THE HOLIDAYS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4931, 11 January 1877, Page 3

THE HOLIDAYS.

Christmas has passed' over very quietly, but very pleasantly.- It could not well be otherwise. In the midst of peace and plenty, and with beautifully fine weather as., an , aid to comfort, Christmas must be enjoyable, . , Christmas Day by many was observed .as:a holy-day, and in the Episcopal and Roman Catholic Churches there were special services. St. Paul’s‘Church (Episcopalian), Thorndon, as usual was gaily' decorated with evergreens and flowers, and in conspicuous' parts of the church were hung texts appropriate -to the season, the work of willing hands which had been kept busy up to a late hour on Saturday night in ‘the labor of love. .The sacrament was administered at 7 a.m., 9 a.m.‘, and 11 a.m., preceded on the last occasion by a choral service, in which the choir; frilly sustained its reputation. The psalms,- caritiples, anthem, hymns, and Communion service' were all very impressively rendered, arid heartily joined in by the large congregation present. The Rev. B.' \V. Harvey preached! St. Peter’s : Church, Te ArO, was also most tastefully decorated throughout, a handsome scroll, with the words “ Prince of Peace,” being placed over the communion rail. The service commenced with the old Christmas hymn “ Christiana Awake, &c.,” all tbe congregation joining, and the effect being very grand. St, Peter’s has always excelled in hymn singing, and congregation and choir seemed to join on Christmas day with one heart and voice in the antiphon of praise. The Venite and special psalms were chanted; very well, the pointing being excellent. For the Te JDeum and Jubilate, Jackson and Bridgwater’s Services were used, although why the Jubilate should have been chosen instead : of the Benedictus, as appropriate to Christmastide, is not apparent. The soprano solo in the Jubilate was beautifully rendered, and although the acoustic properties of the church are not of the highest order, yet every word was distinctly audible iri every part,'the clear bell-like, quality of the lady’s voice being admirably adapted for the music. The anthem was “ Let us noiv go even unto Bethlehem,” by E. J. Hopkins, the soprano recitative being excellently rendered. Before the sermon the ever popular- Adeste Fideles was sung, all joining. The Yen. Archdeacon Stock delivered y most impressive discourse,on the.first advent » the Messiah, pointing to his hearers the necessity for preparation for the second coming. After the offertory, “ Hark the Herald Angels Sing ” was sung to a tune in the New Zealand Hymnal, Mendelssohn’s grand‘old music as in “Hymns Ancient and Modern ” being discarded. After the prayer for (the Church Militant, non-communicants left the church, and the sacrament was celebrated. There' was no evening service. ; At the Roman Catholic Cathedral mass was said at eleven,, the musical portion being more ornate than usual ;.and at Te Aro mass was said twice. , At the Primitive Methodist Church, Webb street, a Service of Sacred Song was held in the evening; ■ and Mr Nixon delivered a most stirring appeal on the glorious tidings, “Peace on earth, good will towards men!” • There whs a large and devout congregation.- - ' : ' Boxing Day will long be remembered as one of the finest we have had for a long time past, and the-deserted .streets'showed how thoroughly townspeople had taken advantage of the favorable circumstances for holiday making. THE RAILWAY Was very, largely patronised, large numbers of people'finding their way to the Hutt sports, and many picnic parties seeking the sequestered nooks of the Valley, in which to spend the pleasant hours. The total number , of passengers carried on tbe Wellington arid Mastertori Railway for Christmas and Boxing Day, was 2646. The receipts amounted to £136 7s. lid. THE PLEASURE EXCURSIONS. ' The Manawatu . made ■ trips at intervals during the day to Somes Island, and was largely patronised. Shortly - after midday the island was dotted all over with picnic parties,, and as the day wore on dancing was indulged in in sonic of the rooms of the ■ Quarantine .depot, and various games were “ gone in for” in the open. But one alight circumstance marred the pleasure of the day... If, indeed, it did mar it f<ir the individual concerned caused as much amusement perhaps as apprehension, r On one of the trips of the boat the person referred to made himself conspicuous by (threatening to “knife” a gentleman, with whom he had a slight argument. The same party in coming on board was not satisfied with the ordinary means, but' juiriped on; and in so doing floored a well-known. and esteemed member of the Artillery Band; finally winding up with a, fight with another passenger. ’Twere a pity "to find it necessary to have a policeman or two present on such occasions as pleasure excursions ; but such occurrences as fights on a crowded' boat are unpleasant and dangerous. The Manawatu took riot far short of 2000 people, all of whoin may be said, from all appearances, to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The steamer brought the last and most crowded of her loads to the wharf , by 8.15 p.m.;'arid the day, so far as Somes Islandwas ’ concerned, was pronounced by the excursionists a decided.success. . i : ' The Moa made" an expedition to Wqrser Bay and the Pilot Station, taking various. picnic parties. She, too, was patronised, to. the full extent of her capacity, and the excursionists appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves. , ■ Besides the ' excursions, provided ■ for tho public, the schooners Aspasia and Rose; of Eden went cruising about the!harbor; , and thei s.s. Stella took a large number of. Government officials to the Heads and round Somes;.lsland. j FORESTERS’ SPORTS. • These sports came off on the Basin Reserve, and were ril'ost successful as to the performance’ of-the I programme and the attendance, there being quite 3000 persons on the ground. HisExcellency the Governor was present; being accompanied by Hervey Phipps. The weather was riot too warm to be pleasant, arid it may bo said with confidence that everyone present; thoroughly enjoyed themselves. / The members of the Independent Order of'Foresters started from Mr.,Valentine’s Hotel, the Foresters’ Arms, Ghuznee-street. THence they marched round town, headed by the band of the Rifle Volunteers, and eventually reached the Basin Reserve, where the band took up its quarters in tho small house on the hill provided to afford , shelter . from the sun. The greater number of the spectators rolled up in the afternoon. A capital programme had been arranged, and the committee entrusted with the arrangement of preparations may be congratulated on - the manner in which they performed their work.. The judges .were 'Messrs. . Whiteford arid Bo vis ; starter, Mr. Fisk."; 1. Maiden Race, 150 yards ; Ist prize, £2 ; 2nd do., £1 ; entrance, 2s. f ! 6d:—Archer, Clark, ; Parsonage, and Cooley started. On the start, Archer was tripped up, according to his statement, by| Clark.. . He. fell however, and did not naturally endeavor to engage in the race afterwards. The others obtained, a good start, but- Parsonage-fell: half-way round, his boot coming off. This.made the race easy for Clark and Cooley,• who cariie in first and second respectively. /; * ' 2. . One' Mile -Walking Match ; Youths under 16.—1st prize, £1; 2nd d0., -10b. • Entries—R. Watkins, H. McCaul, J.Boyd. The boys got away to a goodstart, Watkins obtaining a lead, McCaul following second, and keeping I up well to the first boy. The positions roI mained unchanged till the fourth round, when

Boyd overtook MoOaul. Half-way round the fourth lap the latter caved in. Watkins was evidently too good for Boyd, and he won first place easily, Boyd taking second prize. 3. 220 Yards Handicap.—lst prize, £2 10s.; 2nd, £l. Entrance, 2s. 6d. Entries—J. Donovan (green) scratch; F.'S. Cooper (light blue), Iyd.; C. Major, 2yds ; S. Withers (puce and white), 2yds.; R. Freeman, 3yds.; F.Jones (red and white), syds.; J. Moran, 7yds. ; J. Smith (red and white), Byds;; A. Chuck (red and white), 1 Byds.; Gr. Ellison (dark blue), 9yds. This race was run in one heat. There was one false start made by. Donovan, who, in accordance with the rules, was put back one yard. Ultimately a good start was obtained, and the running was very hot; Donovan ran splendidly, and literally flew ahead of the others. It was a splendid race; Donovan took first place, Chuck second, and Jones third Time;'26secs. 4. Vaulting with the Pole. —Ist prize, £1 10s.; 2nd, 10s. There were only two entries, namely, Mudgway and Hydes—the result being, that Mudgway took first prize, and Hydes second* Height, 7ft. Bin. 5. Running High Leap.—lst prize, 305.; 2nd prize, 10s., The entries were as follows: —Freeman, Thompson, Archer, and Mudgway. Thompson took first prize, jumping 4ft. sin;, Archer second. 7. 440 Yards Handicap.—lst prize, 605.; 2nd, • 20s. -The following started : —F. S. Cooper (scratch), F. Jones (6yds.), C. Major (7yds.), R. Freeman-(Byds.), A. Chuck (16yds.' Donovan, J. Moran, Withers, and Smith did not put in an appearance. A good start was made, all the competitors getting well away. The race was , quite as interesting,as any run during the day. Chuck got away with a fair lead, and kept .up a fine pace, showing considerable improvement on his, performances at previous meetings. He was closely followed by Major for some time, and the latter got a trifling lead for a brief period, but displayed (fer him) unusual weakness, and gave way entirely towards the close. Cooper was rather heavily handicapped, but ran well. The result of the race was as follows ;—Chuck, 1 ; Jones, 2 ; Cooper 3. Time, 57secs. 8. Horizontal Bar.