ST. PATRICK'S DAY SPORTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4988, 19 March 1877, Page 2

ST. PATRICK'S DAY SPORTS.

The sports in connection with the Hibernian Benefit and Catholic Young Men's Societies, to celebrate the return of St. Patrick's Day, were held on the Basin Reserve on Saturday. As usual on such occasions the attendance was not considerable in the early part of the day, but increased as time advanced. The band of the City Rifles was present, and played a number of selections in excellent style throughout the day. o*ing to some cause a little delay occurred in commencing the programme—the first event was to have come off at one o'clock, but it was after two o'clock before a start was made. It is needless to say that there were little additional amusements outside the ring, in the shape of the old lady relative who invariably makes her appearance at race meetings, and a variety of lottery machines and a whirligig. On the whole the committee and secretary, Mr. Devine, deserve credit for the manner in which they completed their arrangements for the day. His Excellency the Governor arrived on the ground during the afternoon, and remained for some time. Everything went off very smoothly, and a noticeable feature about the proceedings of the day was the absence of, intemperance and rowdyism. The first event on the programme was the Maiden Bace, 220yds. flat race : let prize, £2; 2nd prize, £l.—This was run off in heats, which resulted as follows:—First heat : Kuchen, 1; Simpson, 2 Coffey and Remington also started. Second heat: Hanson, 1; Williamson, 2. Asher and Mitihell also competed. Final heat : The four first and second men in the two previous heats competed in this one, viz., Hanson, I ; Simpson, 2 ; Kuchen, and Williamson, who came in in the order their names appear, the two first taking first and second prizes respectively. Hop, Step, and Jump: £1 10s. and 10s.— Seven entered for this event. The contest was attended by an unfortunate accident to one of the competitors, W. Murphy, who broke his leg in the first jump. , When all had jumped once his was the longest. After two attempts it was passed by T. Avery. . Running High Jump : £1 10s. and 13s.— There were six competitors for this event, Callagher, T. Avery, Jackson, Broder, Vincent, and Mclvor, the competition being very keen. Jackson and Mclvor leaped the same height—sft. lin.; but as the latter made two attempts, he was awarded only second prize, Jackson taking first. St. Patrick's Handicap : Ist prize, silver cup ; 2nd prize, £4.—First distance, 100yds. Donovan, scratch ; Major, Iyd.; Woods, Iyd. There was some difficulty in getting off this race, owing to a foul start; but it proved an interesting contest, Donovan coming in first, closely' followed by Major. Mile Handicap : £5 and £2.—J. Moran, scratch ; Hearn, 40yds. ;. McGrath, 50yds. ; Lawkny 70yds. There was a good start. McGrath fell out after the first round. Lawlor, though a boy, and this being his first race, held out very well till the seventh round, when hs also dropped out. It then lay between Moran and Hearn, the former coming in a good first, Hearn second. Time, 4min. 55sec. Second distance for Handicap : 220yds.— Donovan, scratch ; Woods, 3yds.; Major, 4yds. When half round, Woods endeavored to hold Major ; but the latter managed to free himself. Woods then.dropped out. Result: Donovan, 1 ; Major, 2. As Woods had scored 0, Donovan 10, and Major 0, it was not thought necessary to run the final heat of 440yds.; Major consenting to take second prize, Donovan thus taking the cup. -,„.,„ a Mile Walking Match : £4 and £1 10s.—A. Zesch (scratch), A. Fraser (20yds.), G. Poulton (40yds.) This was the most exciting event of the day. The three got off with a spurt loudly applauded by their friends. The race lay between Zesch and Fraser. At the sixth round the excitement commenced, which was kept up till the finish. Within about 50yds. of the tape Fraser's friends gathered rcund and endeavored to push him forward. He ran a few

yards. . Zesch came in first by less than a foot and immediately swooned. Fraser entered a protest "against Zesch's walking, and also fo* treading on his heel. 440 Yards Hurdle Handicap : £4 and £1 10s.—Donovan (scratch), Woods (3yds), Hears (10yds). When the race was called only Donovan and Hearn came forward; but according to the regulations the race could not be run unless there were three competitors. After considerable delay Woods was induced to come forward, and a start was therefor* made. Donovan started with a jump, and he and Woods got over the first hurdle almost simultaneously ."but at' the next he fell. Therace then lay hetween Hearn and Woods, who came in first and second respectively. ~ Wrestling Match : £2 and £l.—There were five competitors for this event, which was contested in the Cumberland style. Hurly, Goff, Larkin. Kernew, and Robinson entered. The first prize was awarded to Robinson, Larkin second. Putting the Stone : £3 and £l.—There were five entries, Rush, Murphy, Breen, Foley, and Jackson. The struggle lay between Rusk and Murphy. Murphy took first prize, and Rush second ; the respective distances beinir 32ft. 2in. and 30ft. 7in. Throwing the Hammer : £1 10s. and 10*. There were five competitors, but as in the laet event, the contest really lay between Rusk and Murphy. - After a number of ties Rush was awarded first place, Murphy second ; distances, 67ft. Bih. and 67in. 7in. This concluded the day's amusement, it being past six o'clock. the dinner. A public dinner was given in the evening by the committee in St. Joseph schoolroom, Boulcott-street. About sixty gentlemen sat down to an excellent spread, provided by Mr. A; McDonald, confectioner, Manners-street, and to which full justice was done. The Hon. Dr. Grace occupied the chair, being supported by Messrs. T. K. Macdonald, J. Blundett, and Thos. Turnbull; Mr. P. A. Buckley occupying the vioe-chair. The toasts of " Hi» Holiness Pope Pius the Ninth," " The Queen and Royal Family,""His Excellency the Governor," "The Day we Celebrate," "oW Native Land," "The Land of our Adoption, "jjod other minor toasts were enthusiastically drunk, and speeches made on each occasion. The proceedings were enlivened by several members of the company singing songs appropriate to the day and the occasion ; and shortly before midnight the company broke up, after spending a most enjoyable evening.