NEW YEAR'S DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4301, 4 January 1875, Page 2

NEW YEAR'S DAY.

THE CALEDONIAN SPORTS. The most formidable oppositionist to the promoters of outdoor gatherings has at last come into conflict with the Caledonian Society. The directors have not, for many years past, troubled their heads about meteorological probabilities as connected with the annual “Gathering," and things were just as promising this year as of yore ; but on Friday the weather proved fickle, and then, if never before, the directors had good reason for believing, with their national bard, that “the best laid schemes,” &c., applied, inter alia, to Caledonian Gatherings. It was certainly very aggravating that things should have taken such a turn, for the society, with par-donable pride, desired to show the Marquis and Marchioness of Normanby how the multitude enjoy themselves in Wellington on festive occasions, how the youth of the colony fallow up the manly pastimes of their prototypes in the other hemisphere, and how the population generally obliterate class distinctions upon such occasions by mingling indiscriminately “ in the throng of the happy and the gay.” But’ all these commendable feelings “ damped off,” as the horticulturists say. They damped off literally, for during the afternoon the rain fell with such steady persistency that anything approaching to enthusiasm was effectually quenched. The spirit of the Caledon made fitful efforts to assert supremacy to all temporary drawbacks, ardenh parties in kilts and in sailor costume danced flings, pibrochs, and other inspiriting things on saddened boards divested of “spring,” and the brass band played con hrio music ad libitum, all with the object of raising the exuberance of the crowd to something like a cheerful bearing. To no purnose, however, for the clouds simply rained upon them. What there was of enthusiasm was momentary and impulsive ; the rain was steady and continuous, and therefore had the best of it. Despite all this moisture in the atmosphere, there were nearly 2000 people on the ground ; that is to say, a great proportion of them were in and under the grand-stand, the upper portion of which was crowded with ladies, who viewed the sports and the showers with complacency from a position of perfect shelter-. The central portion of the stand was reserved for his Excellency the Governor and Lady Normanby, but her ladyship did not honor the sports with her presence, the weather, of course, being too bad. His Excellency arrived on the ground between one and two o’clock, and was received by the President, G. Crawford, Esq., and other members of the society, the baud striking up the National Anthem as his Excellency alighted from his carriage. Upon the cessation of the music, the people took ■ up the patriotic strain and gave three lusty cheers for his Excellency, which were gracefully acknowledged from the grand-stand by the Marquis. There were present also his Honor Mr. Justice Johnston, a warm supporter of athletic sports, who is seldom absent from the periodical meetings in the Basin Reserve, his Honor the Superintendent, and his Worship the Mayor, each of whom exhibited considerable interest in the proceedings of the day. The sports as a whole were not very exciting, the only event that gave rise to any great amount of interest being the bicycle race, which was both amusing and interesting. The novelty of the contest was no doubt its chief attraction. As a specimen of what can be accomplished on the velocipede, it was a decided failure ; but it was amusing, and that covered a multitude of deficiencies. The velocipedarians had great' difficulties to contend with. Wet grass, rough surface, and soft ground, tended to make their progress very precarious, and what they felt was depicted on their countenances. The spectators were intensely amused, and were ready to greet every ludicrous incident. There were two rough spots in the course, which the competitors regarded with a jealous eye, and when they reached those spots the. people were “rough” on the competitors, who were jolted up and down on their “ instruments of torture,” as the bicycles wore facetiously termed. At these spots one or other of the competitors was certain to be unhorsed, to the infinite enjoyment of the crowd. However, as the course had to be gone over sixteen times to complete tie two miles, the bicyles toward the end, began to wear a track and pursued their course more steadily, although there was one corner whore they found it impossible to check a strong tendency to wobble. The last six rounds produced an excellent struggle between Churton and McLean, and changed the whole character of the race into a very interesting exhibitionof skill. The Champion Mile Race was the next thing to a walk-over for Moran, as Delaney only entered to secure second money. The two-mile walking match was also a very hollow affair. Purdy was not in fit condition to walk, and therefore- declined a contest which might not sustain his former reputation. As to theothers in the match, Williamson walked clean away from them, and could have given them more than double the distance at which they were handicapped. The 200yds. Handicap produced a good race, in which Johnston