—lst prize, 80s.; 2nd, 10s. There were three entries, but one of them appeared to be suffering very much from the influence, of the sun, as a state of intoxication is sometimes politely described. He was not therefore allowed to compete, and as he objected to this very strongly, and became demonstrative in his manner, he was carried outside the ring. The remaining competitors were Messrs. W. and J. Retford, who took first and second prizes respectively. - 9. Sailor’s Hornpipe.—lst prize, 80s.; 2nd, 10s. This was an interesting event. Smith took the first prize again ; Malone took second. 10. 440 Yards Handicap Hurdle Race.—lst prize, 80s,; 2nd, 10s. Entries—J. Donovan, scratch ; F. S. Cooper, 2yds.; W. Hearn, 6yds. ; F. Jones, 6yds. ; A. Chuck) -13yds. C. Major did not start. This was decidedly the most interesting event on the programme, although it was. unhappily attended by certain unfortunate circumstances. Donovan had the ill luck, or indiscretion, as the case may be, to make three false starts, and he was consequently put back 3yds. Eventually, however, a good start, was made, and all the- competitors got away splendidly; but after the first hurdle had been passed Donovan and Chuck fell. Undaunted by this mishap both men pulled themselves together again and went at their work manfully; : blit the time lost'by their fall was too great ,to ; be made up for, and they gave in. before the finish. Jones was in good form, and came in a good first, Cooper second, and Hearn third. The race was run in 63Jaec., being very quick time. . • ■ ’ 11. Stone and Basket Race, 100 Yards.— Ist prize, 605.;.2nd, 20s. Great-amusement was caused by this, as usual. The result of 'the contest was that Smith took first place, Bennett second, and Hearn third, i-. 112. 880 Yards Handicap.—lst prize, 705.; 2nd, 20s. .There were eight entries,-but only .three started, namely, J. Moore, scratch ; F. ,S. Cooper, 10yds, and F. Jones, 16yds. The start was excellent. Jones led off, followed by Cooper, and maintained the lead for two rounds, : He was then passed by Cooper, who kept, the lead for two rounds, and was then overtaken by Jones. Moran at this time passed Cooper, who shortly afterwards fell out, and- the race -thus. lay between Jones and Mbran, the result being a-dead heat. It was the fastest race ever witnessed on' the ground; Time, 2min. 7secs., ~; r ~-f : 13. Three, Mile Walking • Handicap.—Jst prip, silver cup, value £5 ; 2nd, 20s. There were only two competitors, ( Anderson and Zedch ; Edwards did not start, The race was a gift to Anderson, who', having given his opponent 60yds., soon passed, him, and, walking in splendid style, came in first by a long distance. The time was as follows ;—First mile, 7min. 38secs. ; second, mile,' 9min. SOsecs. ; third mile, 9min., ,;45aecs. ; total, 26mins. 53secs. .- , • • ■ ‘ 14. Foresters’ Maiden Race, ,440 Yarckv—--Ist (prize, 405.;., 2nd,' 20s. This was a fast race!, being accomplished in 65sccs. Cooley, took first-place, Carson second.: Five men 15. Wrestling Match (Cumberland style).— Ist prize,' -40sl ; 2nd,' 20s. There were only two competitors, Black, of the A.C. force, and Lacey, the former taking first prize easily. _ 16. One-Mile Running Handicap.—lst prize, £5 ; 2nd, 40s. J. Moran (scratch), F. Jones (40yds.), W. Hearn (40yds.), and B. Cooley (45yds.), started- This was a good race between Moran and Jones, who came in first and second respectively. Hearn fell out at the sth lap, after leading Moran for some time. 17. Water Race, 440. Yards.—lst prize, : 405,; 2nd, 10s. - An exceedingly funny, event. The- 1 Competitors were each provided with a. bucket filled with water, and the result was to be dejeided in favor of the man who came in first with most water in his bucket. After the first round, the-competitors (there were only three of them) presented the appearance of half-drowned l .rats..- McGrath; took first prize, ■ Carson came in second as to place ; but, his bucket was nearly empty, so the last man—Smith—who had been slow and sure, took second prize. .. 18. Bicycle Race,Three-Mile Handicap.—lst ; prize, ,605.;" 2nd, 20s. South, jun., ‘ and B. Williams started.;-- The youngsteiYga've Williams alstart.pf 60yds.; having the b'est’bicycle.. He won the race,; anid deserves great credit for the pluck and, perseverance he displayed, when it is considered, that l his opponent ’was a full grown man and one m ore accustomed to riding aibicycle. ( South overtook Williams at the' third lap, and son got a.good lead. He did not succeed in increasing the; distance between them'however) as he • began, to suffer from fatigue.. Nevertheless, he “ stuck to^. iff courageously, and eventually came in. a winner by 60yds. - Time; 20min. 7sec.' ‘ , 19. Firemen’s Bade, in uniform.—lst prize, 405.; 2nd, 20s. McGrath took first prize, Hearn second. • ' ' ~ 20. -Sack-Race.—lst prize, 80s.; 2nd, 10s. Black, 1 ; Zesch, 2. The latter was the last event on the programme) . . ■

