EASTER MONDAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4376, 30 March 1875, Page 2

EASTER MONDAY.

Easter Monday is always made a special holiday, and yesterday was no exception to the rule. The banka and nearly all the public offices were closed,— as they had been since Thursday night,. —business may. almost be said to .have’been entirely suspended, and flags ’exhibited l here and there, and- by a few of the shipping, indicated the special character of the day. Some apprehensions prevailed as to the weather late on the previous night, and doubts were entertained as to the possibility of pionioing in comfort on the following day. The night was dark and watery - looking, and atiout the moon,i between two ■ and three o’clock in the morning, there was a singular halo, small but very dense, indicating a change. Nor ■ was this apprehension unrealised to some extent, for a strong wind set in from the north-west early in the morning, with great volumes of dust; and it blew so hard throughout the forenoon that none of the promised excursions by sea, public or private, took place. But nothing would daunt those who intended to “ make a day of it ” in the open air. From th,e earliest light the roll of vehicles of all binds and qualities, with every variety of company “on board,” rolled along towards the railway station (and the Hutt railway must have done a very large business), or to the Valley or Petoui beach ; -while others found their way to Porirua or to Evans Bay and near places of attraction. The number of people who thus left town was really astonishing, considering the extent of the population. The chief centre of attraction in town was, of course, the Basin Reserve, and the extraordinary number who assembled there to see and encourage the young athletes of Wellington, added to that of those who went to the country, proved that very few could have spent their Easter Monday holiday in their parlors. The Theatre Royal, reopened in the evening by Mr. and Mrs. Bates, was crowded—large as it now is—and presented a brilliant and encouraging sight. The Odd Fellows’ Hall was also filled to overflowing ; and several less public entertainments in the evening were also well patronised. Altogether, in spite of the wind and dust of the morning, the Easter Monday holiday of 1875 is one to be remembered. The following were the chief events of the day : WELLINGTON ATHLETIC CLUB. The inaugural meeting of the Wellington Athletic Club was a great success, regarded from any point of view. As a means of providing changeable diversion for holiday makers its attractiveness may be gauged by the fact that during the afternoon there were not fewer than 2500 people on the ground ; consequently the pecuniary results must have been unexpectedly gratifying to the members of the club. The primary object aimed at by the club, however, lay in another direction, viz., in the establishment of an athletic standard, so to speak, which should raise pedestrianism to its proper and legitimate footing, and thus give the public a guarantee that anything in the nature of “shady" arrangements should be effectually dissevered from foot racing in Wellington, at least so far as the club’s-etforts can go toward accomplishing that desirable object. Yesterday’s programme fully sustained the club’s intentions, and what is more to the purpose, as far as the public were concerned, produced the closest competitions and the fastest racing that has ever been witnessed on the Basin Reserve. Previous to the races, the handicaps were, of course, freely commented upon by persons who know none of the difficulties of framing a list which shall correctly gauge the powers of a large number of competitors, but the results show that the handicaps were drawn up noth surprising accuracy, in proof of which it may be mentioned that in none of them had the winner more than two yards to spare, while in two a dead heat was narrowly avoided. The walking matches were not successful, Anderson, a coming “ star,” vanquishing Purdy without any difficulty. The handicap in this instance was very wide of Hie mark, but it was beyond contemplation that Purdy would take i 7min. 20secs. to do the two miles, which is a very poor performance indeed. Those events which demand special notice are amply described below, so that it is unnecessary to refer further to thorn here. Excepting that it was a little too windy there was nothing to complain about on the score of weather, and the spectators, who began to arrive in lai-ge numbers after one o’clock, seemed thoroughly to enjoy themselves. At three o’clock his Excellency the Governor and the Marchioness of Normanby arrived on the ground, thenapproach being signalised by the strains of the National Anthem played by the band. His Worship the Mayor was also present, and from this hour the proceedings were characterised by considerable briskness. The events on the programme succeeded each other without unnecessary delay, much of this expedition being due to the assiduity of Mr. Kenneth Wilson, head master of the College, who undertook the duties of judge, and afforded the committee valuable aid in other directions. As proof that the club had the sympathy of the community generally, it may be mentioned that most of the prizes were contributed by prominent citizens, who also expressed a warm interest in the welfare of the club. During the day Beda, the one-legged gymnast, diverted the spectators by performances on the trapeze; and the dancing stages, the merry-go-round, and the 1001 accessories to a meeting of the kind all received a fair share of patronage. The following is the order in which the events were run:— 200 Yards Maiden. (Prize presented by Mr. W. M. Bannatynv.) C. Webb 1 Major ... ... ... ... 2 Only four out of twelve entered came to the post, Churtou aud Miuifie completing the list of starters. Webb had the race all his own way, and won as he liked. The time was not taken. Long Jump. A. Campbell proved the best of six competitors, aud won with a jump of 17ft. 6in., Black being second, with 16ft. 10in. 440 Yards. (Prize presented by Mr. Jackson, stationer.) Bishop (scratch) ... ... ... 1 Churtou (14yds) ... ... ... 2 Minifie (12yds.) ... ... ... 3