ran with greater judgment than at the Foresters’ Fete and won, but he was completely outpaced in the 500yds. Handicap, which was won easily by Moran, the distance being too far for Johnston and Churton. Coppin, the Boxing Day champion, was placed at scratch in those races, and proved to be anything but formidable in good company. The ground would have been in capital condition but for the heavy rain, but there is one matter which has previously been referred to, and which must be referred to repeatedly until the necessary alteration is effected; If running men are ever to have a chance of winningupon their merits the Basin Deserve course must be increased to a quarter of a mile oval. The alteration can be easily carried out, and must be done before foot racing can come to perfection in Wellington. _ It may be that a man like Delaney, for instance, can give some of our local runners five or six yards out of 200, provided he had some opportunity of making up the distance, but he has no such opportunity on the present course. The fact is the frequent bends and the circular course tend to reduce the speed of different men to one dead level, whereas on a quarter of a mile oval the best men would have the two straight sides on which to make pace toll. This alteration would also enable the society to introduce hurdle races, which are always most interesting to spectators. Hurdle races have been held on the present course, but they always proved so ridiculous that the society wisely omitted them from their programme. To carry out this suggestion the creek need not be bridged the whole way along. The society could try the experiment of making a running track only where the competitors would require to cross, and if this were done the advantages would be so apparent that the rest 'would soon follow. It is to be hoped the society, in conjunction with the' trustees of the ground, will make the improvement before another year - . It only remains to he said that the directors and stewards carried out their duties in an effective manner. It is gratifying also to observe that the measures taken by the Foresters and the Caledonian Society for the prevention of “spiking” have had a good effect. There were no accidents of the laud on Friday last, simply for the reason that the judges In the running races informed the competitors before they started that any one practising the spiking expedient to win would be disqualified from running at the society’s gatherings forever. The events were got off as follows; Boys under 12—220 Yards. Garrick proved to be the best of six juveniles who started for this event, Seager making a good second. Youths under 15—110 Yards. N. Pearce, who has proved a terror to all the youthful aspirants to athletic honors in Wellington, won this race with the greatest ease, Ryan second. Running Hop, Step, and Jump. The winning jump for this prize fell a good deal short of the jumps of previous years. Johnston beat nine others with a jump of 37ft. lOiin., and Cudby was second with 3C£t. 4|in. 200 Yards Race. Johnston (syds.) ... 1 Churton (Gyds,) ... ... ;.. 2 Delaney (scratch), Coppin (scratch), Johnston (5 yds.), and Churton (G yds.), composed the field. Delaney was worst off in the start, Coppin getting round the first corner in front of him. The other' three got off all together, and did not alter theirpositious until coming into the straight ground at the back of the course, where Johnston passed Churton. Delaney several times got level with Coppin, hut the corners and, the short circle prevented him getting past. Johnston increased his lead before the - tape was reached, and eventually won by five yards. A game set-to took place between Coppin and Churton for second place, the latter securing the place by half a yard. Delaney eased off at the second corner from home when he saw his chance was gone. Putting Heavy Stone. Nine stalwart specimens of muscularity stripped for this contest, which resulted in Prouse, of Wainuiomata, winning with a throw of 27ft. Cin., Farelly being second with 26ft. 9in. Reel of Tulloch. Glover, Menzies, and two others competed. Ten minutes very pretty dancing proved Glover to be the most accomplished of the quartette, aud he was awarded the prize. Menzies, the second prize-taker, showed considerable progress upon his dancing of previous years, but the number of Glover’s steps aud his neat style marked his supremacy in an unmistakable manner. 600 Yards Race. Moran (scratch) 1 Delaney (scratch)... ... ... 2 Coppin (scratch) ... ... ... 3 Delaney, . Coppin, and Moran (scratch), Johnson (7yds.), and Chintou (Syds.), were on their marks when the word was given to a capital start. Delaney at once forced the running with the object of getting inside, which is a great advantage upon such a course. In this case he showed rather bad judgment, for in the endeavor to take the ground from the leading men he exhausted himself too early in the race aud was found wanting at the finish. Johnston threw away all bis start and allowed most of his opponents to pass him before 100yds. had been got over, apparently with the object of running a waiting race. After the first turn past the stand was reached, Delaney accordingly ran into first place, Churton maintaining his ground very well. Going round the back of the course Coppin and Moran began to draw upon Churton and Delaney, Johnston bringing up the rear. Coming up to the stand for the last 200yds. Moran passed Churton, and at the corner he was close on to Delaney's shoulder. A few yards further on he passed Delaney aud the race was over, for Moran increased his lead to anything he lilted. Delaney seeing that he could not overhaul Moran ran leisurely to secure second place, keeping Coppin at a respectful distance. Coming up to the stand the last time Johnston fell, and Churton gave up the ghost 100yds. from home. The time was not taken. 