EXCURSION TO KAPITI AND ; . PELORUS SOUND. , b

; Npt 'the lerist enjoyable of the Christmas, excursions, was that' in the s.s, Napier to Kapiti and Pelorus Sound. Some five-aud-twenty gentlemen availed ■ themselves of the trip, and after being seeu;off .on Saturday night at half-past.ten o’clock by- quite a numerous party bt : enthusiastic friends,, reached Kapiti before daylight the following morning. After a day at the island, a 'bourse.was shaped for; Pelorus Sound, and the steamer dropped anchor off Messrs. Beauchamp and Campbell’s saw.;, mills a little after, ririori. on Christinas ,dayi ; Here they • were met - arid most hospitably (l en-, tertainedby’Messrs. Godsiflf and. Suisted,.and some time was spent in examining the lopautyi. where there is every opportunity for the formation in future 'of m; magnificent homestead in the ■ valley above • the sawmill, containing many acres of -beautiful land.At the mills a, population of over .150-people is settled, and they are making the most praiseworthy efforts for the education of the numerous olive branches growing up amongst them. A sohoolhouse is in course of erection, and a schoolmaster has been engaged from

Dunedin, and all this without any State aid ; which should, however, be speedily forthcoming to so energetic a community. Christmas Day was spent in the exercise of festivities, and next day the entrance to the Sound was attained by Guard’s Pass, when some splendid hapnka fishing was enjoyed. The steamer reached the Queen’s wharf at 10.30 p.m. on Tuesday, after an excursion of which every one concerned spoke in terms of thorough enjoyment. Nothing could have exceeded the care and attention bestowed upen his passengers by Captain Holmes; and the excursionists were so satisfied with the anxiety evinced for their creature comforts, that they gave the stewards and cook a pecuniary testimonial, besides enabling the crew to drink their healths and the compliments of the season. Mr. Andrew Reid, of Messrs. Turnbull and Co., who are the owners of the Napier, was also on board, and consulted the wishes of the excursionists in every possible particular. R.FLE MATCH. The Kaiwarrawarra Rifle Volunteers fired yesterday far the company’s timepiece and two money prizes.' The timepiece to ,be won twice in succession,' or three times at intervals. Ranges, 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards ; five shots at each range. The following were the three highest scorers : Private S. Menzies- 67 Private J. Turner 64 Sub-Lieutenant Harris 63 Private S. Menzies having won the timepiece three times at intervals, it becomes his absolute property. The timepiece has been fired for twelve times, the first contest haying taken place on 24th May, 1874. . - THE PANTOMIME. It is a long time since the Theatre Royal has been so well patronised as it was on Tuesday evening. On Boxing Day it is the custom of English speaking people to give themselves up entirely to enjoyment, the evening following the day as a natural consequence. It will be easily understood that, there being a scarcity of public amusement last night, the Christmas Pantomime received a good deal of attention. At eight o’clock the Theatre was crowded, and numbers of persons were refused admittance, notices on the stalls and pit doors being posted up announcing that in effect “there was no room for more.” The p.ntomime was introduced with the wellknown farce, “ Ici on Parle Erancais.” It is needless to say that no one cared for that. However, it gave time for the introduction of the fairy extravaganza pantomime “ Cinderella,” which, considering certain inevitable disadvantages under which the company labored, was a most remarkable success. It is unnecessary to say anything of the plot of the burlesque, which is so well known as to need no description. The performers were well up in the text, and with one or two exceptions displayed a genuine appreciation of the numerous points which occur in the dialogue. It was satisfactory to observe also that ! the singing and dancing were really good, whilst the dresses of several of the performers, notably those of Mrs. Bates, Miss Stoneham, and Miss. Morgan were most elegant. 