straight run in that he must have had second place had the distance been twenty yards further. Time, thirty-five and a half seconds. Running High Leap. Thomson, Cotter, and Black opposed each other in this event, which could scarcely bo called a contest, as Thomson won at four feet six inches, which the others failed to clear. Sailors’ Hornpipe. A prize of £1 for a sailors’ hornpipe was won by J. Smith, with Thomson second. Mile Race. This event was in reality a match between J. Moran and Skellie. The latter went away with a lead of six yards, which was speedily reduced by Mbrari, who ran close behind Skellie for about six laps, when he ran his spike into Skellie’s foot, and nearly stumbled to the ground. Almost directly after, he passed Skellie, who seemed to give up all attempt to make a race of it. Moran went on at ids own pace, which was fast, and finished the mile in four minutes forty-eight seconds. Two Mile Walking Match. Williamson (30 yards) -1 Purdy (scratch) ... ... 2 Moran entered to make up the requisite number, but did not proceed after the pistol fired. The contest was therefore a match between these two competitors, who have met before on the same ground. Soon after the start Purdy increased the pace with the object of cutting Williamson down. The latter, however, put on the steam also, and the distance between the two did not seem to diminish until Purdy began to make a very jerky spring opposed to all walking rules as to the leg being straight, &c. This attracted the attention of the referees, who cautioned Purdy, and Williamson, who had stopped in disgust, was induced to go on again so as not to disappoint the public. All his handicap distance was thus thrown away, but at the beginning of the second mile Williamson put on a splendid spurt and passed Purdy, who could never regain the lead, although he again broke twice after being cautioned by the referees. Williamson won by about fifty yards, Purdy pulling up at that distance from the winning-post. Purdy entered a protest against Williamson, which • was not entertained. Williamson was loudly cheered. Open Handicap.—3rd Event, 410 yards. Coppin (16 yards) 1 Delaney (4 yards) 2 These two were the only starters, Coppin having to run the event to secure first place, Moran being content with second. The race was won easily by Coppin, who increased his start when the pistol fired, and was never headed In the second round Delaney reduced the distance to about six lengths, but Coppin evidently was at perfect ease as to the result. Time, 57secs. Boys’ Eace. A boys’ race was won by Howe, with Eowlands second. 100 Yards Handicap. Coppin (6 yds.) ... ... ... 1 Johnston (a yds.)... ... ... 2 Moran (7 yds.) 3 - Barron (4 yds.), Black (4 yds.), Churton (G yds.), and Delaney (scratch), started. The lot got away to a beautiful start, but before fifty yards had been covered Coppin got in front of Moran. At this point the speed was very fast. Johnston began to make the pace very uncomfortable for Coppin and seemed to overhaul him at every stride, hut at ninety yards Johnston failed to secure any further advantage, and Coppin won by a chest, Moran third, the rest in a cluster. ' Boys’ Half-Mile Eace. A half-mile race was won by N. Bearce, Howe second. Consolation Eace. A 200 yards consolation race was won by Delaney, with W. Moran seepnd. Another boy’s race and a buffer’s race concluded the programme. SOMES ISLAND T was taken possession of by the Odd Fellows, "jjtand their friends. The steamers Manawatu ®and Napier made repeated trips during the day. The Stormbird also made a tripin the morning, but was left aground by tbe tide at the jetty of the island, and only floated off with the evening tide. Arrived at the island the crowd amused themselves in a variety of ways. Many visited the Lighthousi, which was found to be in apple-pie order, while others inspected the barracks for the immigrants who may have had the ill-fortune to have had infectious disease on board their ship. These, too, were found in most admirable order. Dancing was started in one of the large rooms of the quarantine station, to the music of the Artillery Band, and throughout' the afternoon “ all went merry as a marriage bell.” Nothing that we heard of occurred to mar the pleasure of the day, and all the excursionists got hack to Wellington in time to attend, if so disposed, the evening’s amusements. Some seven hundred in all visited the island; a less number than took advantage of the occasion last year. THE BOAT SAILING MATCH. Not the least attractive among the many attractions which were arranged for BoxingDay, was the much-talked-of race between the well-known and hitherto unconquered Red Jacket, and the fisherman’s new boat Garibaldi, for £25 a-side. The course was arranged to be sailed from a boat moored off Mills’s Foundry round a boat anchored abreast of the Binnacle rock, and back again to the point of starting. The weather was very trying to both the competing boats, and there was a heavy sea outside. Indeed, it was whispered that the Eed Jacket might not come hack again. Happily, however, no serious accident occurred. As the flag dropped, by which the signal to start was given, the Garibaldi instantly slipped her anchor, and being most skilfully handled by “Louis,” seemed to jump away with a lead of at least thirty yards. The Eed Jacket then came to the wind and followed her formidable rival. At this point, from the shore, it appeared that the sails of the Garibaldi were too much for her, and every moment one heard the opinion, “ She is over at last,” but on inquiry we learn that she only shipped about half a dozen buckets of water. Up to the point round which they disappeared from view, the relative positions of the boats were unaltered, the Garibaldi increasing her lead to about 300yds. During the running before the wind this lead was again increased, the Garibaldi rounding the outer boat first. The beating up against the wind was the most exciting portion of the contest, hut unfortunately it was lost to those on shore, the Eed Jacket, on this part of the course, nearly overtaking the Garibaldi, the latter boat becoming perfectly unmanageable for a time through a mishap to her rudder. It was also found necessary to take some of her canvas in. Again she was made right, and again sailed away, coming in on easy winner by about one mile and a half. The manner in which the Eed Jacket was managed was the admiration of all, and she may now well be looked upon as a good, safe, and reliable sea-boat. Indeed there are those, and by no means an inconsiderable number, who are yet of opinion that the race ought to have fallen to the Eed Jacket, and it is hoped that a return match may bo arranged, in order to give he- on opportunity of regaining her lost laurels. It must have been the source of very considerable pride to Mr. De Berg to seo two specimens of his handiwork prove so true. The large sailing yacht, Zariffa, whose fine proportions we have already noticed, was out and followed up in case of any mishap. Both the Zariffa and Garibaldi were from his boat-

building yard. - The time of the race was not accurately taken, so far as we are aware, ihe Red Jacket, it will be remembered, was built by an amateur at Canterbury. Ihe Garibaldi is a centre-board boat, drawing when the centre-hoard is up only some three inches forward and four inches aft. THE ÜBBEE HUTT. The Catholic pic-nic and bazaar on Saturday were very largely attended. More than a thousand people were hi the grounds, besides hundreds who were at the railway station, and could not get up to the scene for the want of conveyances. The sports and refreshments were most satisfactory. But, best of all, the zealous wishes of the promoters of the bazaar were more than realised, as upwards of £2OO were obtained.