C. Webb (9yde.), and Harrison (22yds.) also started ; Skellie, Black and Major declining the contest. The start was very even, little alteration in the respective positions of 'the competitors being perceptible for the first 150yds., except that Webb bad closed up to Minifie. Coming up to the winning post the first time round, Webb and Bishop began to - draw up on the leading men, though Churton kept up the pace very pluckily. Harrison, however, was evidently beaten, and at 350yds. (the pinch of the quarter), ho fell out altogether, Webb following his example. At this point Bishop cut his field down in fine .style, running through his men one by one until he had disposed of all but Churton, who kept going to the finish although completely pumped out. Bishop gave him the go by at the last corner, and won a good race by 2yds.j Churton being second, and Minifie third, 6yds. behind Churton. Time, 59aecs.; capital time, considering that the race was run in two circles. 100 Yahds. (Prize presented by Mr. lb M. OUivier.) Bishop (scratch) Park (3yds.) ... ... ... 2

O. Webb (3yda,), G. Campbell, A. Campbell, Major and Minifie (4yds.), Churton and Harrison (syds.), Black (6yds.), and McLean (7yds.) also started. Bishop was first on the move and had all the best of the start, the remainder getting away on pretty equal terms. Before half the distance had been covered Bishop had forged to the front and held a determined lead of two yards. The fastest of the ruck having cleared themselves, Park and 0. Webb came with a rush and looked like overhauling Bishop. At eighty, Park reduced Bishop’s lead to a yard, and between the two a splendid finish took place, the remainder of the field being about a yard behind, running almost in a line. Observing Park’s proximity, Bishop made a final effort and won a fine race by a little over a yard. The time was given in two places at and llsecs. Webb claimed third place, but he and the other competitors were so close together that it was difficult to assign