1 There was ho lack of fun in the piece. Mrs. Bates appeared as Prince Poppetti, and it is needless to say, that nations have seldom been known to lay claim to a prince possessed of such great personal attractions as this particular prince appeared to have in the eyes of the audience at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday night. ’Her aoting was admirable, her singing was pleasing, and the representation of the part generally was highly satisfactory, to which , the ' audience unmistakeably testified. . Miss Morgan also did well Her singing (and, she frequently favored the audience in that direction) was.qge of the chief attractions, in which, it is needless to say. Miss" Stoneham, who is acknowledged to be a great, favorite here, must be included. Indeed, the last-mentioned lady was of great service, not only in the extravaganza, but as columbine in the harlequinade. Mrs. Stoneham gave a representation of Thisbethatin certain respects could not be excelled. It was very funny. Mr. Sam Howard was also comical as the gushing Clorinda, his make-up being particularly good. The other parts were well played, and the scenery did Mr. Williams infinite credit. We can only speak of the transformation scene in terms of the highest praise. Generally-speaking, therefore, as may have been gathered from what has been said before, the Christmas Pantomime this year was a genuine success in every respect, and those who were unable to obtain admittance owing to the great crush, lost a real treat. ACCIDENTS. ..; ■ On Friday last a pleasure party consisting of Messrs. W. V. Jackson, Burreft, T. K. Macdonald and his brother,’who were driving up country, met with rather a serious accident in crossing the Waiohine river. The river was flooded,, but it being deemed fordable •an attempt to cross was made, the result being that the trap floated down the stream, and was finally smashed to atoms. Only one of the passengers was much bruised, the others escaping unhurt, but as may be easily imagined . the experience was : anything but lively. Anaccjdept of a rather serious nature occurred at‘Chlrterton on Sunday last. It appears that Mr. -/Henry Stewart, of the firm of Stewart Bros., saw-mill proprietors, was returning in a spring-cart with his wife and brother from church, and when passing another horse and cart driven by Mr. R. Donald both horses shied. The result was a collision, in ’which the shafts of Mr. Stewart’s cart were broken, and the occupants thrown out. They .were all more or less injured, but Mrs. Donald . received such a severe shock that little hope of her recovery is entertained. A serious accident happened in Hill-street on Christmas Day, in this way : Mr. Glading, a painter, and his wife had been out for a drive in a cart, and were making preparations for the return, Mrs. Glading having got into the cart, and Mr.- Glading was just mounting the step, when the horse bolted. Mr. Prince, of Hill-street, in courageously attempting to stopthe runaway horse was knocked to the ground senseless. He was rather severely hurt. Mrs. . Glading was ultimately thrown out of the cart in Molesworth-street. No bones were broken, fortunately, but she received a nasty wound in the facfe ■ , / ■ C .We hear with regret that a serious accident occurred to a coach.and its passengers coining down from the Pakuratahi to Wellington last Saturday afternoon. The Italian band, from, the- incline contract, were on their, way down to town to perform 'during the holiday times, • and/had engaged a special conveyance to bring them down. It is alleged that the driver •is to blame;for the accident. ■ Several of the men state that when they reached the Pakuratahi the driver assured them that he would bring them down to the Upper Hutt in twenty minutes, to which they replied that there was no hurry, so he could take his.,time. They state they repeatedly requested huh to drive more slowly and carefully down the Mungaroa, but that he persisted in keeping his,horses at a very first pace, pulling, them sharply'round the dangerous curves which are so - numerous on this hill. As a consequence in rounding a comer the coach was upset not only injuring several of its occupants but also doing great damage to their instruments. The band numbered eighteen and-although the smaller instruments were uninjured, all the larger, especially the four principal ones, were rendered useless or completely destroyed. The Italians' estimate their loss at very little short of £IOO. ' A pleasure party, consisting, pf .lMr. Devin, hairdresser, and . others, met with, an accident oh the road to Porirua on Boxing Day. Driving down the hill about a mile and a half beyond Johnsohyille the horses attached to the carriage got too near the edge pf, the road, and went over the side, falling downi the hill. The whole party necessarily parted with the carriage, which rolled to the bottom of the gully. No one was seriously injured, a little shaking . and some skin bruises being the only damage ■done to the travellers ; but unfortunately the horses did 1 not escape so easily. One of them had its leg broken; the other Was not much hurt ” The carriage; • which was pulled to the • top of the 1 hill with-thir’assistance of a good many persons who were passing, was a good deal smashed, and the harness was much cut and broken. One gentleman obtained another conveyance, and therefore got to the race-?, despite the accident.