100 Yards Handicap. - Pollock (scratch) ... 1 Delaney (Iyd.) 2 Bishop (2yds.) 3 Coppin- (Iyd.), Johnson (2yds.), Churton (3yds.), and N. Pearce (4yds.), also started. Pollock had all the best of the start and was level with the leading man before 15yds. had been covered. Keeping up the rush he got 2yds. in front and maintained that advantage to the finish, Delaney aud Bishop making a hard race of it for second place. From forty yards they raced inch for inch, hut in the last twenty yards the former managed to get a yard in front, and Bishop was placed third. Pollock ran merely for sport, the prize therefore went to Delaney. Vaulting. Cotter, Campbell, and Moran competed, but Cotter, as usual, found no opponent capable of pushing him to his limit. After winning with a low jump, he cleared over 9ft., though the ground was very slippery and gave him one ugly fall. • Campbell got up to Bft. Bicycle Race—Two Miles. ■This was one of the most amusing as well as one of the most interesting events of the day. McLean, Irvin, aud Churton, were the only three competitors. During the first mile the competitors seemed unable to steady themselves on account of the short turns, the wetness of the grass, and the inequalities of the surface, which caused several “spills” and roars of laughter. The pace at first seemed ridiculous, hut as the competitors wanned to their work and became used to the course they hegau to put the steam on. Irvin is regarded as the most formidable of the three on a hard road, but he seemed quite unable to get over the slippery surface of the wet grass. During the first mile he hold first place on account of the difficulty of passing him on such a narrow strip. McLean at last succeeded in giving him the go-hy, and the race was thought to be at an end, but Churton, who had been talcing it very easy about thirty yards behind, came up and challenged McLean and an exciting struggle ensued. Churton eventually got in front and could have remained there, without doubt, but for another fall, which-again placed McLean in front.,rThese positions remained unaltered to the end notwithstanding several spurts on the part of Churton, who made a

plucky attempt to pass McLean each time they came up to the stand These attempts were encouraged by continuous plaudits from the spectators, who had become greatly interested in the result. McLean eventually won by about twenty yards. Boys’ Race—2oo Yards. About a dozen boys toed the scratch for another scrambling race, which was won by McGuire, Hart second. Champion Mile,Race. This race was, of course, a gift to Moran. Delaney entered to secure second* place only, and Coppin paid his entrance money simply to give the other two a start, in compliance with the rules of the society. Tinder these circumstances the race presented no remarkable features. Moran led from the start and finished in his own time. highland pling. Glover’s graceful dancing again* placed him first for this prize, A close contest resulted between Beveridge aud Menzies for second prize, but Beveridge’s steps were recognised to be more in accox-dauce with orthodox views upon Highland Flings and he was awarded the prize, Menzies being third. Two Mile Walking Match. Williamson (scratch) 1 Howe (30yards) ... ... ... 2 Williamson and Williams (scratch), Howe and Zesch (30 yards). All went away at top speed upon the word being given. In the first lap Williams, *who walked in a strangely recumbent position, found his shoes uncomfortable, aud stopped to pull them off. This increased his disadvantage, for he was then unable to walk at all on account of the slippery state of the grass, consequently he resigned the contest. Williamson, having left Williams a considerable distance in the rear, went in pursuit of the lead 3rs at his best pace, aud before the second lap was finished he had overhauled Howe, who was then in front, havbig left Zesch some distance behind. Ze;sch also walked in a peculiar style, with a halting gait, and it was evident from the first that he * could never win ; nevertheless, he walked courageously to the end, and passed the post only thirty yards behind Howe. The two however, were completely outpaced by Williamson, who walked in fine style. The time was not fast, as the ground was in very sloppy condition. Throwing Heavy Hammer, The best of seven who undertook this trial of strength was Farrelly, who won with a throw of Gift. 2in,, Jackson coming next with a throw of 00ft. 9in. Standing High Leap. - McGrath, Cotter, and Farrelly were the only competitors who faced the bar, aud none of them displayed any great agility. Farrelly entered to complete the. necessary three, so that he didn’t trouble the judges much. The other two got over some ridiculously lowjumps, aud finally McGrath won at 3ft. XOin. Firemen’s Race—44o Yards. Three Centrals and two Wellington Brigade men, all heavily accoutred, entered the list for this prize. The start was rather a straggling one, the competitors going away after each other in Indian file. Before a third of the distance had been gone over, Hehherley, a Central man, had