third place. Park entered a protest on the ground that Bishop was not on his mark' when the start was given. The objection was held to be untenable, as Park had ‘ taken his chance of winning the race by running it out,; as did : -all the other competitors. | It was, however, decided to -have another 100yds race, to give the, others a chance of showing , what they could do at the distance. As the report shows, Park won the subsequent race on the post. 440 Yards Pace. A quarter of a mile race for youths under sixteen was won, with tolerable ease, by J. Moran. Running High Jhmp. A. Campbell won with a jump of 4£t. 9in., after a good contest with Black, who cleared 4ft. Sin, Two others contested. 300 Yards Race. (Prize presented by Mr. E. W. Mills.) Park (7yds.) 1 Major (14yds.) ... ... ... 2 Bishop (scratch), C. Webb (7yda.), Miuifie (10yds.), and Churton (10yds.), also started. All the competitors moved off their marks to a "splendid start, the running being immediately cut out at a hot pace by Park, Webb, and Bishop, who ran the race at top speed from start to finish, and made capital time. Directly after the start Bishop made a tremendous rush, with the. intention of passing some'of the leaders at the turn past the stand, but being baulked he had to ease off, and lost a yard or two. At the back of the course, on the homeward spurt, Park ran through Major, Churton, and Minifie, and took first place. Webb immediately endeavored to follow his example, but failed to pass Major, who ran capitally and held his position well. In the meantime Bishop had not been idle. Passing Churton and Minifie he put on the steam and got almost on a level with Webb, but the latter made a final effort, and beat him on the post. The double contest between Park and Major and Webb and Bishop gave increased interest to the race, and roused the spectators to a high state of enthusiasm, the four named making a most exciting finish in the following order : Park, 1; Major, 2; Webb, 3; Bishop, 4. Each was separated from the other by only half a yard, and the time in which the race was run, 34secs., shows that the pace was very fast for circular running. Two Mile Walking Race. Anderson (70yds.) ... ... 1 Purdy (scratch) ... ... ... 2 These were the only starters. From the first it was evident that the event would be a very hollow affair, as Anderson was quite equal to walking Purdy ou level terms. The latter was as fleshy as ever, while his opponent showed evidence of careful “getting up.” As a consequence, Anderson reversed the general expectation by overhauling Purdy instead of Purdy overhauling him. Every lap Anderson gained a yard or two, until at the finish he had increased his handicap distance to about 120 yds. The time, however, shows one of two things ; either Purdy’s walking days have gone by, or he pays very little attention to training. The distance was got over in very slow time—lOmin. uOsecs—which is a very poor performance compared to Ashton’s, who, in his match with Purdy, did two miles in lamia, The result proves that the haudicapper considerably overrated Purdy’s powers, though it was. scarcely to be expected that a youth of Anderson’s inexperience in walking matters would have beaten Purdy with such a moderate handicap. It is due to Anderson to mention that his style was generally commended for its fairness and freedom from “ shady ” spurting. As a maiden effort it was deserving of the applause which his victory drew forth from the spectators. 150 Yards Hurdle Race (Prize presented by Mr. W. Bishop). A. Campbell (4yds.) ... ... 1 Bishop (scratch) ... ... ... 2 Park and G. Campbell (4yds)., Black (7yds.), and Major and McLean (9yds.) also started. This also proved a capital race. Unfortunately for McLean his shoe came off at the first hurdle, and led to a fall which put him out of the race, and Major of course was first over. At the next hurdle Major and A. Campbell were in the air together, with Black and Park close up. Bishop had great difficulty ia getting past the leaders, but when he did get clear he made warm work of it, he and A. Campbell being best at the jumps. Owing to Bishop having lost time early in the race, he couldn’t catch A. Campbell, who won by a yard, Major and Black finishing almost together, iu the order named. 100 Yards. Park (3yds.) 1 Bishop (scratch) ... ... ... 2 A. Campbell and Major (4yds.), and McLean (7yds.) also started. From the running in the previous 100yds. spurt, a close thing was looked for between Bishop and Park, and the spectators were not disappointed, for these two made a splendid race light up to the tape, which Park breasted about six inches in front of Bishop. Major was third, about a yard behind the winner. Time, lleecs. Champion Mile Race. Skellie, Bishop, and Chuck were the only starters, the race eventually resolving itself iuto a match between Chuck and Skellie. Each led alternately for several laps, Skellie appearing to have most “go” iu him. There was nothing remarkable in the race till the final lap, when Skellie put on a spurt, passed Chuck, and won by half a yard. The race was not fast, the time being smin. Ssees. Hop, Step, and Jump. A. Campbell wou with a jump of 38ft. 2in.. C. Webb being next with 3(ift. Bin. Mile Walking Match. (Prize presented by Messrs. Brandon and Quick.) De Castro, Burnes, and Black competed; hut the race was a gift to De Castro, the others making a poor show as walkers. Throwing Hammer, Ifilb. Bishop .won with a throw of 60ft. Sin., Hughes being second, with a throw of 60ft. 7in. Two Mile Bicycle Race. (Prize presented by Mr. Shaw.)

McLean had this event all to himself, owing to Churton being compelled, through exhaustion arising from the effects of previous races, to retire from the contest. South, the admitted chief of Wellington velocipedists, mounted Churtou’s bicycle, and sustained the interest in the event by racing McLean, whom he had no difficulty in beating, though the prize, of course, fell to McLean. Half-mile Match. A match between Skellie and Chuck was won by the latter. Match. A‘ division of opinion having arisen between’ Mr. A. Young and Mr. Avery, of the Hutt, as to whether the latter could beat Campbell's hop, step, and jump by twelve inches, a match for £5 was made and concluded almost instanter, when Avery cleared 38ft. 9in. easily, and therefore won, with six inches to spare. PRESENTING THE PRIZES. The evening being considerably advanced, it was determined to postpone sundry minor races remaining on the programme in order not to encroach too much upon the patience of the Marchioness of Normanby, who had kindly consented to present the prizes. A table having been placed upon the flat in front of tlie grand-staud, her Ladyship, escorted by his Worship the Mayor, and accompanied by his Excellency the Governor, approached the table upon which the prizes were displayed, and the winners being ranged round the table, each was in turn presented with hia prize by the Marchioness, who accompanied the presentation with a few appropriate and kindly words. The ceremony being over, three hearty cheers were given for the Marchioness and Marquis, who gracefully acknowledged the enthusiastic feeling of the spectators, and retiring to their carriage drove away at about six o’clock. The public then quietly dispersed.