NEW YEAR’S DAY,

The day, which in Wellington had been ushered in with many signs of rejoicing, 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 war 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 wpre 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 : 274aecs. In the second heat, A. Withers was first, and W, . Cooper second. Time ; 29.Jsecs. In the final 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 prize, £1; Kitson the second, 10s. ( “ Twa kilted callants” then put in an appearance, but had to’ wait before contesting for the Highland Fling until the arrival of the piper, who had gone home to attire 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; l 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. 2m. Murphy’s.longest jump was 40ft. Sin. Avery took the first prize, £3, and • Murphy the’’ second, £l. .. .- d•’ •- 1 - : 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 Dono-van-second, the time being 25secs. In the second heat there was alao’a very close contest' 1 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 net so'good, being 25|secs. ■Mitchell took the firstrprize, £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 j event. In the first heat there was a capital s • start, and all kept their places pretty well in the early part of. the race. Freeman came in '"' firsth and Bishop second, the time being llsec. \ In the second heat there was some very good running, the time Being a little under the ' llsec.. Major coming-in first and Corbett ; j second. A spell was allowed before the final i heat was run, and at the start Freeman and 7 Bishop were each fined a yard. The distance was run in- lOJsee., excellent time considering , * the hardness of the ground. Freeman took first prize, £lO ; Major second, £3 ; and Gorbett 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 wits all that could be desired. There wore three candidates, A- ' McKenzie, A. Menzies, and Malcolm Campbell, the two former being in Highland costume. 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 rounds of 1 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 16Jmin., Fraser taking " the first prize, £5 ; Zesch the second, £3 ; and Mitchell the third, £l. 440 Yards Handicap.—First prize, £18; second,.-£3; third, £2. There were nine entries, all at scratch except Cooper, Jones, and Major. Cooper came in, first. Major second. Time: 66)sec. , . ' -s Bicycle Handicap (Two Miles). —First prize, £5; second, £2. Three started: Webb, Spnth, 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 prise. . ... 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, £5; second, £2; third, £l. This was decidedly the most 1 interesting event on the programme, and the, competition. <vas spirited. Five started, Donovan, who ran and, jumped, splendidly,, coming in first, Jones second, and Cooper third. Time: 63fsec. 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, /Jaokson, . Avery, and Thomson, the others hairing’' fallen out. The three named, however, each- failed to jump the sft;,'- and they > therefore divided, - the - prize moneys, i - ■ Stone f and. Basket, Handicap.—Firatprize, • £4 ; second, £2 ; > third, £l. Hearn took first . prize ;(J.t Smith and J. Bennett tied for second. - 880 Yards Handicap.—First prize, - £10; ■ ■ second, £3 ; third,’ £2. Jones (12yds.), X;.Moran (scratch), 2Cooper, (Byds.), 3. Major,.... and Harrison fell,- and Cooper, to make third, pad only to: walfa'-in. -Time, 2min. 13aec., or six seconds longer, it is said, than when a similar race wa-s run on the Prince~6f - Wales’ Birthday! - One’-LRlilc’ Handicap.—First, prize;/ £15;; second, £3 '; third, £2. Moran • (scratch), 1’ ; Jones (35yds.), 2 ; Chuck (50yds‘.),i3. v ' . >’■’ Firemen’s Race, in uniform (320 Yards)..— First prize, £2 ; second, £l.' Hearn was "first " and McGrath second. v . Sword Dance.—The first prize,. £3, 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.