left his confreres considerably in the rear. At the end of the first 220 yai’ds, passing the stand, Dodsworth, another Central, who was twenty yards behind, began to make a race of it. Little by little he reduced the distance, and at the hack of the course was only five'yards behind, when the leading man began to show signals of distress, but he continued to struggle along, and made a most exciting finish. -At the last turn the second man was three yards behind, but by a plucky effort he managed to collar his man on the post, and made a dead heat of it, amid. tremendous cheering. Cudmore, Lawrence, and Brown were the other competitors, and they were nowhere. During the afternoon the rain had increased in steadiness, and by the time the Firemen’s Race was concluded it had set in heavily. The directors, therefore, determined to conclude the sports for the day, and the bellman ma.de an announcement to that effect; hut the people were in for sport, and a number of amusing races were got up-amongst a crowd of boys, who had to run about forty yards aud scramble for shillings. Several amusements of this kind kept the spectators in good humor despite the rain, and finally the proceeding were brought to a conclusion by a race amongst some booth-keepers, who raced for “drinks • round,” when the keeper of the pastry-booth,' ironically designated “the flying pieman,” distanced his opponents easily. On Saturday morning the weather was even worse than on the previous day, aud the directors of the society then determined to postpone the remainder of the sports till Anniversary Day, the 2'2nd lost. The prizes will he paid this evening at the New Zealander Hotel. • THE TRIP OF THE LADYBIRD. The trip of the Ladybird to Plcton on New Day was one of the most pleasan “ outs ”of this festive season. A very lar company assembled on hoard; the ship was full; but there were not a few unpunctual one who only reached the wharf in time to see the vessel sail. There was scarcely a breath of wind to raise a ripple on the sea, aud as the Ladybird steams fast when the seas are favorable Piotou was reached in time winch left the Wellington and Taranaki nothing to boast of over their sister ship. In the strait a solitary collier was seen standing away Newcastlawards, but soon afterwards rain set in, becoming heavier as the day advanced. By the time Picton was reached there was a steady downpour, with no prospect whatever of improvement. Numbers, therefore, preferred to remain on board the Ladybird; aud of those who went ashore there were a not inconsiderable number who'were unable to find their way back in time. The run across was done in about five hours, and the return trip was accomplished with equal celerity. Nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of the run but the difficulty of disembarkation, fox- which better arrangements might have been made by the harbor authori - ' ties.

THEATRE ROYAL. The entertainment provided at this theatre to inaugurate the new year was the repetition by Mrs. Bates of her great impersonation “ Elizabeth, Queen of England,” and upon no ' occasion during the present season has Mrrt Bates appeared to bettor advantage ; indeed it is not too much to say that each representation of this chaeacter by Mrs. Bates presents some new point or trait forcibly remindin'* us of the ravelled disposition of the last of the Tudors. On Saturday night, for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Bates played together on equa terms, the parts assumed by each being fairly balanced in interest and importance, and the result showing that combined they can sustain the reputation that each has made separately in the delineation of character. “ Ing v -v mar, the Barbarian,” was the play upon thisoccasion, and probably no play could have been selected for the purpose of comparing the rela tive merits of die actor and the actress ; aii although gallantry compels us to give the inplace to the lady, yet justice requires that Mr Bates should be placed on the same pedes ta with his clever wife, and that the parts o Parthenia and Ingomar should be brackete together as of equal merit, the representation of each character being perfectly natural and unforced, free from stagey effects, and whilst, avoiding the temptation “ to tear a passim to tatters—to very rags,” Hot wanting in a sustained energy, which in artists less acccm' plished would have descended into rant. “ Polydor” Mr. Charles Burford played with his usual care and discretion, and we are glad to add that the general company supported Mr. and Mrs. Bates in most creditabl fashion, evidently doing their best to please and quite different from the slovenly manner which some time ago we had cause, to fear had become chronic. The entertainment concluded with the excellent farce “ A Kiss in the Hark,” in which Mr. J. P. Hydes as Pcttibone, and Miss Jessie Raymond as Mrs. Pottibone, kept the audience in constant good humor. It is perhaps superfluous to say that on both nights, Friday and Saturday, the

ouse was crowded with holiday folks In abundance and “ children in arms ” nob a few, the latter in one or two instances proclaiming their presence in an unmistakable manner. This evening will be presented Robertson’s fine comedy of “School/* with new scenery and decorations. It'is stated that “School** has been very carefully rehearsed ; a success, therefore. may reasonably be anticipated.