NEW YEAR’S DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4923, 3 January 1877, Page 3

NEW YEAR’S DAY.

The day, which in Wellington had been ushered in with so many signs of rejoicing, as related in our issue of Monday, proved to be very auspicious for holiday making. The weather was beautifully fine, but in respect of heat in no way disagreeable. In the Anglican Churches there were, at 7 and 9 a.m., celebrations of the Holy Communion, at which there were fair attendances. The Caledonian sports in town, the trip to the country by rail, the marine excursion, and the picnic had each its attraction for pleasure seekers. The first named was more largely patronised than ever it has been before, and yet there were many who found their way around the bay or into the country. CALEDONIAN SPORTS. The Basin Reserve was the attraction of the day, and long before eleven o’clock there were crowds of visitors on the ground, all anxious for the sports to begin. The judges and officials were most punctual in their arrangements, and the spectators were not wearied by waiting many minutes after the advertised time. The fair sex seemed to preponderate in numbers, and the variety and taste of their dresses, coupled with the bright beautiful weather, gave the scene a charm which it does not possess in its ordinary bare ugliness. At one time during the day there must have been between five and six thousand persons on the ground, and a lively interest was manifested by all in the proceedings. Too much praise cannot be given to the man Agate for the good condition of the ground. The change was most marvellous, and the transference from the bare patches of a few weeks ago to the grassy sward of New Year’s Day indicated hard work and plenty of it. The first event which came off was the Maiden Race, 220 yards. There were a great number of entries, and in consequence of this it was run off in heats. For the first heat, after a fair race, Archer came in first, and R. Clarke second, Time : 271,-secs. In the second heat, A. Withers was first, and W. Cooper second. Time : heat Archer was again first, and Clarke second, the former taking the first prize, £4, and the latter the second, £2. A Handicap for youths under sixteen years of age came next, and seven youngsters started. They all ran admirably, and seemed very well handicapped, as the finish was rather close. Howe took the first piize, £1; Kitson the second, 10s. “ Twa kilted callants” then put in an appearance, but had to wait before contesting for the Highland EJing until the arrival of the piper, who had gone home to attiro himself in national costume. The Hop, Step, and Jump was then proceeded with; three competitors coming to the scratch, only two of them, however, being in it. Avery was first to go, and set a very good distance. After two attempts he was collared by Murphy, and had to try again; setting such a poser, however, that Murphy couldn’t come near it. In trying Murphy made a foul jump, and passed Avery’s mark,

but of course it was not allowed. Avery then, to show what he could do, over-jumped Murphy’s foul, making no less than 42ft. 2in. Murphy’s longest jump was 40ft. sin. Avery took the first prize, £3, and Murphy the second, £l. The 220 Yards Handicap was one of the best contested of the day, the first heat being a splendid race, the pace being very hot for everyone. Mitchell came in first, and Donovan second, the time being 25secs. In the second heat there was also a very close contest for the second place. Webb came in first, and Cooper second. Cooper ran splendidly, coming in with a rush at the finish. In the final heat the time was n«t so good, being 25fsecs. Mitchell took the first prize, £10; Webb, the second, £3; and Donovan third, £2; Webb and Donovan having a very hot race for second place—the former only winning by about half a foot.

The 100 Yards Handicap was also a good event. In the first heat there was a capital start, and all kept their places pretty well in the early part of the race. Freeman came in first, and Bishop second, the time being 11 sec. In the second heat there was some very good running, the time being a little under the Usee., Major coming in first and Corbett second, A spell was allowed before the final heat was run, and at the start Freeman and Bishop were each fined a yard. The distance was run in 104 see., excellent time considering the hardness of the ground. Freeman took first prize, £lO ; Major second, £3 ; and Corbett third, £2, The Highland Fling was executed during the interval before the final heat of the 100 yards and before the walking match. Mr. McCaffin officiated as piper, and to the initiated the barbaric music was all that could be desired. There were three candidates, A. McKenzie, A. Menzies, and Malcolm Campbell, the two former being in Highland cos turae. Menzies seemed rather nervous, but did very well. The McKenzie, who followed, kept excellent time, and executed fourteen different steps. The Campbell, however, was the popular competitor, and received founds of applause for his performance. The first prize (£1) was awarded to the McKenzie—a little chaff being indulged in at the expense of one of the judges of that ilk, who, it was said, liked to keep the siller in the clan. Menzies and Campbell were each awarded, by consent, a second prize. For the Walking Match there were three competitors ; only two, however —Fraser and Zesch—being in it. Fraser walked splendidly and was frequently applauded. Zesch spurted most pluckily, but was over-handicapped ; and in the fourteenth round his efforts seemed to be too much for him, and he almost bioke down. The first mile was done in 7fmin, and the whole distance in 164 min,, Fraser taking the first prize, £5 ; Zesch the second, £3 ; and Mitchell the third, £l.

440 Yards Handicap.—First prize, £10; second, £3; third, £2. There w.-rn nine entries, all at scratch except Cooper, Jones, and Major. Cooper came in first, Major second. Time: 56isec.

Bicycle Handicap (Two Miles). —First prize, £5; second, £2. Three started; Webb, South, and Williams. Webb’s bicycle came to grief, and South fell and hurt himself, having to be carried from the field. Thus Williams only took a prize. Vaulting.—First prize, £3 ; second, £l. There were only two competitors, Jackson and Corbett. The former took first prize.

Hurdle Handicap (440 Yards). —First prize, £3; second, £2; third, £l. This was decidedly the most interesting event on the programme, and the competition was spirited. Five started, Donovan, who ran and jumped splendidly, coming in first, Jones second, and Cooper third. Time: 63|seo. Running High Jump.—First prize, £2; second, £l. There were five entries, but when the line was stretched to sft. three competitors only remained—namely, Jackson, Avery, and Thomson, the others having fallen out. The three named, however, each failed to jump the oft., and they therefore divided the prize moneys. Stone and Basket Handicap.—First prize, £4 ; second, £2 ; third, £l. Hearn took first prize ; J. Smith and J. Bennett tied for second.

880 Yards Handicap.—First prize, £lO ; second, £3 ; third, £2. Jones (12yds.), 1 ; Moran (scratch), 2 ; Cooper (Byda ) 3 Major and Harrison fell, and Cooper, to make third, had only to walk in. Time, 2min. 13sec., or six seconds longer, it is said, than when a similar race was run on the Prince of Wales’ Birthday. One Mile Handicap.—First prize, £ls ; second, £3 ; third, £2. Moran (scratch), 1 ; Jones (35yds.), 2 ; Chuck (50yds.), 3. Firemen’s Race, in uniform (220 Yards). — First prize, £2 ; second, £l. Hearn was first and McGrath second.

Sword Dance.—The first prize, £2, went to Stewart Menzies; the second, £l, to Murtagh. Scotch Reel.—The prizes taken in this event were —First prize, £l, McKenzie ; second, 10s., Cantrell.

Sailors’ Hornpipe.—First prize, £2 ; second, 10s. Smith, 1 ; Murtagh, 2 ; Maginnity, 3. Consolation Handicap (100 Yards). —First prize, £5 ; second, £2 ; third, £l. Parsonage, Arding, Corbett, Chuck, Smith, Bennett, and Major started. Result—Major, 1 ; Corbett, 2 ; Parsonage, 3.