MRS. SHARP’S PICNIC. M» Sharp’s annual Easter Monday Picnic, for the children of the St. Joseph’s School and the Te Aro Convent School, came off with more than usual satisfaction yesterday, at Wilkinson’s tea gardens, Oriental Bay. The children, numbering about 180 of both sexes, were marched to the ground from the St. Joseph’s School by Mr. Hurley, Mr. Heatly, and Miss Hanna Thomas, where they were

sumptuously entertained by Mr. Charles Johnston, on behalf of Mrs. Sharp, in her absence from the colony. Mr. Johnston, Mr. Haughton, Mr. Crofts, Mr. O’Connor, and Mr. Wakefield were indefatigable in their exertions to provide for the amusement of the juveniles, and impromptu races were got up for males and females. Miss Kelly, Miss Imly, Miss Johnston, Miss Hunter, Mrs. Burns, Mrs. Allen, and Mrs, Thomas were kept hard at work in preparing the comestibles—not too easy a task where there were so many children. The latter seemed exceedingly pleased, and before leaving the ground gave three hearty cheers for Mr. and lire. Sharp, Mr. Johnston, and the ladies. Several of our leading citizens were present. RIFLE ASSOCIATION'S MEETING. The Easter meeting of, the Wellington Rifle Association, was held at the rifle range, Kaiwarra. The interest which marked former meetings was not evinced by members yesterday, only twenty of whom competed. Firing was commenced at 10 a.m., and concluded at 3 o’clock, the party being under command of Captain Crowe. The first prize—the Licensed Victuallers’ Challenge Cup, which last Easter meeting was won by Volunteer J. I’rouse, of Wainuiomata—was wou yesterday by Volunteer Nairn, of Kaiwarra, with a score of forty-three, the former holder being second on the scorer’s list. Lieutenant Scott (Veterans) won the third prize ; Volunteer Menzies (Kaiwarra), fourth prize ; Volunteer Ballenger (Scottish Volunteers), fifth prize ; and Volunteer Bannister (Veterans), the sixth and last prize. THEATRE ROYAL. The Theatre Royal was re-opened last evening, for the new season, by Messrs. Bates and Howard ; and upon the occasion contaihed the finest audience ever seen within the walls of any building in Wellington. The piece produced was the Hunchback, in which Mr. and Mrs. Bates sustained the leading characters. The manner in which the play was produced need not be touched upon —not because of any defects, for it was put on the stage and acted with all the care and attention which have won for the management so favorable a reputation ; but because the public naturally expect to hear something as to the efficacy of the recent alterations to the theatre itself. It may at once be- stated that these have effected a great change for the better—so great a change, indeed, that Wellington can now boast of as good a theatre as is to be found in the colonies. The dress circle has been so transformed that the play can be seen from any seat, wherever one has been placed, and last night, the four tiers being crowded, it presented a splendid appearance. . The pit and stalls have also been very much improved, and the stage itself has been reconstructed in sucha manner that it looks much more capacious and comfortable, in addition to being considerably embellished by the appearance of the side boxes. The directors and the architect (Mr. Turnbull) are to be congratulated upon the adaptability of the alterations, and the manner in which the work has been carried out. Reverting to the play, it is to be hoped, after the complete satisfaction it gave last evening, that it will be repeated. The performances for this evening will be the moral drama of “ The Drunkard ; or the Fallen saved,” and a farce. ST. MARY’S SCHOOL Was) crowded to excess last evening, by the friends and well-wishers of the Young Men’s Catholic Association, who attended to witness a light and pretty entertainment, provided by members of the society. The proceeds are to be devoted. to supplementing . the society’s library. The first part of the entertainment, which was capitally rendered, was the farce of “A Doctor in Spite of Himself” • then a few ladies and gentlemen sang some songs very prettily; the evening’s amusement being brought to a finish by the laughable farce of “ Bob Sawyer’s, Party.”